Ok, not football at all, but it matters, eventually.

[WTF11]

You may want to update your vernacular.

Chimp was the term the democrats coined for George W Bush reflecting his rather spineless and ineffective way of governing. He was a puppet for our DC rulers. Unlike our last leader he could pass a drivers test and had the ability to stay awake more than a couple of hours and also had control of his bowels. He did not need to be put into a memory care unit when he was not loaded up on drugs to get him through a 10 minute speech with no follow up questions.

Trump fits none of the above characteristics reflecting the chimp nickname you have coined him with.

I'm glad you like your government and how effective they are. Your healthcare, immigration policies,economic mobility,personal freedoms, education system and you egalitarian business enviroment are models for the rest of the world. I can only hope that someday I get to be governed and live my life the way you do.

Not sure you have the meaning right there.....

Vernacular...the language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region

You can use whatever "vernacular" you like, my reference to a chimp, as you may recollect, coupled with the reference to being afraid of a chimp with a machine gun (and I illustrated why with other comments in the same post). The chimp in the White House isn't governing, it is dictating, and I suspect it will continue to do so for as long as it occupies that sacred position, as such, it's considerably more dangerous (as already illustrated) than a simian armed only with a machine gun.

By the way, I have NEVER said I "like" my government, but as the result of a free and fair electoral system and operating as a democracy for a little longer than certain places in the world, I'm content that there are enough checks and balances, including having an apolitical constitutional monarch as head of state instead of a President. I suspect you're teasing me on the rest (healthcare etc), which would be slightly amusing if it wasn't for the fact that we have a healthcare system that treats all those who require its services for free at the point of delivery, and do so from cradle to grave, we have a large scale immigration programme (over 300k last year) for LEGAL migrants, and the number of illegal migrants, whilst unacceptably high, is less than 10% of its legal counterpart, an economy that has weathered many storms, continues to be affected by its nature as a trading country with markets around the world and increasing inward investment (not helped of course by the chimps "will he won't he attitude to tariffs and of course the very logical decision behind levying tariffs on uninhabited island in the Antarctic!), I enjoy personal freedoms in the UK that I would prefer to the rapidly emerging rule by Executive Order that the chimp is establishing for you and yours. As for you being governed in such a fashion, come try it for a while, as you watch from afar as the much vaunted MAGA movement oversees the continuing decline of a once great power as it ceases to be relevant to a world that laughs at its leaders as they scrabble for the favour of the chimp and sees its government for what it is, one mans ego plaything.

We'd love to see you.

[spaldy]

In this case the term vernacular refers to the "elite group of people" that lack the originality to come up with their own thoughts and terms. When the rulers dictate a term or a concept that must be repeated by all then they blindly parrot what the are told to say.

Chimp was fashioned by an elitist magazine article and quickly became the talking point of those that were superior to rabble that just work and wanted to be left alone.

The latest concept that they are all parroting is "oligarchy". Most of mindless sheep that blabber about this concept have no idea what it is or the fact that 80% of the billionaires in my country support the democrats and the DC rulers that lord over us. It's actually embarrassing to watch someone screaming at a rally to get rid of oligarchs and who have vote for the people that are put in place by them. Not much different than the working rabble communists that fully supported their government and the bourgeoisie who shopped at their own fully stocked stores while they toiled and waited in line for their weekly ration of potatoes, cabbage and vodka.

[WTF11]

In this case the term vernacular refers to the "elite group of people" that lack the originality to come up with their own thoughts and terms. When the rulers dictate a term or a concept that must be repeated by all then they blindly parrot what the are told to say.

Chimp was fashioned by an elitist magazine article and quickly became the talking point of those that were superior to rabble that just work and wanted to be left alone.

The latest concept that they are all parroting is "oligarchy". Most of mindless sheep that blabber about this concept have no idea what it is or the fact that 80% of the billionaires in my country support the democrats and the DC rulers that lord over us. It's actually embarrassing to watch someone screaming at a rally to get rid of oligarchs and who have vote for the people that are put in place by them. Not much different than the working rabble communists that fully supported their government and the bourgeoisie who shopped at their own fully stocked stores while they toiled and waited in line for their weekly ration of potatoes, cabbage and vodka.

Your point?

[Monaco_Totty]

I would like to interject into this

Now in my latter 30s living in another country alongside others really does significantly shape the perspective of this & other Brits resident abroad, for sure.

It certainly broadened my worldview, also challenged my preconceived notions & offered a deeper appreciation for both my home country & my new one.
Without doubt moving abroad defo leads to increased independence skills, with the need to learn new skills & the development of a broader understanding of diverse cultures & lifestyles.

Above all, the exposure to diverse cultures does foster empathy & understanding of different perspectives, for sure.
Whether thats adjusting to new traditions, social norms or even the way in which people communicate, I find myself constantly learning & evolving as a human being each day.

Living in another country defo transforms you in ways you might not have anticipated & its not just about the academic or professional experience - its about personal growth, adaptability & a broader understanding of the world we live in & the people in it.

One thing I have learned is you must respect an opinion or view expressed by others perspective of countries they are born & live in. As when living abroad as an ex-pat you tend to develop a deeper understanding of oneself balanced with having a more profound interest in worldwide issues which really enable passionate conversational topics to flow.

Going into therapy when living in another country was undoubtedly a brilliant opportunity to get to know 'myself' even more.
Just wish sometimes that all folks should get to know 'themselves' a little better when communicating what in essence are very important questions being asked on this addictive ebbing & flowing thread.

Not bitching at anyone, just trying to learn what really is going on from the eyes, ears & mouths of those folks with real boots on the ground rather than the media projections. 👍

[ozleeds]

I would like to interject into this

Now in my latter 30s living in another country alongside others really does significantly shape the perspective of this & other Brits resident abroad, for sure.

It certainly broadened my worldview, also challenged my preconceived notions & offered a deeper appreciation for both my home country & my new one.
Without doubt moving abroad defo leads to increased independence skills, with the need to learn new skills & the development of a broader understanding of diverse cultures & lifestyles.

Above all, the exposure to diverse cultures does foster empathy & understanding of different perspectives, for sure.
Whether thats adjusting to new traditions, social norms or even the way in which people communicate, I find myself constantly learning & evolving as a human being each day.

Living in another country defo transforms you in ways you might not have anticipated & its not just about the academic or professional experience - its about personal growth, adaptability & a broader understanding of the world we live in & the people in it.

One thing I have learned is you must respect an opinion or view expressed by others perspective of countries they are born & live in. As when living abroad as an ex-pat you tend to develop a deeper understanding of oneself balanced with having a more profound interest in worldwide issues which really enable passionate conversational topics to flow.

Going into therapy when living in another country was undoubtedly a brilliant opportunity to get to know 'myself' even more.
Just wish sometimes that all folks should get to know 'themselves' a little better when communicating what in essence are very important questions being asked on this addictive ebbing & flowing thread.

Not bitching at anyone, just trying to learn what really is going on from the eyes, ears & mouths of those folks with real boots on the ground rather than the media projections. ��

The only ones telling the real stories are in media, social media people that live there and even show you videos and true pics of what really is happening. The normal media only show you what they want which mainly is all BS run by rich people with no conscious or care about anyone but themselves.
As for knowing yourself you don't need some shrink telling you out of a book how to find yourself.
The only one that can do it is actually yourself from mistakes' made what caused those mistakes, people you hang around with and which ones you haven't. People change because they think there is something wrong with them instead of been themselves. One knows themselves to start off with and should be happy who they are and the rest falls into pieces as you surround yourself with people with the same mindset and beliefs.
As for moving to another country it sure changes you and it's only successful if you accept the changes and blend in with there cultures and beliefs.
Shrinks and so called experts should be the very last resort.

[Monaco_Totty]

The only ones telling the real stories are in media, social media people that live there and even show you videos and true pics of what really is happening. The normal media only show you what they want which mainly is all BS run by rich people with no conscious or care about anyone but themselves.
As for knowing yourself you don't need some shrink telling you out of a book how to find yourself.
The only one that can do it is actually yourself from mistakes' made what caused those mistakes, people you hang around with and which ones you haven't. People change because they think there is something wrong with them instead of been themselves. One knows themselves to start off with and should be happy who they are and the rest falls into pieces as you surround yourself with people with the same mindset and beliefs.
As for moving to another country it sure changes you and it's only successful if you accept the changes and blend in with there cultures and beliefs.
Shrinks and so called experts should be the very last resort.

Oz, my phrase 'getting to know ones self ' was directed at regularly questioning your beliefs & assumptions that can help you identify whats truly important to you & what you are willing to compromise on when challenged.

Obviously in my case a severe illness limited my brain functioning somewhat until it got sorted.

Yes, you are correct that media used correctly is a valued tool for learning & keeping contact with trusted friends exchanging the daily genuine nitty-gritty of events in ones back yard whether they be good or bad.

But as usual your genuine 'words of Greek wisdom' offered & which I agree with, have been noted & logged within the grey matter between my ears. 👍

[spaldy]

MT,

Great points

One concept that I have consistently seen with Brits and in some cases Europeans and the City dwellers in the US (who rule over most US states due to population density) is distance and space. It takes 7 hours going 65mph to cross Kentucky. It takes over 24 hours to cross Texas at 75 mph. You don?t call police or fire and expect response in minutes. Rural KY is an hour response time. You have to handle things on your own. I can only imagine what it?s like in Russia which make the US look small.

You also learn to plan ahead and prepare for the worst. You avoid fires and accidents as much as you can. In winter you can do die if not prepared for cold.

Crime is handled yourself since no immediate police response and communities filter who comes in as much as they can. People know neighbors and watch out for each other.

This is much,much different than big urban areas

I badly struggle in big congested urban areas. It?s so different from rural areas in all aspects

[WTF11]

I would like to interject into this

Now in my latter 30s living in another country alongside others really does significantly shape the perspective of this & other Brits resident abroad, for sure.

It certainly broadened my worldview, also challenged my preconceived notions & offered a deeper appreciation for both my home country & my new one.
Without doubt moving abroad defo leads to increased independence skills, with the need to learn new skills & the development of a broader understanding of diverse cultures & lifestyles.

Above all, the exposure to diverse cultures does foster empathy & understanding of different perspectives, for sure.
Whether thats adjusting to new traditions, social norms or even the way in which people communicate, I find myself constantly learning & evolving as a human being each day.

Living in another country defo transforms you in ways you might not have anticipated & its not just about the academic or professional experience - its about personal growth, adaptability & a broader understanding of the world we live in & the people in it.

One thing I have learned is you must respect an opinion or view expressed by others perspective of countries they are born & live in. As when living abroad as an ex-pat you tend to develop a deeper understanding of oneself balanced with having a more profound interest in worldwide issues which really enable passionate conversational topics to flow.

Going into therapy when living in another country was undoubtedly a brilliant opportunity to get to know 'myself' even more.
Just wish sometimes that all folks should get to know 'themselves' a little better when communicating what in essence are very important questions being asked on this addictive ebbing & flowing thread.

Not bitching at anyone, just trying to learn what really is going on from the eyes, ears & mouths of those folks with real boots on the ground rather than the media projections. 👍

I agree entirely with the notion that living somewhere other than your country of birth is an immeasurable assist in broadening horizons and scope of creative and cultural thought.

I've lived and worked in the USA, Thailand and the Netherlands, although it's only fair to say that most of my 70 years have been lived here in the UK.

In each occasion when taking up residence in another country my family and I adopted the principle of "when you in Rome, do as the Romans do". I believe that my two eldest who were with my wife and I during those years are richer and more fulfilled as a result (as we're both my wife and I).

My genuine sadness when I read the kind of "other worldly" statement from many who have posted on this thread is the sheer insanity of the suggestion that there is any real life environment remotely similar to how they see the world. Their insular and isolationist views and beliefs damage not only those they express hatred and disdain for, but themselves as they divorce themselves from the wider world.

Btw, glad you find the thread has been asking important questions (and hopefully not overly addictive)

[WTF11]

The only ones telling the real stories are in media, social media people that live there and even show you videos and true pics of what really is happening. The normal media only show you what they want which mainly is all BS run by rich people with no conscious or care about anyone but themselves.
As for knowing yourself you don't need some shrink telling you out of a book how to find yourself.
The only one that can do it is actually yourself from mistakes' made what caused those mistakes, people you hang around with and which ones you haven't. People change because they think there is something wrong with them instead of been themselves. One knows themselves to start off with and should be happy who they are and the rest falls into pieces as you surround yourself with people with the same mindset and beliefs.
As for moving to another country it sure changes you and it's only successful if you accept the changes and blend in with there cultures and beliefs.
Shrinks and so called experts should be the very last resort.

"Social media people" are telling the truth?????????????????????????????

"They show you videos and "true" pics"???????????????????????????

What world do you inhabit? How can you PROVE any of what you see is true? What regulator is, even in an imperfect world, responsible for establishing the veracity of what "influencers" (like Laurie "Loony" Loomer), care to publish?

FWIW, The BBC is publicly funded, independent of the UK government, who they regularly pi55 off. It provides a global news service of world renown and has done for decades. It's not perfect, doesn't profess to be, but I'd take ANYTHING it publishes or broadcasts over the likes of Truth Media, Andrew Tate, or any other non-verifiable and self-serving sh1theads who seek nothing more than to make money no matter what they have to say to do so.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

If you think the BBC is independent ??

[Monaco_Totty]

MT,

Great points

One concept that I have consistently seen with Brits and in some cases Europeans and the City dwellers in the US (who rule over most US states due to population density) is distance and space. It takes 7 hours going 65mph to cross Kentucky. It takes over 24 hours to cross Texas at 75 mph. You don?t call police or fire and expect response in minutes. Rural KY is an hour response time. You have to handle things on your own. I can only imagine what it?s like in Russia which make the US look small.

You also learn to plan ahead and prepare for the worst. You avoid fires and accidents as much as you can. In winter you can do die if not prepared for cold.

Crime is handled yourself since no immediate police response and communities filter who comes in as much as they can. People know neighbors and watch out for each other.

This is much,much different than big urban areas

I badly struggle in big congested urban areas. It?s so different from rural areas in all aspects

Living in less densely populated Western France we have noticed more Americans here this Spring to visit our raw coastline & our abundant choice of historic Chateau of the near Loire valley than last year, Spaldy.

But it appears the good folk of the USA are now avoiding the historic urban pull of Paris & the money drenched beaches of Southern France, presently, certainly in the hotel chain I work for.

The main vibe on the French national news channels & papers is stating that visiting Americans now fear French people might treat them differently in the dawn of the latest Trump era leaving many US tourists in Paris feeling shame in being American at this moment in time. 🙁 https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2kvqnx0dnno

Apparently my old home of historic York in England is hearing the same discord too from its American visitors this year as well.

Makes one wonder what actually creates this change of 'psyche' in rational folks in what should be a vacation of a life time, particularly now in 2025 as there will be upcoming celebrations commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War 2, specifically on May 8th, 2025, aka VE Day with nationwide events being held within all communities of all ages coming together to celebrate the end of World War 2, lest we forget.

Certainly in my experience USA tourists are usually happy to 'fly their flag' & really enjoy mixing with amicable locals & the French genuinely enjoy exchanging cultural differences particularly visitor stories of the states they all hail & work from & how they have adapted to change over the years living in their environments, etc.

As for rural & urban environ living observation, Spaldy ?
Totally with you regarding that people know neighbours & watch out for each other.

Raised in inner South London, then in a village near the historic city of Roman York & later slap bang in the middle of it before moving out to the seas of Brittany I fully agree in what you say & what you have experienced Spaldy, as community values do matter, as they shape how people interact, build relationships & contribute to the overall well-being of the group, imo, too.
Such shared values also influence policies, interactions & individual actions within the community, highlighting their importance in creating a positive environment, imo, too.

I can remember visiting my elder brother when he was in Belgrade & like many Eastern European cities it can present financial challenges for those living in it with limited incomes & many struggled to make ends meet, especially during winter without reliable employment in a city strewn with areas of outdated infrastructure & certainly I never felt safe there. A strange eerie place Serbia with areas still left bombed out by NATO in 1999 & military vehicles left on the streets like statues of remembrance to view .

As for the current BBC reporting scenario, WTF ?
I also do agree about the BBC, who appear currently to be neutral in presentation of the worlds news, whether that be news regarding North, East, West or South of the globe whatever the story or conflict with no distracting commercial breaks, too. 👍

Its news output currently is generally fair & balanced, especially when compared with the frothy partisanship in many UK outlets & newspapers, so not an organ of state propaganda in my eyes. That independence is maintained by regulation & internal rules, but neither of those mechanisms is sufficient without a wider political culture that values the BBC on its own terms and does not seek to undermine it, for sure.
But compared to TV news in Europe & beyond I for one cannot yet, knock it.

Amazing how many of my mates actually read this thread too but sadly still wont join Mad to offer their football views, as one said to me Mad can he like a soap-opera at times with its sporadic spats 😂, hopefully promotion might stir their grey matter for them now. 🤞

[spaldy]

I would like to visit rural France, Germany, Poland, Italy and Spain.

Paris, London, Madrid, Rome etc.... not so much.

Please keep in mind that many of the yanks that visit these countries are often not the norm. They are just as obnoxious, arrogant, elitist and narcissistic here stateside as they are when they visit you. Money does tend to change people and it does take money, but more importantly, time to travel overseas. Many yanks get very little vacation time on paper... much less actually being able to use it. In my 40 years I've never taken more than 3 weeks vacation and that was one week for a major surgery. Many private sector workers know they can be replaced at will as as you age you become more disposable. Much of the huge resentment festering the US is based on the fact that 1/2 your paycheck is taken and used up by people who work 9-10 months a year at most and provide incredibly poor service. The resentment is papable and the election outcome was vengence. There is almost a giddiness amongst many at the layoffs and the elimination of entire departments. The only bad thing is they are all on pensions so we will pay for them until they die. The private sector no longer has pensions so you work until you've saved enough money.

I am envious of the European countries workers to take time off and vacation. By the time I can do that I may not be physically or mentally capable of doing that. I will also do my very best to have no one know that I'm a yank. Not because I'm embarrased of the US but because I went to blend in and experience what life is like for the people in the country I'm visiting.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Spain is one of the most under appreciated countries in the EU and one of my favourite places. There is huge cultural history and diversity.

San Sebastian is a foodie Mecca.
Barcelona is just like very few places on earth and southern Spain is different again.

The food and wine is great, the people are great and it has huge history going back to Roman times where you can see the influence of the Romans and then the Moors in so many regions.

The area where people still live in caves in the side of mountains is interesting too.

Wouldn?t be embarrassed about being a yank as most that travel seem to embrace a wider world view especially when departing from the beaten track.

You could say similar things for many of the counties you list and then you have Eastern Europe which is different again and has many beautiful cities.

Do it Spaldy I?m sure you won?t regret it!!!

[spaldy]

Working on my Spanish. It?s really hard for me to learn a new language. Too old. My brother ( lives in Germany) is conversational in 8 languages so I know it?s not a matter of hard wiring! I definitely know how awesome rural Spain is

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Working on my Spanish. It?s really hard for me to learn a new language. Too old. My brother ( lives in Germany) is conversational in 8 languages so I know it?s not a matter of hard wiring! I definitely know how awesome rural Spain is

Duolingo is a great way to learn and most people in Spain speak pretty decent English anyway.

Hazlo amigo mio, agarra la ortiga firmamente con ambas manos!