Thread for Darth -tell us about Romania

[TuckEverlasting]

Don't feel obligated, if you don't wanna, but I'd love to hear about Romania - what it's like there, history and stuff. Do they have any cool castles there like in Dracula?

[Darth Executor]

Don't feel obligated, if you don't wanna, but I'd love to hear about Romania - what it's like there, history and stuff. Do they have any cool castles there like in Dracula?

Hmm. Can you ask some more specific questions? To be honest, I don't really remember much about its history. I know we've gotten into a lot of fights with the Ottoman (Turkish) Empire and with Russia. Then again, neither nation is particularly popular with most of Eastern Europe. As for castles, I've only been to one and I don't remember it's name (I do remember its huge moat though). I was born in the castle of a Hungarian count, but I think that castle is abandoned now. I'm definitely gonna go check it out next time I go back though.

[dizzle]

Nicolae Carpathia is from Romania.

[TuckEverlasting]

Hmm. Can you ask some more specific questions? To be honest, I don't really remember much about its history. I know we've gotten into a lot of fights with the Ottoman (Turkish) Empire and with Russia. Then again, neither nation is particularly popular with most of Eastern Europe. As for castles, I've only been to one and I don't remember it's name (I do remember its huge moat though). I was born in the castle of a Hungarian count, but I think that castle is abandoned now. I'm definitely gonna go check it out next time I go back though.

Hrm... here are some vague-ish questions for ya:

-what are the people like there (compared to Canada)? Is there a lot of poverty? Are people 'nicer', or less nice? Are they educated? Do they work a lot?
-what's the country's relationship with its neighbours?
-do people have a real sense of history; is there a national sense of 'being Romanian'?
-any cool stories of things that have happened in Romania's history?
-what's the climate/weather and terrain/geography like?
-what are the :girl:s like?

Oh, and telling people you were born in a castle is the kewliest thing ever!

[Darth Executor]

-what are the people like there (compared to Canada)?

Kind of the same, though they are closer to Americans than Canadians.

Is there a lot of poverty?

Yes, though the living conditions are bearable for most people.

Are people 'nicer'

No, although according to my uncle this attitude is changing.

Are they educated?

Yes, very.

Do they work a lot?

Not as much as here. Unlike North America and Japan, Europeans aren't particularly fond of "overtime". After their 8 hours are done they go home.

-what's the country's relationship with its neighbours?

OK. We don't get along with Hungary very well (there is always a dispute over Transylvania, not that Hungary has a chance of getting it).

-do people have a real sense of history; is there a national sense of 'being Romanian'?

Yes, though it's easier to notice it among Canadian Romanians. When we're there we just make fun of our country.

-any cool stories of things that have happened in Romania's history?

Vlad Tepes (the Impaler), who was a source of inspiration for the Dracula crap. Then there's Saint Stephen the Great who cracked Turkish skull. Like I said though, I don't remember much.

-what's the climate/weather and terrain/geography like?

Similar to Southern Canada.

-what are the :girl:s like?

A heck of a lot better than here (I'm assuming you're asking about looks). Last time I was there I tried and could not find one ugly girl. I found a couple of fat ones but after I analyzed them I realised that if they lost weight they'd be hot. The only ugly romanian chicks I see are the ones that come to Canada.

[TuckEverlasting]

Kind of the same, though they are closer to Americans than Canadians.

In what way?

Yes, though the living conditions are bearable for most people.

Is the economy still recovering from communism (or was it ever even that bad under communism)?

No, although according to my uncle this attitude is changing.

How come?

Yes, very.

Even with the poverty, people still manage to get edumacated?

OK. We don't get along with Hungary very well (there is always a dispute over Transylvania, not that Hungary has a chance of getting it).

What's Romania 'famous' for, if anything? What's the main export? Is there Romanian music besides Numa Numa?

Yes, though it's easier to notice it among Canadian Romanians. When we're there we just make fun of our country.

How many Romanians are in Canada? Why do they come here?

Vlad Tepes (the Impaler), who was a source of inspiration for the Dracula crap. Then there's Saint Stephen the Great who cracked Turkish skull. Like I said though, I don't remember much.

:cool: Is that the St. Stephen that the Feast of Stephen is named after?

Similar to Southern Canada.

No mountains?

A heck of a lot better than here (I'm assuming you're asking about looks). Last time I was there I tried and could not find one ugly girl. I found a couple of fat ones but after I analyzed them I realised that if they lost weight they'd be hot. The only ugly romanian chicks I see are the ones that come to Canada.

So it's like Quebec. :duh: But actually, I didn't mean looks - I meant more along the lines of, what's the concept of 'femininity' like there? Are they very Western, modern, feminist, 'liberated', etc.? Or are they more 'traditional' than here?

[Darth Executor]

In what way?

Less friendly and more likely to kill you if they don't like you.



Is the economy still recovering from communism (or was it ever even that bad under communism)?

The economy is still "recovering" (if you can call it that). Our economy was great until communism came and destroyed it.



How come?

Well, the new generation doesn't remember communism, and has hope for the future. The old one, not so much.

Even with the poverty, people still manage to get edumacated?

Yes. It's free anyway, and you need a PhD to get a job selling food in the street. If you're too stupid to pass 4th grade (the equivalent of grade 8-9 in Canada) you get to become a politician and funnel funds to the construction of one of the many mansions you're bound to have.

What's Romania 'famous' for, if anything?

We have the second biggest (area wise) building in the world, after the Pentagon. Our former communist president needed a big residence and as we all know, the Romanian economy is strong enough to compete with the USA. Let's not forget Dracula. :ahem:

What's the main export?

People. :teeth:
To be honest, I have no idea. I think it used to be grain until the communists took over and destroyed the economy.

Is there Romanian music besides Numa Numa?

Yes, plenty of it, though I barely keep track of American music so I don't know the details.

How many Romanians are in Canada?

No idea. maybe 50-100k

Why do they come here?

Because East Europe is crap. I'm pretty sure most just move to other areas of Europe though, as it's easier to get in.



:cool: Is that the St. Stephen that the Feast of Stephen is named after?

No.


No mountains?

I missed the geography part. Yeah, there are mountains. 75% of our borders are water (mostly rivers). Transylvania (northwest) has the Carpathian Mountains separating it from the rest of Romania, and its center is a smaller mountain area too.


So it's like Quebec. :duh: But actually, I didn't mean looks - I meant more along the lines of, what's the concept of 'femininity' like there? Are they very Western, modern, feminist, 'liberated', etc.? Or are they more 'traditional' than here?

No feminists that I know of. :tongue: Mostly because we had no reason to develop "white man's guilt" like successful western nations did, so if any group complains about being persecuted we just laugh and ignore them.

[TuckEverlasting]

The economy is still "recovering" (if you can call it that). Our economy was great until communism came and destroyed it.

Well, the new generation doesn't remember communism, and has hope for the future. The old one, not so much.

Yes. It's free anyway, and you need a PhD to get a job selling food in the street. If you're too stupid to pass 4th grade (the equivalent of grade 8-9 in Canada) you get to become a politician and funnel funds to the construction of one of the many mansions you're bound to have.

I don't quite get this. Education's 'free' (like health care in Canada, which means the taxpayer pays for it :ahem:), but the economy's still not great...?

We have the second biggest (area wise) building in the world, after the Pentagon. Our former communist president needed a big residence and as we all know, the Romanian economy is strong enough to compete with the USA.

Wow, bigger than Saddam's palaces? :shocked: Is it still private or can you tour it at all?


Let's not forget Dracula. :ahem:

I am Dracula. :darklaugh:

Yes, plenty of it, though I barely keep track of American music so I don't know the details.

:cool: I'd like to hear it, anyway.

Because East Europe is crap. I'm pretty sure most just move to other areas of Europe though, as it's easier to get in.

So what specifically sucks about it that makes them leave? Economic conditions? What's the actual standard of living like? Is there still government-sponsored oppression?

I missed the geography part. Yeah, there are mountains. 75% of our borders are water (mostly rivers). Transylvania (northwest) has the Carpathian Mountains separating it from the rest of Romania, and its center is a smaller mountain area too.

Is there much rural population?

Oh, and how old were you when you learned English? Do most people there learn English? Do you have a Romanian accent? Do you find it easier to pick up French because of the Romanian background?

No feminists that I know of. :tongue: Mostly because we had no reason to develop "white man's guilt" like successful western nations did, so if any group complains about being persecuted we just laugh and ignore them.

So... the girls are all hot, and none of them are feminists. Sounds like paradise if you ask me! :yes:

[Darth Executor]

I don't quite get this. Education's 'free' (like health care in Canada, which means the taxpayer pays for it :ahem:), but the economy's still not great...?


Well, education is just one of the many factors that go towards improving the economy. Our government is corrupt to the core, and people get good jobs through connections rather than competence. As long as this will go on the nation can be full of Einstein clones and the economy will still suck.


Wow, bigger than Saddam's palaces? :shocked: Is it still private or can you tour it at all?

I'm pretty sure it's a museum. I'm also pretty sure its construction was never completed.




I am Dracula. :darklaugh:

Don't say things like that when I'm in the middle of setting up a tent.



:cool: I'd like to hear it, anyway.

I'll PM you in a minute.

So what specifically sucks about it that makes them leave? Economic conditions? What's the actual standard of living like?

People usually have enough money for a house and food. There's no mass starvation of anything but nobody wants to live life with the bare necessities.

Is there still government-sponsored oppression?

No, the esteemed members of the government are too busy hauling tax money into trucks and losing it in their personal vaults.

Is there much rural population?

Yes, but not nearly enough. Our economy used to be driven by our agriculture, until the communists decided we need to be "modernized" and moved the peasants to the city to build useless factories. I shouldn't complain though, other communist countries (like China) got it much worse.

Oh, and how old were you when you learned English?

I started at about 4. I learned most of it from watching cartoons on TV.

Do most people there learn English?

Yes. IIRC, about 80% of the population knows English (although I use the word "knows" loosely). If they're young (as in under 25) they're pretty much guaranteed to know it.

Do you have a Romanian accent?

I have an accent, though I'm not sure what exactly it is. Since I learned English almost simultaneously, I have somewhat of an accent in both languages. :teeth: Of course, I find it much easier to fake a regional Romanian accent and make it impossible for them to detect any English influence.

Do you find it easier to pick up French because of the Romanian background?

No, I found it almost impossible to pick up French. I had it in school here for about 4 years, somehow managed to pass with decent marks and still not speak a word of it.


So... the girls are all hot, and none of them are feminists. Sounds like paradise if you ask me! :yes:

Yeah, until they cheat on you with 3 of your friends. At the same time. :teeth:
Sex is about the only entertainment most people can get.

[Darth Executor]

Hey Tuck, do you use MSN? I found a few songs you might like and I want to send them to you.

[TuckEverlasting]

Well, education is just one of the many factors that go towards improving the economy. Our government is corrupt to the core, and people get good jobs through connections rather than competence. As long as this will go on the nation can be full of Einstein clones and the economy will still suck.

Ok, gotcha. :yes:

Don't say things like that when I'm in the middle of setting up a tent.

:eh: That joke flew right over my head!

People usually have enough money for a house and food. There's no mass starvation of anything but nobody wants to live life with the bare necessities.

Makes sense.

Yes, but not nearly enough. Our economy used to be driven by our agriculture, until the communists decided we need to be "modernized" and moved the peasants to the city to build useless factories. I shouldn't complain though, other communist countries (like China) got it much worse.[/quote

Is anyone moving back at all now?

[quote]I started at about 4. I learned most of it from watching cartoons on TV.

So they watch American cartoons?

No, I found it almost impossible to pick up French. I had it in school here for about 4 years, somehow managed to pass with decent marks and still not speak a word of it.

:lol: 'k, I was just wondering, since Romanian is one of the Romance languages.

Yeah, until they cheat on you with 3 of your friends. At the same time. :teeth:
Sex is about the only entertainment most people can get.

Aw. That's sad, but I understand what you mean. Reminds of a Hemingway story I read a while ago that was kinda cynical about women.

Anyway, I wish I could visit Romania someday!

[Darth Executor]

:eh: That joke flew right over my head!


Wooden spikes.


Is anyone moving back at all now?

No. Although it might be a good idea for retirement because I would live like a king there. Not to mention the fact that European food > North American Frankenfood.


So they watch American cartoons?

I do, but I don't think that's where most people learn English. They teach English in school and our education system is much more cutthroat. If you fail a class, you could end up repeating the entire grade's courses, so people avoid failing, which, by connection, means they learn English.