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

[Nacho]

I wonder if our countries are so different as they seem. I have a lot of answers to do. Do you really make that "parties" in the funerals, american guys? Do you really shake the hand of the girls? We kiss them twice! Do you really know guys who carry guns to school?

The same for the others... Do you see kangaroos while going to the work, aussies mates?

For enlight you about Spain...

We do not wear that "green wide wing hats" or some of that folkroric stuff
Nobody does it, just the people disguised as folkrorics in some neighbourhoods in Seville.

We do not fight with the bulls... Barcelona hasn't had a have a "Corrida" in 40 years, and the "Plaza" is abandoned... That's popular in Andalucía or Madrid. In my town we have one little "Plaza", but just because we're a touristic town, and we use it mainly for performances.

Except Andalucía or Extremadura, two or the "States" of the 17 we are, we do not have the typical spaniard image you have.

In my State we like "Paella" a popular dish with rice, but we're quite bored of it... There are like 10 VERY WELL ways to make the rice (There must be like 200 non so popular recipes) and we preffer that ones. One very popular is "Arrós a Banda" (Rice with fish served a part) or "Arrós negre" (Black rice, with octopuss' ink) or "Arrós amb costra" (Some kinf of rice inside an omelette)

The enviroment is mediterranean, a lot of pines, very desertic in the south except in some huge wet areas, such as Sierra of Cazorla, or Sierra of Gredos in Andalucía and very continental in the north (the enviroment is more wet, similar to Scotland, with rivers, grassy plains...)

My country is vert mountanee in Andalucía, the mediterranean and Cantabic bank, and of course in the Pyrynees.

The original population was iberic, Then came the latins, the goths, the muslims, and then franks, at the re-conquest. The basques and the celts in Galicia have remained since the beginning.

Any more questions?

[SSH]

Farl, I have been in Bilbao with a temperature of 18C on the 1st of January. That would never happen in Scotland. 

Unfortunately, the stereotypes of Scotland are true. It's cold, wet, and full of not-very-tall mountains. Our diet consists of Shortbread, Haggis, Whisky, Irn-Bru, Oatcakes, Deep-fried Mars bars and more Whisky. Scotsmen don't wear anything under their kilts and no it isn't cold when you do that. Yes, we do hate the English and we all have red hair and wear bunnets.

[juncmodule]

Interesting idea.

[disclaimer]I will answer this thread on one condition. It is to be understood that these are my personal opinions and are based on my experiences as an American. If you think I am wrong then you are wrong from the outset, because these are my opinions and I am not pretending to be stating facts.[/disclaimer]

Do you really make that "parties" in the funerals, american guys?

Of the funerals I attended while growing up, I must say many of them felt more like a really serious family reunion rather than a funeral. We had dinner for three days, went to the "viewing" and after the funeral had another large dinner. At the funeral home we all sat in the lounge area. Everyone talked, drank coffee, and smoked cigarettes. While I don't know about "parties", I could easily see how this would be interpeted as a party of sorts.

Do you really shake the hand of the girls? We kiss them twice!

Unfortunately...Yes. Women's Lib in America is severely screwed up right now. In the 80's women went to work. The wore these funny penis shaped "woman ties" and joined the "man's" working force. They in turn raised children with a head for work, success, and college. This was good for the women of the 80's But, let me tell you, as a Male growing up in the 90's, parts of it sucked. Women of the 90's took ideas of feminism too far. Men couldn't open doors for women, kiss a girls hand, or say "ladies first" without being a sexist pig. The result of this is really sad. In the late 90's the new generation of women started rejecting feminism. It became a word associated with big burly stereotypical "dykes". So, women began to sink back into more submissive roles. As a whole generation it is much more pampered. Kids, male and female now live at home into their 20's. Growing up for me it was always, "18 and your out the door bub". Respect for women continues to decline on a more popular and general scale in America. I can only hope that the cycle will repeat itself and eventually women will shake off the stereotypes that hold them back.

Do you really know guys who carry guns to school?

Yes. This is just a fact of life. Growing up in Flint it was even more of a fact of life. I went to a very rough high school. No one was shot in my high school, however someone was stabbed to death. A girl at a prom was shot in the back of the head.

I also had this super christian friend who's mom hated me. She decided that I was having a bad influence on him with my "Heavy Metal". So, I was told I couldn't hang out with him. Well, he started listening to gangster rap instead, without her knowledge. About a year later he was kicked out of school because he was caught with a gun in his locker. One of those little victories in life for me. I have never carried a gun. Guess Metallica ain't so bad after all huh? Bitch.

American's eat Hamburgers, talk on cell phones excessively, and drive SUV's. I work at a cafe next to a ballet school. These sick "Ballet mom's", as we call them, fit this stereotype to a tee. They are all obsessed with the Atkins diet (LOW CARBS!!!), even though none of them are fat. They are loud and disrespectful. They seem to have cell phones glued to their ears. Really disgusting stereotypical Americans. It's sad to know that generalizations are based on something real. Oh, and of course these are the only types of Americans that can actually afford to travel to Europe and the rest of the world regularly, thus adding to the general horrible image of Americans. We call this creature "Yuppie". People like me hate this creature and all that it stands for.

I'm sure more Americans will rant more.

On another note Farlander. You have mentioned anti-Americans lately. You must understand the current state of our culture to understand where that is coming from. We have become very selfish. Everything is about "ME", the only catch is you have to make it look like it's about everyone else, but it's really about "ME". It's a disease that is eating America from the inside. Our drivers drive more aggressively, our politicians become more corrupt, and our patriotism becomes more and more plastic.

I bitch about these things because I am not content to sit back and just let it happen. If I were not anti-American I would be Un-American. I want the best for my nation and I do not believe we are on that path. So many Americans are apathetic about everything. They are content to let their freedom slip away. If these stupid terrorists launch one more attack within our borders we will become a "Patriot Act" nation. It will not only be the end of our freedom but the end of every Arab nations freedom. With this as my possible future, I do not like the current state of America. So, if I seem a little anti-American, just remember, I fight for my nation ever day by not being an "American".

later,
-junc

[Darth Mandarb]

America is great.

13 year old girls dress like whores.
Our most popular music is by low-life thugs glorifying violence & drugs or whore-sluts who lip-sync.
Most of the youth have totally tuned out and only care about partying and having fun and those that haven't are greedy capitilist pigs.
The government is hated around the globe.
We're fat and over indulged.

Oh and we're free.

[juncmodule]

LOL!

I forgot all about the 13 year old's dressing like whores thing. I try to block that out as much as possible. I think that ties into my whole feminism rant. Those whore-sluts who lip-sync are young women's role models!? WTF?

later,
-junc

EDIT: But, we're free...

[Primus]

Hi, Farlander!

I suppose you know my country relatively well, as we're neighbours... hehehe

WE have bullfights (touradas). Well, we don't have bull-killing in the arena since 1765: a count was killed in a bullfight, and his 70 years old father (a marquis) took his revenge by killing the bull. The king (D. José I) then ordered the stop of bull-killing (eg affraid of losing more noblemen), and that law was carried on since then. Portuguese laws don't permit killing the bulls in the "arena": just afterwards, in "matadouros", for butcher's meat and so. An exception: Barrancos, a very little pt village, defending it was always a tradition... well I regret that tradition. BTW, I hate "touradas".

We've ca 200 recipes for preparing codfish, and I hate all. But I love paella, man, and also "esas tortillas tán buenas".

BTW, Farlander, I can watch 4 Spanish channels (RTVE1, RTVE2, Tele 5, Antena 3) by normal aerial, so I speak Spanish not too bad - writing it without mistakes is my big problem.

Freedom is the most valuable gift a human been can have. So I'm free. In Portugal anyone could create an official party, since there were enough signatures and so. And for me freedom is the choice not betwen two parties, but between a few more. Portugal had two parties since 1974, and no one considered himself/herself free. It was a dcitatorship. I consider that any country with just two official parties - no offense, people, but please let me use my freedom to express my onw opinion. Of course racist,Ã,  terrorist associations, clubs, parties, etc., or whatever can hurt third ones rights are strictly forbidden.

In Portugal we live also in freedom since 1974, when a revolution without blood or killings took place and dismissed a dictature that has last 45 years, with two official parties till 1974, I repeat...

If anyone wants to know whatever about Portugal, pls just ask. It will be my pleasure trying to answer the best I know.

About the climate and geography, is very similalr to Spanish one. Except in size: Spain is ca 5 times bigger - in inhabitants too...

Language is Portuguese, coming from Latin, as the main four other Romanic languages: French; Italian; Roumanian; Spanish (eg Castellano - Castillian).

Damn, we can also see 13 year old girls dressing like whores - are those new fashion styles, anyway?!...Ã,  Well, it seems girls are fashion slaves wherever...Ã, 

[Phemar]

Yes, we here in South Africa are free too. Well we like to think we are.

- South Africa does not consist of mud houses in the bush.
- I don't think I've ever seen a mud house in the bush.
- But we do have a major game reserve in the transvaal.
- Not everyone is dark-skinned.
- I have to say that because everyone is too majorly oversensitised about racialism.
- No, the whole country is not full of people with AIDS.
- I don't think I've ever seen a person with AIDS.
- Yes, we do have a S.o.a.B. government.
- No, I don't have AIDS.
- No, I don't live in a mud hut.

I hope that cleared some issues. Oh yeah, and we also have 13 year old girls dressing like whores. (I've seen 12 year olds too.)
And I've known people to smoke since age 11.
As I said, I hope that cleared some issues. (everyone asks me these things on internet chatrooms and forums, I've given up telling them where I'm from...)

Cheers!

[Andail]

10 facts about Sweden (these are very rough generalisations; don't take literally):

1. Not all are big and blonde (I'm a living proof)
2. Swedish women are prettier than most other nationalities (and I've been around). We don't cheek-kiss, but occasionally hug
3. Nobody I know, or ever known, has owned a firearm.

4. Sweden has been a nation for more than 500 years, we have been in wars with our neighours most of the time, and was once a big military power.

5. A Swede may choose not to work, nor study, and yet be able to live comfortably on wellfare money. Studying will grant you governmental allowance
6. A medical operation regardless of scope will cost you an adiminstration fee of equivolently 15 â,¬

7. South of Sweden has a warm summer climate, thanks to the gulf-stream, comparable to middle of Europe. The north of Sweden consists of vast coniferous woodlands and fjelds (fjäll). The far north is above the polar circle, and at this time of year, in total void of darkness.

8. Swedes are hard to make friends with, but tend to be loyal as friends. The first impression is introversion.
9. Swedes are less passionate and outspoken than south europeans, but in return more diplomatic and composed
10. Swedes are not very ambitious, and don't care much about career or becoming famous. As a result, we have a proportionally small workforce, and a smaller clique of rich people. For instance, we have less dollar-millionaires than Norway, which is substantially smaller.

Once again, much of this is plain generalising. I'm for one an exception to many of these points.

[Ginny]

Let's see, what do I know about Israel.. Well, for one thing, israel seems to want to copy america, like it's an idol to worship, which truly annoys me. yes, here too 13 is about the age that many girls get a screw loose and start dressing like exotic dancers(let's have some variety shall we ), though it doesn't seem to reach the level in america by what you're saying. But yes, most girls regard fashion very highly (i'm proud not to include myself in that group ).

Fun facts:
- No, Not everyone in Israel is religious.
- Yes, both the financial situation and the safety situation are terrible. It is a common joke to say "...it's because of the situation." about something that goes wrong, at least that's how it seems to me.. I've pretty much lost interest in listening to the news.
- Most present israeli music (eastern music it's also called) is, in my opinion, bad, to say the least, but for some reason a lot of people here like it. If I had to listen to israeli music, I'd prefer older music, it was much better IMO.
- As far as I know (as I said, I don't follow news with too much care) there hasn't been a terrorist act in some time, but I still can't say our country is safe.
- Here too almost everyone owns a cellular phone, even kids at the age of 8. I've had one since I was 12.
- Also, there've been a lot of talks about drugs in our school lately, so I'm guessing that aspect isn't in a good state either.

Well then, maybe another israeli AGSer can tell you more about this godforsaken (not literally, I just find this word expresses how I feel better than 'damned' or 'crazed') country.
Insteresting discuaaion topic, actually, I didn't expect to have much to say.

[Moox]

USA is overrated
I would rather live in italy or germany

[Phemar]

I would never ever live in Europe...Eughh...

[Primus]

Why? Zor? Due to the climate?Ã,  I'd love to live in South Africa, but I would never ever live there... I love being alive even more...Ã, 

[Nacho]

Most of the clima in Spain is Mediterranean, but it can be a very severe continental clima in the centre (The worst in the last century was around 1936, were temperatures reached like -60 or something in Teruel, but that's very very strange... they get -10 regularilly in that place year by year, though... Yes SSH, we can have temperatures around 20 degrees in winter, it's not extremely odd. The usual is that at mid day. I am used to that clima and I don't wear short cycling wear till june, but foreign bikers use shorts and feel confortable with it.

The dressing stuff for young ladies seems to be the same everywhere... 

The "states" in the north and South banks are the most religious ones, but we're not very into it, generally. It is in Seville where you can see that shows of extreme devotion during Easter.

When a person dies, we have three days as most to bury him, by law. We usually bury the corpse the next day, two days after as most.  We gather all the friends and close relatives that day in the place where the body is (nowadays a morgue which includes a church and some facilities, such a reception and a place to eat) and we show respect, but the big ceremony where everybody who knew came is the next day, in a religious ceremony who preceeds the burial. We usually are buried in some kind of "cells", which seem to be building,  You need to be rich to have a big tomb. To be burnt (sp?) is not usuall, but becoming more and more popular each day.

Our national sports are, by order of interest: Football, Basket and cycling.

I haven't met a person with a guy, but many people has rifles... It's that kind of stuff you'd never use in your live, but you have it, like a surf table.

I have some friends who have lived in L.A, Miami, New York, and they say they preffer the Mediterranean Coast, but they could just have being kind... But it's a nice place to life, anyways.

[Dart]

Hey.

I'm not a lumberjack, or a fur trader...
And I don't live in an igloo
Or eat blubber, or own a dogsled...
And I don't know Jimmy, Sally or Suzy from Canada,
Although I'm certain they're really, really nice.
I have a Prime Minister, not a President.
I speak English and French, NOT American.
And I pronounce it 'ABOUT', NOT 'A BOOT'.
I can proudly sew my country's flag on my backpack.
I believe in peace keeping, NOT policing.
DIVERSITY, NOT assimilation,
AND THAT THE BEAVER IS A TRULY PROUD AND NOBLE ANIMAL.
A TOQUE IS A HAT, A CHESTERFIELD IS A COUCH,
AND IT IS PRONOUNCED 'ZED' NOT 'ZEE' . . . 'ZED'!!!
CANADA IS THE SECOND LARGEST LAND MASS!
THE FIRST NATION OF HOCKEY!
AND THE BEST PART OF NORTH AMERICA!
MY NAME IS JOE!!
AND

I

AM

CANADIAN!

[Felipe]

This topic will help separating myths from facts... Here we go:

BRAZIL'S MYTHS & FACTS:

MYTHS
- We are not monkeys, ok?
- We don't see monkeys nor wild animals on the streets (Don't pay attention to what The Simpsons say)
- You don't see (many) indians on the streets either (you might see one or two beggers, though)
- You won't be kidnapped "just for walking on the streets" (depending on the city, this might happen, though)
- Did I say we're not monkeys?

FACTS
- We do eat lot's of rice with beans.
- We have high "levels of analfabetism" (sp?)
- We have naked women during carnival walking on the streets (ain't that great?)
- More than 90% of Brazil's inhabitants do love football (soccer)
- Did I mention the naked women during carnival?
- Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo are quite dangerous, but that doesn't mean you'll be kidnapped/robbed/killed/shot/whatever just for being there.
- We cheek-kiss girls twice (or even three times) here. We don't cheek-kiss men though (which is something our Uruguayan and Argentinian neighbours do)
- Oh, and we write "Brasil" (with 's') and hate when we see it with 'z' instead (some of us, at least)

And uh... any other things you'd like to know about Brazil?
I'd really glad to clarify any doubts you might have


Now I'll ask a question to each of the other "nationalities" that posted here before:
- Spanish (Farlander): Do you really have lunch at 4pm???
- Scotish (SSH): Do you guys wear those checked skirts??
- Americans (juncmodule and Darth Mandarb): Are all the "slim" on TV and all the others are fat? Is it THAT high the number of "couch potatoes"? Do your teachers show the Brazilian map without the Amazonian Forest stating it's an "International Area" (there were some mails stating this, but I want to know if it was just an hoax or that actually happens).
- Portugueses (Primus): Are most of the men called "Manuel" and "Joaquim" and the women "Maria"? Do you eat lots of "bacalhau" and have many bakeries (sp?)?
- South Africans (Zorc): Is it true that you can change a pack of flour (or sugar/beans/rice) for women? If not in South Africa, does that happen in other parts of the continent?
- Swedes (Andail): Hmm.. well.. ARE YOU SURE THAT THE SWEDES AREN'T ALL BLUE-EYED BLONDES??!?1
- Israelis (Ginny): Do you see armed men fighting on the streets everyday? (I saw what you said, but this isn't exactly a "terrorist act")
- Canadians (Dart): Do Terrance and Philip exist? Do you like 'fart jokes'? :

Er.. yeah - that's it!

Again, if you guys have some question about Brazil just ask it!


-Felipe-

[DragonRose]

Adendums to Dart's:

We also get our culture from beer ads! Yay!

"Do you know John from Canada? He works in an office!"
"Oh yeah! Office John! He's dead."

Felipe: We do have quite a lot of gross out humour here (Tom Green, anyone?).  But not everybody's into it. 

[Sutebi]

See, I'm not sure if this exists in other countries, I'm sure you guys could tell me, but in America (especially around the college age level) kids want to live in "another country." An interesting Dinesh D'Souza story is that when he was in college, he told some kid he was from India. The kid thought, "Wow, that's amazing. I wish I could live there." D'Souza, rather curious, asked "Why?" The kid said, "I don't know, it would just be so, you know, liberating." D'Souza asked, "What would be liberating? The strict laws, or the caste system?" The kid did not respond. At least in America, a lot of kids want to live in another country, because it's different and exotic from what they experience. They project there problems they have here (parents, bills, etc.) and think that they won't face these there. I frankly love to live here in America.

Yes, we love a lot of food, but I don't think that many Americans are fat. All food, though, whether it is called Chinese food, or it's a pizza, or a hamburger may have roots somewhere else but they are all strictly American creations. If you've ever had a real version of any of these foods, they are completely different. Oh, we eat our hamburgers with our hands. A German friend of mine was shocked when she saw me doing this. I believe they use a fork and knife, but a native would know better than me.

Our public education here is a joke. Very biased, very poorly designed, and a lot of people think it should be scrapped. It is actually okay in America to have "Failed High School math." Our colleges and Universities are great though.

Kids in the Midwest states, where there is little to do for miles, do hang out at Walmark. People in New Jersey (my state) do travel to the shore a lot (we call the beach the shore). Spanish has basically become the unofficial second language of America, and Spenglish is used freaquently in certain areas. The poor and "down-trodden" are actually much better off than the poor and down-trodden in other countries.

Also, in reference to the funeral question, I don't really think of them as parties. Funerals are more reserved and very much a time where you remember why the person was so great and how he touched the lives of the ones he loved.


So in review, for Felipe, no, not all the slim are on TV. There are a lot of in shape people. There is a new trend to look good by working hard at in that is gaining momentum at the moment. There are not that many "couch potatos." As to the map, I couldn't say. That's all I can think of now, but perhaps I'll add more later.

[AGA]

I am from Wales.

We don't have sex with sheep, and our language isn't entirely lacking in vowels.

[LordHart]

Seeing that I live more out in the country, than in a big city... or little city for that matter, I see Kangaroos occasionally... mostly dead on the side of the highways after being hit by idiots in their cars.

Come to Australia people! See the dead wildlife!

[kl4Uz]

some facts about austria:

1.) this country has it's roots deep in nationalsocialism and catholicism - the two largest evil things I can think of
2.) this country started two world wars
3.) our athlets suck nearly in all sports, except skiing and snowboarding
4.) nearly everywhere are mountains
5.) And most of Austrians only like foreigners when they come as tourists......

myths:
1.) I don't know a single person that wears leather trousers or knows how to yodel - but there are such people (i know that from television )
2.) People also don't look like Mozart, Beethoven, Sissi and all that stuff
3.) We don't all live on mountains, together with cows... yet there are such people....
4.) We don't speak "austrian", we speak german, and in some parts slovenian or croatian


that was a little overview on austria...... well there are some positive things too, but I just didn't feel very positive...