Rick Steves - Ugly American Again!
Oct 2nd, 2014, 04:05 AM
#242
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Cold
The real reason I posted that was simple, I was trying to help Canadians. More people here dislike me than Canadians and are so mindlessly contrarian that I thought if I posted something that was negative about you guys they would change their opinion.
You can thank me later
The real reason I posted that was simple, I was trying to help Canadians. More people here dislike me than Canadians and are so mindlessly contrarian that I thought if I posted something that was negative about you guys they would change their opinion.
You can thank me later
Oct 2nd, 2014, 06:15 AM
#245
I ran into a couple of Texans in the Torres winery near Barcelona back in Bush II's reign pretending to be Canadians (young, wealthy, first timers), the accent basically gave it away to everyone including the Spanish staff. The large place was empty apart from these two and Mrs Bilbo and I. The guy comes up alongside and admited what he has been doing and did I think it was ok.
I explained that I was British and had to admit to Tony Blair so he should shoulder his reponsibility too.
I explained that I was British and had to admit to Tony Blair so he should shoulder his reponsibility too.
Oct 2nd, 2014, 06:32 AM
#246
LOL Bilboburgler! It was in the Bush years that we were getting the requests from Americans for the maple leaf pins at Ottawa City Hall.
We are frequently mistaken for Americans when we travel and were fine with that.
We are frequently mistaken for Americans when we travel and were fine with that.
Oct 2nd, 2014, 05:03 PM
#249
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kja
I understand, you were but speculating.
Cranachin
Not bad. But it might have parsed better had you christened Rick Steves, 'Ricky'. "Oh Ricky you're so fine, you're so fine... etc.' Plus Ricky rhymes with, uh, chrysanthemum.
LR220. I second Laverendrye's response to your OTT posts about Americans. Please, if you don't stop, I'm going to tell everyone you're from Vancouver. No, not that Vancouver. The other Vancouver. Or from Ottawa. No, not that Ottawa, the one in Kansas. Or from New Brunswick. No, not the province, the city in...
I understand, you were but speculating.
Cranachin
Not bad. But it might have parsed better had you christened Rick Steves, 'Ricky'. "Oh Ricky you're so fine, you're so fine... etc.' Plus Ricky rhymes with, uh, chrysanthemum.
LR220. I second Laverendrye's response to your OTT posts about Americans. Please, if you don't stop, I'm going to tell everyone you're from Vancouver. No, not that Vancouver. The other Vancouver. Or from Ottawa. No, not that Ottawa, the one in Kansas. Or from New Brunswick. No, not the province, the city in...
Oct 2nd, 2014, 05:43 PM
#250
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IA justineparis, I think it's ironic that people seem to have such a problem with the Canadian flag patch or maple leaf pins when Americans seem to dress head to toe in the American flag as clothing. That is, of course, when they're not wearing Canadian gear or neon-coloured clothing with monuments of the countries they are visiting. I met a Californian surfer dude and a spoiled girl who was just doing an "Eat, Pray, Love kinda thing" but I actually didn't dislike them, even if they were caricatures/displayed stereotypes of Americans and were rather ignorant about the countries they were visiting and the etiquette there. I only have a problem with the Americans who get physically aggressive due to their entitlement.
Oct 2nd, 2014, 07:29 PM
#251
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OK I mentioned this earlier but 250 dead horses later I will post it again
Rick Steves is a lazy and uneducated writer when it comes to art. He is followed because he knows a tad more than the average tourist. For example, he calls Velázquez the court photojournalist. This is not demean the often dangerous assignments photojournalists assume, but Velázquez is a seminal artist for Western art
The NY Met Museum staged a spectacular exhibit about 7 years ago highlighting how he influenced the artists who worked subsequently, particularly Picasso and the well known French painters including Cezanne and Manet
If you don't understand the masters, how can you guide others, no matter their interest in art.
This is lazy and uneducated writing. Do your own research to confirm this, this is not my opinion but those who study art.
Rick Steves is a lazy and uneducated writer when it comes to art. He is followed because he knows a tad more than the average tourist. For example, he calls Velázquez the court photojournalist. This is not demean the often dangerous assignments photojournalists assume, but Velázquez is a seminal artist for Western art
The NY Met Museum staged a spectacular exhibit about 7 years ago highlighting how he influenced the artists who worked subsequently, particularly Picasso and the well known French painters including Cezanne and Manet
If you don't understand the masters, how can you guide others, no matter their interest in art.
This is lazy and uneducated writing. Do your own research to confirm this, this is not my opinion but those who study art.
Oct 2nd, 2014, 07:29 PM
#252
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Oct 2nd, 2014, 09:36 PM
#253
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HA HA what a stuffed shirt.. some folks are more then happy with the BRIEF and non stuffy assessment of "court photojournalist" ,, that's all they need to know and don't WANT a indepth description or assessment.
ITs not your place to decide what others should or should not enjoy on THEIR holiday little dude..
Rick Steves has NEVER pretended to be an art expert.. ever..
Many people WANT a thumbnail sketch of the history or background of what they are seeing.. its not your place to pooh pooh what others enjoy .
ITs not your place to decide what others should or should not enjoy on THEIR holiday little dude..
Rick Steves has NEVER pretended to be an art expert.. ever..
Many people WANT a thumbnail sketch of the history or background of what they are seeing.. its not your place to pooh pooh what others enjoy .
Oct 2nd, 2014, 10:14 PM
#254
Why are "court photojournalist" and "seminal artist" mutually exclusive? Surely that is a narrow and overly-contemporary view. At the time, to be a court photojournalist was to be at the top of one's profession. And the Velazquez painting I have seen described as the greatest painting ever is undoubtedly a portrait of court people.
My problem with RS is that he concentrates so much on art galleries and cathedrals, when my interests include arts and crafts, non-religious architecture and the countryside. He also hasn't "discovered" a new "back door" in decades, but given his current popularity that's just as well.
RS doesn't aim to produce comprehensive guidebooks, he says so, right up front. He produces guides for people with limited vacation time who want to hit the high spots. Not for your average long time Fodors poster.
My problem with RS is that he concentrates so much on art galleries and cathedrals, when my interests include arts and crafts, non-religious architecture and the countryside. He also hasn't "discovered" a new "back door" in decades, but given his current popularity that's just as well.
RS doesn't aim to produce comprehensive guidebooks, he says so, right up front. He produces guides for people with limited vacation time who want to hit the high spots. Not for your average long time Fodors poster.
Oct 3rd, 2014, 02:38 AM
#255
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Once again if someone pretends to be a professional travel writer, than he should be accurate no matter who the audience may be.
I expected responses such as this but I responded any way for the few out there who are genuinely curious. The responses above are not founded in fact, logic, or experience but in some general need to be contrarian.
The painting that Little Ricky was describing was Las Meninas which is a singular work of wit, craft, technique, and great imagination that was an inspiration for many including a young Picasso.
To describe it as photojournalism demonstrates a total lack of understanding regarding the work itself and its importance.
The answers above demonstrate a greater problem in our society, the justification and defense of ignorance. Those justifications are not founded in fact, experience, or logic but in animus.
That is not snobbery it is a lament reinforced by their responses. Of course, when the people above correct another that is not snobbery but is much needed and understandable.
I expected responses such as this but I responded any way for the few out there who are genuinely curious. The responses above are not founded in fact, logic, or experience but in some general need to be contrarian.
The painting that Little Ricky was describing was Las Meninas which is a singular work of wit, craft, technique, and great imagination that was an inspiration for many including a young Picasso.
To describe it as photojournalism demonstrates a total lack of understanding regarding the work itself and its importance.
The answers above demonstrate a greater problem in our society, the justification and defense of ignorance. Those justifications are not founded in fact, experience, or logic but in animus.
That is not snobbery it is a lament reinforced by their responses. Of course, when the people above correct another that is not snobbery but is much needed and understandable.
Oct 3rd, 2014, 04:16 AM
#258
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I'm with IMDonehere. Has Rick ever explained why the Mona Lisa is so small? Lack of paint? Why is the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel so faint compared to the ceilings of neighbouring rooms? The no flash rule? Lower floor?
Give us some answers please.
Give us some answers please.
Oct 3rd, 2014, 04:50 AM
#259
Oh, la-de-dah. Do get over yourself. The guy was employed to produce court portraits. If they were also great art, no doubt the patron was especially pleased. I suppose next you'll be claiming that no modern photojournalist can produce art. Personally, I find the painting in question overrated, I don't like it, but I don't go around belittling those who do.
And I don't see justifications for ignorance. I see justifications for SELECTIVITY. You know, including A in preference to B, C and D. If you want more, nothing is stopping you looking for it, but no reason to get snobbish about those who don't. Or, more likely, don't on a first trip.
And I don't see justifications for ignorance. I see justifications for SELECTIVITY. You know, including A in preference to B, C and D. If you want more, nothing is stopping you looking for it, but no reason to get snobbish about those who don't. Or, more likely, don't on a first trip.
Oct 3rd, 2014, 05:45 AM
#260
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If that's the best that one can accuse Steves of - that's very weak. It was, I think, obvious to most of us that "court photojournalist" was meant to be silly, not belittling and definitely not downplaying the artists' talent or importance in art history.
The most Rick Steves ever says about a painting is maybe one short paragraph – of course he is not going to get into deep discussion of each painting, it's importance to art history, symbolism, etc. if one is looking for that information, they would look for an art book – not a travel book.
<<I expected responses such as this but I responded any way for the few out there who are genuinely curious. The responses above are not founded in fact, logic, or experience but in some general need to be contrarian.
I'm sorry, but this is ridiculous and you sound like a pompous you know what.
The most Rick Steves ever says about a painting is maybe one short paragraph – of course he is not going to get into deep discussion of each painting, it's importance to art history, symbolism, etc. if one is looking for that information, they would look for an art book – not a travel book.
<<I expected responses such as this but I responded any way for the few out there who are genuinely curious. The responses above are not founded in fact, logic, or experience but in some general need to be contrarian.
I'm sorry, but this is ridiculous and you sound like a pompous you know what.
