halloween??
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Mike, believe me I hate it as much as you do. I hate seeing kids in South Africa running around with American t-shirts, buying American pop-band CDs, speaking like Americans, pretending to be American. I cannot stand them wishing South Africa was America. You are probably dead right. Most of the world is simply jealous of the American way. Jealous of the wealth and life style. But America is also to blame. America does tend to advertise it's way pretty strongily. Peter Stuvesant ad's, Britney Spears posters, Budweiser trucks. Every day all day we are bombarded by "America, America, America. America the great. To be like us buy our stuff.". And the sad thing is that it works. It works very well on young impressionable minds who see their favourite movie stars doing rockstar things. Kids like to act out fantasies and well most of these involve Las Vegas or California or being Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie. I am just frustrated that we cannot make our own identity and enjoy our own culture. Even at my old'ish age I get berrated for wanting to read a South African book when the latest Stephen King horror is out, or wear a pair of shorts when the latest trendy Levi Strauss jeans have hit the market. *shrugs* I don't want to be American, I want to be South African. But it is hard in an American world :) regards, Paul Watson Bluegrass Cape Town, South Africa "The greatest thing you will ever learn is to love, and be loved in return" - Moulin Rouge "In other words, the developer is dealing with an elephant, the accountant is dealing with a bunny rabbit." by Stan Shannon - 16/10/2001
But America is also to blame. America does tend to advertise it's way pretty strongily. Peter Stuvesant ad's, Britney Spears posters, Budweiser trucks. I'm sure our corporate culture and it's advertising/comercialization is VERY much to blame. FYI, it annoys the hell out of us as well! I do have a couple of comments/questions though: #1 - Who is Peter Stuvesant? Really... I've never heard of him! :) #2 - Britney Spears = No talent, but a hell of a good looking young lady! #3 - Budweiser X| X| X| I'd much prefer a good Canadian beer or a Guinness. For what it's worth, Americans (especially the kids) are certainly affected by foreign pop culture as well. Probably started with the Beatles and hasn't stopped yet. :(( We were infected with the pop virus called "The Spice Girls" just like the rest of the world. :) During the last summer games, EVERYTHING was "Aussie" over here. It's hard NOT to root for the "Thorpedo"!!! :cool: Not to mention, even I, the "Ugly American", KNOW that the Rolling Stones are the greatest rock & roll band in history!!!!! Mike Mullikin "It might look like I'm doing nothing, but at the cellular level I'm really quite busy."
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Mike, believe me I hate it as much as you do. I hate seeing kids in South Africa running around with American t-shirts, buying American pop-band CDs, speaking like Americans, pretending to be American. I cannot stand them wishing South Africa was America. You are probably dead right. Most of the world is simply jealous of the American way. Jealous of the wealth and life style. But America is also to blame. America does tend to advertise it's way pretty strongily. Peter Stuvesant ad's, Britney Spears posters, Budweiser trucks. Every day all day we are bombarded by "America, America, America. America the great. To be like us buy our stuff.". And the sad thing is that it works. It works very well on young impressionable minds who see their favourite movie stars doing rockstar things. Kids like to act out fantasies and well most of these involve Las Vegas or California or being Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie. I am just frustrated that we cannot make our own identity and enjoy our own culture. Even at my old'ish age I get berrated for wanting to read a South African book when the latest Stephen King horror is out, or wear a pair of shorts when the latest trendy Levi Strauss jeans have hit the market. *shrugs* I don't want to be American, I want to be South African. But it is hard in an American world :) regards, Paul Watson Bluegrass Cape Town, South Africa "The greatest thing you will ever learn is to love, and be loved in return" - Moulin Rouge "In other words, the developer is dealing with an elephant, the accountant is dealing with a bunny rabbit." by Stan Shannon - 16/10/2001
Nobody with any cool wears Levis anymore. I guess we just shuffle them out to the sticks. As to "our stuff" I am sur that South Africa has an adverstising person or two around. Just make a better product and advertise. Don't get mad- get even Richard If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man. - Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar
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'Tis a ancient Celtic festival (commercialised by the Americans), The British have Guy Fawkes day instead of Halloween. Halloween is about several things, celebrating the Close of harvest, warding off the Evil spirts of Winter ... Regards Ray "Je Suis Mort De Rire"
By the way, we British have halloween as well as guy fawkes day. --- Simon Proud member of the RSPCT - The Royal Society for the Prevention of the Creation of any more TLA's
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But America is also to blame. America does tend to advertise it's way pretty strongily. Peter Stuvesant ad's, Britney Spears posters, Budweiser trucks. I'm sure our corporate culture and it's advertising/comercialization is VERY much to blame. FYI, it annoys the hell out of us as well! I do have a couple of comments/questions though: #1 - Who is Peter Stuvesant? Really... I've never heard of him! :) #2 - Britney Spears = No talent, but a hell of a good looking young lady! #3 - Budweiser X| X| X| I'd much prefer a good Canadian beer or a Guinness. For what it's worth, Americans (especially the kids) are certainly affected by foreign pop culture as well. Probably started with the Beatles and hasn't stopped yet. :(( We were infected with the pop virus called "The Spice Girls" just like the rest of the world. :) During the last summer games, EVERYTHING was "Aussie" over here. It's hard NOT to root for the "Thorpedo"!!! :cool: Not to mention, even I, the "Ugly American", KNOW that the Rolling Stones are the greatest rock & roll band in history!!!!! Mike Mullikin "It might look like I'm doing nothing, but at the cellular level I'm really quite busy."
>#2 - Britney Spears = No talent, but a hell of a good looking young lady! Ahem, I guess you must be thinking of a different Britney Spears to the one I've seen. You can't be talking about the blonde tart with the artifical implants. :-) Michael :-)
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hey I dont think I even got the spelling correct.. But just whats this halloween thing all about? is it an American thing? or british? just curious... Nish p.s. does it have anything to do with guy fawkes day?
American Halloween is a combination of several cultures. From what I remember, Halloween is All Saints Eve or All Hallows Eve. The day before the coming of the Saints. Spirits of the dead supposedly come out and play on this night. Mexican tradition is to dress up like the spirits and join the celebration. They also sat meals out on their door step for the spirits so they would not come into the house. I don't remember if the spirits would do something bad if there was not a meal for them but I believe this is where "trick or treat" came from. I learned this a long time also, when they still taught culture studies in American school, so this might be mis-remembered. I am also missing a lot cultural influences. If you are interested, I am sure Google will come up with something. I agree that the commercial industry has exploited this holiday like all others.
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's a Microsoft thing - they've declared a standard and will be announcing activation details next week. It seems they had production problems and can't release it by the promised Oct 31 date. "...the staggering layers of obscenity in your statement make it a work of art on so many levels." - Jason Jystad, 10/26/2001
Microsoft Halloween for Windows When you run it, it displays a message box "Trick or Treat?". Clicking Treat sends 5 cents to Bill Gates and Windows works. Clicking Trick and you get a blue screen of death but with an added ghost face. Oh and of course the treat only happens once a year on October 31. Michael :-)
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Nobody with any cool wears Levis anymore. I guess we just shuffle them out to the sticks. As to "our stuff" I am sur that South Africa has an adverstising person or two around. Just make a better product and advertise. Don't get mad- get even Richard If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man. - Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar
I think Microsoft have proven that it is not the better product that wins but actually the louder you shout :) America has more money, simple as that. Good South African advertising people get head hunted by American firms, to push American products. We are too deep in the cycle now to easily get out. What I am really disgusted with is my fellow South Africans for towing the line so well. They don't think for themselves, they let the adverts and brands do that. I don't want America to stop advertising or pushing products, I want us to get a backbone and our own culture. Nobody with any cool wears Levis anymore I don't subscribe to Fashion Victim monthly anymore, so I am behind the style. Forgive me *sic*. regards, Paul Watson Bluegrass Cape Town, South Africa "The greatest thing you will ever learn is to love, and be loved in return" - Moulin Rouge "In other words, the developer is dealing with an elephant, the accountant is dealing with a bunny rabbit." by Stan Shannon - 16/10/2001
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By the way, we British have halloween as well as guy fawkes day. --- Simon Proud member of the RSPCT - The Royal Society for the Prevention of the Creation of any more TLA's
Yeah that is what I thought. Isn't Guy Fawkes day on the 5th of November. Remember, remember, the fifth of November I can't remember the rest of the rhyme :) regards, Paul Watson Bluegrass Cape Town, South Africa "The greatest thing you will ever learn is to love, and be loved in return" - Moulin Rouge "In other words, the developer is dealing with an elephant, the accountant is dealing with a bunny rabbit." by Stan Shannon - 16/10/2001
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>#2 - Britney Spears = No talent, but a hell of a good looking young lady! Ahem, I guess you must be thinking of a different Britney Spears to the one I've seen. You can't be talking about the blonde tart with the artifical implants. :-) Michael :-)
You can't be talking about the blonde tart with the artifical implants She swears she has never slept with one of the Backstreet Boys or anyone from NYSYNC. However I agree with you, lots of artificial implants have passed her gates. :-D hehe sorry I could not resist twisting what you said about... yeah I realise you mean artificial implants as in silicon ala Pamela Anderson :) regards, Paul Watson Bluegrass Cape Town, South Africa "The greatest thing you will ever learn is to love, and be loved in return" - Moulin Rouge "In other words, the developer is dealing with an elephant, the accountant is dealing with a bunny rabbit." by Stan Shannon - 16/10/2001
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>#2 - Britney Spears = No talent, but a hell of a good looking young lady! Ahem, I guess you must be thinking of a different Britney Spears to the one I've seen. You can't be talking about the blonde tart with the artifical implants. :-) Michael :-)
Ahem, I guess you must be thinking of a different Britney Spears to the one I've seen. You can't be talking about the blonde tart with the artifical implants. Nothing wrong with a blonde with a nice rack! I look at it this way, she's 19 yrs old, single, rich and beautiful. I'm 38 yrs old, married, middle class and... ummm... not beautiful.:-O I'm never gonna meet Ms. Spears, let alone get any "rack time", so why do I care if they're real or not?? Mike Mullikin "It might look like I'm doing nothing, but at the cellular level I'm really quite busy."
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But America is also to blame. America does tend to advertise it's way pretty strongily. Peter Stuvesant ad's, Britney Spears posters, Budweiser trucks. I'm sure our corporate culture and it's advertising/comercialization is VERY much to blame. FYI, it annoys the hell out of us as well! I do have a couple of comments/questions though: #1 - Who is Peter Stuvesant? Really... I've never heard of him! :) #2 - Britney Spears = No talent, but a hell of a good looking young lady! #3 - Budweiser X| X| X| I'd much prefer a good Canadian beer or a Guinness. For what it's worth, Americans (especially the kids) are certainly affected by foreign pop culture as well. Probably started with the Beatles and hasn't stopped yet. :(( We were infected with the pop virus called "The Spice Girls" just like the rest of the world. :) During the last summer games, EVERYTHING was "Aussie" over here. It's hard NOT to root for the "Thorpedo"!!! :cool: Not to mention, even I, the "Ugly American", KNOW that the Rolling Stones are the greatest rock & roll band in history!!!!! Mike Mullikin "It might look like I'm doing nothing, but at the cellular level I'm really quite busy."
#1 - Who is Peter Stuvesant? Really... I've never heard of him! Ok you are pulling my leg, right? I miss-spelt it. Peter Stuyvesant. An american cigarette brand. Their ad's come on before every single movie I have ever seen. Buxom blondes, handsome hunks, skiing, rich life style, healthy life style, mansions etc. etc. The image of Peter Stuyvesant. #2 - Britney Spears = No talent, but a hell of a good looking young lady! I would not touch her with a ten foot barge poll. She is as fake as a crash proof Windows. regards, Paul Watson Bluegrass Cape Town, South Africa "The greatest thing you will ever learn is to love, and be loved in return" - Moulin Rouge "In other words, the developer is dealing with an elephant, the accountant is dealing with a bunny rabbit." by Stan Shannon - 16/10/2001
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Yeah that is what I thought. Isn't Guy Fawkes day on the 5th of November. Remember, remember, the fifth of November I can't remember the rest of the rhyme :) regards, Paul Watson Bluegrass Cape Town, South Africa "The greatest thing you will ever learn is to love, and be loved in return" - Moulin Rouge "In other words, the developer is dealing with an elephant, the accountant is dealing with a bunny rabbit." by Stan Shannon - 16/10/2001
Yep, that's the one. I don't know the rest of that rhyme either. :rolleyes: We have to put up with constant fireworks and bangers for the month in the run-up to Nov 5th. Shops start selling fireworks way too early! We have to seal the letterbox on the night as well, there's always some idiot who wants to do something stupid... Simon
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Yep, that's the one. I don't know the rest of that rhyme either. :rolleyes: We have to put up with constant fireworks and bangers for the month in the run-up to Nov 5th. Shops start selling fireworks way too early! We have to seal the letterbox on the night as well, there's always some idiot who wants to do something stupid... Simon
Ah yes, 10 year old kids running around playing with fireworks. Round my way at the moment it sounds more like I'm in Afghanistan. I have to wonder what kind of of society lets children play around with explosives for fun. Michael :-)
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Yep, that's the one. I don't know the rest of that rhyme either. :rolleyes: We have to put up with constant fireworks and bangers for the month in the run-up to Nov 5th. Shops start selling fireworks way too early! We have to seal the letterbox on the night as well, there's always some idiot who wants to do something stupid... Simon
We have to seal the letterbox on the night as well, there's always some idiot who wants to do something stupid... Oi! Don't call me an idiot. :-D When you are young firecrackers are just too much temptation, you can't rely blame us kids for finding inventive places to put them. I once blew the pocket off my school shirt. My mum was not impressed. The day I got hold of a rocket was the day I got banned from ever going into a cafe which sold fireworks again :-D I was not popular on that day hehe. regards, Paul Watson Bluegrass Cape Town, South Africa "The greatest thing you will ever learn is to love, and be loved in return" - Moulin Rouge "In other words, the developer is dealing with an elephant, the accountant is dealing with a bunny rabbit." by Stan Shannon - 16/10/2001
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Ah yes, 10 year old kids running around playing with fireworks. Round my way at the moment it sounds more like I'm in Afghanistan. I have to wonder what kind of of society lets children play around with explosives for fun. Michael :-)
Society doesn't allow or condone children playing with this objects, but it's just too easy for them to gain access. Age-checks are rarely done in smaller newsagents, and parents often allow their children a few bangers to let off. It's when kids take these out of an adult's supervision area when it gets dangerous. Simon
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#1 - Who is Peter Stuvesant? Really... I've never heard of him! Ok you are pulling my leg, right? I miss-spelt it. Peter Stuyvesant. An american cigarette brand. Their ad's come on before every single movie I have ever seen. Buxom blondes, handsome hunks, skiing, rich life style, healthy life style, mansions etc. etc. The image of Peter Stuyvesant. #2 - Britney Spears = No talent, but a hell of a good looking young lady! I would not touch her with a ten foot barge poll. She is as fake as a crash proof Windows. regards, Paul Watson Bluegrass Cape Town, South Africa "The greatest thing you will ever learn is to love, and be loved in return" - Moulin Rouge "In other words, the developer is dealing with an elephant, the accountant is dealing with a bunny rabbit." by Stan Shannon - 16/10/2001
Peter Stuyvesant. An american cigarette brand. Nope, it's not a brand that's available here. I don't smoke but I'm pretty sure I'd know if it was even semi-successful. Maybe it's Winston or Marlboro here and they re-label it there??? I would not touch her [Britney Spears] with a ten foot barge poll. So... neither of us will ever touch Miss Argentina either, but she is still very nice looking. Mike Mullikin "It might look like I'm doing nothing, but at the cellular level I'm really quite busy."
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Society doesn't allow or condone children playing with this objects, but it's just too easy for them to gain access. Age-checks are rarely done in smaller newsagents, and parents often allow their children a few bangers to let off. It's when kids take these out of an adult's supervision area when it gets dangerous. Simon
Maybe I'm being a kill joy again but what kind of society allows explosives to be sold over the counter in newsagents. I know the Americans can buy guns this way :-) but I'd have thought we'd have more sense. Michael :-)
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hey I dont think I even got the spelling correct.. But just whats this halloween thing all about? is it an American thing? or british? just curious... Nish p.s. does it have anything to do with guy fawkes day?
Halloween is when a rabbit comes down your chimney and hides eggs under a tree. Said rabbit then drives the snakes out of Ireland, eats lots of turkey and falls asleep watching American football. Or maybe I'm confused.:) Craig Dodge This message printed on 100% recycled electrons.
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hey I dont think I even got the spelling correct.. But just whats this halloween thing all about? is it an American thing? or british? just curious... Nish p.s. does it have anything to do with guy fawkes day?
Age 0-12: It's all about the candy Age 13-20: It's all about the eye candy Age 21-?: It's all about turning off all the lights in the house and being completely silent. Leave me alone. Nah, just kidding, I'm not really that cynical and bitter. I don't know the deep, spiritual meanings behind Halloween, I just know that when you're little, it's a time to dress up and get a boatload of candy. When you're older, it's time to put on a funny costume that makes people laugh (I just wear my regular clothes - seems to work just fine). Jon Sagara "After all is said and done, usually more is said than done." -- Unknown
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erm ... 'tis true, but think about Christmas and Easter ... make very little either. Regards Ray "Je Suis Mort De Rire"
I get your point, but at least Christmas and Easter have some Christian connection (even if the dates for Christ's birth are way off). Halloween doesn't have that excuse. Andy Metcalfe - Sonardyne International Ltd
(andy.metcalfe@lineone.net)
http://www.resorg.co.uk"I'm just another 'S' bend in the internet. A ton of stuff goes through my system, and some of the hairer, stickier and lumpier stuff sticks." - Chris Maunder (I just couldn't let that one past ;))