Quote of the day

[ardcarp]

Was it M. Barnier (or was it J-C Juncker?) who said "I am speaking in English today because everybody understands it. But nobody understands the English".

[teamsaint]

More divisive nonsense doesn't really make for a great quote IMO.

But then we always have to be bashing somebody, don't we ?

[DracoM]

Was it M. Barnier (or was it J-C Juncker?) who said "I am speaking in English today because everybody understands it. But nobody understands the English".

Top posting. And given what he's been through with us for X years, understandable weary humour!

[teamsaint]

Whichever one it was doubtless gets well paid for the work.No sympathy on that score.

The answer to our problems is certainly do not lie in demonising the English. That is creating a problem, not a solution.
Because that is no better or worse than doing the same thing to another nationality.

[LeMartinPecheur]

More divisive nonsense doesn't really make for a great quote IMO.

But then we always have to be bashing somebody, don't we ?

ts: are you really claiming that you understand the English? Isn't understanding us the modern equivalent of 'the Eastern Question' (as per 1066 And All That, is it)?

[MrGongGong]

Top posting. And given what he's been through with us for X years, understandable weary humour!

Exactly
Given that he has had to put up with an endless parade of lying incompetent d*ckheads it seems quite mild to me.

[teamsaint]

ts: are you really claiming that you understand the English? Isn't understanding us the modern equivalent of 'the Eastern Question' (as per 1066 And All That, is it)?

No of course not I’m not claiming that

The concept of understanding or not understanding an entire people is utter nonsense.

[ardcarp]

The reason the quote struck a chord with me (this is a music forum after all ) is that our personal French friends are really baffled by what is going on in the UK. There is, coupled with the incompréhension, a certain pity too.....not a condescending pity, just sorrow for our confused state.

[teamsaint]

The reason the quote struck a chord with me (this is a music forum after all ) is that our personal French friends are really baffled by what is going on in the UK. There is, coupled with the incompréhension, a certain pity too.....not a condescending pity, just sorrow for our confused state.

I think we have all encountered such comments and feelings.

A pity though that a politician can’t express himself more sensitively,especially right now.

[gurnemanz]

To me the quote is perfectly valid. The English (not Scots or Irish) voted for division from their nearest neighbours and I have also found that this is what so many Europeans can't understand. The prevailing reaction of the Europeans - friends, family and total strangers - I have spoken to since the referendum is not to dislike or to desire to "bash" the English but disappointment and bafflement. Bafflement at the ongoing national agony which we have inflicted on ourselves, the increased hate crime and internal division. Bafflement that we have wasted so much time and effort time trying to achieve something which is not worth achieving.

[Bryn]

To me the quote is perfectly valid. The English (not Scots or Irish) voted for division from their nearest neighbours and I have also found that this is what so many Europeans can't understand. The prevailing reaction of the Europeans - friends, family and total strangers - I have spoken to since the referendum is not to dislike or to desire to "bash" the English but disappointment and bafflement. Bafflement at the ongoing national agony which we have inflicted on ourselves, the increased hate crime and internal division. Bafflement that we have wasted so much time and effort time trying to achieve something which is not worth achieving.

It's the way the referendum went on Wales that puzzles me.

[LMcD]

To me the quote is perfectly valid. The English (not Scots or Irish) voted for division from their nearest neighbours and I have also found that this is what so many Europeans can't understand. The prevailing reaction of the Europeans - friends, family and total strangers - I have spoken to since the referendum is not to dislike or to desire to "bash" the English but disappointment and bafflement. Bafflement at the ongoing national agony which we have inflicted on ourselves, the increased hate crime and internal division. Bafflement that we have wasted so much time and effort time trying to achieve something which is not worth achieving.

Well said!

[teamsaint]

Lots of Scots and Irish and Welsh voted leave. Lots of English voted remain.


The idea of understanding or not understanding an entire people is absurd.

[Pulcinella]

Lots of Scots and Irish and Welsh voted leave. Lots of English voted remain.


The idea of understanding or not understanding an entire people is absurd.

That may well be true, but sadly the actions of a few can taint opinion of the whole: think of the behaviour of drunken louts on stag parties in Prague, which reflects badly on all those back home.
The current behaviour of the UK Government (which many foreigners will think of as English) has certainly done us no favours, both here and abroad, and it is not surprising to me that the whole English race is now roundly condemned as untrustworthy and delusional at best.

[Stanfordian]

Lots of Scots and Irish and Welsh voted leave. Lots of English voted remain.


The idea of understanding or not understanding an entire people is absurd.

Lots of English voted to leave as well!

My opinion of MPs was low before Brexit. Now I can only think of MPs in terms of expletives.