your most despised country

[the dark deshrimper]

Quote[/b] (Xàbia Shrimper @ Sep. 01 2006,16:31)]Einstein is bang on when it comes to experience OUTSIDE of the English xenophobic circle. (Maybe it's a size thing? England is, after all, a very small country in a very big world.) It was not until I moved to Spain almost three years ago that I realised that the social skills of the average Englishman are probably the lowest of all nations (apart from, perhaps, Germans). The vast majority of English holidaymakers show absolute contempt for the country that are visiting, so much so in recent years that even the English ex-pats are siding with the locals to rid us of this blight on the Spanish Costa's. Most English youngsters (and a fair proportion of the so-called "mature" generation) can't interact with other nationalities without breaking into "God Save The Queen" and abusing the culture and customs of their hosts. And it's getting worse, not better. I left the UK because I was fed up at what the country of my birth was becoming; a dirty, violent and lawless nation with no respect. And if at any time I wonder if I'd made the right decision, I wander down to our small seafront on a Saturday night in the height of summer and experience the English in action - then I know I've made the right decision and head off to the nearest local bar to drink and chat with people who have respect as another mindless chant of "No Surrender" trickles into the dark of night.

And yet some would say it is your generation of English citizens, who find self-satisfaction in demeaning their youth no matter what they do - exams getting easier (not that we are getting smarter), obsessed with drugs (hmm what generation started that revolution), small minded (who is it that is meant to educate us...not our older generation surely!) to name but a few!

I feel sorry for wherever you grew up, because obviously you have faced the brunt of English negativity (either that or you are basing your views on a few mindless English holidaymakers) to construct such one dimensional views!

Luckily the country has a decent crop of youth (although im sure thats not true because the Sun says we are a bunch of apathetic druggies) who are going to take over from a generation who have steered the country in the right direction dispite the amount of media fueled garbage that gets thrown at it.

And to finish the topic...Its got to be Switzerland...well they shouldnt be so neutrual should they

 

[Xàbia Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (the dark deshrimper @ Sep. 01 2006,22:01)]"And yet some would say it is your generation of English citizens, who find self-satisfaction in demeaning their youth no matter what they do - exams getting easier (not that we are getting smarter), obsessed with drugs (hmm what generation started that revolution), small minded (who is it that is meant to educate us...not our older generation surely!) to name but a few!"

First and foremost I cannot see where I was demeaning specifically the youth of England; my comments were based on the antics of English holidaymakers of ALL ages who seem to think they have a divine right to do whatever they want in another person's country because they are on holiday. Those rights seem to extend to the verbal abuse of locals, the vandalism and defacement of property, and the general anti-social misbehaviour in pursuit of a "good time". Most English cannot hold their liquor; the dramatic rise in binge drinking and its associated problems vindicate that. Unfortunately for you, it's the younger generation that is causing many of the problems out here (although not exclusively) and I certainly don't find any self-satisfaction in pointing that out; ashamed is probably a far better word. Until the UK government addresses an obvious social problem sweeping through the country, destinations such as Spain, Greece and Portugal will continue to "clear up the mess" after each summer of drink and drug-fuelled violence in their resorts and continue to move towards more restrictive demands on UK citizens, no matter what their background. That might sound unlikely, even ludicrous. But, believe me, the attitudes of the Guardia Civil this summer (a force that you DO NOT f%&k about with) have changed dramatically from a silent tolerance to an active offensive ... with associated monetary and physical repercussions. Restrictions (which would include enforced early closing of problematic bars, restaurants and nightclubs, I sh!t ye not) are just around the corner, despite the economic issues of doing so. Don't get me wrong: I do NOT despise England, my country of birth. But I do despise what it has become for it is no longer the England I knew and loved when I was growing up. For me, I knew that as soon as I became uncomfortable walking the streets during the day let alone at night, it was time for a change. I knew when my niece's school in Burnham-on-Crouch was plagued by drug-pushers dressing up as students during lunchtime that it was time for all of us to get away from a country heading very fast towards implosion (my parents, my brother and his family as well as my uncle and grandmother have all moved to France in the last 18 months). I knew as soon as rival immigrant gangs started hacking bits and pieces off each other in the leafy suburbs of Southend that it was time to move on. And none of this came from The Sun; these experiences have been personal.

BTW - Your defence of the British education system is to be applauded. However, I would like to point you in the direction of a recent CBI report that warned that "UK school leavers lack basic skills to survive in world of work" and that "one in three British employers has to send workers for remedial training to teach them basic English and maths skills that they have failed to learn at school". Getting smarter?  

BTW II - I wouldn't wipe my arse with The Sun!!  

 

[Mr. Benedict]

I don't despise anywhere as such, but France is overrated and a little bit crap, really. Especially Paris, most parts of which are about as romantic as Brixton.

 

[chaco27saf]

Quote[/b] (D62SUBOY @ Sep. 01 2006,19:53)]

Quote[/b] (Xàbia Shrimper @ Sep. 01 2006,10:58)]The USA - the biggest threat to world peace in our time ...

At last! USA all the way.

In 2005 I visited Canada on 5 seperate occasions. On two of those occasions I slipped over the border into Michegan for a few days and I have got to say I have never met such an unwelcoming bunch of plebs in my life.

That and the fact as Mike said, Bush and his neo-con, Zionist hawks that run that country are by far the biggest threat to peace in a number of countries than any terrorist organisation.

And....the fact they are all so ignorant of anything else that happens in the world unless God forbid it actually happens to encroach or impede on their daily lives.

Also spent 3 months living in rural Mississippi in 2001 and they truly were some of the most scary fekkin redneck hillbillies you could imagine and possibly THE most dence and backwad people I have ever met.

And yes, one of those hillbillies is coming to stay in two weeks time so you may get the chance to judge for yourself in The Spread or away at West Brom.......just don't print this off n grass me up or I'm in deep poo poo

Many places in Michigan, as well as almost the entirety of the deep south are probably the worst indicators of the whole of American society. I for one met plenty of bigoted and dense people in England, but I know that these people are not indicative of the entire English society.

 

[Uncle Leo]

Quote[/b] (Xàbia Shrimper @ Sep. 02 2006,23:55)]BTW II - I wouldn't wipe my arse with The Sun!!

Nor would I. All that news print on your bum. Nasty.

Agree with you re the Guardia as well. At least the ones who were working for them under that charming man Franco are gradually dying out...

 

[the dark deshrimper]

Quote[/b] (Xàbia Shrimper @ Sep. 02 2006,23:55)]BTW - Your defence of the British education system is to be applauded. However, I would like to point you in the direction of a recent CBI report that warned that "UK school leavers lack basic skills to survive in world of work" and that "one in three British employers has to send workers for remedial training to teach them basic English and maths skills that they have failed to learn at school". Getting smarter?  

BTW II - I wouldn't wipe my arse with The Sun!!  

1. That is why vocational courses have become more apparent in the education in all tiers of the establishment. Not everyone has academic skills, the same way not everyone has practical skills. So although we may have a few more students dropping off academically, they are picking up practical skills to balance this out - much better than just lazing around and failing exams they knew they werent going to pass, which if they had done, would result in us being branded stupid again...we cant win

2. Totally agree - reading a paper which is the baby of an all too powerful media machine can only do bad

 

[Napster]

Quote[/b] (the dark deshrimper @ Sep. 03 2006,17:31)]2. Totally agree - reading a paper which is the baby of an all too powerful media machine can only do bad

Jeez, get some perspective. The Sun's OK - name one paper that hasn't got a political objective?!

 

[* ORM *]

Quote[/b] (Napster @ Sep. 04 2006,18:15)]

Quote[/b] (the dark deshrimper @ Sep. 03 2006,17:31)]2. Totally agree - reading a paper which is the baby of an all too powerful media machine can only do bad

Jeez, get some perspective. The Sun's OK - name one paper that hasn't got a political objective?!

Ummmm, The Sport

 

[* ORM *]

Quote[/b] (the dark deshrimper @ Sep. 03 2006,17:31)]

Quote[/b] (Xàbia Shrimper @ Sep. 02 2006,23:55)]BTW - Your defence of the British education system is to be applauded. However, I would like to point you in the direction of a recent CBI report that warned that "UK school leavers lack basic skills to survive in world of work" and that "one in three British employers has to send workers for remedial training to teach them basic English and maths skills that they have failed to learn at school". Getting smarter?  

BTW II - I wouldn't wipe my arse with The Sun!!  

1. That is why vocational courses have become more apparent in the education in all tiers of the establishment. Not everyone has academic skills, the same way not everyone has practical skills. So although we may have a few more students dropping off academically, they are picking up practical skills to balance this out - much better than just lazing around and failing exams they knew they werent going to pass, which if they had done, would result in us being branded stupid again...we cant win

When you are used to seeing a succession of people that lack basic writing skills it's very disheartening, particularly if you decide to give them a chance and meet them, at which point you typically find they lack any form of social skill.

However I fully agree that the opportunities at senior schools are vastly better than in my day 25 years ago. If you failed the 11 plus in those days and didn't have wealthy parents the thought of your child going to Belfairs, Eastwood or Fairfax filled most parents with dread. The fact that their reputations have changed beyond all recognition is to be applauded.

 

[the dark deshrimper]

Quote[/b] (Napster @ Sep. 04 2006,18:15)]

Quote[/b] (the dark deshrimper @ Sep. 03 2006,17:31)]2. Totally agree - reading a paper which is the baby of an all too powerful media machine can only do bad

Jeez, get some perspective. The Sun's OK - name one paper that hasn't got a political objective?!

There is a differnece between political perspective in a newspaper, and sheer trash in a newspaper and unfortunatly the sun falls under the latter of these two

 

[Bielzibubz]

Quote[/b] (chaco27saf @ Sep. 03 2006,10:56)]

Quote[/b] (D62SUBOY @ Sep. 01 2006,19:53)]

Quote[/b] (Xàbia Shrimper @ Sep. 01 2006,10:58)]The USA - the biggest threat to world peace in our time ...

At last! USA all the way.

In 2005 I visited Canada on 5 seperate occasions. On two of those occasions I slipped over the border into Michegan for a few days and I have got to say I have never met such an unwelcoming bunch of plebs in my life.

That and the fact as Mike said, Bush and his neo-con, Zionist hawks that run that country are by far the biggest threat to peace in a number of countries than any terrorist organisation.

And....the fact they are all so ignorant of anything else that happens in the world unless God forbid it actually happens to encroach or impede on their daily lives.

Also spent 3 months living in rural Mississippi in 2001 and they truly were some of the most scary fekkin redneck hillbillies you could imagine and possibly THE most dence and backwad people I have ever met.

And yes, one of those hillbillies is coming to stay in two weeks time so you may get the chance to judge for yourself in The Spread or away at West Brom.......just don't print this off n grass me up or I'm in deep poo poo

Many places in Michigan, as well as almost the entirety of the deep south are probably the worst indicators of the whole of American society. I for one met plenty of bigoted and dense people in England, but I know that these people are not indicative of the entire English society.

Actually, I have got to agree with you on that. I have many American and Canadian friends and they are, albeit with a little give and take, all OK people.

What I should have posted was....I despise America because of it's administration, aspects of it's educational system, the disparity between the middle class and the poor in it's health care system, it's policy on climate change and a multitude of other reasons

On the whole the American people are without a doubt THE most ignorant people on the planet when it comes to the outside world but that doesn't make them bad, just ignorant.

 

[perth shrimper]

Quote[/b] (chaco27saf @ Sep. 03 2006,10:56)]

Quote[/b] (D62SUBOY @ Sep. 01 2006,19:53)]

Quote[/b] (Xàbia Shrimper @ Sep. 01 2006,10:58)]The USA - the biggest threat to world peace in our time ...

At last! USA all the way.

In 2005 I visited Canada on 5 seperate occasions. On two of those  occasions I slipped over the border into Michegan for a few days and I have got to say I have never met such an unwelcoming bunch of plebs in my life.

That and the fact as Mike said, Bush and his neo-con, Zionist hawks that run that country are by far the biggest threat to peace in a number of countries than any terrorist organisation.

And....the fact they are all so ignorant of anything else that happens in the world unless God forbid it actually happens to encroach or impede on their daily lives.

Also spent 3 months living in rural Mississippi in 2001 and they truly were some of the most scary fekkin redneck hillbillies you could imagine and possibly THE most dence and backwad people I have ever met.

And yes, one of those hillbillies is coming to stay in two weeks time so you may get the chance to judge for yourself in The Spread or away at West Brom.......just don't print this off n grass me up or I'm in deep poo poo  

Many places in Michigan, as well as almost the entirety of the deep south are probably the worst indicators of the whole of American society.  I for one met plenty of bigoted and dense people in England, but I know that these people are not indicative of the entire English society.

Nice one Seth, true comments i feel.

The world see's every single bad thing about America and judges Americans as a whole in that perception.

When you look at all indicators and social polls Americans as a whole want exactly what the rest of the world wants - Good education, safe environment, good healthcare.
It's what Brits want, Aussies want, Iraqi's want, Mongolians want.

The fact that your preseident and his backers are terrorists warps this picture.
But you'll always fight a losing battle whilst The 'coalition' of the 'willing' is responsible for 40,00- Iraqi civilian deaths.

 

[chaco27saf]

Quote[/b] (D62SUBOY @ Sep. 04 2006,18:34)]

Quote[/b] (chaco27saf @ Sep. 03 2006,10:56)]

Quote[/b] (D62SUBOY @ Sep. 01 2006,19:53)]

Quote[/b] (Xàbia Shrimper @ Sep. 01 2006,10:58)]The USA - the biggest threat to world peace in our time ...

At last! USA all the way.

In 2005 I visited Canada on 5 seperate occasions. On two of those occasions I slipped over the border into Michegan for a few days and I have got to say I have never met such an unwelcoming bunch of plebs in my life.

That and the fact as Mike said, Bush and his neo-con, Zionist hawks that run that country are by far the biggest threat to peace in a number of countries than any terrorist organisation.

And....the fact they are all so ignorant of anything else that happens in the world unless God forbid it actually happens to encroach or impede on their daily lives.

Also spent 3 months living in rural Mississippi in 2001 and they truly were some of the most scary fekkin redneck hillbillies you could imagine and possibly THE most dence and backwad people I have ever met.

And yes, one of those hillbillies is coming to stay in two weeks time so you may get the chance to judge for yourself in The Spread or away at West Brom.......just don't print this off n grass me up or I'm in deep poo poo

Many places in Michigan, as well as almost the entirety of the deep south are probably the worst indicators of the whole of American society. I for one met plenty of bigoted and dense people in England, but I know that these people are not indicative of the entire English society.

Actually, I have got to agree with you on that. I have many American and Canadian friends and they are, albeit with a little give and take, all OK people.

What I should have posted was....I despise America because of it's administration, aspects of it's educational system, the disparity between the middle class and the poor in it's health care system, it's policy on climate change and a multitude of other reasons

On the whole the American people are without a doubt THE most ignorant people on the planet when it comes to the outside world but that doesn't make them bad, just ignorant.

On the whole, fair comments. I definitely agree with your assesment of the ignorance of americans on international issues, but I feel that it may be beginning to change with my generation, or at least I hope so.

Just out of curiousity, what aspects of the American education system do you disagree with?

 

[chaco27saf]

Quote[/b] (perth shrimper @ Sep. 05 2006,03:48)]When you look at all indicators and social polls Americans as a whole want exactly what the rest of the world wants - Good education, safe environment, good healthcare.
It's what Brits want, Aussies want, Iraqi's want, Mongolians want.

Well said. The only thing currently preventing the US from getting closer to having the ideal education and healthcare systems that we crave is the small minority of citizens that are insanely wealthy and are disgusted at the thought of having to pay a little extra to benefit the society they live in.

 

[perth shrimper]

Quote[/b] (D62SUBOY @ Sep. 04 2006,18:34)][







On the whole the American people are without a doubt THE most ignorant people on the planet when it comes to the outside world but that doesn't make them bad, just ignorant.

This is one of those perceptions which is held by most who live in small countries.
I totally understand why something like 90% of Americans don't have pasports and don't travel overseas., its simple really......There's absolutely no need as the Country is full of interesting stuff that you don't need to go anywhere else!!!!
It's the same here in Australia, there's so much to see you don't actually have to leave.
Both countries are huge and contain so many different aspects to them that leaving is unneccessary.

In these countries there's simply no need to go elsewhere which of course is biting Americans on the bum at the moment, but 99.9% of the public there want peace like you and me.
Slagging them off because they've a ****** of a president is unfair.

 

[perth shrimper]

i'm not slagging your post by the way D62SUBOY, you just raised a point about ignorance that i wanted to add to.

 

[Xàbia Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (perth shrimper @ Sep. 05 2006,04:48)]When you look at all indicators and social polls Americans as a whole want exactly what the rest of the world wants - Good education, safe environment, good healthcare.
It's what Brits want, Aussies want, Iraqi's want, Mongolians want.

!!

Unfortunately that terrorist Bush and his cabal of cronies have made the rest of the world a definitely UNSAFE environment! Cheers, fellas ... don't call us ...

 

[Bielzibubz]

No offence taken PS I assure you. My comments were a tad on the strong side and I realised after I posted it that in itself it came across as a rather ignorant thing to say.

I'm assuming that in Australia the educational system does actually teach geography, world history etc and your TV does show global events taking place in other countries? ..... something the educational system and the mainstream media in American singularly fail to do.

I speak to my friends in the States about this quite often and they are pretty much in agreement that the two points I made above are the predominent reasons why they neither know or care what goes on further than their own shoreline. With the advent of the Internet this situation is, thankfully, slowly being reversed.

 

[Matt the Shrimp]

Quote[/b] (chaco27saf @ Sep. 03 2006,10:56)]I for one met plenty of bigoted and dense people in England, but I know that these people are not indicative of the entire English society.

Bravo, Seth. Blimey, this is a weird and slightly scary thread, I have to say.

I can't believe, for example, that North Korea hasn't had any votes yet (come on, name one redeeming feature). I also have grave reservations about Saudi Arabia, and the manner in which bigotry and intolerance was (perhaps is still) all but condoned by the state.

 

[Uncle Leo]

Quote[/b] (Matt the Shrimp @ Sep. 05 2006,09:48)]I can't believe, for example, that North Korea hasn't had any votes yet (come on, name one redeeming feature).

Erm, those military displays are very efficient.
Crazy North Koreans

Ok, I admit it. I'm struggling.