Questions Game

Well just listen my chickadee.You are in England so just nip into a newsagents shop and invest in a copy of VIZ.Some people,not a few,think that buttoned up language is "shockingly inappropriate" for reasons I will refrain from explaining.

Do you not know something of that?

I can't say I know much about the internal, social workings of UK. The only things I know are the weather and its part of Europe.

Yep, that's it.


What do you know about Australia?

Good question, prag-! What do we all really know about each other and of individual homelands, etc.
I know a bit of Australia, but not much: the Sydney opera house, digeridoos (sp?), aborigines (sp?) Foster's, weather opposite of ours here in the northern hemisphere, and your drains run opposite too! Oh, and soccer (or is it football there too?), the Sydney Olympics, excellent diving-Great Barrier Reef. Well, I've said 'everything and nothing', haven't I?

What do you know of the US - or are you from here, I've forgotten.

Prag's from Austrailia (or so she says) and do we have any reason whatsoever to doubt her? I've always found her to be kind, straightforward and a good listener- and just look at that face - who could ever doubt the sincerity of a girl like that?

Did you know I hear so much less naughty language here than I did when I was in the US - I'm talking use of four letter words, not sexual innuendo - which is a type of humor some don't find offensive at all, merely amusing, especially if there's some tastefulness and subtlety involved. In fact, don't the English in general love "bawdy" humor? Or is that just a stereotype we Yanks have cooked up?

Does anyone have any ideas about why there seems to be less cursing (cussing, or use of four letter words, or whatever you call it in your neck of the woods) in England than in the US? (I think it's just one of the many differences that if looked at provides an interesting insight into the differences in the two cultures).

Interesting, because the outward image of the US is this godfearing bunch who faint in horror when Watergate tapes prove that presidents swear. Maybe we're better educated! On the other hand, maybe it's because you live in rural Somerset and not inner Liverpool.


Don't you feel that loud swearing is noise pollution and should be subject to the same laws?

Totally - especially when I'm out somewhere with my (or any) children. I think you may be right about the rural versus urban atmosphere as well. Funny you should say what you did about education - my visitors- whom were fellow teachers with me in the US said that their impression is that the least educated British seem better educated than the least educated Americans- from what little they've seen. I would tend to agree.

The US attitudes toward sex are so contradictory. On one hand we act like a bunch of puritans - but on the other you can't go anywhere or do anything without having it in your face every single moment. Confusing for everyone I think. Maybe that's why there's so much miscommunication and violence around it.

Do you think the English truly enjoy bawdy humor as a people - or do you think that's a stereotype we Americans got from watching Benny Hill too much?

Probably! I think a lot of TV humour has been like that for years, but it's not very subtle, seems a bit tired and 'music hall' and obvious nowadays. I must say i'm proud of belonging to a nation famous for their self-deprecating humour - The Office for example, which is a mirror of so many people's lives, voted the best humorous programme on TV. British humour is one of the best reasons to stay here, I feel!


Do you like The Office type of humour?

I don't have a tv - so I am woefully ignorant of what British tv is like. One part of the cultural experience I'm missing I'm afraid.

Do you ever laugh at things that you are ashamed you're laughing at?

A bit. Usually I genuinely don't find them funny, unless there is wit or wordplay involved. One of my sons has dreadful taste in sick, sexist and racist jokes - though they don't reflect his character at all I hasten to add - but I mostly don't laugh at those.


Are you in a village or 'downtown Glastonbury'?

Yeah, racism, sexism, homophobic jokes, etc. - never funny - in fact they make my stomach knot up when I hear them.

I'm in a teeny-tiny village.

How big is the village/town you live in?

Totnes is about the same size as Glastonbury, and I'm right in the centre of town but with a secluded walled garden.

Are you working today?

No -but I have to mow the lawn, return books to the library - spend an hour at my volunteer job - apply for my provisional british driver's license (SP? - I just can never spell that word for some reason) - take my son to the job centre to get his work permit - take my daughter to violin lessons-thank god I've already done the laundry! Anyway - I should get my butt moving. Always lovely to talk to you Clary.


Will you be on tonight?

No, I have a friend coming to stay so we'll be talking, drinking...


So a more general question - what sort of landscape 'does it' for you?

The one like Boccaccio describes at the beginning of the Decameron.Where they go to escape the plague.

Have you read that?

You mean :

"Questo orrido cominciamento vi fia non altramenti che a' camminanti una montagna aspra e erta, presso alla quale un bellissimo piano e dilettevole sia reposto, il quale tanto piú viene lor piacevole quanto maggiore è stata del salire e dello smontare la gravezza."

Have you read it in Italian?

No.One of my main mentors,Mr Frank Harris his very self,who spoke about ten languages,advised not speaking any but your own.He claimed other languages distorted your appreciation of your native tongue and distracted your deeper studies of it.

Thank goodness not everybody took his advice though else we wouldn't have these wonderful translations.

What do you think?

Vain claims, those of Mr. Harris...

I think I can plainly appreciate the inner beauty of the original and its translation :

"This horrid beginning will be to you even such as to wayfarers is a steep and rugged mountain, beyond which stretches a plain most fair and delectable, which the toil of the ascent and descent does but serve to render more agreeable to them."

What have you read from Boccaccio?

Francis.

I read it all but it's a long while ago.I have two very nice volumes of it.It's a bit "through a glass sweetly".Part of a way of life.A bit of a shrug.

Have you read Frank Harris?Cav had.

I've not, but he is a rather well-known writer in France.

Probably, "My life and loves" will be my next lecture...

Have you read "Venus in furs"?

Yes.I have it someplace.

Next lecture on Harris eh?What?Without reading it.
I have a first edition in (is it?)five parts.Also a nice hardback and a paperback.I love it.Every young man should have it at his bedside.I first read it at 19.It was in Malta.(what a dump).
Henry Miller tells a tale about measuring Harris up for a new suit in his father's posh tailor's shop in New York.He wore nothing beneath his suit.
You have a real treat ahead Francis.
It isn't popular here of course but it does have a few well connected fans.
Good old Frank loved Shakespeare too much to tell.
Did you know that he invented tabloid journalism?