Job Discussion Forums

Cole Katz · Joined: 15 Jan 2012 Posts: 15

Dave's limited the number of choices I could have in the poll so I had to make some cuts. Russia was one of them, sorry, a careless choice.

I would have thought Mexico would count as Central (Latin) America, but I can see the geographical argument that it is North America, but then again all of Central America is geographically North America, isn't it?

I don't know that I agree that Mexico is the best place, but I do think the Mexican people are the finest human beings I have ever met. Really; I mean that.

And as for how many continents there are. It's the two Americas, Africa, Australia, Antarctica (no ESL work there to speak of) and mighty Eurasia.

To my way of thinking, the white Europeans who are responsible for the Age of Discovery couldn't deal with the fact that their great race didn't have its own continent, while Aborigines, Africans and native 'Americans' did. So they arbitrarily cut Eurasia off at the Urals and the Dardanelles to make The Great White Continent. It's all Eurasia and nothing but between Great Britain and Japan, and I'd rather not hear any arguments, thank you. Cool

Isla Guapa · Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 3:01 am Post subject:

I suggest changing the South/Central America category to Latin America.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 6:35 am Post subject:

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

SE Asia but no NE Asia? I guess it's the Far East. BUt how come China is the only country on the list? Confused

I mean, it's the Far East too, right?

Sashadroogie · Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 7:11 am Post subject:

Apart from the huge swathes of Central Asia inherited from the Mongols..

Teacher in Rome · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Posts: 1286

tttompatz · Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 8:44 am Post subject:

Sashadroogie · Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 8:48 am Post subject:

This is true.

And the USA includes Hawaii. Kazakhstan plays in UEFA and Israel participates in the Eurovision. Not too much geographical consistency there.

johnslat · Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 1:26 pm Post subject:

Dear Teacher in Rome,

"But on another note, what do citizens of the USA and Canada think about Mexico - is it part of North America? Seems to me it's just as much a political choice as a geographical one."

Can't speak for the citizens of Canada (who, it's hoped, are more informed), but depending for accuracy upon what many/most citizens of the US know about geography is not such a good idea.

I live in the state of New Mexico. Many of my fellow citizens think they need a passport to visit.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12512979

http://www.nmmagazine.com/50missing.php

Regards,
John

Sashadroogie · Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 1:32 pm Post subject:

Like for New England?

johnslat · Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 1:43 pm Post subject:

Dear Sasha,

"Which is bigger: California or Los Angeles? Most fourth graders aren't sure."

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Education/2011/0719/Which-is-bigger-California-or-Los-Angeles-Most-fourth-graders-aren-t-sure

Ignorance abounds.

Regards,
John

Sashadroogie · Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 2:02 pm Post subject:

Abounds everywhere. Except in Russia. Soviet academies simply would not tolerate such gaps in knowledge. Nothing like a spell in an extracurricular camp to sort of willful educational sabotage. I don't mean decadent Summer Camps either.

BTW, what age are fourth-graders?

Isla Guapa · Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 4:38 pm Post subject:

BadBeagleBad · Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 5:09 pm Post subject:

[quote="Phil_K"]

Also, at the end of Robbie Williams' concert in the Foro Sol, he announced, "I hope to be back in South America soon!"... and I'm thinking, "Well, we won't see you then, will we!"[/quote

Sadly, I think I can top that one. Once, when I was living in Guatemala, on a visit to the US, upon mentioning that I lived in Guatemala, I was asked what part of Mexico that was in.

MotherF · Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 5:55 pm Post subject:

If we are one upping--when travelling in Mexico, I was talking to a middle aged American couple, from someone on the east coast (New Jersey maybe?). I said I was from Iowa--they asked what part of CANADA that was in! I guess they thought I meant Ottawa?