tyson
Amicus
Posts: 1,256
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Post by tyson on Jan 7, 2010 21:45:44 GMT -5
Despite the fact that some of what this man says is true, I can't help but feel that he says it with a typical northern European superiority complex. Honestly, nobody thinks more highly of Nordic people than Nordic people themselves. The way I see it, Balkan people have had to put up with a lot of crap for many centuries. While the rest of Europe were building up their societies in relative peace, we were under Ottomans oppression, then communism, etc. It takes time but I definitely see Balkan countries catching up with the rest of Europe at some time in the future. They are heading in that direction. i agree . not to mention the recent wars in the 90's
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Post by danceswithpoodles on Jan 8, 2010 8:30:28 GMT -5
I agree with the Dane.
Learn to make clear decisions without your stupid emotions getting in the way and maybe in time things in the Balkans will get better. It also didn't help that we had mehmet breathing down our throats for 400 years.
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Post by hellboy87 on Jan 8, 2010 9:30:20 GMT -5
yes Sarah^..............
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Post by albquietman on Jan 9, 2010 20:27:09 GMT -5
The dane is right when he speaks about the way we balkanians run our countries, including greece which is an EU member, but he is wrong when he thinks that's because of intelligence. The reason is our mentality, which is a leftover of being long time under ottoman empire, and for some reason it's still there, it just don't want to go away, and we as balkanians aren't willing to leave that behind, and if we don't get rid of that ottoman mentality, we always will be labeled as stupid and backwards, because mentality is the set of rules that determines the future in personal level and nation level...
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Post by Emperor AAdmin on Jan 9, 2010 22:06:16 GMT -5
Another argument that can be made that favors that of Dane
Balkanians are obviously far more closer to each other they they are to any other group of human populations (whether we are talking culture, appearance or mentality). When abroad we tend to always group ourselves together, spend time together and live in same areas while befriending each other or often dating each other.
YET we are easily divisible and immediately respond to alien induced stimuli (from which none of us benefit) that is obviously set there to divide us further and make our sheep even easier to control.
If we are so easily manipulated by western outsiders then argument might be made whether we truly are on par with them intellectually speaking or not and if not then why not.
Is it due to the fact that we have never learned to control our temperament and thus have never fully grown up while in the same time resuming some tribalist mentality that is in its essence fully congruent to most 'unique' tribes that one can find on any given continent (especially areas that have not been culturally comparable to western cultural standards).
Will the child ever reach adulthood one might ask.
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Post by vanilo on Jan 10, 2010 8:27:55 GMT -5
I'm not at all surprised with Mogens Camre's comment on Balkan people's intelligence. His fellow party mates (if not himself, too) have said even worse and more insulting things about Middle Easterners and Muslims. Anyway...while he, when elaborating his comment, gets to point out some important problems in other peoples' cultures it still doesn't take the racist factor away from his comment. He could have easily gotten his points across without making a racist comment. But he's from Dansk Folkeparti, and they rarely do intelligent debates - especially Mogens Camre . It's unfortunate because I also agree with some of you when you say he's not necessarily all wrong. He does address some important issues in Danish society that needs to be dealt with. Also, no society is perfect. Denmark is great, and I truly love it here, but this country also has its' problem. Both politically, socially and culturally. I think it's important to emphasize the Danish cultural problems in this case because other peoples' culture is what Mogens Camre brings up. A lot of Danish society's problems lie in the Danes' own culture/way of life/mentality, not in Balkan peoples' or in Middle Easterners' or Muslims'. But one thing that is good is that Danes generally like to critique themselves, and are not afraid of pointing out their problems and bad habits/sides. You guys probably don't watch Oprah Winfrey ;D but...I was really disgusted with the programme she did on Denmark and Danes - I was even more disgusted with the Danes who appaered in the programme. They couldn't have represented this country and the people anymore less. Anything from their living arrangements to their claims were just...not representative of the average Dane AT ALL. - The average Dane is NOT tall, lean and blonde! Give me a break . Danish women are generally of average height (160-175 cms), we have quite big problems with obesity (just like in almost any other place)...and most Danes would actually be brunettes, or have this dull foie gras hair color, if you removed all their hair bleach! - Most Danes are NOT Atheists! Danes are a bit phobic of religion, and examinating their spirituality. Most Danes, if you asked them about their beliefs, would not tell you that they're Atheists. They'd tell you that they just don't ever think about religion or spirituality, nor want to do it. You can't claim Atheism (or a religion) if you've never examined it, that's just ridiculous. Most Danes, when FORCED to think about their beliefs, would say that they believe that there could be a higher power. Even Nanna, and the other women in the Oprah video, say that - so that makes them NOT Atheists. Maybe Agnostics? I don't know... - Nobody lives in white plastic appartments, and sleep in their kitchen - nor sticks 2-3 kids in a tiny closed box room, are you kidding me?! . A family with children would most likely live in either a house in the suburb, a big appartment or in some other type of housing that gives them some space. It is, however, correct that Danes don't need as much space as Americans do. Nobody does, really, lol. Except maybe the people in Dubai... Sorry for going off-topic, I've just been MAD ever since this programme was made ;D. It pissed me off that people around the world would watch this junk, and actually believe in it. Lastly, I'd have to agree with RuseBG (don't get arrogant on me now ;D). I don't think Danes are the most exciting people. But they/we're happy, structured, have a safe and stable welfare society, and that's what matters. How one has fun differs from person to person afterall...
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Post by hellboy87 on Jan 10, 2010 11:11:08 GMT -5
- The average Dane is NOT tall, lean and blonde! Give me a break . Danish women are generally of average height (160-175 cms), we have quite big problems with obesity (just like in almost any other place)...and most Danes would actually be brunettes, or have this dull foie gras hair color, if you removed all their hair bleach! Are you sure about the height? 160cm is like 5'3 and 175cm is 5'9 Thats a big gap to be considered average. I know the average Dutchwomen is just about 5'7.And the Dutch are considered the tallest nation in the world.
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Post by vanilo on Jan 11, 2010 8:33:42 GMT -5
Yep...some Danish women are tall, of course, but most women you see on the street are just of average height.
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donnie
Senior Moderator
Nike Leka i Kelmendit
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Post by donnie on Jan 11, 2010 12:08:05 GMT -5
If free healthcare & education are the keys to the Danes' happiness, then Sweden which has all that and lower taxes should be happier ... yet studies show that Swedes are overrepresented in suicide rates and a depressed youth ...
But, having been often to Denmark, and living in Sweden, I can confirm that Danes, though more (openly) xenophobic, are also, when you get to know them better, more social than Swedes and more laid back. Definetely more generous. Not only Denmark, but also Malmö and everything south of Stockholm is more human than Sweden's capital. This is, of course, speaking on an individual level. State-wise, Sweden is I believe a better rolemodel than Denmark, especially in its foreign policy and dealing with immigration and integration of immigrants. Just reading Danish newspapers made me realize what level of discrepancy there is between the two countries in terms of discourse, the use of words ... Danes like to emphasize for instance the ethnic origin of criminal perpetrators while Swedes generally treat them less as ethnic labels and more as individuals.
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Post by vanilo on Jan 11, 2010 13:47:07 GMT -5
^ Yeah, that's true. Everytime a crime has happened people are usually waiting to hear what ethnicity the person who comitted the crime is. Because that's one of the first things the news usually reveal.
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Nikola
Senior Moderator
Posts: 1,835
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Post by Nikola on Jan 11, 2010 16:45:23 GMT -5
Yep...some Danish women are tall, of course, but most women you see on the street are just of average height. I really enjoy hearing the opinion about a country from someone living inside it, thanks vanilo. And I'm surprised about the average height of the women. Are the Danish men on average very tall then? And that's one of the biggest differences between westerners and Balkan people; the ability to criticize yourself or acknowledge your shortcomings. Balkan people would blindly get offended if someone were to say something bad about their country. Even if it's true.
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Post by Emperor AAdmin on Jan 11, 2010 18:15:55 GMT -5
Balkan people would blindly get offended if someone were to say something bad about their country. Even if it's true. Very true and many see their ethnicity as something angelic and 'opposing' ethnicity one as something practically demonic. All in all very shallow narrow minded views.
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Post by hellboy87 on Jan 12, 2010 2:35:51 GMT -5
I really enjoy hearing the opinion about a country from someone living inside it, thanks vanilo. And I'm surprised about the average height of the women. Are the Danish men on average very tall then? Why are you suprised at the average height of Danes? Scandinavians are known for being tall and blond haired blue-eyed. I think for Danish men,the average height is 5'11. Balkan people would blindly get offended if someone were to say something bad about their country. Even if it's true. You know what? Nobody like negativity,even more so being associated with negativity. As to the offended thing,well,I guess the Balkanians are,but I also have to add that it depends on the situation and on HOW whoever it is says it or critisizes.You know? Because often times,the critics do it in a condescending way. That's like putting down someone. ANother thing to add on the offended thing,is that,it is not only Balkanians,pretty much everyone:Americans,Asians,White people,coloured people,MUSLIMSSS(A HAA!!!!) and of course Turkish people!(See Orhan Pamuk & Elif Safak case)
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Nikola
Senior Moderator
Posts: 1,835
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Post by Nikola on Jan 12, 2010 5:51:35 GMT -5
Why are you suprised at the average height of Danes? Scandinavians are known for being tall and blond haired blue-eyed. I think for Danish men,the average height is 5'11. I'm suprised because northern Europeans are supposed to be the tallest people in the world and 5'11 isn't really that tall. I'm 6'1 and I'm a short arse compared to many Balkan people.
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Post by vanilo on Jan 12, 2010 6:14:41 GMT -5
You're welcome, Nikola . Hmmm...I'd say Danish men are tall but I'd be very surprised if it's true that they're one of the tallest men in the world. I'd say Danish men are, in average, about 180-195 cms. I'm 6'1 and I'm a short arse . What about Balkan women? What's generally considered tall and short among those?
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Post by vanilo on Jan 12, 2010 6:18:11 GMT -5
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Nikola
Senior Moderator
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Post by Nikola on Jan 12, 2010 6:52:35 GMT -5
Wow, Danish women are much shorter than the men.
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Post by hellboy87 on Jan 12, 2010 13:36:42 GMT -5
The most common height for men in Europe is 5'10 and 5'11.
For people of European descent,the height gap between men and women is big.
I remembered reading that parts of the Balkans,the men are very tall.
I remembered reading that the Dutch men 6 feet tall on average.In the USA,16% of men are 6 feet and above.I saw this on CNN's Anderson Cooper show.
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Post by hellboy87 on Jan 12, 2010 13:38:28 GMT -5
You're welcome, Nikola . Hmmm...I'd say Danish men are tall but I'd be very surprised if it's true that they're one of the tallest men in the world. I'd say Danish men are, in average, about 180-195 cms. Are you sure? Thats 5'11 to 6'4.5 inch gap. Average height shouldnt have that much gap
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Post by thracian08 on Jan 12, 2010 14:05:59 GMT -5
Speaking about height, althought Turkish people are known to be shorter, the 80's generation has a lot of tall people. My husband is 6'3'', and there are quite a lot of tall guys like that.
I heard that Italians are very short though from a cousin who visited Italy.
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