What if chasing the dream means you have to give up a relationship?

[Eleven]

Dearest Cathyoz. Maybe they are teasing you a little bit because you catch fire so easy. Yourself, Lorriane and the UK's miss Darling who founded the lifeboat service in england, as well as many a fine fisher woman all show that women are very fine sailors. Whether it is because they are closer to the elements or the elements are indifferent to their gender and so is sailing, well ask Ellen McArthur.
You have had a difficult life and survived very well. France too, by it's position in Europe was never going to be peaceable place. So to for Afghanistan and the Kyber Pass.
For America, who waited so very long to see which side might win, to claim, with John Wayne, to have won every significant battle in history is a bit strong for those who can still see the ruins of blitzed houses all across Europe.
We can't help our birth place, our parents, or our language. It shouldn't divide any of us.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by High Cotton

BEAUTIFUL country but the FRENCH have "issues" with AMERICANS......

I think its more than just French people.
Part of my travelling banter in most countries is to say "Hey, I'm Australian, not American". I then normally get lower prices, less ripped off, more help, and lower expectations on how rich I am.

I agree that you guys have a tougher time and its not your 'fault'.

One problem is many do refer to the soldiers in WW2. We had lots of Americans in Australia our boys were away in the war and the Americans were "Oversexed, overpaid and over here!"
From what I understand the Aussie girls (and the french girls too!) would prefer to go dancing with the richer American soldier than the underpaid aussie soldiers or the totally unpaid French soldiers.

Googleing I find it was the British thoughts too!:

Oversexed, overpaid and over here

Comic line, making fun of the US Army in Europe in WWII. There was a good humoured banter between the GIs that were stationed in Britain prior to and during WWII and the British citizenry. The GIs had a come-back - calling the Brits, "underpaid, undersexed and under Eisenhower".

And some of it had a more lasting effect!

The alarming consequences of the prodigious sexual activity of GIs in Britain was revealed by the VD statistics, which rose from twenty cases per thousand to almost sixty per thousand amongst American forces stationed there, by the first months of 1943. This was nearly three times the rate of troops in the

United States and six times higher than the average level reported by the British Army for soldiers on home duty.

Americans get the brunt of world criticism when they have done more for world peace in the last 100 years than any other country. They are the only country that has fully committed to every war in the 20th century when they, themselves have not been threatened with direct invasion. (Australia, by the way is the ONLY country to have stood shoulder to shoulder with the Americans in every war in the 20 century).
One wonders why if you help the most you get criticized the most! Humans are weird beings.

Hud had an interesting comment in another thread about how some cultures expect different ways of doing things and I think its valid to copy it here:

What passes for "polite" in the

US is not "polite" in the islands. In the US, if you want to buy an ice cream cone, you walk up to the counter and say, "May I have a two scoop strawberry cone, please?" Polite? Yes!

In the British heritage Caribbean islands, that is NOT polite!

Here's what works. Walk up to the counter. Say, "Good afternoon, how are you?" Smile. The clerk answers, "I'm OK." Say, "How was your weekend?" Or some other chit chat. You will usually be rewarded with a smile at this point. Say something like, "I love your smile! It lights up the room!", or some other appropriate compliment. A bigger smile results.

Only then can you can get around to asking for your ice cream cone.

The point is, you need to recognize the PERSON that is serving you, and try to connect on a person-to-person basis. The local people are very relationship-oriented, and in my experience, respond very positively to a warm, un-rushed, friendly approach.

Every different culture is different (stands to reason! )... the most bizarre thing about the island where we have been for the last few weeks is everyone getting on the bus says loudly to all the passengers "Good Afternoon!" and all the passengers respond "Good Afternoon!" Stuff me! Saying hello on a bus in Australia would get you a few real good stares! LOLOL.


Anyway, to end this long discourse: Yep, you people from the USA have a tough time overseas! Its not fair after all your country has done. It can be an ungrateful world. But perhaps you can make it better by knowing the history and the way some others may feel.

Mark

[Hud3]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Every different culture is different (stands to reason! )... the most bizarre thing about the island where we have been for the last few weeks is everyone getting on the bus says loudly to all the passengers "Good Afternoon!" and all the passengers respond "Good Afternoon!" Stuff me! Saying hello on a bus in Australia would get you a few real good stares! LOLOL.

Mark

Mark,

You are going native, mon!

When I walk into the Cable and Wireless office to pay my bill, I say, "Good morning!" as I come in the door. Everyone there responds, "Good morning!", with a smile. It's the way it's done down here! That way they know you're not a Tourist.

[Lorianne Davies]

Originally Posted by Paul Ouellette

Lorraine :

It could be worse...

Well, you've done it now Paul. Incidentally, didn't I meet you at the U of Windsor Law school parties...mid eighties....you stood out 'cause you still had clothes on!!! How's the bridge traffic these days ??? but I digress..

I have seen this video many a time. He's a comic genius. We were thinking of making the patients view his rendition of his colonoscopy just prior to undergoing the procedure!!! .....good idea??

Back to the chat.

My ex husband was the product of a German artillary officer and a little French beauty that he spied at a party just outside of Lille.They survived and ran away to Canada, raised four kids and built a life. She was "the most beautiful woman" he'd ever seen.

My present husband is the product of a British Catholic and a Hindu Bengali of the Brahman caste. When he shouts at me "to get him tea " in his native tongue, I use my most demure born and bred Torontonian to remind him that he needs "to get his own f***ing tea".....works like a charm.

My great-grandfather was disinherited from the family seat in England when he was sent to the continent to buy racehorses and returned with a Prussian Jewish bride.

My son fancies a half Philippino, half Chinese lady because "she's a damn good golfer". He is often mistaken for a "tall Mexican".

Welcome to Canada.

I always thought the French/English thing was just something to keep the politicans in Canada busy lest they attempt to govern the country. I had a whole new take on it after spending three years in England excavating a wreck called 'The Mary Rose'. It is a complicated relationship. Remember Monty Python's "Holy Grail"?

Anyway, I'm boring myself.

Paul, be a good Canadian and pm Cathy to apologize for any offence taken..oh and don't forget it's tax time soon!!!Gather up your loonies.

BTW, I hope you are familiar with Russell Peters...a comic from Bramalea, Ontario. You can google him.

Cheers,

Lorianne

[cathyoz]

i am actualy having lot of fun ..
and laughing ,
i am always been of bit of a teaser , and a "socialist too !!" LOL
better go , my big boy is home ,so better to prepare is breaky..,He is the epitomie of the best of Australia from his dad,always happy, possitive , friendly ,open, honest and good surfer,,and romantic, tender and good talker of his other half genetic making of France..
and a very good sailor too ,
And he has good the good look , and "sex appeal " of both , and he does know it !! and he speack Australian and French..
but anyway , he is going of to Spain and Greece..
it is very dyplomatic , we can all learn from that..

[Paul Ouellette]

Hi Lorianne :

Law school...neked...nope, not me...sorry !!

I'm a Beneteau sailor & mortgage broker who plays a mean bagpipe & is owned by a very possessive miniature schnauzer.

[GMac]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Americans get the brunt of world criticism when they have done more for world peace in the last 100 years than any other country. They are the only country that has fully committed to every war in the 20th century when they, themselves have not been threatened with direct invasion. (Australia, by the way is the ONLY country to have stood shoulder to shoulder with the Americans in every war in the 20 century).
One wonders why if you help the most you get criticized the most! Humans are weird beings.

I'm no way am I having a swipe at either the US or Australia (and Mark) and know I'm pushing the zone where I may have to use the Big Red Button on myself. I'd just like to say that the above does very much depend on where in the world you may be.

I had the opportunity recently to meet a pair of gentlemen from a country that the US, and by default also AUS, don't currently like. After chatting with them for an hour or two I'd have to say that Marks comment is far from universal and with what I regard as a good reason. It was an eye-opening conversation and one I found very sad in todays world. These gents view of all the current mess is somewhat opposed to Marks theme.

It all depends on what side of the fence (weapon) you're on. Can also be said a bit like this - One mans Terrorist is another mans Freedom Fighter.

That has been worded as gently as I can due to obvious sensitivities some have and was posted for a splash of balance.

[Pelagic]

It is interesting how this thread demonstrates that we all can be guilty of sometimes, “already listening” / “assuming the worst about someone”/ or “misinterpreting cultural differences”.

It would be wonderful if we could apply terms like (Port and Starboard) to social discussions, so that clarity could be assured, regardless of what direction you were coming from.

Perhaps that is why so many sailors feel happiest when they are at sea. Not so many misunderstandings!

Cheers to all my fellow sailors!

[GMac]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

It would be wonderful if we could apply terms like (Port and Starboard)

I do that but people get lost or walk around in circles until I remember most use Left and Right

[Joli]

We all stereotype, it is a natural defense mechanism. Nothing wrong with that since stereotypes exist for a reason. But, I find when interaction is one on one or in a smaller community stereotypes tend to fall away and we get along fine.

I travel a bit and have never had problems anywhere. My daughter spent time in France with no problem, in fact most French are surprised she is American.

Smiling and being pleasant goes a long way.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

Perhaps that is why so many sailors feel happiest when they are at sea. Not so many misunderstandings!

Yup. I must admit to going a bit stir crazy waiting for the boat. Its Monday, I thnk, and you won't see me for dust. Ummmm, spray!

[imagine2frolic]

Sundowner,

So did you offer a compromise, tell her my way or the hi way, or still thinking on it?

[High Cotton]

A good assesment of any country is based on "how many people are trying to get INTO a country as opposed to those trying to get OUT!"

But hopefully, you'll find a good "cruzin" partner......

[Lorianne Davies]

Mark J.....

In the middle ages, the Fench referred to VD as the "English Disease" and the English referred to it as the "Fench Disease".

In the wreck of 'The Mary Rose' (sunk 1545), we found a barber-surgeon's chest full of goodies one of which being a large, nasty looking syringe for the treatment of said ailment.

Anyone need to pee?????

[stevensc]

I read this on an interesting website a while ago, which is how it sometimes works out.


"While dinghying back to boat, was hailed by
someone on another sailboat, which turned out
to be from ------- Harbor. They asked
for a lift to shore, which then turned out to
involve 10 minutes of loading some woman's stuff
and cat into the dinghy, since she was being
kicked off the boat. Finally got to shore,
towing their dinghy, where the not-happy
woman was waiting."

Good luck
Steve