[Psudo]

I don't know a lot about the world, but it seems to be that nations often have discrete differences in national attitude, character and interest. Of course they don't apply to every citizen of that nation, but a combination of unique history and ideals often give a kind of personified concept of who (rather than what) that nation is.


For example, the USA is young, folksy, powerful, bold, and rash. He rebels under authority, enjoys peaceful relaxation and prosperity, but is willing to abandon both to do what's right, even alone if necessary. But his rush to action abandons prudence and caution and leads to mistakes and regrets.

Germany, brilliant and dedicated, holds liberty sacrosanct. Where the USA is rural and rash he is sophisticated and wizened, but at least as passionate. He feels his regrets more deeply and seeks to absolve himself through more measured, rational behavior in the future.

Russia is hard and strong, willing to intimidate, circumvent, or kill for what is rightly his. Not because he is cruel, but because the world is cruel and he wills himself to endure and thrive in it.


These are my armchair observations, yours to correct or criticize. Please add characterizations of nations you think have a distinct national style, especially nations you know well or love best.

[CanadianJeff]

It's interesting that you characterize the united states in such a way. I had an interesting discussion like this the other day with a friend of mine about the differences between Canada and the united states.

For example the gun laws. Some Americans are screaming the heavens about their rights being abused if you take away their gun for the sake of encouraging less gun violence. No one can deny (though try as some might) that having a gun around when an argument breaks out makes it far more likely someone is going to die.

Canadians on the other hand are all about limiting guns to as few people as possible. Guns are treated as a serious crime in Canada and simply having a gun in a public area is enough to throw you in jail.

Even two very similar nations can have radically different views on the same issues. I mean could you ever see universal health care being approved in the states? It seems Americans boo to anything that would encourage more taxes and more government involvement in their lives.

Point in case I think Canada is the cheery eyed little brother to the USA. He's a bit shy but inventive and always ready to look to his big brother for advice but still tries to be his own person. He's often proud of his achievements but often forgets just how small he is in the bigger world. He tries to be open minded but often one of his biggest faults is not following common sense sometimes in favor of more innovate untested methods.

[Thanos]

Don't anthropormorphize nation states. It's dangerous to ever assume that they're anything more than political constructs operating on ideologies, traditions, and bureaucratic inertia.

[Scape]

Thanos wrote:

Don't anthropormorphize nation states. It's dangerous to ever assume that they're anything more than political constructs operating on ideologies, traditions, and bureaucratic inertia.

[Psudo]

Anthropomorphizing nation states does not assume the nature of a nation is something different than the political construct you describe. No one actually believes nations are people. It's just a way of comparing and contrasting nations by describing their ideologies and traditions with a little more symbolism and creative license. I don't know how looking at things from an additional perspective would make one less capable of making good judgments.

[JJ]

I liked Tucker Carlson's characterization of Canada as America's stalker, who obsesses over her and has all these creepy photographs of her in his room, but can't understand why she doesn't pay him more attention.

[Psudo]

Jeff and JJ's respective descriptions of Canada could be seen as different views of the same person: "It's creepy how Canada obsesses over the USA." "No it's not, it's sweet and vulnerable." "He's a stalker!" "No, he's just in awe."

I'm probably expecting too much for a holiday weekend, but I was kinda hoping for people from diverse nations portraying their views of their homelands. Specifically, I'd love to hear OPP's characterization of Sweden and Zipperfish's characterization of the UK. But that seems pretty unlikely to happen.

[McNugget]

Because I'm really drunk:

-Greece is laid-back, plain-spoken and charmingly sleazy. When you're over at his house he'll cook for you and share his wine with you, and when he's over at your house he'll stick his hand inside the couch and look for loose change. He likes to argue but he doesn't like to fight.

-France is the guy who still works at Starbucks when he's 32 and has all these artistic ideas that he never gets around to doing anything with, even though everyone agrees that they're brilliant.

-Canada is the kind of guy who'll lie to your face to spare your feelings and expect you to give him credit for being "nice".

-Germany assumes that if he works hard enough nobody will notice his lack of brain power or manners. When someone tells a joke he is the only one in the room who never laughs. I've only seen him laugh once, and that when Russia fell down drunk and hit her head on the coffee table. Fortunately, USA has first aid training, and didn't mind dressing the wound, even though he was a bit drunk himself.

-Austria has found the perfect balance between work and pleasure that other nations envy. She can drink lightweights like Great Britain under the table several times over, and her musical talents often make her the centre of attention. She's kind of embarrassed by her past relationship with Germany and wants you to know that they are, like, so, totally, over.

-Israel is the computer engineer with Asperger's Syndrome who just doesn't do that well at parties. He means well but it takes him virtually no time at all to piss everyone off.

-Slovenia is steadfastly determined to make something out of herself after watching her older brothers Serbia and Croatia devolve into complete burnouts. Luckily Italy has taken her under his wing, even though he has his share of problems.

-Finland is the nerdy hipster who shows up with pills instead of weed.

[Psudo]

Hahaha, thank you McNugget. 'Twas a good laugh, and you may be my only possible source of any description of Slovenia.

[Murray_Smith]

McNugget wrote:

-Israel is the computer engineer with Asperger's Syndrome who just doesn't do that well at parties. He means well but it takes him virtually no time at all to piss everyone off.

Dammit, I'm not Jewish.

[Chumley]

JJ wrote:

I liked Tucker Carlson's characterization of Canada as America's stalker, who obsesses over her and has all these creepy photographs of her in his room, but can't understand why she doesn't pay him more attention.

[Axeman]

I haven't heard, used or read the word "anthropormorphize" since grade 13 English class.

[Chumley]

Axeman wrote:

I haven't heard, used or read the word "anthropormorphize" since grade 13 English class.

So THAT'S what you learn in great 13. I new I missed out on something

[Ronny]

America - Reckless, naive, loyal
Canada - Measured, rational, kindly
England - Defiant, sceptical, savage
Scotland - Ungrateful, unwanted, unnecessary
France - Wasteful, snooty, pathetic in every possible way