# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![janis\_and\_c0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janis_and_c0/32/21_2.png) [@janis\_and\_c0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janis_and_c0)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2022, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/61 "2022-06-23T18:57:21Z")
Carol Burnett, Paul Simon for the US, John Cleese for the Brits… ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2022, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/62 "2022-06-23T19:06:53Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > Joan Manuel Serrat. I’ll be sad when he passes. He’s not allowed to. No way, no how. I forbid it. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2022, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/63 "2022-06-23T19:17:15Z")
> [@PookahMacPhellimey](#): > > A fashionable but IMO valid addition for the UK: Kate Bush Why ?! What has she done apart from having a couple of hits ? I have nothing against her, but national treasure ? I think not. +1 for Dolly Parton though ! ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2022, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/64 "2022-06-23T19:30:27Z")
For Canada: Joni Mitchell and Yannick Nezet-Seguin. ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2022, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/65 "2022-06-23T21:42:35Z")
Speaking on behalf of my English mates, I will nominate Mark E. Smith (before he died). ---
**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 23, 2022, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/66 "2022-06-23T22:04:54Z")
I will admit, I do admire Kareem Abdul Jabar, who is a writer and part time actor in his post athlete days. Not a national treasure, but an impressive guy. ---
**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 23, 2022, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/67 "2022-06-23T23:27:21Z")
> [@jaycat](#): > > Mark E. Smith I would estimate that \<50% of British people know who he is. But probably more than: > [@Treppenwitz](#): > > Michael Eavis I doubt even 1% of Brits know who he is. _Hidden_ treasures maybe? ---
**Author:** ![PookahMacPhellimey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pookahmacphellimey/32/3175_2.png) [@PookahMacPhellimey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PookahMacPhellimey)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2022, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/68 "2022-06-24T06:55:32Z")
> [@pjd](#): > > > [@PookahMacPhellimey](#): > > > > A fashionable but IMO valid addition for the UK: Kate Bush > > Why ?! What has she done apart from having a couple of hits ? > I have nothing against her, but national treasure ? I think not. Of course we could argue with almost any choice, but do you really find this suggestion so outrageous? I think “she had a couple of hits” doesn’t quite cut it to describe her long musical career. She also was a big influences on many contemporary musicians, especially but not exclusively female ones. On top of that, I would say that she excudes a type of eccentricity that many would say has a quintessential Britishness to it. Being a Brexit supporter lost het some points with some, but I think it not too out there as a suggestion, really. For example, this [article](https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/kate-bush-rare-bbc-interview-1235104039/) introduces her as such right off the bat. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2022, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/69 "2022-06-24T07:20:11Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > For Canada: Joni Mitchell and Yannick Nezet-Seguin. Joni Mitchell, I’ve heard of; Yannick Nezet-Seguin, not so much. In fact, I’ve never heard of him until your post. Apparently, he’s originally from Montreal, but has made only a little mark in Canada. Although he got his start in Montreal, he really made his mark in New York, Philadelphia, and Rotterdam (according to Wikipedia). I’d suggest that he’s fallen prey to what so often happens in Canada: somebody is a Big Big Deal in Quebec, while the rest of Canada asks, “Never heard of him, who the hell is he and why should I care?” ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2022, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/70 "2022-06-24T07:27:01Z")
[Alan Bennett](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Bennett) for the UK? A hell of a career and someone who has given UK impressionists something to work with for over 60 years. Or [Armando Ianucci](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armando_Iannucci)? also a stellar career and between the two of them they must have been at the centre of a fair proportion of the greatest entertainment output from the UK and a significant influence on most of the rest. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2022, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/71 "2022-06-24T09:59:34Z")
Clint Eastwood Carlos Santana Joni Mitchell (Canada) Wayne Gretzky (Canada) Björk (Iceland) I don’t know much about him, but is **Henry Kissinger** considered too polarizing to be considered a national treasure? ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2022, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/72 "2022-06-24T10:32:43Z")
Forgot one: Morgan Freeman ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2022, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/73 "2022-06-24T13:41:39Z")
Yannick is an interesting case. Yes, he got started in (and is from) Montreal. There are two orchestras in Montreal and he took over the baton of the lesser one quite young. Although you will never see actual evidence, there seems to be bad blood between him and the other. The only evidence is that he has never guest conducted. Now he is an international superstar, the chef of both Philadelphia and the NY Met, while recently having accepted the title of conductor for life here in Montreal. He used to be the head of Rotterdam, but had to leave when he took over Philly and the Met. I wonder how many frequent flyer miles he has. ---
**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 26, 2022, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/74 "2022-06-26T23:31:42Z")
I just realized I have another one for the United States: **Alan Alda** I just love that guy and will be devastated when he dies. I look up to him quite a bit. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2022, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/75 "2022-06-27T10:27:56Z")
A couple more for the UK - Miriam Margolyes and Victoria Wood. ---
**Author:** ![eburacum45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eburacum45/32/8690_2.png) [@eburacum45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eburacum45)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2022, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/76 "2022-06-27T10:51:28Z")
Victoria Wood died in 2016. Julie Walters is still around, though. ---
**Author:** ![Limmin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f04885/32.png) [@Limmin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Limmin)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/77 "2022-06-28T20:19:23Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > Morgan Freeman Seconded. Kind, paternal, role model. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/78 "2022-07-01T11:29:47Z")
Another one for the UK - Cleo Laine ---
**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:** [July 6, 2022, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/79 "2022-07-06T12:38:09Z")
Elisabeth Bik is an outstanding Dutch resource. She’s a scientist who retired a few years ago to become a full-time data sleuth - tracking down questionable figures in research papers and causing the retraction of hundreds of dodgy publications. Her activities have inspired numerous others to expose bad science. She’s gotten high praise but also faced [legal thuggery](https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/stephaniemlee/elisabeth-bik-didier-raoult-hydroxychloroquine-study) from some she’s offended. ---
**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:** [July 8, 2022, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-humble-opinion-who-are-your-countries-national-treasures-other-countries-too-if-you-like/966504/80 "2022-07-08T21:54:25Z")
Another one for the US: **James Hong** - long time actor who has appeared in way too many movies to be believable. He was born in Minnesota, which can be difficult to remember since he often plays foreign characters in movies. He’s 93 and you should check him out in Everything, Everywhere, All At Once. [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=3) [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=5)