USC Clueless Families?

[Brad and Vika 129]

Viktoria and her family were shocked when I explained to them that many Americans could not find Ukraine on a map, and some are not even sure what part of the world it is in. I get "that's in Russia, right?" all the time. I used to try and educate, but it was useless - now that there are "SO many countries that used to just be Russia (not the USSR)", it is just too tough to keep it straight. And in response to the OP, most Eastern Europeans are well acquainted with our location on a map, and many are much more familiar with our history and politics than USCs are (although the education bears a fairly socialist slant IMO).

What really blows my mind is that for a number of years we have been at war in two countries that many STILL cannot find on a map. Remedial geography and world civics any one?

[Teacher Mark 53]

The groundwork for my geographical knowledge came from playing Risk with my Brother. I would always try to grab the Ukraine and hold on to it at all costs.

[Brad and Vika 129]

The groundwork for my geographical knowledge came from playing Risk with my Brother. I would always try to grab the Ukraine and hold on to it at all costs.

Well you have a point there. I suppose to find Ukraine on a map, you have to be able to spell it, or at least approximate a spelling of it. Maybe that is the problem (or another one) Oh wait a minute! Students today would also have to spell Risk - to get the game.

Edited February 1, 2009 by Brad and Vika

[Dr. Obvious 49]

I didn't really know anything about Laos beyond it was *somewhere* in Southeast Asia before my brother started going out with (and is now engaged to) a naturalized US citizen from Laos. I guess we'll have to add Germans to the pot because my husband didn't know sheet about Laos either before he met her. Now we both know a bit about Laos, like exactly where it is, its government, some about its culture, language, and food. But if we hadn't met her, we'd probably all still be clueless about Laos.

[Brad and Vika 129]

I didn't really know anything about Laos beyond it was *somewhere* in Southeast Asia before my brother started going out with (and is now engaged to) a naturalized US citizen from Laos. I guess we'll have to add Germans to the pot because my husband didn't know sheet about Laos either before he met her. Now we both know a bit about Laos, like exactly where it is, its government, some about its culture, language, and food. But if we hadn't met her, we'd probably all still be clueless about Laos.

But could you spell Laos?

[Dr. Obvious 49]

I would have known how to spell it, but there aren't that many letters and it is pretty phonetic.

[Brad and Vika 129]

I would have known how to spell it, but there aren't that many letters and it is pretty phonetic.

Well there it is - Germans are ahead of the game

[NickD 203]

Ha, with the advent of the internet found many relatives in this country I didn't know about and had questions about our ancestry. Most were simply concerned about putting food on the table and making enough money to pay their taxes. Some were concerned about walking to the corner grocery store without getting robbed. Very few could even name the cities or towns our ancestors came from, what the hell, we are here, and that is the only thing that is important.

Two world wars were a disaster in trying to locate records, ah, what the heck, we are here. Big question is, where are we headed from here?

[JelloShotGirl 0]

For some weird reason, my brother has it in his head my husband is more like a Japanese? I have no idea why....................my mother was shocked that they have malls in the Philippines, LOL I guess she only thinks they are in the US. The only one in my family that understand is my dad cuz he went there before . People think my husband eats "chinese food" and uses chopsticks......................................

[Dr. Obvious 49]

I would have known how to spell it, but there aren't that many letters and it is pretty phonetic.

Well there it is - Germans are ahead of the game

We're lucky it is spelled the same in both languages.

[Reba 2]

After I moved here, I had more than one person ask me where Canada is. Now that's pathetic, cuz it's like... attached.

[lostinblue 1,989]

The groundwork for my geographical knowledge came from playing Risk with my Brother. I would always try to grab the Ukraine and hold on to it at all costs.

Risk was played often in our household also.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risk_(game)

[peejay 327]

Belarus isn't exactly a well known country. I already knew a lot about it even before I met my wife because my mom's parents were born there. My wife is a Belarusian citizen, but was born in Russia. She is ethnic Russian. My grandparents were ethnic Belarusians. What is the difference? I can't really tell any major differences and have traveled in both countries. Belarusians have attempted to revive the Belarusian language, but most Belarusians speak Russian and don't even know the Belarusian language. Russians, Belarusians, and Ukrainians were the Slavic peoples within the USSR. I have found all three to be very similar to my American eyes.

When Americans ask my wife and stepdaughter where they are from they just tell them, Russia. It is a lot easier than trying to explain the geography, history, and peoples of the region.

[Laura+Tom 2]

I got a bit fed up explaining to Tom's friends the difference between Great Britain, United Kingdom and England. Now I just tell people to google it lol.

Edited February 1, 2009 by Laura+Tom

[alienlovechild 75]

I'd rather hear stupid questions about other countries than no curiousity at all. Most people don't ask any questions either because they don't care, afraid they'll look stupid or think you'll get indignant you don't anything about their country.

There are about 200 independent countries and some are so small or have had little impact on the modern world that naturally a lot of people may not be familiar with their location or significance.