All things English/American

[Starbuck]

I love the Dr Who series, with the exception of The Doctor changing ever so often. I got so used to the last doctor I didn't want him to change! I thought he was actually kind of good looking and that he and Martha Jones would have made a brilliant couple because she was soooo in love with him! I don't know if he just didn't see it or if he chose not to see it because he was a Time Lord.

[Merlin]

Originally Posted by Incubus

Jeepers Merlin, the notion of Thanksgiving is pretty easy that even I know about it. No wiki needed. The Pilgrims of the Plymouth colony gave thanks to God after surviving their first hard winter in New England. Gave thanks for being helped to survive by the indigenous, Native American population. You've heard of Squanto surely and the leader of the Wampanoag tribe who donated food to the colonists after the supplies they brought from England ran out. I could be entirely wrong in this of course, I've only done the basic history of the 'colonies'.

I look forward to hearing what the celebration means to Planet members personally.

Never did anything about american history at school. That's why I am asking the americans lol.

[Gráinne]

Originally Posted by Merlin

Dear americans,

No google or wikipedia answers I want this from your own personal perspective . .

Thanksgiving . . Explain this to me please. And what does it mean to you ? X x

Thanksgiving originated with the colonists, but Abraham Lincoln was the first president to celebrate it on one day as a national holiday, in the midst of the Civil War. Franklin Roosevelt fixed the day in November.

I stop to be thankful for all I have, and that for all our problems, we're darn blessed as well. I do have to confess that I love all the cooking madhouse, and football (American football, traditionally played on the day), but I try to have a moment to myself in thanks.

[Ciaran]

Originally Posted by Incubus

To be fair, the English (as opposed to the UK) were creating the Empire and starting it's dirty, bullish, colonizing ways long before they landed in Plymouth. Black Friday, wiki says that's the start of the Christmas shopping period, is that what you mean?

The Empire was a British creation, not solely an English one.

The UK, itself, had nothing to do with the Empire as it was simply a constitutional framework to unite Scotland to England and Wales (in 1707) and, subsequently, Ireland. The Empire was being built before the UK existed in an constitutional sense.

[Trishagee]

I would move to the UK (anywhere in the UK) just to get Eastenders! I watched it for many (many) years on Public Broadcasting (delayed 1 or 2 years sadly) then it was taken away from me I try to keep up on their web page, but it's not the same! (ohhh and the curry take out would be an added bonus!)

Originally Posted by Ciaran

The Empire was a British creation, not solely an English one.

The UK, itself, had nothing to do with the Empire as it was simply a constitutional framework to unite Scotland to England and Wales (in 1707) and, subsequently, Ireland. The Empire was being built before the UK existed in an constitutional sense.

Yes of course it was. The Empire was starting to be created in the 17th century, in North America as it happens but that's by-the-by.

Originally Posted by Trishagee

I would move to the UK (anywhere in the UK) just to get Eastenders! I watched it for many (many) years on Public Broadcasting (delayed 1 or 2 years sadly) then it was taken away from me I try to keep up on their web page, but it's not the same! (ohhh and the curry take out would be an added bonus!)

Do you lot not get BBCiPlayer over there?

[wolfbittenpoet]

Do you lot not get BBCiPlayer over there?[/QUOTE]

No in the US BbcIplayer isn't available. I wish it was.

Originally Posted by wolfbittenpoet

Do you lot not get BBCiPlayer over there?

No in the US BbcIplayer isn't available. I wish it was.[/QUOTE]

Tsk! That just ain't right. There's loads I'd like to share with y'all if you had iPlayer. There's great arts and music stuff on BBC4

[Martina]

*Tittering about Denmark saying Marmite isn't fit for human consumption*

Link

[Martina]

i bet the old guy wishes Michelle were his date.

For me the dress, not so much. i prefer her in suits.

It's been odd watching your President 'reclaim' his apostrophe in Ireland and visiting QE2. The Obamas look so 'Hollywood' even next to Her Maj in her finery.

I wonder why a pretty pointless state visit happened now. I wonder who's footing the bill for the extra security? Just thinking out loud.

[Martina]

Originally Posted by Incubus

It's been odd watching your President 'reclaim' his apostrophe in Ireland and visiting QE2. The Obamas look so 'Hollywood' even next to Her Maj in her finery.

I wonder why a pretty pointless state visit happened now. I wonder who's footing the bill for the extra security? Just thinking out loud.

The host country does the inviting, and they are scheduled way in advance. i am sure the British government is picking up the tab. Just googled. You are, and the estimate for security alone is 30 million pounds. A special allocation had to be made for it.

Originally Posted by Martina

The host country does the inviting, and they are scheduled way in advance. i am sure the British government is picking up the tab. Just googled. You are, and the estimate for security alone is 30 million pounds. A special allocation had to be made for it.

Thanks for googling that one Martina. Jeepers! With more children living in poverty than ever, a failing education system, an increasingly privatized health service and we spend 30m. on security. Way to go UK!! I suppose the British tax payer is used to picking up the bill for something they never asked for. I'm thinking back to that wedding recently.

I am not having a pop at the Obamas in any way. They were invited.

Does the 'Special Relationship' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Relationship get mentioned in the American media?

[Sparkle]

Originally Posted by Incubus

Does the 'Special Relationship' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Relationship get mentioned in the American media?

Not on a regular basis... but the two times (of note) I've heard it mentioned are:

WWII, certainly my grandparents and their peers referenced the special relationship between the US and the UK; with genuine gratitude and a sense of comradery. Similarly the English I know from the same generation - do as well - though not without noting how long it took the US to get involved in WWII.

My great Uncles laughed uproariously when they first heard the phrase:
"Oversexed, overpaid & over here" in reference to their time as GIs stationed in the UK.

The second time I noticed the phrase "special relationship" had become more common was during George W.'s tenure... and it is used in a very sarcastic/sardonic/ironic manner.

George W.'s wars against terror and WMDs and Tony Blair's willingness to follow (presumably because of that "special relationship" - has been widely criticized all around the world.

Originally Posted by Sparkle

Not on a regular basis... but the two times (of note) I've heard it mentioned are:

WWII, certainly my grandparents and their peers referenced the special relationship between the US and the UK; with genuine gratitude and a sense of comradery. Similarly the English I know from the same generation - do as well - though not without noting how long it took the US to get involved in WWII.

My great Uncles laughed uproariously when they first heard the phrase:
"Oversexed, overpaid & over here" in reference to their time as GIs stationed in the UK.

The second time I noticed the phrase "special relationship" had become more common was during George W.'s tenure... and it is used in a very sarcastic/sardonic/ironic manner.

George W.'s wars against terror and WMDs and Tony Blair's willingness to follow (presumably because of that "special relationship" - has been widely criticized all around the world.

It is referred to here more than there I have always assumed so I'm not surprised you've only heard it twice Sparkle.

[StillettoDoll]

Yesterday I saw a report that High School proms were getting very popular in the UK, because of the show Glee. You don't not have them there?

Stretch limos, spray tans and the £500 dresses: The unstoppable (and ludicrously expensive) rise of the high school prom


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/ar...#ixzz1R8TeOIIR

[StillettoDoll]

Do the English like country western music? Is it popular there?

Originally Posted by StillettoDoll

Yesterday I saw a report that High School proms were getting very popular in the UK, because of the show Glee. You don't not have them there?

Stretch limos, spray tans and the £500 dresses: The unstoppable (and ludicrously expensive) rise of the high school prom


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/ar...#ixzz1R8TeOIIR

Sadly yes we have now adopted the phenomenon that is the school prom - a bit like we 'adopted' trick or treating at Halloween. It's not so much to do with Glee but more to do with long-standing American cultural hegemony and kids wanting what they see in the movies/telly...the Prom as you lot know it has become more popular here over the last few years. We have always had an end of school celebrations it's just now they're called a Prom and parents have to pay out a lot more than they ever did for 'outfits' and transport.

Originally Posted by StillettoDoll

Do the English like country western music? Is it popular there?

Course some Brits love country and western music...Not so sure I'd call it 'popular' but there are plenty of folks who like it.

[Melissa]

I was looking up house prices in England the other day. I looked up prices on the street my grandparents lived on and where I grew up. I was shocked that a 2 bedroom former council flat in the same block as theirs is going for almost 200,000 pounds. When the council first started selling them off in the mid 90s they offered to sell it to my grandparents for 9,000 pounds! My grandfather refused to buy it.

M

[Merlin]

Originally Posted by StillettoDoll

Do the English like country western music? Is it popular there?

Can't say I am a fan .. I like dolly,tammy Wynette and tim McGraw.