Pet Hate! "Europe"

Dizzy · Aug 6, 2012

Europe is a continent.

If you say - "this person in Europe" or "I'm travelling to Europe" it means NOTHING. Nadda. Nowt.

That's like me saying "I'm travelling to the Southern Hemisphere next summer". It tells you nothing!

There are like a MILLION countries (slight exaggeration) and they're ALL completely different. Languages, climates, people, cultures....!

If you can't specify which country IN Europe you're referring to, maybe you shouldn't be referring to them! Or buy a map

opcorn:

/end rant :spam:

(and I'm pretty sure I've referred to "Africa" as a place before too.... which I'm sure must REALLY grate on African's like it does us Europeans :lol-sign: )

Emily · Aug 6, 2012

Hmmm well I just referred to Europe, knowing full well that's it's a continent and also knowing full well that I DID NOT remember what country in Europe.

So... um... so sad, too bad? I still think I have the right to refer to Europe as a continent. *shrug*

Dizzy · Aug 6, 2012

Emily said:

Someone missed the smilies and the Africa bit

opcorn:

Emily · Aug 6, 2012

Dizzy said:

Nope, I saw them.

sassafras · Aug 6, 2012

You might be amazed how different the subcultures, people, climates, and terrain of the different regions/states of the USA vary, as well.

Greenmagick · Aug 6, 2012

I think often people go on vacation and do go to multiple countries...so yes, its easier to say "I am traveling to Europe" then to mention the multiple destinations

JessLough · Aug 6, 2012

Eh. People refer to us (North America) as America -- they don't even specify which. United States of America = country. America = one of 2 continents.

I just don't bother spending the energy to be annoyed by it

Referring to it as Europe absolutely means something. Like it or not, it's your continent, so when they say Europe, they are referring to a place. It's often used instead of naming off multiple countries (it's much easier to say "I'm going to Europe" than to make off 5 countries you'll be visiting on vacation).

ETA: southern hemisphere is not a continent. No, it's really not the same thing.

Dizzy · Aug 6, 2012

sassafras said:

I know this!

In fact, trying to explain to my other half that America isn't just made up of cities with macdonalds is the hard part

Dizzy · Aug 6, 2012

JessLough said:

Eh. People refer to us (North America) as America -- they don't even specify which. United States of America = country. America = one of 2 continents.

I just don't bother spending the energy to be annoyed by it

Referring to it as Europe absolutely means something. Like it or not, it's your continent, so when they say Europe, they are referring to a place. It's often used instead of naming off multiple countries (it's much easier to say "I'm going to Europe" than to make off 5 countries you'll be visiting on vacation).

ETA: southern hemisphere is not a continent. No, it's really not the same thing.

Aren't you Canadian? :lol-sign:

eddieq · Aug 6, 2012

Dizzy said:

In your other half's defense, pretty much every where you go here, you can find McDonald's

That's why all Americans are fat. We also all have guns and drive pickup trucks :rofl1:

Emily · Aug 6, 2012

I was discussing horses with a South African woman who very patiently explained her "little tiny kidney bean shaped saddle" that used in a type of riding called "English". :rofl1:

I let her finish, and then informed her that I had been riding English my entire life and showed my horse in hunters and equitation over fences. She said, "Oh, I just thought you all rode Western and wore cowboy hats."

YEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHAWWWWW! LOL :rofl1:

sparks19 · Aug 6, 2012

Yeah I don't get the big deal either. If we are going to complain about people referring to the continent instead of the country why not complain about people referring to the country instead of the exact city... or street... or building number.

when someone has said to me "I'm going down to the states this weekend" it prompts me to say "Oh yeah? where abouts?" and then they tell me where and then I say "oh cool... what are you planning to do there" and we have a conversation. rather than "hey this weekend I am going to hershey pennsylvania and we are going to go to Hershey park and do some shopping." and then I say "oh ... fun. have a good time" and that's the end of what could have been a conversation lol.

it's just a good conversation starter

JessLough · Aug 6, 2012

Dizzy said:

Yes, I'm still in North America LOL (that's what I meant by being referred to as American, people will lump US/Canada/Mexico as "America" without specifying which continent-- north or south)

Wait, we aren't just places with McDonalds?! I pass like 4 of them on my 10 minute ride home... :rofl1:

sparks19 · Aug 6, 2012

JessLough said:

No... you also have Tim Hortons lol

JessLough · Aug 6, 2012

sparks19 said:

Yeah I don't get the big deal either. If we are going to complain about people referring to the continent instead of the country why not complain about people referring to the country instead of the exact city... or street... or building number.

when someone has said to me "I'm going down to the states this weekend" it prompts me to say "Oh yeah? where abouts?" and then they tell me where and then I say "oh cool... what are you planning to do there" and we have a conversation. rather than "hey this weekend I am going to hershey pennsylvania and we are going to go to Hershey park and do some shopping." and then I say "oh ... fun. have a good time" and that's the end of what could have been a conversation lol.

it's just a good conversation starter

Come on now... We all know you're Canadian, and we all know you know Ted in Toronto.

Dizzy · Aug 6, 2012

eddieq said:

Oh god, don't tell him that, it'll set back all my hard work!!!!!!!!!

I am hoping to take him over one day, but he has very fixed ideas on the place. But he has grown up in Wales (they're a backwards race, very sheltered... don't really understand the world lol Traffic lights freak him out

I do tell him everything i post about him by the way LOL).

JessLough · Aug 6, 2012

Obviously you need to bring him to Quebec. Traffic lights don't exist (or that's how the drivers act)

sparks19 · Aug 6, 2012

JessLough said:

Of course... he's my second cousins uncles brothers best friends friend of a friends son in law

:rofl1:

Fran101 · Aug 6, 2012

I say Europe lol but only before I explain further.. like I said things like "Oh this summer I went to Eurotrip! I did Paris, London, Edinburgh etc.."

but yea I've also heard people here in London tell me "Oh I went to the US last year! I went to New york and Miami!"

I think as long as you qualify the term with the specifics after, you are fine in my book.

but yea, I also hate hearing "Oh we went to Europe, it was so great! We love Europe!"

I also hate "Oh god I love England! I was in London for 2 days and loved it there!" lol so now London represents ALL of England? haha

CaliTerp07 · Aug 6, 2012

Both times I've been to Europe I visited multiple countries since they're all so small. It was easier to say "I'm headed to Europe for vacation this summer" and then only go into details when asked. Saying, "I'm going to Denmark, Germany, Russia, Finland, and Sweden" just sounds pompous.

There are things that are fairly ubiquitous around Europe though, in all the countries I've visited (the Baltics and the Med regions). Public transportation is wide spread, prices are more expensive than in the US, bathrooms are called "W.C's", etc. So every once in a while it's accurate to make a statement about "Europe" without really having to restrict the country.

Pet Hate! "Europe"

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