Global Relations

Saturday night I found myself chatting with a guy from Nottingham and a guy from Sydney, when naturally the conversation turned to American imperialism. I jokingly asked a friend nearby, “Quick, name five famous Australians.” He hesitated and I added, “Besides Kylie.” He said, “Oh, shoot. Um…there’s her sister, Danni. Oh, and Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe.” I said, “Don’t forget Crocodile Dundee.” Who actually isn’t a person. And that’s where we got stuck. I couldn’t even come up with John Howard, the Prime Minister. The English guy said, “And who’s from Nottingham?” My eyes lit up, but he jumped in, “Besides Robin Hood.” Damn.