Overrated and underrated countries

[Twicetagram and JYPe]

Most overrated I'd say would be the Scandinavian/Nordic countries. I mean, when you think of anything remotely Scandinavian or Nordic related you'd only think of Ikea, meatballs, aurora lights, Lego and Volkswagen. Other than that, there really isn't a lot to say about these countries.
But their infrastructure and life things and everything are good! Yes, but I'd rather go to a place for its culture than for the way it looks. Yes, I know the Sami exist. Yes, I know Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish and Icelandic cultures all exist but they don't really appeal to me as much as maybe the Balkans, east Europe or hell even France and Germany(which I also think is a bit overrated). Overall, other than education and just getting a feel of Scandinavian life I wouldn't really go there. Sorry peeps. (Also the stuff there are a heck ton expensive)

Most underrated would be Southeast Asia. I know I'm sorta being biased because I'm from here and all, but when you look at culture alone there are so much to see. You could literally spend days at Bagan and Ayutthaya admiring the temples(and this is coming from a Christian). Khmer, Lao and Viet history is something I'd love to learn about other than post-colonial era. Traditional Malay and Indonesian(basically consisting of the likes of Balinese, Bugis and stuff) culture is wildly underrated. Timor-Leste is like the new place ready to shine. Hell, even Singapore has historically appealing stuff despite its modernization and short history.

This is just a few countries I thought of. Just because I say I don't really like the Nordics doesn't mean I hate them, and vice versa. I'm just looking at a cultural point of view.
Although some SEA countries have governments left to be desired...

[Mauritania Romana]

Most underrated would be Southeast Asia. I know I'm sorta being biased because I'm from here and all, but when you look at culture alone there are so much to see. You could literally spend days at Bagan and Ayutthaya admiring the temples(and this is coming from a Christian). Khmer, Lao and Viet history is something I'd love to learn about other than post-colonial era. Traditional Malay and Indonesian(basically consisting of the likes of Balinese, Bugis and stuff) culture is wildly underrated. Timor-Leste is like the new place ready to shine. Hell, even Singapore has historically appealing stuff despite its modernization and short history.

Felt this

For me China is both the most overrated and the most underrated

[Twicetagram and JYPe]

Most overrated I'd say would be the Scandinavian/Nordic countries. I mean, when you think of anything remotely Scandinavian or Nordic related you'd only think of Ikea, meatballs, aurora lights, Lego and Volkswagen. Other than that, there really isn't a lot to say about these countries.
But their infrastructure and life things and everything are good! Yes, but I'd rather go to a place for its culture than for the way it looks. Yes, I know the Sami exist. Yes, I know Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish and Icelandic cultures all exist but they don't really appeal to me as much as maybe the Balkans, east Europe or hell even France and Germany(which I also think is a bit overrated). Overall, other than education and just getting a feel of Scandinavian life I wouldn't really go there. Sorry peeps. (Also the stuff there are a heck ton expensive)

Most underrated would be Southeast Asia. I know I'm sorta being biased because I'm from here and all, but when you look at culture alone there are so much to see. You could literally spend days at Bagan and Ayutthaya admiring the temples(and this is coming from a Christian). Khmer, Lao and Viet history is something I'd love to learn about other than post-colonial era. Traditional Malay and Indonesian(basically consisting of the likes of Balinese, Bugis and stuff) culture is wildly underrated. Timor-Leste is like the new place ready to shine. Hell, even Singapore has historically appealing stuff despite its modernization and short history.

This is just a few countries I thought of. Just because I say I don't really like the Nordics doesn't mean I hate them, and vice versa. I'm just looking at a cultural point of view.
Although some SEA countries have governments left to be desired...

Volkswagen is German.

Myself as a devout Christian reject non-Christian cultures. And Thailand is also overrated for me.

Whoops a mistake on my part.

I can say that Thailand as a tourist destination is quite popular because of its shopping and basically cheap everything. I wouldn't call its attractions outside of Bangkok's shopping malls overrated. However, if that's what you want a budget twin called Myanmar is there right beside.

[Twicetagram and JYPe]

Most underrated would be Southeast Asia. I know I'm sorta being biased because I'm from here and all, but when you look at culture alone there are so much to see. You could literally spend days at Bagan and Ayutthaya admiring the temples(and this is coming from a Christian). Khmer, Lao and Viet history is something I'd love to learn about other than post-colonial era. Traditional Malay and Indonesian(basically consisting of the likes of Balinese, Bugis and stuff) culture is wildly underrated. Timor-Leste is like the new place ready to shine. Hell, even Singapore has historically appealing stuff despite its modernization and short history.

Felt this

For me China is both the most overrated and the most underrated

I feel Chinese history and culture is really unique and interesting. Its an overlooked affair that doesn't get enough attention as compared to Europe. I can feel that overratedness lol but I cant find any reason why it's overrated.

[Centrialand]

Overrated: Brazil. Many people often see it as a powerful nation, but there's alot of problems beneath such as homelessness and health. With the way its dealing with covid, and the environment...

[Centrialand]

i feel more of the northeast asian countries are both overrated and underrated... theres alot of great places to visit there actually, but most of those get overlooked

[Centrialand]

well as a person who enjoys nature theres a surprising amount they offer, however i feel europe has alot to offer too.

[Page]

Is the OP actually looking for a discussion or just wanted to advertise their right-wing reactionary views?

[Twicetagram and JYPe]

Is the OP actually looking for a discussion or just wanted to advertise their right-wing reactionary views?

Seems like (s)he's interested in what we say, but has a grudge on things he view as lower than neutral/average.

[Kashimura]

Is the OP actually looking for a discussion or just wanted to advertise their right-wing reactionary views?

OP is reviving an “old thread” from yesterday that was shut down for being posted by a DOS player who popped up a couple days ago just to rag on Asia, and is possibly the same person. That’s for the mods to figure out though.

[Nobel Hobos 2]

I think this thread is a bad idea. Saying what you don't like about a country, will end badly imo.

Scrap it and start over, with "most under-rated countries" only. Not a mod.

[Nobel Hobos 2]

Haven't you something better to do? Accusing people of x just for a post.

You said bad things about Japan and South Korea, right up front. It's hardly surprising people question your motives?

I mean, suppose you'd posted just your criticism, without the false balance of the subject ("It's ok to criticize people's countries, providing you spend equal time saying something good about ... their historical enemy right next door if you like")

Do you see how just the criticism is all that a Japanese or South Korean will pay much attention to? And that their feelings might be hurt?

Oh what's the use. I'll just walk away, and listen for the distant explosions when some poster makes a measured but incisive criticism of YOUR country.

No I won't do that, come to think of it. I don't want to know. Osthauser ===> Ignore List

[Kashimura]

OP is reviving an “old thread” from yesterday that was shut down for being posted by a DOS player who popped up a couple days ago just to rag on Asia, and is possibly the same person. That’s for the mods to figure out though.

Haven't you something better to do? Accusing people of x just for a post.

Mod-weaponing and trollnaming, it's clear...

They locked it without reason, it was an useful thread, knock it off and spend your time in a better way.

If you believe they locked it without reason, the idea would be to appeal then, rather than restart a moderator locked thread and copy-paste your moderation complaint. It’s not a very good look for you and your credibility, reposting the same thread with the same opinion a day after it was closed as your first post. Iff you were the same person, that would be incredibly transparent after all.

[Mestovakia]

Mestovakia is underrated.

[Twicetagram and JYPe]

Mestovakia is underrated.

Honest truth.

[Mestovakia]

Mestovakia is underrated.

No boy, it's about real life countries. This is General.

General Kenobi?

[Mestovakia]

General Kenobi?

General Discussion forum.

Well, see, a nation is defined by "a nation with its own government, occupying a particular territory." I occupy a part of The Pacific, and I have a government, therefore I am a country.

[Mestovakia]

Sealand. Doesn't really get much recognition.

[Juristonia]

Is the OP actually looking for a discussion or just wanted to advertise their right-wing reactionary views?

And why do you care??? I also want discussion. Also I said no off-topic posts.

And the mods said don't repost this, and yet here we are.

[Freiheit Reich]

Overrated: Germany-any country that charges a small fortune to use a public toilet shows itself as lacking respect for basic human rights and is behaving like a greedy third world nation. Even China, famous for being greedy, has plenty of free public toilets. Germany also allowed a million illegal migrants from third world nations to 'invade' it and Germany gave them money that could have benefited German citizens. However, the preservation of historical sights is good and the scenery is excellent.

The USA: Can't stop illegal invasion, awful crime, racism is encouraged (affirmative action, BLM, etc...), illegal invasions of foreign countries, greed and laziness among many citizens, high drug abuse.

China: Shallowness and greed are commonplace. The culture revolution killed their traditional culture and now temples and sacred mountains are just seen as money making places for people to take selfies. The greed is everywhere and it is often required to buy an overpriced apartment before you are allowed to get married.

Underrated: Taiwan (the real China)-friendly people, beautiful scenery, excellent food, well-organized infrastructure, safe

Slovenia: laidback and friendly people, very beautiful scenery-caves, mountains, lakes, attractive and historic towns, castles-it is like a fairytale come to life

[Freiheit Reich]

Felt this

For me China is both the most overrated and the most underrated

I feel Chinese history and culture is really unique and interesting. Its an overlooked affair that doesn't get enough attention as compared to Europe. I can feel that overratedness lol but I cant find any reason why it's overrated.

China has amazing history but did you visit some of their well-known sights? The commercialism is rampant and admission prices for many sights are through the roof. However, a few sights that are underrated are not too commercial make you appreciate the history. I found South Korea manages historic tourism in a better way and doesn't just see it as a moneymaker. I felt Koreans genuinely are proud of their history and want to ensure everybody can learn about it, not just upper middle-class and wealthy citizens and tourists.

[The Blaatschapen]

Most overrated : USA USA USA.

Most underrated : Estonia and Greece.

Estonia is really ahead in providing government services online.

Greece is wearing the burden of being a big part of the Schengen border and not nearly given enough credit and support for it.

[Freiheit Reich]

I'm reviving an old thread about overrated countries on the NS forum. The questions are:

[*] Which are the most overrated countries? And why?
[*] Which are the most underrated countries? And why?

Here are my thoughts:

[*] The most overrated are Japan and South Korea. Many fetishize them for things like anime or K-pop which are absolutely not related to their culture nor their customs. They often say Japanese and Korean women are beautiful and good wives, but sadly that's not the reality. They often say Japanese and Korean men are masculine and virile (most of them assume they're like Naruto or Goku) but sadly this is far from reality. They often assume traditional values survive there, but the sad reality is that values are even more undermined there than in the Western world. They often assume there's no third world immigration there, but the sad reality is that they've got a lot of immigrants from countries like Vietnam, India or Nepal. They often assume life's better there and that they've got more freedom there, but the sad reality is that those countries are in fact infamous for the unhappiness, slavery and silence of their population. I'm sorry for you but Japan isn't anime on real life.

[*] And the most underrated are the Eastern European countries. Most people in the West talk about them like if they were stuck in the 80s, even today they still tend to view those as communist countries. The reality is that those are very changed. Nowadays they're quite decent countries, with more lovely, prude and traditional people. There is a much stronger sense of patriotism and national belonging there than in the West. People have stronger moral and religious values than in the West. Men are very masculine and strong unlike in the West, and women are very feminine and family-oriented unlike in the West. Of course, not everything is good though, they aren't perfect either. Those countries are much poorer for example, and infrastructures are in worse conditions, so life may be harder on the economic outlook, but easier on the social and cultural one. Those countries are far from being the paradise but, they do have an important part of it. For me it's the only decent part of the planet today.

Now share your observations here, and don't forget to explain why did you choose each country! And please no spam or off-topic posts.

I agree with you about Korea being overrated for music. In fact, Korea likely has the world's WORST music. They also work too hard and seem too money minded as well (like China in this regard). In fact, men also need to 'buy' wives by providing a nice car and apartment (like in China). Plastic surgery rates and video game addiction rates also show there are self-esteem issues there. However, for a small country it has an excellent movie industry, especially if you like Korean War movies and spy thrillers. S. Korea also has fantastic scenery, excellent infrastructure, it is very safe and people are polite and not pushy. Nobody shouts 'taxi' or 'tuk-tuk', 'want to buy a suit' when I walk past them (unlike Hong Kong or Nepal or Cambodia). The food is healthy and decent, I never disliked any of the food except the squid. The historic sights are free or affordable and also well-labeled even for English speakers. Korea is both underrated and overrated in my opinion.

[Starblaydia]

'Most Overrated' is an invitation for trolling and flamebait. I'm locking this thread for the same reason we lock 'Roast Me/Roast the AN' threads - they always end up in warnings.

You can try again without the negativity.