UK 'second most popular country'

RJP33

vaporate wrote: »

God knows why haha.

Full of crime, useless police, chavs, !!!!!!, overly expensive.

I would love to read how it was rated, pool of voters etc.

It’s weird, but every time I lived away from the UK you see that many, many people all over the world look up to the UK as one of the worlds great countries today where they’d love to live. They love our history, culture, freedoms, even the location with us literally in the middle of the world and our democracy is the envy of most people.

Simple things like the BBC which gets a lot of criticism here, are revered elsewhere as the best in the world.

vaporate

RJP33 wrote: »

It’s weird, but every time I lived away from the UK you see that many, many people all over the world look up to the UK as one of the worlds great countries today where they’d love to live. They love our history, culture, freedoms, even the location with us literally in the middle of the world and our democracy is the envy of most people.

Simple things like the BBC which gets a lot of criticism here, are revered elsewhere as the best in the world.

Oh I love UK history, location, castles (Windsor), British empire etc.

Just 'some' things I don't.

RJP33

It's when away for long periods of time that you talk to others and realise just how much this country has going for it.

Sure it isn’t perfect and the weather is awful, but it is the envy of a lot of the world.

ninky_2

at least our news anchors don't come out with homophobic claptrap like this.

what they gain in sunshine the australians lose in bigotry.

http://www.starobserver.com.au/news/2011/03/07/ron-wilson-calls-mardi-gras-disgusting/46388

A Channel Ten news interview with Mardi Gras co-chair Peter Urmson has turned nasty, with anchor Ron Wilson branding the parade as “disgusting”.
What begins as a general discussion about the political themes of this year’s Mardi Gras quickly turns into a tense back-and-forth between the two when Wilson began questioning the relevance and appropriateness of the parade in 2011.
“Some of the spectacles you’re seeing, I’m assuming would even make you cringe. It becomes an exploitation almost of a sexual image rather than trying to explore the diversity of lifestyle,” Wilson said.
“Our community is extremely colourful, and we celebrate our diversity through…” Urmson replied. Before Wilson interrupted by saying “there’s a difference between colourful and disgusting”.
At one point, Wilson even questions why the gay and lesbian community are pushing same-sex marriage as an issue.
“There’s acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle. Why not let time take care of the gay marriage issue rather than pushing it.”
A clearly dumbfounded Urmson responded by saying:
“Because if we don’t push for it, no one’s going to.”

DervProf

dunstonh wrote: »

I wonder if Jeremy Clarkson is to blame for the negative Mexican view

Probably, but think of all the positive views from people who have seen Top Gear. I hope they're not too disappointed when they find out that we don't all drive round in Pagani Zondas and destroy caravans for laffs.

macaque_2

ILW wrote: »

Vorsprung durch techishe.

For those who don't speak German, the translation of this is:

'Foster Spring' Duck Technology

Generali

ninky wrote: »

at least our news anchors don't come out with homophobic claptrap like this.

what they gain in sunshine the australians lose in bigotry.

http://www.starobserver.com.au/news/2011/03/07/ron-wilson-calls-mardi-gras-disgusting/46388

A Channel Ten news interview with Mardi Gras co-chair Peter Urmson has turned nasty, with anchor Ron Wilson branding the parade as “disgusting”.
What begins as a general discussion about the political themes of this year’s Mardi Gras quickly turns into a tense back-and-forth between the two when Wilson began questioning the relevance and appropriateness of the parade in 2011.
“Some of the spectacles you’re seeing, I’m assuming would even make you cringe. It becomes an exploitation almost of a sexual image rather than trying to explore the diversity of lifestyle,” Wilson said.
“Our community is extremely colourful, and we celebrate our diversity through…” Urmson replied. Before Wilson interrupted by saying “there’s a difference between colourful and disgusting”.
At one point, Wilson even questions why the gay and lesbian community are pushing same-sex marriage as an issue.
“There’s acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle. Why not let time take care of the gay marriage issue rather than pushing it.”
A clearly dumbfounded Urmson responded by saying:
“Because if we don’t push for it, no one’s going to.”

I agree that there is bigotry aplenty in Aus. I would make a three of points:

1. Homosexuality isn't seen as a bad thing or an aberration in Aus to anything like the same extent that it is in other countries of which I have experience. Casual homophobia is very unusual over here and very common in the UK IME.

2. Australians are on average far more racist than people in the UK IME. Australians also express their pride in being Australian more freely than the British do IME. Of the 8 national holidays, 4 are Christian, 1 celebrates a fluke of the calendar and the other 3 (ANZAC Day, Australia Day and the Queen's Birthday) to some extent celebrate Australia and Australians. I have no idea whether or not the 2 are connected.

3. Australia has more freedom of speech than the UK. I may not agree with someone who thinks that one race or nation is inferior to another or that a particular group should be discriminated against in some way but I think they should be free to express that view in all media including on national TV programs.
Beyond Nick Griffin being allowed on Question Time I can't think of any serious discussion of racism or homophobia that has included someone who is racist or homophobic in the UK. Anyone that expresses those sorts of views is shouted down or denied a voice. That is wrong IMO.

DaddyBear

Obviously a poll of people who think that the UK is just London (most Americans). How we came second is beyond me.

Generali

DaddyBear wrote: »

Obviously a poll of people who think that the UK is just London (most Americans). How we came second is beyond me.

Well the poll was commissioned by the BBC World Service which is funded by the Foreign Office so perhaps they asked a random sample of people that were walking past on Downing Street that day.

blueboy43

Generali wrote: »

I agree that there is bigotry aplenty in Aus. I would make a three of points:

1. Homosexuality isn't seen as a bad thing or an aberration in Aus to anything like the same extent that it is in other countries of which I have experience. Casual homophobia is very unusual over here and very common in the UK IME.

Hmmm, male homosexuality was still illegal in Queensland until 1990 and after that in Tasmania.

Outside of Sydney and Melbourne in my experience I would say it is worse than UK - plenty of casual homophobia in Australia when I have been there, particularly at the footie and cricket.

What certainly helps is that the Sydney Mardi Gras is more of a public event and celebration than any equivalent event the UK by a factor of 10