Andy in Germany
Guru
I'm wondering what was smoked to arrive in the country of "Southern Ireland"? I know of no such place.
Same stuff as the people who describe the collection of Islands to the east of Ireland as "England" I suspect.
I'm wondering what was smoked to arrive in the country of "Southern Ireland"? I know of no such place.
Same stuff as the people who describe the collection of Islands to the east of Ireland as "England" I suspect.
The continent of Africa 🌍
Had you been smoking something exotic before you decided that Kathmandu was in Southern Ireland? 😅
The continent of Africa 🌍
+1 for Malta
Same stuff as the people who describe the collection of Islands to the east of Ireland as "England" I suspect.
You mean those same folk who think that Scotland is in the north of England, I presume ?
It's a bugbear of mine too!
I think most are well aware of the distinctions but "England" is shorthand because traditionally that is where the power lay.
Of course, that's all different now
To be fair, most Irish people (if that's who you're referring to) are well aware of Scotland. We may be a bit blurry on where the border actually is but there's generally quite an affinity between the two, football/religion/politics notwithstanding.
No, not the Irish - they are just as aware of the geography of Europe and its off-shore islands as any other European, I imagine!
I'm speaking, in general, about people from further afield. Funnily enough, though, the folks who are the very furthest afield of all don't seem to make quite as many mistakes about off-shore European island's geopolitics as some of the others!
Mind you, how well would the average Brit (or Irish person) do on the geopolitics of, say, Japan? What do we know of the internal organisation of Malaysia or Costa Rica?
I disagree, though, when you say that you think most (tourists) are well aware of the distinctions. IME, there are a great many who are indeed unaware and appear totally puzzled by distinctions between these very different countries which lie snuggled together, just offshore from the mainland!
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People need to chill a little. Many of the observations are spot on even though it paints an adverse view. Virtue signalling has no place where genuine and honest views are sort.
Someone visiting the same country can hold an adverse view and while another might hold a gushing positive view and they both can be right.
What is important is exchanging experiences and expressing them in an honest and sincere manner even if it means saying that immigration and Police are corrupt or the sanitation is wanting. Interestingly many of these places are visited by those in the know because they have a spectacular feature or provide an unusual experience that must be on the bucket list.
I always enjoyed @KnittyNorah, @CanucksTraveller and others like them as they provide an unvarnished version of what they experienced and you can clearly see there is no malice intended. Many of the destinations mirror where I have been and it resonates.
And believe me the World is made up of the nicest people just that they are poorly governed and or exploited by a tiny minority in their own community. Crimes and bad behaviour is more pronounced in some countries than others and that's a fact. No need to throw your toys out of the cot just because you been there and do not agree with published statistics and established facts.
Do not be intimidated by claims of ignorance and having very narrow view etc. Most people can work out what is said in malice, jest or just straight shooting.
We should not miss the opportunity to glean more information from those who have seen the wider world.
Back to the UK and Slough as an example. It holds the most UK Head offices of multi-national corporations and many are well known. Yet it is a relative residential dump compared so many other places. It is the result of certain dynamics. Pussyfooting around to please someone is not being honest to yourself.
And never ever let anyone spell things out for you out of fear or the need to fit in.
Well, there's the distance first of all. It's pretty difficult to get Japanese or Costa Rican news on a regular basis, certainly without the languages.Mind you, how well would the average Brit (or Irish person) do on the geopolitics of, say, Japan? What do we know of the internal organisation of Malaysia or Costa Rica?
I'm sorry, I can't quite follow this. I'm assuming you're referring to England, Scotland & Wales? And tourists - Irish or otherwise?I disagree, though, when you say that you think most (tourists) are well aware of the distinctions. IME, there are a great many who are indeed unaware and appear totally puzzled by distinctions between these very different countries which lie snuggled together, just offshore from the mainland!
Before I reply properly can you quote a post or two of this virtue signalling?Virtue signalling has no place where genuine and honest views are sort.
To whom are you referring here? Please quote a post.No need to throw your toys out of the cot just because you been there and do not agree with published statistics and established facts.
One thing I learnt late in life is don’t over-plan. Second is not to preach.
Do not be intimidated by claims of ignorance
We should not miss the opportunity to glean more information from those who have seen the wider world.
Pussyfooting around to please someone is not being honest to yourself.
And never ever let anyone spell things out for you out of fear or the need to fit in.