Clarice

The OP inspired me to investigate the possibility of becoming an Irish citizen. Seriously. I just discovered that my mother is already an Irish citizen, because her father was born in Ireland. I, on the other hand, would have to apply, but do meet the criteria. It might be worth it . . .

wonkothesane

It's NOT!?!?!?

Oh shit, and I just traded in all my dollars for "New Mexican Pesos"!!!

Hell...I should have known that they were funny when I saw the picture of Speedy Gonzelas on the front!!!

- bryce

Mark

They should have asked Bush those!

Godless Dave

Did anyone see when they did "Jaywalking" in New York City? Janeane Garofalo walked around asking New Yorkers "Jaywalking"-style questions and they all knew the answers.

When my ex was in Japan she was asked what she used to lighten her hair (her hair is brown), and they were very confused about the concept of sunscreen. But these questions were from the grade-school kids she was teaching.

edited to add: I'm not sure how I feel about my nation's intelligence being mocked by a country that thinks vegemite is an edible food product.

Defiant Heretic

Well, in their defense (to the point that I'm willing to defend them), we did invade France during WWII. It was just being held by the Germans at the time.

Defiant Heretic

How could they not know who's in the Axis of Evil? Everyone knows that.
The United States and Britain.

Kinross

It is sad but for the most part the "average" american is very ignorant. So many people just cruise through the education system here. I partly blame the teachers, no offense to any teachers here, but in grade school I could teach the science class. My sister in law put on her college school application that she was "native American" because she was born here, she now teaches elementry school with a masters degree.

Illithid

Teachers are mostly as frustrated as anyone, IMO. I certainly was. When I was a jr. high (grades 7 and 8) science teacher, I was trying to teach chemistry and physics and biology and geology to students who in many cases could not perform simple mathematical operations without a calculator, and often had only rudimentary literacy, as well as a few with emotional/behavioral problems so severe that it was a physical relief for me when they were absent. And as the end of the year drew near, it was made clear to me that I would not be allowed to fail anyone. No matter how they deserved it.

On a side note, when in response to a student's question I answered that yes, according to all the evidence I'd seen, biological evolution was true, the response was, "Do you worship Satan?"

Pity I couldn't answer frankly with "not any more..."

Renewal of my contract was not offered. Go figure. I knew it was a bad sign when the principal in the interview asked what church my wife and I went to. It's too bad that I didn't know it would be my only year there and that it would not be a reference that I would need, ever. I could have had such fun.

Jackalope

Was she in a very rural area? When I was in Tokyo and Kitakyushu (industrial area), I didn't encounter those problems. And almost all the makeup that was being sold when I was in Kitakyushu had skin lighteners as well as sunscreen in it, so she may have just hit an odd pocket. Or were the kids really young?

Now, the fact that my hair is red peturbed some people. And my husband who's 6'5" had small children following him around on the street. "It's a giant!"

The weirdest thing was meeting more than one person who when they found out I was from Berkeley immediately responded with, "My son go to Berkeley!"

Jackalope

And that clip really makes me want to pound my head. These people manage to feed and dress themselves??