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

[Buzz Rules]

I don’t know whether you watched the game but as we may play the US and this is a difference in cultures thread….. did you hear the piece that Welsh supporters have made their anthem at football games?

It is relatively modern but addresses the oppression of Wales, our language and culture. It was written in response to Thatcherism, but it also has earlier historical content. It has become mainstream and it is fascinating that it has been adopted by Welsh football fans and Welsh football clubs.

I do hope USA fans sing this at the England match in the World Cup:

 

[BadPinkTink]

Are organic foods cheaper in Europe than the USA?

No, foods labelled organic are priced higher than regular food. I just checked Tesco online.
Tesco Ground Beef 355g = €2
Tesco Organic Beef 380g =€5

 

[Buzz Rules]

I don’t know whether you watched the game but as we may play the US and this is a difference in cultures thread….. did you hear the piece that Welsh supporters have made their anthem at football games?

It is relatively modern but addresses the oppression of Wales, our language and culture. It was written in response to Thatcherism, but it also has earlier historical content. It has become mainstream and it is fascinating that it has been adopted by Welsh football fans and Welsh football clubs.

Two USMNT songs Welsh fans may here at the WC:

 

[Buzz Rules]

No, foods labelled organic are priced higher than regular food. I just checked Tesco online.
Tesco Ground Beef 355g = €2
Tesco Organic Beef 380g =€5

Interesting. I always thought since European countries seem to promote organic foods more than the USA, that it would be cheaper there.

 

[mrs. magoo]

I know many Americans are very proud of their Irish ancestry and heritage. Is Irish history taught in schools or is it mostly the old stories and history from family members? Do Americans know about modern Irish history like the 1916 Rebellion, The Treaty, The Irish Civil War and the creation of The Republic of Ireland in 1949? And more modern history, like The Troubles, The Good Friday Agreement, or things even more modern like how divorce and abortion are now legal?

This would a no. I am a high school history teacher and all we learn about with Ireland is the Irish Potato Famine. There is nothing else covered at all in the curriculum.

 

[SirDuff]

Interesting. I always thought since European countries seem to promote organic foods more than the USA, that it would be cheaper there.

To be fair, the answer given wasn't to the question you asked, so your thought might be correct. Organic food is more expensive than non-organic food in Ireland. That doesn't answer if it is more expensive than organic food in the US (or if the mark-up is more/less).

To be fair, your question isn't actually one that can be answered. Prices vary across Europe (it being a continent of many countries) and even across the US.

I live in Switzerland pretty much all food is more expensive here but I've never compared the organic to non-organic mark-up. It's also a tough comparison because, due to differences in laws, some of the "standard" products here could be labeled as organic in the US (because certain pesticides, hormone use, etc. are not allowed). Not sure, but may be the same in other European countries.

 

[BadPinkTink]

Interesting. I always thought since European countries seem to promote organic foods more than the USA, that it would be cheaper there.

In Ireland I know that our agriculture is not as intensive as in America and we have very different laws about GM in farming and agriculture, its still mass produced factory farming. Organic farming and agriculture is a step away from the mass produced factory farming and incurs higher costs which is then passed down to the consumer.

This would a no. I am a high school history teacher and all we learn about with Ireland is the Irish Potato Famine. There is nothing else covered at all in the curriculum.

Thanks, This makes sense as to why American tourists and the American Irish community in general are so out of touch with modern day Ireland. People come here thinking time stood still since their ancestors left in 1850. Many American Irish have difficulty relating the modern Irish society to the Ireland they have learned about in school or in their family.

 

[Buzz Rules]

With the lyrics subtitled in English.

That’s a beautiful song.

 

[mikalkwin]

To be fair, the answer given wasn't to the question you asked, so your thought might be correct. Organic food is more expensive than non-organic food in Ireland. That doesn't answer if it is more expensive than organic food in the US (or if the mark-up is more/less).

To be fair, your question isn't actually one that can be answered. Prices vary across Europe (it being a continent of many countries) and even across the US.

I live in Switzerland pretty much all food is more expensive here but I've never compared the organic to non-organic mark-up. It's also a tough comparison because, due to differences in laws, some of the "standard" products here could be labeled as organic in the US (because certain pesticides, hormone use, etc. are not allowed). Not sure, but may be the same in other European countries.

It is. And quality is soooo different from one country to another. Germans don’t know that you actually have to raise different types of cows for meat or milk/dairy. Only French or Irish beef have my approval (I am French, so biaised). US beef is usually very tasty as well but most of the medecines or hormones used aren’t allowed in EU countries.

 

[Jangles]

It is. And quality is soooo different from one country to another. Germans don’t know that you actually have to raise different types of cows for meat or milk/dairy. Only French or Irish beef have my approval (I am French, so biaised). US beef is usually very tasty as well but most of the medecines or hormones used aren’t allowed in EU countries.

I try to buy as much organic produce as possible, but from local farms rather than supermarkets. It is relatively easy here to buy organic meat, dairy produce, vegetables and fruit directly from the farms. Some stuff has to be imported of course and it does force one to eat according to what is seasonally available.

 

[john7994]

It is. And quality is soooo different from one country to another. Germans don’t know that you actually have to raise different types of cows for meat or milk/dairy. Only French or Irish beef have my approval (I am French, so biaised). US beef is usually very tasty as well but most of the medecines or hormones used aren’t allowed in EU countries.

Its that "special sauce" that makes them so tasty

 

[john7994]

So now for the serious stuff ... So Eton, we are talking pretty much Hogwarts right? (just in case, no offense intended here).

 

[Buzz Rules]

Irish and British Disboarders, how is your weather?

 

[BadPinkTink]

Irish and British Disboarders, how is your weather?

Its 9.05 pm here and still bright day light. Sunset is around 10pm Its been dry today, its currently 14 c / 57 f according to my phone

 

[Jangles]

So now for the serious stuff ... So Eton, we are talking pretty much Hogwarts right? (just in case, no offense intended here).

Yes, except Eton is single sex and the boarding houses aren’t all on a campus, but rather spread out nearby. And they don’t play quidditch, but they do play ‘fives’ which is almost as brutal.

 

[Jangles]

Irish and British Disboarders, how is your weather?

Who told you that we like complaining about the weather?

 

[Buzz Rules]

Who told you that we like complaining about the weather?

Is FL not the UK’s number one holiday/vacation location?

 

[Buzz Rules]

I don’t know whether you watched the game but as we may play the US and this is a difference in cultures thread….. did you hear the piece that Welsh supporters have made their anthem at football games?

It is relatively modern but addresses the oppression of Wales, our language and culture. It was written in response to Thatcherism, but it also has earlier historical content. It has become mainstream and it is fascinating that it has been adopted by Welsh football fans and Welsh football clubs.

I was thinking of all the patriotic songs we sing on national holidays and I forgot about this one, which I would say is a good American counterpart to Yma O Hyd.

 

[Jangles]

Is FL not the UK’s number one holiday/vacation location?

I would say that the average Brit holidays in Europe, predominantly Spain but closely followed by Portugal. Package holidays are popular, as are ‘all inclusive’ resorts. There is a market for ‘cheap as chips’, drink until you fall over resorts, that serve English food.

Independent travellers migrate towards Greece, particularly the islands, Cyprus, Italy and France. People also do City breaks to European capitals and ski in Europe.

For winter sun people aim for the Caribbean or as a cheaper option Spanish islands.

We are lucky as we are allowed quite a lot of paid holidays, compared to U.S. employees.

 

[Buzz Rules]

I’m curious, do you guys enjoy the American pavilion/Hall of Presidents/American Experience show? Or do you normally skip it?