The Conversation
The following conversation took place in the 80s between me and the wife of an American officer in the United States Air Force who was part of an exchange programme and was stationed at RAF St. Mawgan in Cornwall.
I am not aware if prospective exchange officers and their families are given the same lecture nowadays but if they are, it might go so a way for us to see how we are perceived by our American cousins.
After introductions and pleasantries…….
“How are finding life in England?”
“Oh we love it, and we had to attend a lecture before we left the States so we were well prepared.”
“That must of been interesting, is it as you expected?”
The lady smiled and said.
“We were told that the British are very polite and we must always remember to say please and thank you. You drive on the wrong side of the road. British policemen are the best in the world and when going for a walk you should always take a dog even if you borrow one from your neighbours.”
My perplexed look prompted an explanation.
“The British are a nation of animal lovers and will never run over a dog. We were told that you crash your car before hitting a dog.”
I asked the obvious question.
“Is that why you have gone and got your puppy?”
I was wondering if the charming boxer pup that was sitting by the ladies feet would be abandoned when the time came to return to America.
The lady must have realised my train of thought.
“Oh no, our beloved Doberman died last year and as we knew we were coming to England we thought that we would get our next dog here and of course she will go back with us when we return to the States.”
“I hope your husband is enjoying his secondment to the RAF.”
“Well, our husbands get a lecture as well about the Royal Air Force.”
I smiled and wondered what they were told.
This was a very perceptive lady and she was well-rehearsed.
“I can tell you. The Royal Air Force won the Battle of Britain, the pilots were called The Few presumably because there weren’t many of them. Without them, the war would have been lost. D.Day couldn’t have happened and the world would be a very different place.
They were also reminded that the British military had just sent thousands of men thousands of miles, halfway around the world to take back those islands, sorry I can’t remember what they are called, and it was done despite the fact that our State Department said it wasn’t possible.”
“Falklands?”
“Yes that was them”
“Our husbands were told to show respect”
Before we continued I thought it necessary to clarify two points and informed her that The Few was a name derived from Winston Churchills famous speech, starting: “Never in the field of human conflict……” and I had to correct the illusion that being with a dog was a guarantee of safety when in the proximity of motor vehicles!!
Having established that the delightful boxer went by the name Betty we started the lesson.
Betty made rapid progress and was soon at a level where my assistance was no longer required and we said our goodbyes.
Years later I received a letter from the United States with an attached photograph of Betty with a Doberman. The letter was long and explained that the family were back home, had adored their time in England and were sorry to leave. They were now committed Anglophiles, Betty was with them and when they got back home had acquired a playmate for Betty, a Doberman, who they had called…..Raymond!!
“We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals.”
Immanuel Kant