*This started as a response to redxavier's comment about how I posted the wrong map in the Master and Commander show notes. It occurred to me that since we have listeners in other parts of the world, and I for one have a great deal of interest in learning about other cultures, that we should have a thread for cultural awareness. What follows is my response from the Master and Commander thread.*
redxavier wrote:Just a head's up, that map shows Briton (i.e., Celtic) territories in the 6th century, not Anglo- Saxon.
Thanks for the clarification, and the history lesson. (The map came from the same Wiki article about Anglo-Saxon England.)
Even as someone who has studied the Arthurian Legend and has a keen interest in the UK and its people and culture, it's easy to get confused by these things. I certainly meant no disrespect.
Perhaps you could also help us understand the use of the term "British." I hear British and I think English, as in being from England, but aren't the Welsh and Scots also British? As in The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland? Or in that context does British refer to being a Briton (further confusion)? Where does "Brit" fit in, and is that considered a pejorative?
I genuinely am interested in clearing this up. I think us Yanks tend to get a bad rap when it comes to understanding other cultures, and it's not exactly undeserved. For far too many of us anyone from the UK is English. They've probably never even heard of Wales, and Ireland might as well be on the same island.
Personally, that infuriates me.
Another example: my last girlfriend was from Belarus, but unless you have a keen interest in eastern European geography, it's not the kind of country everyone is familiar with. After too many conversations that went like this:
"Nice accent, where are you from?"
"Belarus."
"Oh, ok…" blank stare
Long explanation about former Soviet Republics.
In casual conversation we just started answering Russia.
She didn't seem to mind, but I imagine someone from Ukraine or Bulgaria would feel differently.
Am I right in thinking that the same would go for a Scotsman, Welshman or Irishman with regards to being referred to as English?
Not to get too heavy handed here, but I believe that it is precisely this type of ignorance that is holding us back as a race, and as much as I love my country, we are probably the worst offenders.
On that note, I would like to start by apologizing on behalf of all Americans. It is unfortunate that so many of us just don't give a shit, but please know that there are plenty of us that do, and I am one of them.
Anyway, let the DIF cultural summit commence.
