People outside North America.? Specifically the United States

Will give an Indian perspective on this:

  1. That being conservative isn’t always a bad thing. It holds marriages together and raises children into responsible adults. India has a very low divorce rate and intelligent/hard-working children due to this. We Indians in turn could learn to be a bit more gentler and kinder parents like the Americans. And not too controlling of adult children.

  2. That India isn’t a country filled with slums. They exist but vast parts of the country here are made of villages and towns rather than cities.

  3. Indians love Hollywood movies and many of us learnt English from them. Me included.

  4. “The United States and India have the most total English speakers, with 306 million and 265 million, respectively”. And that is just a small percent of the Indian population I believe.

  5. Even though India can learn a lot from the (older) American educational system to take a more hands-on approach to learning, India has a very competitive educational system that is the pride of the country. But due to the high population and poor job prospects in India, Indians move to western countries like the US or more economically prosperous eastern countries like the UAE, Singapore, etc to be rewarded for their intelligence and entrepreneurship.

  6. A general statement but tax is too high in America and the same is happening here in India now. Reduce tax and make it equal across the board for all so that it encourages productivity and success. 5% tax is more than enough for any country to prosper.

  7. Don’t meddle too much in the business of other countries. Selling weapons and taking sides in wars will only lead to resentment from other countries. And revenge.

  8. Not all is rosy in India. We have an unhealthy and repressed view about sex, can have flashes of unnecessary religious zealotry (eg- about eating certain meats) and also have our biases against our neighboring countries. But hopefully this answers your question, James. Very interesting thread.

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The EU’s average standard VAT rate is 21 percent

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Couldn’t have said it better :clap:

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You guys pay 21% for VAT?!! :no_mouth:

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Depends on the country but in mine
The standard VAT rate in the Slovak Republic is 20%, with a reduced rate of 10% on certain goods and services .

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First, I would like to thank you @James for providing the opportunity, and here I will share about my country, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Since Saudi Arabia opened its doors to tourism in 2019, it has ushered in a new era of luxurious travel experiences. As the largest country in the Arabian Peninsula, Saudi Arabia remains shrouded in mystery for many, offering uncharted territories waiting to be explored. From its vast desert landscapes, awe-inspiring mountain peaks, and cosmopolitan cities to world-class marine reserves, there are diverse experiences for every traveler.

Rich in Culture and History

The Kingdom is teeming with cultural and historical treasures. Positioned at the crossroads of ancient trade routes, Saudi Arabia is a fusion of various civilizations spanning centuries. History enthusiasts will delight in exploring ancient towns, cities, and UNESCO sites like Hegra, the second-largest Nabataean city outside of Petra. Another historical gem is the Jubbah Rock Carvings in Hail, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the Shuwaymis area, you can discover ancient animal and human figures, offering a window into a history dating back nearly 10,000 years.

A Modern Utopia

Saudi Arabia has undergone a remarkable transformation, seamlessly blending its ancient customs with the ever-evolving modern world. The cosmopolitan cities of Riyadh and Jeddah offer a range of luxury experiences, from fine dining to shopping, allowing you to witness Saudi Arabia’s evolving modernity.

Diverse Natural Landscapes

While many associate Saudi Arabia with vast deserts, the country boasts a wide range of landscapes and natural beauty. Lush mountains stand in stark contrast to the spectacular deserts, while pristine beaches line the picturesque Red Sea coastline. Nature enthusiasts can enjoy world-class diving in the Red Sea, explore the natural wonders of The Edge of the World, go hiking in the company of baboons, or spot various wildlife in nature reserves and wadis.

Gastronomic Experiences

Saudi Arabia’s diverse and vibrant food scene reflects a melting pot of cultures, drawing inspiration from Turkish, Persian, African, and international cuisines. Whether you prefer fine dining or traditional dishes, you can savor unique culinary experiences throughout your journey.

Hospitable and Friendly

The people of Saudi Arabia are renowned for their genuine kindness and warm hospitality. You’ll be welcomed with open arms, and you can experience a simple yet meaningful act of generosity with a serving of Arabic coffee, a ceremonial tradition.

Here, Kamya takes you on an exciting journey to discover some of the wonders that await you in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia :saudi_arabia:.

  1. Abha: A Misty Wonderland Of Saudi Arabia
    https://youtu.be/j9dhKNfPhjc?si=X-VlsHAwzatWDeVG

  2. Exploring Abha Airport Park in Abha, Saudi Arabia
    https://youtu.be/oCaMQedqtXE?si=PSGYWbq14n1UU3GX

  3. Jeddah: The Beachtown of Saudi Arabia
    https://youtu.be/CAwNmbfbQn4?si=oNtkGAIQ60Ua6_op

  4. Exploring Al Balad & Al Baik in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
    https://youtu.be/ThZc6hosSps?si=Ycpmq6QVC3Pfl4UA

  5. AlUla: A Martian Landscape on Earth in Saudi Arabia
    https://youtu.be/-PEAztK-KJA?si=LpDI5wyDoXnlRdC8

  6. Riyadh: The Heart of Saudi Arabia
    https://youtu.be/i8AyaGwhuTE?si=aZlJW88S71u5_WH7

The Architects of Ancient Arabia

In addition, experts are uncovering previously unknown aspects of Saudi Arabia’s ancient history, dating back over 7,000 years. Archaeologists are revealing evidence of ancient rituals and extraordinary findings in Al Ula, enriching the historical legacy of the country and ancient Arabia. Using modern technologies, they’re recording tens of thousands of sites and exploring some in greater detail, contributing to a new chapter in the story of human civilization.

available in multiple languages.

Saudi Arabia is opening its doors to the world through its new tourist visa. Through the fast and easy-to-use online portal, international visitors from 63 eligible countries can apply for an eVisa and discover the warm hospitality of Saudi people the rich heritage, vibrant culture, and diverse and breathtaking landscapes; from the mountains of Abha to the beaches of the Red Sea to the shifting sands of the Empty Quarter.

https://visa.visitsaudi.com/

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Yes, I can get a Visa :slight_smile:
But strange, there is no Latin America.

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Will be available in the near future.

Going by your username I was thinking you were either German or Austrian. Thank you for the clarification.

He could also be from Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, or german speaking Swiss part :slight_smile:

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Here in Finland it’s 24%…

I’m currently on pace to pay almost 500k € of VAT this year…

Sucks bigtime.

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There is that

As a Canadian I think this is good advice

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Funny how the post got flagged but the only 3 people in this thread who agree with it are all Canadian lol (edit: 4 Canadians in this thread, all 4 agree - and yet this community is ignorant enough to flag my post without understanding just how awful the country has become)

Fyi born and raised here, testament to how truthful those words are. I used to be proud to be Canadian and wanted to live here for my whole life, now I’m trying to figure out how to leave and start a new life elsewhere. It truly breaks my heart to see how quickly the country has declined.

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Can confirm I agree as well hence why I’m leaving the country in the next year or two.

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In all honesty, the country was not always that bad. I’d say things started to get bad 4-5 years ago but other countries had this as well (like a year before covid and then when covid hit that’s when things got really bad). Although Canada had the most “change” per say that isn’t positive change.

One of them is high tax. There’s a lot more but my point is not to hate on Canada as if we compared it to other countries we have it pretty well. That is if your doing well income wise if not well then it’s a different situation.

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Something just happened on the train I’m on that’s relevant to this thread: I’m currently in a Dutch country, and I’m in the 1st class section because being in a less crowded area for 5 euros extra won’t break the bank.

Anyway, this American woman sitting by herself just flips out repeatedly saying “ya ya ya ya ya ya…oh shut up” after hearing one of the few other passengers in the cart speaking to someone she’s with and it just made me wonder: why are Americans so arrogant that they will go to another country and mock the people of THAT country for being of that country?

Seriously, this is a common theme that I’ve seen before with Americans: what the hell is up with that? It’s like they expect everywhere to be just like America and are frustrated that it isn’t, but at that point why even leave the country in the first place? It echoes the idea that Americans are largely considered uncultured and oblivious to the world around them, and act as though they are the center of the world and everyone should cower to them.

Makes absolutely no sense, it’s genuinely disgusting behaviour.

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Canadians really are a variation of the US. We have all their marketing. All their media. The majority of their products. Most Canadians can’t even make 5 Canadian politicians or even know when their local elections are until the day before but are OBSESSED with American politics and get upset when the AMERICAN candidate they wanted to be president didn’t get elected.

Meanwhile they couldn’t give two farts about the leadership of their own country.

Taxes are higher, but quality of life is infinitely better. Education is infinitely more available. Health care literally saves lives because it’s free and high quality… with the caveat that you can’t find a doctor that will take your health from “good” to “amazing” and if you have a complicated medical condition it’ll take 6-12 months to get an appointment with a specialist. But extortion through medication sales is outlawed and heavily regulated - there’s no reselling of necessary medication at 100x the price like there is in America, etc.

We’re a “shittier” version of the US if your bench mark of quality is material accomplishments. We have 30 million people compared to 300 million, which is part of why we produce less stars and celebrities. But we also have a more relaxed culture. Less desperation to be successful - because being “average” isn’t AS painful here as it is in the states. US media combined with a more challenging economy is changing that, but even still, absolute poverty is just not as big of an issue here as it is in the states, and you know that even if you hit a hard spot in life, you’ll have support to get through it. I truly believe part of the money obsession in America is just a search for safety. You need to hoard 100’s of thousands of dollars at all costs because if you don’t, you could lose EVERYTHING with a surprise $1M medical bill or something.

But yes, Canadians are not special, if they think they’re fundamentally different from Americans, they’re wrong, they are just lucky enough to have a less predatorial government system so they’re a bit more relaxed.

EXCEPT if you travel. If you travel as a Canadian you are the bees freaking knees. Jesus resurrected. Elvis brought back to life. You are the chosen one. You are Abel, the perfect son, loved by God who can do no wrong and would never do anything less than perfectly.

And the US is Cain… at least when travelling.

Because the rest of the world freaking HATES Americans when Americans travel. They’re the ones that are loud, obnoxious, dangerous, disrespectful, according to tourist countries who receive a lot of Americans.

I was just in Colombia and our cab driver hated us until he realized we were Canadian not American.

That’s why Canadians wear canadian flags while they travel.

Hell… that’s why AMERICANS wear Canadian flags while they travel

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Lol we basically made the same point at the same time I didn’t even see this post as I made mine :joy:

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Wouldn’t say it reflects all of Americans, a good amount of them are pretty polite and respectful depending on who you talk to. The issue lies in how they got raised which is a separate topic.

I’ve been a few US countries now and most are pretty respectful. Yes there is that portion of people who show horrible behaviour but you wouldn’t want to speak to them either way.

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