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Teach a Yank a thing or two...

TheLoveBandit

Indefinite break from BL - contact other admin
Joined
Feb 22, 2000
Messages
38,988
So, I'll admit I'm American. But I'm open minded and try not to be arrogant about it, so please don't hate me too much. Given that the Americans are heading towards their annual Thanksgiving holidays, it got me to wondering what other areas of the world do for annual holidays or traditions.

Are there certain national holidays (official or otherwise) that are celebrated, noted, or at least enjoyed a bit more for the natives? I know this forum covers multiple countries, so I'm open to any and all things you lot can teach me about your calendar and events of note which either you are proud of, or which you at least wish those damn Americans weren't so quick to ignore.

Seriously, this forum serves a region of our members, and I'd like to better understand those members and what's important to them. Maybe we can work in some site wide recognition when appropriate? I'm game for it...are you?
 
The one thing I've noticed since living with a ™'Merican is that you guys have way, way more holidays... or at least the ones y'all have you celebrate way, way harder... for holidays we mostly don't care about. Honestly kills me cos I love watching the work... just got nowr comin' back. Cunts here are brutal in their lack of giving a fuck. Wish it were different... but maybe, just maybe, we're making more of an effort of late...? Maybe :eek:<3:eek:
 
How come veterans have about 50 days recognising them in thr US but in Britain we have fuck all?

(Rememberance day doesn't count)
 
It's probably because the two countries exhibit fundamentally different attitudes to guns; which therefore goes on to inform the perception of those people for whom a gun is a tool of their trade.

In the UK, Civilians tend to look down on the Military (even the RAF look down on the Navy, and the Navy look down on the Army ..... [SELECT * FROM jokes WHERE punchline LIKE "%we don't piss on our hands%"]) whereas in the USA, anyone who has been on so much as a live-ammo training exercise is revered like some sort of celebrity.
 
It's probably because the two countries exhibit fundamentally different attitudes to guns; which therefore goes on to inform the perception of those people for whom a gun is a tool of their trade.

In the UK, Civilians tend to look down on the Military (even the RAF look down on the Navy, and the Navy look down on the Army ..... [SELECT * FROM jokes WHERE punchline LIKE "%we don't piss on our hands%"]) whereas in the USA, anyone who has been on so much as a live-ammo training exercise is revered like some sort of celebrity.

Yeah, the septics certainly have a certain reverence for their armed forces that we don't have here. I've lost count of the number of times yanks have said to me, "thank you for your service" and when I try to explain to them that phrase simply isn't used over here (not to mention the obvious fact I was serving a different country, and my pledge of allegiance was to The Sovereign and not the Star Spangled Banner) and members of HM Armed forces don't feel the need to be "thanked" for anything ("thank you for our freedom" is my favourite..... never fails but to make me cringe like fuck lol) they don't get it at all.

I also think that this is why this whole concept of "stolen valour" (or "stol1en valor" as they would say) isn't a "thing" over here like it is over there... I try to explain to my American friends that in this country, the job of a soldier is pretty much the last job the average Brit would want to pretend to have... there is absolutely no point. There are no financial benefits to being a past or present serving member of the military in the way there is in the US, no V.A. benefits or veterans discounts like they have over there and there are FAR more lucrative, profitable and highly sought after careers to imitate than that of a soldier, sailor, airman or marine... literally no one over here gives a fuck.

Never mind though, I wouldn't swap my time in the paras for all the money in the world. I experienced things that no civilian ever could and while I paid dearly both physically and mentally for it, I wouldn't change a thing... If I could go back and do it all again, I would.... in a heart beat.
 
There are no financial benefits to being a past or present serving member of the military in the way there is in the US, no V.A. benefits or veterans discounts like they have over there and there are FAR more lucrative, profitable and highly sought after careers to imitate than that of a soldier, sailor, airman or marine...
Oh, I wouldn't say that ..... there are a few really high-ranking officers who are not doing too shabbily .....
 
How come veterans have about 50 days recognising them in thr US but in Britain we have fuck all?

(Rememberance day doesn't count)

Likewise, those of us Americans who work in industries that have branches overseas...we struggle with how Europeans (we ignore the UK in this statement) take six weeks off every summer. We can't get them to do anything during those times :\

Our holidays have pretty well been in place since forever with vary little variation, so we're brought up with that being the standard without question. As to the veteran aspect of it


.
It's probably because the two countries exhibit fundamentally different attitudes to guns; which therefore goes on to inform the perception of those people for whom a gun is a tool of their trade.

In the UK, Civilians tend to look down on the Military (even the RAF look down on the Navy, and the Navy look down on the Army ..... [SELECT * FROM jokes WHERE punchline LIKE "%we don't piss on our hands%"]) whereas in the USA, anyone who has been on so much as a live-ammo training exercise is revered like some sort of celebrity.

I was going to disagree with the opening statement about guns as I think our American culture is raised with reverence of the military regardless of one's views on guns. Though, as I think more, you may have a solid point that our prevalence of guns, and the use of them to command respect, may have a subliminal effect. Though, the overall respect for veterans, IME, comes from both gun lovers and those who dislike guns overall. It comes more from appreciation that these people chose to give themselves to the force that protects us all. This is where all the parade and accolades for veterans really surfaces, appreciation for serving the public - same as for firefighters and police. We have a growing body of Americans who despise police, and a good part of them despise the military - again, mostly as an overarching image though attacks are taken out on the individuals in uniform. I can appreciate someone disagreeing with the concept of military, but to to actively attach those who protect and serve you reeks of lunacy, IMO. Time will tell how that shakes out.

But I think more than 'guns' is what you and a_w alluded to, that a military career for you lot is a last resort occupation and generally looked down upon. For us, we taught a history growing up that spans the American Revolution, two world wars and a fistful of other 'conflicts' where American might has prevailed (please, pay no attention to the ones where we lost...we don't admit defeat, we simply stopped engaging). History teaches us that American might has always prevailed, for the good of our country and our interests which are right and just. With that, one develops a reverence of the military - folks willing to put their life on the line to protect the rest of us. I'm one of those who have immense respect for our military - in a large part because they volunteered to do what I would only do if forced to, honestly. Add to that my grandfather was career military, my father served 4 yrs, and half my aunts and uncles also served to some degree.

Going into the military to be the hero, however, is not how most of us view the motivation...or at least I don't. I know a lot of guys who couldn't figure out what to do with their lives and enlisted in part to have food and a roof, and some just to have a place to 'belong', but a lot simply to learn discipline and a trade that would make them employable after they served. There is a lot of different reasons to serve, some desperation, some intentional planning, some natural attraction to that way of life. Regardless of the individual's motivation, the fact that they military utilized them to protect the rest of us, that they volunteered to do whatever was asked of them, that is where the respect comes from (at least for me).

Admittedly, an evidenced in my choice of words thus far, Americans raise our children with a slanted view of the military. Success, bravery, righteousness - these are the attributes generally taught. Reality says there are incompetents as well, those who couldn't do anything else with their lives. And there is as much, or more, shady shit done as we find in the business world...but in military situations, people can die.

I need to pause at this point. But I do greatly appreciate the feedback, anything more on this (military) topic, or general awareness of the difference of cultures is greatly enjoyed on my part. I live to have perspectives shared and discussions to educate one another. Cheers!


= = = =


It sounds, though, like I'm only getting UK answers. Do we have active members from the European mainland?

Let me try a different question for everyone. Without stating where YOU live, what would you tell a tourist like myself about Australia, New Zealand, or the other areas this forum serves? Good cities, food, things to see, things to avoid. What do you like, or dislike about your area, your country, whatever you'd be willing to share
 
TheLoveBandit said:
Admittedly, an evidenced in my choice of words thus far, Americans raise our children with a slanted view of the military. Success, bravery, righteousness - these are the attributes generally taught. Reality says there are incompetents as well, those who couldn't do anything else with their lives. And there is as much, or more, shady shit done as we find in the business world...but in military situations, people can die.

to the room: only a few of us see it this way (wish it was more so). we have a reverence for the armed forces but still see the poor choices one makes in rushing headlong into the military for the wrong reasons.

after saying that here's the confusing part... they do put their lives on the line and this is why i support the soldiers and not the wars themselves in today's day and age. in this case it's the value of a human life.

btw, well said TheLoveBandit.

apocalypse_when said:
How come veterans have about 50 days recognising them in thr US but in Britain we have fuck all?

different strokes for different folks. values come into play here. first off it's not just veterans. it's veterans, certain wars to remember (cause us younger generations have the attention span of a gnat) and i admit it seems like minor armed forces holidays but i'll elaborate some here. it has been lost on our nation but our holidays were a time of remembrance and history. you learned and remembered about your history while having the day to goof off, a way of connecting with your community while passing down info through the generations.

but times have changed here in the last 100 years. like most holidays here (and some in other countries i hear about) like christmas; they are turning ugly. it's that time of year you get really tired from shoveling turkey down your gullet so you can take a nap then head out to the running of the morons for the black friday sales. cause nothing says celebrate a religious holiday like hurting some random strangers for the best deal and making sure receiving gifts is more important than sharing some love around.

it's not totally centered around guns for all of us, some of us still hold true to honoring armed forces for what it originally stood for before politics entered the scene (politics on all sides of the table even). our freedoms were won by use of force even though it was doing a bad thing for the good. i don't personally have anything against my cousins from across the pond, matter o fact i wish more people here would listen to the UK more often. the UK is our heritage and when we lose sight of where we came from we lose track of where we're going (in so few of words). TLB has posted about it once or twice and i've always agreed, here's my words on it: different point of outside view isn't a bad thing, a new perspective can help come up with solutions to problems when one cannot step back from it to get the necessary perspective. in short: you all might have good ideas and if we don't listen then bad things happen.

to give my opinion on your question in short: i don't think most other countries want to be seen as mirroring the USA as placing value on soldiers, death and war on the global stage as it will make you look like us. plus it's rather archaic in today's day and age, reverting back to tribalism. THIS IS SPARTA and all that.

other than that, can't rightly say. how about you inform me. learn this backwoods hick of a yank proper like. (no sarcasm there F.U.B.A.R., us hicks are one step above rednecks and hillbillies which are the equivalent of sheep shaggers here.)

we are all human, what affects one of us, affects all of us. hard to believe but the devil is in the details.

to the room: i like where TLB is headed with this one. what we celebrate not only let's other countries know about our culture and customs but also is how we remember ourselves as a whole. please do share, even if it's the smallest of holidays.

it also helps to prevent unrealistic days of the year being added to the calendar. here too many days of the year are celebrated for something or another. we have so much diversity we have to give each aspect of it a day in the year lest we forget we are living that diversity every day we are alive in this country. it's useless and creates unnecessary confusion and conflict imo. (i.e. keep it right and simple)

try one official holiday and one unofficial one:

official holiday: i love my mom (rest her soul) and that woman loved her holidays. to her it was about family. she tried her best to make sure the family was together, having a good time and even passing down a few traditions. so any holiday to me is important but more so christmas cause it was her favorite (and not for religious or gift giving reasons either).

unofficial: that's easy. 420. whole day dedicated to toking up.
 
Last edited:
^ i fixed that. thanks. my typo.

wasn't getting on your case or trying to point out punctuation errors.

was saying it's more than just one holiday. veterans day is about celebrating the world wars. other military holidays here have their own significance.
 
^ i fixed that. thanks. my typo.

wasn't getting on your case or trying to point out punctuation errors.

was saying it's more than just one holiday. veterans day is about celebrating the world wars. other military holidays here have their own significance.

No worries mate.
 
Speaking as a Brit, I think it's fair to say that we're pretty shit at celebrating specific events compared to you yanks. Don't get me wrong, we'll take any excuse for a piss up we can get, but that usually takes precedence over the actual event itself.

In England and Wales we get 8 public holidays (aka 'bank holidays') per year. Scotland and Northern Ireland might be slightly different, but who cares...

All these mean to the average Joe Bloggs is a day off work and an excuse to get hammered.

These consist of:

Christmas day
Boxing day
New year's Day
Good Friday
Easter Monday
May day
Spring bank holiday
Summer bank holiday

Obviously, the main one we celebrate is Xmas. However, most people are of the opinion that it is an over commercialised pile of wank and are secretly glad when it's all over.

New year's Day isn't really celebrated, but New year's Eve is yet another jolly good excuse to get pissed - especially for the Scots who do drinking even better than we do.

Easter's a bit of a damp squib for most people - apart from a few religious nutters and kids who get to overdose on overpriced chocolate eggs.

The remainder of the public holidays (which are always on a Monday) I can't really explain, but at least we get a long weekend so who's complaining?

The Mayday bank holiday is still celebrated in some twee little villages with Morris dancers and maypoles and dubious competitions involving prepubescent girls to win the May queen crown - all very Wickermanesque...

In addition to the bank holidays, we also make a half arsed attempt at celebrating Halloween and Guy Fawkes night (November 5th).

When I was a kid in the 70s, Halloween was just a date on the calendar, and 'Trick or Treating' was something they did in Peanuts comics. But Guy Fawkes (aka bonfire) night was quite big. Nearly everybody used to let fireworks off in their back yard or garden and have a bonfire if they had the room.

These days, Halloween has become a much bigger deal (thanks for that America) - though still nowhere near as big as it is for you lot. Again, we don't really give a fuck about it - it's just an excuse for kids to scrounge sweets off the local paedos and Asda to rake it in by selling plastic tat.

Conversely, bonfire night seems to be on the wane. Nobody seems to bother having their own bonfires anymore, instead opting to attend local organised bonfire and fireworks displays - which also increasingly tend to have a Halloween theme as the two days are so close together - thus enabling us to get the two 'celebrations' out of the way in one fell swoop so that we can get back to fukin normal asap.


So there you have it. UK celebrations in a nutshell. Basically, we're just a bunch of miserable cunts who can't be doing with all that frightful fuss and faff that you lot are so fond of.


However, we do tend to excel at pomp - i.e. Royal occasions and spend a fuckin fortune as a nation on that shit. However, except for a minority of old bastards, saddos and tourists, no-one really gives a fuck about them either - unless it gets us another day off work...
 
GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!!!

Makes me misty eyed every time I hear the national anthem.. (and i did swear allegiance to her and pledge my life to defend her and her subjects)
 
When I was a kid in the 70s, Halloween was just a date on the calendar, and 'Trick or Treating' was something they did in Peanuts comics. But Guy Fawkes (aka bonfire) night was quite big. Nearly everybody used to let fireworks off in their back yard or garden and have a bonfire if they had the room.

Did you never get dressed up and beg strangers for sweeties as a kid? Maybe that was just me :eek:

Trick or Treating was definitely a thing when I was a kid. Apple bobbing, Jack o' Lanterns, costumes. Definitely a thing. A very Ye Olde British thing at that. Admittedly the more... full-on version these days is a tad transatlantic. Still all based on that previously-noted Wickermanny stuff, mind. I really don't get the resentment for beefing up Hallowe'en that seems to be such a thing these last few years tbh.

Guy Fawkes I kinda agree on though. Still plenty of fireworks but precious little as far as penny-for-the-guy and burning effigies goes. Whilst Hallowe'en is becoming ever more commercialised it does at least retain elements of its origins. Bonfire night seems to be just the official starting point for Fireworks Season now. November through to New Year's we get fireworks up (and indeed out in some cases) the wazoo but without much reason. As you note, Brits seem mostly to just take any excuse to get pissed and play with minor explosives.

FWIW, we never had outdoor fireworks bar sparklers (which we had to use outside whilst wearing mittens... woollen mittens... :sus:). Anybody else used to have those eye-poppingly thrilling tabletop firework sets?



8o

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!!!

Pride is more of an international one isn't it?

;)
 
A pint is 568ml

Chips are fat french fries

Pants are underwear not trousers

Water doesn't have to come with half the ice shelf in it at a restaurant

Budweiser tastes like tramps piss, but we drink it anyway

Socks with sandals, even if you call them "sliders" are still socks with sandals. What are you, German?

DAY, MONTH, YEAR. Sick of hearing about the 11'th of November.

You are universally hated, almost as much as Carling.
 
A pint is 568ml

Chips are fat french fries

Pants are underwear not trousers

Water doesn't have to come with half the ice shelf in it at a restaurant

Budweiser tastes like tramps piss, but we drink it anyway

Socks with sandals, even if you call them "sliders" are still socks with sandals. What are you, German?

DAY, MONTH, YEAR. Sick of hearing about the 11'th of November.

You are universally hated, almost as much as Carling.

Bawwwhahaha



Accurate.
 
GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!!!

Makes me misty eyed every time I hear the national anthem.. (and i did swear allegiance to her and pledge my life to defend her and her subjects)

I cannot fathom the American fascination with British royalty. It's taking the celebrity status of movie and music stars, added an 'import' markup with the hype, and sold it to mindless Americans desperate for a bit of out of the ordinary soap opera. :\ Seriously, there are people here who DVR and/or stay up late at night for royal weddings or other special events. The constant feed of 'real' tv 8) has to be some sinister plot to destroy American minds. This is just the non-holiday special.
 
I cannot fathom the American fascination with British royalty. It's taking the celebrity status of movie and music stars, added an 'import' markup with the hype, and sold it to mindless Americans desperate for a bit of out of the ordinary soap opera. :\ Seriously, there are people here who DVR and/or stay up late at night for royal weddings or other special events. The constant feed of 'real' tv 8) has to be some sinister plot to destroy American minds. This is just the non-holiday special.

Its probably just because its "different" and people tend to attach a high level of importance to and interest in things they dont have themselves. A lot of Brits actually despise the royal family and while i dislike some if the "hangers on" or lesser royals since they happily take the benefits but dont want to behave in a manner befitting of royals, I love the queen. She is so dignified and to me the personification of being British. I wasn't joking about armed forces having to swear allegance ro the queen and to defend her... we really do.

One thing about Americans I dont get is your obsession with your flag. Its like a substitute for a monarcb or something and people take it sooooo seriously... To us a flag is just a flag..No special significance but to you guys its like a sacred relicnir something.
 
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