East vs. West

[d3cimat3d]

Why is it that Western Europeans show hostility towards eastern Europe, but eastern Europeans usually show respect and admiration for western Europe? I noticed that lots of western Europeans think of east Europeans as sort of low quality and 2nd class Europeans, which is funny because I wouldn't want to be western European - I do find western Europe to be cozy compard to eastern Europe, but west Europe's history and culture is extremely boring to me.

Is it more of just a rivalry between the Slavic vs. Germanic speakers or is it something more? And don't act like this tension between east & west doesn't exist because it does, in the form of mail-order bride, gypsy & vodka jokes coming mainly from western Europeans.

[Mordid]

Why they hate each other? That's simple. Because of east-Communist, more totalitarian, west-Capitalist, more democratic and well structured.
Nowadays the difference is mostly in price and in the local language. Most of Eastern Europe has Slavic languages, but not all of it. Eastern Europe used to be Communist, and sometimes you still see it in the way people in the shops and restaurants behave, like they do not need to be friendly, as you have nowhere else to go. There are still a lot of old fashioned hotels, where comfort was not the most important, but it is changing fast, although in different speads in different countries.... Western Europe is more expensive, multicultural, more service orientated and hospitality has changed slowly over the years most hotels are up to standards. (Often more than the budget traveler likes, as almost all places also charge for having the facilities.)

Typical Eastern face:


Typical Western face:

[Wulfhere]

Why is it that Western Europeans show hostility towards eastern Europe, but eastern Europeans usually show respect and admiration for western Europe? I noticed that lots of western Europeans think of east Europeans as sort of low quality and 2nd class Europeans, which is funny because I wouldn't want to be western European - I do find western Europe to be cozy compard to eastern Europe, but west Europe's history and culture is extremely boring to me.

Is it more of just a rivalry between the Slavic vs. Germanic speakers or is it something more? And don't act like this tension between east & west doesn't exist because it does, in the form of mail-order bride, gypsy & vodka jokes coming mainly from western Europeans.

It's a good job you don't want to be Western European, but unfortunately millions and millions of your fellow Easterners do, and come here, driving down wages and expecting us to give them free healthcare and welfare benefits. That's why we don't like them.

[Mordid]

It's a good job you don't want to be Western European, but unfortunately millions and millions of your fellow Easterners do, and come here, driving down wages and expecting us to give them free healthcare and welfare benefits. That's why we don't like them.

At least, it wasn't us who started the London riot. :icon_yawn:

[Wulfhere]

At least, it wasn't us who started the London riot. :icon_yawn:

True, but that's hardly the point.

[Mordid]

True, but that's hardly the point.

I WANT THOSE FUCKING POLACK OUT OF UK!!!


What do you think of this Polish chick?

[Humanophage]

It is reasonable to perceive poorer nations with higher crime rates with greater negativity. Czechs, for instance, are mostly admired (see e.g. this). When Eastern Europeans show comparable merit, they will not be treated as lower class Europeans.

It's a good job you don't want to be Western European, but unfortunately millions and millions of your fellow Easterners do, and come here, driving down wages and expecting us to give them free healthcare and welfare benefits.

I don't think EU immigrants are very interested in free healthcare and welfare. They tend to leave the UK once done with the money. Unlike third worlders.

[Tabiti]

Always connected the East with spirituality, even after the damages communism has done here. So, I'm proud being Eastern with all the negatives and positives, despite all the stereotypes. There will always be "fight" between the two Europes, however I suggest my Western European fellows never to forget from where actually the Civilization before Rome comes. And, yes, we have plenty of jokes and stereotypes agains you as well
And if there wasn't Eastern Europe, you Westerners would never know what cheap alcohol, prostitutes and unpunished crime is. Something many of your citizens seem to search here, the same as Easterners wanting your money and work, isn't? So, you see both flocks have their own black sheep. Both equally black if you ask me.

[Mordid]

It is reasonable to perceive poorer nations with higher crime rates with greater negativity. Czechs, for instance, are mostly admired (see e.g. this). When Eastern Europeans show comparable merit, they will not be treated as lower class Europeans.


I don't think EU immigrants are very interested in free healthcare and welfare. They tend to leave the UK once done with the money. Unlike third worlders.

Is that guy Polack?

[Leliana]

Why is it that Western Europeans show hostility towards eastern Europe, but eastern Europeans usually show respect and admiration for western Europe?

But many Eastern Europeans don't speak well or nice of my country. And some of the unpleasant immigrants have their roots in the eastern parts of the continent. What amazes me is that Russians, Hungarians or Ukrainians like Germans and aren't much of a problem when being here, but that Poles or Czechs are full of mistrust.

My attitude is easy to understand. If you like and respect my country, I like you and respect your country. But if you don't like my country or misbehave while being here, I don't like you and hope you get lost.