Emily, an American, over at “It Comes In Pints?” has a massive list consisting of “things I like about Britain, Fuck Yeah!”
As someone who on Thursday night listened to a German acquaintance patiently explain to me why London “deserved” to have been bombed*, it’s wonderful to read lots and lots of people list things about Britain that they love. She even lets the wag who wrote “Setting the White House on fire in 1815, Fuck Yeah!” off with a mild warning. There are 850 comments now, although when I expressed my very polite appreciation there were far fewer and it was still movingly impressive.
*Note, it’s not a reaction that I’ve heard from anyone else here, and if his two friends sitting next to him weren’t larger than me, I think I’d probably be sitting in a German prison cell at this moment on an attempted murder charge.
Thanks for the link: you’re trackback number 30 now!
Have you seen “Team America”?
Mark: I presume you’re talking about the “Putting the “F” back in Freedom” film. No I haven’t actually, but a bit of googling has given me the general jist.
That’s a fantastic list! I’ve got a soft spot for Britain myself, seeing that my grandmother was born there. And to the guy who told you London deserved to be bombed? F*ck him. Twice.
christina, to be honest I wrote
“As an Englishman, might I be permitted to add; pride at the length and contents of this list. Gosh, yes!”
and then got to read:
“Englishmen who say “Gosh, yes!” FUCK YEAH!”
about an hour later, which made me smile no end.
And the “acquaintance” didn’t say “it was inevitable” or “bearing in mind Britain has invaded Iraq and Afghanistan…” he said “deserved”. I was not entirely happy.
I went out and bought a bottle of very expensive scotch whiskey today. Figured I would kill two birds with one stone, help the British economy while pissing off intolerant fundamentalist who think I shouldn’t be allowed to drink. BTW, I’m not at all surprised by the German comment. I’ve heard similar comments before. It seems you can be a bit of a prick if you feel snug that the US and English military are protecting you.
820 I presume you mean British, or even, UK military.?
820: I should point out it was just the one guy, Germans have been very sympathetic, but on Thursday night after a few beers it really wasn’t what I needed to hear.
The general gist, like this!
I like when there’s a sad, soul searching bit of the movie and they sing the same song only slower and with more feeling!
Great list. This is the first I’ve heard of that blog, but I’ll definitely read more when I have time.
As far as the Germans you’ve mentioned go, I’ve met many many idiots like that here. You know, the ‘I know everything and I'’m going to tell you no matter what you think’ types that won’t listen to anything that might contradict their point. I love when they tell me ‘facts’ about my country and really have no clue as to what they’re talking about. Patience is the key.
J: The three stereotypes of my country that I get are 1. I’m a member of the royal family and live in a stately home and subsist on inedible food, or 2. I’m a football hooligan. or 3. I’m Hugh Grant.
The first two I could cope with, the third used to really piss me off, single German women, who’d watched Bridget Jones once too often, would approach me, we’d chat, it would be established that I was English and they’d coo “Ooh, you’re just like Hugh Grant”, at which point I’d abruptly leave. I look bugger-all like Hugh Grant and he’s an irritating git. It took until the third or fourth time it happened before I snapped and said “I DO NOT look like Hugh Grant”,
“No”, replied the girl, “I like Hugh Grant. I really like Hugh Grant.”
What could I do except say “Crikey!”, run my hands through my wavy, brown hair and grin inanely, then add a “Gosh!” for good measure.
You’re right, there are some Germans who are idiots (anyone who thinks I look like Hugh Grant is certifiable), but thankfully that includes a proportion of the population with great legs.
Being serious. The anti-Americanisms I’ve heard since your latest President was elected annoy me even as a non-American. Yes, yes, I know you’re almost all stupid, obese gun-toting maniacs, just waiting for the second coming, but there are exceptions, and it’s wrong to pre-judge. Okay, I’m not being serious at all am I? I’ve been serious far too much recently and I can’t manage it anymore.
Englishmen who say “oh dear” at moments of overwhelming feeling: Gosh, YES.
820 head over to nosemonkey at europhobia (linked to the left) and drop some pounds into the “buy the emergency services a pint” fund. It is less dodgy than it sounds. In the left hand column click on “the idea”
EasyJetsetter: I have no idea what you’re talking about, it sounds like something someone brought up in the 1950’s would say.
But thanks for the tip about Nosemonkey’s “buy the emergency services a pint” fund - I’ve put a direct link in the latest post. I hadn’t read it, Bloglines is playing up again….
EasyJetsetter, thanks for the link!!!!!
OMG What an idiot! Others may find the decision of others (in this case, UK’s vs. your German acquanitance) lacking, to say the least but NO ONE (or no country) deserves to be be bombed!!!
AnP: I can only say the same as I’ve said to every other commenter - it was just the one guy, not representative of German reaction as a whole.
The White House? 1812.
The Marines? Fuck Yeah!
Tim: Look, I was merely quoting what it said in the comments - someone had put “Ted Heath? Fuck Yeah!” and that was allowed too - it was one of those days……