I was talking with a friend who mentioned “taking tea to India”. It made me wonder what the equivalents are around the world. “Taking coals to Newcastle” is the UK’s.

  • Matticus@lemmy.world
    53·
    1 year ago

    Ice to Eskimos in the eastern us. Yes, I know Eskimo isn’t preferred but that didn’t stop Nana.

    • cygnus@lemmy.ca
      23·
      1 year ago

      Same, or “he could sell igloos to eskimos” to describe an especially skilled salesman.

      • Nomecks@lemmy.ca
        11·
        1 year ago

        I’ve heard “It’s like selling ice to Eskimos” used in the context of the OP

      • LesserAbe@lemmy.world
        5·
        1 year ago

        Yeah, I’ve only ever heard it in the “he could sell…” formulation.

    • LesserAbe@lemmy.world
      121·
      1 year ago

      Guess we’re getting pretty far from the “things to place” idea, but there’s always “preaching to the choir”