You know you’re uncultured when…

[Matt N]

After some events today, I suggest a new thread for those moments where you maybe aren’t as cultured as you’d like or as the world wants you to be. Many of us aspire to have good knowledge of history, fine art, classic literature and such, or at least appear to have good knowledge of these things… but deep down, I think we all have our moments where we aren’t quite as high-brow as the world wants us to be! Whether it’s making a blunder when talking about history, not knowing about a piece of art or something else entirely, I’d love to hear about those moments where you’ve shown yourself up as being slightly uncultured; deep down, I think there’s a little bit of that in all of us!

The trigger for creating this thread is that today, I had the opportunity to visit the Palace of Versailles, a historic stately home just outside Paris in France. My mum loves a good stately home and has a keen knowledge of history, and one of the key things she had talked about wanting to see was the Hall of Mirrors. We went to see it today… and I’ll admit that I was more than a little surprised upon seeing it!

For the uninformed, the real Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles looks like this:

(Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hall_of_Mirrors)
An iconic piece of world history, not least because the Treaty of Versailles was apparently signed in there to end World War 1!

However, what I had been expecting was something more like this, with a room filled with distorted funhouse-style mirrors:

(Source: https://funplanners.com/carnival-re...9cb0-cc77-8fa8-12fead0dc70b/Fun-House-Mirrors)

The room was undeniably incredibly impressive to see, but a very small part of me was mildly disappointed that I wasn’t greeted by a funhouse-style room filled with different mirrors that would make me tall, short, fat, thin, wavy, and various other funny distorted states!

As well as that, my sister said that the ornate carved frogs surrounding this key fountain (the Latona Fountain?) in the gardens reminded her of Towers Street at Alton Towers (I was brimming with pride!):

(Source: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/latona-fountain-versailles-gardens-paris-suburbs-2305051665?dd_referrer=https://www.google.com/)

My mum must have been so ashamed to have raised two such philistines!

I’d love to hear some of your stories of being more uncultured than the world maybe wants you to be… nothing is off limits!

 

[Rob Coasters]

The main thing that I think of is when we choose for a generic fast food chain when abroad.
It's nice to do it every once in a while to discover cultural differences between the same chain in different countries. Specifically McDonald's, where some places have chicken wings and others have a full shelf of ready-made desserts.

The most uncultured thing I'd say I've ever done was eat at the same Burger King three nights in a row on my first solo trip to Belgium in April 2024.
I did not eat anywhere else for dinner. All three nights was the same Burger King.
I don't think anything will top that for a while.

 

[Flash Shift]

I often eat at chains or things like that when I am doing a solo trip, especially abroad. I have to make so many decisions both on a macro and micro level that I get decision fatigue and just blag it. It's just sustenance at that point.

However, if I go away with friends, they're more likely to want to eat exotic food so I will do that with them.

 

[James F]

It's fast food all the way for me on solo trips, although I did go to Beavertails while in Canada - pushing the boat out there.

When approached by a non-English speaker I often reply in their accent ... but in English.

On a family holiday to Disneyland Paris we had McDonald's for our Christmas Dinner.

When I went to Europa Park for the first time I thought the Mattahorn Blitz would be themed to a WWII bombing.

There's a long daily list of stupidly ignorant/uncultured things I have thought, said and done.

 

[Matt N]

Oh, I can 100% relate to this uncultured food lark!

We had French McDonald’s on the way home from Parc Astérix on Monday, and I had lasagne for lunch in a restaurant in central Paris yesterday and chicken nuggets for lunch in Versailles today!

A lot of my family love going to these posh restaurants with 7 tiny courses and posh Michelin star food… but just give me some good, simple food! I don’t understand the need for all this pretentious stuff with posh names and terms like “deconstructed” that my mum in particular goes nuts for!

Each to their own… my mum and dad are horrified that I willingly chose to go to Skegness and Southend, so it really is different strokes for different folks!

 

[JoshC.]

On the topic of fast food whilst abroad, I think that has a place in learning of culture.

When in a new country, I always try to eat at a McDonald's. Seeing the small (or big) differences gives you an actual insight into a country.

Obviously there's a time and place to try local cuisine, but a trip to Maccies ain't no bad thing

Or maybe I'm just trying to justify that because I'm a fat bugger.

 

[JamesA]

I went to the British Museum for the first time earlier this year. One of the most prestigious cultural institutions in the world, full of historically and artistically significant artefacts... and I was bored out of my mind. None of it interested me at all.

 

[James F]

I went to the British Museum for the first time earlier this year. One of the most prestigious cultural institutions in the world, full of historically and artistically significant artefacts... and I was bored out of my mind. None of it interested me at all.

It's too big for It's own good to be fair. I remember walking around with a heavy backpack weighing me down and after about 30 minutes I had enough. On the way out I realised that there is an area which I could've drop my bag off ...

I've bored myself with my own anecdote.

In my experience I find that smaller or singular topic museums are more effective and engaging. The Vasa Museum is without a doubt the best one I've been to.

 

[MannekenPis]

It's too big for It's own good to be fair. I remember walking around with a heavy backpack weighing me down and after about 30 minutes I had enough. On the way out I realised that there is an area which I could've drop my bag off ...

I've bored myself with my own anecdote.

In my experience I find that smaller or singular topic museums are more effective and engaging. The Vasa Museum is without a doubt the best one I've been to.

Yes I agree, a manageable 2 hour museum where you can do it justice. There are theme park comparisons here, a medium park that you do properly can be more satisfying than the highlights of a big park.