England- These folks surely know how to compose themselves into a country. Maybe its the island factor, maybe its the history, but they are certainly a unique bunch. It is true that the food is awful and the people are largely unattractive, but what they lose in these departments they fully make up for in humor. The concept of taking the piss out of someone is a cultural construction that I for one absolutely adore. That one can criticize someone or something in a casual yet direct manner is surely a wonderful attribute for a nation to have; especially one that so thoroughly needs it. I also admire their ability to bow their heads and take all manner of governmental interference in stride while working away their days and drinking away their nights. The best thing I noticed about the English is that they produced the Welsh, Scottish and Irish by virtue of their Imperial endeavors to consume them. For this they should be thoroughly complimented.
Spain- Any country that parties till dawn and shuts down in the afternoons to take a siesta is alright with me. The funniest thing about their civil government is how incredibly cool Spanish police are about things that you would get arrested or fined back in America. There is a joke among foreigners living there that asks, 'who is running this country, for is surely can't be the Spanish?'. This is a valid question because they are a remarkably lazy people unless having a good time. The popularity of the dread-lock mullet with counter culture Spaniards was something that never stopped making me laugh, just as their scandalous and sexy women never ceased making me stare. My most hilarious memory was of passing by an ancient church to look in on a religious ceremony in which a guy wearing very fashionable European clothing swung a chalice of burning incense amidst the crowd, which included women with high heels and short skirts. It all makes sense when one realizes that up until a generation ago, Spain was an incredibly conservative country with a Fascist government. Now it has swung equally far in the opposite direction. This would explain the hordes of youth to be found anywhere in Spain smoking weed, drinking and having clothed sex publicly with not even the slightest attempt to conceal their behavior.
France- I have spent the most time in France, but it has almost entirely been in Paris. I have been told rural France is far different, and will be investigating this shortly. The French are perhaps the most unusual people I've ever spent time with. It is hard to even write about a subject matter so unique. One thing I can say for sure is that if nothing else, they know good food and wine. In this respect France has been very giving to me, and I for my part have been greedy and needy. To be French is to be something that can surely never be explained accurately, and since such is not my goal, I will not hesitate to generalize. When on the Metro you realize how incredibly oblivious people are of each other. They have about as much concern for the person next to them as they do for the dog shit they constantly have to avoid because no one in France thinks it worthwhile to pick it up. I have to love them for their complete apathy towards things that don't matter. It is admirable how they can build a transportation system like the Metro and not care enough to even enforce people paying for it, which I reckon about 1/3 don't. The funniest thing is how much they love to talk to their friends but avoid everyone else. I do love them for their aesthetics though, which almost always is of the highest order. A good taste in art is a viable substitute for individual kindness.
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