I've always had a bit of a thing about prejudice and bigotry.  I say 'I'... I get it from my Father.  He used to be a lawyer, he still runs his own law firm but doesn't practice anymore.  He spent many years trying to make life a bit fairer for people, and he always taught us that being different is what makes people so great.

I know some may be thinking... hang on... Iranian?  Against prejudice?  I know our country has a terrrible reputation now, but that is the government... it is not the Iranian people. 

I have been learning the English language since I was 7 years old.  My Grandfather was a fluent English speaker and taught my Sisters and I to count in English even before we went to school.  He gave me my first English dictionary and my first copy of 'Roget's Thesaurus', (which I still use).  My parents and my Uncles and Aunts are the only people I ever speak Farsi with.  Not my Sisters or my Cousins.  I finished school in the UK and went on to university here... but even after all that... I still feel completely Persian.

One of the things I notice all the time is how similar English and Persian humour is.  It is said that the last thing we learn in another language is the humour... but I have never found that.  Perhaps it is because I have grown up with both?  I don't know... but I love to laugh... and English people can make me laugh sooo easily!  It think it is to do with the fact that they think they are better than anyone else anyway... so it does no harm to make fun of themselves.  I am the only one in my family who calls themselves a 'silly cow' or tells everyone about the latest mess I have made of my job! 

Getting back to the 'prejudice' thing, I am often surprised that English people are so nervous about what we call 'political correctness'.  The English are so good at making fun of themselves, but seem to get embarrassed if their joke could be misunderstood.  I heard something the other day that made me laugh, literally 'out loud'!  It was about gay marriage, and someone was parodying the reaction of a bigot.  They said..."Gay marriage!!! Good Lord!!  We'll be having lesbians 'scissoring on public transport next!!!"

Two English friends who were with us were the only people not to laugh at this.  I don't pretend to know the prejudices that people suffer everyday... but surely it is clear that the 'butt' of the joke is the bigot themselves... not the lesbians?

Oh well... a bit 'off subject' I suppose... but I have a hangover... so that's my excuse! :-)

 GeeGee