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I like Holland, in fact I regularly find myself wishing I was Dutch. They're a pretty [s]sorted[/s] pitiful nation.
FTFY
I've lived in Seville,
And
I've lived in Florance,
And
I've lived in Fort Lauderdale,
And
I've lived in the UK,
And
between them all.. it's Italy.
It really is that good.
Llama, like that a lot!
[url= http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/llama ]How about another little ditty, though? [/url]
i like scotland, it's like new zealand but a lot closer and with less sheep
UK would be a lot better if London sank into the sea.
No votes for Norway? I've not been, but have been looking into it and think my next few holidays will be exploring the place by foot or on wheels, looks incredibly epic with a climate I can cope with (i.e. wet and cold, as it should be).
New Zealand. It's like the UK but with bigger hills and a more relaxed populace. If only it wasn't that far away.
No votes for Norway?
Norway is a fabulously beautiful country with very bad weather, very bad food, and very boring people.
13th.
I liked Norway very much - but its too like Scotland - might as well stay at home. Beer is too expensive and not great anyway.
DrJ = what you got against the Netherlands? A bit too dull and conformist and the food ain't great but some things they are so well sorted for.
DrJ = what you got against the Netherlands? A bit too dull and conformist and the food ain't great but some things they are so well sorted for.
Horrible climate, mind-numbing landscape, terrible food, deplorable politics (Gert Wilders is not a lone figure), rude and selfish people. Need I go on?
Thailand... Bangcock to be precise.
Dr J: on my trips to Holland (not just Amsterdam) I have found the dutch to be anything but 'rude and selfish people', now the French on the other hand...don't get me started! France would be my first choice if it weren't inhabited by the French.
Horrible climate, check
mind-numbing landscape, check
terrible food, check
deplorable politics (Gert Wilders is not a lone figure), dunno
rude and selfish people, nah.. it must be just you
France
I could list many many things, but here's just one
walk down any main street in any town and there will be a bakers shop that has in the window little fruit tarts for about €1 that are glazed, often have a layer of custard underneath and (whipes druel away from mouth just at the thought) are bloody lovely.
sorry here's another
34 hour working week
and another
the respect they have for family life and children
and another
tartiflette
rude and selfish people, nah.. it must be just you
Maybe, but I don't see why it should be just the Dutch that make me that way.
Ever seen a Dutch person hold the door for someone else? smile at a stranger? give way to someone on the road? No, didn't think so. There is a facial expression that I have seen described, aptly, as the "fish eye" - it is what Dutch people have on their face when they just look right through you, not even acknowledging that another person might exist in the world.
now the French on the other hand...don't get me started!
Well, there ya go - I love the French, and I plan to return to France as soon as I can afford to do so!!
DrJ
I asked my brother in law about that 'cos I noticed. (he is dutch). He said that because the country is so crowded everyone basically attempts to act as if they are alone to get some peace and quiet - its not rudeness to them. Its rude to them to intrude into a strangers psychological space.
An example of this - we rode around on a tandem flying a huge saltire. No one paid the slightest attention. No casual conversations with folk at all. However one day we needed a bike shop so I asked another cyclist - who directed us to one and spent the next 10 mins chatting to us as we rode along.
completely ignored until someone starts a conversation - then very friendly chatty and helpful. Similar things happened a few times.
Its a different social construct - its not rudeness
Finland is just great. More laid back than anywhere else I've been.
France is ok but the 'don't give a sh*t' thing get on my nerves when it's being applied to me.
Germany is getting on my t*ts for similar reasons.
There is a facial expression that I have seen described, aptly, as the "fish eye" - it is what Dutch people have on their face when they just look right through you, not even acknowledging that another person might exist in the world
That sounds very familiar! A least the French swear or gesticulate at you.
Its a different social construct - its not rudeness
That is of course quite correct, and well worth remembering. People in different countries simply behave according to their social norms, which can be different to your own. So you can't blame them for it or judge them.
However it doesn't stop it getting me down 🙁
If I were banished from the UK I'd move to Finland, no question.
Derek_Starship - extended holiday might be a bit of a stretch with long periods of boredom interspersed with some exhilerating times. Maybe 'cos we went camping in the forest nearly every week (including -30C) it felt like a holiday!
Made me really appreciate being outdoors and feeling close to nature.
England and specifically London. If I had to move elsewhere, France however France is cheap and nearby so it's all good.
France has mille-feuille though which makes it a hard call.
The Devon and Cornwall Peninsula.. it knocks England and Wales and Scotland into a cocked hat..
I quite like France and Greece too.. but I've tried to never travel too far out of the pasty zone.. so I'm not really qualified to comment..
outer shpongolia is a [i]very[/i] nice place as is the untied states of whatever..
I asked my brother in law about that 'cos I noticed. (he is dutch). He said that because the country is so crowded everyone basically attempts to act as if they are alone to get some peace and quiet - its not rudeness to them. Its rude to them to intrude into a strangers psychological space.Its a different social construct - its not rudeness
Well, you can excuse it that way if you like, and rationalise why, when I hold the door, a dozen people walk through it without once looking at me or acknowledging me, but it still makes life there very unpleasant for someone who has not been indoctrinated with that mindset.
Stockholm..
Whats that like then??
Sorry for the large image, but
[img] 
[/img]
DrJ - to them us doing that is weird. acknowledging strangers is rude to them. Its not about being indoctrinated. Rudeness is a social construct not an absolute. Its not an excuse, its not rationalisation. Its an explanation of why.
When in rome....???
Very nice molgrips - looks like a pic from the highest point in Finland 50 m above sea level...
I'm putting a vote in for Rhodesia.
Lovely weather all year round
Beautiful mountains
Amazing lakes
Wildlife
Amazing social life
Booming economy
Happy population
Brilliant schools
...and I was born there.
DrJ - to them us doing that is weird. acknowledging strangers is rude to them. Its not about being indoctrinated. Rudeness is a social construct not an absolute.
Cool - so if I tell you to go f*** yourself, I am not rude, I am just adopting another social construct 🙂
bikebouy - Member
Stockholm..
Whats that like then??
Lovely
expensive
Full of nice views
Take Black Iridium lenses 8)
I like the idea of france, only spent a little time there and I can only manage a dozen words but yeah wouldn't mind giving it a go.
Canada might be my first choice but never been only read about it.
Been hearing good things about china lately
Been hearing good things about china lately
ROFL !!
Horrible climate, err Holland gets England's weather a day later!
terrible food, lol @ brits commenting on foreign food. UK = Subway, MacShergars, stodgetastic eat all you like Pizza, Kentucky Fried Pigeon,... NL=huge selection of just about every nationality on the planet (except english 😉 ) - always took ages to decide where to go - could have chosen a different restaurant every day I was there (about 4 years).
rude and selfish people, nah.. it must be just you - agree - no more rude + selfish than Brits.
NL=huge selection of just about every nationality on the planet (except english ) - always took ages to decide where to go - could have chosen a different restaurant every day I was there (about 4 years).
Joke.
Add to my original list - truly abysmal customer service. We gave up ever having dessert or coffee, we just left and went home, as it took so long to order and be served. (Couple of weeks ago it took OVER AN HOUR between starter and main course.)
The only countries I've been to are, Spain, France, Greece, Canada, India, Switzerland. The only one of those I'd like to live is Canada, Albertans & BC-ans (?) are pretty pro British (& pretty anti French), the scenery is awesome as I assume the riding is, Kootenay beer's very nice especially while watching the top players in the greatest game on earth, ice hockey. The people are extremely patriotic too.
France is ok but when your'e in a town as big as Montpellier & you can't get a bite to eat at 4.00pm, I'm thinking 'I wanna go to Spain where the restaraunts are open all day' Plus, I only just speak English & have trouble with foreign languages, i don't find the French very helpful in that respect, unlike the majority of Spaniards I've met.
I don't think any-where's a nice as this country when the sun's out..... just most of the time it isn't 🙁
I've liked Croatia and Mexico the best from anywhere I've visited I liked the mix of cultures on the Istrian Riviera in Croatia its very Italian in its food and style, the Mexicans on the Pacific coast side where I went were just lovely people
The whole family thing isn't really an issue for me so never noticed but the rest of Europe does seem to be more family friendly than this country BUT then as a person with no kids I do get irritated with peoples kids running round in restaurants gone 9pm so perhaps I'm better staying here and being grumpy
*wishes for a hut on my own on an island*
I'd move to Canada given the chance, it's a great place.
People who aren't afraid to have a laugh, take the mick out of themselves and just seem to have a nice outlook on life. There's plenty of space too.
It's like a melting pot of people who all seem to get on.
Fantastic.
lol @ brits commenting on foreign food. UK = Subway, MacShergars, stodgetastic eat all you like Pizza, Kentucky Fried Pigeon,... NL=huge selection of just about every nationality on the planet (except english )
That has to be a troll. Never been to London or any major city for that matter? Or even big town?
the rest of Europe does seem to be more family friendly than this country
For 'family friendly' read 'stiflingly conservative' much of the time 🙂
It's like a melting pot of people who all seem to get on
Oh the irony 🙂
no-one's mentioned Oz yet...
not my favourite (dunno if i have one) but, sooooo much space, amazing bush (both varieties), laid back attitude towards the work/play lifestyle, great food & wine, beaches, mountains, wildlife, weather. basically got a lot going for it.
i've lived in Oz, NZ, France & UK. For some reason i keep ending up back in the UK...think it's more to do with mates & family being here though than anything else. i do love Scotland though.
I like china because it seems to upset Guardian readers.
Also the food is good 🙂
Doesn't Canada get too cold for much of the year?
France is my ideal country - partly helped as close to UK so as to get back to my family easily and I might have a chance with the language as used to know a bit. Quite tempted to live there when I'm old.
As my wife's Chinese a possibility we could go to China if things go down hill here but not sure where in China I'd want to live though.
Disadvantage of Canada imo is millions of square miles of culture free boondocks. So I've heard anyway 🙂
The UK. It's home.
Peru has ocean, desert, mountains and rain forest. A few well know touristy bits too.
I like china because it seems to upset Guardian readers.
Nobody is upset - they are just sorry for you.
Whilst I love the country I was born in, grew up and call home (i.e. the UK), I have traveled a fair bit and would cheerfully move to either Italy (Tuscany area), France (Loire Valley or thereabouts) or Canada (BC or Alberta) at the drop of a hat.
I've not been to Oz or NZ yet, but people tell me they are nice enough.
Ooops... Forgot to add why I would go to the places above.
Italy: Fantastic scenery, lovely food/wine and very friendly people. Good climate too.
France: Lovely food, amazing wine, nice people, beautiful scenery.
Canada: Huge place with lovely scenery and genuinely friendly people. Rubbish beer/wine and so-so food, but the chance of getting a huge garden/smallholding outweighs that.
Cool - so if I tell you to go f*** yourself, I am not rude, I am just adopting another social construct
LOL, you probably meant it cynically, but this is precisely the case. It may make life unpleasant to some as I have to admit it is quite a direct form of communication (albeit very liberating).
On the other hand as a Dutch person in the UK I sometimes have difficulties with the hypocrisy, gossip and backstabbing of other people when they are not around (if people annoy you so much, just be honest and tell them to go and **** themselves :-).
Merely a different social construct, which can be perceived as equally rude.
I personally quite like Belgium btw, nice and chaotic!