Did you see the FA are arranging at friendly again

Apparently, despite our victory and the the whole of the Azteca screaming for everything the fans really got on and respected each other.

When I and two mates ran away from the vile California to Mexico in '96, we couldn't afford a hotel {They wanted 75 a head.  We could only spare 20.}  The owner asked why Americans thought they could come to Mexico and get everything for cheap.

We said we weren't Americans, we Brits so we absolutely hated them, and had come to Mexico in the hope of finding some civilisation again.

They  said but don't all you white Anglophones think the same.  I replied:  You're much closer to us - remember Hugo Sanchez's goal in Mexico '86?  They think you play football with your hands.  Backward species.  Thank God we got away.

He said tell you what, I'll give you two rooms, one with a double bed {I had a lovely gf at the time} for a tenner, not 225 if you want.

We thanked him and went to our rooms.  30 minutes later, the owner walked through the unlocked door with his best mate and a 1.75 L bottle of tequila. He said "please tell Juan what you told me. That even though they speak English and are white, the British look down on Americans not us"

We told them the whole story. His mate Juan said something about Americans and "wetbacks."  I asked what a wet back was. They told me that that's what Americans called Mexicans. I asked why? He said it was because the Americans all like to believe that we only got into America by Swimming round the coast.

I said that was disgusting but typical of American racism.

Have you really never heard of wetback?  No.  So what term do you Brits have for us Mexicans?  I said we don't hate you enough to have a term for you. The French are the frogs, the Germans are the Krauts, Spanish dagos etc.  We call the Americans "Septics."

They asked why. I explained about Cockney rhyming slang and septic tank rhyming with yank.  "Another stupid Septic Tank has shot up a school."  "Have you seen what Septic handpumps have done now?"

They were amazed and promised to never think about the British in the same way again.  I think it cheered them up that despite all the vile racial abuse they've had from Americans over the decades, a civilised country will respect a fellow civilised country when they encounter each other.

We finished the tequila and bade each other good night.

So the fact that the English and Mexican football fans have suddenly become best mates doesn't surprise me at all. I'm sure they just bonded over a shared love of football and a shared hatred of America as they downed tequila.

I know it's a case of "we should be thankful for small mercies" - as my Latin teacher said to me on the only occasion I got a question right - but the fact that the FA have rearranged the fixture list so we play each other again and Mexico get a chance of beating us in our national stadium as we've just done to them has kept a smile on my face.

Quoted from Ganpati Goonerz

Apparently, despite our victory and the the whole of the Azteca screaming for everything the fans really got on and respected each other.

When I and two mates ran away from the vile California to Mexico in '96, we couldn't afford a hotel {They wanted 75 a head.  We could only spare 20.}  The owner asked why Americans thought they could come to Mexico and get everything for cheap.

We said we weren't Americans, we Brits so we absolutely hated them, and had come to Mexico in the hope of finding some civilisation again.

They  said but don't all you white Anglophones think the same.  I replied:  You're much closer to us - remember Hugo Sanchez's goal in Mexico '86?  They think you play football with your hands.  Backward species.  Thank God we got away.

He said tell you what, I'll give you two rooms, one with a double bed {I had a lovely gf at the time} for a tenner, not 225 if you want.

We thanked him and went to our rooms.  30 minutes later, the owner walked through the unlocked door with his best mate and a 1.75 L bottle of tequila. He said "please tell Juan what you told me. That even though they speak English and are white, the British look down on Americans not us"

We told them the whole story. His mate Juan said something about Americans and "wetbacks."  I asked what a wet back was. They told me that that's what Americans called Mexicans. I asked why? He said it was because the Americans all like to believe that we only got into America by Swimming round the coast.

I said that was disgusting but typical of American racism.

Have you really never heard of wetback?  No.  So what term do you Brits have for us Mexicans?  I said we don't hate you enough to have a term for you. The French are the frogs, the Germans are the Krauts, Spanish dagos etc.  We call the Americans "Septics."

They asked why. I explained about Cockney rhyming slang and septic tank rhyming with yank.  "Another stupid Septic Tank has shot up a school."  "Have you seen what Septic handpumps have done now?"

They were amazed and promised to never think about the British in the same way again.  I think it cheered them up that despite all the vile racial abuse they've had from Americans over the decades, a civilised country will respect a fellow civilised country when they encounter each other.

We finished the tequila and bade each other good night.

So the fact that the English and Mexican football fans have suddenly become best mates doesn't surprise me at all. I'm sure they just bonded over a shared love of football and a shared hatred of America as they downed tequila.

I know it's a case of "we should be thankful for small mercies" - as my Latin teacher said to me on the only occasion I got a question right - but the fact that the FA have rearranged the fixture list so we play each other again and Mexico get a chance of beating us in our national stadium as we've just done to them has kept a smile on my face.

I worked in Port Canaveral, Florida, in 1986 as a commercial fisherman for a while. The Americans called the Mexicans " wetbacks" and I was told it was because they were only fit for manual work so the backs of shirts were always wet with sweat. They also called the Mexican boats  Taco boats because that's what the said it was all that Mexicans ate. Their attitude to black people was even worse. None of the resident fishing boats had any black people as crewmen. One day a fishing boat arrived in port from South Carolina with an all black crew. It seemed to cause a bit of concern/ animosity with the local fisherman and when I asked why, one of the crewmen on my boat replied " The *iggers place is in the cotton patch" and he said it with total conviction. I was absolutely horrified and wasn't surprised when the boat left 2 days later. Obviously my only experience with mixing/working with ordinary Americans was confined to this one part of the US. Racism in that part of the US was by far worse than anything I have ever experienced anywhere else in the world , including the UK.

Quoted from Ganpati Goonerz

Apparently, despite our victory and the the whole of the Azteca screaming for everything the fans really got on and respected each other.

When I and two mates ran away from the vile California to Mexico in '96, we couldn't afford a hotel {They wanted 75 a head.  We could only spare 20.}  The owner asked why Americans thought they could come to Mexico and get everything for cheap.

We said we weren't Americans, we Brits so we absolutely hated them, and had come to Mexico in the hope of finding some civilisation again.

They  said but don't all you white Anglophones think the same.  I replied:  You're much closer to us - remember Hugo Sanchez's goal in Mexico '86?  They think you play football with your hands.  Backward species.  Thank God we got away.

He said tell you what, I'll give you two rooms, one with a double bed {I had a lovely gf at the time} for a tenner, not 225 if you want.

We thanked him and went to our rooms.  30 minutes later, the owner walked through the unlocked door with his best mate and a 1.75 L bottle of tequila. He said "please tell Juan what you told me. That even though they speak English and are white, the British look down on Americans not us"

We told them the whole story. His mate Juan said something about Americans and "wetbacks."  I asked what a wet back was. They told me that that's what Americans called Mexicans. I asked why? He said it was because the Americans all like to believe that we only got into America by Swimming round the coast.

I said that was disgusting but typical of American racism.

Have you really never heard of wetback?  No.  So what term do you Brits have for us Mexicans?  I said we don't hate you enough to have a term for you. The French are the frogs, the Germans are the Krauts, Spanish dagos etc.  We call the Americans "Septics."

They asked why. I explained about Cockney rhyming slang and septic tank rhyming with yank.  "Another stupid Septic Tank has shot up a school."  "Have you seen what Septic handpumps have done now?"

They were amazed and promised to never think about the British in the same way again.  I think it cheered them up that despite all the vile racial abuse they've had from Americans over the decades, a civilised country will respect a fellow civilised country when they encounter each other.

We finished the tequila and bade each other good night.

So the fact that the English and Mexican football fans have suddenly become best mates doesn't surprise me at all. I'm sure they just bonded over a shared love of football and a shared hatred of America as they downed tequila.

I know it's a case of "we should be thankful for small mercies" - as my Latin teacher said to me on the only occasion I got a question right - but the fact that the FA have rearranged the fixture list so we play each other again and Mexico get a chance of beating us in our national stadium as we've just done to them has kept a smile on my face.

Don’t judge us by your own standards. Personally I like Americans. Don’t knock our allies, we haven’t got many!

Quoted from rancido

I worked in Port Canaveral, Florida, in 1986 as a commercial fisherman for a while. The Americans called the Mexicans " wetbacks" and I was told it was because they were only fit for manual work so the backs of shirts were always wet with sweat. They also called the Mexican boats  Taco boats because that's what the said it was all that Mexicans ate. Their attitude to black people was even worse. None of the resident fishing boats had any black people as crewmen. One day a fishing boat arrived in port from South Carolina with an all black crew. It seemed to cause a bit of concern/ animosity with the local fisherman and when I asked why, one of the crewmen on my boat replied " The *iggers place is in the cotton patch" and he said it with total conviction. I was absolutely horrified and wasn't surprised when the boat left 2 days later. Obviously my only experience with mixing/working with ordinary Americans was confined to this one part of the US. Racism in that part of the US was by far worse than anything I have ever experienced anywhere else in the world , including the UK.

This only happened 40 years ago, so it must still be true.

Quoted from Heisenberg

This only happened 40 years ago, so it must still be true.

I would like to think things have changed since then but I'm not that hopeful. I have 2 daughters and 5 grandchildren in the same area, have visited many times since and I'm in constant contact with them. The feedback I get , especially since The Orange One came to power, indicate that little has changed in that area.

America is a huge place with 360 million people so you’re going get a huge variation within that. My wife is American and I’ve got loads of American family and friends and have been travelling to different parts of the US for 30 years. I’ve seen and heard some bad things in the now-Trump/MAGA Deep South and been through some horrendous and menacing Democrat-run areas. The US is a great place and the people are great on the whole but there are some dark undercurrents mainly down to their completely messed up racial history.

Quoted from HackneyHaddock

America is a huge place with 360 million people so you’re going get a huge variation within that. My wife is American and I’ve got loads of American family and friends and have been travelling to different parts of the US for 30 years. I’ve seen and heard some bad things in the now-Trump/MAGA Deep South and been through some horrendous and menacing Democrat-run areas. The US is a great place and the people are great on the whole but there are some dark undercurrents mainly down to their completely messed up racial history.

I agree that it is a great place and I also met a lot of good people. I mentioned my experiences and did qualify it by saying it was that specific area. I'm sure that visitors from the US or indeed any country could formulate an adverse opinion of the UK by visiting and having contacts in just one area.

Quoted from Ganpati Goonerz

Apparently, despite our victory and the the whole of the Azteca screaming for everything the fans really got on and respected each other.

When I and two mates ran away from the vile California to Mexico in '96, we couldn't afford a hotel {They wanted 75 a head.  We could only spare 20.}  The owner asked why Americans thought they could come to Mexico and get everything for cheap.

We said we weren't Americans, we Brits so we absolutely hated them, and had come to Mexico in the hope of finding some civilisation again.

They  said but don't all you white Anglophones think the same.  I replied:  You're much closer to us - remember Hugo Sanchez's goal in Mexico '86?  They think you play football with your hands.  Backward species.  Thank God we got away.

He said tell you what, I'll give you two rooms, one with a double bed {I had a lovely gf at the time} for a tenner, not 225 if you want.

We thanked him and went to our rooms.  30 minutes later, the owner walked through the unlocked door with his best mate and a 1.75 L bottle of tequila. He said "please tell Juan what you told me. That even though they speak English and are white, the British look down on Americans not us"

We told them the whole story. His mate Juan said something about Americans and "wetbacks."  I asked what a wet back was. They told me that that's what Americans called Mexicans. I asked why? He said it was because the Americans all like to believe that we only got into America by Swimming round the coast.

I said that was disgusting but typical of American racism.

Have you really never heard of wetback?  No.  So what term do you Brits have for us Mexicans?  I said we don't hate you enough to have a term for you. The French are the frogs, the Germans are the Krauts, Spanish dagos etc.  We call the Americans "Septics."

They asked why. I explained about Cockney rhyming slang and septic tank rhyming with yank.  "Another stupid Septic Tank has shot up a school."  "Have you seen what Septic handpumps have done now?"

They were amazed and promised to never think about the British in the same way again.  I think it cheered them up that despite all the vile racial abuse they've had from Americans over the decades, a civilised country will respect a fellow civilised country when they encounter each other.

We finished the tequila and bade each other good night.

So the fact that the English and Mexican football fans have suddenly become best mates doesn't surprise me at all. I'm sure they just bonded over a shared love of football and a shared hatred of America as they downed tequila.

I know it's a case of "we should be thankful for small mercies" - as my Latin teacher said to me on the only occasion I got a question right - but the fact that the FA have rearranged the fixture list so we play each other again and Mexico get a chance of beating us in our national stadium as we've just done to them has kept a smile on my face.

Making sweeping generalisations about the behaviour of a nation of 350m may not be racist given they do not represent one ethnic group but it is certainly xenophobic

Quoted from Ganpati Goonerz

Apparently, despite our victory and the the whole of the Azteca screaming for everything the fans really got on and respected each other.

When I and two mates ran away from the vile California to Mexico in '96, we couldn't afford a hotel {They wanted 75 a head.  We could only spare 20.}  The owner asked why Americans thought they could come to Mexico and get everything for cheap.

We said we weren't Americans, we Brits so we absolutely hated them, and had come to Mexico in the hope of finding some civilisation again.

They  said but don't all you white Anglophones think the same.  I replied:  You're much closer to us - remember Hugo Sanchez's goal in Mexico '86?  They think you play football with your hands.  Backward species.  Thank God we got away.

He said tell you what, I'll give you two rooms, one with a double bed {I had a lovely gf at the time} for a tenner, not 225 if you want.

We thanked him and went to our rooms.  30 minutes later, the owner walked through the unlocked door with his best mate and a 1.75 L bottle of tequila. He said "please tell Juan what you told me. That even though they speak English and are white, the British look down on Americans not us"

We told them the whole story. His mate Juan said something about Americans and "wetbacks."  I asked what a wet back was. They told me that that's what Americans called Mexicans. I asked why? He said it was because the Americans all like to believe that we only got into America by Swimming round the coast.

I said that was disgusting but typical of American racism.

Have you really never heard of wetback?  No.  So what term do you Brits have for us Mexicans?  I said we don't hate you enough to have a term for you. The French are the frogs, the Germans are the Krauts, Spanish dagos etc.  We call the Americans "Septics."

They asked why. I explained about Cockney rhyming slang and septic tank rhyming with yank.  "Another stupid Septic Tank has shot up a school."  "Have you seen what Septic handpumps have done now?"

They were amazed and promised to never think about the British in the same way again.  I think it cheered them up that despite all the vile racial abuse they've had from Americans over the decades, a civilised country will respect a fellow civilised country when they encounter each other.

We finished the tequila and bade each other good night.

So the fact that the English and Mexican football fans have suddenly become best mates doesn't surprise me at all. I'm sure they just bonded over a shared love of football and a shared hatred of America as they downed tequila.

I know it's a case of "we should be thankful for small mercies" - as my Latin teacher said to me on the only occasion I got a question right - but the fact that the FA have rearranged the fixture list so we play each other again and Mexico get a chance of beating us in our national stadium as we've just done to them has kept a smile on my face.

Non football - please move your political views to another forum.

Quoted from rancido

I worked in Port Canaveral, Florida, in 1986 as a commercial fisherman for a while. The Americans called the Mexicans " wetbacks" and I was told it was because they were only fit for manual work so the backs of shirts were always wet with sweat. They also called the Mexican boats  Taco boats because that's what the said it was all that Mexicans ate. Their attitude to black people was even worse. None of the resident fishing boats had any black people as crewmen. One day a fishing boat arrived in port from South Carolina with an all black crew. It seemed to cause a bit of concern/ animosity with the local fisherman and when I asked why, one of the crewmen on my boat replied " The *iggers place is in the cotton patch" and he said it with total conviction. I was absolutely horrified and wasn't surprised when the boat left 2 days later. Obviously my only experience with mixing/working with ordinary Americans was confined to this one part of the US. Racism in that part of the US was by far worse than anything I have ever experienced anywhere else in the world , including the UK.

WTF?  I never realised it was that bad.

Both the Mexicans we were drinking with said Wetback came from the fact that they'd have to swim 'round the coast to get into the US and thus had wet backs.  So who knows?  Both mine were convinced it was the swimming thing but I'd guess the origins of the term may be lost in time or urban myths.

But to think people would actually say that about a cotton patch.....

Btw, you were a commercial fisherman out there?  Was  it trawlers and was there much difference between doing the job in Blighty/Grimsby or over there?

Better pay and weather vs living with a bunch of ignorant racists.

While neither is perfect, I'm so glad I live in a classist not racist country.  

But what as it like working there?