Unexcited Brit at Curmudgeon Corner

I find myself this morning at Curmudgeon Corner - I'll probably visit here again the next time something irritates me sufficiently.

I'm not sure whether this current irritant is simply another example of what I see as the American habit of out-of-place hyperbole. This one seemingly has spread across the pond too. Or is it another "meme-ish" copycat thing? Why do some people, when attempting to describe their state of mind when looking forward to an event, or action by them or others, describe themselves as "Being excited to......" whatever, when the circumstance would appear scarcely to even warrant a sincere "I'm looking forward to...."

Devaluing words - again. I've whinged about the use of "hilarious" in the past, when attached to something that is, at best, mildly amusing.

What is going on here though? What causes overstatement? Is it a form of verbal one-upmanship, lack of vocabulary - or what? What'll happen when the next generation or "in-crowd" needs to go even one better than "I'm so excited to..." ?

Perhaps I'm still suffering from after effects of culture shock, being a Brit an' all, and therefore having been more used to understatement than overstatement for most of my life, pre-internet. The British - or perhaps more accurately - the English, have the reputation of being overly polite, self-effacing, and of uttering "thank you" or "sorry" several times at inappropriate moments. There are lots of examples of this in a Twitter feed, "Very British Problems" (@SoVeryBritish), I follow it among a scant handful of Twitterers because its entries almost always raise a chuckle of recognition, so much so that I've ordered the accompanying book. A passing reader might get the general idea from the following samples:


"I'm sure it'll be fine" - Meaning: This can only end in disaster

Being mistaken for a shop assistant and simply assuming the role as best you can

Never feeling more uncomfortable than when instructed to "make yourself at home"

Saying, "It's nothing, really" to indicate you're remarkably close to losing consciousness

Nearly washing the skin off your hands so as not to pressure the person using the hand dryer

Being unable to pay for something with the exact change without saying "I think that's right"

"With all due respect" - Translation: You have absolutely no idea what you're talking about

Ordering one of the specials so the waitress won't have wasted her time reciting them

Debating whether to open the train window or quietly succumb to heatstroke

Being unable to help saying, "At least I hope so!" after telling someone they're on the right train.

Punishing people who don't say thank you by saying "you're welcome" as quietly as possible

Becoming incandescent with rage when Microsoft Word corrects your spelling to American English

More here too.

Britishness or Humanness ?

I read yesterday that "Britishness" is likely to become a part of the school curriculum in the UK. The House of Commons leader, Jack Straw, said a stronger sense of "Britishness" and its roots in democracy was needed, to challenge those opposed Britain's core values. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6298875.stm

In my opinion the lessons which need to be taught are lessons in HUMANNESS, lessons which future citizens of this planet will surely need.

Human beings naturally gravitate into groups or tribes, it's in our genes, I guess, it even happens in astrology. Sun sign astrology retains its hold on fans because so many wish to categorise themselves and others by their "star signs" and they find it hard to get out of that rut. If and when they do widen their knowledge of the subject , a broadening of perspective and better understanding of themselves and others follows. The same broadening of perspective could be available in all areas where 'tribal' mentality persists.

Encouraging nationalism is not wise, in my opinion. Pride in one's home country because of achievements of past or present natives is a natural reaction, but if allowed to reach extremes this can evolve into something less than admirable. History is scarred with examples of such evolution.

I wish that countries who consider themselves to be enlightened such as Britain, other European countries, and the USA would desist from encouraging a nationalistic and insular mindset.

I understand that a foreigner applying for citizenship must be able to show some knowledge of the background of their new country, how it functions, its language etc. to enable him/her to contribute in a proper and productive way . I am not questioning that . Making "Britishness" ,or any other nationalness, a part of the school curriculum is a different matter, and seems to me to be a step in the wrong direction.

Lessons in Humanness, unrelated to nation, religion or ethnic background would be a much wiser way forward, and would prepare young people for citizenship of our planet. That is, if we manage to survive the ravages incurred on it already.

Our true nationality is mankind (H.G. Wells)

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And before I get down from my soapbox I want to recommend an article by Velvet Blade at http://astrologytalk.blogspot.com/ "The Flame of Fire". She has fearlessly told it exactly like it is. Good on ya VB!