TOP GEAR host Jeremy Clarkson has published a column in THE SUN about the show’s controversial episode:
Here is what Clakson wrote:
I’m truly sorry… that you have no sense of humour
Last weekend, on the Top Gear motoring programme, we may have accidentally said some unkind words about Mexico.
To be specific, we suggested that the people of this great American state are feckless, lazy and flatulent.
We also said that their food tastes like refried sick and that their ambassador in London would not complain because he’d be asleep.
Well, if he was asleep someone plainly woke him up because he did complain and, in doing so, seems to have started an international incident.
At one point on Wednesday we were receiving 200 complaints from Mexico every minute and the channel which screens our show over there was warned it could face an advertising backlash.
At home, Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, was said to be considering a new tone for his forthcoming visit to Mexico and a cross-party panel of MPs called for heads to roll.
KIDNAPPED
Meanwhile, a woman is said to have instructed lawyers to bring charges of racism against the BBC.
So it falls upon me, as usual, to be the voice of reason and set the record straight.
People say that Mexicans are only good at kidnapping businessmen, cleaning Arnold Schwarzenegger’s swimming pool and growing heroin, but I know this is rubbish. I went there, once, for lunch and it seemed to be very nice.
Nobody kidnapped me even slightly, and I seem to recall the waitress was very pretty. And then there’s the legendary Mexican engineering.
Certainly, if I ever need a heart pacemaker and there’s a choice of two models, I would always choose the one made in Mexico over the one made in, say, Switzerland.
Likewise, if someone dear to me needs an operation on their heart, I’d rather the surgeon was called Pablo than Wolfgang.
I therefore apologise unreservedly to Mexico and its people. I am truly sorry for being part of a show that called you feckless, lazy, and flatulent. You’re not.
But let me ask you this. Are you, perhaps, a bit humourless?
For decades, the French have told us Englanders that we can’t cook,. the Aussies has said we don’t bathe enough and the Americans have said our teeth are rotten yellow stumps.
Meanwhile, most Italian women will explain loudly and often that they would rather get into bed with a mouse than an Englishman. Some even say it amounts to the same thing.
And that’s before we get to the Scottish, who have not said one single nice word about us since we chopped up William Wallace.
We don’t mind any of this, though, because it’ s just harmless teasing.
And because it’s harmless, we dish it out as well. When I say the French are ride, I don’t mean they are rude and I hate them and I hope they die soon.
I mean to say that they are rude and now let’s have a beer.
As an American comedian pointed out recently, Britain is the only country in the world where someone will introduce you to his best friend by saying “Have you met Billy. He’s a bit of a t***.” That’s how we are.
We even tell jokes about ourselves. Take this one from Jimmy Carr: There are only two things the English hate. Racism and foreigners.
For sure, there are calls in Britain at the moment for all offensive humour to be banned.
But what people don’t realise is that without offence, there can be no jokes.
An Englishman, Irishman and Scotsman went into a pub. There were four nuns in a plane and only one parachute. Did you hear Kate Moss went up to Jeremy Clarkson at a party. What’s red and sits in a corner?
You won’t be able to think of one joke you’ve ever heard that wouldn’t cause someone to be upset.
Let me leave you with an example.
Why doesn’t Mexico have an Olympic team? It’s because everyone there who can run, jump or swim is already across the border.
—THE SUN, FEBRUARY 6
Here is the video in question with Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May:
And for that, Mr. Clarkson, you are awarded THE CHORIZO award!
No remorse, from Pendejo #1. This guy enjoys race baiting. In this instance, he only messes with ethnic groups that won’t take it further beyond complaining. My gut tells me, he wouldn’t dare attack African-Americans. The truth of the matter is, he knows he can get away with attacking Latinos, because, unfortunately, our bark is louder than our bite!
This is our moment to prove everyone wrong.
Jeremy, Are you perhaps a bit dense?
I think he knows David! LOL
Before a guy accuses the world of not having a sense of humor, he’d better be sure he was funny.
Hal, you are so right! This was more painful than the video. This story is writing itself!
The problem is not having a sense of humor. The problem is that they aren’t funny. Once they accept that we can move on.
I think Clarkson’s arrogance won’t ever admit that.
Simply amazed at the lack of awareness and reality this response of his exhibits. It is NOT OKAY to make fun of a race, group, type, gender, category, religion or whatever a particular group of people is when it only serves to put them down and perpetuate horrid stereotypes. It matters not that other countries and nationalities allegedly make fun of others. This does not make it right! Just because people laugh at you when you do this doesn’t make it right.
I think Clarkson is missing that point. It is very arrogant what he wrote.
Stereotypes are brilliant, I don’t know about over the Atlantic but over in Europe everybody makes fun of everyone, and i mean EVERYONE, this has gone on for centuries and nowadays its the kinda thing that just goes around in daily conversation. For example, one of my best mates is polish, doesn’t mean i don’t tease him about Hitler coming to get him at night. Another friend of mine is Palestinian, so we call him a stone chucking monkey and point out the futilities of throwing them at tanks. I myself am half French half Filipino, you have no idea the shit i get for that, believe me, but in the end it’s just banter. So no need to get your panties in a twist just get over it and stop drooooooooooooning on about how politically correct the world aught to be.
Moreover, Clarckson’s got a point, tell me one proper joke that does not offend anyone or anything.
ps:
What do you call a building full of Mexicans?
Jail (sue me)
You have your opinion, I am mine. Thanks for the comment.
How has Europe fared in history, just curious? Not being difficult, but I will guarantee you that humor was the first step to more serious crimes in the history of Europe, crimes against humanity. Now that would be an amazing topic to write a thesis about if I had time. Thanks for the comment.
Hes not making fun of a race, group, type (w/e that could mean) gender, category (really wth… hey mate what category u are..?seriously) or religion… in any case it could be a “group” of ppl born in a specific area… aka nationalities… in europe everyone makes fun of everyone… and they dont care because even if in some cases its true they accept it as it is… a joke… the real problem is that in Central america and South america… the stereotypes jokes come harsh because deep inside they feel that is true and feel embarrassed by that…
bottom line the guys at top gear make fun of EVERYONE (cars or certain nationalities) and its well known over their 19 seasons that’s how they roll…but they also get serious and praise certain things (automotive mostly) like for example they make fun of North Americans all the time… yet they do a special note on Carol Shelby… the key word here is fun…
The last time I looked, neither the French, the English, the Germans, nor any other Europeans were the number one victims of hate crimes in the United States.
Latinos are.
So pardon me if I feel a little sensitive when I hear someone on the BBC serve up the same lame stereotypes passing for humor that is a staple of white supremacist websites.
It is a bit scary.
Ok, so your last name is Hispanic. I am not “pardoning” you. Excuse my stereotype (Because it is exactly that because of your name.) You need to understand the British mentality. Everyone is fair game, its not racism. If they can’t make fun of anyone, much less themselves (which they do almost on a show by show basis) who can they make fun of? They make fun of the French all the time, and even the Americans. Why do Mexicans feel they are picked on when they FINALLY get talked about in a teasing manner? Turn off the telly if you have a quip. This world is to sensitive if an individual can’t recognise humor that has been already established for decades (Remember the Speedy Gonzales cartoons that R. Hammond commented about?) Lying about sleeping with a huge Mexican hat on…come now, it causes you to laugh and garners GOOD joyful thoughts about the Mexican life, whether its true or not. Take a Prozac why don’t you? (or was I being too insensitive?)
That’s fine but I can also say that TOP GEAR humor is lame and it sucks.
Couldn’t agree more… u said it perfectly “Everyone is fair game”
Im mexican and I think the jokes they made in the show were related to such an old sterotype that I really did not get offended.
Now what mexicans can not see, is that the mexican ambassador in England is using this event for his personal agenda. Maybe this whole thing can be his ticket to get a job in the government after 2012.
Hard to see that, but your perspective is interesting yet likely? Don’t think so.
Julio you are very very naive about Mexico. Have you ever been there and spent a couple of years living the Mexican way of life because if not then before you continue you really should do so amigo.
Guess what, Mike? I have lived in Mexico, so please don’t go there. And it does have its problems. To me, this is about the three doofy amigos Clarkson, Hammond, and May. You have to agree that these three don’t really represent the best of England.
While the humor was definitely a bit off color, and I will admit I paused for a moment as I watched that episode and thought “ok, that was a little harsh” I quickly threw it to the side, because general humor and stereotypical humor is just that, humor, and random banter. I am 100% certain as I have followed this series since it’s first episodes, that if the Mexican vehicle in question were delivered to Top Gear, and blew them away – these three men would be the first to chastise themselves with relative stereotypical humor as they do to every episode for their comments and give the vehicle a good review (presuming the car is any good in the first place)…
I think that while I respect all the opinions presented (I am hispanic) , I also think it’s been overblown over nothing. I tend to make the joke among my own friends who are white, or black to make sure they have the correct racial slur against me when we joke…”I’m not a beaner you dumb hick, I’m a wetback…I swam from Cuba…My bud Juan over here…he’s a beaner.” People have to get over themselves and simply be able to laugh at the jokes and move on. Especially when the consistency from the persons speaking said jokes are to do the same to themselves, their own people, as well as everyone else. For us here we call it equal opportunity racism, but most people want to believe that there is such a thing is no prejudice, no stereotypes and total harmony…there is no such thing…
And when I didn’t think this issue could get any worse, Julio. Obviously this guy just doesn’t know when to stop slinging insults. What bad judgement and poor taste. Ugh.
This is surreal.
Such a shame that those three Topgear guys cannot do better than reproduce their stone-age schoolboy humor. Their image of Mexicans probably comes from old cartoons (Speedy Gonzalez?) and cowboy movies (where the Mexicans are always the lazy and incompetent bad guys). Unfortunately the times of the incredible British humor (Monty Python and Spitting Image) on television are long over. These Topgear fellows are only able to talk about horsepower and topspeed. They probably do not even make up their own jokes. I suppose they just get up every morning and eat their poaches eggs (English for “boiled vomit”) and drink a pint (English for “a bucket of warm piss”) before driving to work on the wrong side of the road (most of the world keeps the lane to the right). And they dare to insult the Mexicans? Hahahahaha, just joking…..(I am just as bad as they are!). Let’s just forget about all this and simply enjoy the show. Topgear has learned its lesson. Maybe some will stop watching the show, however others will tune in and hope for some more juicy comments.
Cool thanks for the comment. But Clarkson is still a pendejo.
To follow suit in my previous comment Julio, I wonder how many jokes about the outside world are done in Mexico? It’s just a norm to make off color commentary about things that normally wouldn’t fall in the hands of someone “outside” the norm. I think (my opinion) that because their are specific companies out there that are credited with the most prolific and specific supercars, that was a shock to see an entry from a Mexican company.
I asked a few of my friends in regards to this, because half of them thought it was insulting, the other half laughed and thought the jokes made sense.
I simply stated – what if there was a tequila making company out in Scotland.
One looked at me and said “Que carajo eso pinchy mierda gringo sabe de Tequila hermano”
One said “Yeah no…eso pendejo son mejor para chuparse”
To spare the rest, the general concensus was relatively prejudicial that any country outside of Mexico could make a quality Tequila. So I prosed the same concept, so could it be that these brits who are used to Seeing Italy, Germany, and Japan produce Supercars be a little thrown back at the first Mexican one? Wouldn’t it be nice to see that mexican car turn up on their track to make them eat their words?
You just called them a Pendejo, I think the concept here is simply generalized humor from one country (granted a bit off color and excessive) versus the reality of the world. Every one in their own countries make off color commentary toward other countries for any variety of reasons, we should as a people just shrug this off and move on.
Life is nothing without a little whimsy.
(apologies for any typos, its 4:44am…ZZZzzz)
Clarkson’s ego handled it all wrong. Also, it could have been more clever in terms of humor, but as a fellow comedian, I found the joke to be lazy. Clarkson is an egomaniac, just like he can say bad jokes, I can tell him that that joke was dumb.
Rossi try watching some you tube clips of Harry Enfield and a show called Little Britain and you will see that classic British comedy showing us laughing at oursleves is still very much alive and kicking.
I don’t think TG represents real British humour that is witty and intelligent, yet still pokes fun. The TG lads are just boors.
When I was watching the episode in question, i felt ashamed to have promoted their show so much (I am Latino, proudly) and just sad. Like I lost a friend. And I have never really pushed the race issue or taken offense in the past, and I’ve been called everything from spic to nigger in my lifetime so I can take it, but this one from top gear hurt. it was bringing an ugly racist past to the front again. I thought about it alot.
Then i read this web page, and I think back to my english friends who I personally have made fun of, to their face (karma) about teeth and food or whatnot. my asian friends who taught me racial slurs in korean without asking them to, or my white friends when they, in their guy machismo way, ask me to make them some tacos or buy some oranges (men show hate to show love, go figure) (we use that one sometimes in my own family)
after reading Clarksons article, i felt a little embarrassed for forgetting that we are all human, and I need to lighten the fuck up on somethings, I was responsible for how i feel, not top gear. and he is right, they do it every show, make fun of each other, and everyone else. southpark, daily show, family guy (in a stupid way) Fox news (in the most vile way). Everyone does it and we take it, then someone overseas says it and we explode. we need to relax, and enjoy the ride as much as possible, From Clarkson, this article is HUGE. he doesnt show this other side of his ego too often unless he knows that not only is he in trouble, but he went too far, as usual, this time on us, let the big frankenstein go. I’ve watched his show for twenty years, Mexicans have been picked on the least. Racism isnt going away, the best we can do is turn it into a joke of things past, like al jolson. or cher
Agreed. Clarkson is an egomaniac.
Britts smell and have no teeth and if thet do they are black. As far as their crumbling culture. a whole bunch of murders, poison and fat guy with syphillis decapitating wives. And a mediocre author writing about crazy kings killing everybody. What do you expect from these depressing pendejos?
It’s cool. And sorry, bro, I had to delete your last comment. No profanity directed at other people. Thanks!
You Sir are an ignorant pratt exactly the same as the three pratts on Top Gear. I suppose defending the honour of Mexico involves your childish rant instead of a rational argument. We thye Brits have the greatest recorded history in the world, the greatest literature in the world, the greatest musicians of our times and maybe in history, every day you play and watch British sports, we still lead many fields including quality cars, fashion, design, architecture, medicine oh the list goes on and on. London is the most tolerant and multi cultural city in the world. Mexico where I live is the most racist country I have ever been to with Central Americans being attacked, robbed their women raped and often murdered by Mexican government officials on a daily basis. Because I am white and anglo saxon I am a constant target for extortion attempts on almost a weekly basis from Transito, Hacienda or Migracion. That is the reality amigo that not many Mexicans can stomach. I wish I could be treated 5% as well as immigrant latinos are treated in the USA by the Mexican government. Anyway if you care to continue your childish nonsense I am your man, lets discuss it. Viva Mexico and Viva England and next time you eat a SANDWICH have a read about its origins….
I like the English and I am a huge Arsenal supporter. One day to be at the Emirates. I just don’t like Clarkson, Hammond, and May. They are boobs and should be suspended from the show. But don’t just hold my word for it, the Australians are removing that racist segment from the Aussie broadcast of TOP GEAR.
Yeah, immigrant Latinos get treated very well in the US. Especially when then get killed because they are Latino. The TOP GEAR stupidity doesn’t help the cause. You must be pissed since your countrymen just made it a bit harder for an Englishman to live in Mexico.
Sure, the Mexican government has its issues. But jolly old England hasn’t had that great of a history too when it comes to colonizing other people. Yet, sadly, the sun has set on the Empire so so long ago.
The best thing England can offer is the sandwich? LOL Ok, that’s cool.
Thanks for taking the time to comment on my blog.
ofcourse Clarson is an egomaniac – if you’ve watched the show you’d realize he makes fun of everyone in that pompous, over the top way. I don’t remember everyone freaking out when they were poking fun at the folks in the US with “fat stig”. That’s because it was funny and most of us fat americans got the joke. This all sounds to me like a lot of whining. If you don’t like it, change the channel…
I don’t like it, but I choose to blog about it instead of changing the channel. BTW, I have been watching TOP GEAR for a year now. You have one opinion, I have mine. Thanks for raising my blog’s traffic rating today. If you don’t like what I writer, there are millions and millions of other blogs you can read and comment, but I do appreciate your taking time to read the post and comment on my blog. Peace.
the only time people get upset over stereotypes is when there is truth in them.
Does that even make sense? Yeah, all Mexicans are lazy and eat cheesy food.
Mr Robles
Have you ever lived in Mexico? I do and I am English. Mexicans have a wonderful ability to laugh at themselves often to the extent that they cannot take real issues seriously enough. Mexicans are constantly ridiculing other races. Do you remember the Memen Pinguin stamps, no I doubt it but go on look it up on Wikpedia.
The comments about Mexican food were disgraceful but the rest of it was typical British stereotyping and we use this a lot in our humour especially about ourselves. Your attempt at stereotyping us was PATHETIC and what was with the Australian accent as well.
The issue was about Mexico not latinos so why are you trying to stir up shit and bring latinos into the issue If you are so upset about the stereotypical image of Mexicans please go and protest outside one of the 100′s or maybe 1000′s of Mexican bars and restaurants around the world owned and run by Mexicans which use the little fat sleeping Mexican sitting under a tree drinking and wearing a sombrero and poncho. This image is perpetuated by Mexicans against their own race for financial gain. Anyway Señor latino I’m off for some Tamales and Mole Que rico eh?
There is a lot of Hater-ade to pass around. Thanks for the comment.
Mexico is not Central aAmerica dumb ass..
That is true
Am I really a dumb ass Rick or is it you. Central Americans are robbed , raped and even murdered by Mexican government oficials every day. Do you want to dispute that fact Rick or do you want to continue calling me a dumbass withour having a rational debate. Any Central American such as a Honduran, A Guatemalen or El Salvadorean who crosses the southern Mexican border on his way north to search for the American dream is immediately a target for criminal activity from Mexican (that is Mexico in North America) governement agents. Thank god latinos are treated far far better in the USA than they are in Mexico eh?
Mike, I think Rick was calling Clarkson a dumb-ass for his comments in the Sun and not you. What is your point anyway? Rick just wanted to call out Clarkson for his geographical ignorance.
I think my whole point on this blog or whatever you call it is trying to show the total hypocrasy of this whole affair. Yes SOME the Top Gear comments were offensive regarding the food but nothing more than one hears everyday of the week from Mexicans about foreigners or even about their own who are Malinchistas. Mexico is the most hypocritical place on the planet but I still love it.
Did you not see the post we did about Mexican comedy being just as racist? TELEVISA is wrong. But so is TOP GEAR. I hear ya.
To be clear I think Mr. Sopwith was referring to how Central Americans going into Mexico are being tortured and raped if caught by the Mexican authorities. That is how I read it.
Throughout the coverage of the Top Gear fiasco, I wrote several pieces about Mexican humor and its shortcomings. Just because Clarkson is wrong, doesn’t mean Mexican TV culture is right. They were both wrong.
I think part of what caught most of us in the States off guard was that it came from nowhere. In the past there have been very few pokes at Mexico. When talking about the US or the other European countries, there is alway a moderate level of jabs, with the occasional hay maker thrown in. It was like they had looked at a calender and thought “Oh my, We’ve ignored Mexico for the last eight or nine years. We must fix that now.” Then they picked up a hammer and went to town.
A contributing factor was that it was Hammond, not Clarkson, throwing the punches. We’ve come to expect that from Clarkson, bombast is his stock and trade.
As for their comments about Mexican food, I’m sure they were talking about Tex-Mex. I will admit the presentation can sometimes be a little lacking, if prepared right has flavor. A nation who’s cuisine can best be described as boiled and bland should be silent on the subject.
All excellent points, Mark. Thanks for the comment. You are right, Hammond is actually not as controversial as Clarkson. And actually his statement felt a bit more sincere, but not by much.
Mark. I am sure you have your reasons for commenting on English food and I agree that we do not in any way promote it as much as we should. I have never ever eaten anything boiled except occasional veggies. All of our meat is roast, griled or fried and we have some of the best sauces in the world such as proper English mustard for roast beef (buy some Colmans next time you are in walmart), fresh mint sauce to eat with roast lamb, horseradish for beef, apple sauce for roast pork, bread sauce for turkey, our brown sauce (tamarind based) for sausages and bacon and of course curry sauce which we gave the world during the colonial days in India. I love some Mexcican food and I am just popping out for Arrachera with my wife but on its own it is as bland as bland can be and only when smothered in pico de gallo and a decent salsa does it have an iota of flavour which is what I think about most Mexican food. My Mexican wife loves English food because she has tried it not just read about it. We the English just need to promote it better although the French would agree our traditional puddings are superb.
Go English cuisine!
Julio I fully understand why a lot of people take the piss out of our cuisine as it is pretty simple compared with others and we just dont big it up. Right I have enjoyed my time on your blog and I thankyou for your hospitality but I have to get ready to fly to god’s own country for Birmingham City versus Arsenal in 12 days.
Mike, always welcome here. Hope Arsenal trounces Birm City. I am a huge Gunners supporter. Best thing about America is Fox Soccer Channel and ESPN showing live Premiership on weekend mornings! Cheers! Safe travels.
Well I’m a life long Birmingham fan so I hope the opposite. Whatever it will be a feast of delicious English beer and mouth watering spicy Indian cuisine.
Maybe the Mexicans should take on all of the gangs and drug dealers in their country instead of the hosts of Top Gear. Oh wait, they are too lazy to do that.
That was a joke? Thanks for the comment and the lame joke, Pedro!
But sadly true Julio. 18 innocent people killed indiscriminately last night in just one small town in Tamaulipas.
Mike, I hear ya.
Another British TV report about Mexico but I doubt if this will be exposed to the populus as it tells the truth and the Drunken Huevones in charge don’t want the truth told do they?
http://blog.itv.com/news/billneely/2011/02/a-city-on-the-slide/
I’m Portuguese and i’ll try to be the most imparcial: we were in times one of the most powerful nations in the world….but this isn’t never a great begining of conversation or a motif to defend a point of view…And today we are a country of imigrants and a joke for many many countries…but we don’t care….(only in a case that we have with a brasilian actress but that’s another movie
)…we should be concerned with what happens in our countries and then give value to what is said out there…I am a patriot and we should always defend our country but when we have so many problems in our country we can not be indifferent to the internal problems and then burst out when someone says something bad about us…. always happened and will always happen critics from country to country…But im not defending Top Gear 100% but when i see so many many critical parodies and insults to U.S. Latinos, I think Latinos should have to be indignant more time ago with that events
But i’m for peace
Viva o México e viva Portugal…e viva o Top Gear!
Thank you, Carlos! Obrigado.
It is not laziness that prevents Mexicans from focusing on REAL problems like all the violence; and instead paying a lot of attention to irrelevant issues such as Jeremy Clarkson’s comments on his editorial and in Top Gear, and the Florence Cassez case.
I AM a Mexican. From Matamoros, Tamaulipas actually. Where nowadays grenades go off on a daily basis and pedestrians no longer worry about stepping in dog feces while walking the streets, but instead worry about not stepping in the pools of blood. NOT an exaggeration.
No, it’s not laziness. It’s that DAMN tendency that we have of ignoring the real problems and focusing on silly things in the hopes that
a) They will go away on their own – in which case NO ONE talks about it anymore, or
b) Someone else comes and solves them for us – in which case we already have an excuse for not doing it ourselves (we were making sure Jeremy Clarkson paid for his comments)
Mexico is a country of dichotomies, none bigger than the fact that yes, we are indeed a PROUD country, and we feel proud for our country. But we are also sad for our country. We just don’t like anyone to see that.
Mr. Clarkson’s comments, personally, did not offend me. I’ve heard (both on film and personally) much, much worse.
Here’s a very old “joke” that was told by a Mexican: “Mexico is one of the greatest countries of the world. There’s only one thing wrong with it”. “What?” “It’s full of Mexicans.”
And I am sure that I don’t have to remind many of my “paisanos” about the story about the crabs of different nationalities in the pet shop and their different set up right?
Mr. Clarkson WAS very wrong about the food though.
All the best.
LJP
¡Gracias, Luis! Si, México es un país de muchos conflictos.
I think it was great to read this comment. Quite a long time ago I was in the military (special forces) and the bulk of the assignments I dealt with were assigned to hunt drug cartels with various US agencies…I always had a tough time dealing with my internal struggles while in Mexico…because it felt like nothing we did – short of a tactical nuke and killing nearly everyone would solve any problem and would hurt innocents…
I think that in the end every country has it’s problems, there is no such thing as the greatest country, I was born and raised in the US (NYC, Miami, LA) and I have been to 136 countries and I lost count to cities, I think we are all from beautiful places, all with their dreadful sides…
In the end we have to stop being so sensitive about simple issues like this and focus on the issues that need priority…
as an example, I like that in england they really don’t have cops dealing with speeding tickets or general traffic issues, unless its an accident and people are needed on a scene…for the most part if you speed you get a ticket in the mail, because the cameras will get you…this leaves room for cops to do real work…in the US cops are chasing speeders, or putting tickets on parked cars…this is stupid and wastes our tax dollars…when there is real crime…
I guess that might not be the best example or analogy…sorry im delirious from insomnia, but I think the point you made eloquently here is that who cares that 3 man on a car show made these coments – when there is so many things that need to be fixed in this country…perhaps if they didn’t have nearly 400,000,000 viewers it would have been a non-issue…
Well Luis maybe it is time for Mexicans to stop being proud of their country and to start being ashamed of it and then maybe people will sit up small the coffee and actually start trying to make a difference. Proud of a country in which 60% of the population want to leave for another country, que locura.You carry on being proud and listen to your politicians tell you how you are all going to “Seguir adelante juntos” instead of saying this place is a third world hellhole ruined by its own people and doing something about it. Never has a country with so much potential and so many natural resources been ruined by its own people through their failure to accept the truth…OMG what have I said…Un pinche extrañero no puede hablar de mi querido Mexico asi…
Mike, maybe the BBC should hire you for a show. I think you paint the picture of Latin America in general. I agree with your assessment. BTW, still smiling from Arsenal win over Barça.
Julio, I am so frustrated by what is going on. I left my beautiful country to live here with my beautiful Mexican wife and now it is a hellhole and I need somewhere to let off steam and your blog seems the place at the moment. 15 people killed where I live yesterday in one municipality yet all the headlines today are about a football match. Yes Arsenal were majestic, just hope they have an off day next sunday.
I hear you, Mike. Hey, I have an idea: why don’t you file blogs about an Englishman living in Mexico and talking about the problems there? It would be an honor for me to host your guest blogs if you are interested. Will email you. Let’s impact real change here.
Julio not a bad idea and thanks but 2 points. A foreigner telling the truth does not go down well with Mexicans at all and they tend to withdraw even more into their Aztec world of everything is ticketyboo. The second point is that it may sound ridiculous but I really don’t feel comfortable in speaking out in public except through a channel like this in. Did you know that more journalists are murdered here than anywhere else in the world just for speaking the truth. Hopefully I will be back in England in a couple of years and put this nightmare behind me. Mexico is dying and falling into the hands of the mafia and I strongly believe that the presidency could be won by a cartel leader not next year but in 2017 definately. You cannot change a culture of dishonesty and lack of sincerity brought about by the PRI over 70 years in just a couple of presidencies.
I have a friend who has left and returned to Bitain with his Mexican wife. I was chatting to her and she was saying how much she missed Mexico and how free it was so that when she drank and drove she could just pay a bribe to the transitos and walk away. That was her reasoning for loving her country and being proud of it…how can they have a future if a woman who is educated and far more cultured than most Mxicans thinks in that way.
No worries, Mike. From what the Mexican Revolution created to what the PRI has corrupted is so sad, and I agree with you on the mafia thing. Hang in there, my friend.
Jorge Ramos grilled the Mexican ambassador to US today on AlPunto show on Univision. Ambassador says that narco-traffickers do not control parts of country. Yeah, right. Calderón is doing a horrible job.
Calderon is doing what should have been done 70 years ago but alas it is too late. I support him 100%.
Good point. 70 years of political bs.
With all the respect this person deserve(for me it doesn’t)
One thing it’s have humor and the other one it’s disrespect a nation, a country a race just because he thinks it’s funny
our limits end when the other people’s limits star
And if this guy really thinks he nows the mexicans he’s just so wrong,so please if think you’re more than somebody just because you has born in another country.KEEP YOUR MOUTH QUITE. honey racial slurt will get you no where
Amen!
comanse unaverga todos putos britanicos de mierda el presentador de este programa es un maricon de mierda que no tiene sentido del humor y me cago en su puta madre una y otra vez
f-ck you
For those who need an English translation of this I will provide:
Eat s–t you British bastards full of sh-t and the presenter is one of those people who likes to eat sh-t and has no sense of humor and I plan to defecate on him over and over again.
F U
Daniel Herrera, you are a racist piece of shit hiding behind your pc. Have a look at this link about the British Council and see what we the British do for Mexico and its people eh:-
http://www.britishcouncil.org/ES/mexico.htm
I bet you are so stupid that you don’t even know what the British council is you racist shit.
Mike, BTW, congrats on the Carling Cup! Can’t believe that last goal happened. AAARGH!!!
thanks it was the best moment of my life Julio. Arsenal just thought they could arrive and lift the trophy and the arrogance cost them dearly. Worth every cent of the 4000 dollars it cost me and the 24 hours driving and 22 hours flying for a 90 minute game it took. Now the jet lag is killing my 54 year old body but I’d do it again tomorrow.
I can’t believe that in the XXI century people like Jeremy can guide a TV show and express stupid stereotypes that only show the ignorant he is.
The lazy mexicans, as he said, can imagine that not all english people is like him (Thanks God!) or like Mr. Bean, moreover that they are dirty people or pale and ugly.
Stereotypes are almost always a partial and negative view of others.
In a world so in need of peace, harmony and understanding, the words of Jeremy only soiled himself.
Jeremy that is not humor, that is unfriendly and show the poorness of your jokes
So true!
Jesus people, he made a joke! People take the p*** out of each other all the time! You can’t honestly say that you think he ACTUALLY meant any of the things that were said? He had a bad experience there, that was intended to amuse the audience, and so he made a joke out of it! It doesn’t mean he has a problem with Mexico, or Mexicans, and his article in the Sun doesn’t mean he’s got a problem with the rest of the world either. His humour works for A LOT of people here in the UK, and it is a show that is funded by the license fee – which is paid for by the people that live here, after all. So basically, if you don’t like our humour, don’t watch our TV.
Also, if you plan on bringing anything like football into this, I honestly don’t give a f***, i’m talking about a TV show here. Now get over it all ready, and go back to watching Top Gear like the pleasant people we here in the UK know you are.
Jaime, keep drinking your Jeremy Clarkson wanker juice. He is a lazy comedian.
Nice one there mate, don’t know about the humour where you come from (without trying to be branded a racist, of course) but I don’t see how ‘wanker juice’ is funny. But hey, we’ve established that we have a different sense of humour on the other side of the atlantic already, haven’t we? So just shut the fuck up.
Ha! You are a class act. Bite me. Thanks for your comments and for adding excellent traffic to my site!
Whatever, all i’m saying is, you don’t know how Mexico looks from over here. Not intended to be offensive, and I really do mean that, but for a place with so many problems, the Mexican people as a whole, and this is, againg, not intended to be a slur or anything, do remarkably little to help themselves. So yes, Richard Hammond was in the wrong calling an entire race lazy or whatever, but until you see what it looks like from here – a country falling in to the hands of the cartels and the mafia, that has so much potential to be a major power – full of people who don’t seem to be anything about it. Of course what TG said wasn’t respectful, but they do it a lot to be honest, and me and over 8 million people every week in Britain alone find it pretty funny – hopefully though, you can at least see why they said what they did now, even if you don’t agree with it.
Please don’t lecture me about the Mexican crisis. 30,000 dead since 2006 and the Top Gear twits choose to mock it with stereotypes from the 50s. If jeremy and his band of childish idiots cared, they would help Mexico instead of mock it. Sorry, not buying your lame excuse.
Beleve it or not, Top Gear probably can’t do shit for Mexico. Hate to break it to you, they’re there to make people laugh, and as popular as they are, they’d be able to do very little from over here.
Only popular in the UK, land of bad journalists and racists. Awesome.
Give it up. Top Gear bites balls. Moving on.
YOU ARE ALL IDIOTS! ¡TODOS USTEDES SON UNOS IDIOTAS!
I am Mexican and I was rolling on the floor laughing, for I know quite a few Mexicans who fit this exactly. Sometimes, they fit all of these comments EXACTLY AND AT ONCE. That’s what makes it hilarious. How come we Mexicans think we can insult anyone else in the world but can’t take any insults back ourselves? GROW UP, ¡PENDEJOS!
Agreed, Alex. While I think that Clarkson guys is in arrogant (I like him the least out of the three; the other two are actually funny), I still believe we Mexicans need to get that chip off of our shoulder and develop some thick skin and a sense of humor. I can tell you that my relatives in Mexico LOVE to talk smack and joke about other countries, especially the U.S. So I say that if we can dish it out, we need to take some of it as well. Society in general has no respect for whiners.
I love Mexicans, I buy a pretty one every time I pass through Vegas, but Jeremy Clarkson is effin’ funny…I should know, I laughed! You know what’s not funny, though…midgets, not in the least! They are horrible,evil, nasty little bastards that will stop at nothing to feast on the souls of unborn children! Lighten up people, just because you were offended doesn’t mean you had the right to be…in fact, I’m offended the Mexican comments offend you!