Why do we always think that "ELSEWHERE" is better than our own country? (page 10 of 23)

No big deal! Anyway, Khmerkhmer (red?) confirms my thoughts: it’s become awkward to have any kind of relationship, even a vacation one in my case (what would I have done with an overworked executive who only had 10 days off? You need time on a boat. With the second deckhand, we spent 1 month and 3 weeks together) when there’s an age gap. This ideology is actually pretty recent. Back in my younger days, my interest was entomology, and I’d go on outings with all sorts of people, including retirees who were both the most knowledgeable and the funniest. And you just have to reread Jules Verne to see that deckhands or apprentices lived with other adults who weren’t their mom and dad.

Good grief. But NO magic potion! You fell into it when you were little ;)

After my flambéed wild boar cooked in red wine, we really stuffed ourselves—my friends even had to tack their way home. A good Hermitage, ice cream for dessert drenched in Marie-Galante rum, and some homemade myrtle liqueur to cut the grease. Time for bed now! Life’s tough, huh? 😏

Epicurean as well, or maybe just a gourmet and food lover? Well done there too—gluttony being a wonderful flaw, I indulge in it with pleasure, though I sometimes have to watch my sugar levels, which reins in some of my wildest cravings and calms my taste buds! Good night to those who enjoy good company and love sharing certain moments with certain others. Best wishes from Vietalier.

🙂 Hi and thanks for this topic " Why always think that "ELSEWHERE" is better than one’s country?" I’m proud to be able to answer this because there are so many things people don’t realize about their native country—its culture, its benefits, religions, customs, childhood friends, for example in Senegal the extended family (grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, sisters, brothers, etc....) you can’t forget it because it stays etched in your memories. On the contrary, it’s the discovery and the fact of being too anxious that leads us to other countries. They aren’t better than your own country, but life is life, and it’s because of parents and family surroundings that we always think of our dear homeland. I’M SORRY IF I WROTE ANYTHING RUDE

Far from writing rude things, you bring up an idea in the debate that highlights cultural differences in how we view family ties.

Many of those who speak up in similar discussions also leave to break those ties, or because those ties aren’t strong enough. You, on the other hand, say that those very ties are a reason to come back...

Thanks Kola for this little reply, but I’m really touched by what you just said. These days, young people—us included—tend to follow our destiny without realizing that parents are part of it, which isn’t right. I’m Senegalese, but I respect all parents, whether they’re African or Asian. What matters is that they’re human beings like us.

Since the debate is opening up and moving beyond the question in the title... Go see if elsewhere is better than home: most narrow-minded people, stuck in their own truths, are those who haven’t traveled and can’t put things into perspective. They’re manipulated by their media (TV, etc.) and hearsay, forming their idea of elsewhere. As for traveling "in your head," that’s also creating an elsewhere that’s often just a dream tainted by utopia. "Thinking" that elsewhere is better than your country is forming a negative opinion of home without ever leaving it.

It's true that the idea of "France is the most beautiful country in the world" is a bit of a shortcut. What does "most beautiful country in the world" even mean? A lot of people think that. Even here, when you start expressing some reservations about certain things in our country that leave something to be desired, you’ve got a whole bunch of die-hard Gauls who come to defend the beloved motherland.

The worst is when a foreigner tells us the truth about our country. We don’t like hearing the truth, and it’s like, "Yeah, but you’re not French, so shut up." I kind of feel that way. We love to criticize, but when it comes to our own country, things get complicated.

Most narrow-minded people, stuck in their own truths, are those who haven’t traveled and can’t put things into perspective. They’re manipulated by their media (TV, etc.) and hearsay, shaping their idea of what elsewhere is like.

The opposite is just as true, so I invite you to reconsider your definition of "narrow-minded."

Personally, I tend to find it somewhat reassuring, even if it also annoys me when a foreign tourist gets mobbed just for daring to say negative things about the welcome in "France" (?!)

It’s actually the most human thing. We criticize our family because we love them, but we’d be ready to fight anyone who dared do the same without being part of it. In short, it’s the same reflex.

The opposite would be illogical...

Hey, thanks for your little message—you’re absolutely right, but not everyone is the same. Some people feel like they’ve deserted their country because life is tough there, while others just don’t care about the high cost of living.

When some are sleeping with one eye open, others are in a deep sleep.

I’ve lived through this phenomenon myself—I’ve suffered, but that doesn’t stop me from having my country etched in my heart.

As a result, they end up thinking that going abroad will make them rich or that money is just lying around. That’s why they react this way.

Sorry if I went off on a tangent with my thoughts.

Opinions can be negative... but that’s also because we step out of our comfort zone!!! Preferring other places isn’t about blind negativity or being anti-France—it’s about the experience that shows us there’s also good, beauty, and everything in between in different contexts that can absolutely charm us. Let’s move past French chauvinism...!!! and the stifling idea that you *have* to live in your own country to fit some "normal" mold. There’s nothing negative about it—it’s just the mindset of those who choose to believe it!

Hi there! A very good point... but every country has its own joys and sorrows, and a traveler often only sees the bright side—the smiles and kindness of the locals. Sometimes, we don’t necessarily notice the hidden struggles beneath those smiles.

Reading these posts made me think of a joke...

It’s the story of a guy who’s been in heaven for a little while and is seriously fed up. Everything is calm and peaceful. Nothing ever happens in heaven. He thinks he’d like to take a little trip to hell just to see what it’s like. So, he goes to ask St. Peter if he could take a tour downstairs. St. Peter checks his good conduct record and sees that the guy has never caused any trouble—he’s more like a model angel, keeps his little cloud spotless, and his wings are always impeccably white. So, permission is granted for a one-week stay in hell. The guy takes the elevator down to hell. His visa is in order, so they let him in. And what does he see? A wild party! People singing, drinking, smoking, playing, naked dancers—basically, an amazing vibe. He joins the fun and has a blast for a week. Then, it’s back to heaven. The guy gets bored again after a few centuries and can’t take it anymore. He needs some action. So, he asks St. Peter if he can move to hell permanently. A saddened St. Peter asks if that’s really what he wants. The guy says it’s his deepest desire. So, okay, exit permit granted. The guy heads back to hell, and as soon as he walks through the door, a horde of demons grabs him, throws him on the grill, whips him—basically, puts him through every torture imaginable. Once he regains his senses a bit, he asks: "But... what’s going on? It wasn’t like this the first time I came here! Where are the game rooms, the naked dancers, the awesome vibe? Why are you treating me so badly? Why isn’t it the same as during my first visit?" Then a demon, with a big, carnivorous smile, says: "You mustn’t confuse tourism with immigration." Another possible ending: Then a demon, with a big, carnivorous grin, says: "Yeah, on your first visit, you got the show home."

Cheers to everyone! Keep traveling!

Hello Ouzbek Témur, Just for a laugh, I’d say you’re ripe for it. — (Ha, ha! Good one, right?) That ridiculous statement—I’m guessing your Témur comes from Timour, or even Timur Lan (Tamerlane)? Either way, you’re incredibly lucky to live at the crossroads of Central Europe and Asia, practically on the Silk Road, with its sumptuous carpets and mosques adorned with mosaics whose art has never been equaled. — The culture, from what little I know, is just as rich, whether pre-Islamic or what came after. Anyway, here’s somewhere else that’s worth seeing up close and hearing fragments of its history—without trying to find a place that’s better than home. Best regards, and see you soon, maybe? — Vietalier, who was born a little farther away, on the shores of the South China Sea, in central Vietnam.

Hello Jean Claude "Vietalier", Thanks for this humorous reaction—I really appreciate it! 😎 My Temur actually comes from that historical figure, Temur, Timour, Tamerlan, or Temur Leng—those last two names aren’t exactly a compliment to our national hero! You know why? When Amir Temur (the name we currently use here) invaded Turkey, the Turks nicknamed him that to highlight his physical disability. Tamerlan or Temur Leng means Temur the Lame! :)

As for my maturity, I think I’ve been around for quite some time (alas!) heh heh heh...

You’re absolutely right—not only will this elsewhere (which is MINE [ :)]) enchant you with its history, but it’ll also fascinate you with its present and its people’s incredible hospitality!

Going back to Temur’s story, there’s another reason I chose this username... [ :)]

See you soon in Uzbekistan (you’re very welcome) or elsewhere—who knows! ?

we’re always looking for something new just to keep living without getting bored

The "Obtuse" People: people who lack "finesse" in their value judgments. Did I answer your invitation? I think you understood the meaning of my statement. To use another metaphor, I could have written "people who wear blinders"...

The worst is when a foreigner tells us the truth about our country.

So, are there people who supposedly know the absolute truth about a country?

Hi Temur, A quick first reply to thank you for yours and for your invitation. Indeed, this central land has been making me dream for quite some time now. I’ll have the chance to elaborate more later, but I’ll just mention, regarding "lame ducks," that France had one of... variable stature: Talleyrand, who served kings and emperors—while serving himself first! Best wishes and see you soon.— Vietalier.

The worst is when a foreigner tells us the truth about our country.

So, are there people who have the truth about a country?

When the same remarks or observations come from an outside perspective, it’s worth listening to them and taking them into account. At least we can get closer to the truth, even if we don’t know it exactly.