Job Discussion Forums

[dduck]

I think it's part of human nature. Most countries have complaints about their neighbours. What happened hundreds of years ago is just an excuse. It more about general intolerance, and a little cultural misunderstanding thrown in for good measure.

You'll find Americans joking about Mexicans. Jay Leno joked about Mexico's position before the Iraqi II war. He said jokingly that Mexicans are very protective about a nations' right to protect its borders, (because Mexico had lost so much of its own).

Mexicans joke about Guatemala - going from Guate 'buena = good' to Guate 'mala = bad'.

Back home, people in Glasgow complain about people in Edinburgh.

I think the joke disappears when one side starts believing that they really are superior.
Iain

[johnslat]

I'm reminded of one of Tom Lehrer's songs:

Oh, the white folks hate the black folks,
And the black folks hate the white folks.
To hate all but the right folks
Is an old established rule.

But during National Brotherhood Week, National Brotherhood Week,
Lena Horne and Sheriff Clarke are dancing cheek to cheek.
It's fun to eulogize
The people you despise,
As long as you don't let 'em in your school.

Oh, the poor folks hate the rich folks,
And the rich folks hate the poor folks.
All of my folks hate all of your folks,
It's American as apple pie.

But during National Brotherhood Week, National Brotherhood Week,
New Yorkers love the Puerto Ricans 'cause it's very chic.
Step up and shake the hand
Of someone you can't stand.
You can tolerate him if you try.

Oh, the Protestants hate the Catholics,
And the Catholics hate the Protestants,
And the Hindus hate the Moslems,
And everybody hates the Jews.

But during National Brotherhood Week, National Brotherhood Week,
It's National Everyone-smile-at-one-another-hood Week.
Be nice to people who
Are inferior to you.
It's only for a week, so have no fear.
Be grateful that it doesn't last all year!


Here's a web site with many of Tom's other lyrics:

http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/singerAllSongs/00AAF31EC6C79B4548256A7D0028A9E0

Regards.
John

[dmb]

dduck, Edinburghers hate Weedgies too( so much so I probably can't spell it)

[dduck]

Wedgies: are they deep-fried?

Iain

[grahamb]

Johnslat, you guys have a lot to answer for.
As if throwing a wild tea party in Boston harbour wasn't enough, you then opened fire on (ahem!) British peace-keeping forces in Lexington and Concord.
Aintya got no shame?
Graham.

[johnslat]

Dear grahamb,
Funny you should mention that. I saw "Braveheart" on TV the other day. You guys up there in Scotland weren't exactly shrinking violets, either, as regards seeking freedom from English rule. William Wallace makes the Fathers of the Revolution look like pretty timid, gentle souls.

http://www.electricscotland.com/history/wallace.htm

Regards,
John

[dduck]

Hollywood sells (out) history. In the same way that popular contemporary writers rewrote various parts of American history. For example, the Declaration of Independence wasn't signed on the 4th of July, and the Battle of Bunkerhill wasn't fought on Bunkerhill. The Boston Tea party is commonly thought to be about taxation, but in fact, it was was about American shopkeeper's objection to Free Trade: the British were flooding the American market with cheap tea. So, these so-called American's were quite anti-captalistic.

Also, I hear, that the American Declartion of Independence is base, in part, on the Declaration of Arbroath.

Iain

[johnslat]

Dear dduck,
Well, I don't think I'd blame Hollywood for initiating the "rewrite" of history, merely for helping to perpetuate some of that. You're quite right, by the way, about the "Battle of Bunker Hill". It was actually fought on Breed's Hill. As for the signing of the Declaration of Independence, right again. But -

"The Declaration was then rewritten somewhat in general session prior to its adoption by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. "

It was "adopted" on that date.

"A final copy of the Declaration was produced by Timothy Matlack, assistant to the secretary of Congress, on August 2, 1776, at which time most of the delegates signed it (several signed later). Word of the declaration reached London on August 10. Several myths surround the document: because it is dated July 4, 1776, many people falsely believe it was signed on that date."


As for "capitalism and free trade", well there are those who see "free trade" as actually a feature of communism, rather than capitalism:

" http://www.ptb.be/international/article.phtml?section=A3AAABCA&object_id=455

Regarding the Declaration of Independence's being based, in part, on the Declaration of Arbroath, that could well be so. However, the latter was composed on behalf of the Scottish nobility and was addressed to the Pope.

http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/home/scotland/arbroath_english.html

Regards,
John

[guty]

I recently watched Braveheart and still hate the English. Which, given it is my own nationality can be a disadvantage

[johnslat]

Dear guty,
Well, on the other hand, let's not forget that, were it not for the English, we'd all be in another line of work.
Regards,
John

[dduck]

Dearest John,
No, I'd still be teaching language - it'd just be German. Ja, whol mein Herr!

And I applaud your brave attempts to educate people on this board. If you start a club, I'll join.

I need to check my facts regarding the DoI (which I found in Bill Bryson's book Made in America). Also, I was impressed by how many Americanisms are now well established British English, e.g. "this neck of the woods". And it looks like Americans invented phrasal verbs - now I know who to blame! On the otherhand, this language would have stagnated, if it had been left to British Imperialists.

Dear guty,
Are you English, or am I missing the point? And you shouldn't hate the English, you should hate injustice and intolerance. And you shouldn't hate, because that only breeds injustice and intolerance. Don't ask me what you should do, I am not inside your head!

Iain

[johnslat]

Dear dduck,
I DO like to spout off, don't I? Well heck - that's one major reason I became a teacher in the first place. In the classroom, I can spout off AND they actually give me money for doing so. As my dear, sainted Mom used to tell me," Son, the secret of success in life is this: find out what you love to do and then find some fool willing to pay you to do it". Admittedly none of us earns that much - but boy, do we have fun or WHAT?
Regards,
John

[guty]

dd,
I am English, but it was such a powerful film I will forever hate the English who cheated that poor Australian out of his beloved Scotland, just as they took the Webb Ellis trophy from some other Australians more recently

[dmb]

Guty, I have a good idea where you can put the Webb Ellis trophey yes I am a sore loser