Quote:
Originally posted by Mouse:
Sorry. Where did I say that I excluded these peoples ? The point I was making (in case you missed it ) was that not all people choose to define others by conventional stereotypical geo-political categories. I prefer to look to a wider categorisation and then judge and refine based on my experience.
That's why I don't believe Germans are closet Nazis who want to conquer Europe for Lebensraum, the French as a nation are not habitual losers who urinate in public and stink of garlic or any of the rest of this type and of ill-informed and jingoistic labelling.
Oh, and btw, it's 1.45am here so I am going to bed - so no more debating tonight 
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Mouse, it's a linguistic reality that people will refer to people south of the river as "Southsiders" or something, to differentiate when speaking about them as opposed to people where they are. It has nothing to do with labels or stigmas, and more to do with communicating an idea easily.
Communication ease. I remember when there was a movement to remove "him" and "her" and replace them with "id" so there was no sexual reference.
All it does is add words to a sentance. If someone wants to describe id, who is smaller, with breasts, a monthly menstruative cycle and child rearing capabilities, then they will. "Woman" works just as well.
When talking about a person who lives between the Caucasus mountains in the east and the Atlantic in the west, the mediteranean in the south and the arctic in the north; and when talking about cultures that have smaller cars than America, better pasta and coffe than anywhere, and some of the best wines and cheeses, arts and music in the world, I'll use the word European!
Sheeesh!
However, what will I use when refering to Europeans who have joined politically as one nation (The European Union) as opposed to Europeans who have not (Norwegians, Swiss, Russians etc) when I wish to differentiate?
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I am the walrus!.... er, no hang on....
A fair dinkum laughing Hyena!
[This message has been edited by Yorick (edited 10-12-2001).]