Larian Studios Forums General Chat Cultural Differences

Yes, that's a very good reason to let them go into any store any time and buy a gun <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/up.gif" alt="" />.

I know that if you REALLY whant a gun, you can get it. But if you don't I would feel a lot more secure if you can't. And if you feel like useing a gun, you shouldn't be allowed to just walk in the a store around the cornetr to get it. Avaliabillity DO have something to do with the number of owners (if you can't buy a gun, nobody will own a gun. And I know you CAN get your hands on a gun if you really, really whant to. But if you don't, then you shouldn't be allowed to own a gun your dipressed kid can nick and then go berserk with on his school).

Übereil

Most of Americas homeless are homeless because they choose to be.
Americans provide so many shelters and places like that, but they choose not to live in them because of the rules required to live there. Like you must look for a job and no drinking or doing drugs while in those places and the Americans pay for all of this with their taxes.

Like I said Übereil, you need to live in America to get the real picture. Do not be one of those robots who allows the media to spoon feed them with selective information. You are better than that. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Tsel <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

Womble >

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ROFL.gif" alt="" /> I like the way you point out the good and bads. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/up.gif" alt="" />

Tsel <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

I am sorry, Tsel, but I don't think that this is correct like that (not about the American people, but about those of us who do live in so called well-fair states).

I heard this argument quite often, but if your state cares for you this doesn't necessarily mean that you are dependant on the state. What a well-faire system (and I must say the health-care in Sweden and Norway is way better than ours! I always thought about going to Norway once I was finished with my studies which might take another decade) is trying to assure is safety for everyone. I do not see in how far Austria (being "my" state) controls my life - quite contrary. Thanks to the social system we have I can live my life in almost every way I would like to. (As long as I do not decide to be lazy and just do nothing at all)

I can study, and I do not have to pay horrendous fees for that. My insurance pays for the medication I need. When I need to see a doctor I just go to one. When I have an accident and cannot work because of that anymore I can be certain that the state will care for me (with money I paid via taxes and similar).

I really do not see in how far this does mean losing control over your life? I mean, if you do not want the state to control anything, there would be anarchy.

Besides, I think most (all?) of us are living in democratic states. This means that you, as a citizen of a state, have an influence on the government, and therefore partly also the decisions of the state. In that far, if I vote for a party that guarantees a good health-care for everyone, isn't it more my decision (and the one of my co-voters, so to say) than the one of the state? Ain't I more self-determined when I manage to get my views on a higher political level and my representatives to act like I think it is right?

Maybe you have to live in Austria (or one that handles things there similarily to us) to fully understand the way we live. Images are tainted by the media in both directions, but let me assure you that nobody here lives a life dependant (and controlled) on (and by) the state. Our state just helps us out when we are in need and tries to makes chances equal for everyone. (Well, at least it DID in the past). <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hope that made a little sense, in case I did not manage to get my point along appropriatley - no offence intended! Just my personal point of view! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" />

EDIT: Sorry, I read this too late - so here comes the P.S.: Nobody choses to be homeless, just as much as nobody choses to be poor, ill, or discriminated. At least it would greatly surprise me if someone did.

[color:"orange"] I'm shure the homeless pepole who's homeless because their parents couldn't afford to send them to colledge feels the same way...
[/color]

That is not only a problem of America.
All Countrys (inklude Germany) has people which are homeless.
And this for many reasons.
Maybe sometimes the Gouverment is guilty, maybe sometimes these People are not compatible with the Humanstruckture we have in our Countrys. Or other reasons.
But im sure in Sweden are Homeless People too.

Egin, your right.
Weapon Laws never prevent that criminals get Weapons.
But i think the difference is how easy can you get a Weapon in a Country nobody allowed to have weapons.

Sure the big Gangsters are have weapons. But maybe the smaller one only have Knifes or so.

Oh, don't go there! Everything is SO expensive there. I get the feeling most things costs TWICE what they cost in Sweden...

Übereil

Iceweb >

I hear you and understand, but Americans don't see it that way.
They can look at the same exact thing as you and see something altogether different.
You could say look at that it’s blue and they might reply no it’s turquoise.
It’s that culture thing again and how they grew up as a people all of their lives.
Think about it, if you were taught something all of your life it’s pretty difficult to be open to new ideas. Face it we all have beliefs we hold onto no matter what anyone says.

That’s why we need to learn to accept each other for who we are and not try to prove who’s right or wrong. But will our governments ever see eye to eye. Sadly I doubt it.

Oh, I do love the Americans sense of humor. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ROFL.gif" alt="" />

Tsel <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Yes, but they're very few, due to our social protection net (?).

And Tsel, I think you're right. Because I'm from Sweden I DO have some valuations I don't really share with other pepole here (like Egin's view on guns). And you have some valuations YOU don't share with othere pepole here on the forum. I know your country only have a minor part in this, it's more about the pepole you meet than where you meet them that matters, but still, wher you live DO matter.

Übereil

Another perspective?

The USA is 228 years old (counting from declaration of independence - 221, if counting from constitution), OK - as I do not know from when the USA count themselves, let's say about 225 years.

Think back in history - where were our countries in that time, and what (other!) development have our respective societies had? Hey, when my grandfather became adult, Germany still had an emperor - when my father became adult, Hitler was a very recent, factually contemporary, memory...

In the 20th century (remember? That was just recently <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />) every Middle European nation (safe Switzerland) has fought AND LOST wars - on their ground. In every family native to this region family members have died, lost property, felt the direct consequences of war - first hand information has been passed on to the next generation - that's us. Biased, tainted at times - maybe; but also real lifetime experience.

There have been famines, depressions, dictatorial governments - all affecting not only a part, but a significant part, a majority of the population.

Blessed America had a lot less of all that - at least to the point of affecting the whole population; and that in itself is quite an achievement -

which accounts for a number of cultural differences in attitudes toward

- governmental control;
- self responsibility;
- protectionism;
- missionarian zeal;
- social care;
- hospitality;
- discrimination;
- economics (how often have any of you changed a basic thing as the currency?)
... (you name it)

The times are changing - rapidly, and for all of us, undoubtedly. For some, it's (and was) a development on a reasonably straight line - for others it's (more was now) a jumping progression - over hurdles and in various directions.

And maybe those small criminals will just cut you, not shoot. Is there a difference? Don't think so.

Criminals will always get drugs and weapons, and no, they do not go to store to buy them. There are routes organized crime has and uses to get weapons. How for example terrorists get their weapons? And we are not talking about 9mm pistol, we are talking about heavy machine guns, grenades, RPG's and stuff like that.
I doubt you can buy Kalashnikov at american firearms store also.

But. Availability of weaponry to wider audiences has its cons. First and the most important, IMO, people's laziness and ignorance, as Womble sayed - in the back of the truck in some cases, in the old boots-box in the most cases. This is when kids get their hands on their parent's guns. This is when guns become really available.

Guns should be kept safe - locked away in reliable, metal container where only it's owner has the key (no, having the key right here on the hook don't work). The owner should be competent and able to use a gun. Thats it.

And I will take another excerpt from that article stating that criminal world even feares wider availability of guns:

"... if you can bear to undertake the attendant responsibilities, you should know that finding a gun in the hand of a potential victim is one of the most feared and avoided incidents a felon can imagine - feared and avoided even more than the police." (Armed & Female, P. 47)

[color:"orange"] And maybe those small criminals will just cut you, not shoot. Is there a difference? Don't think so. [/color]

Yes, i can run away. If i`am fast enough nobody hurts.
Did he have a Gun he can shoot at my back and i have no chance. I`am dead
If i had a Gun too, and i`am the faster one, i shoot him. He is dead.
Or we shoot each other, and still we both are dead.

There is a difference.

Yes there is, you can kick him in the groint and run without risking to be shot in the back.



To ensnare and enslave us poor gamers by letting us into a magnificent dreamworld whwre we are heroes?

Übereil

Sad in a way. A long tradition has gone *sniff*

non no, barta is wrong for once but now it is the husband who cooks the meal <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/delight.gif" alt="" />

LoL MG <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

In Europe you should start in the UK for a big breakfast, then go to Germany for a big lunch and then go to France for a big dinner.
And in adition, go to Italy for a big supper.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/delight.gif" alt="" />

That will make cute little Europa one big fat Mama in one Tour D'Europe! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

Well
That's how it used to be.
These days it's Mc Donalds everywhere I guess. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

Ha! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" />

That's it! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/up.gif" alt="" />

The end of cultural differences! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/party.gif" alt="" />

The global common denominators! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/evilgrin1.gif" alt="" />

McDonald's and Coca Cola! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/badsmile2.gif" alt="" />



Oooops! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/disagree.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Yep
Remember that song by Rammstein?

We're all living in Amerika... coca-cola, wonderbra,...
We're all living in Amerika...



<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

geez, is there anything else to talk about other than guns? it's depressing. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/disagree.gif" alt="" />

what about cultural differences observed by those who frequently travel or those who have stayed in another country long enough to see the depth of differences?

i know womble qualifies in this & his views are quite an eye opener.

by the way, chinese dinner is the longest & shortest i've ever known in my very limited experience in my very short term in life for the moment. the longest can take hours as it's at least a ten course dinner (it can be more!) & the shortest can end in 2 minutes. why not? just slurp up whatever food (noodles are quickest) & finish it with a cup of tea & u're done!

coke & macD? yuck, no thank u. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/down.gif" alt="" />