What do like best and what is the worst about each others countries?

**Thomas Hepburn** · 06-22-2011 11:21 AM

You could argue that countries such as Britain, U.S.A, France and other countries have been aggressive in the past. But they have also defended our culture/rights/way of life as well. Being passive is wonderful, but in the real world sometimes passiveness requires other defenders to protect it. In other words, for example, those countries that stayed neutral during the second world war could say that they were not aggressive and didn't fight. But if Hitler's Nazis wouldn't have been stopped by aggressive Britain, U.S.A and the other allies, Hitler would have conquered Europe, and afar. When that had occurred, do you think that those countries that were neutral at the start would have been allowed to stay neutral under Hitler? No, not likely. In other words, the allies protected not just their own countries, they also protected all of Europe and Asia as well. Neutral Switzerland, Sweden and Ireland for example would now be under Nazi control. So although your country has a fine record on non aggressive action, it also owes it's lifestyle today to those allies that stopped the aggressive Nazis. Are your countrymen and women aware of this ?

**Maximus** · 06-22-2011 02:59 PM

Thomas,

It's not clear to me what point you are trying to make, on the fact England has a history of being the aggressor.
This is a fact and nobody is disputing their role in WWI and WWII.
The Commonwealth could be seen as the list of the victimized countries, all suffering from the Stockholm syndrome.

The original thread was to describe the best and the worst of countries.
Btw I am still waiting to hear what is best about Switzerland since you have given the worst apparently

I could have kept simple by saying England best is Football, aka soccer.
Worst: Hooligans

Too late now I guess

**CHANDLERS WISH** · 06-22-2011 04:11 PM

Oh dear lucky you didn't say anything really bad about Aussieland I might have got mad with you lols.

I am part sweedish for the record... What the Country stands for I don't know as I don't know enough about it but isn't that a good thing? That it quietly stays out of all problems this World / men have created?

I love their warmth, every sweedish person I have ever met in my life has a warmth and happiness about them...

As for Australia, I love their country style, with life, their love of hills or sea, a beer and the barby with friends, their acknowledgement of different cultures and willingness to mingle with all and what I don't like is their political stance they have no idea what they are doing, ever no matter whom Governs in my opinion.

**Thomas Hepburn** · 06-24-2011 11:24 AM

Maximus, I agree with you about the worst of our own country being hooligans, although that problem has diminished considerably recently. I think the problem is far worse now in Italy, Turkey and some East European countries. The best of Switzerland, lovely countryside and mountains. Haven't been there myself but have been to your neighbours, Germany & Austria. The point I was making is that to be a pacifist or a passive person is very admirable, but those people will always need defenders to defend them as they are unwilling to fight for themselves. In an ideal world of course we wouldn't have to fight to defend ourselves at all ,at any time. But humans are not yet that evolved to the point where there are no aggressors. Aggression, as started by the Nazis, can only be stopped with aggression against it. Unfortunate, but true.

**Thomas Hepburn** · 06-24-2011 11:30 AM

The other point I was trying to make is that it is pointless the Swiss people regarding themselves piously as non-aggressors when they were saved from the Nazis by the counter aggression by the British, Americans, Australians, Canadians and other allies. The worst of Switzerland- Sepp Blatter!!
No, seriously, we can't really judge the Swiss much because they do not exert themselves in the wider world. Where countries like Switzerland really could help are points of conflict in areas of the world. Are you doing anything in the middle east??

**Thomas Hepburn** · 06-24-2011 11:37 AM

It's a secret, Canada has a lot of respect her in Britain. You are with us in Nato and you stood alongside us, and the Americans, in WW2. Your country is not aggressive, but is willing to fight against wrong when needs be, and with it's friends ! The worst of Canada - too cold !! It's cold enough here sometimes !! The best of it, the countryside!

**Seeker_Advice** · 06-24-2011 01:41 PM

I've been to a lot of countries around this amazing globe (probably more than most). Each is unique and diverse in it's own right. Each has issues that need to be addressed both locally and globally. None are perfect or without fault. Though all of us are diverse individuals and the country we live in unique, it's amazing to me how similar we really are as a race...a human race.

**Thomas Hepburn** · 06-25-2011 11:51 AM

I love Italy.I have been their several times. I love their food, their countryside and yes, I love a lot of their people. Yes they are emotional, and get angry quickly, but it is not an aggressive anger, more just upset anger. The worst of Italy, corruption and the mafia.

**Thomas Hepburn** · 06-25-2011 11:53 AM

A also like the country of France. We have a joke/unkind saying here and that is "France, a wonderful country, shame about the people" A bit general and , as all sayings, probably not very true. Even thoug some of them seemgrumpy to Brits! Nice country and nice food. The worst, their strikes and social unrest which seem to happen every time it's holiday time across Europe.