Way OT: Right-pondian "cultural" issue

Hi,

I've been treating myself to D Adam's books, again, with an "older eye" -- looking for subtleties that I was too busy laughing to have noticed earlier.

In one of the HHG novels, "Belgium" is "disrespected".

WITHOUT ASKING FOR A CLARIFICATION, was this just a "random" choice on his (zany) part? (i.e., could any word/name_of_country been equally used) Or, is there "something" about Belgium...

(e.g., different US regions are stereotyped and the brunt of various jokes, etc. I assume similar things happen elsewhere in the world based on "local custom"...)

The guy was such a wack-job that it's hard to tell when it's "British humor" vs. "simple insanity"...

Reply to
D Yuniskis
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Definitely not random. (IMO)

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Geo
Reply to
Geo

You're right, this is completely OT even by c.a.e. standards...

I wasn't really sure what you meant when I first read this. Admitted it is several years since I read the books but the only possible reference I could think of it Ford's tip to the musician in a bar which he described as roughly enough to buy Belgium. At least I think he did, I can't actually track down that part or even determine conclusively which book it was in.

That seemed an odd thing to pick up on since it is not particularly offensive. It was searching online to try and track it down that uncovered what I think you are really referring to, namely the US version was censored:

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So now the question instead becomes why did the version for the American market need to be censored when it is that country more than any other that extolls the vitrues of freedom of speech almost as if it was a matter of patriotism?

The whole "Belgium as insult" thing however does apparently originate from the original radio incarnation though. I can't say I'm aware of any specifically anti-Belgian sentiment her in the UK - most vitriol is reserved for the French instead.

If anything Belgium tends to be regarded as a nonentity of a country that you can simply ignore for all the significance it has. "Name three famous Belgians" is occasionally used as an example of a kind of unanswerable question. Even if you allow fictional characters you end up with Poirot, Tintin and are still struggling for a third.

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Andrew Smallshaw
andrews@sdf.lonestar.org
Reply to
Andrew Smallshaw

In message , Geo writes

Not at all.

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Reply to
Chris H

In message , Andrew Smallshaw writes

If you really believe that then you need professional help. The US is very anti free speech unless it is pro the establishment USA.

There is no anti Belgium sentiment as such. It is just a joke and Belgium is "insignificant" and "boring". However the Brits hate the French because the are French Keep fighting the Brits Cheat at Rugby (It is the only way to explain how they win :-)# Argue with [Saint] Margaret Thatcher Steal our women etc

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Reply to
Chris H

Jacques Brel Jackie Ickx Eddy Merckx but not Audrey Hepburn

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Reply to
RCIngham

Well, to be honest, he didn't say that the US wasn't anti-free-speach.

He said the US _extolls_the_virtues_of_free_speach_. Being anti-free-speach while extolling the virtues of free speach is not only possible, it has been raised to almost an art form by some US administrations.

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Grant Edwards               grant.b.edwards        Yow! ... I don't like FRANK
                                  at               SINATRA or his CHILDREN.
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Reply to
Grant Edwards

Very true.

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\/\/\/\/\ Chris Hills  Staffs  England     /\/\/\/\/
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Reply to
Chris H

No, I was referring to the (lengthier) reference described in the bulletted section "Finally, the greatest Belgium-up of all times. Original UK phrasing (page 114):" in the URL you mentioned below.

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Actually, a lot of the explanations offered on the mentioned URL seem pretty close to home! People here (probably EVERYWHERE)

*want* the ability to "say/do what THEY want" yet NEVER see any contradiction in preventing *you* from saying/doing the same.

Thanks for the URL! There are numerous other things that I'll have to chase down but not as obviously cultural as the Belgium reference appeared to be. Sort of like chasing down differences between movies and novels (assuming novel predates movie) and guessing at the reasons therefore...

Reply to
D Yuniskis

I seem to recall Monty Python mentioning Belgium , but then, they skewered almost every nation.

I sometimes have wondered about Australia vs New Zealand animosity/ jokes

And are Cambodians or the Hmong seen as the lowest 'calss' in Indochina?

odd stuff

Reply to
1 Lucky Texan

I accept your challenge ;)

Eddy Merckx Plastic Bertrand Django Reinhardt Jean-Claude Van Damm

Reply to
Rob

I've heard of the last two...

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Grant Edwards               grant.b.edwards        Yow! Was my SOY LOAF left
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Grant Edwards

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