# Dumb questions you have about other nations/cultures. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 9, 2012, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-questions-you-have-about-other-nations-cultures/621427 "2012-05-09T21:20:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2012, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-questions-you-have-about-other-nations-cultures/621427/101 "2012-05-11T20:02:48Z")
> [@Candyman74](#): > > I’ve seen a couple in 37 years. I saw one in the US in a two-week holiday. > > Stereotypes are stereotypes, but most people everywhere are just people trying to live their lives. I have never in my life seen a full out bar brawl in the US, even one on one fights in the bar are exceedingly rare except at the quasi-legal BYOD places that secretly serve which are dive of the dives. Most jurisdictions are so quick to yank liquor licenses. EDIT:I’m talking about places like this: [http://www.chron.com/news/article/Despite-crackdown-Houston-cantina-sex-trade-1646123.php](http://www.chron.com/news/article/Despite-crackdown-Houston-cantina-sex-trade-1646123.php) > [@](#): > > Two associates of Salazar’s, bar owners who escaped prosecution in 2005, were arrested only recently after police rescued a teenager allegedly held captive and sold as their sex slave. > > Houston’s sex-for-hire scenario has played out for years in dimly lit bars, some specifically constructed to conceal sexual slavery with secret doors, hidden gates and camouflaged brothels, records show. ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2012, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-questions-you-have-about-other-nations-cultures/621427/102 "2012-05-11T20:15:34Z")
> [@grude](#): > > I have never in my life seen a full out bar brawl in the US, even one on one fights in the bar are exceedingly rare except at the quasi-legal BYOD places that secretly serve which are dive of the dives. > > Most jurisdictions are so quick to yank liquor licenses. > > EDIT:I’m talking about places like this: > > [http://www.chron.com/news/article/Despite-crackdown-Houston-cantina-sex-trade-1646123.php](http://www.chron.com/news/article/Despite-crackdown-Houston-cantina-sex-trade-1646123.php) Well, depends what one means by “bar brawl”. I’ve never seen a full out bar brawl ever anywhere in my life. In the UK or the US. A couple of times I’ve seen two people fight badly. Twice in the UK and once in the US. Both ended quickly as others stopped it. ---
**Author:** ![Corcaigh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Corcaigh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corcaigh)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2012, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-questions-you-have-about-other-nations-cultures/621427/103 "2012-05-11T21:43:57Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > Who said that? Sounds like a pile of shite to me I’ve heard Scots people say such things about the English football fans. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > What comprises breakfast in various parts of the world? [A jumbo breakfast roll](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIIWKA_h12Q&feature=related) (YouTube Video) ---
**Author:** ![Waxwinged](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c2a13f/32.png) [@Waxwinged](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waxwinged)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-questions-you-have-about-other-nations-cultures/621427/104 "2012-05-12T04:04:15Z")
No questions about us Russians? Shucks! ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-questions-you-have-about-other-nations-cultures/621427/105 "2012-05-12T08:23:46Z")
> [@Bozuit](#): > > Strange, I’m English and I’ve never participated in, or even seen, a bar brawl. I don’t see any reason to think English people are especially prone to fighting anywhere. I’m an English/Scottish cross breed and I’ve never punched anyone outside of a Dojo. Doesn’t mean fights don’t happen on a regular basis in just about any city centre at kicking out time though. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-questions-you-have-about-other-nations-cultures/621427/106 "2012-05-12T08:47:34Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > Lest foreign tourists be dissuaded from helping our economy, let’s point out that your own cite shows Thailand with “only” about twice the rate of U.S.A. and less than one-twelfth the rate of South Africa. > > (Of course, you mention “AIDS rate” as just “an example.” Any other examples, or should we just leave it as a baseless smudge?) My post was mainly about perceptions. Perhaps I shouldn’t have bothered with the stats bit. And frankly, whether it is true or not, the perception is of Thailand being a sex tourism country and therefore perhaps it being unwise to have sex with a local picked up in a bar there. Especially so if she is hanging out in a bar known for local women that want to be picked up and/or prostitutes. ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-questions-you-have-about-other-nations-cultures/621427/107 "2012-05-12T11:20:26Z")
My perception of Brits out there is if you can have sex for the asking anytime day or night, you’re not going to be breathless with panic to get laid, so you can have a night out with the lads and then have your wicked way. Always supposing that you haven’t already before you came out, or have already done so during the course of the night. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-questions-you-have-about-other-nations-cultures/621427/108 "2012-05-12T11:29:42Z")
> [@Waxwinged](#): > > No questions about us Russians? Shucks! OK, are you a cold war kid like mrAru and I are? Did you grow up worried about a major war killing off the world? What part of Russia are you from? Did you do military service or not? Was your family party members or not? [semifacetious] how many people lived in your apartment? ---
**Author:** ![Waxwinged](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c2a13f/32.png) [@Waxwinged](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waxwinged)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-questions-you-have-about-other-nations-cultures/621427/109 "2012-05-12T12:49:44Z")
Woohoo! Questions! 😃 _OK, are you a cold war kid like mrAru and I are?_ - Born in the 80s, so caught the tail end of it. I don’t believe that most kids I grew up with even knew that cold war was. (I didn’t find out about it until I moved to the States in my teens, and it was somewhat of a surprise.) _Did you grow up worried about a major war killing off the world? \* No… didn’t believe it was an option, after WWII. I did think a lot about WWII, being raised by a great-grandmother who managed to survive it intact with some difficulty. She had some interesting stories to tell. \* What part of Russia are you from?_ Moscow suburbs. _Did you do military service or not?_ No-- came from a family of academics and am female, so military wasn’t discussed as an option. _Was your family party members or not?_ Some of them have expressed support for it, but I am not sure if they were ‘card-carrying’ per say. Communism was kind of like cold war. Not discussed in the family circle. - How many people lived in your apartment?\* Hardy har har. 3. Just don’t ask how big the apartment was. Same to you, **aruvqan**! With addition of “What do you think of the States/how do you compare your Russian experience to where-ever you’re currently living, if you’re living elsewhere?” ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-questions-you-have-about-other-nations-cultures/621427/110 "2012-05-12T13:04:33Z")
> [@simple\_homer](#): > > Maybe, but I would guess that when the bar is full of half-naked dancing prostitutes then most Brits would realize what type of bar it is. Don’t worry. _I_ certainly know what you mean. ---
**Author:** ![simple\_homer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@simple\_homer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simple_homer)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-questions-you-have-about-other-nations-cultures/621427/111 "2012-05-12T15:59:10Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Don’t worry. _I_ certainly know what you mean. Thanks, I was starting to question my ability to explain myself…🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-questions-you-have-about-other-nations-cultures/621427/112 "2012-05-12T16:33:18Z")
> [@Corcaigh](#): > > I’ve heard Scots people say such things about the English football fans. That’s a fair point, the travel club members are very good at self-policing, and have a tendency to define themselves as being “not English football fans”. I still doubt that there’s any difference between Scots and English people on a random holiday in the sun. ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-questions-you-have-about-other-nations-cultures/621427/113 "2012-05-12T18:24:07Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > I’m an English/Scottish cross breed and I’ve never punched anyone outside of a Dojo. Doesn’t mean fights don’t happen on a regular basis in just about any city centre at kicking out time though. And in turn that doesn’t negate my point that there is no reason to think it’s especially common in England compared to other countries. > [@Waxwinged](#): > > No questions about us Russians? Shucks! Yep, I have questions. What do you guys generally think about Putin? I mean, from my perspective, it seems like you had a great chance to make your country a bit less unfriendly and suspicious (of others) 20 years ago but from the outside it seems the majority don’t want that. He doesn’t appear to be on the side of a democratic or modern Russia. I’d love to see more co-operation between Russia and others (such as the EU and NATO) but I can’t see it happening until you reject people like him. If that question is too serious/political for this thread… what are the most popular foods there, and is vodka really that loved? ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-questions-you-have-about-other-nations-cultures/621427/114 "2012-05-12T18:26:57Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > That’s a fair point, the travel club members are very good at self-policing, and have a tendency to define themselves as being “not English football fans”. I still doubt that there’s any difference between Scots and English people on a random holiday in the sun. And to be fair, fans of Scottish football clubs have far fewer reasons to travel abroad for matches. ---
**Author:** ![Corcaigh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Corcaigh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corcaigh)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-questions-you-have-about-other-nations-cultures/621427/115 "2012-05-12T18:44:34Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > I still doubt that there’s any difference between Scots and English people on a random holiday in the sun. Can’t say I’ve been in a situation where I’ve seen them mixing… all the Scots I know are almost phobic about the English! ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-questions-you-have-about-other-nations-cultures/621427/116 "2012-05-12T18:56:13Z")
> [@Bozuit](#): > > And to be fair, fans of Scottish football clubs have far fewer reasons to travel abroad for matches. Ouch! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-questions-you-have-about-other-nations-cultures/621427/117 "2012-05-12T18:59:36Z")
> [@Corcaigh](#): > > Can’t say I’ve been in a situation where I’ve seen them mixing… all the Scots I know are almost phobic about the English! And I’ve had a different experience? Mind you I’ve only lived here for 44 years ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-questions-you-have-about-other-nations-cultures/621427/118 "2012-05-12T19:04:04Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > Ouch! 😃 It wasn’t really meant as an insult, although I can understand it being taken as one. I’m just a bit fed up with the Scots’ apparent obsession with the English. It seems they always have something to say if something even remotely close to the subject comes up. ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-questions-you-have-about-other-nations-cultures/621427/119 "2012-05-12T19:07:34Z")
> [@Waxwinged](#): > > No questions about us Russians? Shucks! I was told that Russia’s population was told that they had to build up this big military apparatus/iron curtain to protect their country from attacks or invasions. (Of course, this may not be true at all, it’s not like I read a bunch of Russian newspapers.) Anyway, then there was the fall of the Berlin wall and all that stuff. And nobody has invaded or attacked any of the Russian states. So … was that remarked on? Did the powers that be admit they were mistaken or was it simply ignored? ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-questions-you-have-about-other-nations-cultures/621427/120 "2012-05-12T19:29:01Z")
> [@Bozuit](#): > > It wasn’t really meant as an insult, although I can understand it being taken as one. I’m just a bit fed up with the Scots’ apparent obsession with the English. It seems they always have something to say if something even remotely close to the subject comes up. Oh, it’s not taken as an insult at all, at least by me. I’d have a wee look back at your post though, and wonder where the chip on your shoulder is. A “bit fed up” about the “obsession” “they” have, eh? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-questions-you-have-about-other-nations-cultures/621427.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-questions-you-have-about-other-nations-cultures/621427.md?page=7)