🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <DMn187.2r2@news.tcd.ie>, rafael <keelerad@tcd.ie> wrote:

> Please, don't use statements like "everyone can use a little beauty in 
> their day", you mark yourself as being either a naive, sultry 
> Frenchwoman or a schmaltzy American. Nobody, but nobody in England 
> (unless their doing a washing up commercial on television), would be 
> seen dead using such a phrase.

Well, keep in mind that not all people are as resolutely joyless as the British
(Irish?) academic.  Here in America we started out with the northern
European malaise, but since then we have been partially liberated by the
Mediterranean
and African elements of our culture.  Take a trip to Italy and join in the fun.

One manifestation of that was the explosion of rock music in the fifties
and sixties, which hit Britain as hard or harder than America.  Of course
then the British had to turn it into something melancholy with punk.  I've
long said that we should have a British heritage celebration from time to
time.  We'd sing sad songs and make hard moral choices, especially for
other people.  Now pray tell us, why should we avoid reference to beauty
or joy?  For fear it will disturb your melancholy?  Why would we care? 
Hope you find something to feel joy about soon.

Come to think of it, since you're writing from ireland, shouldn't they
have loosened you up a bit?  I presume you're British because of your
reference to England.  

Most of the above is gentle fun-poking, but there is a core of truth to
it.  Having lived in northern Europe, I suspect it's the weather that
makes the folk so melancholy.  It certainly had that effect on me.  Take
heart, spring is coming soon.

-- 
R.T.Edwards rte@elmo.att.com 908 576-3031