Hear, hear! (Not “Here, here.” That's what you say when you're calling a pet.)
Things you're shocked people don't know
- Thread starter Jadzia
- Start date
You are a bad, bad person. Why do you hate me so?
Someone has to keep you in line. And teasing is always a sign that I care. Well almost always. Sometimes it's just plain fun.
You know something else? I hate it when people think that:
1. In Brazil, they speak Spanish. They don't. I should know. I grew up there.
2. That the capital of Brazil is Buenos Aires. WTF, man? It's not even in Brazil. It's the capital of Argentina. I always believed it was a joke that Americans thought that, but I met some who actually did. Jeez.
The mind boggles.
1. In Brazil, they speak Spanish. They don't. I should know. I grew up there.
2. That the capital of Brazil is Buenos Aires. WTF, man? It's not even in Brazil. It's the capital of Argentina. I always believed it was a joke that Americans thought that, but I met some who actually did. Jeez.
The mind boggles.
I don't think either make any particular amount of sense.
A
Amaris
Guest
When people type that, I usually respond with "No, not here; there, there!".
John Picard's example is a good illustration of people getting things the wrong way round, although I suppose that's a case of mixing up words which might sound the same rather than mixing up actua physical actions: I can never get my head round why people think that you can itch yourself instead of scratching yourself. "Will you itch my back?" Er, what? Similarly, the difference between lending and borrowing. "Can I lend a pen?" Yes, I'm sure you can, but they're really your pens so I'm not sure why you're asking me. Oh, you want to borrow one of my pens? Right. No.
Also, no one versus no-one makes me uncomfortable. I usually just write nobody and have it done with
I knew someone who used to say, "Hey -- borrow me a quarter."
I hear that on occasion. I see it as more of a figure of speech than the person actualy thinking that's a proper phrase.
Think again.
It's short for the older expression "Hear him!" which was a popular way to show support of a speaker.
--Justin
1) The only reason I know they don't speak Spanish in Brazil is from taking Spanish classes. Otherwise, I would probably have no reason to know that.
2) The only reason I know the capital of Brazil is from the movie "I Still Know What You Did Last Summer."
I think it's weird that you'd expect people to know the location of random cities in other continents.
Exactly.
There is a lot lacking in the culture and geography education of Americans, but I'd say that the continent we learn the least about is South America. I remember learning about history and culture in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, but pretty much nothing about South America or Australia. I really don't know why.
I just always assumed nothing important ever happened there!
Rii
Rear Admiral
I just always assumed nothing important ever happened there!
Of course in the case of Australia this is pretty much true.
Well, at least the capitals of big-ass countries like Brazil, that's not too much to ask. I learned that in geography at school. I eman, what did you do all those years in that class if you didn't learn countries and capitals?
For me for sure it was Africa we learned the least about.
I would be shocked if 1 out 10 average Europeans or Americans could correctly point to Sambia or Benin on an unlabelled map of Africa.
Um...math, writing, and reading. In Social Studies we learned about stuff that happened in the US, but we never did much with foreign history or geography beyond the stuff that directly had an impact on the United States (Columbus, the American Revolution, etc).
I have never taken a Geography class, nor was it ever a huge focus in elementary school. In terms of international geography, I learned the names of the continents and the oceans, but that's about it. We certainly never memorized the names or capitals of countries. Hell, we never even had to memorize the capitals of the states!
I once could but I've forgotten most of it. However, I once got into an argument with one of my teachers (I think it was in RE) who couldn't grasp the difference between Nigeria and Niger. She pointed at Niger on the map, even though I repeatedly told her I was talking about Nigeria, not Niger. Everyone else laughed.
I have come across Americans who think that the capital of Australia is Sydney.
Also the only people who have ever asked me (online) where Tasmania is have been Americans.
This might not be because Americans are less knowledgeable but because they are not worried about showing their ignorance. Maybe people from other countries simply Google rather than inquire.
At school we covered many countries of the world when we studied Social Studies (History and Geography). This included
1) The great explorers
2) The French Revolution
3) The Kings and Queens of Britain
4) The history of bother India and China
5) World War 1 and 11
6) Some American history - such as the War of Independence and the Civil War
7) The Vietnam War - which wasn't history but going on at the time
8) The Russian Revolution
I remember once we had to choose a major city of the world and do a report on it. I choose Cairo.
Also the only people who have ever asked me (online) where Tasmania is have been Americans.
This might not be because Americans are less knowledgeable but because they are not worried about showing their ignorance. Maybe people from other countries simply Google rather than inquire.
At school we covered many countries of the world when we studied Social Studies (History and Geography). This included
1) The great explorers
2) The French Revolution
3) The Kings and Queens of Britain
4) The history of bother India and China
5) World War 1 and 11
6) Some American history - such as the War of Independence and the Civil War
7) The Vietnam War - which wasn't history but going on at the time
8) The Russian Revolution
I remember once we had to choose a major city of the world and do a report on it. I choose Cairo.
