# The smug English **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 5, 2014, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-smug-english/706399 "2014-12-05T12:00:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2014, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-smug-english/706399/61 "2014-12-05T16:05:04Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > You are at liberty to ignore my posts if you find having your weaknesses in thought and language pointed out to you makes you uncomfortable. And here we are criticizing the smugness of the English. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2014, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-smug-english/706399/62 "2014-12-05T16:05:12Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Other than as a passtime… Pastime. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2014, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-smug-english/706399/63 "2014-12-05T16:06:40Z")
> [@andros](#): > > Pastime. Thank you. Noted for future use of that word. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2014, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-smug-english/706399/64 "2014-12-05T16:07:36Z")
> [@Fuji](#): > > :dubious: Oh, really? Do tell. Let’s start with you offering a premise, or an example, or some sort of actual assertion; then I will be happy to respond. > [@MrDibble](#): > > Then you haven’t had _Italian_ pizza. If it’s not Neapolitan, it’s not pizza If only there were some way to get everything else about Neopolitan while also getting the crust fully cooked, that would be a winner. Doughy base + melted cheese is a little too much mushiness for me. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2014, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-smug-english/706399/65 "2014-12-05T16:07:58Z")
> [@Jack\_of\_Words](#): > > your entrenched racism (_intelligent_ racism, I’m sure) _coughUKIPcoughcoughEnochPowellcough_ ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2014, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-smug-english/706399/66 "2014-12-05T16:08:10Z")
England isn’t hip enough, and would never fit in Oregon. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2014, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-smug-english/706399/67 "2014-12-05T16:09:04Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Thank you. Noted for future use of that word. Well played. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2014, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-smug-english/706399/68 "2014-12-05T16:11:10Z")
> [@Bruce\_Wayne](#): > > Our gun culture has a little to do with bears. No, they’re for keeping the King of England out of your face. ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2014, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-smug-english/706399/69 "2014-12-05T16:12:02Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > …and you’re Irish. You have no stake in US gun law. Other than as a passtime, for which purpose I already have several hobbies, why But what if the next time I am in the states I get shot by some idiot and then get bankrupted by the medical bills? As a global traveler I do indeed have a stake in keeping abreast of the particular idiocies of the countries I visit. In these modern times should you really be so blase about the fact that the rest of the world is able to think globally while you seemingly are not? ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2014, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-smug-english/706399/70 "2014-12-05T16:12:51Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > And here we are criticizing the smugness of the English. :rolleyes: The difference is that it’s cute when I do it.😉 ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2014, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-smug-english/706399/71 "2014-12-05T16:15:44Z")
> [@Aquadementia](#): > > But it’s not like England doesn’t have problems either. They are plagued by Viking invasions, tv taxes and blood pudding. And spotted dick. Which I assume is some form of venereal disease. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2014, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-smug-english/706399/72 "2014-12-05T16:18:17Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > And spotted dick. Which I assume is some form of venereal disease. When done well, amazingly delicious and addictive venereal disease. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2014, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-smug-english/706399/73 "2014-12-05T16:19:06Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > But what if the next time I am in the states I get shot by some idiot and then get bankrupted by the medical bills? As a global traveler I do indeed have a stake in keeping abreast of the particular idiocies of the countries I visit. > > In these modern times should you really be so blase about the fact that the rest of the world is able to think globally while you seemingly are not? You choose to come here, correct? If you place money or sightseeing above, as you seemingly see it, your personal safety, then maybe you should change your priorities. You are not your job, you know. Just for shiggles, on any of your (presumably numerous) trips to the US, how many times have you even seen a gun, other than on a police officer’s hip, a store shelf, or a TV screen? ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2014, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-smug-english/706399/74 "2014-12-05T16:21:04Z")
> [@andros](#): > > When done well, amazingly delicious and addictive venereal disease. Which I assume you get from performing some sort of perverted act they euphemistically refer to as “toad in hole.” ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2014, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-smug-english/706399/75 "2014-12-05T16:24:21Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > But what if the next time I am in the states I get shot by some idiot and then get bankrupted by the medical bills? As a global traveler I do indeed have a stake in keeping abreast of the particular idiocies of the countries I visit. If global travel is important to you, perhaps you should buy travel insurance. It’s cheap. Surely you’re responsible enough to pull off the simple act of buying insurance. ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2014, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-smug-english/706399/76 "2014-12-05T16:24:41Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > You choose to come here, correct? If you place money or sightseeing above, as you seemingly see it, your personal safety, then maybe you should change your priorities. You are not your job, you know. And? That I can change the size of the stake I have does not negate that there is a stake on at least some level. > [@](#): > > Just for shiggles, on any of your (presumably numerous) trips to the US, how many times have you even seen a gun, other than on a police officer’s hip, a store shelf, or a TV screen? My favorite was the retired guy in Louisville with the basement full of guns. A very nice old man who showed us his collection and let us fire some of them at a range. Horribly racist though, which is unfortunate. ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2014, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-smug-english/706399/77 "2014-12-05T16:26:17Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > If global travel is important to you, perhaps you should buy travel insurance. It’s cheap. Surely you’re responsible enough to pull off the simple act of buying insurance. What does that have to do with gun laws? Even when I have insurance I still prefer not to get shot. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2014, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-smug-english/706399/78 "2014-12-05T16:30:51Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > And? That I can change the size of the stake I have does not negate that there is a stake on at least some level. Only if we re-define stake so broadly as to lose any legitimate meaning. > [@bucketybuck](#): > > My favorite was the retired guy in Louisville with the basement full of guns. A very nice old man who showed us his collection and let us fire some of them at a range. Horribly racist though, which is unfortunate. So, once? And in a non-threatening, recreational setting? That is some powerful incentive for us to revamp our laws to suit you, right there. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2014, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-smug-english/706399/79 "2014-12-05T17:31:38Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > What does that have to do with gun laws? Even when I have insurance I still prefer not to get shot. I prefer not to get killed by a drunk driver, too, but I wouldn’t go work in Ireland and spend my time insulting the Irish for being drunk yahoos who kill each other on the roads a lot. It is indisputably true that Ireland has a significant problem with drunk driving, more so than most countries, but If I came into your workplace in Ireland and starting mouthing off about the drunken Irish careening around the roads killing people, that would be an act of monumental assholery. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_of\_Words](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f6c823/32.png) [@Jack\_of\_Words](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_of_Words)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2014, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-smug-english/706399/80 "2014-12-05T18:09:01Z")
> [@andros](#): > > _coughUKIPcoughcoughEnochPowellcough_ CoughLynchingssplutterSegregationcoughAttica!atishoo Of course we have racists. Quaint, olde english racists who we ignore, and eccentric buffoons who we mock. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-smug-english/706399.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-smug-english/706399.md?page=5)