Lacking a major subject of huge importance to write about, I did a poll of 10 semi- random people today. It was kind of a sanity check to see if, when I generalize about Americans being geographically challenged, I'm not giving us a bad rap. ( See yesterday's blog about Zeeland)
I asked each of these 10 people one of the following questions:
Have you ever heard of Zeeland - or
Where is Zeeland
7 replied: Don't you mean New Zealand
1 replied: I don't know but it's probably very far away
1 replied: Never heard of it
1 replied: I've heard of it, but only because I lived in Holland for 3 years.
So there it is.
I am not giving us a bum rap. It's a true statement, general or not. Whatever. That's why we have Atlases, National Geographic and travel agents. Oh, and Wikipedia, thank goodness.
With all of these resources available to us we can at least can say: Well, lemme just check on that and I'll get back to ya'll in a sec. Taking time to check a resource or call a smart friend would be a much better reply than "Don't you mean New Zealand?" Or stating that the capital of Australia is Perth which is another whole subject in and of itself.
So, America, lets pull ourselves up by the bootstraps and unite on this one item. When asked a geography question let's all just pretend we have some important thing we have to attend to and say: Well, lemme just check on that and I'll get back to ya'll in a sec.
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11 comments:
Oh Cynthia this is just too funny! A poll Where is Zeeland - for Americans! He he ha ha!! (...er, sorry):-o)
If nothing else..everyday my bloggy friends teach me something. I appreciate all the geography everyone shares. I must be very honest with you dear Cyn, I had no clue about Zeeland prior to this whole discussion. I'm sure it's a lovely place with lovely people, but they must be quiet people because I can't remember them ever making any waves on the international scene. I don't mean to hurt their feelings, but maybe it's a tiny little place with very few folks. You have really got my curiosity going and I must be off to research Zeeland. Who knows, maybe I may want to visit there?
Kalianne, Thank you for enjoying!
Nana Trish, Check it out! It might be a wonderful place to visit, being right on the North Sea.
Thank you for stopping by!
I am embarassed to say my geography knowledge is sorely lacking. I'm lucky to find my way to the next county in my state! ha,ha!
Wonderful post this is also.
Very funny!
I have heard and experienced what you say about Americans of being geographically challenged.
But I saw on tv here Dutch people who were askesd at the airport to point their own country at a map and it was hillarious (and embarrassing) to see where they pointed.......... So I guess not only the Americans, we too.
I have a few post on my blog about Zeeland and Zierikzee the town I live in (in Zeeland)
so come and see.
And Nana you are right not much is happening there and we don't get the 8 o'clock news but just like everywhere on the world we have some interesting places to see and visit, if you like town with little houses and monuments, beached, water, peace and quiet.
You are all welcome!
Greetings from Zeeland! Marianne
I meant towns and beaches........
oh oh typing.........
Shelly, at least you are VERY good at finding birds to photograph for us.
Marianne, thank you so much for your input and your sense of humor about my post since you live in Zeeland. My first thought when I saw you are from Zeeland was - is that what the locals call New Zealand?
I'll be reading your posts with interest, I'm sure it is a beautiful province with wonderful historic places to visit. Perhaps Trish and I will visit one day.
Ok, I confess...I didn't know where Zeeland is either...it looks like a very lovely corner of the world!
~Kalianne
Kalianne, thand you for the kind support! You may come with Trish and I.
It's true about Americans being geographically challenged. I still get letters written to Yugoslavia rather than Serbia. And when in the US, often they think I live in SIBERIA!
Bibi, perhaps they thing Serbia is a suburb of Yugoslavia. Your post office if far more understancing than UPS. As for Siberia, other than the fact that Serbia is only lacking an "i" there's no excuse for that. The least they could do is send you a coat if they think you're in Siberia.
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