Stupid footballer!

I have already said that I have lived in French speaking countries for the best part of twenty years and it is only in the last few years that I have lived in isolation from other English speakers. I had a very lively social life amongst British expats for many years and none of them spoke English with a French accent. Nor did any of the English people I met in Switzerland!
I would have thought that anybody listening to this video would find it amusing - perhaps I just have a different sense of humour from some people.
I don't call people stupid to their face, nor did I ever use it when I was teaching. As this man is highly unlikely to read my post, I still can't understand why it attracted so much criticism (well, apart from the fact that some people would criticise me if I said the sun rose this morning) .

Petula Clark lives in Geneva, Switzerland, and not France.

Her French is quite good actually, but with a very strong English accent. Strange considering she's been here so long and has obviously a good ear for music, which means she has a good ear for languages. Possibly part of her artistic persona.

Those who live in a new community and choose to communicate daily and totally with the locals, rather than expats (like so many Brits in France for instance, some who have lived there for 20+ years and still do not speak the language beyond a few basic words and sentences)- do unconsciously change their own accent, even in their mother-tongue. Not to impress or show-off, but because it just 'happens'. I know - as people here used to laugh because I sounded English in French when I visited after a few years in UK, and now I can hear that the reverse is happening (as I've been back for nearly 4 years now). My grand-son said it the other day when we were looking after them in Surrey 'Oh Granny, you sound all French today'. He found it hilarious, but not stupid, nor misguided. . No problem.

The fact the guy is apparently stupid, and possibly misguided, is neither here nor there. Have a great week-end all.

Blimey O'Reilly if I took offence every time I have been called stupid I would be under a bloomin' stone by now . As I said earlier it depends how the work was used/meant. Talk about making a mountain out of a molehill .

spot-on!

Absolutely sopt-on, granjura. No need for personal offence to be taken - it was the use of the word 'stupid' to which I objected, as well.

I've certainly never been one to 'hurl things at you' - au contraire, au contraire.

Yes, our sensibilities change depending on experience and even geographical location. Having been told by one teacher when I was 10, day in, day out - that I am stupid, I am very sensitive about that particular word. And as I do absorb accents like a sponge, and adopt them very quickly - I felt the word 'stupid' was inappropriate. So would the word 'misguided' - why would it be misguided to adopt and mix and match the accent of the area you live in. You didn't because you choose to live isolated and not really take part, which is absolutely fine, of course.

So 'hilarious' - fine - but 'stupid or misguided' - because of an accent that has rubbed- on- not in my book. And that's fine too - surely. Certainly not 'getting at you' - just saying how it feels from here. Fine too. Have a lovely day.

Oh no Absent there as been a meeestake Mr Barton ( or just Joey as I call him, now that we are best friends) was the one taking the p*ss out of the press at the press conference!

The word stupid seem to have a number of definitions as it is in popular usee.

www.thefreedictionary.com/stupid

stu·pid (stpd, sty-) adj. stu·pid·er, stu·pid·est

1. Slow to learn or understand; obtuse.

2. Tending to make poor decisions or careless mistakes.

3. Marked by a lack of intelligence or care; foolish or careless: a stupid mistake.

4. Dazed, stunned, or stupefied.

5. Pointless; worthless: a stupid job.

So to me, using the term as in definition no 2 seems perfectly reasonable. Particularly for someone who gets himself into a lot of fights.

Does anyone remember former PM Edward Heaths speech in French to the EU. I could have spoken with a better accent.

But then I am another one who after a day or so unconsciously starts using the accent of the person I am with.

Yes, absent , exactly like 'Good moaning'!

I can't play the video so I haven't heard him, but if he is talking "Good moaning" English, then he really is a bit of a clot.

Petula Clark has, by now, lived in France for about 100 years, yet, apart from a slight nasal quality, her English remains impeccable.

Gilly, LOL . CSL .

Good morning Nonu Oh yuk speedos or to give them their other name Budgie smugglers

No he was wearing nice swim shorts with CALL ME STUPID printed across the bum !

No Greatnan of course not. Here in the North East we often use the word stupid in place of silly so telling someone that they were being stupid would not really be offensive at all. I think the way it is said and meant is the key and certainly nothing worth getting your knickers in a twist over.

Morning Gilly, wasn"t available last night so missed this thread .

One question , does he wear speedo"s ??

remember on year in Mauritius , this German chap wore a thong , I can tell you ^ that^ put the cat among the pigeons . Laugh !!

No problem, when, I am inured to being the usual target for some people!
My three words would be water, duck's and back!

Turn the other cheek, Greatnan. It wasn't posted with malice but for fun. This clip has been aired on one of the comedy panel shows a month or two back, and the whole audience was in stitches. It's reminiscent of the French policeman in 'Allo, 'Allo

And have you been traumatised, Gilly, or scarred for life?

No way Greatnan just enjoying the silliness as usual.

By the way I was going to put this on the sayings thread but it may be more appropriate here;

Our family have a saying Stupid couldn't come so he sent Gillybob

Or nosy couldn't come so he sent Gillybob get the idea?

Quite right, Gilly, but I don't think you are amongst the people queueing up to have a go at me!

I "know him" Greatnan did you miss my post that said I swam with him in Majorca? Surely that qualifies as "knowing" someone .

Pot, black and kettle spring to mind

I am now finding the nit-picking over my casual use of 'stupid' even funnier than the video. It wasn't said to a class of children, or the man himself, or even to anybody who might know him.

greatnan you are very quick to criticise others if they post something you don't agree with. You titled this video "hilarious" - I didn't think it was. The guy doesn't speak French, ok. Lots of people adopt a pseudo accent in another country in an attempt to fit in. What's the problem? Why try and belittle him?

Ana i missed that

Sorry greatnan I enjoyed the clip. I don't really give a shit about joey barton.