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Sleuth Admin
Sleuth Admin
Tale Spinner

Apr-23-2004 19:49
(sticky post)


So, looking at the web logs, I know that we have players here from about 30 different countries. I just thought it would be interesting to put somes names with places.

My wife and I live in Boulder, COlorado in the U.S. Where the winter has returned for the weekend. We actually moved here pretty recently from Seattle, which is my home town.


Replies

Blaise Joshua
Blaise Joshua

May-9-2005 04:10

Croesy - my argument wouldn't rest on the language ... there are many areas in the world that have their own language but are not considered countries (Basque region in Spain, for example, though that is again controversial). However, the collective sum of what Wales is, in my opinion (and I state that it is an opinion due to the fact that the defintions of what a country is are so bluured)makes Wales a country and not a region, county, area or whatever else some might call it of Britain.

As a further point, I believe Wales is thought of in many circles as a principality - under the glorious protectorate of the Prince of Wales (typed as a patriotic Briton with a faint grin) ... : o )

MarcusAndrew
MarcusAndrew

May-9-2005 07:32

Oh dear God, look what I've started....

Sir Kittithaj
Sir Kittithaj

May-9-2005 08:52

Well, at least Wales, Scotland, and Ireland has their own football (soccer to you Americans) teams which play, and are recognized, in international matches. I think that's enough to say all of them are countries in their own rights.

jstkdn, you're not like most Europeans I've seen on the internet, who think Americans are ignorant (okay, SOME of them REALLY are.) I have to respect you on that. However, I do not agree with your argument. See, the Netherlands (or even Lithuania) is a COUNTRY; which has its own sovereignty. Texas and Wisconsin is a STATE, situated inside the USA. I think it's a different magnitude of importance. Yes, some states like New York might be more important to the world than Lithuania, Latvia, or Faroe Islands. But the fact that these countries have their own culture, language, government, and a seat in the United Nations means they deserve more recognization than an American state.

I think it's fair enough to the Europeans, or any other people, to be able to point out where the USA and Washington DC is, and maybe some of their important cities. I, for one, can point out where most of European countries are. Of course, I know where the USA is, but not about any US states. I think the US, as a whole, is as important as any European countries and deserve the same amount of recognization. I also think the American states are as important as German (or any European) states. If you can't remember where Bavaria or Saxony is, it's not wrong for you not remembering where Texas or Wisconsin is either.

That, or because I'm more obsessed with European culture than American. :)

P.S. Hope I don't piss off any Americans along the way, and turn this thread into Americans VS Europeans VS Asians debate. :)

jstkdn
jstkdn
Well-Connected

May-9-2005 12:07

Uhm I never said that The Netherlands isn't a country. Last time I checked, it was, or I wouldn't have a passport. :)

Holland is NOT a country, but a nickname of one, being The Netherlands.

And I know that Texas is not a country and I never said it was, however it is geographically way bigger, with more people, more richer, more a lot of other stuff then a small ass country like the Netherlands.

The reason why I am different from many europeans. Because yes some general statements about Americans may be true......but the many American people that I know, love, work with do not have a tag on them that says "I fit a stereotype, and I am not an invidual, I am a clone of all the other millions of American the same as me."

Sure some American stereotypes are for a lot of Americans true. But you know what, for some reason a lot of people in the world just want to see some bad sides to Americans. While they can lie comfy, and be lucky with their positive stereotype. Generally, all cultures and the people living it have good and bad sides. You should look at both.

And definitely not judge, until you say you thoroughly understand their culture as they live it. And for that you need to have lived there, really understand them, have known many of them, taken a lot of classes in cultural appreciation and intercultural communications. And even then, you don't even fully grasp it. Instead of seeing it through the glasses of interpretation that you learned from having grown up in your own culture.

For instance, and example.
Stereotype:
Americans are loud.
- I know a great amount of Americans that are just as loud as Europeans, or less loud.
- American culture in itself communicate differently in social situations.
- While being loud is not acceptable in european culture, in American culture this could be different.
- Loud could also be an expression of excitement in some cultures
- Or if you want to compete in a discussion, being louder expected.


jstkdn
jstkdn
Well-Connected

May-9-2005 12:15

- Being soft spoken are in some cultures considered a great quality, while in others they are considered weak.
- Being loud in sometimes in some countries, the only way to be heard.
- Some country just have really loud noises, and if you want to be heard....

So there are many reasons. Though in Holland it is not a good quality to speak really loud and considered offensive and rude. If I would judge another culture based on the rules I grew up with, I would be SURELY mistaking.

The Dutch are known for their prostitution, drugs, and their frugality. I am not a prostitute, nor a drug dealer, and I am not frugal. And you know what, I'd be pissed if someone said "The Dutch...."

The only culture I really care the comment on without any pre-judgement, is my own.

You may never know....how another country looks at your culture.

You come for instance from Thailand, do you smile and laugh all the time? Do you sell your children off to become prostitues in Phuket? And do you throw westerners in jail to die in Bangkok Hilton prison? Do you work in a rice field? Are you poor without money/food/aircon/roads/electricity/education? Do you sell thai hashies which is considered one of the best in the world?




jstkdn
jstkdn
Well-Connected

May-9-2005 12:26

You which people I find dumb. Are the ones that think they have completed years of understanding and study, in to judging a society not their own.
And those that never closely "know" and I mean really know many people from another culture, never lived there, or never tried to understand.....those I'd like whipe my rear end with.

I have a father with dutch and german parents, a mother who is Indonesian, and I spent a lot of time in Europe and Asia. Man, if I had to take on the bad stereotypes people around the world give the dutch, the germans, and the Indonesians (particularly considering their corruption, bali bombing, their treatment of some smaller islands etc.).....I may as well give up on life, and meeting other people.



jstkdn
jstkdn
Well-Connected

May-9-2005 12:30

Was I being an opinionated Dutchie here?

(please don't judge me. In my culture it is a sign of strength and intelligence.)

P. Rockwell
P. Rockwell
Well-Connected

May-9-2005 14:43

Heck, I'm happy if people know Idaho from Ohio and Iowa.

freelancermountaineer
freelancermountaineer

May-9-2005 15:35

LOL. Maybe I have a little bit of a soft spot for Americans. If it wasn't for them, I'd be speaking German right now. :)

I am not a really nationalistic person. But I have always been really proud that The Netherlands was the first country that diplomatically recognized the United States as a state and country, and not part of the British Empire. We also financed the war against the British to do so.

jstkdn
jstkdn
Well-Connected

May-9-2005 15:36

Oh my god, I have a double is that allowed?
And I have one in an agency, and one that is not in that agency. OHMYGOD! hahah

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