Thoughts on Other Nations

[Professor Fann]

Yeah, I am curious about the American ways of thinking of other countries. The only country I don't want anyone to talk about here is the United States, because we commonly agree that it is the "greatest country in the world".

I'm Asian by the way, that's why I ask this.

For example, what thou thinkest of the Great Britain? What do you feel about the current Israel and Africa? Anything about Asia and Australia? South and Central America? Anything.

Just don't be excessive in language or over-emotional in your opinions.

[swimstud600]

I dunno Fanwriter, I'm sure you could find some really overly liberal people on this board that hate America, and while it may have some problems I feel proud and incredibly thankful to live here.

Other countries... France sucks. Seriously, their greatest moment as a nation was during the Hundred Years war when a 17 year old girl appeared, just as they were about to surrender, and won their war for them. Oh, and then they let her get executed. That was the peak in French greatness and they've been going downhill ever since. And they smell funny.

Canada sucks, but not for the same reasons as France. In all actuality, there isn't anything wrong with Canada, we just like to pick on them because... well its fun. Its nothing too bad, I have a few Canadian friends but we just poke fun back and forth at each other with no hard feelings. Worst thing they do that I can think of off the top of my head is say 'aboot' instead of about.

Great Britain, I'm not sure what to think about it. And I'm not sure what they think about us. I have great respect for their people, and if I could go anywhere in Europe it would be there, second would be Germany. And actually I may as well throw Germany in here as well, I'm not sure what to think of them, or what they think of us. I know other nations aren't taking too well to our President, but to they blame the American people and group us all together as nut cases?

I don't know a lot about what's going on in Africa, I just know there's a lot of fighting going on down there. People are getting killed for seemingly no reason at all, and I'm not even sure why they're fighting, or what one group is angry about.

I think China should stop having kids. Seriously, you know how many little girls they put up for adoption? Population growth is good but sooner or later they're going to have problems, like not enough food to go around. As for the nation, everything in it is growing rapidly. And I wouldn't want to fight against them in a war.

The Middle East. Most of them don't like us, probably because we bomb the crap out of them every Thursday at 4. We can say they started it, but it was mostly just an extremist group that was pissed with us, and now that we've retaliated more and more people get pissed with us. Not a great situation. I think the people of the Middle East should step up themselves though. America held its own Revolution against Britain. America wrote up its own constitution, the people need to step up and do the same. If the current ruler of that country is torturing your people, rise up and overthrow him. Yes, some people will die, but that's inevitable. Step up and go take care of it.

[viruszero]

Firstly I'll say this:
I am not an American. And I don't believe America is as great as the people living there would like us to believe it is.

I gotta agree that France sucks... But not only for the same reasons Swim provided. I think France also sucks because of the generally poor attitudes of many of the inhabitants. Their arrogance astounds me. Many that I know who have gone to France have told me that:
"If you do go to France, either be incredibly fluent in French or don't use it at all. Because the French will come out and tell you in good English, not to speak French as you suck."
I know other countries don't like mistakes being made in their language but they're far more tolerant of it knowing that you don't live there and your visiting their country.

Germany is a nice place to visit, but I severely wouldn't want to live there, the rules sound quite harsh from what I've heard. (Every thing you do has to be put through the government... you want to move cities? get approval from government. Change cellphone numbers? government has to know... etc.)

Great Britain seems like a nice place to visit and from what I've heard their government is quite efficient in comparison to others... But the downside is (Or so I've been told by people who used to live there...) Great Britain is quite dirty and disgusting.

China... Methinks the values need to change a bit, women shouldn't be treated as they are. I'm no feminist but I don't need to be to think that little girls should just be abanonded because they are girls... More emphasis needs to be on equality and making everything a working balance. Also the government cannot restrict freedom to access information. (This means you as well Turkey... )

As for the people in the middle east... Most of them are friendly and do want to get along, but it's the extremeists causing problems, taking the Qu'ran and preaching that all infidels must die in the name of God. So much for the Qu'ran's way of peaceful life. Though also middle eastern countries need to get with the times and discover equality.

For what I've heard of Africa, they need new governments that aren't corrupted as they are now. Either that or we need to help the people directly instead of giving money to the leaders to help the people... The people themselves are a hard working and generally good people, they are also very friendly as well. (Atleast this is what one of my professors who went to africa several times has told me.)

As far as Canada goes... the only place that in reality actually does say "aboot" is Newfoundland. The rest of us just say it to screw with Americans. (And one more thing... Quebec sucks. Stupid French whiners...)

[Captain SpExtacular]

I like every country and would really like to travel to each of them. I'd really love to visit northern Europe which is where all of my ancestry is from. Such as Ireland, Germany, Sweden, and Norway. Personally I hold no grudge against any country or specific group of people, so long as they don't have a problem with me. Which is why I'm not such a big fan of the Arab nations right now, because for some reason they're hell bent on the destruction of America (don't blame their anger on the U.S. read your history and know that they've been pissed at everyone for over a thousand years anyways).

In the past two years I have gained a lot of respect for France because not every French person sucks, cause seriously there are a lot of people here that I hate more than the dirtiest French man. They have some cool guys over there to and they have some good metal. And last year they got a new president and he actually threatened the Arabs and so far no more attacks have been made on them.

Canada is pretty cool. I go fishing up there about twelve hours north of the boarder every year. So I have no real problem with Canadians.

Now I think America has one thing that no other country has, and that is an extremely well developed sense of humor and sarcasm. Which is why I'd rather be here than anywhere else in the world.

[Professor Fann]

Hmmhmm.

I would agree that not every French person is bad, but yes I have to hand it to you that there exists the language problem - English or French. Quite curious how that attitude came up. France is only famous for Paris, and for the Arc and the Eiffel and its wine. Other than that, I can't think of anything nice of teh country.

Its economy is slugging.

Great Britain ... hm, there's lots of tourist attractions and such, but to live there is a pain, especailly with the highest costs of room prices in the world. Things are some of a trouble there, but eventually I think it'd improve. As for northern Ireland ... best not to touch there.

The Middle East has some rough history. Although it had a shining glory days of the Caliphate, eventually they were all colonised by the Europeans. I think there'd kinda peaceful people, but it's the matter of who ignited the bomb. They ahve their own missiles strikes and such, but I don't think it did any good for the Danish to publish those bad cartoons - in the name of freedom.

That action itself was nonsensical. They weren't thinking of others' feelings.

Regarding Canada, I want to know why especially Quebec is having a fuss about separatism and such. I thought originally they're all united. and I finally understood the issue of Nunavut.

China ... mmm .... China. The gender imbalance is largely credited to the boys over girls practice we all observe and the one-child policy. No, make that it was the one-child policy that made families in a desperate child situation. But, the rich peopel tend to get around by paying the fines though. Politics-wise - -a lot of red tape and bureaucracy, needs to trim down.

While tourism to the country would be cool, the additional factor of smoke, smog and dirty rivers are making it not so pleasant - though I admit there are some improvements and there's a lot of work to do.

Time for me to ask you some other countries.

Myanmar, Australia, India and Russia.

Thoughts please. Don't go overboard.

[Captain SpExtacular]

The main problem with France is that about 95% of them are a bunch of cowards. Plain and simple. But they have some bad ass stuff from like a hundred or so years ago. Then they went down hill and we had to save them from the Germans twice -_-; and since then they've been very anti America.

India? Well all I can say is that they don't speak English very well and shouldn't be the ones on the other side of our customer service help lines. I dunno if its the language barrier, but they don't seem very bright.

My step uncle is from Australia and hates peanut butter.

Personally, I love Russians. I have a friend in my Criminal Justice class who has been here for 3 years and is probably one of the funniest guys I'll ever meet.

Myanmar...isn't that where Rambo 4 takes place? If so something needs to happen to them.

[viruszero]

msiafanwriter said:

Regarding Canada, I want to know why especially Quebec is having a fuss about separatism and such. I thought originally they're all united. and I finally understood the issue of Nunavut.

Quebec wanted to seperate because:
1- they felt they weren't being treated right by the government of Canada. (You know, not enough money being put into their health care, their french schools etc... )
2- they felt they were important enough to become their own country... but get this: they wanted to use the canadian dollar, still wanted the canadian government to put money into their programs and had the guts to say they wouldn't be part of canada.
This has all passed now but the English speaking parts of Canada for the most part do not get along with Quebec... And the sentiment is returned by people within Quebec. (At this point many people traveling to Ontario from the Eastern coast would prefer to go into Maine, USA and bypass Quebec altogether. And that's saying something... to pass through US/Canada customs twice as opposed to going through Quebec.)


Myanmar... I've no idea about this place at all. So until I hear more about it I shal refrain from making any comments on it.

Australia - Decent place, I haven't heard much bad about it... but neither have I heard alot of great things about it. Only reason I wouldn't want to live there (and this goes for most places in general) is it'd be far too hot for me there. (Anything over 22-25 celcius is too hot for me. That's 72-77 fahrenheit for our American friends)

India - It'd be an interesting place to visit thats for sure, but I wouldn't want to stay any length of time... I'd definitely like to sample some Indian cusine while I'm there though.


Russia - I like how they run their prison systems... You do the crime, you do the time, but none of these fancy luxuries that our prisoners enjoy.

[Professor Fann]

Reason number 2 for Quebec - hmm ... that sounds more like irresponsible adult men who still depend on their mums for cash and yet they disrespect them. And what I heard, every restaurant in Quebec has the same menu.

Myanmar - history in a brief. One of teh most renowned Buddhist places in the world, the British came in and ruled and gave independence. General Aung San, Suu Kyi's father, was to see the country under civilian rule, but he was killed. Some other general came in, took power for himself, and the country has been under rigid military rule since them - up to today.

Wiki up Safron Revolution for the latest uprising, aside the 1988 one.

It is true that Rambo 4 does take place there, and the military guys even responding by trying to degrade the movie. Of course, the ordinary folk know better and they watch the pirated DVDs. They hope that some day, another violent revolutionary like Rambo will come in and depose the cruel rulers.

In their own words, Rambo is nothing compared to the government.

Australia ... mmm .... deserts. Kangaroos. Sydney. Whatnot. For starters they have to manage a way to save themselves water. Praise Rudd for brining peace to racial politics. I wonder how's the standard of living there.

But one thing's for sure - you must be trained enough to understand their ACCENT!

India - a good place to go, but you must know your way arounds. The traffic is deregulated all the time, that's why there's traffic jams. A photo of yourself and the Taj Mahal is always a nice souvenir. Kashmir is a political hotspot - but I think everyione should leave that for the people to decide.

Try the Indian curry bread (naan). Delicious. Beware of the curry.

Democracy is nice, but too many political parties is plain messy.

I'd leave Russia alone for now. I find its history delicious, especially the Soviet history. The Russians may like the ideas of democracy, but I feel that Russians are very used to having just one supreme ruler of the masses. That's me anyways.

[Reaver]

Russia, wouldn't want to live there, some people have enough money to own half of the country while some don't even have electricity in their houses.... And there are prostitutes everywhere... just... ewgh. don't go there. Also their army training is insane, its like.. 3 years long and most of the time they are marching through siperia or something.

Australia.. they don't seem to like the idea of letting other people in. It's hot there, people talk with British-like accent and they have some odd animals there... so far it doesn't sound like a fun place to live in.. =/
Also when the Olympics were in Sydney they cleaned all the bums off the streets to make their country look better that it really is... Also they are football junkies... and cause of that fight a lot.

French.. what swim said.

India..... uh, dunno....

Rest of Asia, messed up to some extent, but the food is better than anywhere else.

I don't like Finland all that much either.. majority of 10-24 year old's are annoying and stupid, ppl older than them are usually not..
which is one of the reasons I don't go out much.
One good thing is the school system. You can pick to either go to a school that concentrates on you chosen profession, and skip the useless crap. Or go to a college like school... after which you can go to even higher level school, after which you'll become a Professor or a Meister..
Altho the country isn't bad to live in a lot of people wish they lived somewhere else..

Germany. Mmmm, Bratwurst....

Japan... great food, beautiful girls, sweet music, origin of everything awesome, and the language is interesting. Wish I could say something about actually living there... Oh well, I bet it's better than any country I've been in.



And finally, you know what.


If the paragraph below offends you, deal with it, you already knew that it's true.


I'm not pointing my finger at you personally, I'm pointing at the legions of stoopid.


America, being called the land of Liberty but you have more ridiculous rules and restrictions than the Communist Russia, and people don't even notice it. Draw a picture of a gun on class and you'll find yourself in jail, and now that game sales thing.. also the majority of Americans are overly patriotic religious hypocrites, who believe in creationism...
All that and you STILL claim to be the best country in the world..

[Professor Fann]

Aha. Most interesting. I've read it all.

May I dare ask anyone's opinion of Italy? Home of da Vinci, pizza, Pisa's leaning tower, the land of the Roman Empire, and not forgetting mafia.

What do Westerners like yourself think of it?

[Captain SpExtacular]

42 said:

America, being called the land of Liberty but you have more ridiculous rules and restrictions than the Communist Russia, and people don't even notice it. Draw a picture of a gun on class and you'll find yourself in jail, and now that game sales thing.. also the majority of Americans are overly patriotic religious hypocrites, who believe in creationism...
All that and you STILL claim to be the best country in the world..

I have to admit that our country has some problems. But each citizen has the power to change how it operates through our well thought out voting process. And through the power of majority we establish new rules and such. One thing that I think is great, is that no matter what president we have, he's going to be hated by somebody. Do I think we have to many rules guarding our lives? Yes, but with out these stupid restrictions then people would find ways to abuse society. Because for some reason we have a lot of stupid and annoying ass holes who ruin things for other people. As far as the best country in the world? No crap we are. Where else allows people to enter into their grounds where everyone has an equal opportunity to do great things? People have come here with nothing and risen up to become outstanding citizens. Take a look at Arnold Schwarzenegger for chrissake. He came here with empty pockets, muscles, and a dream. After becoming Mr. Olympia for a total of seven times and being recognized as the greatest bodybuilder of all time he went into acting. And became one of the most well known action heroes of the silver screen. After all that he's now the governor of California. America is also the last great Super Power of the world after we beat Russia in the Cold War and won two World Wars. We didn't want into those wars, it was after remaining neutral for some time that other counties (aka: France) needed our help so badly that we had to jump in. We hold a large presence in the world, and I strongly feel that after what America has done as a nation for the rest of the planet then we deserve some f***ing credit for it.

[Reaver]

If the people weren't messed up they wouldn't need to find ways to abuse society...
Where else allows people to enter into their grounds where everyone has an equal opportunity to do great things?
Uh.. most of the countries around the world? Like.. where was Einstein? In Germany, while the Nazis ruled it. Besides, Arnold only became known world wide after he became a movie star. And if you look at it like that.. lets say you were born in china, you start working at a restaurant as a cleaner, as you age you learn little by little from the cooks and finally some restaurant hires you as a cook, you work more and become more famous, then finally you are known all around china.
Same thing goes for America, you can't become ANYTHING unless you work hard.
It REALLY doesn't matter where you live.

And America isn't the only one who help out other countries in need. Like back when Finland was in war with Russia, Sweden and EVEN THE NAZI GERMANY helped us out. so yeah... If it wasn't for Hitler I might not be here. Funny, isn't it?

Italy, I'd like to go on a vacation there.. not much I can think of it.

[RELLIK]

japan: greatest country and future homeland.
america: same as canada.

[viruszero]

America is also the last great Super Power of the world after we beat Russia in the Cold War and won two World Wars. We didn't want into those wars, it was after remaining neutral for some time that other counties (aka: France) needed our help so badly that we had to jump in. We hold a large presence in the world, and I strongly feel that after what America has done as a nation for the rest of the planet then we deserve some f***ing credit for it.

And the Japanese bombing Pearl Harbour had nothing to do with it?

America... The same as Canada? Explain yourself.


As far as Italy goes... Decent place, but they didn't invent pizza, the ancient Greeks did and there are 2 prevalent ideas how it came about (and either is as likely as the other):
1- was that soldiers baked a flat bread on their shields covered with cheese and dates.
2- They had a type of break with herbs, onions and garlic which later became known as pizza.

[Captain SpExtacular]

42 said:

If the people weren't messed up they wouldn't need to find ways to abuse society...
Where else allows people to enter into their grounds where everyone has an equal opportunity to do great things?
Uh.. most of the countries around the world? Like.. where was Einstein? In Germany, while the Nazis ruled it. Besides, Arnold only became known world wide after he became a movie star. And if you look at it like that.. lets say you were born in china, you start working at a restaurant as a cleaner, as you age you learn little by little from the cooks and finally some restaurant hires you as a cook, you work more and become more famous, then finally you are known all around china.
Same thing goes for America, you can't become ANYTHING unless you work hard.
It REALLY doesn't matter where you live.

And America isn't the only one who help out other countries in need. Like back when Finland was in war with Russia, Sweden and EVEN THE NAZI GERMANY helped us out. so yeah... If it wasn't for Hitler I might not be here. Funny, isn't it?

Italy, I'd like to go on a vacation there.. not much I can think of it.

Einstein moved to America after Nazi Germany rose dingus, cause he was jewish. >.>

Hitler only helped you because he stabbed Russia in the back after the Warsaw pact. Trust me, if Hitler was alive today you'd either be a lamp shade or in the army trying to stay as brainwashed and obedient as possible in constant fear of your life.





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People say Canada's politics are different than the US. Not true. Canada is just as corrupt, but they don't have the media power to cover it all. Americans own the internet and most major news networks. Basically whatever the United States cares about, everybody else does too. Just because Canadian politics aren't a huge hype doesn't mean they're running smoothly.