Posted by Jim on May 31, 2000 at 23:52:33:
In Reply to: OK, Jim posted by Knud on May 31, 2000 at 21:54:19:
Knud- Along with Hogryder, I apologize for McDonalds (wait a minute, it's "Mc" Donalds, so can't we blame it on the Scots or the Irish?????).
Anyway, Yes, Americans are very interested in European culture. (My wife especially, who won't stop bothering me to take her over there!) I think it is becasue many people see foreign places as exotic. Keep in mind that much of our culture is "borrowed" from European countries. In many US cities, you can still find neighborhood that have specific areas where almost everyone is descended from the same area (Irish neighborhoods, Italian neighborhoods, etc, Chinatown, etc...). Also some parts of our country seem to have large populations of people from one area or another (Scandanavians in the northern midwest, Arabs around Detroit, Irish in the North East, etc....). Alot of Americans trace their ancestors back as a hobby, and many take vacations (dmned tourists!) to vist their "ancestral homelands." Anyway, Yes, there is much interest.
By the way, when I was in Germany a couple years ago, I noticed how it seemed to be very easy to understand parts of the language. I don't speak any German, though, so I guess it is just because we borrow alot of words, too!
Uh-oh, I just noticed I haven't mention motorcycles and the forum police may fine me for getting off the approved topic!!!!!
-KTRSD
-JIM