foreign societies

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In response to all the we're great/you suck foreigner bashing of late I thought it would be nice for those of us lucky enough to have either traveled or lived in a foreign country to share what we liked about the different culture.

I have visited a number of places but the longest was a year in Spain. I loved it so much I would consider living there.

For one, I really love their emphasis on community/family and social life. Every town/city has a plaza in the middle where people gather to drink espresso, watch kids play with pidgeons, and discuss politics.

Politics is something they love to talk about, often disagree on, but thrive on the conversation.

Every country should have siesta. Why should we spend the better part of the day working? With siesta they spend time with their families for a few hours then go back to work after dinner.

Lastly, Children are not an unwanted part of society. As well, neither are the disabled and elderly. Everyone has a welcome place and most people look after each other.

Oh, and they have wild peacocks living in the parks!

I would die for some Lechazo or Jamon Iberico right now!
I could go on and on, but let's hear from you!

[ September 15, 2002, 20:37: Message edited by: scarampella ]

 

Well the nicest and best country i've been to is easily the USA. You're all so darned polite to tourists You have a chain of diners over there..what was the name... can't remember Denny's possibly???... Anyway, the waitress just stood and talked to us for ages, she told us all the best places to visit (by the way we were in Orlando, Florida). And even though the meals are cheap the food was great. Paid about $5 for a big fat burger, yum My mum had a broken leg at the time and some mean Americans (yes they do exist... I know i know, i was shocked too ) stole her wheel chair in Blizzard Beach. So security were running around for ages looking. Hmm what else was great... oh yeah, i went into a bookshop that was bigger than TESCOs!!!! Great food again... oh TV sucked but who cares?. Everyone was very polite... jeez i'm rambling here. Everything's so HUGE! It was shocking seeing how most buildings in Britain are quite small because of lack of space. And the heat was cool too
It's very hard to think of alot of bad points, quite a bit of vandalism, but no worse than Britain's. I wouldn't want to live there, but that's only because i'm used to the small towns and the cold, etc.

To sum up, love it, wanna go again as soon a possible, maybe San Francisco or Atlanta next time.

 

Ummm I hate to break it to you, but Denny's is about the most white-trashiest of all the major diner chains out here.

 

Go to China. And maybe you'll see that population control isn't so horrific when you have to deal with 1.2+ billion, the majority all crowded together in large, polluted, cities.

 

"Go to China. And maybe you'll see that population control isn't so horrific when you have to deal with 1.2+ billion, the majority all crowded together in large, polluted, cities. "

last time I went there I was nearly smashed in a crowd. :

 

I'd think the crowds of China would be alright compared to hell, Ray. Of the countries I've been to I must say I enjoyed Scotland the most. It's so beautiful. And the accents are cool too!

 

I personally admire the traditional Japanese culture quite much. I just love the tranquility, honor and... well... intangibility the tales of old posess....

Ara
(Irritated and freezing... must stoop sleeping under an open window... not!)

 

The only foreign countries that I have been to are Canada and Spain. I liked both very much.

 

"I'd think the crowds of China would be alright compared to hell, Ray. "

well, it's not exactly the crows, it's the thieves, they can steal all your money in the crowd and you'll never notice.

 

My favourite countries is Sweden, Switcherland (?) and Cuba.

 

I'm glad a few people can say they like another country, but what I really want to hear is what you like about that country i.e. cultural differences.

I'm amazed how quick and outspoken many people are with their hate for countries they have never visited, but when it comes to relating something appreciative those voices are conspicuously mute.

 

Scarampella:

I can give you a comparative analysis of Greece (Athens mostly), where I spent 23 years and LA, where I have spent the last 2...
If you think that's interesting, I'll post it tonight (kind of busy now)

-thanos

 

Spent a couple of weeks in Austria. Loved the architecture, hated the culture. Except for the waltz at midnight on New Year's Eve in Vienna.

Italy, on the other hand, I loved. Rome was a bit dirty and nasty in places, but overall I loved it. Assisi was a great little town too, the archetype of a little Tuscan village with the added bonus of two saints.

I really want to go to the Far East, particularly China or Japan. (And I can stand in the most crowded city ever and rail against forced population control. Moron.)

 

Spain was wonderful because of the people (friendly, joyful, full of life), the food (amazing, especially on the Mediteranean), and the sights. There is much history there and many beautiful buildings, museums and parks. Barcelona was incredible.

 

Japan
Wonderful people and wonderful culture. Unlike some places in England you got the feeling that people were being polite because they wanted to be not because they had to be.

Tokyo was amazing and i got to stand in that place they always show on films. The ginza square.

Best bit was that i got to stay with a family for two weeks. It was a school exchange you see. I actually got treated like a guest and not a tourist and lived my life Japanese style. It is definatley the best way to experience another culture.

It almost makes me cry when i think about it. I loved it so much. And i had all my best mates from England with me too! perfect

Greece
Went with my mum when i was 13, To a little Island left of the mainland called Lefkas. Wonderful beaches but the sea was freezing. The people weren't that friendly though.

The restaurants were amazing and the amount yu could buy for just 50 dracma was incredible.

French Alps
Skiing is one of the best things in the world. But if you go for a skiing holiday in France you often find that the resort you stay in has more English Population than French. Not much culture experience.

However the night life was great and i got totally wankered every night!