Ode to another country

[trapical]

Everyone has pride for their own country, but I think most of us have sincere feelings about other countries as well. Maybe you really respect France's history, or Spain's courage from years past. If we keep the comments positive I think this could be a good thread to read to get perspective.

 

 

 

I'll start, and I'll pick Scotland. Yea, it's not technically a country but oh well, it used to be.

 

 

 

As shown in the movie, "the last King of Scotland" the dictator Idi Amin famously said "Oh, you're Scottish?! Why didn't you say so?... Great soldiers. Very brave. And good people. Completely. let me tell you, if I could be anything instead of a Ugandan, I would be a Scot." I had to smile at this. He may and killed thousands of people, but I had to agree with him on that, I wish I was born a Scot.

 

 

 

Their culture and sense of comradery is just amazing. They even have their own formal dress that supersedes the global formality of a tuxedo. Let me clarify, for men on this earth that attend formal events in the US, Europe, Oceania, Japan, India, etc, the most formal thing they can wear is a tuxedo... unless you're Scottish, in which case the traditional Scottish kilt and jacket is even more formal and deems more respect than any tuxedo or suit. Its truly amazing how no other peoples ranging from Japan to Brazil still keep to their cultural roots that ingrained.

 

 

 

Kilts aside, the Scots also have hands down, the best and most powerful songs ever sung. Most of you will probably recognize the melody of

, one of those songs that just sends a chill down your spine and clears your mind of all the insignificant things. It's also another example of the comradery that I mentioned. To those lucky enough to be born in Scotland, songs like this hold a spot in their hearts that for others can only be rivaled by a their national anthems. Play this song at halftime at a football (read:soccer) match in Europe and you can be guaranteed that every single Scotsman in the crown will be standing and singing along with eyes welling up with tears.

 

 

 

As if Scots needed something else to be pround of besides their dialects, kilts, bagpipes, and folk songs. They're also a people that have for millenia been strong and independent, from stopping to Romans, to the story of Braveheart, to being in the country that stopped Hitler's waves... these are a people and a culture that, to me, has no equal. I salute you Scots out there, and I present this humble Ode to your timeless land.

 

 

 

Anyone else care to step forward and give honor's to someone else's land? :

[magekillr]

Everyone has pride for their own country

 

 

 

Speak for yourself. Nationalism and patriotism are cancerous poisons.

 

 

 

On the topic of Scotland, I love kilts, and I wish they were mainstream in America. They're so comfortable.

[oegly41]

I like the Norwegian welfare system, but I don't feel proud of my heritage.

 

 

 

If I would give an ode to another country, I think it would be Venezuela. If the Progress Party wins the election this autumn and gets to form a government, I'm moving to Venezuela.

[BloodAngel]

Scotland is a great country and I do wish I was born Scottish. So much they do is surrounded in tradition, for example Hogmanay whereas in places like England a lot of the tradition is gone.

 

There is also a different sense of patriotism in Scotland, it is kind of hard to explain but in certain countries people are 'patriotic' just for the sake of having something to shout about whereas in countries like Scotland, Wales and France they seem genuinely proud of their nationality.

 

 

 

I'm not sure which country I would give an ode to, maybe Iceland.

[OldJoe]

Suecia!

 

 

 

I do have a great deal of respect for my country, and i do like it. I would join the army if we were attacked, no doubt.

 

I have no need for running around in flag-shirts, viking shirts etc... Just to show that i like this country. It feels, well a bit like you're unsure about your country if you have to salute it every 5th minute.

 

But i don't like what's becoming of it, for the last 30 years.

 

The thing that is most [bleep]ed up in this country, is the immigration. You can't question it without being called a racist or xenophobiac.

 

The Swedish Democrats for example, sure, 20+ years ago they were a bit crazy, and some "questionable members". But that's been flushed out long ago.

 

A writer/journalist (Jan Guillou, left/socialdemocrat) wrote about them in january this year, pointing out that in the end, he didn't find anything racist or hidden agenda at all.

 

And what does the tabloid-papers do? To wash away this "justification", they go on about their history, interviewing people from the past etc... I mean... It's really funny, and sad, at the same time.

 

And to continue, you can't even sing the bloody national anthem in some schools here at the end of the year. Why? Because it's deemed "racist"... I mean, what the [bleep]?! The term racist is so overused in Sweden.

 

I could go on for a long time about this, but i feel it probably wouldn't serve this topic much good.

 

 

 

So, let me summarize. I like my country, but i don't like what's becoming of it.

[i_love_burritos]

I do have a lot of respect for India and Germany. I will elaborate later.

 

 

 

I don't have anything against its citizens or its people, but I dislike the very nature of some European countries, some of which I will not specify as it might anger some people on this forum. However if you want me to, I will.

[Necrobean]

I do have a lot of respect for India and Germany. I will elaborate later.

 

 

 

I don't have anything against its citizens or its people, but I dislike the very nature of some European countries, some of which I will not specify as it might anger some people on this forum. However if you want me to, I will.

 

 

 

After saying A, inevitably comes B. Go on, opinions shouldn't be flamed.

[Lenticular_J]

Yeah, doooo it.

 

 

 

I don't really think there's anywhere I'd rather be than here in America. The South is a lot like its own little country down here. I just really couldn't see myself happier as another person. Maybe I could be Sealandian. The Sealandian peoples are beings of grace, beauty, and [wagon]-kickery. They beat England through petrol bombs, gunfire, and sheer inhuman strength.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principality_of_Sealand

 

 

 

Yeah, that's about it.

[Deiophobus]

I'm from England, and live in the States, but I don't much like either of them. Ever since I took a Finnish language class three years ago I've really been interested in that country. I went there last summer, and it definitely lived up to my expectations. That's where I wish I was born.

 

 

 

Lent, I remember a few years ago my school had a "multi-cultural" day where each class presented a country's culture and food, and one class did Sealand. Their food was spam and crackers.

[gago]

I love my country, although i wish we would still be a part of Yugoslavia. Too bad that the idea of unifying all the southern Slavs couldn't be realised :(

 

 

 

I am fine where i am, but i wouldn't mind living in Sweden or Ireland. I like pretty much everything about them :3 Awesome irish culture, nice swedish language, the nature,... :3

[Lateralus]

It's really not all that great in Scotland. It's nice that everyone loves us, makes going abroad fairly pleasant. The people who have the biggest problem with Scots tend to be Scottish themselves. Groundskeeper Willie sums it up nicely by saying "Damn Scots! They ruined Scotland!".

 

 

 

I do still love rural Scotland, but the cities are so bleak and grey and wet. Our history is something to look fondly upon; modern Scotland... Not so much.

[angryjoe]

You forgot to mention three of the best things about Scotland; Whisky, Haggis and deep fried mars bars. :thumbup:

[1_man_army]

As for me I love Italy. I've not had the chance to go there but I will one day, even if it kills me. What other country can have cities like Rome, Florence and Venice - all beautiful in their own right, every one has its own unique history, its own unique architecture and culture. Italy really is the home of fine art with Michaelangelo, Carravagio, Da Vinci and Raffael to just give you a taste of the artistic genius of the Italians. In film, Italian directors such as Visconti, De Sica, Rosselini, Bertolluci, Antonioni, Fellini and Bava have been at the forefront of innovation and have given us the Neorealism, the Spagetti Western and the Giallo.

 

 

 

Speaking of taste, Italy is the home of fine dining. Forget France, the beginning of modern French cuisine was brought to them by the court of Catherine de Medici (an Italian (daughter of her famous father Lorenzo de Medici)). They've given us Pizza, pasta and some of the greatest cheeses known to man (Mozzarella and Gorgonzola > brie or Camembert).

 

 

 

The renaissance began to flourish in Florence. This began one of the biggest and fastest progressions in human history with science, literature, art and culture all flourishing during this period. Just after this period, Galileo almost single-handedly changed our perception of our place in the universe. The Roman empire was yet another extraordinary achievement. Like the Renaissance, it brought with it so many advancements which we still still marvel at such as many of the legal codes we see today. In fact, the Roman empire was so advanced that many Roman period advancements which had been lost over the years were not (re)discovered or equalled for around 1,000 to 1,500 years later during the renaissance.

 

 

 

Now you can argue that much of this happened before Italy became a unified state but I don't care - I admire Italy and would love to appreciate it much more closely some day.

 

 

 

-----------------

 

 

 

It's really not all that great in Scotland. It's nice that everyone loves us, makes going abroad fairly pleasant. The people who have the biggest problem with Scots tend to be Scottish themselves. Groundskeeper Willie sums it up nicely by saying "Damn Scots! They ruined Scotland!".

 

 

 

I do still love rural Scotland, but the cities are so bleak and grey and wet. Our history is something to look fondly upon; modern Scotland... Not so much.

 

 

 

You do have a point but I think a lot of it has to do with when you've grown up somewhere that you get too used to it and that makes it a bit easy to cynical. I know I've felt the same way at times but I remember an exchange student who came to uni and was telling me how much he wanted to come here and why, he kind of convinced me and I've lived here my whole life! It was also interesting because he was French and had similar points to yours about France - a country which I've always quite admired. Of course we do have our scum, we have a lot of divisions and as a nation we are kind of miserable at times but we do have our good points, we just need to improve our bad ones.

 

 

 

edit - Trapical have you ever visited or are you just admiring from afar (like me with Italy).

[BlackDawn]

Personally, i'm a fan of Scotland and Australia. Not many reasons, mostly because I think the accents are hot .

[Dizzle229]

Like Lent, nowhere I'd rather be but the US, but if that wasn't an option, I'd go with the UK for two reasons.

 

 

 

1. Me likey accent.

 

2. Monty Python. (and still on regularly I think)

 

3. and the long and rich history.....

[hiimben]

As for me I love Italy. I've not had the chance to go there but I will one day, even if it kills me. What other country can have cities like Rome, Florence and Venice - all beautiful in their own right, every one has its own unique history, its own unique architecture and culture. Italy really is the home of fine art with Michaelangelo, Carravagio, Da Vinci and Raffael to just give you a taste of the artistic genius of the Italians. In film, Italian directors such as Visconti, De Sica, Rosselini, Bertolluci, Antonioni, Fellini and Bava have been at the forefront of innovation and have given us the Neorealism, the Spagetti Western and the Giallo.

 

 

 

Speaking of taste, Italy is the home of fine dining. Forget France, the beginning of modern French cuisine was brought to them by the court of Catherine de Medici (an Italian (daughter of her famous father Lorenzo de Medici)). They've given us Pizza, pasta and some of the greatest cheeses known to man (Mozzarella and Gorgonzola > brie or Camembert).

 

 

 

The renaissance began to flourish in Florence. This began one of the biggest and fastest progressions in human history with science, literature, art and culture all flourishing during this period. Just after this period, Galileo almost single-handedly changed our perception of our place in the universe. The Roman empire was yet another extraordinary achievement. Like the Renaissance, it brought with it so many advancements which we still still marvel at such as many of the legal codes we see today. In fact, the Roman empire was so advanced that many Roman period advancements which had been lost over the years were not (re)discovered or equalled for around 1,000 to 1,500 years later during the renaissance.

 

 

 

Now you can argue that much of this happened before Italy became a unified state but I don't care - I admire Italy and would love to appreciate it much more closely some day.

 

 

 

-----------------

 

 

 

It's really not all that great in Scotland. It's nice that everyone loves us, makes going abroad fairly pleasant. The people who have the biggest problem with Scots tend to be Scottish themselves. Groundskeeper Willie sums it up nicely by saying "Damn Scots! They ruined Scotland!".

 

 

 

I do still love rural Scotland, but the cities are so bleak and grey and wet. Our history is something to look fondly upon; modern Scotland... Not so much.

 

 

 

You do have a point but I think a lot of it has to do with when you've grown up somewhere that you get too used to it and that makes it a bit easy to cynical. I know I've felt the same way at times but I remember an exchange student who came to uni and was telling me how much he wanted to come here and why, he kind of convinced me and I've lived here my whole life! It was also interesting because he was French and had similar points to yours about France - a country which I've always quite admired. Of course we do have our scum, we have a lot of divisions and as a nation we are kind of miserable at times but we do have our good points, we just need to improve our bad ones.

 

 

 

edit - Trapical have you ever visited or are you just admiring from afar (like me with Italy).

 

 

 

Italy does look nice from a distance, and I too used to think of Italy is this beautiful country with strong cultural backgrounds. It's just a shame that Italy does not live up to its expectations.

 

 

 

As for me, I really liked France. I was only there for 3 days, but the food was nice, the people we met were friendly enough, even with our lack of french speaking. And there are some beautiful sights to see.

[i_love_burritos]

Not as of now, but in the recent past the French, the English and the Dutch haven't been the most helpful people around.

 

 

 

You know, colonization, exploitation, submission and genocide for one.

 

 

 

The white man always helps to fix things up.

 

 

 

Thankfully that has changed.

[rangeor]

I've always wanted to go to England, The Netherlands, or Italy. No real reason, they just seem pretty fun. And I love british accents :P

[mcneilp]

It's pretty cool to see everyone's views on Scotland. Trapical's article sums this country up perfectly, made me feel all patriotic. Our national football (soccer) team aren't the best, but the fans (The Tartan Army) more than make up for any shortcomings on the pitch. I've lived there all my life and haven't ever had a deep fried mars bar. :o

[Lenticular_J]

Oh, I don't know how this slipped my mind. I posted late I guess. But the only place I really want to go (I mean, I want to go all around the world, but this is a definite want) is Venice. I read the Thief Lord back in fifth grade, and I fell in love with the city through the words. I mean, it's a floating city! And it might not even be there much longer. I better get my [wagon] in gear.

[angryjoe]

USA is a coultry I like, pretty much cos everyone hates them but they still manage to just [cabbage] on everyone and bully people. Not that I think thats a bad thing, any other country would do the same thing if they were in the position of the US. Just love to wind people up and would be even easier if I were American. :D

 

 

 

Also Holland would be pretty good, the people seem really friendly and the football fans are completely mental. :D

[i_love_burritos]

I'll start with Germany, I respect it because:

 

 

 

• [*:66dyp86m] It has a efficent and functional education system
   
  [*:66dyp86m] Its healthcare is highly ranked
   
  [*:66dyp86m] It has spawned many critical thinkers and musicians, paticularly - Marx, Engels and Nietzsche.
   
  [*:66dyp86m]Its transportation and motorway systems are one of the best in the world. (Plus ICE trains look freaking awesome)
   
  [*:66dyp86m]It is the top exporter of high quality goods
   
  [*:66dyp86m] German engineering
   
  [*:66dyp86m] The judiciary is independant of religion and other executive and legislative branches of the law.

 

 

 

Next India:

 

• 
   
  [*:66dyp86m]India is the largest democracy in the world
   
  [*:66dyp86m]It is self sufficent in food and in defence
   
  [*:66dyp86m]It thwarted a billion dollar American Spy satellite with simple practicality (During the testing of Agni missile)
   
  [*:66dyp86m]India was the nation that invented chess
   
  [*:66dyp86m]Discovered the fundamental concept of "0"
   
  [*:66dyp86m]Gave birth to our numeric system
   
  [*:66dyp86m]Invented complex medical procedure such as micro surgery
   
  [*:66dyp86m]The country that created Sanskrit, which in turn gave Europe all its languages - Latin, Greek, Deutsch, English, French.
   
  [*:66dyp86m]Created yoga
   
  [*:66dyp86m]India is the only nation whose soldiers bury foreign soldiers, killed in battle, with full respects, tributes and religious beleifs of the enemy nation.

 

 

 

Will Durant, American Historian : "India was the motherland of our race...of the ideals embodied in Christianity...of self governance and democray. In many ways mother India is the mother of us all.

 

 

 

J.Miller, US Poet and Journalist : "In those ancient days, even China had not worked it all out practically, and even Egypt inherited much of its sacred knowledge from India, subsequently to pass it on to Greece and the Europe still sunk in sleep. India held the palm of civilization and soon spread it all around her."

 

There are plently more aswell of Germany, just look.

 

 

 

Will Durant

 

 

 

Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever walked upon this earth

 

 

 

Sorry, for freaking you out. I'm not a reverse racist, or a racist at all. Neither am I a stauch nationalist.

 

Just somethings I found out a few years ago.

[Kiriyama]

It's pretty cool to see everyone's views on Scotland. Trapical's article sums this country up perfectly, made me feel all patriotic. Our national football (soccer) team aren't the best, but the fans (The Tartan Army) more than make up for any shortcomings on the pitch. I've lived there all my life and haven't ever had a deep fried mars bar. :o

 

 

 

Join the club.

 

 

 

Honestly, it just sounded pretty disgusting to me. Maybe its something you have to try...

 

 

 

Oh and what angryjoe said. I vote we change deep fried mars bars to Irn Bru.

[i_love_burritos]

Yeah, I admire Scotland too.

 

 

 

Although I've never tried Irn Bru, I have heard good things.

 

 

 

Anywho I've got a few Scottish friends and they and their families are incredibly socialble.

 

 

 

Deep fried Mars Bars I also enjoy.

 

 

 

Credit goes to Adam Smith who is Scottish, and my economics teacher, whom I respect who is also of Scottish origin.

 

 

 

@ Lateralus, I thought you were from England.

[assassin_696]

I have a great fondness for American history, I find it fascinating. I also have a great respect for the principles of American politics. The practice can be a little iffy at times (but still very interesting) but I think the American Constitution is a fine document. And the military naturally commands respect.

 

 

 

I've liked all the American cities i've visited; New York, LA, San Diego, Vegas, Phoenix. In short I could probably be very happy to move to America and live there.