martes, 4 de agosto de 2009

Revisiting a hackneyed subject






We, Spaniards, usually think that Americans (that is, inhabitants of the United States) are not keen in geography. That is, as usual, one of the stereotypes that may change if you do a survey among Spanish students or citizens and ask them to mark in a world map where the Strait of Torres is or which is the capital city of Tajikistan. Following this item, and despite the usual questions (who we are, where do we come from, where do we go, when will we eat and so on), quite useful for philosophers, we can change the questions for regions in Europe, allegedly closer to our culture and easier to be answered. The answer may be amazing!
But from time to time, one is surprised by the logic and, at the same time, by the stupidity of some human beings. Spanish soccer team FC Barcelona is actually in tour along the United States, preparing the forthcoming soccer season in Spain.
Manager of this team, Mr. Laporta (should I say Thegate?), during his visit to Hollywood studios was asked by one of the stunts who act as Oliver Hardy (you know, the fat partner of the thin Stan Lauren):
-Stunt: where do you come from, my friend?

-Laporta (Thegate?) : from Barcelona, in Catalonia.

The stunt said then: , hey… he comes from abroad, he comes from Spain.

Laporta (Thegate?) turned back and replied: No, I come from Catalonia.

Interesting item: the American stunt knew much more about geography that Mr. Thegate.
Should you have any doubt, just ask Mr. Thegate to check his passport and ensure where he came from.

He escrito este artículo en inglés, primero, porque me ha dado la gana y segundo, porque he aprobado el examen Proficiency; está considerado como muy difícil y más por las circunstancias previas, pero es una buena noticia y no quería dejar pasar la oportunidad de compartirla con todos vosotros. Y además porque considero que los idiomas están hechos para comunicarse, y tonterías, las justas. ¿Verdad señor Laporta (Thegate?)
Las imágenes las he tomado prestadas de http://www.celebritydeath.wordpress.com/ (la del gordo) y de http://www.barcaloco.com/ la del equipo de mi hijo Jorge.