WEBVTT 00:00:00.480 --> 00:00:05.702 [Please also translate the title of the video in the notes if possible. There is a limit for 100 characters for a title. If translating, let me know if you would like to be credited somehow in the video on YouTube This is the last of our forum series; last week was the last of the discussions 00:00:05.702 --> 00:00:12.800 Inge's birthday intervened tonight, so it looks as if the way things have started off, there isn't going to be any very serious discussing 00:00:12.800 --> 00:00:19.710 Maybe I can use the opportunity to now find out some of the answers to some questions I've been wanting to ask you for a long time 00:00:19.710 --> 00:00:25.782 But I wish before we go any further, you would please put those country signs back where they belong, will you? 00:00:25.782 --> 00:00:28.133 You're going to confuse everybody 00:00:28.133 --> 00:00:36.000 [chatter] 00:00:36.000 --> 00:00:41.219 Are you all sorted out? Egypt, you're upside down 00:00:42.000 --> 00:00:46.297 The first thing I want to know is have you picked up any bad habits since you've been here? 00:00:46.297 --> 00:00:47.579 Oh yeah 00:00:47.579 --> 00:00:49.092 We like rock and roll 00:00:49.092 --> 00:00:51.638 What? you like rock and roll? 00:00:51.638 --> 00:00:52.976 ...chewing gum...slang... 00:00:52.976 --> 00:00:53.918 Yes, Raul? 00:00:53.918 --> 00:00:55.360 lack of sleep 00:00:55.360 --> 00:00:57.479 lack of sleep? Has it gotten to be a habit? 00:00:57.479 --> 00:00:59.034 it is, yeah 00:00:59.034 --> 00:01:00.211 what else, yes? 00:01:00.211 --> 00:01:03.567 all of us become gone crazy [? unintelligible] 00:01:03.567 --> 00:01:06.360 riding cars all the time and never walking 00:01:06.360 --> 00:01:10.257 never walking? you're going to walk more at home? ... Yoriko? 00:01:10.257 --> 00:01:13.142 I learned the "jitterbug" 00:01:13.142 --> 00:01:15.291 [crosstalk] 00:01:15.291 --> 00:01:17.469 eating too much? 00:01:17.469 --> 00:01:20.338 many of us put on weight! 00:01:20.338 --> 00:01:22.220 how many pounds did you put on? 00:01:22.220 --> 00:01:24.824 14 pounds! ... 17 pounds! 00:01:24.824 --> 00:01:27.411 17 pounds? ... Yes, Farouk? 00:01:27.411 --> 00:01:31.001 I took off my moustache 00:01:32.297 --> 00:01:37.291 i thought you didn't look familiar, how about Amin from Pakistan? 00:01:37.291 --> 00:01:39.500 i'm not going to take it off! 00:01:41.202 --> 00:01:43.202 Yes, Gladys? 00:01:43.202 --> 00:01:46.085 I learned to say "isn't that's wonderful?" even if it's not wonderful 00:01:46.085 --> 00:01:47.643 Farouk? 00:01:47.643 --> 00:01:49.242 double dates with girls 00:01:49.271 --> 00:01:53.722 by the way, it says no single dates in the rules...How many of you have had dates? 00:01:53.722 --> 00:01:55.576 None! 00:01:56.812 --> 00:01:59.814 just glad to know, it's all right 00:01:59.814 --> 00:02:05.048 now tell me, you've all traveled sometimes for the first time in your life to come to America 00:02:05.048 --> 00:02:12.248 What's the next country anybody wants to see, and has your association with anybody in the forum group influenced your decision? Jay? 00:02:12.248 --> 00:02:18.000 I want to live in Australia. I had made up my mind before I came here because there's lots of scope, there I thinks 00:02:18.000 --> 00:02:20.321 yeah, but Liz just confirmed your opinion 00:02:20.321 --> 00:02:22.105 She did 00:02:22.105 --> 00:02:24.147 Where do you want to go, Nene? 00:02:24.147 --> 00:02:28.090 I want to go to Israel! 00:02:30.000 --> 00:02:35.060 this is a private forum joke that we won't share... Chris? 00:02:35.060 --> 00:02:41.192 I want to go to France. People in the north always want to go to the south. And it's partly Gina, but not all of it 00:02:41.192 --> 00:02:44.470 well, what's the country most of you want to go to? 00:02:45.520 --> 00:02:49.840 [crosstalk] france... scandinavia... russia... india... 00:02:52.195 --> 00:02:55.608 Zohar wants to go to the Arab countries, you've never been of course? 00:02:55.608 --> 00:02:57.243 no 00:02:57.243 --> 00:03:00.501 how soon do you think you'll get to go? 00:03:00.795 --> 00:03:03.163 when she's married to Farouk 00:03:04.488 --> 00:03:06.930 any others? 00:03:06.930 --> 00:03:11.078 why didn't we accept the invitation from the Soviet Union? 00:03:11.676 --> 00:03:13.412 i hope we can 00:03:13.412 --> 00:03:16.388 we would like to 00:03:16.388 --> 00:03:23.789 I hope we can, and as you know we hope there will be a student from the Soviet Union in the forum group next year 00:03:23.789 --> 00:03:30.333 we asked them this year and they didn't send one, but the invitation will be repeated and we hope one will come 00:03:30.333 --> 00:03:31.363 I hope it's a girl! 00:03:31.363 --> 00:03:37.874 is it fair to ask you what is the most fun you've had in these three months? 00:03:38.400 --> 00:03:42.295 [crosstalk] 00:03:42.295 --> 00:03:44.500 party in Washington 00:03:44.677 --> 00:03:48.572 oh that costume party? 00:03:48.572 --> 00:03:52.695 oh yeah, i think everybody will look back on that as one of the grandest things 00:03:52.695 --> 00:04:02.239 well now, to get a little more serious for a moment, what are you looking forward to most as you go home? what's the thing you're most looking forward to? 00:04:02.239 --> 00:04:10.079 [crosstalk] sleep ... mom and dad ... to make up the three months we have lost here - no, no! 00:04:10.079 --> 00:04:17.393 well i bought a nice american suit which is woolen, and the Gold Coast is very hot and it will be very hard for me to put it on, but i like to put it on 00:04:18.393 --> 00:04:24.000 just to show the american suit? what else? [crosstalk] 00:04:24.000 --> 00:04:28.790 water, Mrs. Waller, I didn't drink water at all here 00:04:28.790 --> 00:04:31.261 yeah, drinking milk all the while 00:04:31.261 --> 00:04:33.820 I'm looking forward to swimming in the sea again 00:04:33.820 --> 00:04:37.027 telling people what we saw here and how much we enjoyed it 00:04:37.027 --> 00:04:44.856 how many of you have definite plans when you get home, to do something in the way of telling people in your country about your three months here? Yes, Inge? 00:04:44.856 --> 00:04:49.153 I have some assignments and lectures to deliver at different clubs and things 00:04:49.153 --> 00:04:51.037 who else? Yes, Thailand? 00:04:51.037 --> 00:04:55.933 I have to write an article for the school yearbook, and I have to [unintelligible] 00:04:55.933 --> 00:05:01.932 I have to write some articles too and go to the broadcasting house and broadcast to people in Nigeria 00:05:01.932 --> 00:05:03.198 yes, Korea? 00:05:03.198 --> 00:05:05.023 I have to make speeches around the country 00:05:05.023 --> 00:05:10.793 all the students in my school are anxious to hear some speeches about the United States 00:05:10.793 --> 00:05:16.974 you say that people here ask you too much, "how do you like America?". I'll bet the first question you'll get when you get home is, "how did you like America?" 00:05:16.974 --> 00:05:18.504 "wonderful!" 00:05:18.504 --> 00:05:21.032 that was the first question here too 00:05:21.032 --> 00:05:25.225 what have you learned during these three months, aside from having fun? Did anybody learning anything? 00:05:25.225 --> 00:05:30.000 yes ... a lot of slang ... [crosstalk] 00:05:30.000 --> 00:05:32.292 have you learned anything, Jay? 00:05:32.292 --> 00:05:36.800 oh yeah, to dance the rock and roll in a mad fashion with no steps at all! 00:05:36.800 --> 00:05:41.096 I can't get you serious 00:05:41.243 --> 00:05:46.862 [crosstalk] blowing bubble gum! 00:05:46.862 --> 00:05:53.545 I have one thing serious here. it has been profitable to me for discovering myself. I have got more self-confidence since I came here 00:05:53.545 --> 00:05:59.556 and i have learned to do things all on my own, instead of being having to be spurred on by someone else 00:05:59.556 --> 00:06:01.527 i wonder why that happened here? 00:06:01.527 --> 00:06:10.513 see in my country the youngsters are not looked upon too much... as Chris told you at the forum, the youngsters there - they're just to be seen and not heard 00:06:10.513 --> 00:06:14.711 so anything I want to do, I have to get an elder to do for me 00:06:14.711 --> 00:06:25.208 so as a result, when I came here I found that we are always in the limelight and [unintelligible] acting big, so I've learned how much i know about myself 00:06:25.208 --> 00:06:30.235 I wonder if any of the rest of you are going to have that problem when you get home? Chris? 00:06:30.235 --> 00:06:33.591 well, I think what I learned was the danger of generalizing 00:06:33.591 --> 00:06:39.848 I always fear if that if I write a letter home and I say anything, that people will say "this is america, and we can guarantee that this is how it is" 00:06:39.848 --> 00:06:48.000 and I always said please don't take it too serious, or please don't take it as a guarantee, this it's just one of my impressions. we all, i think, have realized we can't generalize 00:06:48.000 --> 00:06:50.057 good point. Francesco? 00:06:50.057 --> 00:06:57.833 well i learned that intelligence is a gift like beauty - is nothing to be proud of... So now I respect even the stupid people! 00:06:58.591 --> 00:07:01.432 what else has anybody learned? 00:07:01.432 --> 00:07:10.266 I think I learned about the rest of the world when I came here. I think that before I was so selfish, I didn't know anything about all the other countries 00:07:10.266 --> 00:07:14.272 I think that's why when I come home I will try to learn 00:07:14.272 --> 00:07:17.271 I'm glad you learned that in America. Farouk? 00:07:17.271 --> 00:07:26.457 You can say I absolutely changed. I was very bashful before I came here, but now i absolutely changed! 00:07:26.840 --> 00:07:28.900 Nene? 00:07:28.900 --> 00:07:34.024 before I came here I never knew that we were the same. But now I feel that we are basically the same, but different 00:07:34.024 --> 00:07:35.731 Yes, Iran? 00:07:35.731 --> 00:07:39.948 being the problem child, I learned that some people disagree with me sometimes 00:07:40.640 --> 00:07:51.997 I learned that there are the small countries in the world, who should also count in the world. I'm in a very big country you know, India, I'm not used to seeing these countries as equals 00:07:51.997 --> 00:07:55.146 very nice to hear this from India, isn't it? Genevieve? 00:07:55.146 --> 00:07:59.178 i got to know my country and consider it's problems with new eyes 00:07:59.178 --> 00:08:01.209 any in particular? 00:08:01.209 --> 00:08:03.534 Yes, the North African problem especially 00:08:03.534 --> 00:08:05.506 did you learn more about it here? 00:08:05.506 --> 00:08:08.596 Oh yes, definitely... I didn't know anything before I came here 00:08:09.891 --> 00:08:15.287 I didn't have any idea about the commonwealth really, until I was "attacked" by certain members of it 00:08:15.287 --> 00:08:20.787 What have you learned about the commonwealth, Judith, that you didn't know? 00:08:20.787 --> 00:08:28.145 oh, well, in a way that um... i think most of the members here like to belong to the commonwealth 00:08:28.145 --> 00:08:38.883 And I don't think most English people realize how large it is... I don't think we realize that these people all over the world speak English, for example, better than we do in some cases 00:08:38.883 --> 00:08:42.000 I think Chit speaks English better than I do 00:08:42.559 --> 00:08:43.789 Yes, Farouk? 00:08:43.789 --> 00:08:52.430 I also learned a lot about my country, not only the United States, because I had to prepare for the questions the students asked me in the morning 00:08:52.430 --> 00:08:58.240 so i had to read a lot of books about Egypt and this. So [I learned] not only the United States, but about Egypt too 00:08:58.240 --> 00:09:03.405 Which opinions that you had about America when you arrived have, have changed the most? 00:09:03.405 --> 00:09:05.360 Yeah? 00:09:05.360 --> 00:09:17.091 I thought that the people in the United States don't have any troubles at all but, I realized that they have their own problems too, very serious problems which they're trying to solve 00:09:17.091 --> 00:09:23.842 I thought that there was no problem and the people are just living luxuriously and comfortably and thinking of nothing 00:09:23.842 --> 00:09:26.515 We have problems. Yes? 00:09:26.515 --> 00:09:31.193 In Ceylon, we all think that all the girls are like Marilyn Monroe, but I find it's wrong 00:09:31.193 --> 00:09:33.659 You've been disillusioned, have you Jay? 00:09:33.659 --> 00:09:35.461 Oh yeah, very much 00:09:36.320 --> 00:09:44.800 Can i ask you this, what one thing do your people possess that Americans don't have? 00:09:45.070 --> 00:09:50.867 And that you would like to give us if you had the opportunity of making gifts of this order? Johan? 00:09:50.867 --> 00:09:53.735 balance between culture and material wealth 00:09:53.735 --> 00:09:56.595 Do you want to explain that a little more? 00:09:56.595 --> 00:10:02.446 well it seems here that there isn't that balance that will make the society work as smoothly as it ought to be 00:10:02.446 --> 00:10:07.836 there it's something wrong, I mean people have too much material wealth, but too little culturally 00:10:07.836 --> 00:10:10.834 I just feel that there is something missing 00:10:10.834 --> 00:10:15.410 Is that idea as strong now as it was when you came? I know you Scandinavians are always critical 00:10:15.410 --> 00:10:22.680 No, it isn't as strong as it was when I came. I've been convinced pretty much to the contrary, but I still believe that the balance hasn't been achieved yet 00:10:23.382 --> 00:10:25.589 Yes, Chit? 00:10:25.589 --> 00:10:29.846 The population of India. We have plenty of it and would like to give some away 00:10:31.600 --> 00:10:33.160 Italy? 00:10:33.160 --> 00:10:40.111 I think that we can give to you some sense of criticism. I think that in Italy everyone thinks he's much better than the prime minister, all the time 00:10:40.111 --> 00:10:43.973 But Americans respect Eisenhower, that's the difference 00:10:43.973 --> 00:10:49.050 You don't think we're critical enough? Do you mean just of our political leaders? 00:10:49.050 --> 00:10:54.812 No, I mean in general. You think that everything is good. You want to try to be understanding, you see? 00:10:54.812 --> 00:10:56.080 Nene? 00:10:56.080 --> 00:10:58.228 Well, I think happiness 00:10:58.228 --> 00:11:02.717 Happiness? Thank you, I wish we could have yours. Chris? 00:11:02.717 --> 00:11:07.784 I think just a little individualism. Here there's the stress on being popular, and being in a group 00:11:07.784 --> 00:11:12.654 I think our countries, Europe at least, there's a little more the stress on being alone 00:11:12.654 --> 00:11:21.110 you know, the power of assimilation of this country is fantastic. Looking at you now, and looking at you three months ago, I know what's going to happen when we get to Berlin next week 00:11:21.110 --> 00:11:24.626 The same thing that happened when we went to London last year 00:11:24.626 --> 00:11:30.179 Here were people from 33 countries sitting on the platform, and I thought, "such individuals, each one" 00:11:30.179 --> 00:11:34.383 And the reaction in the Manchester Guardian was: 00:11:34.383 --> 00:11:45.265 "these people were so similar in their casual American dress, their alert haircuts, and their complete self-confidence in a room full of strangers asking difficult questions" 00:11:45.500 --> 00:11:48.886 That's a kind of British humor, I think 00:11:50.800 --> 00:11:55.840 I was just going to say, that the one thing I think we can give to America, is the gift of laughing at ourselves 00:11:58.000 --> 00:12:00.400 and at the Manchester Guardian 00:12:00.400 --> 00:12:02.320 Yes, Liz from Australia? 00:12:02.320 --> 00:12:09.928 Mrs. Waller, I heard someone answer that question, that there's one thing America hasn't got enough of, and that's parking space 00:12:09.928 --> 00:12:13.706 Must've been a New Yorker, out in the broad plains of the west we've got plenty 00:12:13.706 --> 00:12:16.783 I think they must be more respectful to their elders 00:12:16.783 --> 00:12:21.202 More respectful to their elders? You're still firm in that conviction? 00:12:21.202 --> 00:12:23.056 Yeah 00:12:23.056 --> 00:12:26.835 Are you going to be just as respectful of yours when you go home as you were when you left? 00:12:26.835 --> 00:12:33.594 There's quite a great difference between mine and yours 00:12:33.594 --> 00:12:37.529 but different in what way? You say yours is going to be the same... 00:12:37.529 --> 00:12:43.133 Here the relationship between parents, elders and children is very very free 00:12:43.133 --> 00:12:50.516 Now seriously, what do we miss out on... the young people here, by not having that same pattern of respect? 00:12:50.516 --> 00:13:02.060 for instance, speaking loudly in front of their elders, and laughing, and combing legs [?] and sometimes smoking cigarettes in front of their elders... It's ridiculous 00:13:02.060 --> 00:13:05.150 Mohammed, what would you say on this? 00:13:05.150 --> 00:13:09.006 I think all this springs out of the informality the Americans have 00:13:09.006 --> 00:13:17.869 we are very formal in Nigeria, and the type of respect, how to behave towards your elder, how to behave towards your father, it is all set down, it's like a book 00:13:17.869 --> 00:13:23.732 You've got to follow that pattern, otherwise you're thought of as impolite 00:13:23.732 --> 00:13:33.594 But what I'm reaching for is the idea of what you think we miss, that is our young people, because we don't have that same kind of respect? 00:13:33.594 --> 00:13:42.543 you can't learn from somebody you don't respect, and I don't see why youngsters should make the same mistakes as their parents, if the parents can teach them 00:13:42.543 --> 00:13:48.661 and if you don't have respect for them, you can't learn from them, and you'll just have to pass through the same things yourself, and it's a waste 00:13:48.661 --> 00:13:51.990 but do you see it in the adult population in America? 00:13:51.990 --> 00:13:53.386 What? 00:13:53.386 --> 00:13:59.271 Well, the fact that if as children they didn't learn as much from their parents and teachers as you learned from yours? 00:13:59.271 --> 00:14:01.449 I'm sorry I don't understand the question 00:14:01.449 --> 00:14:02.950 Well, yes, Chris? 00:14:02.950 --> 00:14:08.858 I think that what America is missing with the younger generation is family life, very often 00:14:08.858 --> 00:14:16.700 I was with my one of my hosts here, who was very astonished when I told him that we'd read "War and Peace" at the family table in the evening. He just couldn't understand it 00:14:16.700 --> 00:14:28.564 Besides that, I think this has changed very much, as Americans say so themselves. All the parents told me that they have been brought up in quite a different way from that of their children. That's what they say at least 00:14:28.564 --> 00:14:31.213 Nesbit? 00:14:31.213 --> 00:14:40.063 Well, I'm very sorry to disagree with all of you, but I really admire the informal nature of Americans 00:14:40.063 --> 00:14:54.795 Because in this way the children have more independent thinking, while one of the disadvantages, or rather handicaps that I had was that I was guided by my parents to do this, do that, so I didn't get the chance to think 00:14:54.795 --> 00:15:08.390 Now since I arrived here I was quite independent and argumentative of course, and one of the topics on which we argue was, "who shall have the car tonight?" with my host, and this way I have developed a little power of thinking 00:15:08.390 --> 00:15:11.340 Are your parents going to like that when you get home? 00:15:11.340 --> 00:15:14.395 Well, they will have to adjust themselves to the situation 00:15:15.543 --> 00:15:17.543 Yes, Inge? 00:15:17.543 --> 00:15:23.341 Isn't it better that your parents guide you towards a good way of thinking and behaving? 00:15:23.341 --> 00:15:33.907 Isn't that better than kids doing their thinking on their own and then doing some bad thinking or acting or whatever? I think a bit of guidance in the beginnings can only be good 00:15:33.907 --> 00:15:36.762 What were you going to say, Yolanda? 00:15:36.762 --> 00:15:42.420 Well, I think that the children miss their childhood... because they don't live their childhood, Mrs. Waller 00:15:42.420 --> 00:15:47.363 They become adults and teenagers before it's time I think 00:15:47.363 --> 00:15:52.929 They seem to grow up too soon? Wait a minute... Anis from Pakistan 00:15:52.929 --> 00:16:01.931 Children are given too much of freedom, and then of course they cannot decide for themselves because the child as you know doesn't know the correct use of freedom 00:16:01.931 --> 00:16:13.639 But too much of it of course, too much control on the part of the parents over the children will destroy their initiative. So I think we must find somewhat of an average between the two extremes 00:16:13.639 --> 00:16:20.044 Genevieve, you had a good idea the other day when you said in one of our discussions, "freedom has no value if it has no limits"... Remember? 00:16:20.044 --> 00:16:22.044 [unintelligible] 00:16:22.044 --> 00:16:25.369 Oh, wait a minute. Paco? 00:16:25.369 --> 00:16:33.374 Well, ma'am, Yolanda from Guatemala said that the teenagers didn't have any childhood 00:16:33.374 --> 00:16:40.912 Well, they might not have any childhood and they might reach adolescence too soon, but they stay in there too soon, I really think that they stay in it too soon 00:16:40.912 --> 00:16:43.497 You mean stay in it too long? 00:16:43.497 --> 00:16:55.035 Yeah, they keep them as teenagers too long. I don't think they are aware of their responsibilities or are more conscious (as soon as) in some of the other countries, I don't think so, ma'am 00:16:55.035 --> 00:16:57.228 You'll get an argument on that. Wait a minute, Chris? 00:16:57.228 --> 00:17:10.240 Well I don't want to argue this, but I think the independence of each group, of each generation over here is probably a reason why we could adjust ourselves so fast over here 00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:16.982 People were so informal and so ready to welcome us, and they said "Well if ever you want a Coke, just get one out of the staircase (?)" 00:17:16.982 --> 00:17:25.665 And in Europe for instance, what you'd do is you'd have looked very thirsty if you wanted one, and you would hope that other one would have seen it and would have said, "You sure want a Coke, don't you?" 00:17:25.665 --> 00:17:27.048 Francesco? 00:17:27.048 --> 00:17:31.848 Well I think you get your childhood here when you're an adult 00:17:32.525 --> 00:17:34.525 Alright. Nesbit? 00:17:34.525 --> 00:17:41.725 There is practically nothing wrong with this freedom that the American children exercise 00:17:41.725 --> 00:17:51.317 provided that the parents put them on the honor (trust) system when they are really ready to use it 00:17:52.137 --> 00:18:00.502 somebody said that in America the children are the parents and the parents are the children. I think I would somewhat agree with that 00:18:00.502 --> 00:18:02.502 For what reason? 00:18:02.502 --> 00:18:09.955 Well, mostly inside the family it is the children who control things here. They are the ones who order the parents instead of the parents ordering them 00:18:09.955 --> 00:18:12.000 That's an interesting reaction. Raul? 00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:15.440 I think Chit has seen more or less the wrong kind of an American family 00:18:15.440 --> 00:18:17.440 It's not my fault! 00:18:17.440 --> 00:18:23.418 I think American children are just given the right amount of freedom, and I think it's doing good for them 00:18:23.418 --> 00:18:24.860 Azer? 00:18:24.860 --> 00:18:30.812 Well, though everybody disagrees with this, but I think American children have respect towards their parents 00:18:30.812 --> 00:18:40.813 Yes, they treat them as friends, which I think is a much better thing. They may not be so afraid of them as for example we are, but things are changing all over the world 00:18:40.813 --> 00:18:47.539 I think maybe that's the biggest answer, things are changing and changing fast. Yoriko, what did you want to say a moment ago? 00:18:47.539 --> 00:18:57.680 I think american teenagers seem to be grown-ups, but I think they are not. Because if they don't have any homework in school they don't study anymore 00:18:58.005 --> 00:19:00.106 Yes, Jawahir? 00:19:02.313 --> 00:19:07.298 I think they should be given a little of corporal punishments 00:19:07.298 --> 00:19:13.931 You and Nigeria agree there should be a little corporal punishment. How long since you've had any corporal punishment? 00:19:13.931 --> 00:19:18.235 well, in my school we have that all year round 00:19:18.235 --> 00:19:20.048 Still? Even at your age? 00:19:20.048 --> 00:19:21.518 Not at my age because... 00:19:21.518 --> 00:19:23.048 When does it stop? 00:19:23.048 --> 00:19:25.166 When you stop being naughty! 00:19:25.166 --> 00:19:27.902 It depends on the teacher 00:19:30.400 --> 00:19:35.607 In Baldwin high school they still have corporal punishment. If they come late to class they get the paddle 00:19:35.607 --> 00:19:38.462 Mohammed, you should have gone to Baldwin! 00:19:40.700 --> 00:19:49.613 Look, I want to come back to the original question now. What else have you got in your countries that we don't have, that you would like to give us? Yes, Paco? 00:19:49.613 --> 00:19:54.000 I think of traditions and customs, ma'am, I really think 00:19:54.000 --> 00:19:57.703 Of course we can't have traditions - we aren't old enough 00:19:57.703 --> 00:19:59.792 We're as young as you 00:19:59.792 --> 00:20:02.588 [crosstalk] 00:20:02.588 --> 00:20:08.326 We're considerably young ourselves. Maybe it was that the Spanish conquerors left a lot of things behind 00:20:08.326 --> 00:20:10.384 It could be... Jay? 00:20:10.384 --> 00:20:17.769 I think I would like to teach Americans to live a little more. They think they are living, but they're not, they're living in the future always 00:20:17.769 --> 00:20:23.364 That is, especially on the Eastern seaboard here, the tempo of life is so fast that they're always looking forward: 00:20:23.364 --> 00:20:28.818 "On the 23rd of next month I have a date with so and so", "Next year on such and such, a date I'll graduate" 00:20:28.818 --> 00:20:34.341 They know so many things ahead of time, I think so that when it comes they don't appreciate it too much - they've been looking forward to it too long 00:20:34.341 --> 00:20:37.226 Have others of you thought the pace of life was too fast here? 00:20:37.226 --> 00:20:39.679 Yeah [crosstalk] 00:20:39.679 --> 00:20:43.089 My watch is 30 minutes faster! 00:20:46.160 --> 00:20:49.162 Romano wants to know if it's a Swiss watch, is it Nene? 00:20:49.162 --> 00:20:50.902 Of course a Swiss watch 00:20:51.079 --> 00:20:52.346 Azer? 00:20:52.346 --> 00:21:02.812 I think many Americans make a lot of money, but they don't enjoy it because they are always in the business of making the money and they never enjoy that money - they never take any of the profit out 00:21:03.668 --> 00:21:06.199 There's some disagreement. Inge? 00:21:06.199 --> 00:21:16.090 I have a feeling that that you (Americans) are never really satisfied, I mean you're always looking forward to more [unintelligible] rather than satisfied at the present time 00:21:16.090 --> 00:21:17.473 It is different in Denmark? 00:21:17.473 --> 00:21:18.500 Yeah 00:21:18.500 --> 00:21:20.357 What were you saying, Hejun, on that point? That that's progress? 00:21:20.357 --> 00:21:21.417 Yes. I think yes 00:21:21.976 --> 00:21:28.628 I would say that still, the Gold Coast has something which Americans don't have - that's simplicity of course 00:21:28.809 --> 00:21:35.726 [unintelligible] 00:21:35.726 --> 00:21:39.034 Yes, Nesbit? You've been trying to get a word in 00:21:39.387 --> 00:21:49.317 What America can learn from my country is that in my country we (do) what we say, while in this country you don't usually (do) what you say 00:21:51.635 --> 00:21:55.040 I say "not usually"! 00:21:55.894 --> 00:21:57.233 Chris? 00:21:57.233 --> 00:22:06.137 I think the nice things about America is that Americans are usually frank. It always seems like they're practical, they're not complicated 00:22:06.137 --> 00:22:11.735 This philosopher here of ours must have a horrible standpoint among Americans because he's so complicated 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:15.456 Do you think we've gotten his feet down off the clouds any? 00:22:15.456 --> 00:22:17.456 No 00:22:17.760 --> 00:22:20.904 I feel uneasy, please don't look at me! 00:22:22.960 --> 00:22:27.600 I think appreciation of the other man's point of view, which is quite lacking out here 00:22:28.071 --> 00:22:29.836 Oh, no! 00:22:29.836 --> 00:22:35.787 So many people here hate communists. I think it's very good to hate communism, but you should never hate people 00:22:35.787 --> 00:22:38.807 That's one example, can you give us some other examples? 00:22:38.807 --> 00:22:41.687 Well that's a very important example 00:22:41.687 --> 00:22:50.960 Very. I'm not denying it. But are you generalizing from a single point, can you give us other examples in which it's if we are completely intolerant of any other point of view? 00:22:50.960 --> 00:22:59.136 Well, I didn't say you're intolerant, but that you don't appreciate it so much. You let it exist, but you don't appreciate it, you don't try to meet others point of view so much 00:22:59.136 --> 00:23:00.460 Azar? 00:23:00.460 --> 00:23:06.665 Well, I wish American students wouldn't take their education for granted as they are doing here 00:23:06.665 --> 00:23:08.666 Appreciate it a bit more? 00:23:08.666 --> 00:23:09.755 Oh yes 00:23:09.755 --> 00:23:12.139 Judith, you wanted to disagree a moment ago? 00:23:12.139 --> 00:23:21.282 Yes, I want to disagree with Chit. The Americans have this expression, "Oh, all right, I'll go along with you", or "You know I don't thoroughly agree with what you say, but I'll meet you halfway" 00:23:21.282 --> 00:23:28.119 I think they do, I mean look at the way we've gone into their classrooms and disagreed on politics, and they've listened and said, "Well yes, I can understand your point of view" 00:23:28.119 --> 00:23:32.555 That would hardly ever happen at home, I'm sure! They'd say, "No, you're wrong". Here they... 00:23:32.555 --> 00:23:36.955 I don't say that other peoples have it (appreciating other opinions), but Americans should at least 00:23:36.955 --> 00:23:39.721 Well, they do have it, I think if you compare they have it more than the lot 00:23:39.721 --> 00:23:41.458 Why shouldn't the Indians have it then? 00:23:41.458 --> 00:23:44.253 Well they should, everybody should 00:23:44.253 --> 00:23:45.577 Christoph? 00:23:45.577 --> 00:23:51.405 Well, in America a lot of people like the expression, "take it easy" - and they're taking it easy. You can't be too intolerant when you're taking it easy 00:23:51.405 --> 00:23:58.322 I mean there are some things they believe, like democracies is sort of religion in America, and "America" is some sort of religion in America 00:23:58.322 --> 00:24:04.174 They'll be be terribly intolerant about that. That is no longer for them a matter of discussion 00:24:04.174 --> 00:24:08.530 I think that said you find it awfully hard to hate in this country. Wasn't that you that said that? 00:24:08.530 --> 00:24:09.443 Yeah 00:24:09.443 --> 00:24:13.249 Now let me ask you... Judy brings up the final question i'd like to ask you 00:24:13.249 --> 00:24:20.661 I've been asking what you've got in your countries that you'd like to give us... What are you taking back from America? Material or immaterial 00:24:20.661 --> 00:24:30.298 [crosstalk] Yellow shoes... Two bottles of frankfurters... Records... Coca cola 00:24:30.298 --> 00:24:32.534 Records? What kind of records? 00:24:32.534 --> 00:24:35.329 Dave Brubeck and Jared Mulligan 00:24:36.653 --> 00:24:44.069 All the records of the popular songs, because they don't come until six months later in Australia. So I'll be ahead of time, I'll have all the records! 00:24:44.246 --> 00:24:45.831 Ballroom dancing 00:24:45.831 --> 00:24:52.754 I'm taking so many friends and friendliness of the people, and 5 more families 00:24:52.754 --> 00:24:56.822 5 families more, I'm glad to hear that. What else? Yes, Korea? 00:24:56.822 --> 00:24:59.620 Ideas of co-education (between boys and girls) 00:24:59.620 --> 00:25:03.529 How many of you have been convinced that co-education is a good idea? 00:25:04.853 --> 00:25:06.823 That's the best thing! 00:25:08.960 --> 00:25:10.960 What else, anything else? 00:25:10.960 --> 00:25:13.540 Yes, the happiness and taking it easy of the American people 00:25:13.540 --> 00:25:17.840 Yes, but Nene from the Gold Coast says he wanted to give us the happiness they have in the Gold Coast? 00:25:18.140 --> 00:25:23.234 [crosstalk] 00:25:23.234 --> 00:25:27.156 Wait a minute, let's give Judy a chance. What did you start to say Judith? 00:25:27.156 --> 00:25:39.064 I'm just saying that coming over here is terribly unsettling. When we came here I had my mind made up, but now I'm going back more bewildered than ever. But I think it's done me good 00:25:39.064 --> 00:25:43.956 It's is a horrible thing looking in the future knowing that sooner or later you're going to change all your opinions 00:25:45.360 --> 00:25:47.714 maybe it's a good thing 00:25:47.714 --> 00:25:51.123 Well, actually I'll never forget dating. Anyway, i'm going to introduce it in the Gold Coast 00:25:51.123 --> 00:25:53.566 We've covered that subject! Yes, Raul? 00:25:53.566 --> 00:25:56.982 I'm going to bring back the informality in the American high school classroom 00:25:56.982 --> 00:25:59.070 You like that here? Yes? 00:25:59.070 --> 00:26:12.422 Well, I disagree completely, entirely, and totally with that. You see, I don't believe that any classroom, any teacher, or any system of education whatsoever disregards friendship in between the student and the teacher 00:26:12.422 --> 00:26:15.840 Now one thing is friendship, but another thing is getting wild 00:26:15.840 --> 00:26:27.240 And getting wise. You see, for example in Mexico the teachers are friendly and we know each other as pals or something like that. But you don't have that feeling of informality and to a certain extent irresponsibility 00:26:27.240 --> 00:26:29.771 Over to Raul 00:26:29.771 --> 00:26:39.246 It's more or less on the Spanish side of education, which is in my own opinion - it's brutal. Because I come from a Spanish Catholic school and I've got that experiences 00:26:39.246 --> 00:26:48.960 I'm going to be terribly interested in the first letters I receive from you to hear about how your parents have reacted to whatever informality you have taken away from here 00:26:50.560 --> 00:27:02.586 Our time's run out. Francesco Riosci from Italy, can you wind up in a a small sentence or two of these three months? Or is that asking you too much? 00:27:02.586 --> 00:27:05.412 Well, I think I can do it 00:27:05.412 --> 00:27:10.159 I'll tell you, I think that before coming here, I knew all about it; 00:27:10.159 --> 00:27:20.491 I knew you were frank, you were a young country with all the advantages and disadvantages. I think I have deepened my my ideas but that's not the point 00:27:20.491 --> 00:27:25.460 I knew about the skyscrapers in New York and all that, but now I believe it 00:27:25.460 --> 00:27:30.468 I think the passage from knowing to believing it is the main accomplishment of this forum 00:27:30.468 --> 00:27:40.158 Thank you. We've got to end here. We're taking off in a very short time, all of us, for a four day conference in Berli 00:27:40.158 --> 00:27:45.966 Thank you for being with us. We'll look forward to a similar series next year