21 Jan 04
Originally posted by belgianfreakOf course it is, I'm just making the point that some of the threads on here recently have been a little bit choice in terms of singling out certain nations for ridicule and vitriol...We all have faults, and showing up other countries without recognising our own shortcomings is plainly xenophobic and unhelpful to all concerned.
That's a generalist racist statement. I could say the same of the Americans, the Japanese... but I'd be wrong & only playing to steriotype
Kirk, I would have to guess that the Daily Mail and Sun's readership would choose France, Germany and the USA, probably in that order...
Joe
21 Jan 04
Originally posted by kyngjHey! Are you bad-mouthing the UK, the undisputed best country in the world? Why I'll......
Here's one for you:
Name any country that Little Britainers don't feel smugly, self-satisfiedly superior to?
...oh wait, you are British. In that case, congratulations on being one of the 1% of the Earth's population who aren't nasty foreigners who should go back to their own planet. 😉
21 Jan 04
Originally posted by kirksey957You can be racist against your own country or race. For example I know (but would not call a friend) a Morocan here who after living in Belgium for several years is vicously racist against other Morocans.
I didn't take it that way as I think Joe is from Britain. Or would that make any difference?
21 Jan 04
Originally posted by kyngjI doubt the Daily Mail would be able to finalise a list of three. They'd be falling over themselves to include loads of countries only to end up with one choice:
Of course it is, I'm just making the point that some of the threads on here recently have been a little bit choice in terms of singling out certain nations for ridicule and vitriol...We all have faults, and showing up other countries without recognising our own shortcomings is plainly xenophobic and unhelpful to all concerned.
Kirk, I would have to guess t ...[text shortened]... and Sun's readership would choose France, Germany and the USA, probably in that order...
Joe
1. All
T1000
21 Jan 04
Originally posted by kyngjthen say that in those threads. I agree that those threads can show a lack of understanding of the other cultures which should embarass the author. But if you want to talk about others or your own shortcomings then go ahead, but be specific and please don't tar all of us with the same brush.
Of course it is, I'm just making the point that some of the threads on here recently have been a little bit choice in terms of singling out certain nations for ridicule and vitriol...We all have faults, and showing up other countries without recognising our own shortcomings is plainly xenophobic and unhelpful to all concerned.
Kirk, I would have to guess t ...[text shortened]... and Sun's readership would choose France, Germany and the USA, probably in that order...
Joe
I apologuise if I appear curt - I've had a foul day and diplomacy isn't coming easily. Maybe once I get to the other end of a bottle of vodka...
21 Jan 04
Originally posted by belgianfreakSorry - my intention wasn't to tar all with the same brush. It's more the eurosceptic keep-the-pound-whatever-the-cost section of the population I was going for. That's why I used the term "Little Britainers" - not everyone wants to stay out of Europe, not everyone thinks laughing at American stadia having to increase the width of turnstiles is worthwhile while Britain's obesity problem is rapidly on the rise, not everyone thinks that German humour should be looked down upon because, well it's not British. At least a solid minority of the UK population actually likes other countries and doesn't try to ridicule them with thinly veiled mocking, and I wanted to point that out to the people here from the rest of the world, using a (admittedly harsh) counter-example...
then say that in those threads. I agree that those threads can show a lack of understanding of the other cultures which should embarass the author. But if you want to talk about others or your own shortcomings then go ahead, but be specific and please don't tar all of us with the same brush.
I apologuise if I appear curt - I've had a foul day and diplomacy isn't coming easily. Maybe once I get to the other end of a bottle of vodka...
Hope the vodka gets you through it 😉
Joe
21 Jan 04
Originally posted by kyngjwhat you say is very true!
Of course it is, I'm just making the point that some of the threads on here recently have been a little bit choice in terms of singling out certain nations for ridicule and vitriol...We all have faults, and showing up other countries without recognising our own shortcomings is plainly xenophobic and unhelpful to all concerned.
what's important isn't the country, but its people. it is irrelevant how many 'famous people' there are in your country, because each time someone achieves something worthwhile, we can all contribute to the applause - this is good for all of us.
and in a roundabout way, you see that is sort of happening in these threads already:
notice the belgian contributions to famous canadians thread
notice the canadian contributions to famous belgians thread
notice my contribution to german humour
perhaps this is what iambickering intended all along 😀
in friendship,
prad
22 Jan 04
Originally posted by belgianfreakWhere's your sense of humour? You're as bad as the Germans! I went to Belgium once on holiday. Went to one 'holiday spot' and everything shut at 9.30pm! As I've said before - some of these points are 'banter' (something we quite like over here). Lighten up!
then say that in those threads. I agree that those threads can show a lack of understanding of the other cultures which should embarass the author. But if you want to talk about others or your own shortcomings then go ahead, but be specific and please don't tar all of us with the same brush.
I apologuise if I appear curt - I've had a foul day and diplomacy isn't coming easily. Maybe once I get to the other end of a bottle of vodka...
22 Jan 04
Originally posted by kyngjShow me someone who can't see the funny side of American stadia having to widen their turnstyles and I'll show you someone who hasn't got a sense of humour.
Sorry - my intention wasn't to tar all with the same brush. It's more the eurosceptic keep-the-pound-whatever-the-cost section of the population I was going for. That's why I used the term "Little Britainers" - not everyone wants to stay out of Europe, not everyone thinks laughing at American stadia having to increase the width of turnstiles is worthwhile ...[text shortened]... d, using a (admittedly harsh) counter-example...
Hope the vodka gets you through it 😉
Joe
22 Jan 04
Originally posted by kyngjBy the way in answer to the original post - We don't need to feel superior to anyone. Because we are such a self confident nation we don't have to go in for the flag waving, 'patriotic' behaviour of others.
Here's one for you:
Name any country that Little Britainers don't feel smugly, self-satisfiedly superior to?