Amazing Race: All Stars - Page 16

Prudence · 04-02-2007, 12:57 PM

I was wondering if the trouble whatstheirnames was having in Poland was due to perceived ethnicity. I don't pretend to know the intricacies of ethnic stereotypes in that swath of the world, but knowing a Bulgarian, Estonian, and Armenian (that's a huge range in territory, I know) now living in the US, I do know that there are some conflicts and stereotypes.

katiesue · 04-02-2007, 01:13 PM

I thought that too Pru. I also thought maybe they don't like obnoxious americans with huge tv camera, lights and boom in their faces.

Alex · 04-02-2007, 01:21 PM

I have a friend in Bulgaria right now with the Peace Corps, and while things do vary from country to country she does report that ethnic shunning is widespread and along fault lines most of us wouldn't even recognize (particularly Roma and people from countries farther east than wherever you are).

From what she says I also wouldn't be surprised to find out that they thought dwarfism is contagious.

Prudence · 04-02-2007, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katiesue

I thought that too Pru. I also thought maybe they don't like obnoxious americans with huge tv camera, lights and boom in their faces.

Except that they don't look American. And the producers didn't show others having that trouble (which could, of course, just be editing.)

katiesue · 04-02-2007, 02:03 PM

True Prudence not necessarily americans from their look and accent.

Alex I also agree about the dwarfism. Some cultures are still very supersticious.

Stan4dSteph · 04-02-2007, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prudence

Except that they don't look American. And the producers didn't show others having that trouble (which could, of course, just be editing.)

No, but it's quite possible that the do look Armenian. There may be some friction there between Poland and Armenia.

And I agree about the dwarfism being something that people might not understand and be afraid of.

Prudence · 04-02-2007, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stan4dSteph

No, but it's quite possible that the do look Armenian. There may be some friction there between Poland and Armenia.

Well, yes, that's what I was getting at. As far as I can tell, from the Armenian perspective there's friction between them and pretty much everyone.

Alex · 04-02-2007, 07:52 PM

A brief Wikipedia history of Armenians in Poland. 800 ago they were quite the major minority, but not so much these days.

Nothing mentioned on that page indicates any current animus or reason for one.

And if you care, America has the fifth largest Armenian population in the world behind Armenia, Russia, France, and Iran.

Strangler Lewis · 04-02-2007, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stan4dSteph

No, but it's quite possible that the do look Armenian. . . .And I agree about the dwarfism being something that people might not understand and be afraid of.

No wonder Cher divorced Sonny.

Alex · 04-02-2007, 08:45 PM

I thought it was because he was so stupid he kept hitting on trees.

Spoiler:

04-02-2007, 12:57 PM	#151
Prudence Beelzeboobs, Esq. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Gavel - I haz it Posts: 6,287	I was wondering if the trouble whatstheirnames was having in Poland was due to perceived ethnicity. I don't pretend to know the intricacies of ethnic stereotypes in that swath of the world, but knowing a Bulgarian, Estonian, and Armenian (that's a huge range in territory, I know) now living in the US, I do know that there are some conflicts and stereotypes. __________________ traguna macoities tracorum satis de
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04-02-2007, 01:13 PM	#152
katiesue Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 4,678	I thought that too Pru. I also thought maybe they don't like obnoxious americans with huge tv camera, lights and boom in their faces. __________________ My life is so exciting I can hardly stand it.
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04-02-2007, 01:21 PM	#153
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	I have a friend in Bulgaria right now with the Peace Corps, and while things do vary from country to country she does report that ethnic shunning is widespread and along fault lines most of us wouldn't even recognize (particularly Roma and people from countries farther east than wherever you are). From what she says I also wouldn't be surprised to find out that they thought dwarfism is contagious.
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04-02-2007, 02:03 PM	#155
katiesue Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 4,678	True Prudence not necessarily americans from their look and accent. Alex I also agree about the dwarfism. Some cultures are still very supersticious. __________________ My life is so exciting I can hardly stand it.
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04-02-2007, 07:52 PM	#158
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	A brief Wikipedia history of Armenians in Poland. 800 ago they were quite the major minority, but not so much these days. Nothing mentioned on that page indicates any current animus or reason for one. And if you care, America has the fifth largest Armenian population in the world behind Armenia, Russia, France, and Iran.
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04-02-2007, 08:45 PM	#160
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	I thought it was because he was so stupid he kept hitting on trees. Spoiler: Really bad, really stupid joke but one that has stuck in my head for many years now.
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