Can't beat quality of life in Scandinavia, says world ranking

elmodefoque says on Sep 21, 2007, 07:03:

don't they have the highest suicide rate in the planet?

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one.Curramba, el mejor vividero del mundo!

elmodefoque says on Sep 21, 2007, 07:08:

Dude, that’s not LIVING, that’s EXISTING

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one.Curramba, el mejor vividero del mundo!

elmodefoque says on Sep 21, 2007, 07:13:

Have you even seen any of those people smile or laugh out loud?
Imagine when the most fun to be had is once a year when the entire town gets together to jump into a FROZEN LAKE.

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one.Curramba, el mejor vividero del mundo!

esanch36 says on Sep 21, 2007, 07:23:

Elmo, are we going to get to hear your thought about what makes one chucha better than another?

All right, I'll ask: How come it took three seconds to euthanize Eight Belles, but the Womens NBA is starting Year 12???

Colombiche says on Sep 21, 2007, 07:24:

I found people in the UK to be kind of serious, here in Canada people are pretty uptight.

I think the happiest people I have ever seen are dominicanos and colombianos, the world can fall but they are still laughing.

Well, I'm out of this frigid place and flying down to the caribbean, I might consider spending the rest of my life by the beach selling coconut water.... yeah, and never come back up here.... too much stress.... I do this for a couple more years I will crack.... ciao see u guys later.

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

nine inch nails says on Sep 21, 2007, 07:24:

Alkyism very high. Lived in Iceland for 18 months and saw/experienced it firsthand. Will say that Iceland definetely enhanced my alcohol dependence/cravings today. Luckily I only drink beer. Here's what I saw:


- One night I saw this very drunk Icelandic man on base (all the Icelanders came to the base for the cheap alcohol). So I ask this modefoque if he was Ok and he says back to me "Off course I am, I'm a Doctor" then laughed and swaggered away.

- Had a nice night of sexo with this tall Viking chica but she just couldn't keep that damn bottle of vodka out her hand all night!!!!

- Downtown Reykjavik on a Sat. night and saw many pissed modefoques.

- This young Air Farce LT was with us after work for beers then more beers and then the 4 of us went back to base and he and his drinking buddy started in on the Tequila. When I saw him the next week I asked how much they had to drink. I think it was like over a bottle of tequila each then when he wakes up the next day to look at the clock (8 O'clock PM!!!!!). Crazy fok!!!!

I didn't like Scandanavia that much (not so much cold but overcast most of the time). In 18 months think there were a total of 3 completely sunny days and only 3-4 more partially sunny days. It didn't get that cold or snowy on the southwest corner of Iceland but always wind and rain. Every six weeks I was out of there to Europe for the weekend! But I had 2 co-workers who loved the place. They liked it overcast all the time.

Everything was expensive (10 yrs. ago a pint in a pub $7.5, heard $10 today). Many locals had to work 3 jobs to meet basic expenses.

get down, get down

billyb says on Sep 21, 2007, 07:26:

Weather like that has got to fok with your brain.

nine inch nails says on Sep 21, 2007, 07:27:

Elmo,

To answer your question most of them are cold on the outside but once you make friends with them they have a very twisted hilarious sense of humor about them and if you get them drunk........

get down, get down

elmodefoque says on Sep 21, 2007, 07:31:

Esanch, I’m dying to share my profound personal thoughts regarding this most intriguing subject but I’m afraid of serious reprisal from the moderators. Don’t want them kicking my ass out, I’ve already been expelled from other sites.

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one.Curramba, el mejor vividero del mundo!

esanch36 says on Sep 21, 2007, 07:35:

post it in the off topic elmo

All right, I'll ask: How come it took three seconds to euthanize Eight Belles, but the Womens NBA is starting Year 12???

elmodefoque says on Sep 21, 2007, 07:57:

how do i get to off topic, don't see it?

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one.Curramba, el mejor vividero del mundo!

kat1 (Moderator) says on Sep 21, 2007, 08:00:

I read that Denmark has the lowest rate of suicide and people suffering with depression, the USA is the highest i believe.

engage brain before opening mouth

El Polo says on Sep 21, 2007, 08:00:

at the bottom of the page right hand corner Elmo

El Polo says on Sep 21, 2007, 08:10:

"Had a nice night of sexo with this tall Viking chica but she just couldn't keep that damn bottle of vodka out her hand all night" sounds like a fun night to me as long as she doesnt look vikingish...

miamimike says on Sep 21, 2007, 09:16:

Those Northern European countries are some of the most productive and least corrupt in the World. Finland is # 1 in productivity as well #1 in least corrupt country ranking . Iceland is a beautiful place as well as the people. Go there with an open mind and don't compare them to anyone or any other place. They are straight up folks who say what they mean and mean what they say,,,No double talking BS,,,Depends on what you prefer--BS or straight talk,,,,

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

Desideria (Moderator) says on Sep 21, 2007, 10:02:

Miamimike knows what he's talking about.

Elmo, yes, this should be in off-topic forum, but the link to move it there has not been done yet, otherwise I could've already moved it.

I was weighing my options a long time ago; I held a Green Card, Colombian cédula de extranjería and Finnish passport in my hand. I went eeny-meeny-miney-moe and moved to Sweden from Florida. I have never regretted it, except for short moments. Comparing the life in Colombia, USA and Scandinavia it's like talking about three different planets.

It's total BS to say that people here are gloomy. We just don't bother to pretend that things amuse us when they don't.

Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

Desideria (Moderator) says on Sep 21, 2007, 10:26:

Lots of other people, laughing politely at every little dumb joke. We have a saying in Finland that even a runny-nose little boy grows up to be a real man, but never a kid who laughs with no reason.

That other people would be...hmmm...Canadians, gringos, Colombians....I s'ppose.

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

nine inch nails says on Sep 21, 2007, 10:50:

GIB,

I never went to those clubs because so expensive (lo mas caro) but had heard about them. Mostly foreign women working in them. Few if any Scandanavians. Frowned upon by their society and kinda small community overall (175,000 in capital Reykjavik, 275,000 the entire island).

The Govt. had a probably still has incentives to procreate so as to maintain or even grow the population. Very different place.

get down, get down

nine inch nails says on Sep 21, 2007, 10:52:

El polo,

She was very pretty just kinda stocky but like em that way.

get down, get down

El Polo says on Sep 21, 2007, 10:52:

Rubito.
you can hear worst than that in NYC...

Desideria (Moderator) says on Sep 21, 2007, 11:34:

I would have to agree....war is not known to bring much happiness in people's lives. I have no idea why all Northern Europe always score so high, could it be the egalitarian society, high standard of living, long life-span, low crime rates, clean environment, high technology, the best education in the world (Pisa studies) for everybody (public schools), transparency (most official documents are public)...you guys want me to go on?

Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

El Polo says on Sep 21, 2007, 11:57:

Rubito you can find all those "polite" new yorkers north of westchester.

nine inch nails says on Sep 21, 2007, 12:00:

GIB,

When were you there? It has been ten years for me (96-97) and the economy then was still good and the prices still not as high as now but read recently where housing has tripled in value like rest of Europe and economy now not so good. Apparantly things have changed. It was only heresay for me but I was friends with a lot of Islanders ten years a lot can change.

We never had a curfew back then but do think I heard where they had them in the past before my tour. I know there was a large protest movement there against the NATO base (now closing) and at the time even a small Communist movement so could definetely envison a curfew especially after U.S. invaded Iraq.

Iceland never had a military and although the towns next to the NATO base (Keflavik, Grindavik, etc.) tolerated us I felt a strong sense of anti-military in some of my visits to the capital.

Sorry so much Iceland PBH Colombia but think maybe some of it relates.

Kind regards

get down, get down

Desideria (Moderator) says on Sep 21, 2007, 12:21:

Yes, I think it's important that all citizens have access to official documents. I
My suggestion is that the cheating politicians in Colombia, the corrupt ones, the ones in bed with the paras, the whole bunch should be sent to Darien to get that damned Panamerican Highway built some day...

Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

Tinto (Moderator) says on Sep 21, 2007, 12:22:

Noooo! We need to prevent foot and mouth disease from reaching North America! I'd send 'em to the jungle to clean up all the environmental damage from cocaine and blown up pipelines.

strata2woman says on Sep 21, 2007, 12:24:

Terve Desi, kuinka voitte ? How about the midnite sun in summer? and what about the finnish people?, - the most warm and hospitable people I have ever encountered outside Barranquilla. I will always carry Suomi in my heart.

- "con sombrero vueltiao y abarcas de tres puntá"

nine inch nails says on Sep 21, 2007, 12:29:

and northern lights.

get down, get down

Desideria (Moderator) says on Sep 21, 2007, 12:37:

Ok tinto, yes, stop the hoof and mouth disease drom reaching the USA and the hordes of old-timer pasty gringos coming to Colombia...keep the gap shut.

I'd send them to build a working sewage system in the port city of Buenaventura, Valle, median temp. 35 degrees Celcius, air humidity 100%, the highest rate of homicides in Colombia (Latin America?), endemic malaria and dengue fever.After they got that done, there's Guapi, Tumaco, Juanchaco and the whole Pacific coast that need work brigades to improve the infrastructure and living conditions. Bogotá is not interested, there's nothing out there except poor black people.

Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

Desideria (Moderator) says on Sep 21, 2007, 12:45:

Terve taas pitkästä aikaa, Strata2 :))
I'm totally thrilled that you carry such a wonderful impression of my country and my people. We share something, you and me. You carry Suomi in your heart, minä taas säilytän Colombiaa sydämessäni.

Yes, the midnight sun and the northern lights....let me se if I find the pic I took in Finnish Lapland ay 00.30 a.m. with the sun shining...

Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

LA_MONA says on Sep 21, 2007, 12:55:

Midnight eh...beautiful.

Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin

Desideria (Moderator) says on Sep 21, 2007, 13:18:

Ok you guys and gals...who know.
How do I make these pictures smaller?I don't have photoshop.

Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

LA_MONA says on Sep 21, 2007, 13:24:

Cerealkiller says on Thursday August 30th, 2007 10:11:

Thats ok Mona, just go to http://imageshack.us/ and then upload the pic just like you would on tinypic. Check the "resize image" box and make sure it says 320x240 and check the remove reslution bar too...then itll do the thing. As for the code, youll use the last one on the list, I think it says link to the picture, just under "link to show your friends"

Hope it works for ya ;-)

Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin

strata2woman says on Sep 21, 2007, 13:29:

Desi have you listened to Nina Åström? here's a link to her: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&frien...

- "con sombrero vueltiao y abarcas de tres puntá"

Desideria (Moderator) says on Sep 21, 2007, 13:35:

www.ImageShack.us" />

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

Desideria (Moderator) says on Sep 21, 2007, 13:41:

Thanks strata2, very nice! I almost never listen to Finnish music, except Värttinä,. when I feel a little patriotic.
Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

la campiña says on Sep 21, 2007, 15:57:

the truth is it'a all relative, you earn a lot of money in a country that pays, henceforth you pay alot of money for living, thats why people from the states and europe come here because your money goes a lot lot further( like my change of second person there, ) and of course the stunning women thing, but have you never seen scandinavians, holly mother, ( and I'm not religeous ) could go on but might offend people, there are many wounded wolves trawling the cyberworld- ignore this, bought aguardiente con azucar not sin azucar, for all you proffesional drinkers out their it makes a diference especially mañana ( hangover) guayavo, ah tu saben

Desideria (Moderator) says on Sep 21, 2007, 16:04:

And for us not so professional, we also know that aguardiente blanco del valle SIN azúcar rules! Anyway, the best deal is still make dollars, euros, pounds, spend pesos.

Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

la campiña says on Sep 21, 2007, 16:18:

desi I miss your point why does it rule, maybe people here misunderstand me, I live here in Cali and sometimes get annoyed with the beaurocracy the red tape , etc, but don't get me wrong , London against colombia , only one winner chibchombia jaje, I realy have no plans to return to that arrogant little isla where the people have no expectations no dreams, solomente trabjar work trabajar work ............ y for what, blinkered bumbded down lemmings ' sorry ranting again

Desideria (Moderator) says on Sep 21, 2007, 16:30:

Why it rules? I thought it was obvious, campiña, because el blanco sin azúcar is the QUEEN....let me see if i got this right...you're having a good time and would not have it any other way.
I don't believe I misunderstand you. I used to live there too, in Cali.

Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

la campiña says on Sep 21, 2007, 17:48:

entonces, sin azucar, the queen, not sweet, mmm, interesting, so with sugar is the king, pero soy casado con my reina dulce , arequipe ..

poco says on Sep 22, 2007, 17:21:

Quote: Finnish Lapland

What became of all those radioactive reindeers after Chernobyl ?

http://www.pbs.org/safarchive/4_class/45_pguides/pguide_803/4483_rudol...

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

la campiña says on Sep 22, 2007, 19:45:

C, mon lets go , sexta con 18 cali , rumba, the devils dandruff, now 9.45

ChristopherZZ says on Oct 19, 2007, 17:37:

I cross country skied in Norway and spent some time in Oslo and Lillehammer. The people are very friendly and with all of their social programs they don't seem to have the worries other places in the world have. I mean in the USA it is a rat race every day and I don't see that changing anytime soon.

john_stark says on Oct 20, 2007, 10:52:

"I think the happiest people I have ever seen are dominicanos and colombianos, the world can fall but they are still laughing."

You need to check out Oklahoma. State motto: "Dumb but happy".

john_stark says on Oct 20, 2007, 10:54:

The Scandanavians haven't had any fun since they gave up the Viking lifestyle several centuries ago. If they would just find their inner Viking and go back to looting, raping, killing and pillaging, they'd be a lot more cheerful. Those Vikings were party animals and really knew how to have a good time.

Desideria (Moderator) says on Oct 20, 2007, 11:06:

When was the last time you partied in Stockholm, john_stark?
Perhaps not so much looting, pillaging and killing, but the drinking and carousing has never ended.

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

David Pristupa says on Oct 20, 2007, 14:54:

The happiest people are in the US I have
been told.......

Desideria (Moderator) says on Oct 20, 2007, 14:56:

well....what can I say...
except that you've been told wrong

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

pedro says on Oct 20, 2007, 15:45:

I didn't find the link to the original survey here?

Maybe it was this one?
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/06/20/travel/rmonurban.php

In that case, it's kind of Eurocentric, cause it was written by people who live in Europe. Actually it's very Tyler Brule centric, who's the person writing the article. The cities he likes just happen to rank right up top. So I suspect they made the data fit the conclusion by shuffling the metrics.

You can see the top 20 cities by scrolling down and looking at "Related Links"

que nota!

john_stark says on Oct 20, 2007, 16:04:

Good to hear that the drinking and carousing hasn't ended. If only they'd rediscover their love of violence, it would be perfect. Do they play any games where they just beat the shit out of each other?

manINred says on Oct 20, 2007, 16:08:

One of my best friends is Swedish. I travelled Ecuador and Southern Colombia with him, and he loves Sweden. From what he tells me, Stockholm is a fabulous city with a vibrant nightlife and culture. I would love to visit the country, and some of my English family always go there. While I hate the cold, Sweden is obviously not cold for most of the year and I'll bet the same idiots who say "you live in Canada, jeez, the country of cold..." say the same thing about Sweden. It is not cold all the time, as I have to point out to bemused people who don't quite grasp the concept of seasons (16 degrees Celsius here in Toronto at night in late fall, 40 degree summers, etc...)


You want quality of life? This Swedish friend i have has spent 5 years travelling and working, doing whatever the hell he wants, writes an exam and is now in med school at age 23 studyin to be a doctor, government paying!

Ahh, to be young and carefree in Sweden...