Anglo-Saxon
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February 2, 2008· Filed Under
Life in Italy
Being from the UK, I am considered by Italians to be someone from an Anglo-Saxon culture. This makes me chuckle because for me ‘Anglo-Saxon’ sort of conjures up images of a people clad in fur and who rally to the war cries of a queen going by the name of Boadicea.
Before anyone corrects me, I know that Boadicea had nothing to do with Anglo-Saxons. Anyway, I sure you’ll be happy to hear that I rarely wear fur and know nobody by the name of Boadicea. I’m not even your average pagan either.
Just a funny thought for the day, that’s all.
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RARELY wear fur?
Tsk tsk tsk
Stereotypes - gotta love ‘em. I get the same - when people discover I’m american they assume I was raised on a steady diet of hot dogs, fries and Coke. In truth, I didn’t see a MacDonald’s until my second year of college.
As you know I’m not a big fan of TV, much less of TV game shows. But there’s one that I thought was interesting - I Soliti Ignoti, in which the contestant is required to guess the professional identity of other contestants based only on their appearance. I think they’re allowed to ask for clues, but the clues are always scarce and vague. In order to win any money, the contestant must put all his/her stereotyping powers to use, usually without much success. It’s an interesting concept, though like most TV, once you’ve seen one episode you’ve seen ‘em all.
Gege’
(I’m not wearing fur at the moment;))
Yes, stereotypes are fun things. And, from what you say, I Soliti Ignoti would appear to prove just how unreliable stereotyping is. I have not seen this show - as soon as I see that something is a ‘game show’, I go and do something more interesting, like washing the dishes.
Kind regards,
Alex
In Turkey they always called me a christian and I tried and tried to explain but that was me, the christian.
As they were good friends being stunningly hospitable and feeding me beautiful Turkish food, I survived.
Hi Di,
I think that the stereotyping of others is almost inevitable, and it is not always done negatively, and it does not mean that people detest you. Not at all - as you found in Turkey.
I don’t mind being stereotyped. In fact, I find it interesting to hear just how those from England, in my case are viewed - positively or negatively.
Stereotypes are a little like legends, in that they are often contain elements of truth.
All the best,
Alex
I’m with you, Alex - don’t mind being stereotyped. And being stereotyped as an american would be the least of it! As for switchng off the game show for something more interesting, I reach for the Q-Tips!
Di, in Italy they assume you’re a Christian… unless you’re a different color from them. Then you’re an extra-communitario! I always love to point out that I am an extra-communitario too, as an american, and they always go, “Ma NOOO!!! We didn’t mean…!!!”
Gege’ - I do manage to buck the stereotype and the reaction is amusing!
Italians inevitably ask me which football team I support, and when I reply that I don’t support any team, they find it very odd that someone from a supposedly football mad country like the UK does not like football!
Regards,
Alex
Stereotypes? I do not think Italian people use the term ‘Anglo-Saxon’ in this way, since the average Italian knows nothing about who the real Anglo-Saxons were (while they exactly know what a hot dog is lol). I would rather say it is just a habit. They got used to indicate English-speaking countries and the term remained and it is widely used. I think it is in this way that many words are created in languages, thru habit.
Take the modern French word for the Germans: “Allemands”. It became a habit for them to call the Germans in this way since they had to suffer the invasion of the German Alemanni first, I presume, so the word stuck, even though the Alemanni were only one of the numerous Germans tribes.
Best regards
from
Man of Roma
Man of Roma,
You know, I think you may be right in a sense, in that the Italian use of ‘Anglo-Saxon’ is not really intended to stereotype those of us from Anglo-Saxon lands.
However, being referred to as someone from such a culture does make me feel as if I’m being stereotyped, even if that is not what is taking place.
I think, as you say, really, the Italian use of Anglo-Saxon is really meant to differentiate cultures, and not much more.
But, when I hear this expression, it still makes me smile - not that it offends me.
I suppose I think it’s just rather archaic, I mean, I would have expected it if we were living back in the middle ages, but to hear this expression in the 21st century is something I find rather quaint.
Even more odd is that I cannot think of an equivalent way to describe Italians in English, aside from the coverall term ‘continentals’, which some English use to differentiate themselves from those who live on mainland Europe.
‘Continentals’ is slightly disparaging in that the implication is that Britons believe they are more forward thinking and less stuck in their ways than those who inhabit the continent.
Having lived on ‘the continent’ for some years now, I can say that some aspects of English culture are possibly better, whereas other aspects are worse. Examples would be the English drinking far too much, and the Italians having a far greater sense of family.
Oddly enough, Italians are not as proud of their nation as are the English for example. I know that there are historical reasons for the lack of national unity in Italy and years of unstable government have not helped matters.
Sorry if I’ve veered away from your points, but, like most things, the reasons for use of the expression/reference like Anglo-Saxon, Allemands etc are more complicated than they appear at first sight.
I have to admit that I did not expect this short post to have generated the discussion it has - but I like it!
Kind regards and have a nice weekend,
Alex
This is one of the beauties of blogging after all: discussion.
Have a nice weekend too.
Man of Roma
By the way, I have written just now a post regarding the relationship between UK and the continent. A comment on that from an Englishman like you, if possible, would be welcome. Hope you do not take my post badly thpugh lol. My love for the British people hasn’t suddenly changed.
If I can bear some grudge (well, sort of) for their not liking a tighter political unification of Europe, I understand very well their point of view. Only, I am asking myself in my post, is this traditional policy still valid today?
It is a pleasure to interact with you.
All my best regards.
Man of Roma
PS
The problem still remains: how can I call the ‘Anglo-Saxons’ in a more correct way, when I am writing in English?