I feel so international..

[Cat of Ulthar]

I, a Dutchie, just got an email from an English woman based in Germany asking me to apply for a job with the Central Texas College teaching Arabic.:D

No worries, it's distance teaching, I'm not crossing the pond.

I am amazed at the difference between application forms here and in the US though. The first thing the form says is that "We do not discriminate in any way shape or form! Honestly we don't!!!" and at the very end it gives you three contact numbers for if you have in any way felt discriminated against. :grey:

A few other oddities: They want to know my address (ok) but also how long I have lived here, and what was my prior address. Why that?

And it seems a bit odd to ask everyone if they were ever in the army.

Anyway, I may need your advice later to explain some of the oddities... What on earth is a GED?:confused:

[FeatsofClay]

They ask about the Army because employers get benefits for hiring former military personall in the states. And a GED is a General Equivilancy Diploma. A high school degree without the high school.

And your current and past addy is to run a credit check and make sure they have the right p[erson.

[Varaj]

I, a Dutchie, just got an email from an English woman based in Germany asking me to apply for a job with the Central Texas College teaching Arabic.:D

No worries, it's distance teaching, I'm not crossing the pond.

I am amazed at the difference between application forms here and in the US though. The first thing the form says is that "We do not discriminate in any way shape or form! Honestly we don't!!!" and at the very end it gives you three contact numbers for if you have in any way felt discriminated against. :grey:

A few other oddities: They want to know my address (ok) but also how long I have lived here, and what was my prior address. Why that?

And it seems a bit odd to ask everyone if they were ever in the army.

Anyway, I may need your advice later to explain some of the oddities... What on earth is a GED?:confused:


GED is General Educational Development
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GED

The US has some pretty strong anti-discrimination laws, thus the discrimination statements.

Military. Not sure on that one.

Address: I believe that is generally a stability and background check.

[Limper]

I, a Dutchie, just got an email from an English woman based in Germany asking me to apply for a job with the Central Texas College teaching Arabic.:D

No worries, it's distance teaching, I'm not crossing the pond.

I am amazed at the difference between application forms here and in the US though. The first thing the form says is that "We do not discriminate in any way shape or form! Honestly we don't!!!" and at the very end it gives you three contact numbers for if you have in any way felt discriminated against. :grey:

A few other oddities: They want to know my address (ok) but also how long I have lived here, and what was my prior address. Why that?

And it seems a bit odd to ask everyone if they were ever in the army.

Anyway, I may need your advice later to explain some of the oddities... What on earth is a GED?:confused:

GED is the test you can take that will take the place of the High School diploma you didn't get.

Military veterns get some special priority in some cases so they ask.

We have a lot of issues with minority groups who feel put upon and a system that lets them punish the establishment should they 'feel' downtrodden.

[Hatter]

I am amazed at the difference between application forms here and in the US though. The first thing the form says is that "We do not discriminate in any way shape or form! Honestly we don't!!!" and at the very end it gives you three contact numbers for if you have in any way felt discriminated against. :grey:

I never thought of it this way. The connotation is that "We're serious about non-discrimination, so serious that here are resources that you may use if you feel discriminated against."

[Cat of Ulthar]

Yeah, I can see that you would not want people to feel discriminated against... But I think it shows a different mentality. You put all that stuff on a form so people feel secure in their rights. Here, a form like that would make people feel uncomfortable: Why all this stating that they do not discriminate? Have they been known to discriminate in the past? I think the lady doth protest too much!
I think Americans prefer things blatantly out in the open, where the Dutch prefer it being implicit. Reminds me of when I was in Egypt, and we got an armed guard with us to visit the pyramids. My group panicked: Why is there an armed guard!? Are we in danger!?!?
I questioned the guard, and it turns out he was scheduled to go with an American group but that had been canceled, so they decided he should go with us. It seemed the Americans felt safer with an armed escort, whilst the Dutch felt very uncomfortable.

[Limper]

Yeah, I can see that you would not want people to feel discriminated against... But I think it shows a different mentality. You put all that stuff on a form so people feel secure in their rights. Here, a form like that would make people feel uncomfortable: Why all this stating that they do not discriminate? Have they been known to discriminate in the past? I think the lady doth protest too much!
I think Americans prefer things blatantly out in the open, where the Dutch prefer it being implicit. Reminds me of when I was in Egypt, and we got an armed guard with us to visit the pyramids. My group panicked: Why is there an armed guard!? Are we in danger!?!?
I questioned the guard, and it turns out he was scheduled to go with an American group but that had been canceled, so they decided he should go with us. It seemed the Americans felt safer with an armed escort, whilst the Dutch felt very uncomfortable.

As an American I'd be terribly uncomfortable with an armed guard.

[Varaj]

As an American I'd be terribly uncomfortable with an armed guard.

I don't know that I would blink. I see armed security guards in gas stations and grocery stores.

[Limper]

I don't know that I would blink. I see armed security guards in gas stations and grocery stores.

I'm not to hot on that most of the time... armed rent a cops and foriegn military and police personel ALL put me on edge. I don't trust them or their judgement.

In most cases I feel safer seeing armed civilians.

[Varaj]

I'm not to hot on that most of the time... armed rent a cops and foriegn military and police personel ALL put me on edge. I don't trust them or their judgement.

In most cases I feel safer seeing armed civilians.


Don't get me wrong I don't feel any safer with them. I remember the first time I saw on at a grocery store. It was a WTF. Now I just ignore it as silly stupid stuff that people do.

[Bagpuss]

In most cases I feel safer seeing armed civilians.

Rent-a-cops are armed civilians.

[Limper]

Rent-a-cops are armed civilians.

Unlike an average citizen they tend to be the the kid who got picked on in school and are trying to have 'power' over others. MANY of them have failed the psych profile to be a cop and this was their last ditch effort to be powerful.

[doc]

I don't know that I would blink. I see armed security guards in gas stations and grocery stores.

But you live in Kansas too.

Hope you get it Cat, and if you ever have to "cross the pond" let us know. I'm sure we can arrange a semi-armed guard you can be comfortable with.

[Varaj]

But you live in Kansas too.

Do you mean Kansas is particularly dangerous or not particularly dangerous?
When I was high school Topeka was in the top 5 cities for violent crimes per capital in the US.

[Limper]

Do you mean Kansas is particularly dangerous or not particularly dangerous?
When I was high school Topeka was in the top 5 cities for violent crimes per capital in the US.

My guess is he means Kansas is a world unto itself in many many ways.

[doc]

No offence Varaj but my time at Ft Riley was ok except for when I went off base, Junk City could be used for urban warfare training.

[Northcott]

The gun culture in the US has always shocked the Hell out of me when I've run into it. Seeing a security guard at DC Comic's old 5th avenue address made me do a double-take -- dude was frickin' huge... easily an inch or two taller than me, and must have been in the high 200's for bodyweight, all muscle... and had a massive freakin handgun strapped to his side. He was like a caricature.

[doc]

The gun culture in the US has always shocked the Hell out of me when I've run into it. Seeing a security guard at DC Comic's old 5th avenue address made me do a double-take -- dude was frickin' huge... easily an inch or two taller than me, and must have been in the high 200's for bodyweight, all muscle... and had a massive freakin handgun strapped to his side. He was like a caricature.

Did he talk to it (the gun) ? I don't hunt anymore but I still own guns, I've always been around firearms but I'm not going to find a clock tower anytime soon, it's not the gun but the crazy that kills people. If he didn't have a gun it would be a knife or a cinderblock.

[Varaj]

No offence Varaj but my time at Ft Riley was ok except for when I went off base, Junk City could be used for urban warfare training.

No offense taken at all. Kansas is not safer for being a rural state. In many ways the cities are worse than many coastal east.

[Northcott]

Did he talk to it (the gun) ? I don't hunt anymore but I still own guns, I've always been around firearms but I'm not going to find a clock tower anytime soon, it's not the gun but the crazy that kills people. If he didn't have a gun it would be a knife or a cinderblock.

I've been around rifles often enough, and guns in and of themselves don't really spook me. It's the prevalence of it in the USA that gets me, and the borderline worship of them that seems to exist. Everywhere else they're just a tool. In the USA they almost seem to be an icon.

[Limper]

I've been around rifles often enough, and guns in and of themselves don't really spook me. It's the prevalence of it in the USA that gets me, and the borderline worship of them that seems to exist. Everywhere else they're just a tool. In the USA they almost seem to be an icon.

Iconic just like horses and anything that harkens back to our romanticised Western Expansion.

[Northcott]

Iconic just like horses and anything that harkens back to our romanticised Western Expansion.

I'd say 'bald eagle'. I don't think horses have anywhere near the potency in the USA that the gun does. Horses faded, but the gun is still a staple of the prototypical American hero figure.

[Limper]

I'd say 'bald eagle'. I don't think horses have anywhere near the potency in the USA that the gun does. Horses faded, but the gun is still a staple of the prototypical American hero figure.

Try and find horse meat, kill a horse and see how folks react. Horse worship is still there its just not as obvious as the gun thing.

I like my guns cause I don't trust my fellow man and I don't trust my government to protect me.

[doc]

Try and find horse meat, kill a horse and see how folks react. Horse worship is still there its just not as obvious as the gun thing.

I like my guns cause I don't trust my fellow man and I don't trust my government to protect me.

Amen and pass the ammo !! The gun was what helped the europians run the native Americans off thier land and opened this country. They provided protection, food and recreation for generations.

[Northcott]

The gun was what helped the europians run the native Americans off thier land and opened this country.

I wouldn't call that a point of pride, personally. :grey:

[The Winslow]

That's what allowed to build the USA (and Canada) as they are now.

[Northcott]

That's what allowed to build the USA (and Canada) as they are now.

Actually, we made treaties, broke them, and starved people to death. Less violence, more treachery. Walsh, an iconic figure in our history, resigned from his place of prominence in the RCMP because of the treatment of Sitting Bull and his people. (One of our most shameful moments)

The result is that native issues are now the "third rail" of Canadian politics: no politician wants to touch the issue because it's instant, horrible death.

[Ancalagon]

Something to consider:

Due to current laws in the USA, any personal information you give to your American correspondent can be requested by certain authorities. Your correspondent will usualy not be allowed to refuse or inform you that this has occurred.

This is becoming a problem in Canada due to privacy laws. A number of USA companies have lost contracts (notably with universities and hospitals) because there is no way the American companies can guarantee that the personal information stays private.

[Limper]

I wouldn't call that a point of pride, personally. :grey:

It was a war and we won. I'm tired of being told to feel sorry for it.

[Cat of Ulthar]

Something to consider:

Due to current laws in the USA, any personal information you give to your American correspondent can be requested by certain authorities. Your correspondent will usualy not be allowed to refuse or inform you that this has occurred.

This is becoming a problem in Canada due to privacy laws. A number of USA companies have lost contracts (notably with universities and hospitals) because there is no way the American companies can guarantee that the personal information stays private.

:shock:

What's a correspondent?

[Northcott]

It was a war and we won. I'm tired of being told to feel sorry for it.

Whereas I believe that it behooves a person of moral standing to feel regret for lying to, cheating, and murdering people. Atrocities were committed by both sides, but that does nothing to exonerate the actions of either side.

[Limper]

Whereas I believe that it behooves a person of moral standing to feel regret for lying to, cheating, and murdering people. Atrocities were committed by both sides, but that does nothing to exonerate the actions of either side.

Neither you nor I lied to, cheated or stole from them. I doubt either of us have murdered an Amerindian.

You obviously have a much higher tollerance for the imposition of 'White Guilt' on the population.

I've had my fill of it, its bullshit. I've also had my fill of being treated as if being a white male was a crime.

I feel about this subject as you do about metrosexuals.

I'd like to curbstomp (straight of American History X) the sanctimonious prick who created the PC Movement.

[Northcott]

Neither you nor I lied to, cheated or stole from them. I doubt either of us have murdered an Amerindian.

Truth in that. My ancestors weren't even part of the country at that point. I'm the first generation of my family to be born Canadian.

You obviously have a much higher tollerance for the imposition of 'White Guilt' on the population.

Nah. I think White Guilt is bullshit. But insofar as I'm willing to say; "I'm proud to be Canadian", I have to be willing to balance that by recognizing the history of what that entails, learn from the history, and attempt not to repeat the errors through application of watchfulness and ethics. I don't believe that the best interests of my society are served by either indulging in unreasonable guilt, nor in actively dismissing the impact of crimes of the past. Balance in all things.

I've had my fill of it, its bullshit. I've also had my fill of being treated as if being a white male was a crime.

Ditto. Did you see the old thread on NTL where there was a big hashing out of that? It's why NRG still snipes at me now and then. :D

I feel about this subject as you do about metrosexuals.

Just one more log on my rant pile!

I'd like to curbstomp (straight of American History X) the sanctimonious prick who created the PC Movement.

More fun to destroy him/her with guilt. Such a person would obviously be susceptible to it.

[Limper]

More fun to destroy him/her with guilt. Such a person would obviously be susceptible to it.

I will not use the tools of my enemy. The smug look on their face as I kick them to death will keep my boot driving into them... otherwise I might feel bad about taking their life.

[Northcott]

Wouldn't work. That smug look disappears after the very first hit. Sometimes you get indignant rage after, but that's usually gone after one or two more. Then it's just lots of crying and weeping and begging, with key phrases such as "Don't taze me, bro!".

[Limper]

Wouldn't work. That smug look disappears after the very first hit. Sometimes you get indignant rage after, but that's usually gone after one or two more. Then it's just lots of crying and weeping and begging, with key phrases such as "Don't taze me, bro!".

All of the above are fine motivation.

[Atropine Mama]

What's a correspondent?

Your liason for communication between you and the University.

Add to Anc's point about lack of private information the fact that you speak Arabic and you'll certainly have the attention of our government. There will be a file kept on you, since you're a foreign Arabic speaker, and if you ever decide to visit the States I'm sure there will be more hoops to jump through than it's worth.

I wouldn't do it, personally, Cat. I'd wait for a change in the administration here.

[The Winslow]

Given we're in late 2007, you may even be able to stall them enough to see that day! :)

[doc]

Cat, don't let the fear of the current administration provent you from this oppurtunity to further your career, on the whole there might be a few more forms to fill out and a background check. Thats the times we live in and there's no going back to what it was before, Bush not in office won't change that contrary to what some think.

[Black Angel]

Good luck with the job opportunity, Cat. It's a pretty unusual situation, but it could be fun. I hope it all works out ok for you.

[Cat of Ulthar]

Blegh. I just want to teach Arabic. It's a wonderfully interesting language and I love to share that with people. But I suppose that is not credible enough.

Anyways, my dream job apparently opened just now: Teaching assistant at Exeter (Exeter!) university. I will have to finish my thesis before january however. But I will apply. Exeter!

[Northcott]

Blegh. I just want to teach Arabic. It's a wonderfully interesting language and I love to share that with people. But I suppose that is not credible enough.

You don't look Arabic. That will make your processing much easier. If, on the other hand, you are of swarthy ancestry -- Portuguese, for example -- you could end up in some officious border guard's office being brow-beaten, verbally bullied, and threatened in the hopes that they can make you admit you're not really a Canadian from a Portuguese family, but a dirty, dirty terrist! The best is when they threaten kids and make them cry.

It would almost be a point of amusement as the fellow they did that to was a representative for a fairly powerful union. I know he raised a stink about it after, but I don't know if it actually caused ripples in the border guard's offices or not.

Anyways, my dream job apparently opened just now: Teaching assistant at Exeter (Exeter!) university. I will have to finish my thesis before january however. But I will apply. Exeter!

Then you can watch Brian Blessed insult the Dauphin!

[Cat of Ulthar]

You don't look Arabic. That will make your processing much easier.

And I don't date Arabs, nor am I a muslim. That helps too.

[Northcott]

And I don't date Arabs, nor am I a muslim. That helps too.

I make it a point to (try to) never underestimate the raw stupidity of random individuals. :D Lacking any concrete evidence of those two factors, there are individuals who will look to your appearance as a method of deciding whether or not you should be held as suspicious.

My Portuguese friends have no Arabic or Islamic connections -- it doesn't stop them from running into huge border hassles every time.

Funny part is that I used to work with a guy at the Twist -- the head bouncer at the club -- who was from a Muslim family. White skin, pale green eyes, chestnut brown hair.

[doc]

And I don't date Arabs, nor am I a muslim. That helps too.

But there is that British connection, tricky poffs. Contrary to some, America is freer then the rest of the world immergration wise.

[The Winslow]

My Portuguese friends

:confused: Are you sure you're really a Canadian?

[doc]

:confused: Are you sure you're really a Canadian?

(he's really a HALIFAXIAN !!!!) Thier Canada's Cajuns

[Cat of Ulthar]

But there is that British connection, tricky poffs. Contrary to some, America is freer then the rest of the world immergration wise.

:confused:

Can someone subtitle doc for me?

[The Winslow]

I think the first sentence is a reference to your British boyfriend. I'm not sure if he means it would be a help or a hindrance. Then he says America is more welcoming of immigrants than all other countries. From which I infer that he thought you were going to ask for a green card and become a US citizen...

[Cat of Ulthar]

I think the first sentence is a reference to your British boyfriend. I'm not sure if he means it would be a help or a hindrance. Then he says America is more welcoming of immigrants than all other countries. From which I infer that he thought you were going to ask for a green card and become a US citizen...

:shock: Not if I can help it. No offense guys, but I don't really think I would be a good American. And the SO is not allowed in the US any more, so that might be considered a hindrance.;)

[Ancalagon]

:confused:

Can someone subtitle doc for me?

I have better luck translating algolei...

... where is that potatohead anyway?

[Janos]

I have better luck translating algolei...

... where is that potatohead anyway?

He had a blow-up over people calling Lady of Pain out on her bullshit and stormed off never to return. He's still on Heavy Ordanance if you want to go look for him there.

[Cat of Ulthar]

Right! Filled out the odd form. Now I only need to find out where the hell to send it. It says on the form return address Texas, but the woman who contacted me is in Germany. So I mailed her to ask what and where.

[Northcott]

Contrary to some, America is freer then the rest of the world immergration wise.

Then why are you folks always bloody complaining about how open our immigration policies are up here?

And folks in Nova Scotia are Scots descent. I'm from Newfoundland -- the Avalon Penninsula in particular. We're all Irish down that way. ;)

[Harry]

(he's really a HALIFAXIAN !!!!) Thier Canada's Cajuns

:raisedeyebrow:

[Ancalagon]

:raisedeyebrow:

He's been talking about re-deporting the arcadians, so he's in rare form the last few days.