Top Gear

[klingelton]

Ok, i've just finished watching top gear from sunday night.

For all those who don't have the pleasure of seeing it, i recommend you watch it, it's hilarious.

If you havn't seen top gear before, it's basically 3 aging english gentlemen who talk about usually fast and expensive cars and how it'll do something that the vast majority of us will never get to do (300mph, handbrake turns without feeling guilty of shredding tires.) This episode was different however.

Every once in a while, the top gear team, consisting of Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson and James May, set out on some rediculous task. in the past it's been building amphibious cars, making a soft top people carrier etc, but this time the challenge was to drive across america in 3 cars procured for less than 1000$ (about £500).

Suffice to say, the cars they purchased wern't exactly sound in design, each one having it's own specific niggle; more affectionately known as a "character".

They had to drive from Florida to New Orleans, about a 900 mile journey. Along the way they were set side challenges. camp out eating nothing but roadkill, drive through alabama with curious hate stirring slogans about the president, god, homosexuality, country music and nascar. Now this type of thing, although not really big in the UK would not receive the same amount of attention as it did in Alabama. For example, if someone wrote "Monarchy Sux" on the side of their Ford fiesta mark 1, nobody would bat an eyelid. If they wrote "Cliff Richard is rubbish" on the side of their rover 75, some people would agree and the driver may receive a medal. however in alabama they took it rather seriously.

the question posed by this rather long post would be:-

Does this kind of thing really happen in America? would somebody be killed for what they had written on the side of their car?

if you don't understand what i've just written here, watch the episode (season 9 episode 3) and you'll understand. It's hilariously funny in the way that i beleive the vast majority of americans think we brits have got crazy ideals (i heard for example on american lady on the train pose the question "do the english have gas heating?" and an american gentleman on the tube postulate that "the english language is backwards, the american language is much better because it's moved on and not stayed stagnant.") yet in America, according to this film, gun crime is rife, people are being murdered for being athiest, black, devil worshippers, jewish, mormon, and any other thing that a particular set of people don't like.

I know there are alot of americans on this board. this post should provoke some response, and i know america is a great nation, but why do we never hear of these apparent problems. Please tell me this is only localised to a very small area and that my potential holiday to arizona this year won't be dogged by large gun touting afro american pimp daddies!

Set the world straight. How great is your country!! (p.s. if you live somewhere other than america, feel free to tout your country's greatness to me as well, and i may well change my mind about america and visit there instead!)

Don't hate me for this one!

[Ironcat]

I suspect the answer is the same as it would be anywhere in the world.

"It depends" ... It depends on where you go and what you say and who is around when you say it.

If you were to go thru New York City or Los Angeles with "Nascar Sucks!" painted on your car I bet noone would give a damn.
If you were to do the same thing in North Carolina, you'd likely be buying yourself a new windshield.

Hell, I have personally seen people get out at a traffic light and fight over whether Ford or Chevy was better. That was in Blue Ridge, Georgia and while I personally side with Chevy, the Ford guy kicked his ass.

[Bucko]

I love Top Gear, unfortunatly down here in the Colonies, we are only up to Season 7, after only starting with season 5 as our first, so I'll have to wait a couple of years to see it (assuming it doesn't get canned in the mean time that is).

[Scotty]

Top Gear is awesome, shame hammond nearly died twice in that episode, the corcs in the river and in alabama, i think hes got a guardian angel i mean no one should have been there saving james, especially not hammond, stupid idot should have just run, he always buys a crap car.

[Crimson Sky]

If you put "hate stirring slogans" on any car in any part of the world seeking publicity you are asking for trouble. It's like poking a bee's nest with a short stick. Bee's will sting you no matter what country they are in, or what language they buzz in.


If you judge a country by some car show on television or any media for that matter, you're even more ignorant than what you may have witnessed on the show. Personally I don't care if you decide to visit the US, France or decide to just hang around your house in your underpants. Fear is ignorance.

[Scotty]

If you put "hate stirring slogans" on any car in any part of the world seeking publicity you are asking for trouble. It's like poking a bee's nest with a short stick. Bee's will sting you no matter what country they are in.

They will!?"?! *puts stick down and runs*

[AJ@PR]

If you put "hate stirring slogans" on any car in any part of the world seeking publicity you are asking for trouble. It's like poking a bee's nest with a short stick. Bee's will sting you no matter what country they are in, or what language they buzz in.


If you judge a country by some car show on television or any media for that matter, you're even more ignorant than what you may have witnessed on the show. Personally I don't care if you decide to visit the US, France or decide to just hang around your house in your underpants. Fear is ignorance.
Seconded.

[onelegout]

As a British person who's been to many different states, and experienced many different societies in America, I'd have to agree with Ironcat. America is a very diverse country. Opinions and attitudes vary depending on where you are, and in my opinion, any blanket statement on the attitude or nature of 'Americans' is absurd.

As for what top gear did with bumper stickers in Alabama...
Imagine an American TV show decide to test the tolerance of the British public, by walking through a high-rise council flat estate in Manchester wearing a gay pride Tshirt. I'm sure you can see my point here; if you go looking for a response, you will find it.

The great majority of US citizens are good people, unfortunately western society seems to be plagued by ignorance and many, many people have discriminatory views on people of other faith, creed, colour, sexuality, etc. etc. and it seems that those who are most ignorant, are also outspoken. The simple fact is that you don't hear about people who are down to earth, because they don't make good stereotypes. They are unremarkable, whereas those who display ignorance quickly become the ones under the spotlight.

Try to go to America with an open mind; don't look for the bad in people and don't expect the worst. But be aware that you can find yourself in a lot of trouble for things which wouldn't be a problem in Britain, like walking through the wrong neighborhood wearing the wrong colours. Just last week my brother was walking home from work in Atlanta, GA and was mugged by a guy who held a loaded Glock 21 to his temple....

Have a good time in Arizona, it's a beautiful place and the people are friendly. How long are you going for?
H

[Crimson Sky]

Anyway, I noticed the thread got locked Crim. Why the change of heart?

-Jeremy


because I'm the ruler of the small country called TBCS. I can open my borders or close it at will ;)

[Airbozo]

because I'm the ruler of the small country called TBCS. I can open my borders or close it at will ;)

I hereby elect you for the Border Czar position.



FYI: What Minty said. I don't go to Britain looking to see people with bad teefs, nor do I go to Ireland expecting drunken brawls on every street corner. Nor do I go to Scotland expecting every man to be wearing Kilts and playing the bagpipes. Yes there are stereotypes and some people do fit into those stereotypes, IF you look for them.

Arizona is not my first choice of states to visit (not because of anything bad...), but there are lots of fun things to do. Take some hikes and explore the desert a little. What time of year are you going to be there? What part of Arizona are you visiting?

[onelegout]

Minty - Point taken, I didn't mean that 'if you walk through the wrong neighborhood wearing the wrong colours you will get shot', I meant that although 'fear is ignorance', you've got to be careful and stay safe.

I guess that some might think of me as paranoid saying stuff like that, but as a graffiti writer I know all too well that being in the wrong place at the wrong time can get nasty, so just be streetwise and don't take unneccesary risks. We've all heard the horror stories of violence, and gang crime, but I hear it every day so I guess it makes me watch my back especialy when in big cities.

So basicly what I'm trying to say is that America just like any other country, is totaly safe so long as you don't take unneccesary risks.

It's realy annoying because the few times that I've been to arizona in my life, I was quite young and to me then most of it just looked the same. I wish I could go there now, as a photographer now I wish I had the chance to tour Arizona with my camera!

Minty - California is a great place! A few years ago I travelled the whole coast from top to bottom then down into mexico. My brother lives in San Diego so I go and see him ever so often, it's so awesome because you've got great surf, mexico's on your doorstep, and Big Bear (an all-mountain snowboard park resort) is only 3 hours drive away!
H

[DaveW]

Glasgow was the Murder Capital or Europe last year. This is where i live. It's also one the most cultured places i've ever been, and won the City of Architecture of Design award, i think it was 2002? Anyway, people are just people, they do crazy **** all the time, no matter where you are, what you're doing. So get used to it.

Welcome to Glasgow, city of Architecture, Design, and Murderin'.

-Dave

[Crimson Sky]

I lived through some of the very very roughest times in Brooklyn, New York in the 70's, 80's and 90's. Crime was at an all time high, and I didnt exactly run with the best crowd. The worst that ever happened to me was a few sideways glances here and there. You are more likely to experience harm and or violence from someone close or even very close to you than you are random acts. Thats a fact everywhere.

Today NYCity is one of the best and safest places to visit--it's the center of the world. You wouldnt want to miss a chance to see it.

[DaveW]

Crimson, you reminded me of one of the most ****ed up stories i ever heard in Glasgow. This guy was beating up a girl in an Alleyway, and a paser buy notices. So he runs in and kicks the guys ass. And how does the girl repay him?

Get this. She bites his ear off. No joke. I tried looking up the news story but all i could find was stuff about Mike Tyson, so you'll have to take my word for it. :)


The worst that ever happened to me was a few sideways glances here and there.

Everybody's thinking the same thing: i don't know that guy. You don't know them, they don't know you, and no-one really wants to **** with anyone. So i'd say you're 99% correct there, excluding the above oddity. :D

-Dave

[Crimson Sky]

Yah its a bad idea to get involved in a lover's argument or even a fight, unless its absolutely necessary to save someone from real harm. In most cases, the couple will both attack you. sad but true.

In any situation, Its all about how you carry yourself. Seasoned urbanites like myself have that hardened, street weary 1000 yard stare that most criminals avoid the likes of. If they think you'll put up any kind of fight, they move on. Humans are predators. they can smell fear on the weak.

[onelegout]

Yah its a bad idea to get involved in a lover's argument or even a fight, unless its absolutely necessary to save someone from real harm. In most cases, the couple will both attack you. sad but true.

In any situation, Its all about how you carry yourself. Seasoned urbanites like myself have that hardened, street weary 1000 yard stare that most criminals avoid the likes of. If they think you'll put up any kind of fight, they move on. Humans are predators. they can smell fear on the weak.
So true.