NationStates Jolt Archive

Ok, there we go.
This is not necessarily open to people who have a fist-hand experience, but to everyone out there. What I wish to see is what the idea of it is (even the "feel" of it). Please, don't flame me: it was inspired by a similar thread about Greece, but is in no way an extension of it (so I'm not just taking up space).
I would also like to know wether you see the Balkans as a unitary construction (a thing in itself etc. - I do not, for one) and wether you consider Romania part of them. Actually, where do you see Romania?
If you have questions abot the country, I'll be trying my best to answer them.

Ok, there we go.
This is not necessarily open to people who have a fist-hand experience, but to everyone out there. What I wish to see is what the idea of it is (even the "feel" of it). Please, don't flame me: it was inspired by a similar thread about Greece, but is in no way an extension of it (so I'm not just taking up space).
I would also like to know wether you see the Balkans as a unitary construction (a thing in itself etc. - I do not, for one) and wether you consider Romania part of them. Actually, where do you see Romania?
If you have questions abot the country, I'll be trying my best to answer them.
You're all a bunch of vampires and werewolves according to the movies I've seen. Plus you really need to brush up on your Italian. It's barely intelligible. [/Ignorance]

You're all a bunch of vampires and werewolves according to the movies I've seen. Plus you really need to brush up on your Italian. It's barely intelligible. [/Ignorance]
:)
Primo Levi said something like: It sounds like home, but you can see the Tartars have been around.

In 2004 I spent two weeks volunteering an orphanage in the town of Targoviste.

From what I could see, Romania needs alot of help. People are either very, very poor, or very rich. Take this example; the car park of Bucharest airport. All these Dacia's, and in the middle of them all an Mercedes SL65 AMG.

Made my stomach turn...and I was almost embarassed by myself, I was able to afford anything there while the orphans had almost nothing.

Ok, there we go.
This is not necessarily open to people who have a fist-hand experience, but to everyone out there. What I wish to see is what the idea of it is (even the "feel" of it). Please, don't flame me: it was inspired by a similar thread about Greece, but is in no way an extension of it (so I'm not just taking up space).
I would also like to know wether you see the Balkans as a unitary construction (a thing in itself etc. - I do not, for one) and wether you consider Romania part of them. Actually, where do you see Romania?
If you have questions abot the country, I'll be trying my best to answer them.

Ceascescu. Orphanages. Vampires. Romany. The Iron Guard (or was that Bulgaria? I can never remember). Steau Bucharest.

Ok, my knowledge of Romanian culture is even more facile than my knowledge of Greek culture.

:)

They perfected cloning long ago. Every time my friends and I drove by our Romanian friends house at night, there was this weird green glow emanating from it. We surmised eventually that this was Romanian Cloning Technology (RCT) at work. You guys got over vampires a long time ago. Its your Clone Armies we have to worry about! So, where, do you keep the Clone Armies hidden away?

just kidding

In all honesty, what I know of Romania is what I've heard from Romanian friends who got out before the fall of Communism, and silly Dracula documentaries I've seen.

The impression I get nowadays is that it has progressed and developed since Communism but is still a long long way behind western europe. Would this be correct?

I also recall something about Romania having one the last populations of wild wolves lurking about its forests. Is this right or is it Bulgaria I have in mind?(I'm Canadian, thus have lived in places where wolves are an elusive but present fact of life.. I like them)

well, i cannot give you any first-hand experience..unfortunately.

because the way it is, it leaves me to only the things i've heard.
and let me tell you, your cuntry doesn't have a good PR in my country (germany).
i second the vampires and werewolves ;) but, more seriously, the main image coming to my head is women forced to work as prostitutes after they were somehow talked into coming here, organized kid gangs stealing,..

i'm sorry about that, and i'm very well aware that this will not reflect reality.but that's hwat's being said about romania around here.

-where is Romania?

-have heard of your country but usually strikes me as a poor hellhole that knowone visits

The impression I get nowadays is that it has progressed and developed since Communism but is still a long long way behind western europe. Would this be correct?
Sadly, yes. And, out of sheer naglect and political "original thinking", way behind all the better half of Eastern Europe - Bulgaria included.

I also recall something about Romania having one the last populations of wild wolves lurking about its forests. Is this right or is it Bulgaria I have in mind?(I'm Canadian, thus have lived in places where wolves are an elusive but present fact of life.. I like them)
Yes, it's us (we're exporting wolves to France, I hear). Mind you, I have never seen one - I live in a city of 2.5 million (albeit, a crappy one).

Ceascescu. Orphanages. Vampires. Romany. The Iron Guard (or was that Bulgaria? I can never remember). Steau Bucharest.
The Iron Guard is us, indeed. Just for the sake of it: it's Ceausescu (there should be a diacritic in there, as well - I know, it's a tongue-twister in other languages) and Steaua (it means "The Star" - as in "Red Star", originally).
We do have the largest and one of the most underpriviliged Romany pop. in the world (though, apparently, only 3% or something according to the census).

-where is Romania?

-have heard of your country but usually strikes me as a poor hellhole that knowone visits
I'd like to visit there. I'm sure there's alot of sightseeing to be done. There's castels, former Eastern Block memorabilia, wilderness, cities and quaint villages from what I saw on a PBS show.

well, i cannot give you any first-hand experience..unfortunately.

because the way it is, it leaves me to only the things i've heard.
and let me tell you, your cuntry doesn't have a good PR in my country (germany).
i second the vampires and werewolves ;) but, more seriously, the main image coming to my head is women forced to work as prostitutes after they were somehow talked into coming here, organized kid gangs stealing,..

i'm sorry about that, and i'm very well aware that this will not reflect reality.but that's hwat's being said about romania around here.

Don't be sorry. It is true (sometimes exagerated, but true). And it is a "good excuse" for Romanian nationals: "it's not us, it's the gipsies". We have humongous issues that none of us will adress. Sigh.

From what I could see, Romania needs alot of help. People are either very, very poor, or very rich. Take this example; the car park of Bucharest airport. All these Dacia's, and in the middle of them all an Mercedes SL65 AMG.

Exactly. And this keeps getting worse.

-where is Romania?

-have heard of your country but usually strikes me as a poor hellhole that knowone visits
It's in Eastern Europe/The Balkans (even "Central Europe", depends on your perspective).
I'm not sure about your reasons for visiting a foreign country. It is a very poor place, but it may have some things to offer (prostitution not included).

Sadly, yes. And, out of sheer naglect and political "original thinking", way behind all the better half of Eastern Europe - Bulgaria included.


Too bad. I was hoping you'd say I was mistaken. Your country has an incredible history, hopefully it will find its way again (and soon)

Yes, it's us (we're exporting wolves to France, I hear). Mind you, I have never seen one - I live in a city of 2.5 million (albeit, a crappy one).
I strongly urge you to go camping in an area where there are wolves. (Don't worry, they are much more afraid of you than you are of them.) Listening to them howl with and to eachother beneath a moonlit sky is a wonderful experience. That and you should enjoy the wilderness your country has...very few countries in Europe have it as good as you do Romania, in that regard.

I'd like to visit there. I'm sure there's alot of sightseeing to be done. There's castels, former Eastern Block memorabilia, wilderness, cities and quaint villages from what I saw on a PBS show.
From first hand experience, the castles are crap - I went to Rasnov and Bran castles (Bran is where Dracula lived...). Rasnov is part builiding site, part ruin, and Bran is just like some stately home. You'd only know about the Dracula connection from the tourist market beneath the castle.
Otherwise, I quite like the place. I was there last month, went to Bucharest, Brasov and Cluj. Bucharest is ok, the drivers are mad, the fountains in the main square (Piata Unirii(?)) are cool, and the palace (2nd biggest building in the world) is awesome. But there are a lot of street kids, it's terrible. Brasov is lovely, I'd recommend it to anyone for a holiday. Not so much in the way of street kids. Didn't really see much of Cluj, though it looked quite a poor city.
Also, Nadkor's right about the rich/poor divide. There's no 'middle class' to speak of at all.

Too bad. I was hoping you'd say I was mistaken. Your country has an incredible history, hopefully it will find its way again (and soon).
Thanks. I'm not sure about the history being incredible: it's strikes me as parochial at times, and we ahve had a way of publicising ourselves in a wrong light. I'm a history student, and I get a chance to see many approaches to have just managed to scratch past the cliche (though there are still incredible claims, such as the one about the Dacians - an ancient people residing around this area - having had the first state in history - in fact, a loose tribal union).


I strongly urge you to go camping in an area where there are wolves. (Don't worry, they are much more afraid of you than you are of them.) Listening to them howl with and to eachother beneath a moonlit sky is a wonderful experience. That and you should enjoy the wilderness your country has...very few countries in Europe have it as good as you do Romania, in that regard.
I think that, though more than in other parts, wolves and bears are mainly kept on game reserves around here. There was a scandal with the former prime-minister and some EU officials shooting a couple of dozens or so on a single hunt - it's horrible on more levels, since this kind of bribing is virtually our only chance of joining the EU any time soon.

I like their language and accents.

I like Romanians, ESPECIALLY Andrei Codrescu.

so you'd want to join the EU?
i know that the first and obvious answer would be a yes because everyone thinks they'll get money from the EU and everything..but look at pland or any other of the "new" EU countries. so many of them are getting into serious problems because of them struggling to meet (the sometimes ridicoulos) EU standards for farming etc., cuz if you as a farmer or anybody else in smaller business don't meet those standards set up by rich,ignorant countries like mine , you may not produce anymore, and then you're fucked.

(Bran is where Dracula lived...).
Minor correction: because (after much conflict) we accepted the Dracula thing as an incitive for tourists, we tend to pose with things that are not that true. Dracula only went there once - he was prince in the south, and that was his personal possesion what was then Hungarian land. He did spend a lot of time in Transylvania (in Hungary, that is - back then), but as a prisoner/hostage of the Hungarian king Matthew.

so you'd want to join the EU?
It's a lifeline for us.

I like their language and accents.
Thanks. I feel detached from all aspects of nationalism, but I still find our language very interesting - at least, as much as any Romance one. And it has weird and self-sustained constructions, such as the word for "thank you" wich translates as "I give/wish many years".

Minor correction: because (after much conflict) we accepted the Dracula thing as an incitive for tourists, we tend to pose with things that are not that true. Dracula only went there once - he was prince in the south, and that was his personal possesion what was then Hungarian land. He did spend a lot of time in Transylvania (in Hungary, that is - back then), but as a prisoner/hostage of the Hungarian king Matthew.
Yeah, I know...well, not all of that. I know that Dracula is reputed to have lived at Bran. By the way, what's up with charging people to take photos in museums and castles etc?

i'm sorry to ask (but english is not my first language) - what si a lifeline, or better what do yu want to express by saying its a lifeline for you? does it mean something like it's really important to you?

i'm sorry to ask (but english is not my first language) - what si a lifeline, or better what do yu want to express by saying its a lifeline for you? does it mean something like it's really important to you?
It means we're ultimately being kept functional (alive, even - I'm exagerating for effect :) ) by EU aid and policies.

By the way, what's up with charging people to take photos in museums and castles etc?
I think it's not only in Romania that they have this - though I'm sure it's not widespread. I guess it's just a way to squeeze money (I'm just giving confirmation, as I'm sure you were aware of that already). The really idiotic and obvious thing is that, usually, foreigners are charged more than Romanians for entry tickets (as they do for sure in "The House of the People" - that huge building in Bucharest, I'm sure you know it, but it goes by many names).
Man, I've been using "sure" a lot :) .

Been there, in Bucharest and Sinaia - absolutely brilliant. Except for the obvious corruption and lack of social cohesion. Romania has huge potential.

I think it's not only in Romania that they have this - though I'm sure it's not widespread. I guess it's just a way to squeeze money (I'm just giving confirmation, as I'm sure you were aware of that already). The really idiotic and obvious thing is that, usually, foreigners are charged more than Romanians for entry tickets (as they do for sure in "The House of the People" - that huge building in Bucharest, I'm sure you know it, but it goes by many names).
Man, I've been using "sure" a lot :) .
Yeah, that's what I thought. It was weird at the military museum in Bucharest - we couldn't take photos inside, but outside, with the military vehicles etc, we could take as many as we like. And, yes, the People's Palace does charge more, I guess because tourists generally can afford more. But it's worth it for the picture you can get from the balcony.

Yeah, that's what I thought. It was weird at the military museum in Bucharest - we couldn't take photos inside, but outside, with the military vehicles etc, we could take as many as we like. And, yes, the People's Palace does charge more, I guess because tourists generally can afford more. But it's worth it for the picture you can get from the balcony.
Funny. The vehicles are dismantled and outdated, though - hopefully, it's not what we're using in our NATO contributions :) , so taking photos shouldn't be a problem. What did you think of the English language that guides in the People's Palace use? I went there twice, and both times joined foreigners on tours (foreign groups form faster, as few Romanians visit the place - so I didn't have to wait). It was embarassing (I got a kick out of "the stairs may look comfortable, but they are not", and the Dance-Hall being refered to as "Dancing Hall").
I'm not dissing people with poor English skills (mine are just mediocre), but these are "professional" guides.

"An ubiquitous ugliness permeates the landscape... In the corners of streets, there's an old man just standing there, from sunrise to evening, doing nothing."

"An ubiquitous ugliness permeates the landscape... In the corners of streets, there's an old man just standing there, from sunrise to evening, doing nothing."
What are you quoting? It rings very true for some parts of Romania.

Hi there! I'm a Romanian :)
Some romanians play this game too :D

Anyway, I agree, Romania does suck. It has huge potential but, heh, corruption :)

Hi there! I'm a Romanian :)
Some romanians play this game too :D

Anyway, I agree, Romania does suck. It has huge potential but, heh, corruption :)
Buna!
I was on a Greece thread earlier, and I mentioned that not many would/could express an opinion about our "fair" land - that's how it started. I'm partly proven wrong (many opinions, not so many people :) ).

You're all a bunch of vampires and werewolves according to the movies I've seen. Plus you really need to brush up on your Italian. It's barely intelligible. [/Ignorance]

I think you're right. You are descendents of Dracula...

I think you're right. You are descendents of Dracula...
Yes, and you all live in a legendary on the edge of the planet :) (Irish legend, wasn't it? I mean, that's the origin of the name "Brazil" from what I know).

I think Brazil comes from Brazilwood (Pau-Brasil in Portuguese) or from Tupi Be-ra-zil (Berazil)

I think Brazil comes from Brazilwood (Pau-Brasil in Portuguese) or from Tupi Be-ra-zil (Berazil)
From this site:http://www.brazilbrazil.com/braznam.html
"I have heard it said that "Brazil" was a good name looking for a nice place. That is basically true. The concept of Brazil began in the 1300s and slowly grew in the minds of Europeans. The origin of the myth is unclear, but in simple terms Brazil was a small island (or several islands) in the Atlantic Ocean. The legendary Isle of Brazil was not just an orinary place -- it had a little bit of Eden, Shangri-la, Brigadoom and Utopia. According to the Irish legend, Brazil was a mystical island with fabulous cities covered in gold. A real paradise. The trouble was that it was either always covered in myst or it would only appear above the waters every seven years. Bummer. There is a book by Donald Johnson, Phantom Islands of the Atlantic, that devotes a great chapter to the mysterious Hy-Brazil. According to Johnson, early Christian writers also got into the act, identifying Hy-Brazil with the Garden of the Hesperides, where "the sadness of life could be escaped" or "the Promised Land of the Saints" which the Irish monk St Brendon had searched for. Thus, in some way, these two names - Hesperides and Brenden - also become associated with Brazil, either as Brazil itself, or as companion lands. It gets worse. The idea of "Promised Land" became Tir Fo-Thruin (Land under the Waves), Tir Tairngiri (Land of Promise), Magh Mell (Land of Truth), Hy Na-Beatha (Isle of Life), Tir Na-M-Buadha (also Land of Promise)and Terra Repromissionis Sanctorum (Promised Land of the Saints)."
Not to get carried away on this.

From this site:http://www.brazilbrazil.com/braznam.html
"I have heard it said that "Brazil" was a good name looking for a nice place. That is basically true. The concept of Brazil began in the 1300s and slowly grew in the minds of Europeans. The origin of the myth is unclear, but in simple terms Brazil was a small island (or several islands) in the Atlantic Ocean. The legendary Isle of Brazil was not just an orinary place -- it had a little bit of Eden, Shangri-la, Brigadoom and Utopia. According to the Irish legend, Brazil was a mystical island with fabulous cities covered in gold. A real paradise. The trouble was that it was either always covered in myst or it would only appear above the waters every seven years. Bummer. There is a book by Donald Johnson, Phantom Islands of the Atlantic, that devotes a great chapter to the mysterious Hy-Brazil. According to Johnson, early Christian writers also got into the act, identifying Hy-Brazil with the Garden of the Hesperides, where "the sadness of life could be escaped" or "the Promised Land of the Saints" which the Irish monk St Brendon had searched for. Thus, in some way, these two names - Hesperides and Brenden - also become associated with Brazil, either as Brazil itself, or as companion lands. It gets worse. The idea of "Promised Land" became Tir Fo-Thruin (Land under the Waves), Tir Tairngiri (Land of Promise), Magh Mell (Land of Truth), Hy Na-Beatha (Isle of Life), Tir Na-M-Buadha (also Land of Promise)and Terra Repromissionis Sanctorum (Promised Land of the Saints)."
Not to get carried away on this.

It might be right, but I think I'm talking about the country Brazil, not the island...

Is it possible for Bleamish to be a Romanian name, or a corruption of a Romanian name? Also, is Stanislaw a first name that is used in Romania? I'm very curious about this.

Is it possible for Bleamish to be a Romanian name, or a corruption of a Romanian name? Also, is Stanislaw a first name that is used in Romania? I'm very curious about this.
Bleamish? I don't even know what the name stands for - is it a cosmetics thing? I don't think it's Romanian, though.
I know "Stanislaw" to be a Polish, Czech, Lithuanian etc. name - mainly Slavic, and connected with Catholicism. Most Romanians are not Catholic - so the name is very rare (if it is used, it is rather like a Swahili one used by American Blacks; it is common, I guess, with Polish or Slovak communities over here). Names ending in "-slaw" do pop up in the Early Middle Ages (under Polish or even Hungarian influence) - such as a local leader in (probably) the XIIIth century called Seneslau (Seneslaw) and a XIIth century prince called Vladislav (Wladislaw). The few names that are of Slavic origin are usually shortened: a one-time common name was Stan (for Stanislaw), another is Vlad (for Wladislaw). This happens because the names have meanings in Slavic languages. Wladislaw is something like "strong and tall" - so just "strong" may have been a name in itself (to all Slavs out there: I appologize if I'm wrong, please correct me).

It might be right, but I think I'm talking about the country Brazil, not the island...
Yes, see the rest of the site. The Portuguese took the story as such - it was presented as fact - and this makes sense since nobody knew that America was a continent, and thought of it as "Islands to the West", or part of Asia. Cabral got there by accident, and managed to see a bit of coast (in comparison with the hugeness that Brazil is today).

The only Romanian I know is from the NUMA NUMA Video

I like how Romania chose not to follow in the footsteps of the other European nations which abanoned communism and had a relatively peaceful transition to western democracy. Instead, Romania had to have anarchy, followed with a televised execution - you guys do things in style. Maybe it's the whole latin/romantic thing. The French, Spanish and Italians all seem to like doing that too.

I also once knew a Romanian girl. She was hot.

Uh, yeah. Romania. Woo!

I like how Romania chose not to follow in the footsteps of the other European nations which abanoned communism and had a relatively peaceful transition to western democracy. Instead, Romania had to have anarchy, followed with a televised execution - you guys do things in style. Maybe it's the whole latin/romantic thing. The French, Spanish and Italians all seem to like doing that too.
Yeah, not really our "blood". We had a special regime, under special pressures: Ceausescu rejected Soviet influence, and Romania was close to China and Albania (until the Albanian-Chinese split, that is). Ceausescu was very nationalistic (sometimes, his regime did not even look communist) and, sadly, managed to get a lot a support for his policies. In 89, the Soviets got tired of this embarassment - they had huge problems of their own - and backed, together with Americans (previously, they were supporting the regime for its anti-Soviet potential), a popular revolt that was induced by decaying living conditions. What also contributed was that people in the proximity of Ceausescu quickly changed sides.
Most of the Romanian population - especially, in the countriside and smaller towns - stayed at home. They're reffered to as "TV-watchers". I think that the bloodiest reaction from the regime, the one in Timisoara, killed about 300 people (not to say that this is few, it's just not especially terrifing).

Yeah, not really our "blood". We had a special regime, under special pressures: Ceausescu rejected Soviet influence, and Romania was close to China and Albania (until the Albanian-Chinese split, that is). Ceausescu was very nationalistic (sometimes, his regime did not even look communist) and, sadly, managed to get a lot a support for his policies. In 89, the Soviets got tired of this embarassment - they had huge problems of their own - and backed, together with Americans (previously, they were supporting the regime for its anti-Soviet potential), a popular revolt that was induced by decaying living conditions. What also contributed was that people in the proximity of Ceausescu quickly changed sides.
Most of the Romanian population - especially, in the countriside and smaller towns - stayed at home. They're reffered to as "TV-watchers". I think that the bloodiest reaction from the regime, the one in Timisoara, killed about 300 people (not to say that this is few, it's just not especially terrifing).

Yeah, I knew it was a special case. I saw a video (It was a BBC documentary) last year that showed tanks shooting at people on the streets, though, so I thought it was worse...

...and the televised execution of Ceausescu, met with many cheers from a group of people in a pub.

Come to think of it, that's a little weird. If there were tanks rolling in the streets, I probably wouldn't be at the pub. At home drunk maybe, but probably not at the pub.

I know about the earlier parts of the history of romania (where it was all fragmented and run by the ottomans kinda thing)

also I know about them in world war one they came in on the side of the allies and got their arses kicked due to inadaquate training, equipment and a extremely old fashioned way of war

they also got their asses kicked in world war two on the side of the axis and got their arses kicked due to inadaquate training, equipment and a extremely old fashioned way of war

then after that they got the really pychotic leaders whos names I can't spell

so really I feel really sorry for romania due to the whole crapness that has happened to the people of romania

Come to think of it, that's a little weird. If there were tanks rolling in the streets, I probably wouldn't be at the pub. At home drunk maybe, but probably not at the pub.
Yeah, but keep in mind that they executed him on the 25th (I know, Christmas Day) and tanks were around up to the 22nd (the day the Army swiched sides).
There were shootings after the fall of the regime (which is bewildering). One of the theories is that, since the conspirators knew that Ceausescu was popular and opposition to him was opportunistic, they wanted to keep people inside - and not on the streets, protesting and fighting the new power. I, for one, hold the opinion that most people would have immediately rejected a Soviet-backed (although, not Soviet-controlled) government. And I don't think they would've supported something more decent than that.

I know about the earlier parts of the history of romania (where it was all fragmented and run by the ottomans kinda thing)

also I know about them in world war one they came in on the side of the allies and got their arses kicked due to inadaquate training, equipment and a extremely old fashioned way of war

they also got their asses kicked in world war two on the side of the axis and got their arses kicked due to inadaquate training, equipment and a extremely old fashioned way of war

then after that they got the really pychotic leaders whos names I can't spell

so really I feel really sorry for romania due to the whole crapness that has happened to the people of romania
True.

Don't know much about the country,
but I worked with a Romanian woman once.
She was a fiery one!
And the office manager wanted me to protect everyone else from her,
because of her temper. :D

I liked her, and I loved the accent. :)

(I seemed to get that duty while at that particular firm---anyone who was not a quiet conformist was put on my team, so that I could protect the rest of the office from them! I also got the guy who kept bringing in pictures of his guns, the guy who slammed handfuls of pens/pencils on his desktop at random, etc.) :confused:

(I seemed to get that duty while at that particular firm---anyone who was not a quiet conformist was put on my team, so that I could protect the rest of the office from them! I also got the guy who kept bringing in pictures of his guns, the guy who slammed handfuls of pens/pencils on his desktop at random, etc.) :confused:
That is SOOO FUNNY :D

Yes, see the rest of the site. The Portuguese took the story as such - it was presented as fact - and this makes sense since nobody knew that America was a continent, and thought of it as "Islands to the West", or part of Asia. Cabral got there by accident, and managed to see a bit of coast (in comparison with the hugeness that Brazil is today).

Well, I can't agree with that. Brazil was the name invented by Irish, but I don't think Portugal tried to "change" America's geography. It was just a good name, because here, we had lots of a tree named Brazilwood, the name comes from India...

Well, I can't agree with that. Brazil was the name invented by Irish, but I don't think Portugal tried to "change" America's geography. It was just a good name, because here, we had lots of a tree named Brazilwood, the name comes from India...
Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that the Portuguese or anyone were into "changing" geography. But I still think the name is Irish (I also read this in several books - the site I refered you to was the first I found) - and "Brazilwood", to my knowlege, has its origin in the name for the country, not the other way around (mind you, I have seen what it looks like only once, already as furniture :) ).
It's rather like "Australia" being Medieval Latin name for a huge continent that was thought to include the South Pole, or like "Canada" sticking as a name for the country (from one used by American Indians for "fortified house", to one used for a region, to one used by two regions united, to one that officially replaced "British North-America" in the XXth century). Things like place-names don't have a prescribed sense, I guess.

Bleamish? I don't even know what the name stands for - is it a cosmetics thing? I don't think it's Romanian, though.

Thanks for your help. Bleamish isn't a cosmetics thing, it's a guy's name. We're trying to work out where it's from. He says he has Romanian ancestors, but he's kind of fuzzy about his family history.

Thanks for your help. Bleamish isn't a cosmetics thing, it's a guy's name. We're trying to work out where it's from. He says he has Romanian ancestors, but he's kind of fuzzy about his family history.
No problem. Suggestion: guy is Romanian Jewish. Originally, it might've been something like "Blumisch".

Ok, there we go.
This is not necessarily open to people who have a fist-hand experience, but to everyone out there. What I wish to see is what the idea of it is (even the "feel" of it). Please, don't flame me: it was inspired by a similar thread about Greece, but is in no way an extension of it (so I'm not just taking up space).
I would also like to know wether you see the Balkans as a unitary construction (a thing in itself etc. - I do not, for one) and wether you consider Romania part of them. Actually, where do you see Romania?
If you have questions abot the country, I'll be trying my best to answer them.

I don't think Romania belong to Balkan, it is a south Slavic country. Romania got some potential if they do it right with their human resources. I don't want to offend you but what I heard from Romania or about Romania are overwhelmingly tragic stories like children who are forced to steal in Germany, or prostitution, poverty, software pirates, organized crimes, etc. But I do read and heard about positive news from Romania too, like Romanian highschoolers won back to back first prize of NASA space settlement design constest, multinational companies investing in Romania (e.g. IKEA), etc. In sport Romania was strong in gymnastics and soccer.

I don't think Romania belong to Balkan, it is a south Slavic country. Romania got some potential if they do it right with their human resources. I don't want to offend you but what I heard from Romania or about Romania are overwhelmingly tragic stories like children who are forced to steal in Germany, or prostitution, poverty, software pirates, organized crimes, etc. But I do read and heard about positive news from Romania too, like Romanian highschoolers won back to back first prize of NASA space settlement design constest, multinational companies investing in Romania (e.g. IKEA), etc. In sport Romania was strong in gymnastics and soccer.
Hey, no offence taken. Thanks for your opinion.
However, did you mean to say that we are are, or that we are not South Slavic? Cause we are not - we speak a language related to Italian, French, Catalan, Portuguese etc.

Yeh, Romania can't be a slavic country. They speak a Latinate/Romance language, which means they where there in Roman times - before the Slavs moved in from the North during the post-Roman migration period. Infact the Romanian people are believed to be mostly descended from the pre-slavic tribe the Romans knew as the "Dacians".

I wasn't aware that IKEA was investing over here.

No problem. Suggestion: guy is Romanian Jewish. Originally, it might've been something like "Blumisch".
Thanks for the tip.

Thanks for the tip.
You're welcome.