Spin-off: American and British/Irish culture Q&A thread.

[Buzz Rules]

The English tried very hard in the past to ‘cancel’ different cultures. In Wales, for example, children were not allowed to speak Welsh in schools and were punished if they broke this rule.

If you think of television programmes that humorously portray stereotypes, for example, Stella, Gavin and Stacey, Derry Girls, Fawlty Towers, Darling Buds of May etc., which U.S. programmes so you think portray American stereotypes in an humorous way?

Friends, Seinfeld, Family Matters, Full House, and Happy Days.

 

[Wendy31]

The English tried very hard in the past to ‘cancel’ different cultures. In Wales, for example, children were not allowed to speak Welsh in schools and were punished if they broke this rule.

If you think of television programmes that humorously portray stereotypes, for example, Stella, Gavin and Stacey, Derry Girls, Fawlty Towers, Darling Buds of May etc., which U.S. programmes so you think portray American stereotypes in an humorous way?

Well, in a similar fashion, the stereotypes of American southerners & American Appalachians are often portrayed in either a humorous or derogatory way.

And I absolutely love the different American southern accents & dialects & the rich history & culture behind the dialects, but the accents & dialects get made fun of quite a bit.

I’ve heard things like ”When I hear a southern accent, I automatically deduct 10 IQ points.”

 

[Buzz Rules]

Brits, what are the education grades in your country. We have pre-k, kindergarten, 1st-6th grades (elementary school), 7th-8th grades (middle school), 9th-12th grades (high school). Associate degrees are earned at community college, Bachelor degrees are earned at 4 year colleges and universities. Most Master degrees/PHD are earned in grad school but can sometimes be earned in ordinary colleges.

 

[BadPinkTink]

I am more curious about Irish culture and the differences with English culture.

The English tried very hard in the past to ‘cancel’ different cultures. In Wales, for example, children were not allowed to speak Welsh in schools and were punished if they broke this rule.

Thanks @Jangles I was trying to figure out how to say this. The same thing happened in Ireland. There was a time under British rule in Ireland that the Irish language, Irish religion (Catholicism ) Irish music and and Irish sport etc was against the law in Ireland. Irish people found ways to keep it all alive with things like dancing at the cross roads, and Mass in fields.

While there is a lot of British influences in our culture, there are some big differences. In Ireland we speak Hiberno English, which is a different dialect. We have different words and phrases many of which are angelized versions of the Irish language words and phrase.

 

[Jangles]

Brits, what are the education grades in your country. We have pre-k, kindergarten, 1st-6th grades (elementary school), 7th-8th grades (middle school), 9th-12th grades (high school). Associate degrees are earned at community college, Bachelor degrees are earned at 4 year colleges and universities. Most Master degrees/PHD are earned in grad school but can sometimes be earned in ordinary colleges.

In the fee paying sector we have kindergarten, prep for 4 to 13 year old, then senior schools up to 18. We used to then have technical colleges (trade based skills), polytechnics (somewhere between technical colleges and Universities) and Universities, but then polytechnics became universities. Most degrees are three year courses, but differ from your Uni degrees because students specialise from day one. Some degrees, such as law, medicine, dentistry are longer. Students can remain at University for Masters or PhDs or they can complete them alongside a job.

Although the majority of children take exams at 15/16 and 17/18 and they are called GCSEs and A levels, there are a number of exam boards and they have varying standards. Clever teachers shop around for their weaker and stronger students, thus enabling them to achieve the best grades. Not all ‘A’s’ are equal. At 18 the majority of schools sit A levels and the various grades are worth points, and you need a certain number of points to read particular subjects at University. Many of the elite public schools, believe that A levels are too easy and restrictive and so they choose to prepare pupils for IBs or Cambridge Pre Us.
Whether a child sits A levels, IBs or Pre Us, the results are published in the summer (July/August) and until those results are out, young people don’t know whether they have good enough grades to enter further education.

I think that it quite different from the US system, isn’t it?

 

[Jangles]

Thanks @Jangles I was trying to figure out how to say this.

I almost went back and edited it, but I couldn’t think of any other way to say it.

 

[Buzz Rules]

In the fee paying sector we have kindergarten, prep for 4 to 13 year old, then senior schools up to 18. We used to then have technical colleges (trade based skills), polytechnics (somewhere between technical colleges and Universities) and Universities, but then polytechnics became universities. Most degrees are three year courses, but differ from your Uni degrees because students specialise from day one. Some degrees, such as law, medicine, dentistry are longer. Students can remain at University for Masters or PhDs or they can complete them alongside a job.

Although the majority of children take exams at 15/16 and 17/18 and they are called GCSEs and A levels, there are a number of exam boards and they have varying standards. Clever teachers shop around for their weaker and stronger students, thus enabling them to achieve the best grades. Not all ‘A’s’ are equal. At 18 the majority of schools sit A levels and the various grades are worth points, and you need a certain number of points to read particular subjects at University. Many of the elite public schools, believe that A levels are too easy and restrictive and so they choose to prepare pupils for IBs or Cambridge Pre Us.
Whether a child sits A levels, IBs or Pre Us, the results are published in the summer (July/August) and until those results are out, young people don’t know whether they have good enough grades to enter further education.

I think that it quite different from the US system, isn’t it?

We have SAT/ACT exams that you can take as many times as you want (and pay for). Colleges assess the students in class grades, state exams, national exams, experiences, extracurricular activities, and job experience.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Well it looks like the USA will be playing both England and Wales in the WC.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Thanks @Jangles I was trying to figure out how to say this. The same thing happened in Ireland. There was a time under British rule in Ireland that the Irish language, Irish religion (Catholicism ) Irish music and and Irish sport etc was against the law in Ireland. Irish people found ways to keep it all alive with things like dancing at the cross roads, and Mass in fields.

While there is a lot of British influences in our culture, there are some big differences. In Ireland we speak Hiberno English, which is a different dialect. We have different words and phrases many of which are angelized versions of the Irish language words and phrase.

Tink do you have a favorite Irish or British recipe?

 

[BadPinkTink]

Tink do you have a favorite Irish or British recipe?

Theres lots of traditional food I like but the first thing that came to mind when I read your question is Heinz Baked Beans. Its such a versatile thing and the ultimate comfort food for me.

I love beans on toast, beans with scrambled eggs and toast, beans and chips, baked potato and beans, sausage beans and mash potato.

Today for lunch I had baked beans, potato wedges and melted cheese

 

[Buzz Rules]

Theres lots of traditional food I like but the first thing that came to mind when I read your question is Heinz Baked Beans. Its such a versatile thing and the ultimate comfort food for me.

I love beans on toast, beans with scrambled eggs and toast, beans and chips, baked potato and beans, sausage beans and mash potato.

Today for lunch I had baked beans, potato wedges and melted cheese

 

[Buzz Rules]

Theres lots of traditional food I like but the first thing that came to mind when I read your question is Heinz Baked Beans. Its such a versatile thing and the ultimate comfort food for me.

I love beans on toast, beans with scrambled eggs and toast, beans and chips, baked potato and beans, sausage beans and mash potato.

Today for lunch I had baked beans, potato wedges and melted cheese

Do you have a favorite American dish or an American recipe you want to try?

 

[Buzz Rules]

I almost went back and edited it, but I couldn’t think of any other way to say it.

Do you have a favorite British recipe and do you have a favorite American food?

 

[BadPinkTink]

Do you have a favorite American dish or an American recipe you want to try?

Ive been visiting USA for about 20 years, and I always try to find new things to try. Biscuits and gravy in New Orleans was interesting. Ranch dressing is something I always have to bring back to Ireland.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Ive been visiting USA for about 20 years, and I always try to find new things to try. Biscuits and gravy in New Orleans was interesting. Ranch dressing is something I always have to bring back to Ireland.

Can you get hot dogs in Ireland?

 

[BadPinkTink]

Can you get hot dogs in Ireland?

yes, we used to have them at family barbeues when I was a child and they are on most chipper take away menus.

 

[Buzz Rules]

yes, we used to have them at family barbeues when I was a child and they are on most chipper take away menus.

I’m eating a hot dog right now and I’m actually surprised it’s a common thing in Ireland.

 

[Buzz Rules]

British and Irish Disboarders, what are common foods you can get at your stadiums? In the USA, you can get hot dogs, cheeseburgers, pizza, crackerjacks, potato wedges/fries/chips, soda, beer, water, cotton candy, salads, and chicken tenders just to name a few.

 

[Jangles]

Do you have a favorite British recipe and do you have a favorite American food?

I live on the coast of Wales and when eating out at this time of year I love Welsh sea trout (we call it sewin), served with cockles and laverbread and also dressed crab. Dressed crab and a glass of Sancerre looking out over the sea is my idea of heaven.
Cooking at home a couple of times a year, in the depths of winter, I make an old recipe of my Grandmother, ham hock and split pea soup and most Sunday’s if the family are home we will enjoy a traditional Sunday lunch. At this time of year Welsh Spring lamb is fantastic.
I like barbecued food. I have a barbeque cabin and a cauldron, sorry Dutch oven and I have been experimenting with that this week. I am trying to emulate some Polite Pig recipes and watching some U.S. YouTubers called ‘The Pit Boys’.
I also like Chef Art’s fried green tomatoes. The best casual food I have ever eaten in the US was in a lobster shack in Cape Cod called Cap’t Cass. I love Cape Cod because it reminds me of Wales, although we don’t have sharks, well other than harmless basking sharks. I really enjoy restaurants in Boston and I think American restaurants do Italian food really well.
At WDW I enjoy the sea bass at WGP, WBG and the Boathouse. And also the mahi mahi and oysters at the Boathouse.

 

[Jangles]

yes, we used to have them at family barbeues when I was a child and they are on most chipper take away menus.

‘Our’ hotdogs are different aren’t they? I think they are made with different meat and the ones in Casey’s Corner are sweet tasting.