Differences between countries! the topic´s thread...

[Las Naranjas]

For a little point of clarification regarding the Surplus/Deficit thing...
I'm assuming he's referring to the Social Security Surplus, rather than to the Federal budget. Correct me if I'm wrong [after all, I've only studied Australian fiscal policy] but in the US I believe that Social Security has it's taxation revenue and it's expenditure through payments seperate to the main Budget.

So whilst the budget has returned to massive deficits [power having been wrested from those austerely spendocrat Democrats], the Social Security system is in surplus, having collected more from the 12% of whatever on the PAYG than it's paying in its [austere by the standards of the western world] welfare cheques.

I also believe that there is a common practice where the surplus on the Social Security is used the fuzz the deficit on the Budget.

[shbaz]

Actually, the social security system is in crisis of not being able to pay out the "baby boomers." The baby boomers are the generation that were suspiciously abundantly born after soldiers returned from WWII. They are the most in number among American generations and are in danger of bankrupting the SS system because of that. Bush is attempting to fix this by getting more foreign workers, because they pay SS tax but don't benefit from it due to their non-citizenship status. Personally, I think there are better ways, but it should work.

[Las Naranjas]

As of yet, that's a projected problem that has to be dealt with, but which hasn't actually put the Social Security Trust [which my research subsequent to the last post tells me is the name of the off budget system] into deficit.

After all, the Aging population problem, specifically relating to the disproportionate amount of Baby Boomers, can't really be said to be effect old age pensions.

Taking the standard definition of a Boomer being a member of the generation born after the war, even the absolute oldest members are in their late 50's.

But moreover, having the Welfare system seperate to the Budget is...well, bizaare. I can only assume it was the result of the machinations of FDR's time.

[goldenmonkey]

More about Australia:

-Yes, as OsUltimo said, you can see a Kangaroo if you go and look, but they don't hop down the city streets. There used to be a family of about 20 kangaroos that lived about 700 meters from my house, but only because our house was very new, and the rest of the area was undeveloped, so the 'roos all lived in the bush. It's not like you walk down the driveway and spot them hiding on your roof. Actually, a lot of aussies are afraid of kangaroos. Their hind legs are so powerful they can kick your bowels out in about 1.5 seconds. That would be most painful, I imagine.

- The most-played sport in Aus is soccer, although I don't believe it has the largest fan-club. Most people seem to know a lot more about football (yes, football, that game played with the brown, eliptical ball you throw at each other) than soccer, which is understandable, seeing as soccer is gay and crap and should be banned.

- 13 year old girls in GENERAL don't dress like whores. They are slowly becoming MORE whore-like (and I completely 100% blame America's media domination of Australia for this), but as I see it, the whore-age doesn't arrive until about 16/17. Of course, there are exceptions, and these exceptions are increasing by the day, as girls realise they can get away with shorter and shorter and shorter skirts and skimpier and skimpier tops. I want to shoot them (mainly because if you are going to wear sexy clothes, you must AT LEAST have breasts to show off in them, so you aren't pulling up the front of your shirt every 5 seconds! And I mean that seriously)

- We don't like beer as much as the Scottish. But yes, we DO like it.

- Women's Lib is undergoing a change in Aus. More and more women are reverting back to 'tradition' - that is, staying at home and being a housewife. Not by force, but completely by choice.

- Some of our delicacies include Kangaroo/Platapus/Wombat meat, as well as Dingo Steak.

- We wear clothes.

Agreed except for the football talk.

AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL is played with a red or yellow eliptical ball that you KICK or HANDBALL to each other an is played on an OVAL, you must be either from NSW or QLD because every other state and Territory plays Aussie rules and not Thugby.
Soccer isn't gay or crap either, Thugby on the otherhand is.
(

[Las Naranjas]

And the above is true, that in the southern and Western states Aussie Rules is more popular, and garners more obsessive fans [face it, what else do you do in Adelaide?].

It's Melbourne's greatest obsession but for talking about Sydney.

[Primus]

A Mexican friend of mine who speaks both Spanish and Portugese told me that Portugese is basically Spanish with a wierd accent, which seems to be backed up by a multilingual dictionary I have.Ã,  This leads me to believe that, not being fluent in either language myself and observing the wide variety of accents found in Latin America, I probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference from a random TV broadcast or music video.Ã,  Just because *you* know what language is spoken in Brasil doesn't mean that information has ever been available to me from a reliable source before now.

Ryukage, that Mexican friend of yours shows he didn't know what he is saying. Knowing a few Portuguese words isn't enough: it's necessary knowing its origin.
An old theory is all languages came from a first original one, the Sanscipt. Now that Spanish was in the basis of Portuguese..., is the same that telling Welsh is in the basis of English: no, they're two different languages!
Let me try to explain you a thing: In Romanic speaking countries, the languages were basically a mix of the Latin with the local speaking dialects and languages. So they have been talked differently in each region, forming the five main Romanic languages: French; Italian; Portuguese; Roumenian; Spanish. Of course there are other languages (as the Basque, one of the oldest European languages, and has nothing with Latin, so it isn't an Indo-European language, but older than that). So, also according to your Mexican mate, Spanish could be Italian with a weird accent...
Farland won't let me lie here. Galicia and Portugal have had a dialect called Galaico-Portuguese, mostly used for poetry and literary works, but that one was forbidden by Castilla after 1385.
Now if you tell me Galician was in the origin of Portuguese (but not Spanish), maybe I agree: it's one of the theories. If you say to a Galician his/her language came from Castilian/Spanish/whatever, you are also wrong.
http://www.applet-magic.com/spport.htm

That said, I do know some fragments of Spanish and a few Spanish grammar rules, and I find most of the latter to be unnecessary complications with no effect on the meaning of the sentence.Ã,  As an anime fan, I've also studied Japanese and Chinese a bit, and being a medieval folklore buff I've studied some German as well.Ã,  I've found that as much as I enjoy learning *about* other languages, actually learning to speak them is beyond my abilities.Ã,  So I'm far from ignorant of other languages, I'm just not fluent in any of them.

It's the prize we must pay for having a so theoretical and complicated language (Latin) as our mother-tongue: every "specialist" had something to say, forming the most complicated grammar and ortographic rules ever. The "Arts Grammaticae" were studied throughout the Middle Ages and are still being studied nowadays, although Latin is already a dead language, now only spoken eg in Vatican between church ministers of different countries.

And of course, the only true ignorance is believing one knows everything.Ã,  Such a one asks no questions, because he believes he has all the answers already.Ã,  I know enough to know that I know very little of all there is to know, so I ask questions in a continual attempt to fill in the dreadful gaps, and dispense freely of the knowledge I already have to help others do the same.Ã,  You learn something every time you objectively consider another's point of view with an open mind, even if you ultimately determine it to be foolish.

I must repeat, nobody knows everything. And must add I personally am Socratic: "All I know is that I know less every day".

He [Spielberg]reveals his ignorance...

Yeah, I was too rude, and I've apologised for that yet. But still think Spielberg could have done a few researches (eg he could have paid a university team for a serious history research), as a movie is seen worldwide, so its historical mistakes too.

[Sutebi]

Seriously guys, if you want to debate social security and other things, just start another thread.

Yeah, I always watch the Olympics here. And when America was doing well in the soccer world cup I think a lot of Americans watched that, and a lot of Americans don't really like soccer. It's all about national pride.

[Czar]

As this is starting to be a politically oriented thread, I wont talk about my country.
Ofcourse you can see that all of us are very alike.

But I really cant believe that someone really believes in the things that Ryu says.
I'm more on the LostTraveler's side.

Everything (democracy, socialism/communism) sounds good in theory, but in practice there is one huge factor that stops it from being real. That is the human person itself, his greed, lust for more etc. etc.

The only way this world can survive is by socialism/Karl Marx's way, but only when people will start too see that there isÃ,  more that to money.
That means the whole world will have to become more spiritual.
The good thing is that the process has already begun, but the bad news is that the total conversion could come too late....

But you can take sides all you want the truth is that if you dont want it to be like that anymore, you should start asking yourselves the real questions like:

Did anything that i did in my life made it better? ( That's for those kids that are angry at everyone around them)

I think every country's youth follows the trend that is in the world, so now the majority is following the Low-life thugs' way of living, which doesnt necesarilly have to be bad, as the person can later get stuffed with it and figure out that it was just a period in his life
that he had.

I hope i made my point, because i dont have a tendecy of making posts which make a whole lot of sense.

Stay well, Czar.


oh yeah, all you open minded, check this out
http://www.geocities.com/changetheworld_now/index.html

[[Cameron]]

seeing as soccer is gay and crap and should be banned.

Fuck you!

and some more stuff bout us Australians
- We dont act like Steve Irwin, and thank fuck for that.

Did you know America got him before us.

[viktor]

seeing as soccer is gay and crap and should be banned.

Fuck you!

and some more stuff bout us Australians
- We dont act like Steve Irwin, and thank fuck for that.

Did you know America got him before us.

that's simply gorgeus 

[InCreator]

Estonia, one freakin' weird country:

Facts:
- among teenagers, you're not acceptable male human being when you don't own at least 5 of following things:

Ã,  1) BMW which serial number starts with number 3 or 7 (at least)
Ã,  2) Latest mobile phone from Finland (preferably Nokia)
Ã,  3) Lots of cash
Ã,  4) Bad attitude
Ã,  5) Lots of friends
Ã,  6) Problems with alcohol
Ã,  7) Extra cash to bribe security guard at every night club
Ã,  8 ) Desire to fight all the time for no reason
Ã,  9) No driving license, and fear to get caught because of it
10) No respect, especially for female beings

- We eat blood sausage during christmas... yes, a sausage made of gut of a pig, filled with groats and blood... delicious
- Kids get their first cellphone at the age of 6
- Education is at ultra high levels, except for businessmen and politicans
- Kids don't shoot at school
- Very few people have firearms, even less are able to get license for it
- We are not commies
- We are not located somewhere in south africa
- We are not russian
- about 30 - 40% of people living here actually are
- Out government has been under numerous other countries during history, such as germany, sweden, russia, denmark, etc.
- Every average estonian is able to speak russian and english language
- We never have no mass riots or demonstrations. Never.
- Most people have brains. Maybe it's because of cold.
- We have some weird letters, such as ä,ö,ü,õ
- Very few people make freeware computer games. About 30, if not less. I know all of them. Most of them are at the age of 13-17. 90% of them uses Game Maker.Ã, 
- Religion is out
- Sports (games) are out, unless some estonian gets some medals somewhere, like Erki Nool did at Olympics some years ago
- 18 is the age of total freedom (alcohol, smoking)
- 13 is the age when people start to enjoy total freedom
- 21 is the age when people may go to casino

Argh.

[[Cameron]]

We eat blood sausage during christmas... yes, a sausage made of gut of a pig, filled with groats and blood... delicious

Good ole scottish meal that one.

[Mr Flibble]

I haven't read all 7 pages, so if this has been said before, sorry.

I live in Northern Ireland.
Its not all bombs and terrorists and Catholics and Protestants killing each other because they worship the same god in a different way.

Well actually it is, but I live in the NICE part of town, where none of that vile stuff happens.

Its a pretty grotty country. Most people have been smoking and drinking since they were 13. Its terrible when on a TV show, if they show a map of Britain, and we aren't on it. It makes me angry and frustrated.

There is a big stadium/concert hall/ice rink/bowling alley/restaraunt/bar/multiplex place called the Oddesey.

And it is the ONLY good thing in the entire god-forsaken place.

Unlike most, I don't have an accent. I speak in clear, dulcet tones, thank you very much.

[Ali]

The most noteable and best thing about England, that as far as I know has yet to be mentioned, is...

You all speak our language!

This is great news for gentle liberal types like me who want to spread the word of peace globally, and even better news for the aforementioned sunburned thugs who want to buy booze on holiday without using a phrase book.

[Felipe]

Ryukage:

BTW, in that episode they said that language spoken in Brasil is Portugese, not Spanish.  Is that true?  Every Brasillian I've ever seen on TV has appeared to be speaking Spanish, though I can't swear I'd be able to tell the difference.

As already said: NO - It's not true. We speak PORTUGUESE here.
But it's nice that you've mentioned it 'cos I've heard this before (and couldn't believe it!)
The problem is that in most films, when somewhere is supposed to be Brazil people usually talk in spanish (with a few -rares- exceptions). This is because the directors say: "WTF, the won't know the difference so just put 'em talking in spanish"
The thing is there are MANY differences.

A Mexican friend of mine who speaks both Spanish and Portugese told me that Portugese is basically Spanish with a wierd accent, which seems to be backed up by a multilingual dictionary I have.

Well, tell your friend he's totally wrong!
As I said before there are many differences between Portuguese and Spanish.
Not only in the pronunciation but we even have different letters! (Like, in portuguese we have 'ç' and many acents like ' ~ ^ ` and in Spanish they have ñ ll and y that do not exist in Portuguese)

Primus:

António Noivo Cueca had to remove "Cueca" from the phone list as calls making fun of his name were driving him crazy...

Hehe
This made me remember this joke we have about a portuguese that was called Joaquim Bosta, and he was fed up of people making fun of his name so he decided to change it. When asked what name he'd like to change to he said:
- "Ah... pode ser Manuel Bosta, mesmo."

We've also a special group we have most jokes: "Alentejanos".

I did notice you have a LOT of them... but what would "alentejanos" be?
It'd be much funnier if only I knew what you mean with it!

About the jokes about Brazilians:
Well, most of the jokes I saw there, are told here, but with Portuguese when it says Brazilian.
So... the thing is who made fun of who first?

Anyway, we have MANY more jokes about you (Portugueses) than I noticed you have from us...
Just google "piadas portugues" and check it out...!


Now, I'd like to know from you greeks:
Does EVERY greek name end with 's'?
I was looking the names of the football team the other day (Nikopolidis, Seitaridis, Dellas, Kapsis, Fyssas, Venetidis; Zagorakis, Katsouranis, Karagounis, Tsiartas, Giannakopoulos, Nikolaidis, Charisteas and Vryzas); and also others I know, like Socrates, Aristoteles, Spyros Soldatos, Telemachus Stavropoulos, Antonis Vavayannis...
Does that mean something or is it just an ENORMOUS COINCIDENCE?


[OFF TOPIC]
Panda:

Also, you're point is made cooler by the guy with the sunglasses.

offtopic

that guy with teh sunglasses is an older picture of me

/offtopic

Lol, I believe he was talking about the point #8, that was "turned" into a smiley by Yabb, and not about your avatar


-Felipe-