Re: It's been a week.....
 

Sounds stupid that I didn't know the school didn't do them, I just assumed they would:o

The lack of history and georgrapy explains why so many Americans think they won both the world wars and the US is the only 'free country':rofl:

I'm looking into getting my son a tutor for history and geography as I don't want him to miss out. I'm lucky that he is very interested in these subjects and learns easily so it shouldn't be a chore for him.

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WOW!!! That does explain A LOT about their rather sketchy geography knowledge. As far as I know my US friends only learnt American history (civil war etc).......again I say wow.

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And they invented democracy.

It is unfair to generalize about any nation, and there are certainly ignorant people in Britain, but I find the latter are usually poorly educated and/or of limited intelligence. I have met intelligent, well-educated Americans with shocking ignorance of the world beyond their borders.

Bev

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Yes, I should have been more careful as there are just as many ignorant people in the UK and many knowledgable Americans.

I think you have explained perfectly what I have found as well.

A perfect example of this happened the other day to me.

US friend, High School teacher in Maths aged 49 who had lived in Europe as well. I made a comment about how a politician in the UK would not have their job if they said 'insert many stupid/prejudice comments made by US politicians'.

Her reply was, 'well he gets to keep his job here because we have free speech'.

I then went on to explain that it had nothing to do with free speech, it was that UK citizens would not accept such a stupid politician.

I was left with a completely blank expression on her face, she still didn't get it!

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This is exactly why I hate living in the US. The level of ignorance and blind belief in their nation is simply mind boggling.

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Not stupid at all. I felt the same way. In asking around I discovered this is very common at least in my school area. Apparently, mine are very lucky because they have already had both Geography and History in the last two years! Here they rotate/ alternate the subjects. It was Geography last year (of course it only takes one year to learn about the world) and History this year. As far as I can tell Geography then becomes an elective subject from age 12 on which again really does explain a lot. That means that most Americans get a one year (5th grade level education) in Geography unless they choose to do Geography as an elective. Amazing, stunning and yes Wow!!

When I think back to my own 'train wreck' of a Labour govt forced upon me comprehensive education even I had to take Geography and History for 5 years for O levels.

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Little update.....

I bought a car!!! Huzzah!!! Nothing fancy just a Peugeot 206 diesel. Only cost £700 - just needed something cheap and cheerful that wasn't too expensive to insure and I wouldn't mind if I "dinged" it getting used to these RIDICULOUSLY tiny streets.

Now I just have to get used to stick shift....!!!

That is all. Carry on.......

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Good for you! How are the dogs doing? Are they coping with the cooler weather?

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It could be this one---

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...1500?logcode=p

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The weather has been great actually so we've been blessed. The little chihuahua had to go to the vets the other day (she fell down the stairs :( poor thing) and we had to walk down in the rain (the only day it rained) so we wrapped her in a blanket - but other than that it's been nice! :)

How are the kids settling in?

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Poor little dog I hope she's OK.

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Yeah she's good thanks. Didn't let it get to her - typical woman!! If it had been one of the boy dogs however ...DRAMA for days!!! Few days rest and she's all better. She's not used to stairs. We went from a one level cottage to a 4 level Georgian terrace house so stairs are proving........interesting for the dogs!!! The little one's have to be carried but that day she couldn't be bothered to wait and decided to try it herself. Big mistake.

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omg.

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wow. Then why don't you leave?

Re: It's been a week.....
 

Where are you living Sile? you don't say under your Avatar.