[another_someone]

quote:Originally posted by Karen W.
  I DO NOT MAKE IT A HABIT TO CRITISIZE PEOPLE FOR NOT BEING UP ON THIER GEOGRAPHY OR EDUCATIONAL SKILLS OR LACK THERE OF,AS I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IMPOLITE!  WHEN I SAW THIS THREAD I DO Say, I HAD TO BITE MY TONGUE AS I DO NOT THINK THIS IS JUST AND AMERICAN PROBLEM![:0]

I think it is a problem that is more prevalent in smaller countries.  You say you have travelled 300 miles, but have never left the USA – I would have great difficulty travelling 300 miles without leaving England, and most likely would even have left the UK.  Ofcourse, there are many people who live in Russia, or China, or India, who might be in exactly the same situation as you.

Ofcourse, putting that in some context, I may have often travelled outside of the UK (in fact, almost every year of my life since my teens, and a few occasions before that), I have actually only left Europe a handful of times.  If terms of physical size, Europe is comparable to the USA.

Nonetheless, the fact that I can travel to places that have a different language and culture to my own is such a small space and time does make me more aware of the variety of cultures and political perspectives that are out there; but there is nonetheless no doubt that I am less aware of an African, or Chinese, perspective on a matter than I might be on a French, German, or Italian perspective.

George

[ukmicky]

quote:Originally posted by another_someone

quote:Originally posted by ukmicky
You will find that most of our towns, cities and place names in the uk were used to name places in the US. even the smallest of towns and districts like Norwood, Dulwich, Crystal palace etc have a US equivalent.
Think of a big city in the us and we probably have a place called the same.

I know this is an old topic (but since Karen resurrected it), I think you will have difficulty finding a Chicago in the UK, as it is based on a Native American etymology, and places like St. Loios are French rather than British origin.  There are many others of similar non-English extraction, particularly as you move away from the New England area of the USA.

George

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Michael

[Karen W.]

Wow George, See what I mean by my Geographical abilities, Just amazing that I did not know that the United states and europe are about the same size, or comparable. We have a great deal of culture here, but I must say it seems so different then the places they originate from. I guess when one moves out of ones own surrounding thing and ways of life might change, not always for the better. I am definitely less aware of alot of other perspectives, and welcome them also. By the way I enjoyed your photo,s last week, they were quite beautiful. Most of My concern in the last post was the sterotyping I guess, it tends to bring my emotions out a bit.  I agree with you, that there is a problem, but not isolated to the Americans alone, I see it in many different places.  Like  I said there were many valid points also noted in this thread, and I felt drawn to speak up I guess. Thanks George.

Michael, What age children does your wife teach?  She sounds Like  my kind of lady! I love children and have been working with them since I was a kid myself. I am facsinated by their utter charm and their resilience. They are Truely remarkable! So she likes to shop ehh! Is Blue lake a rural area there or is it a bigger city or subdivision? .....Karen