Question for EU members?

[motoyen]

I'm in Canada and have never been to W. Europe. I just watched the Clarkson video Meet the Neighbors. I realize his videos are always tongue in cheek and really play up the stereo types so if you've seen it I'm curious as to what you thought of his representation of your country?

In the video he seemed to really come down on the Spanish people. Is there any truth to his assessment of the Spanish culture and particularly of the subsidies and if so how do the other EU countries feel about that?

[idk]

You just can not take Jeremy serious in such a topic... You can't in anyway! I've never ever seen or heard of a laughter seminar... Nor have will you find DDR hotels here...

[Cobol74]

P'ah! EU = the work of Satan.

+ YouTube Video

[hajj]

Well let's put it this way: the Spanish collect a lot of subsidies, despite having being one of the fast growing economies in Europe. (They also take the title for the most islamophobic idiots, but that's just their heritage really). But they are also among the hardest hit of the credit crisis, the spanish did profit a lot from foreign money streaming in, house prices are down a lot now and I wonder if the brits will pay more for a shitty drink somewhere in some tourist place in spain than on King's road. So tourism will be down a lot this year as well...

[Vltros]

Originally Posted by motoyen

I'm in Canada and have never been to W. Europe. I just watched the Clarkson video Meet the Neighbors. I realize his videos are always tongue in cheek and really play up the stereo types so if you've seen it I'm curious as to what you thought of his representation of your country?

In the video he seemed to really come down on the Spanish people. Is there any truth to his assessment of the Spanish culture and particularly of the subsidies and if so how do the other EU countries feel about that?

I'm glad you made this question!

In "Clarkson Meets the Neighbours" he went to the "Pais Vasco" a region in the north of the Country. The people there are very different to what you imagine as a "Typical Spanish Person". Traditionally they've been very different to the rest of the country, having their own language and their own history and culture. The same happens in Catalunya (the region where I live) where we speak Catalan and we have our own history (starting at the Greek period) and culture.

In these regions don't expect to see any bullfighting or Flamenco. The same happens with the "siesta" or the slow paced way of living. One fact which is true is that we usually have the 3 hour lunch break every day as we like to eat without a hurry.

I don't like the way Spain is always shown in the foreign countries because it gives a wrong image of our society. We don't party all day (only at weekends like everyone else), we don't like bullfighting (only a minor part of the part likes it), Flamenco is only played in Andalucia (another region south of Spain), we don't dress like Mexicans, we don't live in little white houses and many other things.

Very few times the real Spain is shown, showing the cultural diversity, the many regions and its languages.

"Collons! És que mai ens fan sortir tal i com realment som!"

[the Interceptor]

Originally Posted by idk

You just can not take Jeremy serious in such a topic... You can't in anyway! I've never ever seen or heard of a laughter seminar... Nor have will you find DDR hotels here...

Yes, these seminars exist, I've seen shows on tv where they were shown. Also, such hotels exist. Have a Google search for "DDR Nostalgiehotel".

I think the representation of Germans overall was quite good. Of course, Jeremy picks on the special stuff, so actual daily life is pretty much like in any other western country. However I found the closing sentence of the Germany episode so on the spot and surprisingly insightful that I included it in my sig.

EDIT: laughter seminars: http://www.lachseminare.de/

[Goose+]

He could have been a lot more harsh on France, but instead took it out on Germany.

[motoyen]

Good info Vltros. Germany reminds me of Japan. Very orderly. In Japan they have laughing clubs too, it's called karaoke.

[AiR]

Remember that series is ooooold. Just look at Jeremy's hair.

[idk]

Originally Posted by the Interceptor

Yes, these seminars exist, I've seen shows on tv where they were shown. Also, such hotels exist. Have a Google search for "DDR Nostalgiehotel".

I think the representation of Germans overall was quite good. Of course, Jeremy picks on the special stuff, so actual daily life is pretty much like in any other western country. However I found the closing sentence of the Germany episode so on the spot and surprisingly insightful that I included it in my sig.

EDIT: laughter seminars: http://www.lachseminare.de/

Okey, I didn't doubt that it actually exists. But it's not a common thing to do... Guess u won't find anybody on the street who says he goes there. It's not like playing football in a village club.

I also think that you might find more "traditional Bavarian" ho(s)tels in the USA then here...

PS: Well.. the signature is true You're just not allowed to say anything about the past. Especially anything "good". It has the same effect like calling a black gang member guy nixxer in some very dark back alley somewhere in.. mh... LA?

[Dann]

Well I think his representation of the Netherlands was quite accurate. Amsterdam is a nice mix of wackiness and bureaucracy (you can buy weed from a coffeeshop, but the coffeeshop isnt legally allowed to buy their stock which is a bit odd) and the rest of the netherlands is pure caravaning and chocolate sprinkles as jeremy pointed out

[Vltros]

Originally Posted by motoyen

Good info Vltros. Germany reminds me of Japan. Very orderly. In Japan they have laughing clubs too, it's called karaoke.

Glad to inform!

I went to Germany years ago with a High School trip and yes! I could see they are quite ordered. But British people are too.

The first time I went to London I had a hard time trying to remember that I had to stand on the right on the stairs and corridors of the Tube to give way. Here in Spain you basically go and stay wherever you want, and if somebody is on a hurry... he/she'll have to wait.

[Dsemaj]

2004. It ain't that old.

[motoyen]

idk: Do the Germans talks about the war? Or is it a taboo topic? Is there any kind of German WWII museum?

Dann: I have a 3 day layover in Amsterdam on my next trip to Europe and as a travel writer what would you suggest I see that isn't the typical touristy stuff. Almost the only thing I hear about Holland is that you can smoke weed and the red light district but there's got to be more to the country than that. Do you have any suggestions on what I should see that would make an interesting story?

[Shawn]

Originally Posted by Dsemaj

2004. It ain't that old.

I think he's confusing it with Motorworld.

I think we've had threads on this topic before, most seemed to think it was a very off portrayal by Clarkson. Seems most have changed their stance.

[Vltros]

Originally Posted by motoyen

idk: Do the Germans talks about the war? Or is it a taboo topic? Is there any kind of German WWII museum?

Dann: I have a 3 day layover in Amsterdam on my next trip to Europe and as a travel writer what would you suggest I see that isn't the typical touristy stuff. Almost the only thing I hear about Holland is that you can smoke weed and the red light district but there's got to be more to the country than that. Do you have any suggestions on what I should see that would make an interesting story?

Well, I think what you shoul do is just walk and get lost in the city streets. That's the only way you will discover those little things and people that are real and authentic. People going to buy the fruit at the fruit shops, to the market etc. I've done this in every single city I've visited and I never regreted doing it.

[AiR]

Originally Posted by Dsemaj

2004. It ain't that old.

Wow. At this rate Clarkson will be dead in the next four years.

[hajj]

Originally Posted by AiR

Wow. At this rate Clarkson will be dead in the next four years.

It first aired in May 2002 actually. So it was most likely filmed the year before or so. Compare it the first season of top gear, he has aged for sure.