UK's/Europe's Image Abroad - Your Turn
- Thread starter p_p_man
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Problem Child
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PC swims up to the bait...turns his nose up....
swims away...
swims away...
Closet Desire
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I'll bite...
Here's my list of bitches about the UK/Europe for today...
1) Some people and businesses put more effort into avoiding a job than the job would have taken in the first place. When I moved here I ordered cable and a cable telephone. The work crew had been there for five minutes when they announced they couldn't do the work and for me to make another appt in about three weeks. Why? I asked. There's a rock in the way. I though rock? Thinking a boulder or at least something the size of a small car. They pointed to the offending obstruction...a mere flagstone 2 inches wide that was part of my walkway. "Stay right where you are," I demanded as I slid my fingers under the stone, lifted it clear, and told them to get to work. It still took the company (which is part owned by Microsoft) six weeks to get my second telephone line working.
2) Nobody is ever accountable. Serious. (Even the English will agree with this) Somebody supposed to show up at your house to do some work and doesn't? Call the headquarters to find out why and you'll get very polite British apologies, but no compensation. More, there's "nobody" there who can set it right. No supervisor. No boss. As an American I was temporarily hamstrung by this. No more. The English love contracts, they just don't often honour them. So a quick fax to the headquarters advising them that on such and such a day your will file for a CCJ on breach of contract sets it straight very quickly.
3) If you're British you're gonna get ripped off. Last year it came to light that the English were paying up to twice as much for food, cars, furniture, and appliances...including those that were made or grown here. The big supermarkets cried "Oh no it isn't so...we...we...we...have higher costs...blah...blah...blah" Ikea, you've heard of them, furniture made in the former eastern bloc by people who live the lives as little more than slaves. The boxes and the instructions inside are printed in a dozen different languages and shipped to Ikea stores all over the world. Buy a dining room table in Britian and it costs £500. Drive across the channel (on a ferry you silly) and in Calais the same table will cost you £299. Same goes for cars and groceries. Then Walmart bought out Asda and started "rolling back" prices. Sainsbury's and Tescos cried unfair, but got no sympathy. Now, prices have mysteriously started to drop.
4) Train operators, firefighters, lorry drivers, and postal workers who think it's their God-given right to strike or threaten to strike just to cause chaos (sort of like Master-Blaster in Beyond Thunderdome). Lorry drivers didn't like the price of petrol and diesal so they blockaded all the fuel depots and fuel across the country dried up. How much money did this take out of the hands of me and my family? Nearly £2,000 ($3,000). Strange thing is that we have contracts to see these people when they are in need such as for Post Traumatic Syndrome (we provide mental health services) and they expect to be seen.
5) Police departments that sit by drinking coffee while hooligans act out their childish fantasies (see number 4 above). Police departments who respond to my complaint about a large band of drunk men throwing rocks at my Mercedes by saying I shouldn't live near a pub (it's four blocks away). England has as many pubs as America has 7-11's. By the way, a 7-11 is more useful and the food is actually better (they profess to hate McDonalds but more and more pubs are now nothing more than "plastic pubs" owned by a franchise with a "theme" and pre-prepared food that comes in plastic containers.
6) People who protest the building of roads and houses in the "country" (we don't have much of that in the South). They talk about the rape and pillage of the natural world, but overlook the fact that this used to be heavily forested and is now bare as an Oklahoma prairie.
Ah...I feel much better. Now to start chasing down all the businesses who haven't done what they were supposed to do...takes about two hours out of each day. Sigh.
Here's my list of bitches about the UK/Europe for today...
1) Some people and businesses put more effort into avoiding a job than the job would have taken in the first place. When I moved here I ordered cable and a cable telephone. The work crew had been there for five minutes when they announced they couldn't do the work and for me to make another appt in about three weeks. Why? I asked. There's a rock in the way. I though rock? Thinking a boulder or at least something the size of a small car. They pointed to the offending obstruction...a mere flagstone 2 inches wide that was part of my walkway. "Stay right where you are," I demanded as I slid my fingers under the stone, lifted it clear, and told them to get to work. It still took the company (which is part owned by Microsoft) six weeks to get my second telephone line working.
2) Nobody is ever accountable. Serious. (Even the English will agree with this) Somebody supposed to show up at your house to do some work and doesn't? Call the headquarters to find out why and you'll get very polite British apologies, but no compensation. More, there's "nobody" there who can set it right. No supervisor. No boss. As an American I was temporarily hamstrung by this. No more. The English love contracts, they just don't often honour them. So a quick fax to the headquarters advising them that on such and such a day your will file for a CCJ on breach of contract sets it straight very quickly.
3) If you're British you're gonna get ripped off. Last year it came to light that the English were paying up to twice as much for food, cars, furniture, and appliances...including those that were made or grown here. The big supermarkets cried "Oh no it isn't so...we...we...we...have higher costs...blah...blah...blah" Ikea, you've heard of them, furniture made in the former eastern bloc by people who live the lives as little more than slaves. The boxes and the instructions inside are printed in a dozen different languages and shipped to Ikea stores all over the world. Buy a dining room table in Britian and it costs £500. Drive across the channel (on a ferry you silly) and in Calais the same table will cost you £299. Same goes for cars and groceries. Then Walmart bought out Asda and started "rolling back" prices. Sainsbury's and Tescos cried unfair, but got no sympathy. Now, prices have mysteriously started to drop.
4) Train operators, firefighters, lorry drivers, and postal workers who think it's their God-given right to strike or threaten to strike just to cause chaos (sort of like Master-Blaster in Beyond Thunderdome). Lorry drivers didn't like the price of petrol and diesal so they blockaded all the fuel depots and fuel across the country dried up. How much money did this take out of the hands of me and my family? Nearly £2,000 ($3,000). Strange thing is that we have contracts to see these people when they are in need such as for Post Traumatic Syndrome (we provide mental health services) and they expect to be seen.
5) Police departments that sit by drinking coffee while hooligans act out their childish fantasies (see number 4 above). Police departments who respond to my complaint about a large band of drunk men throwing rocks at my Mercedes by saying I shouldn't live near a pub (it's four blocks away). England has as many pubs as America has 7-11's. By the way, a 7-11 is more useful and the food is actually better (they profess to hate McDonalds but more and more pubs are now nothing more than "plastic pubs" owned by a franchise with a "theme" and pre-prepared food that comes in plastic containers.
6) People who protest the building of roads and houses in the "country" (we don't have much of that in the South). They talk about the rape and pillage of the natural world, but overlook the fact that this used to be heavily forested and is now bare as an Oklahoma prairie.
Ah...I feel much better. Now to start chasing down all the businesses who haven't done what they were supposed to do...takes about two hours out of each day. Sigh.
Last edited:
Closet Desire
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oh yeah...
...one more thing.
In American you need a license to buy a gun, but in England you need a license for a TV. Cost? About £100 a year. Think you can get away without one? How they gonna know? They have "inspectors" in vans with advanced survelliance equipment to track down the lawless TV watchers (no...I'm NOT making this up). Technology has even provided them with new handheld detectors and links back to headquarters to check for valid licenses. You can't even buy a TV without being noticed. When you make your purchase the sales information is sent to the government where it is checked for a valid license. If you don't have one then you get a nasty letter and a warning about the £1000 fines. I got one even though we have a license.
The next TV I bought I gave the address 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. I wonder who got the letter?
...one more thing.
In American you need a license to buy a gun, but in England you need a license for a TV. Cost? About £100 a year. Think you can get away without one? How they gonna know? They have "inspectors" in vans with advanced survelliance equipment to track down the lawless TV watchers (no...I'm NOT making this up). Technology has even provided them with new handheld detectors and links back to headquarters to check for valid licenses. You can't even buy a TV without being noticed. When you make your purchase the sales information is sent to the government where it is checked for a valid license. If you don't have one then you get a nasty letter and a warning about the £1000 fines. I got one even though we have a license.
The next TV I bought I gave the address 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. I wonder who got the letter?
Re: oh yeah...
That really got my attention! Not the information in itself, but the fact that this is something that is such an everyday fact of life here, that I never gave it any thought. Strange when such things are highlighted as bizarre, but it's always good to encounter a new perpesctive - especially on mundane things which we tend to overlook.
Closet Desire said:
That really got my attention! Not the information in itself, but the fact that this is something that is such an everyday fact of life here, that I never gave it any thought. Strange when such things are highlighted as bizarre, but it's always good to encounter a new perpesctive - especially on mundane things which we tend to overlook.
p_p_man
The 'Euro' European
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TV Licence...
...Yeah it's a bloody nuisance having to pay £109 per year to watch the BBC and listen to BBC radio when everything else is paid for through advertising.
I've just been caught (not fined but caught) and had to pay the fee. Like most people I suppose I try to get away with it as long as possible, well at least until that little letter comes through the door. If you buy a second hand set (and you can get some decent ones nowadays) the trader rarely reports the sale to the authorities. It's only on new sets that you can't get away with it - damn Dixons/Comet/Argos and the rest.
The reason behind it all of course, and there's always a reason, is quite heavily connected to America.
When the BBC was first formed it was under the Chairmanship of an ogre of a man called John (later Lord) Reith. If a man was disliked or even hated it was him. Nobody but nobody liked him. Anyway being a heavily religious person (nothing to do with him being hated by the way) he was of the opinion that the radio and later TV could not be trusted to the population as a means of entertainment. That the whole media was to "enlighten the lives of working folk by showing them the advantages of educational programmes, art programmes and religious programmes" (my quotes not a verbatim remark) and that was more or less the entire broadcasting output of the BBC for its first few years.
He did this because he was an extremely austere man and because he saw that in America the freedom that the programmes first enjoyed was quickly eroded away by advertising revenue and ratings wars. He decided that to keep the population away from things like films, variety shows and light entertainmnet, all things enjoyable, the BBC should remain independent of any outside influence. And as it was in fact an arm of the UK Government he could justify it being funded by a licencing system. This would give the control he desired over program content.
Nowadays of course when the BBC is no longer so tied to the Govt as it used to be there is no real reason why we should have a licencing system at all. But the Government finds it useful to have an official mouthpiece it can use in times of emergency and finds the revenue brought in by the licence a useful addition to the exchequer (though they would never admit to it). And so by using the independence of the BBC as an excuse they can justify not turning it over to commercial revenue.
Lord Reith lived to a ripe old age (godammit) and fought against the introduction of Independent Television, Colour and broadcasting for more than five hours a day.
I suppose as the licence covers the funding of programmes which are sometimes world beaters, all BBC radio transmissions, research into future developments, salaries, pensions, canteens, outside broadcasts, global communications and anything else connected with the Corporation we should really pay up without a murmer.
But I'll still try and get away with it in the future if I can, it just seems so wrong somehow...
...Yeah it's a bloody nuisance having to pay £109 per year to watch the BBC and listen to BBC radio when everything else is paid for through advertising.
I've just been caught (not fined but caught) and had to pay the fee. Like most people I suppose I try to get away with it as long as possible, well at least until that little letter comes through the door. If you buy a second hand set (and you can get some decent ones nowadays) the trader rarely reports the sale to the authorities. It's only on new sets that you can't get away with it - damn Dixons/Comet/Argos and the rest.
The reason behind it all of course, and there's always a reason, is quite heavily connected to America.
When the BBC was first formed it was under the Chairmanship of an ogre of a man called John (later Lord) Reith. If a man was disliked or even hated it was him. Nobody but nobody liked him. Anyway being a heavily religious person (nothing to do with him being hated by the way) he was of the opinion that the radio and later TV could not be trusted to the population as a means of entertainment. That the whole media was to "enlighten the lives of working folk by showing them the advantages of educational programmes, art programmes and religious programmes" (my quotes not a verbatim remark) and that was more or less the entire broadcasting output of the BBC for its first few years.
He did this because he was an extremely austere man and because he saw that in America the freedom that the programmes first enjoyed was quickly eroded away by advertising revenue and ratings wars. He decided that to keep the population away from things like films, variety shows and light entertainmnet, all things enjoyable, the BBC should remain independent of any outside influence. And as it was in fact an arm of the UK Government he could justify it being funded by a licencing system. This would give the control he desired over program content.
Nowadays of course when the BBC is no longer so tied to the Govt as it used to be there is no real reason why we should have a licencing system at all. But the Government finds it useful to have an official mouthpiece it can use in times of emergency and finds the revenue brought in by the licence a useful addition to the exchequer (though they would never admit to it). And so by using the independence of the BBC as an excuse they can justify not turning it over to commercial revenue.
Lord Reith lived to a ripe old age (godammit) and fought against the introduction of Independent Television, Colour and broadcasting for more than five hours a day.
I suppose as the licence covers the funding of programmes which are sometimes world beaters, all BBC radio transmissions, research into future developments, salaries, pensions, canteens, outside broadcasts, global communications and anything else connected with the Corporation we should really pay up without a murmer.
But I'll still try and get away with it in the future if I can, it just seems so wrong somehow...
Closet Desire
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Ally C...
...sometimes the differences are an absolute riot!
By the way, I don't actually ridicule the English for this, just recognise it as one of those differences.
Here's one about France, I'll pen on behalf of the American family I stood back and watched from a safe distance.
In Paris, at the far end of the Jardin des Tuilleries (near the Louvre) there was something of a Millenium carnival still going on with a huge Ferris wheel and stands with ice cream, waffles, and candies. In front of me was a family of five, enormous Americans. I mean big. Wearing shorts and t-shirts. I'm sorry, but it really stands out in a nation of trim people. Now, remember that France is the land of saturated fat and the words "diet", "fat free", and "sugar-free" don't exist. In fact, I think they are illegal. There was a young French boy tending the ice cream stand who spoke no English and, of course, the American spoke no French. The man ordered "fat-free" ice cream. This was hilarious enough on it's own, but when the young lad didn't understand he just raised his voice and spoke more slowly. I WANT FAT FREE ICE CREAM! Finally, the boy shrugged his shoulders and filled up five cones with chocolate ice cream and handed them over. They walked away and believe it or not all five of them pitched their ice creams in the bin because they weren't "diet". If you're into irony then this one should tickle.
Toilets...
I know this isn't politics, but it's the closest I could get on such short notice.
France - fastidious. Not your usual handle but a rod on top of the tank and as far away from that threatening mess in the bowl as possible. Pull it and 500 gallons of water floods down and rises up to the very edge of the bowl, ensuring that everything, including anything lying around loose in the loo goes down. Hold on to your children!
England - economical. Born of an idea to conserve water in a country that gets more rain than Bornea. Push down the handle and nothing happens...at first. Then there is slow movement and some gurgling as the bowl shudders, shakes, and moves about a bit. Then it stops and everything is as it was before. There is another model where the water rushes in like Niagra falls and everything swirls and froths, but nothing goes down. On a good day a tiny scrap of bog paper might make it down first try.
Germany - anally retentive. A convenient shelf so that you can examine everything in detail before disposing of it. Stand back when the water hits it or you'll be wearing it.
That...that...thats all folks.
...sometimes the differences are an absolute riot!
By the way, I don't actually ridicule the English for this, just recognise it as one of those differences.
Here's one about France, I'll pen on behalf of the American family I stood back and watched from a safe distance.
In Paris, at the far end of the Jardin des Tuilleries (near the Louvre) there was something of a Millenium carnival still going on with a huge Ferris wheel and stands with ice cream, waffles, and candies. In front of me was a family of five, enormous Americans. I mean big. Wearing shorts and t-shirts. I'm sorry, but it really stands out in a nation of trim people. Now, remember that France is the land of saturated fat and the words "diet", "fat free", and "sugar-free" don't exist. In fact, I think they are illegal. There was a young French boy tending the ice cream stand who spoke no English and, of course, the American spoke no French. The man ordered "fat-free" ice cream. This was hilarious enough on it's own, but when the young lad didn't understand he just raised his voice and spoke more slowly. I WANT FAT FREE ICE CREAM! Finally, the boy shrugged his shoulders and filled up five cones with chocolate ice cream and handed them over. They walked away and believe it or not all five of them pitched their ice creams in the bin because they weren't "diet". If you're into irony then this one should tickle.
Toilets...
I know this isn't politics, but it's the closest I could get on such short notice.
France - fastidious. Not your usual handle but a rod on top of the tank and as far away from that threatening mess in the bowl as possible. Pull it and 500 gallons of water floods down and rises up to the very edge of the bowl, ensuring that everything, including anything lying around loose in the loo goes down. Hold on to your children!
England - economical. Born of an idea to conserve water in a country that gets more rain than Bornea. Push down the handle and nothing happens...at first. Then there is slow movement and some gurgling as the bowl shudders, shakes, and moves about a bit. Then it stops and everything is as it was before. There is another model where the water rushes in like Niagra falls and everything swirls and froths, but nothing goes down. On a good day a tiny scrap of bog paper might make it down first try.
Germany - anally retentive. A convenient shelf so that you can examine everything in detail before disposing of it. Stand back when the water hits it or you'll be wearing it.
That...that...thats all folks.
Closet Desire
That has to be one of the funniest things I've ever read (the ice cream story)! I enjoyed the toilet humour too, and could hear that 'gurgling' sound in my mind as I read your words. Like the first flush of an English toilet, your wit is very dry. Many thanks.
That has to be one of the funniest things I've ever read (the ice cream story)! I enjoyed the toilet humour too, and could hear that 'gurgling' sound in my mind as I read your words. Like the first flush of an English toilet, your wit is very dry. Many thanks.
p_p_man
The 'Euro' European
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LMFAO...
But have you come across the toilets that flush straight from the mains?
I've just moved into a new flat and have discovered that in order to clear the bowl you have to pump the handle like crazy (like one of those old fashioned water pumps) to build up enough pressure to get water out of the pipes.
Stop pumping and so does the water!
Laugh? I could die if it wasn't so funny...
Closet Desire said:
But have you come across the toilets that flush straight from the mains?
I've just moved into a new flat and have discovered that in order to clear the bowl you have to pump the handle like crazy (like one of those old fashioned water pumps) to build up enough pressure to get water out of the pipes.
Stop pumping and so does the water!
Laugh? I could die if it wasn't so funny...
Andra_Jenny
Mentally Divergent
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Quaintly old-fashioned, odd. A relic of a by-gone time. A place where people deeply regret loosing their place in the sun and still beleive that they will one day again be the center of the world (of course this viewpoint is called globalization ).
).
Closet Desire
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Ahem...
...let's get serious. No more toilet humour.
Somehow this hasn't yet achieved the serious flavour of the other Image Abroad thread. Perhaps we need some parlimentary discussion. I'll give it a go...
I read a few weeks ago, The Times I think, that Parliment in England was complaining about an issue that also came up in the US House regarding issues about the environment.
Seems both countries are concerned about water shortages and appearing to be wasteful. Some years ago the US House decreed that toilets...oh hell, here we go again...should flush on 2/3s the water that they were currently using. So, eventually, as these things happen the toilets were replaced with efficient models that used 3 instead of five gallons (or something like that). Last year the House (really, check the Congressional Record) held discussions about the fact that the toilets now had to be flushed twice, hence they were now using 6 gallons instead of the the previous 5.
Just to show that some of the world's problems are indeed global, this article in the Times pointed out that Parliment did the same thing and that now, instead of using six gallons to flush the toilet they were using eight or nine.
Brings to mind something I saw in the head during boot camp, carved into one of the toilet stalls that said "flush twice, it's a long way to the chow hall."
Sorry about that.
Anyway, the issue is more serious than I first realised. You will recall that a week or two ago a politician, who will remain nameless, threw a punch at a young man in front of TV cameras. The BBC edited the audio portion so we couldn't really hear what was being said, but a boot leg copy has been released which explains what all the punching was about. It seems the lad who took the left to the jaw had asked the politician if he was a "two flusher" and it all went to hell from there.
Forget global warming and the death penalty. These are issues we really need to get to the bottom of. Forget the Kyoto Treaty, I think we really need a global discussion about toilets. Perhaps America could bring some of that space age technology to bear and we could finally breath a bit easier.
Yes, it's a global problem but maybe if we can get the toilets for all the world's politicians sorted out there would be a lot less shit floating about.
...let's get serious. No more toilet humour.
Somehow this hasn't yet achieved the serious flavour of the other Image Abroad thread. Perhaps we need some parlimentary discussion. I'll give it a go...
I read a few weeks ago, The Times I think, that Parliment in England was complaining about an issue that also came up in the US House regarding issues about the environment.
Seems both countries are concerned about water shortages and appearing to be wasteful. Some years ago the US House decreed that toilets...oh hell, here we go again...should flush on 2/3s the water that they were currently using. So, eventually, as these things happen the toilets were replaced with efficient models that used 3 instead of five gallons (or something like that). Last year the House (really, check the Congressional Record) held discussions about the fact that the toilets now had to be flushed twice, hence they were now using 6 gallons instead of the the previous 5.
Just to show that some of the world's problems are indeed global, this article in the Times pointed out that Parliment did the same thing and that now, instead of using six gallons to flush the toilet they were using eight or nine.
Brings to mind something I saw in the head during boot camp, carved into one of the toilet stalls that said "flush twice, it's a long way to the chow hall."
Sorry about that.
Anyway, the issue is more serious than I first realised. You will recall that a week or two ago a politician, who will remain nameless, threw a punch at a young man in front of TV cameras. The BBC edited the audio portion so we couldn't really hear what was being said, but a boot leg copy has been released which explains what all the punching was about. It seems the lad who took the left to the jaw had asked the politician if he was a "two flusher" and it all went to hell from there.
Forget global warming and the death penalty. These are issues we really need to get to the bottom of. Forget the Kyoto Treaty, I think we really need a global discussion about toilets. Perhaps America could bring some of that space age technology to bear and we could finally breath a bit easier.
Yes, it's a global problem but maybe if we can get the toilets for all the world's politicians sorted out there would be a lot less shit floating about.
Last edited:
Cheyenne
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Fat free? Toilets? OMG, I'm laughing through breakfast! I've been a visitor to France, England, and Germany and I have to say I really don't remember those toilet habit differences. I just learned to pay attention in general since you never knew exactly what the toilet would do or where the water would come from. On second thought, I did learn quickly to get away from the French toilets before flushing!
Food? I learned in German to ask for "Coke Light." No such thing as "diet coke." 10 years ago even Coke Light was rare. Last time I was there was 1999 and I had no problem finding Coke Light in most places.
I know I've said this on other threads during the past year, but I found the stereotypes to be generally untrue. Everyone warned me how hated the Americans are, how I'd be treated with less than respect. And how if I didn't at least know some of the language of the country, some natives wouldn't even try to talk to me. Wrong. I'm sure I could think of a few instances in each country where someone was rude to me. Usually on the tube or the metro. How is that different from being at home in the U.S.?
In general, natives I ran into were very helpful.
It didn't matter if I spoke French, or German. As soon as I opened my mouth and the person realized I was American, if they knew English, they used it. And no one laughed at my pathetic attempts to say "hello" or "good-bye" in their language.
I tend to walk around with a map in my hand, looking for tiny streets with odd shops. I'm not always in the "normal" tourist locations. Many times, people stop to ask me if they can help me find something. If I'm really lost, I'll stop people on the street and ask for help. I've never had a problem getting around, people help me in any country.
In front of Notre Dam, I gave my camera to some teenagers from London after asking them to take my picture. They, of course, helped me. And warned me not to do that with anyone French because they would steal my camera. (Wrong, I did that later in the trip.)
Anyway, my point is that I believe people are not generally rude to you if you are not rude to them. Back to my "what goes around, comes around" theory of life. I've never had a problem traveling in Europe, even in small towns off the beaten tourist path. My view of the UK and other European communities? I like them! They are great places to visit.
Food? I learned in German to ask for "Coke Light." No such thing as "diet coke." 10 years ago even Coke Light was rare. Last time I was there was 1999 and I had no problem finding Coke Light in most places.
I know I've said this on other threads during the past year, but I found the stereotypes to be generally untrue. Everyone warned me how hated the Americans are, how I'd be treated with less than respect. And how if I didn't at least know some of the language of the country, some natives wouldn't even try to talk to me. Wrong. I'm sure I could think of a few instances in each country where someone was rude to me. Usually on the tube or the metro. How is that different from being at home in the U.S.?
In general, natives I ran into were very helpful.
It didn't matter if I spoke French, or German. As soon as I opened my mouth and the person realized I was American, if they knew English, they used it. And no one laughed at my pathetic attempts to say "hello" or "good-bye" in their language.
I tend to walk around with a map in my hand, looking for tiny streets with odd shops. I'm not always in the "normal" tourist locations. Many times, people stop to ask me if they can help me find something. If I'm really lost, I'll stop people on the street and ask for help. I've never had a problem getting around, people help me in any country.
In front of Notre Dam, I gave my camera to some teenagers from London after asking them to take my picture. They, of course, helped me. And warned me not to do that with anyone French because they would steal my camera. (Wrong, I did that later in the trip.)
Anyway, my point is that I believe people are not generally rude to you if you are not rude to them. Back to my "what goes around, comes around" theory of life. I've never had a problem traveling in Europe, even in small towns off the beaten tourist path. My view of the UK and other European communities? I like them! They are great places to visit.
Closet Desire
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Exactly...
...that's been my experience. People everywhere are generally nice and hospitable. They are proud of who they are and if you show the least bit of interest you will get the red carpet. There are rude people the world over, but they are the exceptions and not the rule.
You story about not giving anything to the French reminded me of something. You know how you're always warned not to drink the water, not to eat raw vegetables, etc. etc. You get that here in England if you're going to travel to Spain. You are also warned to get private health insurance in case you get ill.
Now, on my last trip to Spain I was highly amused to read a travel brochure for England which warned the Spainards to not drink the water, eat the raw vegetables etc etc. It also advised that you have private health insurance in case you get ill.
I rolled on the floor, checked that I had my insurance, and ate my raw salad...hee hee!
There's nothing like travelling...
...that's been my experience. People everywhere are generally nice and hospitable. They are proud of who they are and if you show the least bit of interest you will get the red carpet. There are rude people the world over, but they are the exceptions and not the rule.
You story about not giving anything to the French reminded me of something. You know how you're always warned not to drink the water, not to eat raw vegetables, etc. etc. You get that here in England if you're going to travel to Spain. You are also warned to get private health insurance in case you get ill.
Now, on my last trip to Spain I was highly amused to read a travel brochure for England which warned the Spainards to not drink the water, eat the raw vegetables etc etc. It also advised that you have private health insurance in case you get ill.
I rolled on the floor, checked that I had my insurance, and ate my raw salad...hee hee!
There's nothing like travelling...
Closet Desire
Literotica Guru
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I forgot to tack this on...
...I think you'll get a kick out of it.
http://www.theonion.com/onion3720/more_to_life_than.html
...I think you'll get a kick out of it.
http://www.theonion.com/onion3720/more_to_life_than.html
Cheyenne
Ms. Smarty Pantsless
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Continuing the theme...
Did I mention my German relatives warned me about the rude English? They thought I was crazy to plan a vacation which included London. And they were very curious afterwards to see if I liked it or not (I did.) Of course, they also warned me about the French and their picky habits for food. I had no problem in France at all. The rudest person I encountered was a stewardess on Air France who rolled her eyes at me when I insisted I did NOT want any wine with my cheese plate, just water. Is wine sacred or what? LOL
Did I mention my German relatives warned me about the rude English? They thought I was crazy to plan a vacation which included London. And they were very curious afterwards to see if I liked it or not (I did.) Of course, they also warned me about the French and their picky habits for food. I had no problem in France at all. The rudest person I encountered was a stewardess on Air France who rolled her eyes at me when I insisted I did NOT want any wine with my cheese plate, just water. Is wine sacred or what? LOL
rambling man
Somewhat Deadly
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First off, the European Union is not right for Britain. They should actually look into joining NAFTA and making it the North Atlantic Free Trade Zone. They have more in common with the US and Canada and Nafta would provide Britain with what they have always wanted, the advantages of a commitment without committing their sovereignty.
Americans also tend to separate Britain from Europe, I think. We think well of Britain, like an individual would of a kindly aunt or grandmother who has always taken up for us. The anti-British ways of the 1800s are dead, I think most Americans think better of Britain than California.
The US, at least for another generation or two, will continue to annoy Europe by reminding them of World War II and the Marshall Plan as well as the Cold War. Not that it is fair or right fifty or sixty years later, but the truth is that average Americans feel like Europeans are ingrateful for what we did there. Average Americans tend to forget how many Russians and British died in the war as well. We focus much of that emnity on France when they get anti-American, though. Americans tend to believe that we spent a lot of money protecting and redeveloping Europe and that they generally prospered while we watched their backs. Again this is the average American view, I am not defending or condemning it, just stating it so don't argue with me unless you think Americans feel differently.
Americans also tend to separate Britain from Europe, I think. We think well of Britain, like an individual would of a kindly aunt or grandmother who has always taken up for us. The anti-British ways of the 1800s are dead, I think most Americans think better of Britain than California.
The US, at least for another generation or two, will continue to annoy Europe by reminding them of World War II and the Marshall Plan as well as the Cold War. Not that it is fair or right fifty or sixty years later, but the truth is that average Americans feel like Europeans are ingrateful for what we did there. Average Americans tend to forget how many Russians and British died in the war as well. We focus much of that emnity on France when they get anti-American, though. Americans tend to believe that we spent a lot of money protecting and redeveloping Europe and that they generally prospered while we watched their backs. Again this is the average American view, I am not defending or condemning it, just stating it so don't argue with me unless you think Americans feel differently.
Closet Desire
Literotica Guru
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Yes...
...this is all well and good BUT...
what about the toilets?
...this is all well and good BUT...
what about the toilets?
Closet Desire
Literotica Guru
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Average?
I'm an American and although I would agree with some of what you have said I don't agree with all of it. I know other Americans who don't share that view either so it brings into question what is "average"?
While Britain may have its spats with France, the truth is we can't get tomatoes from America. We can get lovely ones that resemble cardboard, just like the US ones, from France. The US has close economic ties with Canada for simple geographic reasons which is why Britain has a lot in common with Europe...commerce. Yes, England is a lot more than Miss Marple and tea and crumpets. France has more than gooey cheese and swarmy casa novas. Italy...hmmm...Italy has more mobile phones per capita than any other country in the world (that's gotta count for something). Point is there is industry and agriculture and the advantages of scale, which the US has used to such advantage, is finally being put into play here. Airbus competes because it is a cooperative effort of many countries, not because it has unfair government subsidies. It just makes sound business sense.
Britain is very traditional, maybe more than its neighbors, so change is slow. Still, the changes are noticeable. My passport hasn't been checked in ages except when I return to England. In fact, I haven't even seen an immigration official my last trips to France and Mallorca. Not a soul. Soon it will be like travelling around the US where the border is just a sign on the road..."You are now leaving Iowa...we hope you enjoyed your stay."
The Euro is hoped to provide what the dollar has which is a common currency for all the different states without the hitch of conversions. I know this is a real issue for lots of British people and I can understand it. I can also see the advantage. It doesn't really change anything because instead of varying exchange rates you will have prices that reflect the relative.
You see, it isn't a choice of moving closer to Europe and away from the United States. It's about getting closer to both.
Bottom line it isn't about the wars, or the economic aid, or the cold war, or any of that. It's about the future.
I'm an American and although I would agree with some of what you have said I don't agree with all of it. I know other Americans who don't share that view either so it brings into question what is "average"?
While Britain may have its spats with France, the truth is we can't get tomatoes from America. We can get lovely ones that resemble cardboard, just like the US ones, from France. The US has close economic ties with Canada for simple geographic reasons which is why Britain has a lot in common with Europe...commerce. Yes, England is a lot more than Miss Marple and tea and crumpets. France has more than gooey cheese and swarmy casa novas. Italy...hmmm...Italy has more mobile phones per capita than any other country in the world (that's gotta count for something). Point is there is industry and agriculture and the advantages of scale, which the US has used to such advantage, is finally being put into play here. Airbus competes because it is a cooperative effort of many countries, not because it has unfair government subsidies. It just makes sound business sense.
Britain is very traditional, maybe more than its neighbors, so change is slow. Still, the changes are noticeable. My passport hasn't been checked in ages except when I return to England. In fact, I haven't even seen an immigration official my last trips to France and Mallorca. Not a soul. Soon it will be like travelling around the US where the border is just a sign on the road..."You are now leaving Iowa...we hope you enjoyed your stay."
The Euro is hoped to provide what the dollar has which is a common currency for all the different states without the hitch of conversions. I know this is a real issue for lots of British people and I can understand it. I can also see the advantage. It doesn't really change anything because instead of varying exchange rates you will have prices that reflect the relative.
You see, it isn't a choice of moving closer to Europe and away from the United States. It's about getting closer to both.
Bottom line it isn't about the wars, or the economic aid, or the cold war, or any of that. It's about the future.
