Dumb questions
Nov 25th 2003, 2:04 pm
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2003
Location: Hampshire,UK to MA to PA
Posts: 56
Dumb questions
Has anyone been asked stupid questions that make you question the education here? Since coming here in March I think I have been asked some of the dumbest questions ever.
Examples are:
1. When shopping one day with the kids, we were asked if they were born with their accents or did we teach them to talk like that.
2. on July 4th we were asked if we celebrate it in England
3. In the fall we were asked if the leaves fall of the trees and change colour in England.
4. Another time shopping we were asked if the dollars were the same in England. No we said we use pounds. "oh thats what you call them in England"!
5. Do we celebrate thanksgiving in England? No I only learnt the history of this celebaration this week, but the natives shoud all know it.
6. Do we have beaches in England?
All of these on top of the weekly, almost daily question of are you Australian? argh
Please share any you may have
Happy holidays!!!
Examples are:
1. When shopping one day with the kids, we were asked if they were born with their accents or did we teach them to talk like that.
2. on July 4th we were asked if we celebrate it in England
3. In the fall we were asked if the leaves fall of the trees and change colour in England.
4. Another time shopping we were asked if the dollars were the same in England. No we said we use pounds. "oh thats what you call them in England"!
5. Do we celebrate thanksgiving in England? No I only learnt the history of this celebaration this week, but the natives shoud all know it.
6. Do we have beaches in England?
All of these on top of the weekly, almost daily question of are you Australian? argh
Please share any you may have
Happy holidays!!!
Nov 25th 2003, 2:34 pm
#2
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2003
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 5
The one I've been asked at least a dozen times is-
How long did it take you to learn English when you got here?
I did point out the tenuous link between England and English.
Also had three different people think that the UK is a little island just off the east coast of New York, ie 20 miles.
Walked around a Walmart Supercentre with the wife at 2 in the morning staring at the lights and pointing saying rather loud,"dark outside, light inside, magic magic", we dont have that in England.
She stode off, leaving me to my madness
Dub
How long did it take you to learn English when you got here?
I did point out the tenuous link between England and English.
Also had three different people think that the UK is a little island just off the east coast of New York, ie 20 miles.
Walked around a Walmart Supercentre with the wife at 2 in the morning staring at the lights and pointing saying rather loud,"dark outside, light inside, magic magic", we dont have that in England.
She stode off, leaving me to my madness
Dub
Nov 25th 2003, 2:41 pm
#3
Not living a 9 to 5 life
Joined: Jun 2002
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 11,061
Re: Dumb questions
Originally posted by cbone
Has anyone been asked stupid questions that make you question the education here? Since coming here in March I think I have been asked some of the dumbest questions ever.
Examples are:
1. When shopping one day with the kids, we were asked if they were born with their accents or did we teach them to talk like that.
2. on July 4th we were asked if we celebrate it in England
3. In the fall we were asked if the leaves fall of the trees and change colour in England.
4. Another time shopping we were asked if the dollars were the same in England. No we said we use pounds. "oh thats what you call them in England"!
5. Do we celebrate thanksgiving in England? No I only learnt the history of this celebaration this week, but the natives shoud all know it.
6. Do we have beaches in England?
All of these on top of the weekly, almost daily question of are you Australian? argh
Please share any you may have
Happy holidays!!!
Has anyone been asked stupid questions that make you question the education here? Since coming here in March I think I have been asked some of the dumbest questions ever.
Examples are:
1. When shopping one day with the kids, we were asked if they were born with their accents or did we teach them to talk like that.
2. on July 4th we were asked if we celebrate it in England
3. In the fall we were asked if the leaves fall of the trees and change colour in England.
4. Another time shopping we were asked if the dollars were the same in England. No we said we use pounds. "oh thats what you call them in England"!
5. Do we celebrate thanksgiving in England? No I only learnt the history of this celebaration this week, but the natives shoud all know it.
6. Do we have beaches in England?
All of these on top of the weekly, almost daily question of are you Australian? argh
Please share any you may have
Happy holidays!!!
She didn't know what a vegan was either. Actually, many Americans don't seem to know the difference between a vegan and a vegetarian.
NC Penguin (I like fish!!)
Nov 25th 2003, 2:45 pm
#4
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,558
Re: Dumb questions
I've been asked 2, 4, and 5, but in two years I have only been asked if I am Australian five times. 
Nov 25th 2003, 2:48 pm
#5
Not living a 9 to 5 life
Joined: Jun 2002
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 11,061
Re: Dumb questions
Originally posted by cbone
<<snip>>
Examples are:
1. When shopping one day with the kids, we were asked if they were born with their accents or did we teach them to talk like that.
2. on July 4th we were asked if we celebrate it in England
3. In the fall we were asked if the leaves fall of the trees and change colour in England.
4. Another time shopping we were asked if the dollars were the same in England. No we said we use pounds. "oh thats what you call them in England"!
5. Do we celebrate thanksgiving in England? No I only learnt the history of this celebaration this week, but the natives shoud all know it.
6. Do we have beaches in England?
All of these on top of the weekly, almost daily question of are you Australian? argh
Please share any you may have
Happy holidays!!!
<<snip>>
Examples are:
1. When shopping one day with the kids, we were asked if they were born with their accents or did we teach them to talk like that.
2. on July 4th we were asked if we celebrate it in England
3. In the fall we were asked if the leaves fall of the trees and change colour in England.
4. Another time shopping we were asked if the dollars were the same in England. No we said we use pounds. "oh thats what you call them in England"!
5. Do we celebrate thanksgiving in England? No I only learnt the history of this celebaration this week, but the natives shoud all know it.
6. Do we have beaches in England?
All of these on top of the weekly, almost daily question of are you Australian? argh
Please share any you may have
Happy holidays!!!
NC Penguin
Nov 25th 2003, 3:53 pm
#6
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: Woodbridge, Virginia
Posts: 127
Hey when I was 8, I didn't even know UK was an island. I thought it was a country next to Germany or something.
Nov 25th 2003, 4:00 pm
#7
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2003
Location: New York
Posts: 53
Besides pretty much all of the stupid questions you mentioned here, how about this one:
Do you have whisky over there?
Are you enjoying the freedom in America, that must be a new experience for you.
Do you have whisky over there?
Are you enjoying the freedom in America, that must be a new experience for you.
Nov 25th 2003, 5:02 pm
#8
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,149
What lanaguage do you speak in England?
I answered Swahili.
I answered Swahili.
Nov 25th 2003, 5:24 pm
#9
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 808
Re: Dumb questions
Originally posted by cbone
Has anyone been asked stupid questions that make you question the education here? Since coming here in March I think I have been asked some of the dumbest questions ever.
Examples are:
1. When shopping one day with the kids, we were asked if they were born with their accents or did we teach them to talk like that.
I've often wondred about this myself. Is it true that all Brits are born with speech impediments that make them talk funny? Or are your accents mearly the result of watching too much Monty Python.
2. on July 4th we were asked if we celebrate it in England
Of course you celebrate the 4th in England! UK citizens must've been thrilled when the colonies decided to declare their independence. No self respecting Brit would want to be associated with a bunch of backwards colonists anyway, right mate?
3. In the fall we were asked if the leaves fall of the trees and change colour in England.
You were asked this in the fall were you? Americans may be dumb, but we sure have great timing, aye mate?
4. Another time shopping we were asked if the dollars were the same in England. No we said we use pounds. "oh thats what you call them in England"!
Yep, you Brits have always confused us Americans with your pre-occupation with weight rather than currency. That'll be 10 pounds and 6 ounces mate.
5. Do we celebrate thanksgiving in England? No I only learnt the history of this celebaration this week, but the natives shoud all know it.
Might I suggest that you celebrate thanksgiving on the 4th of July. There can be no better reason for a Brit to give thanks than getting rid us horrible Americans once and for all. Americans? Never heard the of ruddy blokes, mate.
6. Do we have beaches in England?
You should insist that this tosser come on a trip to the UK with you. At which time you will escort him down to nearest UK beach and allow the bleedin' yank to see for himself. Once he has seen with his own eyes, you should drown the American infidel. After all, UK beaches are a closely guarded secret, and we can't allow the lousy yank to go blabby once he returns to the US, mate.
All of these on top of the weekly, almost daily question of are you Australian? argh
The ultimate insult!!!!! How dare that bloody yank confuse you with an Aussie. I'll bet he never asked an Aussie it they were British.
Please share any you may have
Happy holidays!!!
Has anyone been asked stupid questions that make you question the education here? Since coming here in March I think I have been asked some of the dumbest questions ever.
Examples are:
1. When shopping one day with the kids, we were asked if they were born with their accents or did we teach them to talk like that.
I've often wondred about this myself. Is it true that all Brits are born with speech impediments that make them talk funny? Or are your accents mearly the result of watching too much Monty Python.
2. on July 4th we were asked if we celebrate it in England
Of course you celebrate the 4th in England! UK citizens must've been thrilled when the colonies decided to declare their independence. No self respecting Brit would want to be associated with a bunch of backwards colonists anyway, right mate?
3. In the fall we were asked if the leaves fall of the trees and change colour in England.
You were asked this in the fall were you? Americans may be dumb, but we sure have great timing, aye mate?
4. Another time shopping we were asked if the dollars were the same in England. No we said we use pounds. "oh thats what you call them in England"!
Yep, you Brits have always confused us Americans with your pre-occupation with weight rather than currency. That'll be 10 pounds and 6 ounces mate.
5. Do we celebrate thanksgiving in England? No I only learnt the history of this celebaration this week, but the natives shoud all know it.
Might I suggest that you celebrate thanksgiving on the 4th of July. There can be no better reason for a Brit to give thanks than getting rid us horrible Americans once and for all. Americans? Never heard the of ruddy blokes, mate.
6. Do we have beaches in England?
You should insist that this tosser come on a trip to the UK with you. At which time you will escort him down to nearest UK beach and allow the bleedin' yank to see for himself. Once he has seen with his own eyes, you should drown the American infidel. After all, UK beaches are a closely guarded secret, and we can't allow the lousy yank to go blabby once he returns to the US, mate.
All of these on top of the weekly, almost daily question of are you Australian? argh
The ultimate insult!!!!! How dare that bloody yank confuse you with an Aussie. I'll bet he never asked an Aussie it they were British.
Please share any you may have
Happy holidays!!!
Nov 26th 2003, 12:23 am
#10
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 68,280
When I am asked where I am from...I usually say Tanganyika it tends to kill the conversation stone dead..
Nov 26th 2003, 12:45 am
#11
my arm aches
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: the warm waters of Florida
Posts: 2,289
I'm feeling left out. I've only been asked if I'm Australian once.
The dumbest question I ever heard came from someone who actually spent a couple of years in England as a small kid.......Where abouts is the UK in England?!?
The dumbest question I ever heard came from someone who actually spent a couple of years in England as a small kid.......Where abouts is the UK in England?!?
Nov 26th 2003, 1:07 am
#12
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2003
Location: Chicago, was in Ohio, Go Bucks
Posts: 366
Re: Dumb questions
Originally posted by cbone
Has anyone been asked stupid questions that make you question the education here? Since coming here in March I think I have been asked some of the dumbest questions ever.
Examples are:
1. When shopping one day with the kids, we were asked if they were born with their accents or did we teach them to talk like that.
2. on July 4th we were asked if we celebrate it in England
3. In the fall we were asked if the leaves fall of the trees and change colour in England.
4. Another time shopping we were asked if the dollars were the same in England. No we said we use pounds. "oh thats what you call them in England"!
5. Do we celebrate thanksgiving in England? No I only learnt the history of this celebaration this week, but the natives shoud all know it.
6. Do we have beaches in England?
All of these on top of the weekly, almost daily question of are you Australian? argh
Please share any you may have
Happy holidays!!!
Has anyone been asked stupid questions that make you question the education here? Since coming here in March I think I have been asked some of the dumbest questions ever.
Examples are:
1. When shopping one day with the kids, we were asked if they were born with their accents or did we teach them to talk like that.
2. on July 4th we were asked if we celebrate it in England
3. In the fall we were asked if the leaves fall of the trees and change colour in England.
4. Another time shopping we were asked if the dollars were the same in England. No we said we use pounds. "oh thats what you call them in England"!
5. Do we celebrate thanksgiving in England? No I only learnt the history of this celebaration this week, but the natives shoud all know it.
6. Do we have beaches in England?
All of these on top of the weekly, almost daily question of are you Australian? argh
Please share any you may have
Happy holidays!!!
Mine are:
1. Did you drive here from England?
2. Wales, is that in England?
3. Have you met the Queen?
4. Have you met Princess Di?
5. Do you have universities in England?
6. Is Tony Blair a democrat or a republican?
7. Is everyone in England poor?
8. What you don't play baseball over there???
9. Your English is soooo good!
10. Your 5 hours ahead of us?? Why is that??
I have a few more but they ahve already been stated.
Nov 26th 2003, 1:14 am
#13
Pagan Sex God
Joined: May 2002
Location: Living in Oblivion
Posts: 3,668
I have only been asked if I was Australian once - and that was by a South African working in Pennies! I think its because I have a Lancashire accent and its more the South/Cockerny accent that can sounds (to americans) as Aussie.
My wife (who is from boston but we moved here from England) is always being asked dumb questions about England and she has to keep telling them she is American (which they don't beleive because she doesn't talk with a southern accent)
Patrick
My wife (who is from boston but we moved here from England) is always being asked dumb questions about England and she has to keep telling them she is American (which they don't beleive because she doesn't talk with a southern accent)
Patrick
Nov 26th 2003, 1:21 am
#14
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,082
Re: Dumb questions
Originally posted by NC Penguin
You wouldn't happen to be living in the Boston vicinity? Just asking 'cos my husband's told me that Bostonians are a pretty weird bunch. I've yet to discover this myself 'cos I've not visited Boston.
NC Penguin
You wouldn't happen to be living in the Boston vicinity? Just asking 'cos my husband's told me that Bostonians are a pretty weird bunch. I've yet to discover this myself 'cos I've not visited Boston.
NC Penguin
There is a "Whites of their eyes" exhibit and I left it offended by the way we were portrayed. It wouldn't hurt if at the end it was mentioned that the British are no longer "The Enemy"
I had a conversation with a bloke dressed in period costume in The granary' cemetary and he was really obsessed with his own version of events in history! -- I didn't know if he was right about all of it... but it did come across the wrong way to me!
I smiled and nodded then thought "What a tosser!" as I walked away.
Nov 26th 2003, 1:34 am
#15
Pagan Sex God
Joined: May 2002
Location: Living in Oblivion
Posts: 3,668
Re: Dumb questions
Originally posted by BrigieDarling
I took a class of 5th graders to Boston this summer and we went to all the historic points of interest etc. (A lot of cemeteries)
There is a "Whites of their eyes" exhibit and I left it offended by the way we were portrayed. It wouldn't hurt if at the end it was mentioned that the British are no longer "The Enemy"
I had a conversation with a bloke dressed in period costume in The granary' cemetary and he was really obsessed with his own version of events in history! -- I didn't know if he was right about all of it... but it did come across the wrong way to me!
I smiled and nodded then thought "What a tosser!" as I walked away.
I took a class of 5th graders to Boston this summer and we went to all the historic points of interest etc. (A lot of cemeteries)
There is a "Whites of their eyes" exhibit and I left it offended by the way we were portrayed. It wouldn't hurt if at the end it was mentioned that the British are no longer "The Enemy"
I had a conversation with a bloke dressed in period costume in The granary' cemetary and he was really obsessed with his own version of events in history! -- I didn't know if he was right about all of it... but it did come across the wrong way to me!
I smiled and nodded then thought "What a tosser!" as I walked away.
We are your friends now people, one of the few countries to support you on your oil war in Iraq
Patrick
