please help

[snade17]

I had an argument with my boss about the use of the personal pronouns - I, me,we, us in the first sentence of the text below. In my opinion I should use "me and us". According to her "I and we" is the correct decision.
In Bulgaria, we must not run counter to the boss, anyway I want to know the truth for myself.

"Bulgarians divide people into two groups: “me and us” (me and my relatives and close friends) and “the other people” (all the rest). “The other people” are not our relatives and we do not owe them anything. However, it would be much different if he/she were our cousin. It is quite natural for us, Bulgarians, to employ our relatives without bothering to check their qualifications, to disregard and even cover their mistakes. The Bulgarian language even has a special word for family links determining social success."

 

[Barb_D]

It's idiomatic in English to talk about "us" versus "them."

That doesn't necessarily answer your question, but using either "I and we" or "me and us" sounds odd to me.

To simply say "us" and "them" would sound okay though.

 

[David L.]

Yes - use 'us' to refer to you and relatives, and 'them' for the rest.

It is quite natural for us, Bulgarians, to employ
No commas

The Bulgarian language even has a special word for family links determining social success."
compare: English 'nepotism' = the practice among those with power or influence of favoring relatives or friends, esp. by giving them jobs. I would imagine most languages would (have a word for it), as the practice is/was probably rife in most societies before equal opportunity legislation!

 

[snade17]

You are wonderful, David. Thanks a lot!

 

[Barb_D]

It is quite natural for us, Bulgarians, to employ
No commas

Would you really write "natural for us Bulgarians to..." ?

I would write either "natural for us, the Bulgarians, to..." or "We Bulgarians find it quite natural to..." - I find "us Bulgarians" to be awkward sounding