1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Are there any misconceptions about your country?

Discussion in 'General Discussions' started by cardenal, Oct 16, 2007.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. Commy

    Commy Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2007
    Messages:
    2,781
    Likes Received:
    108
    Location:
    Melbourne
    Hahaha, I guess I shouldn't talk to you about the tooth fairy then....
    Heh, but there are some blokes like that! Would it help if I added some .. aussie slang to my paragraphs?
    Crikey! Sweden...IKEA furniture? How is it pronounced exactly? I pronounce it as "AI-KEE-Ah" while some other people pronounce it as "IK-KEE-AH"...Crikey!!!
    So I guess a misconception would be....the majority of Swedish furniture is from Ikea? Fair dinkum!
    Geez Louise....Guess you blokes up in Canada must feel a bit ripped off yeah? Strewth! You could probably blame the Simpsons for a lot of the flack you cut, the Canadians they portray usually speak slow and end with ey. Like when Homer goes to Canada for prescription medicine.
    Anyway, i'm off this arvo for a bit of tea. Hoo roo.
    PS: CRIKEY!!!
     
  2. cardenal

    cardenal Level III

    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2006
    Messages:
    421
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    South Africa
    Do you think it's true that an aussie could out drink a south african?
    random question, I know o_O
     
  3. Virre

    Virre Level IV

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2006
    Messages:
    1,181
    Likes Received:
    63
    Location:
    Stockholm
    That's not a misconception, everyon has something in their home that's from IKEA.
    And it's pronounced Eeek-eh-ah =D

    By the way, is it a misconception that all aussies surf?
     
  4. Angelika

    Angelika Moderator

    Joined:
    Dec 25, 2006
    Messages:
    2,905
    Likes Received:
    36
    Location:
    <(^_^)>
    Yep. Fast food restaurants make a killing. Plus, junk foods are a lot cheaper than health foods, so I think that is a factor.
     
  5. soccermadness90

    soccermadness90 Level III

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2007
    Messages:
    452
    Likes Received:
    0
    u know, i think that the authorities should really do something about it. It is seriously frightening only just thinking about it.
     
  6. Angelika

    Angelika Moderator

    Joined:
    Dec 25, 2006
    Messages:
    2,905
    Likes Received:
    36
    Location:
    <(^_^)>
    I completely disagree. No one's forcing these people to eat food that's bad for them. It's their choice, so they'll suffer the consequences.
     
  7. cardenal

    cardenal Level III

    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2006
    Messages:
    421
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    South Africa
    and I agree with lbadmus. they're not being forced.

    There's not really that much anyone can do about it. Can you imagine what would happen if they tried to shut down the fast food places? There would be riots o_O . tis a scary thought.

    in the end, its all up to the individual whether or not they're ready to do something about their obesity
     
  8. mash

    mash Level II

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2006
    Messages:
    152
    Likes Received:
    0
    OMG misconception, im from scotland and we are all allegedly haggis eating tartan kilt wearing tight arses...thanks to the simpsons.
    A study showed that just over half the americans reckoned we were like wullie.
     
  9. Commy

    Commy Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2007
    Messages:
    2,781
    Likes Received:
    108
    Location:
    Melbourne
    Wow, didn't know that IKEA was that big, to the point that everyone had something in their home from them. Is it really pronounced Eeek-eh-ah? Or are you pulling my chain?
    Errr....yeah, misconception that all aussies surf. But surfing is a very Aussie thing. If you get what I mean.
     
  10. Milanos

    Milanos Level IV

    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2006
    Messages:
    1,771
    Likes Received:
    12
    Location:
    In your nose
    We have IKEA here too. And almost everyone here has something from them too :p

    And it's pronounced like that indeed.
     
  11. Commy

    Commy Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2007
    Messages:
    2,781
    Likes Received:
    108
    Location:
    Melbourne
    I think I'll still pronounce it the way I've always been doing it. That's how they pronounce it in the commercials, but it is pronounced by Aussies, so I suppose they've been spreading the wrong message!
    I reckon I'd get blank stares if I pronounced it Eek-eh-ah from my friends. Then I would have to explain to them the whole dealio
    I guess me pronouncing it as "Ai-kee-ah" is annoying to people who know how to pronounce it properly.
     
  12. Virre

    Virre Level IV

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2006
    Messages:
    1,181
    Likes Received:
    63
    Location:
    Stockholm
    Well it's been along for so many years now, and I have at least two major pieces of furniture in my room that comes from IKEA. It's not like you get everything from there, but you get alot of small stuff too. I guess it's inprinted in our culture or something.

    No, it is pronounced that way, although no one would blame you if your pronounced it the way you do. =)
     
  13. fatholm

    fatholm Level II

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2006
    Messages:
    193
    Likes Received:
    0
    99% of American perceptions are true, sadly. >.<
     
  14. soccermadness90

    soccermadness90 Level III

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2007
    Messages:
    452
    Likes Received:
    0
    Although i agree that it is still up to the individual to take control and make the decisions, it should be the responsibility of the government to guide the citizens in the right path.
    possible through:
    education
    fines or taxes on unhealthy food
    From there on out, what the people actually do is still up to them.
     
  15. vinceraf

    vinceraf Level III

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2007
    Messages:
    722
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Europe - Italy
    lol... very funny and interesting topic :yup:
    IKEA is from Sweden?? Didn't know! Anyway from me is pronounced right, 'cause eek-eh-ah is just like we read it literally =P
    Uhm... I don't like IKEA furniture btw x3 but I'd really like to visit all Scandinavian countries ;.;

    Well... Italy... lol, don't know neither where to start :/
    I see very often American movies, shows and cartoons where there are Italian characters... they are always the same =P Maybe a bit fat, with mustache, that is able to cook, with a Naples', Sicilian or Rome's parlance (that are very different, but in dubbings they use a mixed of them) and... that often is a mafioso or similar XD And they are a bit thick and dupe... and maybe too much noisy.
    Then, we always eat pasta (and I think you know only lasagne, macaroni, spaghetti), pizza, sausages, beef-steaks... oh well... it's pretty true XD But we have a lot of pasta's types *-*
    Oh, and we drink especially red wines... and maybe waste the time playing guitar mandolin x3
    I think these are the most common symbols about us. Actually they symbolize very different places, realities and times of Italy.
    Art is famous too, Ninja Turtles' names are an example XD But we do nothing for it ._. I can only imagine what could do a country like the US if they had a so great resource ._.
    What else... oh, Mediterranean girls are beautiful... uhm, yes, just like me :maha:
    Please I'm curious to know what you've heard about Italy! I will not feel offended =P

    Anyway I think US is the most commented country all over the world... the bigger importance, the most commonplaces =P
     
  16. soccermadness90

    soccermadness90 Level III

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2007
    Messages:
    452
    Likes Received:
    0
    My idea of italy is that it is all about wine and dine.
    Say "italy" and immediately this picture comes to mind:

    I will be sitting at a posh restraunt in the cool afternoon. The table is round and it has a clean white table cloth. A tall skinny waiter with a bow tie comes up to me with this tall glass of wine. The waiter has a mustash (ah yes he does!). In the background will be soothing classical music played on violins.

    haha that is it?

    True or a misconception.
     
  17. Milanos

    Milanos Level IV

    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2006
    Messages:
    1,771
    Likes Received:
    12
    Location:
    In your nose
    When I hear Italy, I think of those delicious pizza's. I love italials, because they ''invented'' them :D
     
  18. Commy

    Commy Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2007
    Messages:
    2,781
    Likes Received:
    108
    Location:
    Melbourne
    Hmm...I'll quote the famous Italian Plumber
    Well, when I think of Italy...I think of a couple on a gondola , with a guy singing "That's Amore" while poling his way through Venice.
    Hmm....Lots and lots of pasta. Everyone uses a whole lot of olive oil, but since that's unsaturated, they stay healthy.
    The pizza in Italy is much more different than other countries? More...gourmet?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOo36FnSTqQ

    Here's a funny video I found a while back, showing the differences between Europe and Italy. You could tell me which ones are misconceptions!
    Warning: They're making fun of Italy
     
  19. foxygrampa2012

    foxygrampa2012 Level I

    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2007
    Messages:
    90
    Likes Received:
    0
    well i live in the USA and in texas
    everyone thinks we ride to school on horses and raise cattle
    i am like hello??????
    we ride to school in mercedes
     
  20. cardenal

    cardenal Level III

    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2006
    Messages:
    421
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    South Africa
    I do kind of have that idea about texas... like texas = cowboys. not all of them, but some of them
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.