Never heard of Arkansas . . . WHAT.

[Ashes2Ashes]

If you live in another country, fine, I can understand not having heard of one of our lesser popular states. But if you are literate and have lived here for the majority of your life I would think that you would at least recognize the names of all 50 states even if you couldn't necessarily name them all by heart. Hell, this is stuff you learn songs for in elementary school, as others here have pointed out.

 

[Owlslayer]

Hell, even I've heard of it, and i live in Eastern (okay, a bit of Northern, too) Europe. They don't teach the U.S states in Geography class, but thanks to me watching a lot of TV I've heard of it.
Though i have to say i have no idea where it's located. I'm guessing somewhere in the middle. But that's just a wild guess.

 

[Jaime_Wolf]

I suspect that either you are trolling us or they were trolling you.

That said, I can sort of imagine that happening. What's in Arkansas? Seriously. I'd be surprised if most people could name ANYTHING notable there (get your finger off of quote, this is not an invitation to prove me wrong).

Also, before we play the "lol Americans are dumb and have no idea where anything is" game, the remarkably coincendental current XKCD:

 

[Aurora219]

I met an American once that hadn't heard of England.

I had to explain to him that it what where his language had come from, if he catches the clue in the name, but he didn't believe me.

Sigh, XBL crowds ftl.

 

[thom_cat_]

Can any Non-Australians name all Australian states?

New South Wales, Tasmania, Queensland, Victory, West, North and South (kind of boring those last three).

I've gotten "New Jersey, is that in New York?" The reverse could at least be somewhat forgivable as there is a West New York, New Jersey.

New South Wales, Tasmania, Queensland, VICTORIA, WESTERN AUSTRALIA, NORTHERN TERRITORY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY.
So that's basically 3/8 with some half points for half-correct state/territory names.

*This is not including the military states and islands nobody cares about.

 

[tinkyyy]

I once had a girl ask me if Britain was landlocked. While we were sat on a beach, staring at the sea, in England.

Bad enough as that is, it's made worse by the fact that she was studying GCSE Geography at the time. I don't actually know if she was any good at geography though, and god knows what she is doing now that was about 4 years ago. Let's just hope it's not anything geography related.

 

[Kris015]

I know Arkansas.. And i'm from Denmar, Europe.

 

[Leemaster777]

I once knew someone who didn't know that Tokelau was North East of Fiji and they also didn't know Proxima Centauri is 4.3 light-years away! My GOD! The stupidity!

But jokes aside I believe I would only be able to name about 20 American states. But then again... I'm not American so I have a pretty good excuse.

Can any Non-Australians name all Australian states?

I'm gonna say "No" on this one... mostly because I was completely unaware that Australia even HAD states.
...
...Yeah, Americans suck at geography, that's not a secret. Like, we REALLY suck at geography, to the point of not even being funny anymore.

I will say that I DO know all the States and Capitals... only because of the previously mentioned Wakko song. Kinda sad that I learned more about geography from a 2 minute cartoon song than I ever did from school.

 

[MadeinHell]

To be fair, Arkansas is pretty forgettable.

Sir you won this topic.

 

[Klepa]

I once knew someone who didn't know that Tokelau was North East of Fiji and they also didn't know Proxima Centauri is 4.3 light-years away! My GOD! The stupidity!

But jokes aside I believe I would only be able to name about 20 American states. But then again... I'm not American so I have a pretty good excuse.

Can any Non-Australians name all Australian states?

I guess I have to jump on the grenade here..

Australia has states?

 

[2xDouble]

OK, ok... kids... gather 'round for a little geography lesson...

There are two Arkansas(es?).

r-Kan-zes is a river.

R-ken-saw is a state.

This makes for a lot of fun talking to people who mispronounce them. Very Abbot and Costello.

 

[Eclectic Dreck]

Do you know anybody from Arkansas?
Have you ever been to Arkansas?
Do you know anybody who has ever been to Arkansas?
Can we really assume Arkansas exists?

I knew a guy who claimed to be from Arkansas. There once was a President who was supposedly the governor. I have also travelled through the state more than once. So I suppose I am as certain that the state exists as I am that anything does.

 

[Terminate421]

To be fair, Arkansas is pretty forgettable.

Wyoming and Iowa beat it interms of forgettableness.

 

[Jewrean]

Can any Non-Australians name all Australian states?

New South Wales, Tasmania, Queensland, Victory, West, North and South (kind of boring those last three).

I've gotten "New Jersey, is that in New York?" The reverse could at least be somewhat forgivable as there is a West New York, New Jersey.

I'm drunk atm. Bloody good effort! Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australian, Queensland are the states. The Northern territory and Australian capital territory aren't considered states but territories instead.

 

[rokkolpo]

You live in America then.

consider your question Answered

 

[Irridium]

Happened to me once.

I was in California, and at a store. My mom was buying something, and the cashier asked "so where you from, exactly?"

Mom: "Chicago"

Guy: "Where's that"

Mom: "Uh, Illinois."

Guy: "Is that a state?"

*facepalm*

 

[Irridium]

To be fair, Arkansas is pretty forgettable.

Wyoming and Iowa beat it interms of forgettableness.

Montana would like to have a word with you.

 

[Jewrean]

I once knew someone who didn't know that Tokelau was North East of Fiji and they also didn't know Proxima Centauri is 4.3 light-years away! My GOD! The stupidity!

But jokes aside I believe I would only be able to name about 20 American states. But then again... I'm not American so I have a pretty good excuse.

Can any Non-Australians name all Australian states?

I'm gonna say "No" on this one... mostly because I was completely unaware that Australia even HAD states.
...
...Yeah, Americans suck at geography, that's not a secret. Like, we REALLY suck at geography, to the point of not even being funny anymore.

I will say that I DO know all the States and Capitals... only because of the previously mentioned Wakko song. Kinda sad that I learned more about geography from a 2 minute cartoon song than I ever did from school.

AH that's oklay. I',m a nbit fdrunk atm. Sry. It doesn't marter if don't know our states. The only reason I know some amerincan states is becasuse of hollywood.