The Scots stand out.

**cck** · 5th September 13, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by Father Bill

Rather disdainful of some good people . . . .

Humor is a problem when it focuses on an individual or group. My apologies to any who may have been offended. My intention was to show the view of the Scots. To my knowledge, this was not written by a Scot.

**Liam** · 5th September 13, 08:58 AM

Originally Posted by cck

Humor is a problem when it focuses on an individual or group. My apologies to any who may have been offended. My intention was to show the view of the Scots. To my knowledge, this was not written by a Scot.

As a comedian John Cleese tend to poke fun at himself and his fellow Englishmen and others in a way that I doubt many are truly offended. If you are offended, perhaps thicker skin is in order, or at least put on your 16 oz. kilt for protection.

**sydnie7** · 5th September 13, 09:10 AM

In various forms, this has circulated the 'Net for several years. IIRC it has been posted at XMarks at least once in the past with similar discussion following. BTW it was not penned by John Cleese (see Snopes and, according to them, Cleese's own website).

Things to remember:

Humor is a very personal matter, difficult to convey in the ether.

This is an international forum with members from each of the many nations mentioned.

How would you react to an "ugly American" version of this material?

**Liam** · 5th September 13, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by sydnie7

In various forms, this has circulated the 'Net for several years. IIRC it has been posted at XMarks at least once in the past with similar discussion following. BTW it was not penned by John Cleese (see Snopes and, according to them, Cleese's own website).

Things to remember:

Humor is a very personal matter, difficult to convey in the ether.

This is an international forum with members from each of the many nations mentioned.

How would you react to an "ugly American" version of this material?

Political satire is just that - satire (regardless of who wrote it as I see from the link you posted.) As far as being offended by the "ugly American" version, I'd leave it up the the "Americans" to determine if they were offended. Now if it was the "crazy Canuck" version - watch out!

**fluter** · 6th September 13, 08:18 AM

Originally Posted by sydnie7

How would you react to an "ugly American" version of this material?

Perhaps in this literate and collegial community, we could learn and remember one thing: the "ugly American" was the hero (in a pretty depressing narrative).

And now you know what frosts my gourd: Americans' using "ugly American" as a pejorative---even though I know (usually) precisely what they mean by it.

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

After the book had gained wide readership, the term "Ugly American" came to be used to refer to the "loud and ostentatious" type of visitor in another country, rather than the "plain looking folks, who are not afraid to 'get their hands dirty' like Homer Atkins" to whom the book itself referred.

**Grizzly** · 7th September 13, 06:04 AM

Well said Father, for a minute there I thought I would have to put my tea cup down, and raise my status to nearly getting my dander up. We are now back at the level of "another gin ol' boy? Followed by time for tiffin"

**moggi1964** · 7th September 13, 03:07 PM

I laughed heartily at the OP and have no time for anyone who cannot laugh at themselves or see that stereotypes are designed to be a tool of satire when used in humour. When we sanitize humour the human race is effectively euthanized. You may feel differently of course but I wont be paying attention because I have no time for you

**Father Bill** · 7th September 13, 07:42 PM

Well, I guess you have no time for me then, but I would ask that you keep your posts to XMarks civil nonetheless. Comments that suggest a "thin-skinned" response or a lack of sense of humour are often the ones used by bullies with a blame-the-victim mentality, and bully behaviour is not welcome here at XMarks now or ever.

Bill+

**Steve Ashton** · 7th September 13, 09:06 PM

While I was writing a response to this thread it was flagged as containing posts which may contravene our rule #2.

Until all the Moderators have had time to log in and discuss this one moderator has moved it to the Cooling Off corner.

This made my post unnecessary.

**MacMillans son** · 5th September 13, 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by Liam

... If you are offended, perhaps thicker skin is in order....

Honestly Liam, if you inserted Canadian in place of French in the "joke" would you feel the same? Not that it would make disparaging remarks about a whole nation acceptable if you personally were not offended, but the exercise may give you a different perspective.