What country/culture would you of liked to have been born into, if not your own

[99call]

Now I realise even reading the title of thread, will force many Americans to spontaniously combust, but come on! give it a go, it's just make believe, and hopefully the FBI has it's hands full with Donny T.

I'm Welsh, but spent most of my life in the North of England. I'm perfectly proud of my heritage, but I do admire the Japanese way of life. Don't get me wrong there are many dis-functional/brutal aspects to their society, but their country, their food, their art/craft etc etc. I've been about 6 times and just love it, and respect it. 

What say you FOH? if you came back in another life, is there another culture you'd like to have grow up in, and why?

[NSXCIGAR]

Interesting question and original!

Pretty happy being American and the rare one who has traveled and appreciates other cultures and countries, so I'm not sure I'd have an answer. I don't think there's any other country I think I'm missing something not living in or would prefer to live. I'd obviously want to be in a western culture with the same benefits that provides. If I'm pushed, maybe I'd say Australia or New Zealand?

I can tell you that if I had to pick any time and place to live, other than today which is I think is probably the best time to be alive, I'd probably have to go with Victorian England. What an amazing time and place to be alive. 

[99call]

6 minutes ago, NSXCIGAR said:

I can tell you that if I had to pick any time and place to live, other than today which is I think is probably the best time to be alive, I'd probably have to go with Victorian England. What an amazing time and place to be alive. 

Ha, Im guessing you wouldn't want to cast yourself as a Victorian street urchin, rather some sort of man of science?

[NSXCIGAR]

Just now, 99call said:

Ha, Im guessing you wouldn't want to cast yourself as a Victorian street urchin, rather some sort of man of science?

I would hope I'd be able to elevate myself out of that situation with the reasonable amount of intelligence and drive that I have. Obviously, I'm assuming a similar level of means as I had in the present. Born an orphan or dirt poor, I'd obviously choose to be born today in the west.

[99call]

9 minutes ago, NSXCIGAR said:

I would hope I'd be able to elevate myself out of that situation with the reasonable amount of intelligence and drive that I have. Obviously, I'm assuming a similar level of means as I had in the present. Born an orphan or dirt poor, I'd obviously choose to be born today in the west.

Just jaipsing mate, 

There was a great show in the UK, which covered some of the worst jobs in Victorian times. One was "Captain of the Stool" which was the royal inspector of noble poop, another was the manual rotissery boy, who had to stand so close the the roasting meats, that they received burns themselves and often fainted. 

[LLC]

I am Canadian and would not want to change but I am in Japan now for business and the culture and way of the people has always intrigued me.


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[Ken Gargett]

not sure there is an answer to this.

my understanding is that there are two types of people in the world - australians and those who want to be.

and there are definitely two types of australians - queenslanders and those who want to be.

[99call]

18 minutes ago, Ken Gargett said:

not sure there is an answer to this.

my understanding is that there are two types of people in the world - australians and those who want to be.

and there are definitely two types of australians - queenslanders and those who want to be.

Sorry Ken, 

I forgot to mention. Part of the rebirthing procedure requires those inducted to have a clear idea of who their parents are. Hence Australia is unfortunately not an option

[GrouchoMarx]

Jedi

[Philc2001]

This is an interesting social topic. Having lived in 3 countries (for at least a decade in each), and having travelled to many others, and being exposed to different economic statuses, I don't think I would necessarily wish to have been born somewhere else. Any country that respects the rule of law and a has a stable democratic society would work for me. But the stage in life plays a big role in my choices.

This is probably not exactly what the OP had in mind, but from my experience and research I find certain locales more enticing than others for various stages in life. Strictly from pre-career educational opportunity perspective, I would be drawn to Europe, likely the UK, maybe France. From a business opportunity perspective, to build a career, I think the US would be the most appealing, but in the past decade and the next I might be inclined to look East towards Asia. From a post-career standpoint, where business and employment are less critical (so let's say for a comfortable retirement) my priorities would shift to moderate climate, rich history or geography for exploration, continuing education and a leisurely lifestyle, so maybe Italy, Portugal, Spain or possibly New Zealand. 

Every day the globe seems to get smaller and globetrotting seems to get easier and easier. So over time the notion of settling in one place and living out your entire life there will be increasingly challenged. The only barrier to globalization seems to be politics, and religion to an extent, which will also shift in time. 

[cigcars]

    * Italy.  Of course with the way I love to eat, I'd probably be a house if I lived among all that wonderful food there. But I like their attitude toward humanity, keeping their doors open to and for distressed individuals from other lands (learned this on Huang's World), and I'd have a proud heritage to privately brag to myself about as well (Roman Empire and so on)!

[morty]

Italy. Beautiful weather, food, coffee and wine, il perfetto!

[SignalJoe]

Having benefited from traveling and living overseas as a young man, and doing same at my molesting Uncle Sam's behest when older I find that I am right where I belong.  Not that I don't appreciate experiencing other cultures and lands I just find that I prefer Texas. If pressed I would likely say Germany or perhaps Italy.   

Overall though I tend to agree with words of John Gunther - "If a man is from Texas he'll tell you.  If he's not, why embarrass him by asking?" 

Perhaps with a bit of luck the FBI will cease wasting tax payer dollars investigating something there is no evidence of.    

[El Hoze]

Italy. We talk about this in a similar way all of the time. Mrs and I travel a lot, and even within the US split our time between Miami, NYC, and San Francisco. We're all over the place for my work. We generally do one two week vacation a year. Because of my work, I can't be totally off the grid, so certain places are difficult. We just got back from two weeks in Northern Spain, an area we know well (and love): we were in Barcelona, flew to San Sebastian, drove through the Rioja area Longrono/Burgos, and flew out of Madrid. Had a good time and somehow I gained 13 pounds in two weeks, even running 6 miles a day and walking everywhere. That's when you know you had a good trip!

What we generally do is alternate: one year we do two weeks in Italy, the next year we do two weeks somewhere else/new. We always go back to Italy being the benchmark. You just can't beat it. The natural scenery (and varied scenery), food (and varied foods), wines (again varied wines), music, arts (nothing about art), fashion, cars, these people really know their stuff....it really is a tough place to beat. For us Italy is like our favorite restaurant, or your favorite cigar, or wine. When you live in NYC you can't just eat at the same places. You only live once. But often times we think "this is great, but tomorrow night we're going back to ________ ." When it comes to my standby country, next year night we're going to Italy!

 

[luckme10]

Japan to retire. You can leave your bike unlocked at the train station anywhere in the country for a week, come back and know it'll still be there. I wouldn't want to grow up there though. Lots of bullying, repressive culture, 13 hour work days is the norm.

[MIKA27]

14 hours ago, Ken Gargett said:

not sure there is an answer to this.

my understanding is that there are two types of people in the world - australians and those who want to be.

and there are definitely two types of australians - queenslanders and those who want to be.

[MIKA27]

1 hour ago, SignalJoe said:

 

Overall though I tend to agree with words of John Gunther - "If a man is from Texas he'll tell you.  If he's not, why embarrass him by asking?" 

 

Same can be said for vegans.... If someone is a Vegan, they will tell you.

[MIKA27]

Great thread, so original!

So I suppose my question to your question is what other culture would I like to be born in? Does that apply to "Current era?" 

If I can go back in time, I'd love to have seen Feudal Japan. But also the Japanese culture really appeals to me. (Except the working until you die at your desk part  )

But honestly.... I love being Australian/Victorian and from Melbourne. Disregard that guy @Ken Gargett speaking of Queensland.  They can keep their XXXX beer (If you call that beer) and their constant hot weather.  

15 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

If I'm pushed, maybe I'd say Australia or New Zealand?

As for the above... watch the below and tell me if you still would choose being a KIWI   (New Zealand) 

 

[Ken Gargett]

2 hours ago, MIKA27 said:

Great thread, so original!

So I suppose my question to your question is what other culture would I like to be born in? Does that apply to "Current era?" 

If I can go back in time, I'd love to have seen Feudal Japan. But also the Japanese culture really appeals to me. (Except the working until you die at your desk part  )

But honestly.... I love being Australian/Victorian and from Melbourne. Disregard that guy @Ken Gargett speaking of Queensland.  They can keep their XXXX beer (If you call that beer) and their constant hot weather.  

As for the above... watch the below and tell me if you still would choose being a KIWI   (New Zealand) 

 

love the vid!

[Philc2001]

2 hours ago, MIKA27 said:

Great thread, so original!

So I suppose my question to your question is what other culture would I like to be born in? Does that apply to "Current era?" 

If I can go back in time, I'd love to have seen Feudal Japan. But also the Japanese culture really appeals to me. (Except the working until you die at your desk part  )

But honestly.... I love being Australian/Victorian and from Melbourne. Disregard that guy @Ken Gargett speaking of Queensland.  They can keep their XXXX beer (If you call that beer) and their constant hot weather.  

As for the above... watch the below and tell me if you still would choose being a KIWI   (New Zealand) 

 

Great Video! 

[99call]

8 hours ago, cigcars said:

    * Italy.  Of course with the way I love to eat, I'd probably be a house if I lived among all that wonderful food there.

6 hours ago, El Hoze said:

Italy. . You just can't beat it. 

 

I always feel like i'm missing the trick with Italian food, I've always been largely unimpressed. Last year, precisely for this reason me and the missus, spent a fortnight in Bologna, and the surrounding regions, which is supposed to have the best food in Italy. 

In doing quite a bit of research, and hitting all the referenced highlights we left with much the same opinion. I think Italy has some wonderful raw materials when it comes to food, but when it comes to gastronomy or actual cooking, it didn't come anywhere close (for me) to Spanish, French, cuisine etc etc. 

I do like it very much for it's simplicity, as often it's just very good produce put of a plate, but I keep on hearing people say Italian food, is the best in the world, and i'm still yet to see any evidence of it. 

[Ken Gargett]

5 minutes ago, 99call said:

I always feel like i'm missing the trick with Italian food, I've always been largely unimpressed. Last year, precisely for this reason me and the missus, spent a fortnight in Bologna, and the surrounding regions, which is supposed to have the best food in Italy. 

In doing quite a bit of research, and hitting all the referenced highlights we left with much the same opinion. I think Italy has some wonderful raw materials when it comes to food, but when it comes to gastronomy or actual cooking, it didn't come anywhere close (for me) to Spanish, French, cuisine etc etc. 

I do like it very much for it's simplicity, as often it's just very good produce put of a plate, but I keep on hearing people say Italian food, is the best in the world, and i'm still yet to see any evidence of it. 

i hope all your affairs are in order.

[99call]

Just now, Ken Gargett said:

i hope all your affairs are in order.

I'm I about to be 'clipped' 

[Ken Gargett]

2 minutes ago, 99call said:

I'm I about to be 'clipped' 

you know the post with the big great white of west australia...

[99call]

1 minute ago, Ken Gargett said:

you know the post with the big great white of west australia...

At least that will require some effort and petrol, I would be offended if there wasn't going to put any thought put into it