I am an American, but I will not include the US in my analysis as I don't think it's really fair to judge. It's the country where I was born and where I have lived most of my life, and so naturally, it's the easiest for me to negotiate, culturally. However, it is also the country that I am least in awe of, because I am much more familiar with it's faults than I am with the faults of other countries I have visited, and even lived in. I think you have to live a long while in a place before the novelty REALLY wears off and you see it more for what it is as opposed to something exotic and interesting.
So...of the countries I have actually visited or lived in, here is my short list:
1.
Italy. Absolutely NO CONTEST in this regard. I absolutely adore everything about this country. It is loud, chaotic, and is a country where nothing ever starts/opens/runs on time and traffic laws are routinely regarded as mere 'suggestions' (which most ignore). But the people, as a group, are the friendliest on earth...and nowhere on earth is the simple act of
enjoying life more of a national priority than in Italy. No one knows how to LIVE better than the Italians.
No one. The food is the best in the world, the art is exceptional, the scenery varied (and much of it breathtaking), the history fascinating. And not at all incidentally, in my studied opinion (reached via sitting for hours in street cafes all over this country), Italy has, by FAR, the highest percentage of stunningly gorgeous men on the planet. WOW!
Even their politics are alot more entertaining than ours (ours are just mean-spirited and nasty). Bottom line - I LOVE this country. And frankly, I think the US could learn alot from the Italians. We take ourselves WAY too damn seriously for our own good and as a result miss out on some of that enjoyment of life I was talking about. Maybe it's because their culture is so old...but Italians don't see every little thing as so frakkin' important. As I said, I think they know how to live life better than anyone, as a culture. I could very easily live in Italy and be quite happy. Once I shed some of this American intensity, that is (which actually would be a relief). In fact, it might be the ONLY country I have visited/lived in (with the exception of Canada, which is basically a flannel version of us + MORE HOCKEY and better beer
) where I would want to live the rest of my life. The UK comes close, but...well, I'll get to that in a minute.
2.
The UK - I really do love the UK. Certainly the culture is more reserved than the Italians (or us, for that matter)...but by in large people are relatively friendly (or at least polite, anyway)...and once you get the humor, quite a lot of fun. For obvious reasons (mainly language), it is certainly an easy place to negotiate for most Americans (unless you are a complete dolt), and the culture is similar enough to where it's a reasonably easy fit, as long as you don't act like a complete Yahoo. And certainly they have produced a lot of great bands/music that Americans can relate to, and that's important (at least to me). Interesting history, good art, all of that is there. And they have some beautiful corners of that country too...which is a bonus.
Really, I have only
one reservation about living in the UK, and that would be the food. Seriously, guys...for such a GREAT country, you have some pretty craptacular food, I gotta say.
Now granted, you make up for it with your Scotch...but one cannot live off of fish & chips, scones & clotted cream, Indian food, Murray Mints (love those things!), and Scotch forever.
Anyway, other than the food, awesome country!
3.
Spain - I really like Spain - especially Barcelona. And I guess that I like Spain for much the same reasons as I love Italy. Only less so, for some reason. Maybe it's because I've spent less time there (I have spent more time in Italy than in any other country besides The US, Russia, and Japan...but have only been to Spain once). Don't know. But Spain is beautiful, has good food, a relaxed culture, and interesting art and history. And nothing beats that Gaudi architecture in Barcelona.
4.
Japan - Okay. Now I have spent a LOT of time in Japan, and find it to be a fascinating place. Working in Japan was one of the most interesting experiences of my professional life, because the Japanese business culture and Japanese business practices are SOOOOOO different from ours, and operate on levels that are completely foreign to us. In fact, I would say that I learned FAR more about the Japanese culture from going to work in an office there every day than I ever did from all the touring around the countryside I did during my weeks and weeks of vacation I took there. The Japanese are hardworking, the people polite, and there is a premium placed on personal integrity that is mind blowing. And the technology....Japan is like a techie nirvana.
And I do like the food (although be warned, if you don't like fish, fergeitaboutit).
However, I would not want to live in Japan. At least not as a Japanese person. If you are a man, the work day is long and you don't have enough time for family life, IMO. And if you are a woman? Well, you are a second class citizen, expected to work only until you find a husband....and then you stay at home. Very traditional culture...which is quite interesting to observe...but maybe not so fun to actually live, if you know what I mean. Bottom line: exceptional place to visit. Wouldn't want to be Japanese though.
5.
Canada. I love Canada. In fact, the only reason it is lower on the list than the countries above it is because, as I said above, Canada, to me, is so similar to us as to be nearly indistinguishable, culturally (with the exception of Quebec, perhaps). Yeah...they have that quaint accent thing goin' on...and they DO like hockey alot more than we do (I love hockey so consider this a plus)...and they have this annoying habit of keeping all their best bands to themselves, while sending us all their posers and teenie bops (
)...but other than that, they are pretty much like us - only dressed in warmer clothes. And drinking better beer. It also seems like their politics are alot less annoying and mean-spirited too...but that may be because most of the time we are seeing that bit from a distance...and are so absorbed with our own godawful politics that we barely have time to worry about theirs.
As next-door neighbors go, it's really hard to top Canada.
I mean, these are neighbors with the patience of absolute SAINTS. Cus I mean, lets face it - we throw alot louder parties, and you just KNOW our dog craps all over their lawn alot more often than their dog craps on ours.
We should be nicer to Canada. They are good neighbors. In fact, we should throw them a party. Only they are gonna have to bring the beer.
)
And rest of list spot-on (bar Australia - one place haven't been yet)
