[Powder]

So given all these different discussions going across the great ocean, I thought it would be good if we informed each other about some common misconceptions about each other. You all can proceed ahead of us. Please include things such as sociopolitical backgrounds, how Winston Churchill isn't amazing etc.

Thanks,
Powder

This post has been edited by Powder: 02 April 2010 - 10:16 PM

[Ulrik]

Europe isnt one state, each has its unique history and culture...and so its IMO absolutely impossible to make Top10 connected to whole Europe

(or I just wrote Number One?)

[Powder]

Ulrik, on 02 April 2010 - 10:12 PM, said:

Europe isnt one state, each has its unique history and culture...and so its IMO absolutely impossible to make Top10 connected to whole Europe

(or I just wrote Number One?)

Perhaps, it does not have to be about the whole, specifics for different countries past/present work fine too.

-Powder

[frookenhauer]

1. Europe lies accross the pond or the Atlantic if you prefer.
2. Europeans live there.
3. Lots of countries make up Europe, which may lead to the conclusion that London is not in fact the capital of Europe.
4. If you travel to Europe, you will see many quaint things such as the Vatican, the Eiffel Tower, London bridge and that giants causeway thingy. Venice is pretty funky too.
5. It's a toss up between England France and Germany as to who is the hardest in Europe, plenty of battles no real winners, but Germany did in fact lose...Twice...Three if you include the world cup.
6. We love football, the kind that you play with your feet...It may sound much like the football you play, but without the hand-egg element.
7. We do not wish to sell our royalty to you...yet.
8. English isn't the only language spoken over here and some of us will not understand you even if you shout it louder and slower with much arm waving.
9. Scotland isn't a figment of Mel Gibsons overactive imagination and yes those crazy Scottish amadants do in fact wear skirts and still inflict bagpipes on the rest of the world.
10.We will never be as fat as you.

[End of Disc One]

Great country, Europe.

This post has been edited by End of Disc One: 02 April 2010 - 11:10 PM

[Ulrik]

Frookenhauer, on 02 April 2010 - 11:00 PM, said:

6. We love football, the kind that you play with your feet...It may sound much like the football you play, but without the hand-egg element.

Well, that IS important and cross-european:))

[Tiste Simeon]

I would say

1. Winston Churchill is amazing...

[masan's saddle]

Back to the OP,

1- Europe was formed in 1979 in Upplands Vasby in Sweden

2 - They were originally called Force and formed by Joey Tempest and John Norum

3 - Their album The Final Countdown went triple platinum in the US

4 - The title track was number 1 in 25 countries

5 - In 2009 former bassist Marcel Jacob commited suicide.

6 - This was just prior to the release of their most recent album Last Look at Eden in September of 2009

7 - They originally found fame as Force by winning the Swedish rock talent show Rock S-M

8 - They have had 2 top 20 albums and 2 top ten singles on the US Billboard Chart

9 - They have toured with the likes of Bon Jovi, Def Leppard and Skid Row

10 - For all things Europe, Wiki is your friend

[Shinrei]

Here's a Yank chiming in based on limited knowledge/experience (typical yank, right):


1. It's not a bad idea to have some money invested in Euros.

2. Great Britain tends to like to believe they are seperate from Europe.

3. Switzerland has awesome schools to send your brats abroad to if you can afford it. They'll come back speaking 4 languages.

4. The French are actually quite nice if you're not in Paris.

5. Don't have a medical emergency in the Spanish countryside.

6. After receiving huge portions at restaurants in Italy, you will marvel at how the Italians are not all as fat as Americans.

7. Going to out of the way spots where American tourists are seldom/never seen tends to attract attention (of the good kind).

8. Because of international media and the generally high profile of the US, Europeans tend to believe they know more about America and Americans than they actually do.

9. Certain things (food and drink) that are immitated or imported in the US are just not the same as when eaten/drunk at the source. Salami is a perfect example of this.

10. Aptorian lives there.....somewhere....lurking....

[Shinrei]

Oh, and #11 is you'll be able to spot Canadians a mile away because they will be busily doing something or going to ridiculous lengths to make it obvious that they are not from the US. Maple Leafs on every inch of their body for instance.

[RodeoRanch]

Shinrei, on 03 April 2010 - 04:40 AM, said:

Oh, and #11 is you'll be able to spot Canadians a mile away because they will be busily doing something or going to ridiculous lengths to make it obvious that they are not from the US. Maple Leafs on every inch of their body for instance.

Yer damn right. I had a flag on my coat and on my backpack. Got me all sorts of free beer just because I wasn't a Yank. You folk are not well liked!

[Jusentantaka]

I guess that means #12 has to be 'You'll be able to hear the English from a mile away because they will be busy shouting in drunken fervor at any and everyone they see'

Question though: Why does everyone seem to think that Parisians are such dicks? Been plenty good to me and mine when we've gone there. (well, except that one time)

[Ulrik]

OK, mine:) Dont be offended...er..anyone....

1 - When someone shouts and is heard all over the big old gothic square - its German

2 - Some of us thinks that they know english well - let us live in that illusion

3 - Do you really speak english, fluent french and still nobody understands you? You are in Paris

4 - Slovakia isnt Slovenia. Really. Even CNN fucked it up, but CNN cant be hit in pub.

5 - You are in train and in summer climatization tries to make you warm and in winter cooler? Welcome to Czech republic.

6 - Do you think that you are in Czech republic and still you see so many russians? Welcome to Karlovy Vary.

7 - If you saw film In Brugge... dont mention it in Brugge. Or at least dont use phrases like "Fucking Brugge, such shithole! Hhaha!" Even those nice people have their limits.

8 - Austrians are not Germans. Really. But dont worry, they wont hit you.

9 - Euros are nice idea. Unfortunately, not every european country use euros.

10 - British like to wear something with three lions. Some of them. Not everyone. But... Out of UK many of them. They usually dont have problems with Rule 2.




To reading this post use Rule 2.

[Silencer]

Frookenhauer, on 02 April 2010 - 11:00 PM, said:

5. It's a toss up between England France and Germany as to who is the hardest in Europe, plenty of battles no real winners, but Germany did in fact lose...Twice...Three if you include the world cup. kick the shit out of France numerous times and was subsequently defeated only by a combination of English and Americans, with some Russians thrown in on the second major occassion.

I wouldn't exactly call that 'losing', tbh. XD

[Aristai]

Jusentantaka, on 03 April 2010 - 05:09 AM, said:

I guess that means #12 has to be 'You'll be able to hear the English from a mile away because they will be busy shouting in drunken fervor at any and everyone they see'

Question though: Why does everyone seem to think that Parisians are such dicks? Been plenty good to me and mine when we've gone there. (well, except that one time)

As a side note, most French people think Parisians are dicks as well.

[Tapper]

1. Do not mention that the US came over to win 2 world wars for the Allies. It's not exactly true to begin with, but the gratitude is also wearing thin thanks to a couple of other wars we're dragged into since then.

2. Every 200 miles, we speak a different language. Borders will change independently of languages. This is despite Western Europe being founded on the principle of the nation-state (combined with conquer all you can hold onto).

3. The European Union is an odd vehicle. Its parlement holds council in Strassbourg, unless they're in Brussels, where the remainder of the government functions is.

4. Don't complain about the food. Chances are, you are now eating it as it is meant to be.
EDIT: except when a Greek restaurateur offers you yoghurt with honey, traditional Greek specialty, for dessert. Run like hell, for what you will get, is actually yoghurt with honey, for around €10,-.

5. Great Britain is not always a part of Europe, especially not when you are in Great Britain.

6. Politics: it's complicated to the point where the average Euro is unable to explain the system his own country uses, let alone give you an informed opinion of other European nations or the European Union. This probably decreases the more you go towards former Soviet territory as these people still know why they wanted democracy/ access to the EU to begin with.

7. Get your own local European to explain you stuff about the current stamp sized state you're in. This forum is a good start.

8. There are Irish pubs everywhere, it may be their best export product. The staff is usually as Irish as the average back packing Australian, though.

9. Liberalism isn't the same here as in the US. You are likely to get confused reactions when you say the political left consists of liberals.

10. There is a reason why Europe is smack dab in the centre of every world map we print. Like all the other mapmakers, we still think we're the next best thing since sliced bread, and that's only since we invented sliced bread. You may disagree - when you're back home

This post has been edited by Tapper: 03 April 2010 - 10:00 AM

[stone monkey]

I'll add a couple of Brit ones...

1. If a British person is being polite to you they either can't stand you or don't know you.

2. If a British person is being really rude to you they either can't stand you or like you a lot.

3. If a British person is being sarcastic to you... that's just the way they are.

[Aristai]

Further note to the spotting of Canadians in Europe..Besides the aformentioned wearing/waving of multitudes of maple leafs, a simple trip down to most pubs and bars will find them basking in their native habitat, no doubt asking a server to try and find a NHL game while in the midst of a Real Madrid/Barca matchup or somesuch.

[Yellow]

Ulrik, on 03 April 2010 - 07:01 AM, said:

4 - Slovakia isnt Slovenia. Really. Even CNN fucked it up, but CNN cant be hit in pub.

Brilliant

[Bauchelain the Evil]

I think the most important thing to remember is that Europe is full of diiferent realities. Europe is not only the UK(although the Brits believe they aren't Europeans), France or Germans. There are countries that have great difficulties like Greece, Portugal and the Eastern European countries. There are countries that have had a boom relatively recently like Spain and Ireland. And then there is my beloved country(ie Italy) which despite being in the G7 is in no way capabe to compete with the others powers(despite what Berlusconi can say).

Also politics are a bit different here. I sort of frown whenever I see certain members of the Democratic party lebeled as left wing. But then that's what a total fear in comunism and/or socialism does to a country.