Perhaps our GOVERNMENT has interest in Europe, however, our citizens (at least from my observations) share a very different view. The only thing about Europe that interests me is the architecture.
I don't know where this idea comes from. Of course most scandinavian countries rank high, but together they don't form a block of most developed countries.
For example, on this list my country ranks #3. Maybe you just saw Norway on #1 and assumed it represented all of scandinavia? (do note that things could've changed slightly since the euro crisis, but I doubt there are any major changes)
'Twas a cutlass swipe or an ounce of lead
Or a yawing hole in a battered head
And the scuppers clogged with rotting red
And there they lay I damn me eyes
All lookouts clapped on Paradise
All souls bound just contrarywise, yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!
I think it mostly has to do with how all the Nordic countries are on top of most lists when it comes to ranking countries (even Iceland!) despite having an incredibly small population in comparison to other countries, and never being in a real state of power in modern times in some way.
Then again, those lists can be pretty stupid at times, I seriously doubt the UK is supposed to be so low on the list. Not to mention that according to the UN Sweden would be way behind Greece in HDI in 2015, which I find unlikely (no offense, Greeks!)
Last edited by mmoc96b28150b7; 2012-12-07 at 09:32 PM.
'Twas a cutlass swipe or an ounce of lead
Or a yawing hole in a battered head
And the scuppers clogged with rotting red
And there they lay I damn me eyes
All lookouts clapped on Paradise
All souls bound just contrarywise, yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!
That's exactly what we're doing here right? *Looks at the thread title to be sure*
---------- Post added 2012-12-07 at 11:56 PM ----------
Sadly some Europeans DO care about your state seeing Jersey Shore on television here. Just so you know we now all have some vision of what you guys do out there! Oh, and it's not positive btw.. Kinda stereotype, right? Oh and before I forget, Europeans are the founding fathers of your country, and PROBABLY, you are an European descendant too.
So think about it, we weren't insulting you guys about your ancestors who left their family and friends in Europe when bad times came. They just left with their tail between their legs and took the first boat crossing the Atlantic? We impotent, meaningless European should be proud we still live here
'Twas a cutlass swipe or an ounce of lead
Or a yawing hole in a battered head
And the scuppers clogged with rotting red
And there they lay I damn me eyes
All lookouts clapped on Paradise
All souls bound just contrarywise, yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!
I know the Netherlands is more developed than Denmark or Sweden, but, as a group of countries, the Nordic ones are the most developed in the world. They also have a lot of "socialistic" policies which i like very much.
It's on the list, just below the Czech Republic and above Greece. Which is another reason why Greece still isn't a shit hole, unlike what the majority of people everywhere think right now. Same goes for Eastern Europe (in this context, ex-communist). People still like to put these ex-communist countries down thinking they're shit holes or something (referring to the Czech Republic in this case).
---------- Post added 2012-12-08 at 04:24 PM ----------
The Human Development Index takes into account education (probably from PISA tests; maths, science and reading of 15 year olds, which i find rather silly seeing as different countries have different educational systems, therefor testing students at a point where they're still getting educated isn't really going to yield a good result of a country's educational quality), average life expectancy and GDP per capita, as far as i know.
Last edited by Wikiy; 2012-12-08 at 06:11 PM.