NationStates Jolt Archive

How would you describe your country? Its past, its present. What do you think of the government? What do you think of the geography? Anything and everything that comes to mind.

How about the people? How would you describe the typical (Whatever)? How does this match up with the ideal?

What of your culture? Is it high, is it low? Do you find it repulsive, tainted, pure, gifted, godlike, superior, what?

In essense, what do you think of where you come from. An honest reflection. I will post mine a bit later, but lets get this started. I am really just curious as to what people think around here.

P.S. Please, please, please, please! Dont let this become a debate of who is better, or a bash of anyone elses opinions. Debate is... ok... but its not the focus of the thread.

Also, I know its a bit vague, just run with it. See where the reflection and musing takes you.

I'll be whipped and stoned for voicing my opinion but hey, it's just that, my opinion! I don't bash America because I hate it! I bash America because...

"To criticize one's country is to do it a service .... Criticism, in short, is more than a right; it is an act of patriotism-a higher form of patriotism, I believe, than the familiar rituals and national adulation." ~J. William Fulbright


United States Government:

Dishonest, murderous, power whore!

United States Citizens:

Puppets! Sheeple!

United States Culture:

Britney & Kevin! Paris & Nicole!! Eminem & Dr. Dre!!!

Hmm. Interesting thread idea. Okay. I'm going to be crucified....

I take issue with Australia on several points. Firstly the culture. It's obsessively sports driven. Sports are fine, to a point. But they are our prime cultural focus at all levels of society. Kids who aren't good at sports are ridiculed in school. "I don't like sport" is a dangerous statement even for adults. Most schools make extra curricular participation in one or two sports teams compulsory from a young age. The effect of the focus on sporting achievements and physical feats is that academic pursuits are seen as inferior by virtually all age groups. Artistic endeavours are frowned upon as self-indulgent trite made by and for "poofs". Who wants to read a book when you can watch the cricket? Why make music when you can kick a footy (australian football) around? Why are you studying an arts degree - don't you know that real men do a stint in the army? This division is even seen within higher education - the arts are seen as an utterly useless pursuit and treated with nothing but contempt next to the practical work of science and engineering students. Sadly, this extends over to employers.

It is this conditioning that ensures we'll never have truly "great" authors, artists, musicians or thinkers. Those we do have, perhaps with a handful of exceptions, pander towards the very type of people who would resent them; AC/DC being the predominant example - the rest tend to emigrate and receive ridicule from afar. We do, however, produce some of the greatest athletes and sportsmen in the world and will continue to do so as long as this cultural emphasis continues. Paradoxically, however, this goes hand in hand with our reputation for being fat, boorish drunks who talk funny.

An additional feature, perhaps related to the focus on sports and "hands on" activities is the focus on the endeavours of the "working class battler" struggling to make ends meet - but I see this as completely misguided. During my lifetime, (which I can only comment on since it's all i'm aware of in regard to the use of this term) i've noticed brown people are excluded from being "battlers" regardless of socio-economic status; but beside this, the term is mostly used to distinguish those who work laying concrete and shearing sheep (etc.) from others who work in pursuits away from manual labour. The actual economic means of the person doesn't come into it. The "working class" is confined to mostly tradespeople who earn more than "egghead" office workers, and certainly doesn't include immigrants. It's confusing that "hands on" people of high incomes (Lindsay Fox, Dick Smith) are sometimes seen as an honorific member of the working class, while an immigrant working 12 hours a day driving taxis for a meagre existence is completely irrelevant. And - while there are a couple of unions that have made ultimately unsuccessful efforts to be exceptions to the rule - that is why the working class in Australia is ineffectual as a force for political change.

As alluded to above, I believe there is a strong undercurrent of intolerance (particularly racial, but also notably against homosexuals) in our society, also. The Cronulla riot in Sydney (December last year) drew an almost total condemnation of the middle-eastern community involved in it - even as Nazi youths in the "Patrotic Youth League" singled out innocent members of the public that looked like "lebs" or "wogs" and beat them up - but they were only reacting to the middle-eastern community and them brown folk deserved it, I guess. On the whole, I don't think most Australians are like this, however. We are a very diverse nation, and i'm proud of that fact.

Onto the government, then. The contempt of the average Australian towards politicians and government agencies, while high, is exceeded tenfold by their complete apathy towards doing anything about it or educating themselves in the workings of it. As such, our government will always be comprised of whomever bribes the voters the most, rather than any actions of their part - actually, I lie - blaming immigrants for all of our problems has been a key figure in our past, present, and probably future political history. Our two major parties are virtually indistinguishable in terms of public policy apart from "the Liberals are doing this; therefore Labor must oppose it" or "Labor will give you a tax cut - the Liberal party will give you a BIGGER one"; and the remainder of the election campaign will focus on attacks on the personal integrity of the participants. Of course, this isn't a problem endemic to Australia, but a gripe I have nonetheless. We are in a climate of political stagnation whereby the majority of voters simply don't care or are ignorant, making excuses such as "I'm voting for John Howard because Kim Beazley is too fat to be a leader". Unfortunately, the politicians know this and are happy to force through whatever legislation they can, based on ideological motives, without regarding the practical consequences.

As for the geography, it's great. I love the diversity in the landscapes and our varied wildlife. The weather is probably better than i'm likely to experience anywhere else.

On the whole, my rant aside, I don't hate Australia. It's actually a very comfortable place to live. I find many aspects of it disappointing, and I don't think they're likely to change, but it could be worse...I can certainly get by. I've never been overseas, so I can't really comment on any other country. Maybe they all have similar problems. Maybe not. Guess i'll find out one day.

Kanabia, you got my money?;)

In Rufenef, the largest city in my country, the people are happy, working in a automobile factory, and paying less taxes than WYTYG's citizens.

The country is a nice inland urban cities, with suburbs and resort locations on the coast overlooking the molten crayon wax moat of my region.

Our culture is diverse. In one area, it's funky and retro, in another, it's high class and fancy.

How would you describe your country? Its past, its present. What do you think of the government? What do you think of the geography? Anything and everything that comes to mind.

How about the people? How would you describe the typical (Whatever)? How does this match up with the ideal?

What of your culture? Is it high, is it low? Do you find it repulsive, tainted, pure, gifted, godlike, superior, what?

In essense, what do you think of where you come from. An honest reflection. I will post mine a bit later, but lets get this started. I am really just curious as to what people think around here.

P.S. Please, please, please, please! Dont let this become a debate of who is better, or a bash of anyone elses opinions. Debate is... ok... but its not the focus of the thread.

Also, I know its a bit vague, just run with it. See where the reflection and musing takes you.


What if I don't have a country..?

I was born in Rhodesia
I lived in Zimbabwe after that ceased to exist
I moved to the UK (functional home - from where I now have a passport)
I moved to South Africa (my emotional home)
I moved to Germany (my spiritual home) (during this time, I lived/worked in France and Spain as well)
I moved to the USA (my ideological home)

So, you tell me which country I should tell you about, because I don't have time for all of them...

Kanabia, funny thing, i have to pay my bills before i can purchase a new improvment.:p
Meaning i just wasted 11 days!
*Shoots self*:(

What if I don't have a country..?

I was born in Rhodesia
I live in Zimbabwe after that ceased to exist
I moved to the UK (from where I now have a passport)
I moved to South Africa (my emotional home)
I moved to Germany (my spiritual home) (during this time, I lived/worked in France and Spain as well)
I moved to the USA (my ideologialc home)

So, you tell me which country I should tell you about, because I don't have time for all of them...

Well, we've got a USA post and an Australia post so, how about a South Africa post? Yeah, roll with South Africa, if you don't mind!

- "How would you describe your country? Its past, its present. What do you think of the government? What do you think of the geography? Anything and everything that comes to mind."

My country is established as such for hundred years. We're in CEE. For 50 years it was occupied by USSR. Currently it is relatively poor, - till this year we had lowest GDP per capita in EU. But on the other hand we are growing quite fast.
Government currently is quite bad in terms that it is influenced by few rich persons; oligarchs some say.
Geography is quite good - we have a lot of sea and different weather.




-"How about the people? How would you describe the typical (Whatever)? How does this match up with the ideal?"

Ideal Latvian would be very traditional, honest and poor. Typical Latvian is whiny, relatively dishonest and poor. On the bright side, they are true people in their emotions - if one smiles, he really means it.


-"What of your culture? Is it high, is it low? Do you find it repulsive, tainted, pure, gifted, godlike, superior, what?"

Culture is relatively high, but tainted now with all the globalization. I think it is relatively high compared to most countries, but I know that there are many countries where culture is higher. For example national holiday (which is approximately on Midyear's Eve) are celebrated by ~80-90% of population and have been celebrated for centuries. Average Latvian would know 20-100 folk songs by heart. Even in our so modern times :)


-"In essense, what do you think of where you come from. "

I love it here. I really do. There are very much problems (politics, Russian pressure, hateful minority etc.) but environment and countryside is really great, people are social.

Citizens:
Mostly hedonistic and somewhat narcisist, and with a live-and-let-live attitude. A serious disdain for rules, laws and taxes - but ready to sue anyone whose breaking of the rules harms them directly. Cool fashion, good cooking, and a love for debates, expecially about politics and soccer teams: the more this leads to rivalries, the better. And of course, coffee, wine and spirits are almost sacred - more sacred than religion, since most italians claim to be catholic, but church attendances are shrinking, most of the italian catholics only pay lip service, and generally a more personal attitude about religion (if any) is on the rise.

Culture:
Well... top-scorers since the times of the Roman Republic. Music, literature, visual arts, theatre, architecture, philosophy, mathematics, sciences, political thought, jurisdiction, cooking, agriculture, medicine, warfare, engineering, navigation, exploration, archeology, there isn't a cultural field in which Italy hasn't given the world culture some of the greatest contributions.
Yet, today, there is a sort of refusal of the culture - most people don't even read a newspaper every day, and the best-selling newspaper is "La Gazzetta dello Sport". I'd say this comes from private TV channels (mostly owned by former PM Berlusconi): since in the '80s private enterprise started its own TVs, the cultural standards of TV broadcasts are constantly falling down, because also the state TV has taken (for the most part) to a more entertainment-orientered style. Also young people seem to be more interested in their newest mobile phones than in listening to their teachers at school. Another major problem is that most italians can't speak a foreign language, and only a small cultural elite can speak more than two.
Anyway, just take a walk through Milano - a city that isn't as renowned for arts and culture as Roma or Firenze - and you'll see how many cultural treasures are there; maybe, we got so much used to culture that it has become a boring routine...

Geography:
From the snowy peaks of the Alps, trough the Po Valley, the hills of central Italy, the Appennines, to the islands of Sardinia and Sicily, it is very hard to find a country with a greater landscape diversity. The only thing we don't have here is the desert... but you can always take a ship from Palermo and go to Tunisia if you want that. Ok, we had some bad luck with governments, wars and invasions who lost us some treasures like the Cote d'Azur, Corse, the Canton Ticino and the eastern Adriatic shore... but never mind that.



Oh my, am I so much in love with my country?

Kanabia, funny thing, i have to pay my bills before i can purchase a new improvment.:p
Meaning i just wasted 11 days!
*Shoots self*:(

You suck :p

America.

That's all I need to say. :(

America.

That's all I need to say. :(

:D

With regards to Kanabia's Australia post:

I agree that sport is valued to an extent over and above what it ought to be, and to the detriment of other pursuits. But I don't think it's just art that suffers - while practical degrees are more highly valued than arts degrees, university itself isn't highly valued at all.

I think what also needs to be said about Australians is that they're very (and, I think legendarily) laid back; which is good, but also makes for a cynical electorate, leading to a lot of the apathy Kanabia's talking about.

In my opinion Denmark is one of the best countries in the world. It's population is free, openminded, and wealthy. Our line of monarchs is more than a thousand years old and still unbroken. Every citizen is given free education and healthcare both in world benchmark quality. Unemployment and poverty are at an absolute minimum thanks to the excellent welfaresystem.

Yup am happy where I am :)

I'm too lazy to describe it any further but if you're interested here's a useful link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denmark

In my opinion Denmark is one of the best countries in the world. It's population is free, openminded, and wealthy. Our line of monarchs is more than a thousand years old and still unbroken. Every citizen is given free education and healthcare both in world benchmark quality. Unemployment and poverty are at an absolute minimum thanks to the excellent welfaresystem.

Yup am happy where I am :)

I'm too lazy to describe it any further but if you're interested here's a useful link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denmark

Openminded? not bloody likely, selfcentered and unwilling to accept differences in people.

The monarch line has been broken plenty of times, although they managed to find distant half-cousins here and there to claim it was still intact.

Education and health systems are being undermined by the government to a degree where it hardly compares to the poorest countries in europe.

I'm kinda happy here i guess, but it's going downhill very fast, hopefully the tide will turn eventually.

You suck :p
I agree.
However i bought a lot of Tech, it will be interesting to see what it does for me tomorrow...

I agree that sport is valued to an extent over and above what it ought to be, and to the detriment of other pursuits. But I don't think it's just art that suffers - while practical degrees are more highly valued than arts degrees, university itself isn't highly valued at all.

Thats what I meant...university isn't highly valued by the average person, but even within university, science students tend to take a superior position based upon their greater perceived usefulness.

country,ireland-very green. i didnt know why was the colour of our people and my we were called the emerald isle, until i went to england and saw how ungreen thier grass was.

people-contrasts in different areas. generally inquisitive and friend, but also short tempered.

culture-catholic with some old celtic traditions kept. very fond of drinking and funerals.

The Confederacy of Harlesburg
"Vanquish the evil Stand by the brave Protect the weak!"


UN Category: Father Knows Best State
Civil Rights: Some
Economy: Frightening
Political Freedoms: Rare

Location: The KGB Regional Influence: Diplomat

The Confederacy of Harlesburg is a massive, devout nation, notable for its compulsory military service. Its compassionate, hard-working, cynical population of 4.892 billion are ruled by a mostly-benevolent dictator, who grants the populace the freedom to live their own lives but watches carefully for anyone to slip up.

It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent, corrupt government stops and the rest of society begins, but it juggles the competing demands of Law & Order, the Environment, and Religion & Spirituality. The average income tax rate is 100%. The private sector is almost wholly made up of enterprising fourteen-year-old boys selling lemonade on the sidewalk, although the government is looking at stamping this out.

Children have taken to using semaphore in light of the recent mobile phone ban, the Eagle is a protected species, the arms industry is backed by government subsidies and harsh anti-protest laws are in place, and the government is reigning in public spending. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Harlesburg's national animal is the Eagle, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its currency is the Dollar.

Harlesburg is ranked 2nd in the region and 1,141st in the world for Safest Nations.
*Sleeps*

I'll be whipped and stoned for voicing my opinion but hey, it's just that, my opinion! I don't bash America because I hate it! I bash America because...

"To criticize one's country is to do it a service .... Criticism, in short, is more than a right; it is an act of patriotism-a higher form of patriotism, I believe, than the familiar rituals and national adulation." ~J. William Fulbright


United States Government:

Dishonest, murderous, power whore!

United States Citizens:

Puppets! Sheeple!

United States Culture:

Britney & Kevin! Paris & Nicole!! Eminem & Dr. Dre!!!

Come out of the red states. ;) NYC has a lot more to offer than Britney and Fed-Up, Paris and Nicole are ridiculed as spoiled rich brats, and Eminem and Dr. Dre would be laughed outta town.

It'd be easier if you asked something about it, seeing that it is rather complex a topic and the matter couldn't be explained in a single post. Otherwise, all you'd get is a list of prejudiced stereotypes.

Anyway, why don't you start with a little song about Germans (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuxghiwjgQc)?

United States Government
Dishonest
Cheap
Stupid in terms of elections (it's time to abolish the electoral college; it's nothing but trouble)
Bureaucratic
Police state (almost)
The list goes on.

United States People*
Ignorant
Fat
Racist
Anti-Muslim (no matter how much you try to tell them, they still think that Muslim people planned/carried out 9/11...even though we're still here)
Arrogant
US-Centric
The list [unfortunatly] goes on
*I'm talking about the majority of America

United States Culture* and **
Paris Hilton (a whole category)
Rappers
Singers
Porn Artists [unfortunatly]
*U.S. culture is mixed. In one corner, you have celebrities, another porn artists, another intelligent people (not saying celebrities aren't intelligent sometimes), and in the other "God Hates Fags!" and "Stem Cell Research isn't God's plan for the world" <----This I am ashamed of; it brings a bad name to all religions.

**Then again, you have New York City; the center of the United States when it comes to culture (remembered after looking at Katganistan's post) <----This I am proud of.

The past - isn't it obvious? The glory, the arrogance, of empire. The globe-bestriding giant, the ruler of the waves, the leader of the world, the nation that gave the world industry, and progress; the home of the founders of democracy, free markets and free trade, and thus the founder of the modern world.
There are darker spots, but the history is glorious and proud, unashamed.

In the present...well, we have learnt a lot. We're no longer able or willing to rule the world. We're much more open to others, with vibrant communities of every creed and colour, and cultural fusions are bringing new and exciting things into our culture. The problem is a lack of confidence and failure to inspire integration, leaving us with conflicts amongst those who are among us and yet don't consider themselves of us.

The government faces the problem that there is too much agreement; no great tension inspiring people to be involved. Not like the '70's/'80's where there was a conflict between left and right...now 'left' has rightist economic policies, and the right is moving left on social issues. So who cares who's in charge?
The current government is also massively wasteful, slowing our economy for the sake of headlines about raised spending on health and education.

The geography is marvellous...from the bleak beauty of Exmoor and Dartmoor, by way of the quiet and leafy rivers and canals, the Lake District, the Highlands, Snowdonia, the Downs, the New Forest, the Norfolk Broads...I could go on. No spectacularly high mountains, no deserts, no glaciers...just a green and pleasant land.

The typical Brit? Hard to tell. There's a strong tradition of contempt for authority, in that many of our folk heroes are somewhat subversive. There is a large subculture of chavs, but that isn't true Britain...most of them will grow up, eventually.

Culture varies. Low culture can go very, very low, as is shown by the popularity of American TV :p
However, there are many theatres, often very well attended by broad age ranges. Opera survives, and when it isn't rigidly traditionalist is successful.
The BBC still (at its best) shows exactly how broadcasting should be done - BBC radio is worth the licence fee alone. The Edinburgh Festival and Edinburgh Fringe are amongst the greatest arts festivals in the world.

So in summary: the UK has its problems, true. But as a country we have much to be proud of; we tend to strike a good balance between competing values and muddle through okay; and while I love travelling and exploring other countries and cultures, there's nowhere else I'd like to spend the rest of my life.

the home of the founders of democracy

I think the Greeks might want to have a word with you on that one.

- snip description of Australia -
Hm, interesting.
This could be an interesting thread.

In Rufenef, the largest city in my country, the people are happy, working in a automobile factory, and paying less taxes than WYTYG's citizens.

The country is a nice inland urban cities, with suburbs and resort locations on the coast overlooking the molten crayon wax moat of my region.

Our culture is diverse. In one area, it's funky and retro, in another, it's high class and fancy.
1) You failed the thread's assignment.
2) Leave my citizens out of your dirty games, they're perfectly happy paying a 100% income tax. <.< >.>

Ireland>all
That is all.

Canada is a vast frozen wasteland.

Hm, interesting.
This could be an interesting thread.

Lol. You expect someone to jump on me for it?

I should have listed "Intolerance of criticism" as one of my gripes, too...

Lol. You expect someone to jump on me for it?

I should have listed "Intolerance of criticism" as one of my gripes, too...
Lol, no! For once, there was no trace of sarcasm in my post.
I figured if everybody posted stuff like that about their country (i.e. stuff I didn't know, for the most part) it would be an interesting read. :)

Lol, no! For once, there was no trace of sarcasm in my post.
I figured if everybody posted stuff like that about their country (i.e. stuff I didn't know, for the most part) it would be an interesting read. :)

Well, don't take my word for it. It's just my opinion and you know what i'm like. :P

I think the Greeks might want to have a word with you on that one.

Insert the words 'modern' and 'representative'. I was merely making the point that British Parliamentary democracy was the start of the continuous heritage of democracy in the West, not meaning that it was the original expression of 'people-power'.

Insert the words 'modern' and 'representative'.

So, basically "don't read what I wrote as it was false."

I was merely making the point that British Parliamentary democracy was the start of the continuous heritage of democracy in the West

Haha, that's so deluded...

Hot

Anyway, why don't you start with a little song about Germans (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuxghiwjgQc)?

Das goldene Stück Scheiße geht an uns! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fPpA9t1kH0)

Uh. I recommend 'Xenophobes Guide to the Germans' (http://www.amazon.com/Xenophobes-Guide-Germans-Stefan-Zeidenitz/dp/1902825292/sr=8-1/qid=1164380608/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-7205188-6235945?ie=UTF8&s=books)for anyone truly interested. A brilliant, very funny book, and oh, so true. *nods*

I believe this thread has gone way off the point

OK, I'm applying to live in Australia, having just married an Australian, but, for now, I'll do the two countries most of my family are in - Luxembourg and Monaco.

Luxembourg
Not all that geographically diverse - not even a hint of coast, but beautiful and unspoilt all the same. A lot of people have told me that Luxembourg seems to be such an exclusive country - it isn't. Despite being the richest country in the wrold, in terms of GDP, Luxembourg is filed with a surprisingly large amount of 'lebenskuntler' or poor arty types. The stereotypical Luxembourger is (and I quote from another thread) 'half-french, half-german'. They're not. Luxembourgish is incomprehensible to outsiders - which is why everybody is trilingual - Luxembourgish for normal day-to-day, French for admin, German for anything else (though less so these days, though 'lebenskuntler' is German, I think the closest I could say in French would be 'un prolo'). They are also unfashionalbe and highly unathletic. To outsiders we present a rather, I suppose, rude outlook, but to someone who speaks one of our languages, it's different. rather xenophobic, i know (you may find I use 'xenophobic a lot, as my Australian husband, who I married three days ago, taught me it the other day). The weather's awful, just like most of the Government, though the Grand Ducal Family are pretty cool, if a bit staid.

Monaco
Even smaller a country, this is the home of my sister Leonie. A generally horrible lpace, most stereotypes you have heard will be true. Unless you enjoy people-watching, its gets old fast. That's all I have to say on that subject.

British Government:
long-standing, traditionalist, right-leaning, mostly trustworthy (in the interests of the people)

British Citizens:
chavs, posh or apathetic. believe what they read in the Sun or the Mail. Thatcher's children deprived of education, now having kids of their own (chavs) and spawning endless social problems that continental europe does not have as much.
often xenophobic, especially against europe. far too many deluded that britain is still a major world power when all we really have is great influence.

British Culture:
*shrugs* i'm half Welsh, part German/Polish, and most English customs and traditions are lost on me (not that i care much lol)
influenced heavily by american culture, but mostly because it is promoted as "cool", while thinking people tend to side with a more continental culture (re: drinking, socialising, "cafe-culture", art, music, etc)

I believe this thread has gone way off the point
So? This is NSG. Nothing ever stays on topic.

Anti-Muslim (no matter how much you try to tell them, they still think that Muslim people planned/carried out 9/11...even though we're still here)

:confused: Are you saying that not all Muslims should be blamed for what a couple of Saudis did or are you saying that a different ethic group all together was involved in 9/11?


I'm from Seattle, Washington where it is either raining or gray skies for much of the year. The people there are nicer and more progressive than most of America but we have our fair share of conservatives (both intelligent and stupid.) Despite being the "city of Starbucks”, I prefer going to independent coffee shops that have better coffee and much more interesting people.

The kids here are just as pop culture obsessed as the rest of the country although they're more loyal to Microsoft because they have parents who work there but they don't like Bill Gates for the same reason no matter how much their teachers talk about the Gates Foundation.

So that's the culture, computers and coffee.

My family is half-Jewish, half-Christian so I grew up celebrating both Christmas and Chanukah. Because of this my family and I tend to support the Palestinians in the whole conflict thing. Not that we're anti-Israel, we just don't think they're always right all the time.

So, basically "don't read what I wrote as it was false."

Haha, that's so deluded...

No, add to what I wrote because I'm tired and not entirely coherent.

I hope you have the same excuse...or that you're able to expand upon and justify that comment ('so deluded').
After all, Parliament was able in the 1600's to challenge the monarchy, a point at which the Western world in general had merely advisory elected bodies, not one powerful enough to challenge the King.
Admittedly the whole Civil War(s) then became extremely messy, but that doesn't detract from the root point.

Cree Nation.

My people are the nehiyawak, and our territory spans from Alberta, all the way to Quebec.

We have one of the higher retention rates of our traditional language, and we have a strong connection with our traditional culture, with a number of our communities never having had experienced a break in that tradition. Our language has influence many other groups...many Metis of Canada speak Cree, and the Metis language Michif was created from French and Cree. Generally, we live at a level fifty nations away from other Canadians, as do most aboriginal people in Canada. Nonetheless we are making great strides in reinstating our sovereignty, and our systems of laws and governance.

We also have a number of casinoes you should check out:D People hate that, because Indians should 'go out and make something of themselves' but if we are successful at it, that's bad.

Cree Nation.

My people are the nehiyawak, and our territory spans from Alberta, all the way to Quebec.

We have one of the higher retention rates of our traditional language, and we have a strong connection with our traditional culture, with a number of our communities never having had experienced a break in that tradition. Our language has influence many other groups...many Metis of Canada speak Cree, and the Metis language Michif was created from French and Cree. Generally, we live at a level fifty nations away from other Canadians, as do most aboriginal people in Canada. Nonetheless we are making great strides in reinstating our sovereignty, and our systems of laws and governance.

We also have a number of casinoes you should check out:D People hate that, because Indians should 'go out and make something of themselves' but if we are successful at it, that's bad.

Could you guarantee us some wins at these casinos? Nothing bank breaking, just a few grand here and there?

1) You failed the thread's assignment.
Well I don't want to go and say something about my country and its people, and then have it look like I'm just saying I'm better than them! I'm not like that. :) :(

2) Leave my citizens out of your dirty games, they're perfectly happy paying a 100% income tax. <.< >.>

Sure surrre! ;)

Could you guarantee us some wins at these casinos? Nothing bank breaking, just a few grand here and there?

You're bound to win at some point amidst all the losing:D

Drinks are cheap baby...takes the sting off the dent to your income!

I'm not convinced any country particularly appeals to me at present. Canada, Ireland and Italy do have certain merits, but high up on Chris's list of offending countries are: Sweden, Great Britain, the USA, France, Germany and Australia.

Portugal: Too much football and fish.

Yeah, that's all.

It's cold here. And wet. Although in summer it's alright.

The people are generally alright, and we are quite stoic when need be.

Our culture is quite alright too, although it's nothing that's really unique, other than that it's a unique blend of other cultures.

So yes. The UK : "It's alright most of the time".

It's cold here. And wet. Although in summer it's alright.

The people are generally alright, and we are quite stoic when need be.

Our culture is quite alright too, although it's nothing that's really unique, other than that it's a unique blend of other cultures.

So yes. The UK : "It's alright most of the time".

Nope. Britain was "alright", in regards to its predominant culture, before the second world war. We are now a multicultural "mixing pot" in which successive waves of immigrants have left their turds.

British Culture:
*shrugs* i'm half Welsh, part German/Polish, and most English customs and traditions are lost on me (not that i care much lol)
influenced heavily by american culture, but mostly because it is promoted as "cool", while thinking people tend to side with a more continental culture (re: drinking, socialising, "cafe-culture", art, music, etc)
You might have added the 80ies British Metal that the Germans listen to... ;):p:D

Germany is like a guy who was abused as a child and has all these issues buried deep inside the collective psyche. :p
So I agree with German Nightmare...far too much to put in a single post.

But nevermind Germany, I haven't been there in five years. I think Kanabia summarised Australia quite well. Not much I can add to that.

Britain's pretty good. Sure we have our faults, but at least we recognise them as faults, we puts us above quite a few other countries.

We've got a great history of scientific and technological advancement.

We invented heavy metal.

Despite what the racists will tell you, having citizens with backgrounds from all over the world has benefitted us.

And of course, we drink tea.

Well.....

Citizens~Stereotypically they're rude, homophobic, xenophobic, and loud as well as fat and stupid, but there are actually those who are a healthy weight and quite smart. I know, a shocker!

Government~ Horrible. Downright horrible. It's a two-party system created by the same damn party. Our Congress allows itself to be lobbied and bribed within an inch of its life. Nothing is about the citizens, it's the party. The third parties are weak. The two major parties just point fingers at each other and whine and moan and vote-whore. This is why many Americans DON'T VOTE. It's corrupt and retarded. Everything goes to special-interest groups and businesses. Every issue is a way to grab power.

Culture~ As bad as the government. It's reality shows and teen dramas starring partywhores and anorexics. It's sexist and just as arrogant as the government. We're all sick of anorexic whores in glittery dresses representing America. GO TO HELL.

My verdict? I'm glad I'm going to Canada in April, even if it's just for a band trip.... :(

OK, I'm applying to live in Australia, having just married an Australian, but, for now, I'll do the two countries most of my family are in - Luxembourg and Monaco.

Luxembourg
Not all that geographically diverse - not even a hint of coast, but beautiful and unspoilt all the same. A lot of people have told me that Luxembourg seems to be such an exclusive country - it isn't. Despite being the richest country in the wrold, in terms of GDP, Luxembourg is filed with a surprisingly large amount of 'lebenskuntler' or poor arty types. The stereotypical Luxembourger is (and I quote from another thread) 'half-french, half-german'. They're not. Luxembourgish is incomprehensible to outsiders - which is why everybody is trilingual - Luxembourgish for normal day-to-day, French for admin, German for anything else (though less so these days, though 'lebenskuntler' is German, I think the closest I could say in French would be 'un prolo'). They are also unfashionalbe and highly unathletic. To outsiders we present a rather, I suppose, rude outlook, but to someone who speaks one of our languages, it's different. rather xenophobic, i know (you may find I use 'xenophobic a lot, as my Australian husband, who I married three days ago, taught me it the other day). The weather's awful, just like most of the Government, though the Grand Ducal Family are pretty cool, if a bit staid.

Monaco
Even smaller a country, this is the home of my sister Leonie. A generally horrible lpace, most stereotypes you have heard will be true. Unless you enjoy people-watching, its gets old fast. That's all I have to say on that subject.
OMG LUXEMBOURG AND MONACO! You are my idol!

Okay, Australia...

PEOPLE: See USA.

CULTURE: See USA.

GOVERNMENT: See USA.

:( :p

USA: Too much to explain in one post. Suffice to say, there's a lot to experience and I love living here.

This is my perspective of Canada.

Land: I've only been in and around the southern Ontario area, but I must say that we have some nice forests, nice mountains, nice rivers and streams. Very vast, a lot of open space, very awe-inspiring landscapes. We have some phunky-munky animals, like squirrels. The squirrels running around my university campus are krazy, but they're kute.

Culture: For one thing, plenty of hockey and plenty of beer. I'd say we live and breathe hockey, but not to the point of kraziness. I would also say that Canada obviously doesn't have a universal culture considering the diversity of our people. I could write an entire essay on "Canadian culture" but that would take a while...

Government: Right now, its a right-wing Conservative gov't on a minority level. There is corruption that has occured in government, but not as corrupt as other countries in my opinion. We are also pwned by a queen who sits on another continent. Ugh. But asides from that, there's really nothing wrong with our gov't asides from the fact taht I didn't vote for the Conservatives. ;)

People: In terms of demographics, we're pretty diverse, and we're generally quite open-minded. I could walk down a street in Toronto and everyone would be different, I could eat at a Thai restaurant if I wanted or I could also enjoy fish and chips just around the corner. Of course, we have our racists, our bigots, and our homophobes - but what nation doesn't have that? Canadians are also generally pretty relaxed, and live a relatively relaxed lifestyle. Young Canadians in particular are quite horny, but thats a different story for a different time. :)

Generally, My country's pretty big, my people are assholes, and my culture is stupid.

Now me personally, My country's pretty big, my people are intelligent, and our culture is "counter"

Belgium:

Country:
It's a small country, with an ugly seacoast because of al the huge buildings standing on like 5m from the beach.
There are beatiful parts though, like the Ardennes, and some other parts of the country.

People:
A lot of unsatisfied people, who show that in their way of voting: a fascist party is the second biggest right after a freaky catholic-nationalistic party, in Flanders, a part of Belgium.
In the other Part, Wallonia, they are a bit more normal, they start kicking the corrupt ones out of their government and bussinesses, which doesn't happen in Flanders.
There are also a lot of people who couldn't care less who's in charge, if they could just drink their beer, watch football (soccer) and not being annoyed by strange-looking people.

Government:
Well, like I said in the previous part, a big part of the people is just not interrested in politics, the rest is in the parliament, etc.

The Netherlands

A small, economically strong nation with most of it's stuff near the coast. Tottaly globalised and "americanised". Culture is low or non-existent. Large amount of discrimination towards foreign immigrants.

Weak government. There have been three succesive cabinets which "failed" to govern calling to early or almost immediate re elections. The same is happening right now. because no party at all has a majority. And no one is willing to make a coalition that could work, because opposite ideologies would have to be mixed up.

Positive though is that life is quite relaxed here. Cities aren't really clogged and the gov' always takes good care everyone has enough space no matter how many people per sqaure mile there are. Huge skyscrapers with lots of people are non existent and traffic is relatively quiet. Except on the main highways, where you will get stuck in traffic at peak hours.

As I mentioned before, people descriminate alot agains immigrants. Claiming they ruin the culture and economy and are in general always criminals. I find this sad. it isn't true at all. and in general there are more native dutch in prison then immigrants. Group Wilders got 9 out of 150 availble seats. which equals up about 765000 votes. They are litteraly a "racist" right wing radical party. This saddens me greatly. They got alot of votes for a country with only 16m people.

Overall the Netherlands is "ok" but nothing more then that. Prices are extremely high, nothing is affordable. And wages are decreasing constantly. I'd rather life somewhere else. Say, norway, or new zealand.

Nope. Britain was "alright", in regards to its predominant culture, before the second world war. We are now a multicultural "mixing pot" in which successive waves of immigrants have left their turds.
*sighs*

We also, sadly, have people like this in Britain. But they are, thankfully, a minority.

Country:USA
People: Extremely varied and diverse, some good some bad. No way to simplify into one or two sentances.

Culture: We have tons of it, and no it is not just britney and kfed as others have been so quick to point out. We have tons of food besides McDonalds. steaks from Texas, seafood from Seattle, pizza from New York and Chicago, the list is endless about the varieties of food. We have fused others music with our own, and have formed a diverse musical culture. We have a pretty heavy afixation with sports, take that as good or bad if you will.

Government: A lot of things wrong, but its not terrible.

I am from Northern Ireland-part of UK. Things were going well recently (in terms of peace and politics) until a :mp5: tried to break into our parliament building with a gun, knife and 8 pipe-bombs. The meeting he disrupted was quite imortant as it was deciding the future of our government.

Tomorrow I shall post an analysis of N.I but not UK.

I am currenty reading some Bill Bryson books atm-"Notes from a small Island"-representing Great Britain (not Northern Ireland) and "Down Under"-representing Austrailia. They are rather funny and show up alot of things about different cultures. I could post the book on this thread as these books are perfect for it. Unfortunalty I am unable to do so as I have the problem in getting copyright laws and a small hinderance that the books are ~ 351 pages long.