NationStates Jolt Archive

I apologize for the vagueness of this question, but I want to know which country is tops in your book. Obviously i can only list nice with the "Other" option required for a question with such a wide range of possible answers. At any rate, have at it. Please keep this friendly. I hate arguing, as some probably already know (i get pissed off. hehe).

Well I think Japan has the most interesting history, so I'm gonna have to go with that one.

Whichever country I inevitably end up ruling.

Iceland, probably, or Canada.. (or Greenland?) :p

iceland

although ive never been there and probably never will, im convinced that it is by far the coolest country in the world.

I don't have a "coolest" country, but I'll name some countries and what I like about them.

Finland- crappy as hell economic system, but corruption is non-existent

Botswana- Africa's only democratic country

Philippines- friendliest people on the planet

Singapore- a very clean place, 'nuff said

okay, i changed it up so that the vote wouldn't be dominated by shameless homerism:

the poll is up there for you to vote for your favorite country... but you CAN'T vote for the country in which you live.

i don't want there to be 200 for US, 200 for UK, 50 for Canada and maybe 10 total for the other countries... so please only vote for a country that is not your own.

Germany! They have trash cans everywhere, and not just trash cans but like 10 cans for each type of recyclable. It's incredible!

The world's best countries due to their economic or political system are probably Cuba, Norway and Sweden. Of those listed I would vote for France.

Germany! They have trash cans everywhere, and not just trash cans but like 10 cans for each type of recyclable. It's incredible!

are they color-coded?

as for Iceland being the coolest country, in terms of temperature...

if i'm not mistaken, both Russia and Canada are colder.

I know there's this place in Russia, Yakutsk... i was checking their temps last winter and almost every day, in December and January, the HIGH temperatures were lower than -40... and their low temps were in the -50s,
-60s. Those temps are Fahrenheit, folks. That is ridiculously cold.

I grew up in northern wisconsin, which is among the coldest areas in the United States... our cold days in the winter months were -30 F. Our average days were around 0-10 degrees Fahrenheit, with lows maybe just below 0.

The coldest day i remember in Minocqua, it was -48F. That would be an average low winter temperature in Yakutsk, Russia.

are they color-coded?Not the ones in the street, but the dumpsters for houses are.

as for Iceland being the coolest country, in terms of temperature...Yeah, I just figured out that Iceland has a lot of thermal activity and volcanoes. Not that cool after all...

(I can't believe I'm still the only one that picke the US... :D )

Botswana- Africa's only democratic country


South Africa?
Or do they not count?

Meh, i'll say Canada for the hell of it. I mean, we're pretty similar in a lot of ways...

Then probably Britain or France.

EDIT- Oh yeah, and Japan is cool, but not for the whole cliched anime thing...it just has a really interesting history. Also, it's also funny how they're raised in a really inhibited and stoicistic society...but when you remove them from that and throw them in a culture like ours, I find that they have to amongst, if not *the* most insane and genuinely hilarious people to be around. Go Japan.

And can't forget New Zealand either...we're practically the same no matter what anyone says.

And Ireland. Ireland kicks so much righteous arse.

New Zealand.

Germany! They have trash cans everywhere, and not just trash cans but like 10 cans for each type of recyclable. It's incredible!
So does Japan. I've only visited 3 other countries (Mexico, Canada, Japan) outside of the US, but of those 3, Japan. Canada in the summer is great (especially up in the Yukon), but the winters are miserable for the most part.

South Africa?
Or do they not count?

South Africa now is a corrupt, racist tyranny-by-majority, rather than a racist tyranny-by-minority like the old government. Granted, there are some ways the new government is superior to the apartheid one: it doesn't torture or kill dissidents, suppress free speech, bulldoze squatters' homes, unleash death squads, etc. But the government is quite racist and anti-white, and while that's understandable, given what the people went through under apartheid, it doesn't justify it.

Not the ones in the street, but the dumpsters for houses are.

Yeah, I just figured out that Iceland has a lot of thermal activity and volcanoes. Not that cool after all...

(I can't believe I'm still the only one that picke the US... :D )

yeah, i mean they're way far north, but there's not a whole lot of inland area, so i figure the ocean would keep it from being an arctic-level type of cold.

you know, britannia and ireland are quite a bit north of Wisconsin, but Wisconsin is a lot colder.... wisconsin sitting there to welcome those nice Canadian/Arctic air currents, while England and Ireland are kept relatively warm by the ocean.

South Africa now is a corrupt, racist tyranny-by-majority, rather than a racist tyranny-by-minority like the old government. Granted, there are some ways the new government is superior to the apartheid one: it doesn't torture or kill dissidents, suppress free speech, bulldoze squatters' homes, unleash death squads, etc. But the government is quite racist and anti-white, and while that's understandable, given what the people went through under apartheid, it doesn't justify it.

yeah, when are we going to learn that black-on-white racism is just as bad as white-on-black racism?

Or, more to the point, that all racism is deplorable, no matter what form it comes in?

tyranny-by-majority

i.e a democracy.

yeah, when are we going to learn that black-on-white racism is just as bad as white-on-black racism?

Or, more to the point, that all racism is deplorable, no matter what form it comes in?

Exactly.

while England and Ireland are kept relatively warm by the ocean.

Ahhhh, the Gulf Stream :p God bless its cotton socks...

*toasty warm*

i.e a democracy.

Not really, it's more like an un-official one-party state, like the old South Africa, except that the ANC has replaced the National Party.

Not really, it's more like an un-official one-party state, like the old South Africa, except that the ANC has replaced the National Party.

You say 'tyranny by majority', others say thats how democracy works- 51% of the pop agree, then tough cookie on the 49% who don't.
What do you want?

yeah, when are we going to learn that black-on-white racism is just as bad as white-on-black racism?

Or, more to the point, that all racism is deplorable, no matter what form it comes in?

It's easy for all of us to say it's bad, but how are you going to fix that considering the past history of the nation?

yeah, i mean they're way far north, but there's not a whole lot of inland area, so i figure the ocean would keep it from being an arctic-level type of cold.

you know, britannia and ireland are quite a bit north of Wisconsin, but Wisconsin is a lot colder.... wisconsin sitting there to welcome those nice Canadian/Arctic air currents, while England and Ireland are kept relatively warm by the ocean.Actually, there's a lot of volcanic activity on Iceland too...

San Marino, obviously.

I accidently voted for the UK and I live there :confused: But of the countries I've been too (not many!) I would have to say Russia or Germany were my favorites but for very different reasons.

It's easy for all of us to say it's bad, but how are you going to fix that considering the past history of the nation?

By encouraging reconciliation, openness, and love, not dwelling on old wounds or pursuing policies of reverse discrimination.

Japan has almost no litter,

yet there's no trash cans anywhere.


that's pretty cool

You say 'tyranny by majority', others say thats how democracy works- 51% of the pop agree, then tough cookie on the 49% who don't.
What do you want?

In real democracies though, opposition parties at least have a say. In South Africa, the ANC wields absolute power, just like the National Party did.

By encouraging reconciliation, openness, and love, not dwelling on old wounds or pursuing policies of reverse discrimination.

Not gonna work, I don't think; particularly when at the moment Whites still have the vast majority of the wealth in the nation. From the black South African's perspective, there's still discrimination going on against them.

In real democracies though, opposition parties at least have a say. .
No, they don't if the ruling party has a working majority- see Labour in Britain. The Conservatives can bitch and moan all they want, but can't achieve anything.

Democracy IS tyranny by the majority, don't you see that?

By encouraging reconciliation, openness, and love, not dwelling on old wounds or pursuing policies of reverse discrimination.
Thats very easy to say when you haven't been trodden on and repressed and oppressed for generations. When the shoe is on the other foot....

Not gonna work, I don't think; particularly when at the moment Whites still have the vast majority of the wealth in the nation. From the black South African's perspective, there's still discrimination going on against them.

I don't see how, what with South Africa's extremely radical affirmative action programs, which require 90% of all business' employees to be black, regardless of whether or not they're qualified. Am I saying blacks shouldn't have as many jobs, or don't deserve them? Of course not. Employers should be color-blind, and hire on the basis of merit, not skin color. Which is exactly why segregation and affirmative action are both equally immoral and stupid.

Thats very easy to say when you haven't been trodden on and repressed and oppressed for generations. When the shoe is on the other foot....

Mandela and Tutu seem to have no problem forgiving. The rest of South Africa, black and white, should follow their example.

(But let's change the subject, I don't want to hijack this thread...)

Here. Latvia

Mandela and Tutu seem to have no problem forgiving. The rest of South Africa, black and white, should follow their example.

(But let's change the subject, I don't want to hijack this thread...)
True- but not everyone has the patience and forgiveness of those two. Backlashes WILL happen, at least the white population hasn't been purged from the country like Mugabe has done.

Be thankful for small favours i suppose.

I don't see how, what with South Africa's extremely radical affirmative action programs, which require 90% of all business' employees to be black, regardless of whether or not they're qualified. Am I saying blacks shouldn't have as many jobs, or don't deserve them? Of course not. Employers should be color-blind, and hire on the basis of merit, not skin color. Which is exactly why segregation and affirmative action are both equally immoral and stupid.

Well, I don't believe in affirmative action either; it shouldn't be necessary.

Yeah, anyway, end hijack.

I voted for Russia, mostly because I speak the language (well Я говорю попо русского, я почти понял 'Night Watch') and because its the only country apart from the UK that I know the history and the politics of, but now I sorta wish I'd said France :rolleyes:

SWEEDEN! If I could speak sweedish. :(

I've always wanted to see China!

I'll leave you to guess whether it's the PRC or the ROC ;)

I've always wanted to see China!

I'll leave you to guess whether it's the PRC or the ROC ;)

Minus the governments, i'd love to visit both of them myself.

I really can't say, since I've only been to two (USA and Mexico).

I really can't say, since I've only been to two (USA and Mexico).

So? I've never been overseas either. Surely you have some countries that you admire the history of, or culture...or whatever? :p

So? I've never been overseas either. Surely you have some countries that you admire the history of, or culture...or whatever? :p

Well, of course. However, I'm not gonna say which country is the "coolest" or "best" until I've been to them! If I did, well, that'd just be... Hmm, where was I going with this again? Bah, screw it. Japan!

*On another note, I'm back on my laptop. MSN?

Well, of course. However, I'm not gonna say which country is the "coolest" or "best" until I've been to them!

If I did, well, that'd just be... Hmm, where was I going with this again?

Well, you could make a list of several cool countries, like I did. :p

SWEEDEN! If I could speak sweedish. :(

Spelling it would be nice, too. One "e" in both words, please. :p

And I vote for Canada, the true north strong and free.

Well, you could make a list of several cool countries, like I did. :p

Damnit, you beat me to an edit. Fuuuuck!

Japan (small, but packed with goodness)

USA (our government is shit, and we have a lot of morons, but we're pretty good overall)

Canada (really nice people, unreasonably-clean towns and cities, and the scenery is great)

Mexico (aside from the cities, it's actually pretty nice, and the food is the best ever)

UK (see USA)

Australia (see USA)

China (again... see USA)

France (really nice people, easy-going atmosphere, and the food)

Germany (like France, but not quite as easy-going)

Italy (insert random quip here)

I'll think of more later.

Finland- crappy as hell economic system, but corruption is non-existent


I think that statement is a little unfair; last time I looked Finland was in the top 5 for countries that are friendly to investment.

Anyway, Sweden is quite cool, especially during the winter... ;)

And while I hate Sweden's economic system, their total absence of corruption is commendable. Plus, the Queen is one hell of a good lady.

Plus, the Queen is one hell of a good lady.

If only her head were delivered to me on a plate.

If only her head were delivered to me on a plate.

Whaddaya mean? :confused:

NO votes for australia yet... :p

If only her head were delivered to me on a plate.

Really wild guess and assumption: Is Fass a republican?

(Note to US Americans: Small r)

Whaddaya mean? :confused:

That the monarchy is evil, and that the French had an appropriate solution. I'm usually anti-death-penalty, but I can make an exception for the French idiot and his German bitch.

Costa Rica. The Spaniards pretty well summed it up, there, didn't they?

Really wild guess and assumption: Is Fass a republican?


Not really. I don't think we need to replace the monarchy with anything. Just get rid of it and leave it at that.

okay, i changed it up so that the vote wouldn't be dominated by shameless homerism:

the poll is up there for you to vote for your favorite country... but you CAN'T vote for the country in which you live.

i don't want there to be 200 for US, 200 for UK, 50 for Canada and maybe 10 total for the other countries... so please only vote for a country that is not your own.
I voted for other. I like these mostly because I've been to them.

Iceland is super, but 9-10 months of winter is too much.
France is super for its history and art, its food, its savoir-vivre, and friendly people.
Germany is super for its history, art, friendly people, a society that really works relatively smoothly, and excellent food.
Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark - nice people and wonderful food! Also those three are so picturesque.
Austria - scenery, history, art, and food!
Canada - the friendliest people and a well organized society. A very livable country if only the winters lasted only 2 months.
USA - friendly, open people, especially in smaller towns and cities of the northeast, interesting history and (surprise) some great art.
Mexico - very friendly, hospitable people, fascinating history, interesting food.

How can a poll on coolest country not have New Zealand as an option?! Everyone loves New Zealand. Well, everyone who's seen Lord Of The Rings, or those 100% Pure New Zealand adverts from a few years back.

Either Sweden or Japan.

Living in Japan is like living around 15 years ahead of the rest of the world, while Sweden is home to some of the best bands around.

Not really. I don't think we need to replace the monarchy with anything. Just get rid of it and leave it at that.

Göran Persson as head of state?? Please, no... and really, would his head fit on the coins?!

I agree with you that it's not democratic to have a monarchy, but I'm yet to think of a better, non-political alternative, that isn't overly decisive in the electoral process (imagine a presidential election that concluded 51%:49%, I don't think it would be good for the country to have a president that half the people didn't wish to have... vizavi USA 2000).

pffft, everyone knows it's Israel.

Great beaches, great weather, sexay women, and the nightlife always active...in one way or the other.

1 and a half more years, until i move there. ^-^

Göran Persson as head of state?? Please, no... and really, would his head fit on the coins?!

No head of state, period. We don't need one politically; the king proves that. And we could put whatever we want on the coins - Emil i Lönneberga would do. :p

I agree with you that it's not democratic to have a monarchy, but I'm yet to think of a better, non-political alternative, that isn't overly decisive in the electoral process (imagine a presidential election that concluded 51%:49%, I don't think it would be good for the country to have a president that half the people didn't wish to have... vizavi USA 2000).

Hence the no president part. The powers of a president are already distributed today and many held by the Speaker of Parliament (Riksdagens Talman). I don't see the need for the presidency when the monarchy so nicely proves that we can do without a functioning head of state.

NO votes for australia yet... :p

Good, i'm glad people agree. :p

Just the Scandinavian countries really.. We have our flaws, sure, but overall, I think it's pretty damn great..

Oh well. I guess it depends on what you want from a country..

Iceland is one of my favourite places on Earth to visit, with India coming a close second. I think what I like most about Iceland is the people and the landscape. Now with India, it was the food and the culture.

pffft, everyone knows it's Israel.
Great beaches, great weather, sexay women, and the nightlife always active...in one way or the other.
1 and a half more years, until i move there. ^-^

Well, I'll have to grant you that Hebrew is the coolest language ever. Now, if it were to be written with the Korean alphabet, it would rock so much, I'd have to convert.

pffft, everyone knows it's Israel.

Great beaches, great weather, sexay women, and the nightlife always active...in one way or the other.

1 and a half more years, until i move there. ^-^

the women might be sexy... which is great, but the key question is:

do they put out?

I'd have to say New Zealand. I loved it over there, and can't wait to go back for some reason or other... anyone got any good excuses for me going back? :p

Well, I'll have to grant you that Hebrew is the coolest language ever. Now, if it were to be written with the Korean alphabet, it would rock so much, I'd have to convert.

hehe

I'd have to say New Zealand. I loved it over there, and can't wait to go back for some reason or other... anyone got any good excuses for me going back? :p

Sheep. *wink, wink, nudge, nudge*

Sheep. *wink, wink, nudge, nudge*
"And there were no sheep. Are there sheep?" :p

When I went with P2P, we called em golf balls... no idea why, we just did... and cows were bowling balls :p

Sheep. *wink, wink, nudge, nudge*

I thought Scotland was worse....but i'm sure you would know better..........ohhhhhhh, dis. :p

the women might be sexy... which is great, but the key question is:

do they put out?

It is a proven fact Israeli women, are 50% more likely to put out more easily, then the next leading country...although they are also a 100% more likely, to fatten up like a blimp, after they get married. Jewish gene side effect. =\

I thought Scotland was worse....but i'm sure you would know better..........ohhhhhhh, dis. :p

I think New Zealand has the highest ratio of sheep to people in the world. It's just a bit fishy to me.

I think New Zealand has the highest ratio of sheep to people in the world. It's just a bit fishy to me.

Maybe they just like sheep meat....and i dont mean that in the normal sense. ;p

"What is the coolest country in the world?"

Um, Antarctica? :D

"What is the coolest country in the world?"

Um, Antarctica? :D

That's not a country, you silly muffin.

Australia, France, and Japan are all up there. Seriously awesome, them. :D

"What is the coolest country in the world?"

Um, Antarctica? :D


*drum roll* ba dum cha.

Isn't it a continent technically...;p

Denmark..
Tiny country that used to pwn England and France regularly when we still had vikings...
We make beer, lego, bacon and medicine and have one of the best functioning social security systems in the world..
Also home to Lars Ulrich (metallica), Helena Christensen (model) and H.C Andersen (author of The little mermaid and The ugly duckling etc.)
what else could you ask for in a country?

Of those listed I would choose France but apart from that I would say Cuba, Sweden or Norway.

Switzerland is a fav of mine

Denmark..
Tiny country that used to pwn England and France regularly when we still had vikings...
We make beer, lego, bacon and medicine and have one of the best functioning social security systems in the world..
Also home to Lars Ulrich (metallica), Helena Christensen (model) and H.C Andersen (author of The little mermaid and The ugly duckling etc.)
what else could you ask for in a country?

Home of the Jutes and the Normans, right?

Home of the Jutes and the Normans, right?

Well, the Jutes fair enough. The Normans were technically Norwegian, although talking about seperate countries back then is rather pointless.

Suffice to say that Denmark used to be cool, and imperialistic. Now we are just cool.

I voted the US but there are aspects I love and aspects I hate.

Clearly the pwnzor of all pwnzor is an uninhabited island you can call your own.

I went to china to adopt a little sister. pretty cool place.

damn commies...

I went to china to adopt a little sister. pretty cool place.

damn commies...

i must say that i haven't spent much time around Chinese people. What are they like? Is it a myth that they're very quiet/shy?

I like to be in America!
O.K. by me in America!
Ev'rything free in America
For a small fee in America!

Automobile in America,
Chromium steel in America,
Wire-spoke wheel in America,
Very big deal in America!

I like the shores of America!
Comfort is yours in America!
Knobs on the doors in America,
Wall-to-wall floors in America!

I'd have to go with Belgium. All the coolest people AND chocolate come from there xD

i must say that i haven't spent much time around Chinese people. What are they like? Is it a myth that they're very quiet/shy?

We have a ton of Chinese boarders in our class, who have for some insane reason decided that England is the place to go for an education. I know. Search me, too.
Anyway, they are all very reserved and very shy, even among each other, and I don't know why, because they're all really great people. They sort-of become louder and more confident after being around, well, everyone else in our class, for a while, but they're never very vocal. I would partially blame that on their lack of confidence in speaking english, but all of them speak it really well, so *shrug* who is to judge?
The only very outgoing Chinese people I have met are people whose parents moved to this country, and so they grew up here xD

Must be some kind of knock on effect from growing up in China/Korea/Wherever, or something.

are they color-coded?

as for Iceland being the coolest country, in terms of temperature...

if i'm not mistaken, both Russia and Canada are colder.

I know there's this place in Russia, Yakutsk... i was checking their temps last winter and almost every day, in December and January, the HIGH temperatures were lower than -40... and their low temps were in the -50s,
-60s. Those temps are Fahrenheit, folks. That is ridiculously cold.

I grew up in northern wisconsin, which is among the coldest areas in the United States... our cold days in the winter months were -30 F. Our average days were around 0-10 degrees Fahrenheit, with lows maybe just below 0.

The coldest day i remember in Minocqua, it was -48F. That would be an average low winter temperature in Yakutsk, Russia.

i wasnt talking about temperatures

i wasnt talking about temperatures

okay, well, cool (apropos, eh? hehe)

I don't have a "coolest" country, but I'll name some countries and what I like about them.

Finland- crappy as hell economic system, but corruption is non-existent

Botswana- Africa's only democratic country

I don't see the problem with Finland. Their economic system ensures both prosperity and equality. It may not agree with your ideology, but it works better than it.

Botswana, you must have a very narrow definition of democracy. Africa has thirty democratic countries. South Africa, why not? (Yes, tyranny by majority is still democracy.)

(Yes, tyranny by majority is still democracy.)
huh, what?

San Marino, obviously.

Hmm, I think I'll second that. Go, San Marino! Oldest surviving republic in the world. :)

Oh, and Tuvalu. Only country in the world to have an impeccable human rights' record.

There's no such thing as an un-interesting country, anyway. Every country is fascinating when you start looking at its history and culture. Some more than others, granted, but all are extremely interesting.

it is currently 30F in Yakutsk, Russia

Found this neat website: http://www.travelersdigest.com/best_cities_live.htm and http://www.travelersdigest.com/beautiful_women.htm
Canada (Montreal) is ranked 1st as the best place to live in and 8th for the most beautiful women... and this is from people that have ranked locations around the world in so many categories (nude beaches, historic and cultural places, natural wonders etc.), so I'd think they're pretty trustworthy.

Meh.. voted Canada :D

We have a ton of Chinese boarders in our class, who have for some insane reason decided that England is the place to go for an education. I know. Search me, too.
Anyway, they are all very reserved and very shy, even among each other, and I don't know why, because they're all really great people. They sort-of become louder and more confident after being around, well, everyone else in our class, for a while, but they're never very vocal. I would partially blame that on their lack of confidence in speaking english, but all of them speak it really well, so *shrug* who is to judge?
The only very outgoing Chinese people I have met are people whose parents moved to this country, and so they grew up here xD

Must be some kind of knock on effect from growing up in China/Korea/Wherever, or something.
Same thing seems to happen at my school on the in Canada (western BC). We have alot of students from Asia. They are never as vocal as the kids raised in Canada. Even when they are allowed to speak their native language (like in my Calculus class) they are still not as vocal as everyone else. They are quite nice when you get a chance to talk to them.

I voted Germany.

Same thing seems to happen at my school on the in Canada (western BC). We have alot of students from Asia. They are never as vocal as the kids raised in Canada. Even when they are allowed to speak their native language (like in my Calculus class) they are still not as vocal as everyone else. They are quite nice when you get a chance to talk to them.

I voted Germany.


on account of beer, brats and kraut?

sounds like my home state of wisconsin. lol

France rocks! Portugal should be France.
Edit: The USA should be like France too. I'd move to the USA :D

for the record, I'm an American (USian) who has been to the following foreign countries:

Mexico
Canada
Italy
France
Czech Republic
Slovakia
Germany
Peru (as a baby)
Brazil (as a baby)

I chose Italy because of the food and the people... my sister and I were there five summers ago right when Euro 2000 was raging.

I'll never forget the day 10-man Italy beat Holland on penalty kicks in (i think it was the) the semifinals. We took a car downtown to the square in Modena and I spent about 20 minutes sitting on the passenger-seat window sill yelling (seriously, as loud as i could) "Fuerza Italia!"

those people were acting like they'd just won the super bowl.

of course a couple of days later they blew a late 1-0 lead to france and lost... but i'll not soon forget the celebration of the semifinal victory over the Dutch.

I also won't forget being slapped out of bed at 8am on the day of that game to get on a train for Verona... ("Tome! Tome! You are ah not ah staying ah here ah!") all to grab some statue's tit.

I wanted to stay at home with the dad (Giulio) and his son to watch the Italy/Holland match (of course, as any red-blooded male would, whether on vacation or not).

i missed that game (heard news of it everywhere and got home in time for celebrations) on account of a damn picture of the girls grabbing the statue's hand and me grabbing the cold, hard tit.

cripes. sometimes, I hate women.

Japan is the coolest to me

Indonesia and Brazil, on the basis of their ecologies.

the answer is The Republic Of Ireland , it wins hand downs to find out why click on those links

http://www.rte.ie/business/2004/1117/ireland.html

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6529893