Ignorance Is Bliss

A recent, lamentable trend in reality show contestants: people (all southerners) who seem to take pride in their cultural ignorance.

First there was Heather on Project Runway, who claimed not to know what Auf Wiedersehen means. And then in the reunion show could not pronounce Raymundo.

Then there was Kellie Pickler, who would have us believe that spinach salad and calamari are exotic foods, unknown to North Carolina.

And, finally, last night brought us Bucky Covington, who seems surprised that people in California eat things other than chicken and mashed potatoes.

Are these people serious? Has Heather never seen The Sound of Music? Has Kellie never been to the Olive Garden? I'm not saying that they should bow their heads in shame about not knowing this stuff, but to treat your ignorance and basic lack of curiosity about the world around you as a point of pride is not an attractive quality -- and to feign it is even worse.