Real brief answer - and you are going to get mad at me for it - but the United Kingdom all the way. Not that I don't like France, too, Don't get me wrong. Any country that makes a person like you must be really good.
Still, I am an Anglophile to my chromosomes. This disregarding the fact that I have not a drop of English, Scots, Irish or Welsh ancestry. Heck, I know all three verses to "God save the King." I don't even know all the verses to "The Star Spangled Banner."
Don't get me wrong, I love my country. (Though frankly, I do wish we had picked "America the Beautiful" as our national anthem. "The Star Spangled Banner" is all but un-singable.) Still, when I began - as a boy - reading British history and seeing some of its historical figures...
Well, all I can say is that they had me at "Hello," - or if cockney - "'Ello." Suffice to add that I have made multiple trips to Europe over the course of my life - yes, and to France, too - but I always make it a point, if not going to the UK, to at least spend a few days passing through it.
My only complaint - the weather. However, on that front, as a militant Spring/Summer guy, I think all countries should vote to have the weather they have in Hawaii. It's why global warming does not bother me all that much.
@Matthias345 I was just a joke. @Julie4 is French - and a lovely person whom I have exchanged thoughts with often - and I was just playing on the history of Anglo-French rivalries. A bit of inside historical humor, if you will.
@Matthias345 That's okay. Just to add, a long time ago I forgave her for liking Napoleon and she forgave me for forgiving her for liking Napoleon. It is just how we relate.
@Matthias345 Beeeee carefulll... I love her dearly, but she just has a thing for Corsican brigands who dress up as Emperors. You are going to get quite a response to that question!!!
Hey, give me Louis VIX or - democratically Clemenceau and DeGualle - any day.
All I can say is, you just opened the gates. Good luck to you!!
@Matthias345 Oh, she's not. She is a sweet gal and a pleasure to debate with. Sometimes the French/English thing leads to misunderstandings - but we usually clear those up.
Besides, as I like to tell her, her English is better than my French.
That said, if you do get into a discussion I think you will find her very thoughtful, polite and always ready to argue respectfully. She loves her country and understands why other's love theirs'.
@Matthias345 Hi, to begin with I must say that I am certainly the biggest fan of @nightdrot here, thanks to him I have progressed a lot in my analytical skills and understanding of politics. I also admire his great intellectual capacities, and since we talk on this site together, I must have asked him a thousand questions (no kidding) and he always answered me with a lot of kindness and attention, even though he has an overloaded schedule due to his work. In other words I feel really lucky to be able to talk to someone like him.
But as far as Napoleon is concerned, he and I will never agree lol. Even Napoleon's greatest enemies recognized his extraordinary abilities, especially in the military and intellectual field, read what Wellington, Metternich, Churchill etc. said about him.
I will try to make my answer as short as possible.
To give a little historical context
it is necessary to know that France since at least Louis XII has tried to impose its domination on Europe and to direct it, under Louis XIV France is going to try not only to dominate Europe but also the seas, besides during a short period under Louis XIV, France for the first time of its history and the only time, is going to have not only the domination on Europe but also the first navy of the world. This will have for consequence to bind the whole of Europe against France, in 1713 France exhausted will have to sign the treaty of Utrecht, from this moment Louis XIV will be obliged to accept the European balance, with as arbitrator the United Kingdom, however if Louis XIV accepted this balance it is for better concentrating in the maritime field.
With the seven years war, French and English will fight in Europe, America, Asia, France will be forced not only to accept the European balance but also forget the idea of competing with English on sea.
Napoleon will just try to realize the great French dream, to make France become again the dominant power of Europe and to seize the empire of the seas.
Certainly there were wars under Napoleon but there was a lot of war before Napoleon and moreover it was the other nations that made declarations of wars to France. Napoleon declared war only twice in Spain (his biggest mistake) and against Russia, which can be justified by the fact that Russia did not respect the signed treaties.
Also Napoleon
Created several major institutions that still make France function to this day in addition to its civil code. Moreover a great part of the European and extra European nations will be inspired by the institutions and the civil code created by Napoleon for their own countries.
Add to that the fact that Napoleon tried to reconcile revolutionary and monarchist France, in his regime there will be monarchists and republicans who will all be appointed to important positions.
Before Napoleon's reign France was in civil war, foreign war and economically ruined not far from bankruptcy, Napoleon will stop this civil war, and will restore the French economy, and will make France the greatest of powers.
@Matthias345 Told ya. The other dead giveaway is the giant Napoleon poster she has in her room. The one with the caption that reads: "Hi!" from your favorite Corsican brigand Napoleon Bonaparte."
Of course, it is written in French. (Just to be clear to allow for linguistic differences - that was a joke.)
@Matthias345 You'll have to check with her about the whole women's rights thing. (Funny thing, I always thought of his as a sort of 1960s bra burning hippie type - but that's just me.)
Anyhow, @Julie4 is a great and smart lady. Keep up the conversation with her. Even if you disagree - as she and I do on this question - you will learn a lot and socially enjoy the exchanges.
Turkey always grabs first position whenever you talk about the most beautiful women in the world. Enjoying strong association with various historical cultures and ancient empires, the country has produced some really photogenic ladies with immaculate natural beauty. Women in Turkey are also known for carrying themselves with utter grace and grandeur. Watch the Turkish soaps and operas if you have any doubt about it.
Same here. I'm a history buff, so I've always been fascinated by different cultures and civilizations. I don't know about Iran's history extensively, but I've always found the Achaemenid Empire, the First Persian Empire, very interesting. From Cyrus the Great to when Alexander the Great finally visited the tomb of the King of Kings. It's just an era filled with a lot of interesting and cool stories.
Also, France has been the origin of so many western ideas and modern principles. Philosophers, scientists, and conquerors. Revolution, warfare, and empire. From Vercingetorix, to Charlemagne, to Napoleon.
I also find ancient civilizations pretty interesting. One that stands out for me is ancient Greece and the Romans. as well as the Romans. Their history is so fascinating, and I love mythology as well. I actually rebuilt Pompeii (plus a functional Mount Vesuvius) with the help of some friends in Minecraft.
Honorable mentions to China, Japan, as well as the precolombian civilizations (Mayans, Aztecs and Incas)
I am exactly like you, and thank you for your interest in France, it is rather rare nowadays lol
I'm also very interested in the Persian Empire, but honestly as you mentioned yourself, there are so many countries and civilizations with such rich histories, that I can't choose just one of them
Well, I took a class at university about 18th-20th century France and found it fascinating. We studied the 19th century in a lot of focus. If people think the history of France is too mainstream to be exciting it's only because you haven't dived deep enough lol
The same thing for me except France of course, but I would add Iran, Egypt, Iraq, Tunisia (compared to Carthage) Greece, Lebanon, Israel and I forget again very certainly lol
I would say Iran, Egypt, Greece as well but I definitely have more affinity with western countries.
Iran is interesting but I wouldn’t want to go there now; Greece Iraq and Tunisia are interesting for their history but they are less influential then in their heyday.
Since history is what makes up the culture I'm more of a fan of ancient nations. The romans the greeks the mongols. Even smaller ones like the mayans, vikings, gaulle... I feel like modern countries are influenced by what came before
I'm quite interested in the Celtic and the clans of Scotland and Ireland. Deutschland, Poland and Romania. My ancestry is from those areas like to know more about the regions.
