Culture Shock....if there was one thing about...

[Strong-Badia the FREE]

Pshhh. We eat kangaroos for breakfast. That would be if we had any kangaroos, but we don't. Because we aren't Australia.

See, you guys don't have kangaroos. Therefore, there is not enough awesomeness for my head to explode.

Awesomeness is subjective, Kangeeman.

[The Kangaroo Republic]

See, you guys don't have kangaroos. Therefore, there is not enough awesomeness for my head to explode.

Awesomeness is subjective, Kangeeman.

But it still doesn't make my head explode.
Okay, I will stop now.

[Concordeia]

*Makes note to try and visit New Lyrane*

Quick question: If your country is all female, how do you maintain a population?

Oh, that's no problem. Everybody is expected to have at least one child so... oh, I see what you mean. How Lyranian babies are made. Well, about 1 in 100 live births are male. As Misthurst noted, males don't grow up right. I suppose that's because Lyranian males only have one X chromosome, but I'm a Liberal Arts major so what do I know. Anyway, males grow up to be cave-hobbits. Short, hairy, not as smart as an average sheepdog. So they are kept in stud-houses. And when you decide you are ready to have a baby, you go to stud. Just like if you were going to breed your dog, except... you know... you do it yourself.

For an explanation with lots of big words, see here.

Wow, I feel bad for the males. Another question, are Lyranian females capable of mating with Human males, since they appear so similar to Human females? Or would genetic differences preclude this?

[Antivictoria]

The number of public servants with a colorful past, including 3 ex-prostitutes in Parliament. There are 5 ex-convicts in Parliament as well, as conviction for a crime only disbars from public office during incarceration. After that, the ex-con has a chance to prove that he or she has reformed. Of course, those convicted of violent felonies tend to be executed or imprisoned for a long time, so they don't get a second chance.

People from more rigidly patriarchal or matriarchal societies would be shocked at how little sex or gender issues matter here. There is no radical feminist movement here, no tendency to mistake prudery for women's liberation, no condemnation of consensual sexual activity as "exploitation" (prostitution is perfectly legal here). Women currently hold 43% of public offices, without any need for quotas, including the Presidency itself.

The sheer prominence of the magical community, without any attempt to hide its existence from Muggles. Magic folk and Muggles peacefully co-exist, though special prisons exist for Magic folk due to higher security risks.

Speaking of prisons, they are co-ed here and that is literally. Convicts are required to attend classes and complete their education, so as to have something to offer society when they are released. The cost is deducted from their pay, which is somewhat higher than normal prison pay, due to work that they perform for private contractors. Oh, and 32% of all prison teachers are ex-cons themselves.

[Vitius]

The government's strict focus on Judaism and strong anti-drug poliices.

[Morrdh]

That Morrdh is almost a carbon copy of 1950s Britain.

[Lancov]

A lot of people think that just because weapons are freely available that we're a violent people. This assumption distresses us.

[Patekka]

United Ascension is the principle Patekka is founded on. During the second coming of Christ, Patekka will immediately surrender our land to the Lord. Our government will immediately dissolve.

[Sagatagan]

The lack of gender roles, lack of class distinctions, the racial equality, acceptance of nudity and free love, the presence of huge amounts of drugs and no drug laws, the environmental ethic in basically every aspect of life, the close-knittedness of the community, acceptance of the mentally atypical, and the general decline of consumerism may all strike a visitor as odd.

[Hresejnen]

A lot of people think that just because weapons are freely available that we're a violent people. This assumption distresses us.

We feel your pain. Folks like us carry weapons because we're against violence!

[Atalissa]

A lot of people think that just because weapons are freely available that we're a violent people. This assumption distresses us.

We feel your pain. Folks like us carry weapons because we're against violence!

Likewise. The extensive "gun culture" sometimes shocks or even alarms tourists.

[Saurisisia]

A lot of people think that just because weapons are freely available that we're a violent people. This assumption distresses us.

We can relate.

While we DO love violence in movies, TV shows, video games, and books, we're generally not a violent people.

Not too much, anyway.

[Maraque]

Some folks mistakenly think because Tsvarchivans carry machetes on them they're violent.

[Zttiraza]

Some people think the citizens of Zttiraza are violent just because they carry around swords, are trained from a young age in combat, have to serve in the military for seven years, and take the law into their own hands; resulting in sword and martial art fights in public areas not uncommon at all.

Actually, a lot of tourists flock just to witness the fights, along with experience the famous hospitality of the Zttirazaia for themselves; you never have to worry about finding a place to crash in Zttiraza!

[Holy Marsh]

While I have immensely enjoyed the past half page, I do find it strange that they are all very much similar so it doesn't seem as though there would be much culture shock going around.

[Central and Eastern Visayas]

A lot of people think that just because weapons are freely available that we're a violent people. This assumption distresses us.

Ditto... and then you realize our nation seceded from Imperial Manila. That nation's Ruling House still holds a grudge.

[Zttiraza]

Indeed, it's quite funny.

[SteevyT]

The occasional howitzer being towed behind some family vehicle while they head to the nearest range to shoot. Since it is a gun, it is legal to own.

[The Holy Twig]

The wide variety of people being burnt publicly for every shape and form of witchcraft.

[Parhe]

the proportion of power held by the church

[The Holy Twig]

the proportion of power held by the church

100%?
that's about how much the Theocracy of the Holy Twig wields.

[Morrdh]

We feel your pain. Folks like us carry weapons because we're against violence!

Likewise. The extensive "gun culture" sometimes shocks or even alarms tourists.

If you had a license NOT to carry a weapon then I would find that odd...

[Senihai]

Talking of violence, the Niom jungle, one of the most popular tourist points in the whole of the S.E.T, is actually the most dangerous:

-The Nayanan war-zone
-Roaming bandits.
-Un-updated technology.
-Poverty.
-Disease, especially malaria.
-Dangerous animals.
-Murderous false guides.
-Just getting plain lost and dying of starvation, dehydration or any of the above.

All this and tourists still come flocking, around 3000 a year. 200 die a year.

[Morrdh]

-Un-updated technology.

Surely you mean Outdated technology?

Old can still be good, it not more effective sometimes.

[Senihai]

Yeah, I sort of forgot...I was trying to think of a word but failed

And we're in 2030, and many of our jungle villages don't even have electricity. Or efficient, available medicine. So an adventurous tourist from the developed world will be pretty uncomfortable in a local village...