Russian Women Discussion

RWD Discussion Groups => Experienced => Topic started by: BillyB on December 02, 2017, 12:27:59 AM

Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: BillyB on December 02, 2017, 12:27:59 AM
Billy, please show the URLs to these specific polls.

Polls should be more valid than individual commentators, so I would like to see them.


Google has a lot and I'm not going to waste too much time listing them since they are easy to find. Here are a few polls done based on opinions of people. The last link is a poll by Britons and they think France is the rudest nation. Moby definitely thinks different than his fellow countrymen.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewbender/2012/04/03/the-worlds-rudest-nations-for-travelers/#2a7614272368

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3945322/Smile-free-Russia-snooty-France-welcoming-Italy-Tourists-reveal-friendliest-rudest-countries-ve-visited.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2128221/Rudest-nations-French-rudest-nation-earth-according-poll.html


This goes back to my comment on formality.  I read a lot about French customs and culture before visiting. Starting any conversation with a greeting (Bonjour Monsieur/Madam), and saying goodbye are important in their culture, no matter where you are. Your lack of a greeting likely was viewed as rude, and the employee was telling you that, probably for future reference. Please and thank you are also important.



French employees in the tourist industry should be more tolerant of tourists who come from different cultures and act differently than them. The French aren't tolerant and people who aren't tolerant get rude to people they don't tolerate. The French got their label because they earned it.


I have a friend who grew up in Germany. His uncle persuaded him to move to America. He told me he always thought Americans were arrogant. Years later he went back to visit Germany. He understood Germans were much more arrogant than Americans. When a person who grows up in the American culture, they will tend to think the French, Russians and even the people back home overseas are rude. Probably why some guys won't be able to handle an FSU woman.
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: msmob on December 02, 2017, 01:58:26 AM
Moby definitely thinks different than his fellow countrymen.

and you thought quoting from the Daily Mail would 'back up' your stance  :ROFL: 

  Probably why some guys won't be able to handle an FSU woman.

...and you 'can' ? ...

I make no secret of it  - and most married to / in a relationship with one - there are days when we can't ;)
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: BillyB on December 02, 2017, 09:25:19 AM
and you thought quoting from the Daily Mail would 'back up' your stance  :ROFL: 



With some people, things don't register. The survey of Britons was conducted by flight comparison website Skyscanner. ML asked about polls, not opinions of journalists. I gave him some. You seem to have a hard time figuring things out.
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: msmob on December 02, 2017, 11:37:19 AM

With some people, things don't register.

Today seems to be the day when posters don't see any irony in what they unthinkingly post

The survey of Britons was conducted by flight comparison website Skyscanner. ML asked about polls, not opinions of journalists. I gave him some. You seem to have a hard time figuring things out.

I'm sure it was very 'scientific' - you do know the antipathy between the English and the French ? ...Yup ..though not ......

Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: ML on December 02, 2017, 12:37:07 PM
The travel search site Skyscanner.com surveyed its users about where the locals are particularly unfriendly. Survey size was 1,200 persons from Europe, UK, North America, and Australia.  The top 5 nations with the most votes for rudest locals were:

Nationality    Percentage of votes
French                19.29
Russian                16.56
British                10.43
German                  9.93
Other                  6.37

Individuals on this discussion site and elsewhere give their opinions and experiences on this subject.
If a reader feels he/she is in exactly the same situation and background of those individuals, then their opinion and experience may be helpful to you.
For most decision making, the overall opinions and experiences of those from a significant sample size (such as the 1,200 here) weigh much more heavily than the opinions and experiences of individual persons or from a very small sample.

The respondents to this survey are not from the entire world, however they are from the same population group as most of the participants here.

Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: msmob on December 02, 2017, 12:48:25 PM
The travel search site Skyscanner.com surveyed its users about where the locals are particularly unfriendly. Survey size was 1,200 persons from Europe, UK, North America, and Australia.  The top 5 nations with the most votes for rudest locals were:

Nationality    Percentage of votes
French                19.29
Russian                16.56
British                10.43
German                  9.93
Other                  6.37

1/ the UK is in Europe-  geographically and (still) geo-politically

2/ this 'survey' excludes the Chinese - well all of Asia, South America, African, Middle East, and presumably Russia - and this is your 'supporting evidence' ?

Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: BillyB on December 02, 2017, 02:11:20 PM
2/ this 'survey' excludes the Chinese - well all of Asia, South America, African, Middle East, and presumably Russia - and this is your 'supporting evidence' ?


Probably one out of every 10,000 Asian, African and South American have visited enough countries to have experience and make a comparison. How about you fund a poll and call people in Laos, Guyana, and Gabon to find those who are well travelled and can be a participant in your polls? Not even the Chinese have a decent percentage of their people who are well travelled. Many Americans and Europeans who participated in the poll most likely visited Asia, Africa, North America and other continents to be forming their opinion Europe has the rudest people starting with France.
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: msmob on December 02, 2017, 09:58:02 PM
Probably one out of every 10,000 Asian, African and South American have visited enough countries to have experience and make a comparison.

Ri-ight, BillyB.. and you've been to London, Paris, etc., recently and observed the numbers of Asian tourists - particularly Chinese?

Many Americans and Europeans who participated in the poll most likely visited Asia, Africa, North America and other continents to be forming their opinion Europe has the rudest people starting with France.


Actually, 65 percent of those polled in the Skyscanner survey were British or Irish - remember me pointing out how 'well' the English and French 'get on' ?   Hardly 'scientific' .. I'm more worried about the other 35 percent voting the UK so high - though it was probably the Irish in the 65% ;)

Finally - let's look at which nation gets the most tourists..

OMG- it's France ..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Tourism_rankings (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Tourism_rankings)

So, the 'rudest nation' got the most tourists...  hmm ...do you see the positive correlation here ? !



Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: BillyB on December 02, 2017, 11:15:59 PM
Ri-ight, BillyB.. and you've been to London, Paris, etc., recently and observed the numbers of Asian tourists - particularly Chinese?



A very small percentage of their entire population get to vacation outside the country. Call random people in China for a poll if you think every other person has travelled outside the country.


So, the 'rudest nation' got the most tourists...  hmm ...do you see the positive correlation here ? !



Only you can make a knucklehead assessment like that. Look at the rest of the nations 2-5 on the list. They aren't 2-5 on the rudest nations list are they? Most aren't even on the rudest nations list. Don't know why you're trying to prove voters and methodology in those polls wrong. Probably hurts your feelings you're living in another reality.
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: msmob on December 02, 2017, 11:33:09 PM

A very small percentage of their entire population get to vacation outside the country. Call random people in China for a poll if you think every other person has travelled outside the country.



Only you can make a knucklehead assessment like that. Look at the rest of the nations 2-5 on the list. They aren't 2-5 on the rudest nations list are they? Most aren't even on the rudest nations list. Don't know why you're trying to prove voters and methodology in those polls wrong. Probably hurts your feelings you're living in another reality.

I simply proved that the so called 'rudest' nation status was achieved from a poll whereby 700+ of those polled where from a nation that has a love to hate relationship with France ...

So, this 'knucklehead' can see what even the pollsters admitted - the potential flaw in their survey - the high percentage of Brits skewing the results..

Once again, I'm wondering why a statistician like you can't figure out how the 'rudest' nation tops the most popular tourist destination and won't see any correlation

Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: GQBlues on December 02, 2017, 11:58:05 PM

Finally - let's look at which nation gets the most tourists..

OMG- it's France ..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Tourism_rankings (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Tourism_rankings)

So, the 'rudest nation' got the most tourists...  hmm ...do you see the positive correlation here ? !

Not to me. I'd hazard a guess a large swat of 'international tourist' to France are Europeans. Likely millions of Britons do and would be at top tier of the lot. Which would then blow a hole in your assertion of the relationship between the two.

That's not much of an 'international traveling in my book if it takes you an hour to fly to, or drive for that matter.

Now if France was an ocean apart, like Australia for example, maybe even the US, I doubt they'd beat the number of tourist the Galapagos island generates.
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: msmob on December 03, 2017, 12:45:29 AM
Not to me.

 :)

I'd hazard a guess a large swat of 'international tourist' to France are Europeans. Likely millions of Britons do and would be at top tier of the lot. Which would then blow a hole in your assertion of the relationship between the two.

Er NO....  Britons top destination - by MILES is Spain ..  Now where does that leave your 'theory' ?;)

That's not much of an 'international traveling in my book if it takes you an hour to fly to, or drive for that matter.

The irony is that that 'hour or two' leads Brits to several countries - speaking a range of languages - FAR more different cultural changes and new experiences than say US - Canada - Quebec - being an exception ...

Now if France was an ocean apart, like Australia for example, maybe even the US, I doubt they'd beat the number of tourist the Galapagos island generates.

Agree.... where do most tourists come from to the US (#2 on the list ) ?  Really - I don't know.
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: BillyB on December 03, 2017, 01:16:11 AM
I simply proved that the so called 'rudest' nation status was achieved from a poll whereby 700+ of those polled where from a nation that has a love to hate relationship with France ...



That was one of many, many, many polls having France on top for being the rudest nation. You can find a poll of all Americans saying the French are rude. There's no reason for American loving to hate France. If they are losing in another war, we'd be there for them again no matter how rude they are.
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: msmob on December 03, 2017, 01:59:26 AM

That was one of many, many, many polls having France on top for being the rudest nation. You can find a poll of all Americans saying the French are rude. There's no reason for American loving to hate France. If they are losing in another war, we'd be there for them again no matter how rude they are.

Well now BillyB - I note you STILL cannot make the jump that the most popular Tourist destination on the world is also the place considered - just - to be the most rude ;)

I'm sure the French thank the USA, Canada, et al on June 6th every year - but I expect you don't pay attention ...

Perhaps - if there is a next time - if the USA isn't examining it's own navel - a more swift intervention - would be appreciated...
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: GQBlues on December 03, 2017, 07:07:17 AM
:)

Er NO....  Britons top destination - by MILES is Spain ..  Now where does that leave your 'theory' ?;)

The irony is that that 'hour or two' leads Brits to several countries - speaking a range of languages - FAR more different cultural changes and new experiences than say US - Canada - Quebec - being an exception ...

Agree.... where do most tourists come from to the US (#2 on the list ) ?  Really - I don't know.

Actually I didn't say France was the Brits' #1 destination. I said it may well be that the Brits are one of the most visitors to France. Estimate places about 17 million Brits visit France every year.

83% of Europe's tourists live within Europe, including France since it borders 8 different countries.

All I'm asserting with this fact is in concert to the 'poll' discussed above where the sample was taken largely from Europeans. If they generate the largest number of visitors to France then it only makes sense choosing them to conduct a survey.
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: Jumper on December 03, 2017, 10:21:09 AM
Well now BillyB - I note you STILL cannot make the jump that the most popular Tourist destination on the world is also the place considered - just - to be the most rude ;)

I'm sure the French thank the USA, Canada, et al on June 6th every year - but I expect you don't pay attention ...

Perhaps - if there is a next time - if the USA isn't examining it's own navel - a more swift intervention - would be appreciated...

We know who gave us the statue of liberty moby lol.

If the UK is still sore about  the French helping us drop the British empires yoke,or the French for us not helping enough in asia, then yeah ,perhaps next time we will just sit it out entirely.Its what the rest of the world pretends they want anyway?
:) most of the time I'd  agree they'd be right.

As far as tourism to the US, I havnt googled it ;)

From extensive travel in the US to many tourist destinations my guess would be Asians,  as even a fraction of their population can do so, it still likely outnumbered other visitor's.
Again  just a guess from observation, nothing factual.


Are we all next going to see who pisses furthest in meters or feet?
 ;D

Either way I'm sure Billyb at 5yo could out distance everyone, without being rude.
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: Brasscasing on December 03, 2017, 11:20:14 AM
The French are apparently aware of the problem. From 2015...

France desperate to ditch its reputation for rudeness

..."Once voted the least welcoming country in Europe, France is launching a huge campaign to encourage waiters, taxi drivers and hoteliers to be more polite."...

..."Now France's foreign minister Laurent Fabius admitted that the welcome tourists receive is "not always extraordinary" and encouraged his countrymen to improve the way they treat foreigners. "To put it diplomatically, we have room for improvement here," he said."...

..."A report by the Council for the Promotion of Tourism revealed that holidaymakers were 30 per cent less satisfied with their stays in France than in other European countries, The Times reports"...

http://www.theweek.co.uk/63986/france-desperate-to-ditch-its-reputation-for-rudeness

In my travels I've heard more derogatory comments as to how the Belgique treat foreigners than the French.

My younger son has just returned from Europe and reported he had a great time in Austria, Germany, Netherlands, Romania as well as France and Belgium, so who knows.

Canada has one of those 'special relationships' with France so we might get treated a bit different, though (Anglophone vs. Francophone issue aside).

Brass
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: Anotherkiwi on December 03, 2017, 04:49:23 PM
I've posted this before, but it's probably worth repeating as the subject rears its ugly head yet again.

Certain people in EVERY country are rude - there is no denying that fact.  Most of those in the USA seem to be employed by the TSA if reports are anything to go by  :o (I haven't been there since the TSA was created, so can't comment from personal experience).

When I first visited France, I spoke nearly fluent French.  Despite being welcomed by many people, I was still amazed by just how rude some Parisians were - not just service staff, but all manner of people (including tour guides, who you think would be one group who would at least try to appear helpful).  I put it down to my girlfriend and I being foreigners but, when I mentioned some of my experiences to other people in France later in the trip, they just laughed and said "it's not you - they treat EVERYONE from outside Paris like that."

If Boethius's comments are accurate, then things have markedly improved over the years, whcih is good to see.

Those of us who have been to Russia have also all experienced rudeness to varying degrees - some of it downright nasty.  Again, it doesn't matter who you are - there will always be someone, somewhere, who simply revels in their little bit of power, or supposed superiority, to score points and make you wish that you weren't there.  Hopefully, those people are more than counterbalanced by the nice ones that you will also meet on your travels.
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: Boethius on December 03, 2017, 05:41:27 PM
Never found anyone in France to be rude. I do think they’re sticklers for rules, more so than Canadians.

The rudest people I’ve encountered in travels are Russians and Ukrainians.

The most polite I’ve encountered have been Japanese. I’ve never been to Japan, but have met a lot of Japanese travelers.
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: GQBlues on December 03, 2017, 05:56:10 PM
FWIW~

The nicest persons/country I met in my travels...

1 The UK
2 Chilean
3 Canadians
4 The Philippines

The rudest.

1 Seoul, SK
2 France
3 Austria
4 Germany
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: ML on December 03, 2017, 06:44:51 PM
Nicest people:

Ireland
Turkey
Philippines
Canada
Sweden

Worst:

France
Russia
New York City
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: msmob on December 03, 2017, 07:38:14 PM
I've met nice and rude people in my travels and the rude ones stick out - but I don't let them spoil my overall impression of a nation.... ;)

In my numerous visits to Belgium - I've never met a rude one - never even heard of anyone saying anything negative - ( other than some can be a bit 'aggressive' - too close to my car's arse, on a motorway(!) - perhaps because so many speak English ?

Last night, on returning down a hill that was too bumpy for the car - from a Dacha - I found another Dacha owner's son (down the lane from my host's) had blocked in my car - and the whole lane - with his car - my host's wife had told me it was OK to park there.......

He refused to come out - so a long blow on the car horn of my host was made my his brother - ( elder Bro -my host - was not pleased) - and the blocker in came out - most angry - complaining about "stupid Americans" ))

He was the only person shouting and not very tall and eye-balled my host.... I simply laughed and proceeded to film him as I could see he might make the first physical aggressive act - and he calmed down - now cursing Brits - as he had been informed the car was British - the GB sticker on the back wasn't enough of a clue ? ...

He opened his gates and parked on his drive ... so his blocking in my car and the whole lane was a bit of a pointless exercise ... 

Does it make Russians 'rude'? ...no - as he was clearly of Caucaus extraction and even I could tell spoke with a heavy RU accent ... 

The Brits  voted themselves the worst tourists - so I guess I'm flying the flag ;)
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: fathertime on December 03, 2017, 07:49:21 PM
Nicest for me
Colombia
Mexico.
Bahamas 

Rude.

I haven't encountered any noticeable rudeness yet.  I may just not notice it. That goes for France too although the Casino in Nice was rude to me by taking all my money in very short order. 

Fathertime! 
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: ML on December 04, 2017, 10:56:45 AM
The thread for nice vs rude people can now be found here.
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: msmob on December 04, 2017, 12:50:48 PM
I vote ML is nice - not 'grumpy', Maxx ;)
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: Jumper on December 05, 2017, 01:26:59 PM
As far as customer service:
Rude or lacking  - FSU, France, Greece,Brazil,certain Caribbean locations.
Nice- Mexico,  most Caribbean locations, most of europe,and America's hat.
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: Boethius on December 05, 2017, 01:55:56 PM
I found customer service to be good in France.  In stores, clerks will leave you alone until you are ready to be served, and then their attention will be on you and no one else.  In restaurants, there is no rush to get you out the door.  There are some differences - culturally, the French don't drink coffee until after a meal, so you won't get a coffee, and refills are not free.  Once again, you should start each encounter with a greeting, and always say please and thank you.
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: Jumper on December 05, 2017, 03:13:57 PM
Beo, I was mostly tongue in cheek.

While I've had rude encounters in the service industry. It has seemed to me far more an individual basis than a given nationality.

The caveat is I pretty much always find large cities more rude than rural folk,regardless country or culture.


 
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: ML on December 05, 2017, 04:30:45 PM
The caveat is I pretty much always find large cities more rude than rural folk,regardless country or culture.

Agree there.
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: SANDRO43 on December 05, 2017, 05:31:32 PM
There are some differences - culturally, the French don't drink coffee until after a meal
Quite right, and not the only ones! Coffee, or tea, during a normal meal :(?
Ugh! :shock:

Wine, beer, water, anything NOT containing sugar except in small amounts! I still shudder when I see some young people drinking Coke - or worse, Fanta - at meals.
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: ML on December 05, 2017, 05:41:20 PM
Coffee, or tea, during a normal meal :(?
Ugh! :shock:

Sandro, I drink 3-4 cups of coffee with many breakfasts.
And USA cups, not those small pansy European cups.
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: Boethius on December 05, 2017, 06:18:04 PM
A few days after he arrived here, I took the better half to a cafe for coffee (which he doesn't drink, but he had cake).  He was shocked at the size of the coffee cups.  He still remembers that, to this day, and he still finds the size of coffee cups here strange.
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: SANDRO43 on December 06, 2017, 07:15:53 AM
he still finds the size of coffee cups here strange.
What is stranger yet is the coffee drink itself - little more than brown-coloured water ;D, which is why...
Sandro, I drink 3-4 cups of coffee with many breakfasts. And USA cups, not those small pansy European cups.
...you have to drink so many cups buckets to obtain the caffeine equivalent of our pansy cups ;).

Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: Sting23 on December 06, 2017, 03:05:49 PM
FWIW~

The nicest persons/country I met in my travels...

1 The UK
2 Chilean
3 Canadians
4 The Philippines

The rudest.

1 Seoul, SK
2 France
3 Austria
4 Germany

Hmm...I would switch your top picks... UK, Brits were rather rude to me.  Can't imagine how Koreans are rude.  I lived in Seoul for a time.  Very polite, traditional Asian culture.  Literally saw students stand up and bow to a teacher if they would meet in a restaurant. Could be a taxi driver you encountered or someone trying to rip you off!
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: GQBlues on December 06, 2017, 03:45:26 PM
Hmm...I would switch your top picks... UK, Brits were rather rude to me.  Can't imagine how Koreans are rude.  I lived in Seoul for a time.  Very polite, traditional Asian culture.  Literally saw students stand up and bow to a teacher if they would meet in a restaurant. Could be a taxi driver you encountered or someone trying to rip you off!

Yeah, two polarized experience.

The coolest gentleman we've ever met travelling happened in London. The tube was pretty crowded and we had a hard time trying to see which stop we needed to get off from and get to where we needed to go. This was all before the age of GPS, etc.. I asked the guy standing beside us which stop we had to get off to get us to a street we needed to get on. The gentleman smiled and asked exactly where we needed to go to. I told him. He smiled and assured us he'll be happy to let us know. After a few moments, he told us this was the stop we needed to embark off, thus we proceeded. He also got off, turned to us and said to follow him. climbed the stairs, ushered and walked us about a block or two, crossed the street, then pointed at a building sand said, "yes, the building at the end on the left side. That's your destination, I believe. You lads best get on, and do enjoy our lovely city". I said thanks and said it was a nice coincidence that we were going to generally the same place. He said "oh no, but no worries..." as he needs to go back and take the tube again since he's still quite a bit away from home. We just looked at each other and silently uttered, 'wow'. The UK, at least back then, tempered the word 'gentle' in the manner to describe their manners and disposition. The Gentleman.

I was part of a junior team competing in the Asian martial arts competition. There were quarters appointed to every participants/nations. True, Koreans, like Japanese, do in fact bow. But unlike the Japanese, who do it for every one as a sign of respect and courtesy, Koreans apparently, based on my first hand experience, do not. Maybe, we felt at the time, they didn't have the same respect for us (Filipinos). There's much to describe very distinct differences in the manner they treated us vs everyone else that isn't worth rehashing.

BTW, I meant to add Russia on equal measure with France for slot #2.
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: ML on December 06, 2017, 03:53:51 PM
What is stranger yet is the coffee drink itself - little more than brown-coloured water ;D, which is why......you have to drink so many cups buckets to obtain the caffeine equivalent of our pansy cups ;).

In my case, I am not drinking coffee to obtain caffeine but rather for the taste/flavor.
Perhaps I am unusual, but I have to drink a lot of fluid with every meal.  Feels like food does not properly 'wash down' into my stomach if I don't drink a lot of fluid.
Coffee with breakfast, tea with lunch and various items (beer, wine, tea, water, etc) with dinner, depending on . . .
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: Sting23 on December 06, 2017, 04:00:43 PM
Yeah, two polarized experience.


I was part of a junior team competing in the Asian martial arts competition.  Koreans apparently, based on my first hand experience, do not. Maybe, we felt at the time, they didn't have the same respect for us (Filipinos). There's much to describe very distinct differences in the manner they treated us vs everyone else that isn't worth rehashing.


Well, I guess there's good and bad people in every country.  You bumped into such a person in the UK... I'm Asian too so I could blend in easy in Korea. But when people heard me speak English they were shocked.  I had people invite me for drinks on the street.   

I think because you were in a competition they may have tried to intimidate you.  There's many Filipinos in my home city, they are quite friendly, moreso than other Asian groups.
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: Sting23 on December 06, 2017, 04:02:59 PM
In my case, I am not drinking coffee to obtain caffeine but rather for the taste/flavor.
Perhaps I am unusual, but I have to drink a lot of fluid with every meal.  Feels like food does not properly 'wash down' into my stomach if I don't drink a lot of fluid.
Coffee with breakfast, tea with lunch and various items (beer, wine, tea, water, etc) with dinner, depending on . . .

I drink coffee every day for the taste, not the caffeine.  But I drink espresso based, not brew.  So the amount is actually very small.  And I"ll usually have a Coke with a meal too.
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: mhr7 on December 06, 2017, 04:08:57 PM
I drink coffee every day for the taste, not the caffeine.  But I drink espresso based, not brew.  So the amount is actually very small.  And I"ll usually have a Coke with a meal too.

If not for the caffeine, I'd never drink coffee. Instant is just fine with me in the morning.
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: Sting23 on December 06, 2017, 04:13:49 PM
If not for the caffeine, I'd never drink coffee. Instant is just fine with me in the morning.

I'm a coffee connoisseur (snob) so I refuse to drink instant.  I can barely tolerate Starbucks anymore now that they use automated machines.  10 years ago they were drinkable, with baristas making each shot.  I tried Mcdonalds iced coffee once to see how it tasted and threw it out after the first sip.
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: GQBlues on December 06, 2017, 04:28:11 PM
I'm a coffee connoisseur (snob) so I refuse to drink instant.  I can barely tolerate Starbucks anymore now that they use automated machines.  10 years ago they were drinkable, with baristas making each shot.  I tried Mcdonalds iced coffee once to see how it tasted and threw it out after the first sip.


For health, sanity, future offspings and legacy, don't ever do that again. Just like those flavored yogurt dispenser in those ice cream parlors, they hardly, if ever, completely clean them out. Had food poisoning last time I had McCafe.
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: SANDRO43 on December 06, 2017, 05:41:28 PM
I go to McDonald's for a cheese burger about once a month. Fortunately, here they have an espresso machine to make their coffees ;D. Costs €1, as in any other bar.
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: ML on December 06, 2017, 06:00:21 PM
In independent taste tests, McDonalds has beaten Starbucks.
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: CaptB on December 09, 2017, 04:50:15 AM
"Travel perceptions of other nations." I guess this discussion would have to be divided into "travel related perceptions"........and folks in their own element.....which is also part of "your" travel........................perception. I have bee to Russia 8 times.......3 weeks each time........the second to the last visit........marriage to a Russian.......14 yeas and counting. My "first" impression of Russians.....first visit.......cold and rude.........at the airport (customs).......and on the streets. No one smiles much. No one says "hi" to strangers. When "you" say "hi" to someone you have not been formally introduced to.....you may not get any response/aknowlegement.........back. When I was first traveling to Russia.......this was my impression. But that is only on the streets (I am not restricting my comments to "travel only" situations). On my first trip in 1999....these were my observations.....in public. But I learned quickly.......that one a Russian gets to know you......things change. They can be the friendliest.....most ingratiatingly folks on earth. The difference between a Russian friend and American friend..................................................In America........your friend loses his job......and his wife leaves him.......he knocks on the door of his "friend"........who answers. The friend says.......lets go out to tomorrow night.....and sort things out. The "Russian" friend will say...."come on in (at 3 am)...................he calls his boss and says he can't make it to work today........they have a piva.....vodka......etc. etc............and talk all night.


My personal experience with Canadians (many Canuk friends) and Australians.......like our cousins. Canadians in particular....are not even thought of as "foreigners" by most Americans. No.......they are not thought of as "Americans"..........just not "foreign". I love Aussies.........just like me........a little eccentric, confident, easygoing.......always pulling your leg........but good mates...........humorus/sarcastic.........but only in fun. That being said I have had great friends from England, Ireland, Wales, Caribbean, Germany, Iraq, Iran, China, Philippines, several African countries, Mexico, Cuba and several more countries. When you understand a (foreign) friends "culture and history" then you will understand their mannerisms out in public.......as opposed to to how they are......with friends and family.....at home.


Are russians a little "cool and pushy" out on the street..........yes.........but a better "friend".......you will not find. My observations only.


Capt B
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: Boethius on December 09, 2017, 03:57:14 PM
In independent taste tests, McDonalds has beaten Starbucks.


Starbucks' Pike Place roast is better than McDonalds coffee, as are their anniversary blends.  However, most Starbucks roasts are bitter, as they are over roasted.



Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: ML on December 09, 2017, 10:17:22 PM
In independent taste tests, McDonalds has beaten Starbucks.

http://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/a-bitter-shot-for-starbucks-mcdonalds-wins-taste-test/

http://www.cnbc.com/2015/07/26/starbucks-mcdonalds-or-dunkin.html

http://www.cosmopolitan.com/food-cocktails/news/a63859/best-psl-for-fall/
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: BdHvA on April 15, 2018, 07:40:47 AM
What an amusing thread.

Speaking some of the language is a decided help in contact.

Let me start by saying Paris is not France. The French that I have met in the Campagne tend to be both firm viewed/opinionated and rather formal but pleasant.

I have found the northern Germans cold, unpleasant and bigoted, those in the south are much more like the café mentality that one finds in Italy and along the shores of the Middle Sea.

One on one, Russians are interesting and curious. The same holds true for those who consider themselves Ukrainian.

The Belgians like beer and frites (aka French/Steak fries) and have a good humour, both the Flemish and Walloons . 

While I could comment on other nations I really do not have enough first hand knowledge.
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: krimster2 on April 15, 2018, 08:05:01 AM
Germany wasn't united into a single nation until 1871
before that the region was composed of independent states each with their own unique culture/history
southern Germany is mainly Bavaria,
beer in Bavaria is classified as a basic foodstuff even available at work!
I used to work at the Grundig TV factory in Nuremberg, we had beer for lunch in the cafeteria and in vending machines!
didn't quite have those amenities in Hamburg!!!
as you have noted, Sud Deutsch are generally mellower, probably 2 liters mellower. if it's around lunch time...



Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: msmob on April 15, 2018, 08:20:02 AM

While I could comment on other nations I really do not have enough first hand knowledge.


I question your knowledge of Germans ( north v south )

I find the Bavarians and their neighbours in the Tirol to be charming on the exterior, but many are THE most racially bigoted people - and that was LONG before open borders...

Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: BdHvA on April 15, 2018, 08:46:32 AM

I question your knowledge of Germans ( north v south )

I find the Bavarians and their neighbours in the Tirol to be charming on the exterior, but many are THE most racially bigoted people - and that was LONG before open borders...

My expierence is the opposite.

But it based on regatta and work related contact. Tirol's (Austrian) are a strange fish, and I have spent a fair bit of time there  sliding and slipping on two pieces of plastic in the winter. 

As I understand the greatest support for Hitler came from those North of Frankfurt a Main during the Nazi period. But Hitler was from the South, in fact Austria.

I guess we have different expierences - lets agree to disagree.   
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: alex330 on April 15, 2018, 09:24:16 AM
What is stranger yet is the coffee drink itself - little more than brown-coloured water ;D , which is why......you have to drink so many cups buckets to obtain the caffeine equivalent of our pansy cups ;) .

Come visit us in Little Havana if you want rocket fuel that makes European coffee look like water from the Amazon  ;)
And we drink it by the pot.

If not for the caffeine, I'd never drink coffee.

Same here.


As for service I find they way you approach and treat the staff can make or break your experience regardless of where you are in the World.
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: msmob on April 15, 2018, 09:36:49 AM


I guess we have different expierences - lets agree to disagree.

Your persona is much more agreeable here  :)
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: Trenchcoat on April 15, 2018, 10:14:21 AM
Much of Hitler's support came from Bavaria, hence Hitler's attempted Beer Hall Putsch in Munich. It's pretty much where the Nazi party started. Conversely the Nazi parry were weak in Berlin, something the party moved to address in later years in elections for office.

Apparently today much of Bavaria is still largely conservative with tradional values of man goes out to work while the woman keeps the home.
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: SANDRO43 on April 15, 2018, 06:26:01 PM
Bavaria has a warmer climate and is mostly Catholic, separated from the rest of Germany by the  invisible Weißwurstäquator (white sausage equator) or Weißwurstlinie (white sausage border):

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6a/Karte_Wei%C3%9Fwurst%C3%A4quator.png/220px-Karte_Wei%C3%9Fwurst%C3%A4quator.png) (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/Wei%C3%9Fwurst-1.jpg/220px-Wei%C3%9Fwurst-1.jpg)
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: ML on April 15, 2018, 06:56:44 PM
Bavaria has a warmer climate and is mostly Catholic, separated from the rest of Germany by the  invisible Weißwurstäquator (white sausage equator) or Weißwurstlinie (white sausage border):

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6a/Karte_Wei%C3%9Fwurst%C3%A4quator.png/220px-Karte_Wei%C3%9Fwurst%C3%A4quator.png) (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/Wei%C3%9Fwurst-1.jpg/220px-Wei%C3%9Fwurst-1.jpg)

Terrible looking stuff !!  Maybe from white pigs ?
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: SANDRO43 on April 16, 2018, 09:52:49 AM
Terrible looking stuff !!  Maybe from white pigs ?
Quote
A Weisswurst (German Weißwurst, literally white sausage; Austro-Bavarian: Weißwuascht) is a traditional Bavarian sausage made from minced veal and pork back bacon. It is usually flavoured with parsley, lemon, mace, onions, ginger, and cardamom, although there are some variations. Then the mixture is stuffed into pork casings and separated into individual sausages measuring about ten to twelve centimeters in length and three to four centimeters in thickness.

As they are very perishable, Weißwürste traditionally were manufactured early in the morning and prepared and eaten as a snack between breakfast and lunch; there is a saying that the sausages should not be allowed to hear the noon chime of the church bells.[1] Traditionally, Weißwürste may only be served until midday because preservatives are not used, the meat is not smoked, and hence the sausage is made fresh every day; indeed, they are sometimes called morning sausages. Before modern refrigeration technologies, in summertime the sausages would go bad before nightfall. Even today, most Bavarians eat Weißwürste before noon.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weisswurst)
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: BdHvA on April 16, 2018, 07:15:55 PM
Bavaria has a warmer climate and is mostly Catholic, separated from the rest of Germany by the  invisible Weißwurstäquator (white sausage equator) or Weißwurstlinie (white sausage border):

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6a/Karte_Wei%C3%9Fwurst%C3%A4quator.png/220px-Karte_Wei%C3%9Fwurst%C3%A4quator.png) (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/Wei%C3%9Fwurst-1.jpg/220px-Wei%C3%9Fwurst-1.jpg)

Terrible looking stuff !!  Maybe from white pigs ?

They are in fact quite tasty, they are usually grilled. You often dip them into a honey mustard sauce. Once eating them after a regatta, I was surprised to see many of the locals peeling the casing away. I asked in English does one not just eat the condom?

The Germans were amused, fortunately.
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: ML on April 17, 2018, 07:40:38 AM
They are in fact quite tasty, they are usually grilled. You often dip them into a honey mustard sauce. Once eating them after a regatta, I was surprised to see many of the locals peeling the casing away. I asked in English does one not just eat the condom?

The Germans were amused, fortunately.

When I was in Egypt at museum, the guide showed first condoms made from sheep intestine.  And eventually he said, they even started removing from sheep before use.
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: Boomstick77 on April 17, 2018, 08:02:13 AM
Last visit in Dnipropetrovsk me and the wife went to Anteka(pharmacy) to buy spermicide. They had an amazing deal on. 50% off the regular price..the reason? It was expired. I just scratched my head and thought..I’ve heard it all now. My wife was in tears laughing because I said that’s like buying condoms with holes in them but if they were half price then why not..they might still work. What a country but I love it.
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: msmob on April 17, 2018, 08:22:47 AM
That would be an аптека .. Apteka - in Russian / Ukrainian
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: krimster2 on April 17, 2018, 10:10:20 AM
"And eventually he said, they even started removing from sheep before use."

Once, there was a prosperous shepherd, who upon meeting a beautiful girl
decided to sell his flock
he didn't want to rear sheep any more

 
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: jone on April 17, 2018, 10:31:45 AM
Two little boys talking:  "I hear your mother has sex with goats."   Other little boy:  "Naaaaaaaaa".
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: krimster2 on April 17, 2018, 11:44:44 AM
"Two little boys talking:"

one little boy eventually moved away, but he hated to leave the other's behind...
Title: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: BdHvA on April 20, 2018, 07:34:40 PM
One pilgrim to the other:

"Do you know the Virgin of Mecca?"

Response "No"

"It is the goat that can run the fastest"
Title: Re: Travel and Perceptions
Post by: Boethius on May 04, 2018, 09:52:37 AM
"Reproductive organ. You know, that thing you stop using after marriage ;) I once met this overly religious "evangelical" guy who said he "wasn't going to have sex before marriage"I was about to tell him he "won't have that much after marriage..."but I caught myself before I could say itand instead said, "that's a good idea, I'm sure you'll be glad you did later"then I smiledI really don't like religious people very much


I am (relatively) religious.  The better half is as well.  From a Christian perspective, he is no doubt a better person than am I. 

I know a number of Baptists and Mormons who also don't believe in premarital sex.   They are all, without exception, fine people.  All married very young, and have/had a lot of children.