Braybuddy From Ireland, joined Aug 2004, 5286 posts, RR: 35 Posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 2965 times:
I'd like people to list a number of things they like about their country, and also an equal number of things they dislike. So if you can think of three, five or twenty things you like, you've to match them with three, five, or twenty things you dislike. If you can only think of one thing you dislike, only list one you like. If you can't think of anything you like or dislike, don't bother posting.
I'll start the ball rolling:
Things that make me stay:
SIZE: While being small can have it's disadvantages, Ireland really is just one big village. SCENERY: Never fails to catch my breath. LOCATION: With low-cost airlines now flying to all the major cities in Europe, why would I even think of living anywhere else? INFORMALITY: You can strike-up a conversation with anyone, anytime, anywhere. RTE RADIO 1: A good mix of quality and entertaining programming. The thing I miss most when abroad.
Things that make me want to pack my bags:
THE WEATHER: So unpredictable it's not funny, particulary after one of the wettest Junes on record. BEGRUDGERY: At its finest on a personal level, sometimes I wonder if this isn't our defining national trait. ROADS: They still have to be the worst in western Europe. And the illogical speed limits drive me crazy. GOVERNMENT WASTE: Throwing billions at an inefficient health service doesn't work. PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE PAST: This is 2007, not 1916.
Kmh1956 From Bermuda, joined Jun 2005, 3324 posts, RR: 8 Reply 1, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 2938 times:
LIKE:
Bermuda is GORGEOUS.
The pace of life is slow; no hustle like in a big city.
Most people are friendly.
It's relatively safe.
No income tax.
DISLIKE:
The current government...crooked as they come, and barreling towards independence faster than the speed of light. (The Island is SO not ready for independence)
High air fares out of here.....vacations can be really expensive, mainly because of airline monopolies.
High prices because of customs duties, shipping costs added in to sell prices.
'Somebody tell me why I'm on my own if there's a soulmate for everyone' :Natasha Bedingfield
YYZflyer From Canada, joined Feb 2006, 3636 posts, RR: 5 Reply 2, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 2923 times:
Canada
Likes:
Democracy
The various weather
The food
The great spotting location, Wendy's, at YYZ
Our airlines
Tim Horton's
Dislikes:
Political Correctness. I always hated it and always will
The idiots with no knowledge about their own country
The cost of living in Southern Ontario
The increasing crime.
The education system in Ontario. The teachers don't have any time to teach the stuff properly (mainly math, english, and science). And it's all being crammed into ealier years.
NWADC9 From United States of America, joined May 2004, 4857 posts, RR: 10 Reply 3, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 2894 times:
United States of America
Pros
Rights of the people
Booming economy
BBQ
Different regions of the country (desert, arctic, tropical, quaint little village, etc.)
Superpower
Choice of companies to do business with
Not a communistic society (apart from a few nutjobs)
Cons
Politicians who have no spine, brain, and/or sense as to what the people want
Nothing being done with border security
Homeland security being a joke
TSA
Spanish EVERYWHERE!
Rediculous laws and taxes (come on, a death tax?!)
PC crap
Flying an aeroplane with only a single propeller to keep you in the air. Can you imagine that? -Capt. Picard
Andaman From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 4, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 2873 times:
Quoting NWADC9 (Reply 3): Not a communistic society (apart from a few nutjobs)
Not that many communistic societies left..
About Finland:
LIKES:
- good education system, free for all - also higher education
- innovative and pragmatic society, "everything" works
- the Nordic welfare system still mostly working, few really poor & homeless
- clean nature
- HELSINKI: safe, good public services, good public transport, good tap water, well connected to Europe & Asia (AY)
DISLIKES:
- The winter: too long, too cold and especially too dark
- high price level, compairing to the salaries
- drinking habits
- social skills not valued enough
- HELSINKI : rather far from the most big European cities, few LCC's, silent winters, expensive houses
DL777LAX From United States of America, joined Jan 2007, 521 posts, RR: 2 Reply 6, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 2861 times:
Since someone allready did America as a whole, I'll do California
LIKES:
Weather
Most of the people are laid back and chill, no one has a pole rammed too far up there ass.
Were more liberal as a whole, and as a society, more open then say Kansas or Iowa (no offense, but gay rights and abortion as seem to be taboo out there)
Arnie is governor
Beach
DISLIKES:
Traffic
Shallow Beverly Hill Prep betches (intentionally mispelled)
The public education system has got to be a joke, I've learned more from Wikipedia then I have from middle school and my freshman year in highschool
Overall, most of us are laid back people, sure we have some corruption in the government, and our school system may not be the best, and there are some uptight shallow idiots, but for the most part, 90% of all Californians are just laid back people, we like what we like, we dislike what we dislike, and if something is bothering us, we don't bitch about it, we try to change it.
Blindly following anything is bad, unless of course your blind and your following a guide dog.
COTXDFW777AA From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 321 posts, RR: 1 Reply 7, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 2839 times:
I'll do texas...
Likes:
Varying geography and weather
no income tax
cheap cost of living
great economy
laid back people
BBQ
Shinerbock Beer
great airlines and airports
cheap gas (petrol)
Dislikes:
religious extremists
sprawling cities
too many gas guzzling trucks and suvs
very humid in some spots
blind republican support
overall i love the lone star state- "It's a whole different country!"
Superfly From Thailand, joined May 2000, 38505 posts, RR: 80 Reply 10, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 2805 times:
United States
Likes:
Diversity (at least in the large coastal cities)
Right to vote (hopefully someday every vote is counted equally regardless of state they reside)
Constitution
Plenty of opportunity to move up (education & career)
Ability to Unionize
Civil Rights gains
Diverse climate (pick your ideal climate. We have all)
Boeing
Ford, General Motors & Chrysler. The best cars in the world are build here in the USA
Freedom to travel. Fewer nations require us to get Visa for entry to theirs
United Airlines
Northwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Midwest Airlines
Food (Wisconsin cheese, Louisiana hot sauce, gumbo, jambalaya, Chicago style pizza, Boston clam chowder, barbeque, steak, pork chops, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, oatmeal & raisin cookies, fruitcake , cheesecake, White Castle's hamburgers)
8track tapes
Cold Duck
Micro brews
YouTube
Google
eBay
Microsoft
Dislikes:
Lack of health-care
Few holidays
High concentration of fundamentalist Christians
Confederate flag waving wackos (mostly in the Old Confederacy....losers of the Civil War)
Creationist
Religious apologist
Electoral college
Prudes
Fashion police
Materialism
Unnecessary male circumcision at birth (this brutal practice must end)
Low tariffs on imported products that we can make ourselves
Restrictions on booze, marijuana, prostitution, guns, freon and car modifications
TSA
Cuban embargo
Being the world police
'In God We Trust' on our currency
Delta Airlines
Continental Airlines
Air Tran
Aircraft noise abatement laws
Apple/MacIntosh
:o
Had to made an edit.
I attacked our sacred cow just a little bit too much
Likes:
Diversity (at least in the large coastal cities)
Right to vote (hopefully someday every vote is counted equally regardless of state they reside)
Constitution
Plenty of opportunity to move up (education & career)
Ability to Unionize
Civil Rights gains
Diverse climate (pick your ideal climate. We have all)
Boeing
Ford, General Motors & Chrysler. The best cars in the world are build here in the USA
Freedom to travel. Fewer nations require us to get Visa for entry to theirs
United Airlines
Northwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Midwest Airlines
Food (Wisconsin cheese, Louisiana hot sauce, gumbo, jambalaya, Chicago style pizza, Boston clam chowder, barbeque, steak, pork chops, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, oatmeal & raisin cookies, fruitcake , cheesecake, White Castle's hamburgers)
8track tapes
Cold Duck
Micro brews
YouTube
Google
eBay
Microsoft
Dislikes:
Lack of health-care
Few holidays
High concentration of fundamentalist Christians
Confederate flag waving wackos (mostly in the Old Confederacy....losers of the Civil War)
Creationist
Religious apologist
Electoral college
Prudes
Fashion police
Materialism
Unnecessary male circumcision at birth (this brutal practice must end)
Low tariffs on imported products that we can make ourselves
Restrictions on booze, marijuana, prostitution, guns, freon and car modifications
TSA
Cuban embargo
Aid/loans to a wealthy nation that doesn't need our tax dollars
Being the world police
'In God We Trust' on our currency
Delta Airlines
Continental Airlines
Air Tran
Aircraft noise abatement laws
Apple/MacIntosh
What he said.
Except I'd take Continental off the "dislike" list and add "Alaska/Horizon" to the "likes" list
Was this a problem before the unification of Germany?
I wasn't exactly jumping for joy back when that happened. Looks like the situation Russia, Ukraine and most of the other Eastern European nations it's much worse.
On a lighter note, you should add LTU A330 and LH A340 to your lists of 'likes'.
LTU932 From Germany, joined Jan 2006, 13864 posts, RR: 51 Reply 15, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 2760 times:
Quoting Superfly (Reply 14): Was this a problem before the unification of Germany?
It's always been a problem, although after the unification, the problem became worse in the new federal states. It's under control right now, but those people will still be there to cause trouble, especially on days like WWII VE Day or May 1st.
Quoting Superfly (Reply 14): On a lighter note, you should add LTU A330 and LH A340 to your lists of 'likes'.
No judgement. Never flew on one of them. However, I should have added the LT MD-11 to my list of dislikes. I like the MD-11, but not when I have to put up with an all economy, 10 abreast 3-4-3 sardine can configuration with a 29-30" seat pitch on it.
New Jersey has been elevated to the status of nation-state?
AUSTRALIA
Like:
* Our 40,000 year history
* Our sense of community and fairness
* The spectacular geography
* The beautiful city of Sydney
* The amazing talents of fellow Australians
* Our liberal democratic tradition
* Our transparency
Dislike:
* The fact our head of state is an absent foreigner
* The return of ultra conservatism
* The "war on political correctness"
* The tabloid media
* Ignorance on the part of many
* Lack of imagination and foresight
* Distrust or antagonism toward artists and intellectuals
* JOHN HOWARD
Speedbird747BA From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 17, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 2739 times:
USA
Like-
Freedom, Fairness, equality under the law (sort of)
Very large, much to do and see
close to canada
having too many TV channels
Boeing
Food
Voting
In-flight magazines
Atlanta
New Orleans
New York
The almost immediate availability of lip-balm, or what have you, at any time of the day or night
A weak Dollar
Dislike-
A neanderthal attitude towards gays (in the south its all too common)
Extremists, left or right, that claim to represent but do not represent the population
Politicians
Having too many TV Channels
Lack of decent healthcare, government provided
Racism (in the south, at least)
Fox News
MSNBC
Stupidity and ignorance
Almost all celebrities
A distrust for different ideas (ie European style social welfare system)
Lack/so shitty it might as well be gone social welfare system
A government that does not know how to spend money
yeah....ive gotten a bit (alot) more liberal in the past weeks...
Quoting Speedbird747BA (Reply 17): Fox News
MSNBC
Stupidity and ignorance
Almost all celebrities
A distrust for different ideas (ie European style social welfare system)
Gunsontheroof From United States of America, joined Jan 2006, 3462 posts, RR: 11 Reply 19, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 2727 times:
The United States of America
Like
Incredibly creative artists in virtually every medium makes up for the deluge of bilge water being pumped out by "pop culture"
Built some pretty nice airplanes
Suppression of political dissent kept to a relatively dull roar compared to many places
Wonderfully diverse landscapes and scenery wherever you go
Healthy progressive movement full of terrific people doing great things
You can find a bit of somewhere else in the world almost anywhere here
All the nice people who have ever interacted with me as another human being rather than a retail servant at my various shit jobs
National shortcomings generally compel bright people to action
Great contributions to global athletics
The encouraging growth of communities of people who are looking out for each other
Most major cities are worth an extended visit
People taking their nice dogs/cats out in public
While not as widespread or well-funded as I'd like them to be, public facilities (libraries, parks, etc.) are typically top-notch
Dislike
Political duopoly of warmongering corporate sucklings
Excessive environmental impact on rest of the planet
Goofs who hang plastic nutsacks on the rear axles of their trucks
Rampant militarism
Virtually anything related to Hollywood
The "war on drugs"
Frightening influence of religious nut-jobs
Mind-boggling materialism and consumerism
A car for everyone in the family
Terrifying stockpile of nuclear weapons
Suburban anywhere
Fair-weather politics
Proliferation of pristine lawns in places they'd never occur naturally
Periodic ratification of elite decision-making masquerading as "democracy"
Absurd embargoes of certain Caribbean nations that don't play by our rules
Perplexing obsession with firearms
Wealthy corporations crossing borders are to be invested in, desperate people doing the same are to be deported
"Market solutions" to health care (thanks for the terminology, Mr. Kerry)
Columbus Day
The fact that I know brilliant people who have been relegated to working for multi-billion dollar retail outlets because they couldn't pay for college. May their contributions find alternative outlets.
QANTASforever From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 20, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 2716 times:
Quoting Superfly (Reply 18): The Aussie's I've met abroad have express the same.
Really? That's heartening. A lot of Australians hate political correctness with a passion because they seem to confuse it with rampant stupidity.
Political Correctness is a great thing and is inclusive, stupidity of the kind which effectively cancels Christmas is neither inclusive nor politically correct.
Braybuddy From Ireland, joined Aug 2004, 5286 posts, RR: 35 Reply 21, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 3 days 19 hours ago) and read 2705 times:
Intelligent and interesting post there Gunsontheroof! Have a great time in Paris . . . I just got back from there on Monday and had a great time. Parisians are nothing near as rude as they are made out to be, once you make a stab at their language, even if it is only a "s'il vous plait" or "merci".
Ncfc99 From United Kingdom, joined May 2005, 643 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 3 days 19 hours ago) and read 2705 times:
Like
The scenery (i live in the Peak District and love walking, biking, driving around and just looking)
Mostly freindly people
NHS (not perfect but pretty good)
All football divisions
Dislike
Public services wasting money ( I work for local goverment and see it happen everyday)
The rain
Chavs
People from other countries not respecting our way of life (If I do it to them I am called racsist)
Superfly From Thailand, joined May 2000, 38505 posts, RR: 80 Reply 23, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 3 days 19 hours ago) and read 2701 times:
Quoting QANTASforever (Reply 20): Really? That's heartening. A lot of Australians hate political correctness with a passion because they seem to confuse it with rampant stupidity.
Political Correctness is a great thing and is inclusive, stupidity of the kind which effectively cancels Christmas is neither inclusive nor politically correct.
I met Aussie's in Thailand, Turkey and Greece and they've all equated John Howard with Dubya. That makes sense considering the average Dubya supporter doesn't travel more than 50 miles in his/her lifetime.
Less than 20% of US citizens have a passport even though all of the non-prison population has the freedom to leave the country. Only the 'blue' (Democratic) regions have a high concentration of Passport holders.
Gunsontheroof From United States of America, joined Jan 2006, 3462 posts, RR: 11 Reply 24, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 3 days 19 hours ago) and read 2696 times:
Quoting Braybuddy (Reply 21): Intelligent and interesting post there Gunsontheroof! Have a great time in Paris . . . I just got back from there on Monday and had a great time. Parisians are nothing near as rude as they are made out to be, once you make a stab at their language, even if it is only a "s'il vous plait" or "merci".
Thanks, Braybuddy. I'm afraid I'm only flying to Paris enroute to HEL, but I'm hoping to actually spend some time there during my time off of school during the next year. On the upside, I'll be getting a chance to check out Amsterdam and Boston during my extended layovers at their respective airports on my way back home. Can't wait.
Next Flight: TBA!
25 Rineanna: Other then what BrayBuddy has already mentioned which I concur with: Rep. of Ireland: Likes: •Education system - it has its flaws, but progression t
26 Barbro: Here's about Finland: POSITIVE: Great and clean nature A society that works really well. Be it sunshine or blizzard, the bus will come and the flight
27 Femme: Quick thoughts: Like: The Countryside - Some lovely scenery across the UK Our fish and chip's ( Can't beat em!) Availability of my favourite tipple -
28 HUYguy: The UK: LIKES: - A liberal, democratic society. - The NHS. - London, one of the world's greatest cities, and a major business centre. - We have a bril
29 Braybuddy: Where would be be without Marian Finucan, Pat Kenny, Vincent Browine, Joe Duffy, Ainé Lawlor, Seán O Rourke, Cathal McCoille, Ryan Tubridy and Dave
30 Impacto: When it comes to Nigeria, its much easier to think of the dislike part. NIGERIA GOOD -The rich culture and tradition(People still practice their cultu
31 Doona: I have a question relating to this: I'm half-Irish and I spend alot of time there visiting family, and I've always wondered why the Irish can't build
32 Braybuddy: Hmmmm, can't understand that. I've been on most of the motorways and dual carriageways in the last year and don't remember coming across bumpy surfac
36 Braybuddy: Fascinating post, Impacto. Nigeria has such a negative image abroad it's great to hear of the good stuff. You make me want to go! Mmmmmmmmmmm!
37 Arsenal@LHR: United Kingdom LIKE: A free, stable and democratic society, the standard bearer for Parliamentary democracy Landscape/Scenery - the lush green landsca
39 Dc9northwest: Romania: Likes: Scenery--amazing mountains and not only mountains. Sights--there is a lot of nice stuff to see. Good spicy food--I am picky in foods,
40 Bwest: Belgium Likes: *Historic cities *Gay marriage (not that I'm planning to, but it's nice to know I can ) & other progressive legislature *Highest number
41 Seb146: Things I dislike: We have no national language. Last weekend, when I was in YVR, it was easy because strangers spoke Englsh and French, so getting aro
42 Speedbird747BA: Weak dollar should have been in dislike!! oops sorry! But I Love Atlanta!!!! Cheers, Kyle
43 Braybuddy: Some VERY interesting posts guys and gals, though some of you didn't stick to the equal-likes-plus-equal-dislikes which is the spirit of the thread. T
44 TZ757300: Not Banned yet? We're a huge country, is that not expected? Which is a fear of my own in the coming years.
45 WestJetForLife: Alberta (since Canada was already taken): The likes: YYC WestJet No PST/HST Awesome weather (four distinct seasons, thunderstorms/twisters) Calgary St
46 Derico: Only country that I know on this planet where you can spend hours staring at one of the great waterfalls of the world, dense rainforest with the howl
47 CupraIbiza: LOVE: Cultural Diversity - We are a nation of immigrants with amazing level of social cohesion Honesty - After travelling the globe the lack of corrup
48 T773ER: Those two words don't go together. It's beacuse European style social welfare system doesn't work.
49 QANTASforever: Speak for yourself lol. It's awfully inconvenient that Europe and North America had to be built so so far away from Australia. After all, we were kno
50 Springbok747: AUSTRALIA: Likes: Relatively safe The weather is great (most of the time anyway) Very informal, friendly people Aussie passport - its great to be able
51 CaptainJon: few other people above me did states as well so i'd thought i follow in a semi-humorous way...
52 T56A15: Pretty broad brush you've painted us with. I've personally traveled to over 50 countries.Most of my fellow Dub supporters that I know are well inform
53 T56A15: Likes Geographic diversity. Mountains, seashore, wide open spaces just a few days car travel away. Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. Job cre
54 NYCFlyer: Since the U.S. has been covered, and someone else did New Jersey, I'll do my beloved hometown of New York City.... likes: -being in one of the great g
55 Flyjetstar: New Zealand Like: The scenery - need I say more. Relaxed culture - well it is down in the South Island We have CNN (International) Maori culture We ac
56 Melpax: More Aussie likes Generous Annual leave provisions (for those who have permament jobs) - minimum 4 weeks annual leave a year The ability to drive a co
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Are you nuts?!?!?!?!?!?!!
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