Ah, ladies and gents. It's time for another installment of 'Royal in America'
Actually, it kills me to write these sometimes because I know that what some people take away from it is "Americans are self absorbed & stupid". It's so ridiculous and untrue, but some people are ridiculous, I guess. Royal meets many, many people every week (especially now that he works as a personal trainer) that have a good firm knowledge base regarding Britain, the military and American history.
But it's true, he occasionally gets one that doesn't have as firm a grasp ...
Recently Royal was speaking to a guy in his early 20s:
Guy: Did it take you long to learn the language?
Royal: I don't... I don't know what you mean... ?
Guy: Did it take you long to learn English [long pause] Or, what language do you speak over there?
Royal: We speak English.
Guy: ....
Royal: ....
Guy: Oh, okay.
Royal: Yeah. Well, you know, the English settled the 13 colonies in the U.S.
Guy: [Blank stare]
Royal: And you fought the American Revolution to free yourselves from British rule...
Guy: Oh. I didn't know that. Guess I wasn't listening that day in History.
In all his time in the United States, Royal has never encountered a person that didn't know about the American Revolution. We were floored! While I have lots and lots of complaints about what they don't cover in high school history classes -- well, let's just say I'm not griping about this one. I seriously, seriously hope that the conversation sparked a little interest in the subject of American History for that gentleman. Please man, do it for your country.
Actually, it kills me to write these sometimes because I know that what some people take away from it is "Americans are self absorbed & stupid". It's so ridiculous and untrue, but some people are ridiculous, I guess. Royal meets many, many people every week (especially now that he works as a personal trainer) that have a good firm knowledge base regarding Britain, the military and American history.
But it's true, he occasionally gets one that doesn't have as firm a grasp ...
Recently Royal was speaking to a guy in his early 20s:
Guy: Did it take you long to learn the language?
Royal: I don't... I don't know what you mean... ?
Guy: Did it take you long to learn English [long pause] Or, what language do you speak over there?
Royal: We speak English.
Guy: ....
Royal: ....
Guy: Oh, okay.
Royal: Yeah. Well, you know, the English settled the 13 colonies in the U.S.
Guy: [Blank stare]
Royal: And you fought the American Revolution to free yourselves from British rule...
Guy: Oh. I didn't know that. Guess I wasn't listening that day in History.
In all his time in the United States, Royal has never encountered a person that didn't know about the American Revolution. We were floored! While I have lots and lots of complaints about what they don't cover in high school history classes -- well, let's just say I'm not griping about this one. I seriously, seriously hope that the conversation sparked a little interest in the subject of American History for that gentleman. Please man, do it for your country.
We have unbelievable instances of ignorance over here I assure you:)
Posted by: Pat | February 22, 2010 at 04:57 AM
Amazing. I guess it's a good thing my daughter just got accepted to a University in Britain. (Which she is over the moon about!) It'll be interesting to see what kind of history classes she'll take... and of course, maybe she can learn to speak English instead of 'teen speak'.
Posted by: Lemon Stand | February 24, 2010 at 06:24 AM
Ah... teen speak. Truly a foreign language! It's disappointing, but thankfully few and far between, even in Britain - thanks Pat :o) I hope your daughter has a fantastic time and really grabs every opportunity. I wish that I had done that while I was living in Britain.
Thanks for your comments - you guys are the best!
Posted by: Kath | February 26, 2010 at 03:21 PM
I'm studying to become a history teacher, and believe me, American kids will know all about the Queen and British history by the time the year's out! Hoorah!
Posted by: M.L. Littlefield | March 15, 2010 at 06:21 PM
Me, too! Working on my undergraduate and hoping to go on to a Masters. Eventually would like to be a professor and teach WWII and the Holocaust. You go, girl. I like your site - adding it to my sidebar :o) Thanks for commenting!
Posted by: Kath | March 16, 2010 at 03:43 PM