# In your humble opinion, who are your countries "national treasures"? (other countries, too, if you like!) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 20, 2022, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504 "2022-06-20T14:22:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2022, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/21 "2022-06-20T21:40:59Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > [kylie minogue is a national treasure - Google Search](https://www.google.com/search?q=kylie+minogue+is+a+national+treasure) > > (Or possibly Kylie’s bum.) I found the parenthetical sentence offensive. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2022, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/22 "2022-06-20T21:55:01Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#): > > I found the parenthetical sentence offensive. It’s not something I pulled out of thin air - it’s a well known cultural reference in the U.K. [Spinning Around - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinning_Around#Music_video) > Following its release, the music video became popular for the gold hotpants Minogue sported. It resulted in a media sensation regarding her bottom.[[37]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinning_Around#cite_note-legacymusicdocumentary-37) British national broadsheet newspaper _[The Sunday Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sunday_Times)_ deemed her bottom a “wonder of nature”[[35]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinning_Around#cite_note-legacyleebarronjournal-35) and _[The Sun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sun_(United_Kingdom))_ sponsored a campaign to “have Kylie Minogue’s rear-end [heritage-listed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heritage-listed), preserved for “posteriority” on the grounds that it’s an [Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Area_of_Outstanding_Natural_Beauty).”[[38]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinning_Around#cite_note-legacysydneymorningherald-38) Readers were requested by the tabloid newspaper to persuade the government to make sure "[Minogue’s] bum remains in safe hands - by turning it into a national institution. [https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/kylie\_minogue\_344575](https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/kylie_minogue_344575) ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2022, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/23 "2022-06-20T22:06:36Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > [https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/kylie\_minogue\_344575](https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/kylie_minogue_344575) Of course, Kylie Minogue is Australian. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2022, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/24 "2022-06-20T22:07:24Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > Kylie Minogue is Australian. Which of course I know. And she is, nevertheless, regarded as a national treasure in the U.K. I can’t think of any direct parallel in the U.S., but it’s somewhat similar to Dolly Parton - she’s regarded with immense affection by everyone, whatever you might think of her music. Also something of a gay icon. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2022, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/25 "2022-06-20T22:23:54Z")
> [@jaycat](#): > > Tom Waits. Yes!!! And for Germany: Franz Beckenbauer. Despite… ah, never mind. He is a national treasure. Spain: Joan Manuel Serrat. I’ll be sad when he passes. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2022, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/26 "2022-06-20T22:36:18Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > > [@What\_Exit](#): > > > > **James Watson** , co-discoverer of the DNA structure in 1953. He is 94 now. > > A great scientist, but a national embarrassment. Jane Goodall has also, uh, lost her way. > **[Jane Goodall’s Troubling, Error-Filled New Book, ‘Seeds of Hope’](https://www.thedailybeast.com/jane-goodalls-troubling-error-filled-new-book-seeds-of-hope)** > > The famed primatologist admitted to plagiarizing parts of her new book, but a deeper look reveals even more disturbing flaws. By Michael Moynihan. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2022, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/27 "2022-06-20T23:15:44Z")
> [@Dropo](#): > > Technically, the lack of a possessive apostrophe in the subject title (“countries”) makes this thread invalid, but I’m feeling generous just now, so… 🫢 ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2022, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/28 "2022-06-20T23:16:15Z")
> [@Dropo](#): > > Hayao Miyazaki - Japan I agree except how crappy a father he has been. I was happier only knowing his amazing movies. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2022, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/29 "2022-06-20T23:24:06Z")
UK/Wales: Anthony Hopkins ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2022, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/30 "2022-06-20T23:30:35Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > For the UK Judi Dench, of course. Well, Tracey Ullmann certainly thinks so. Those skits are so hilarious. I can’t stop laughing when I watch them. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2022, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/31 "2022-06-21T00:49:35Z")
Since he starred in the topic-appropriate movies, I’ll nominate Nicolas Cage. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2022, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/32 "2022-06-21T01:07:21Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > And she (Kylie Minogue) is, nevertheless, regarded as a national treasure in the U.K. She also is among the [Australian living national treasures](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Living_Treasure_(Australia)#Current_list) Out of an august and eclectic bunch I’d nominate my pick of the merited but less widely known (ie neither musicians or sportspeople) Sir [William Deane](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Deane), High Court judge and Governor-General of Australia [Peter Doherty](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_C._Doherty), immunologist, professor, Nobel Prize winner [Barry Jones](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Jones_(Australian_politician)), politician, author, polymath [Graeme Murphy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graeme_Murphy), dancer, choreographer [Noel Pearson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noel_Pearson), Indigenous Australian leader [Robyn Williams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robyn_Williams), science broadcaster ---
**Author:** ![QMatic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/aeb1de/32.png) [@QMatic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QMatic)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2022, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/33 "2022-06-21T08:54:40Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > David Attenborough is correct I know I am in a tiny minority here but, having met Sir David on a couple of occasions, he can be a bit of an arse. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2022, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/34 "2022-06-21T09:47:10Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Germany: > > Werner Herzog He should be, but he’s not famous enough. If you’d ask people on the street about him, most would ask “Werner Who?” > [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > And for Germany: Franz Beckenbauer. Despite… ah, never mind. He is a national treasure. Ten years ago, I definitely would have said yes, he used to be regarded a national treasure despite his flaws. But in the meantime, so much wrong-doing and corruption has been revealed that people are no longer willing to turn a blind-eye, which they did before to all his many shortcomings. He has virtually vanished from the public, and though that might also be because of his medical issues, I think it has as much to do with hiding from the public after all his scandals. So, who else could it be? i’ll nominate Udo Lindenberg, he’s virtually loved by almost anyone, even very young people dig him though he’s pushing eighty. > **[Udo Lindenberg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Udo_Lindenberg)** > > Udo Lindenberg (born 17 May 1946) is a German singer, composer, and painter. > Lindenberg started his musical career as a drummer. In 1969, he founded his first band Free Orbit, and also appeared as a studio and guest musician (with Michael Naura, Knut Kiesewetter). In 1970, he collaborated as a drummer with jazz saxophonist Klaus Doldinger in Munich. In 1971 Passport, a band founded by Doldinger, released its first album, with Lindenberg on drums. He also played drums for the theme music for th... And if dead people could be nominated, there’d be no question: Loriot probably was the most popular person in Germany in his time: > **[Loriot](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loriot)** > > Bernhard-Viktor Christoph-Carl von Bülow (12 November 1923 – 22 August 2011), known as Vicco von Bülow or Loriot (.mw-parser-output .IPA-label-small{font-size:85%}.mw-parser-output .references .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .infobox .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .navbox .IPA-label-small{font-size:100%}German: \[loˈʁi̯oː\] ⓘ), was a German comedian, humorist, cartoonist, film director, actor and writer. As an artist, he was almost exclusively known under his pen name Loriot, which is the ... As for other nations: America: Brian Wilson Bob Dylan UK: Paul McCartney Ray Davies France: Catherine Deneuve Canada: Joni Mitchell Neil Young Greece: Nana Mouskouri ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2022, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/35 "2022-06-21T12:28:42Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > Also something of a gay icon. You can remove ‘something of’. ---
**Author:** ![kitap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kitap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitap)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2022, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/36 "2022-06-21T12:43:49Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > > [@bob\_2](#): > > > > Kylie Minogue is Australian. > > Which of course I know. And she is, nevertheless, regarded as a national treasure in the U.K. I can’t think of any direct parallel in the U.S., but it’s somewhat similar to Dolly Parton - she’s regarded with immense affection by everyone, whatever you might think of her music. Also something of a gay icon. She ran a gay bar in **Galavant** and sang “Off with His Shirt”. I’m going to guess **Andrew Lloyd Webber** for whichever country he claims. **Mary Berry** for the UK. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2022, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/37 "2022-06-21T13:25:06Z")
It’s been a long time since I lived in New Zealand, so my cultural references are from quite a ways back. Most of the people I thought might be considered National Treasures to Kiwis are either long gone, or are internationally known, like Temuera Morrison or Sam Neill or Lucy Lawless. But a couple spring to mind. Celebrity Chef [Alison Holst](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alison_Holst), and News Presenter [Dougal Stevenson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dougal_Stevenson). Coincidentally they are both from my home town, but they were beloved during my childhood and still elicit respect today. A few others: [Roger Hall](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Hall_(playwright)); [Ilona Rodgers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilona_Rodgers); [Kiri Te Kanawa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiri_Te_Kanawa). ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2022, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/38 "2022-06-21T14:07:49Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > It’s not something I pulled out of thin air - it’s a well known cultural reference in the U.K. > > [Spinning Around - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinning_Around#Music_video) > > > Following its release, the music video became popular for the gold hotpants Minogue sported. It resulted in a media sensation regarding her bottom.[[37]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinning_Around#cite_note-legacymusicdocumentary-37) British national broadsheet newspaper _[The Sunday Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sunday_Times)_ deemed her bottom a “wonder of nature”[[35]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinning_Around#cite_note-legacyleebarronjournal-35) and _[The Sun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sun_(United_Kingdom))_ sponsored a campaign to “have Kylie Minogue’s rear-end [heritage-listed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heritage-listed), preserved for “posteriority” on the grounds that it’s an [Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Area_of_Outstanding_Natural_Beauty).”[[38]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinning_Around#cite_note-legacysydneymorningherald-38) Readers were requested by the tabloid newspaper to persuade the government to make sure "[Minogue’s] bum remains in safe hands - by turning it into a national institution. That bum belongs to Australia by birthright, by golly! (I grew up just a few streets away from her when she was at HS, BTW) ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2022, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/39 "2022-06-21T14:49:40Z")
Jim Lovell then. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2022, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/40 "2022-06-21T15:20:19Z")
In my view, a “national treasure” must not only be famous, and have contributed something to society (art, science, policy, etc.), but also be generally a good person. So, I would disqualify anyone with known unsavory personalities, behavior or opinions. For the U.K., I would nominate Stephen Fry, Michael Palin, Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, and Diana Rigg. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504.md?page=3)