First world, Second world, third world. Could this be a stickey? Probably not, but learn from it.

[Maggot]

I see so many reference to "Third world shitholes" and that is just showing a lack of understanding. It has nothing to do with economics. Hopefully this will clear it up.

First World: The West and democratic countries that align.

Second World Countries: The communist countries and those who align with them.

Third world: Those, who are independent, and dont align. Many of those ARE economically deprived developing nations, but not necessarily.

Look it up.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Have you been to Naples recently???

I would argue that the definition is fluid... because when you look out your hotel window and see some A-tab taking a dump between two parked cars on a city street... you are coming mighty close to the definition...

And then there is Maxine Waters district and the 5th ward in Houston...

Could we agree that Third World is as Third World does?

Can’t remember the name of the book, but it is a fantastic read from the late 80s called “Destruction of a Continent” and it lays out the ruin of Africa... not from the slave trade and Colonialism, but from well-meaning but mis guided US and UN aid that has made the whole place dependent, overpopulated and... unable to rise out of their morass.

Well, I always value Maggots opinions... so hope my rant is taken as most-respectful commentary and a starting point for a potentially interesting discussion...

Cheers, Sirhr

 

[Maggot]

Have you been to Naples recently???

I would argue that the definition is fluid... because when you look out your hotel window and see some A-tab taking a dump between two parked cars on a city street... you are coming mighty close to the definition...

And then there is Maxine Waters district and the 5th ward in Houston...

Could we agree that Third World is as Third World does?

Can’t remember the name of the book, but it is a fantastic read from the late 80s called “Destruction of a Continent” and it lays out the ruin of Africa... not from the slave trade and Colonialism, but from well-meaning but mis guided US and UN aid that has made the whole place dependent, overpopulated and... unable to rise out of their morass.

Well, I always value Maggots opinions... so hope my rant is taken as most-respectful commentary and a starting point for a potentially interesting discussion...

Cheers, Sirhr

Im speaking in a technical sense. Italy is a First World country because it 'aligns' with our system, but point taken.

Regarding Africa, I havent read the book but I think its a combination of the two.

For instance:

The Europeans who took over South Africa. Some, justify that, as making use of resources they were not using, or "Theyre just savages" but it wasnt theirs to use, it was taken by force, and the original inhabitants, left out of the picture. Kind of like Israel, except that the Dutch had no religious lie to justify their aggression.

It got fucked up by aggression fueled by greed.

Then the N and others came in and fucked it up even worse.

When travelling in Egypt some 55 years ago, shortly after Nasser took office and ended the religious hegemony, seeing the conditions, I asked my father..."Whats wrong with these people, why are they still living like animals when they now have democracy (or a form of it)"
His answer was "You dont change a culture in a generation. It takes 4-5-6 generations or more to change all the social morays attached to a culture.

 

[flyer]

This makes a lot of sense, sanctuary cities are third world shit holes.

 

[Nik H]

I see so many reference to "Third world shitholes" and that is just showing a lack of understanding. It has nothing to do with economics. Hopefully this will clear it up.

First World: The West and democratic countries that align.

Second World Countries: The communist countries and those who align with them.

Third world: Those, who are independent, and dont align. Many of those ARE economically deprived developing nations, but not necessarily.

Look it up.

Whose definition is this?

 

[Fig]

I see so many reference to "Third world shitholes" and that is just showing a lack of understanding. It has nothing to do with economics. Hopefully this will clear it up.

First World: The West and democratic countries that align.

Second World Countries: The communist countries and those who align with them.

Third world: Those, who are independent, and dont align. Many of those ARE economically deprived developing nations, but not necessarily.

Look it up.

Communism was "defeated" when the USSR collapsed. Those words aren't used the way they were during the Cold War. I haven't seen "2nd World" in print in a very, very long time. If I did I would have the same definitions (the ones we grew up with) you do, but they aren't rally used that way, anywhere, anymore.

You see 1st World for the West, and 3rd for economically challenged countries (of which I would Include Italy, and the rest of the European P.I.G.S.).

I think now the common usage is more by GDP and wealth. You're 100% right, but I think we're past that now.

 

[Nik H]

I think now the common usage is more by GDP and wealth. You're 100% right, but I think we're past that now.

And technology prowess or at least in what I see

 

[FS1]

So can we agree at least that a shithole by any other name is still a shithole?

 

[Maser]

I do find it kind of funny how a place like KSA is still considered a 3rd world country even though they are extremely rich. I know they are pretty old school on the social scale, but still. Riyadh looks like a pretty sweet city to hang out at. I know I can't visit it because I'm not Muslim, but I would love to visit Mecca.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

I do find it kind of funny how a place like KSA is still considered a 3rd world country even though they are extremely rich. I know they are pretty old school on the social scale, but still. Riyadh looks like a pretty sweet city to hang out at. I know I can't visit it because I'm not Muslim, but I would love to visit Mecca.

Riyadh is a very interesting place... because it is first-world splendor but most of it is slums that you can barely believe. Filled with the unfortunates and the Bedou plus the migrant Filipino and Palestinian Uber-poor. The front face of the city is opulence you can’t believe... the underbelly is what breeds suicide bombers and hijackers.

Kuwait City is little different. The Gold Souk gets the press... the slums make Manila look like Palm Springs.

Sirhr

 

[Nik H]

I do find it kind of funny how a place like KSA is still considered a 3rd world country even though they are extremely rich. I know they are pretty old school on the social scale, but still. Riyadh looks like a pretty sweet city to hang out at. I know I can't visit it because I'm not Muslim, but I would love to visit Mecca.

You would not do well in Riyadh based on the little I know about you.

I spent a few months there on a project. Never left the American area (compound) as we were told that if you are caught doing something you shouldn't, there is little we can do. This was 20 years ago but I don't believe it is different today. The list of what not to do was quite long.

 

[Fig]

We got stopped by Mattawa because a female crew-chief (who was a Chief) was not walking behind me and her eyes were not on the ground. This fucker kept shouting "Who is in charge", and we kept looking at each other and pointing to her. After about ten minutes (I was considering explosive violence) an actual cop pulled up who spoke good English, and at that point I said that I was in charge and I would make the chief walk behind me and stare at my heels. The cop smoothed it out with the Mattawa and we went on our way. That was my last trip beyond the wire.

 

[Maser]

You would not do well in Riyadh based on the little I know about you.

I spent a few months there on a project. Never left the American area (compound) as we were told that if you are caught doing something you shouldn't, there is little we can do. This was 20 years ago but I don't believe it is different today. The list of what not to do was quite long.

Oh I know all about KSA not giving the diplomatic immunity for foreigners doing stupid shit in their country. And I 100% support that. I'd do just fine there. All my Saudi friends who want me to go there all tell me all I need to worry about is to learn to love eating lamb because apparently that's all they eat there.

 

[Maggot]

We got stopped by Mattawa because a female crew-chief (who was a Chief) was not walking behind me and her eyes were not on the ground. This fucker kept shouting "Who is in charge", and we kept looking at each other and pointing to her. After about ten minutes (I was considering explosive violence) an actual cop pulled up who spoke good English, and at that point I said that I was in charge and I would make the chief walk behind me and stare at my heels. The cop smoothed it out with the Mattawa and we went on our way. That was my last trip beyond the wire.

Thats plenty. Thanks.

 

[flyer]

I had a potential opportunity to work a gig in Saudi Arabia but the crew required would have been problematic in a Muslim country so we declined on human rights grounds.

I kind of wanted to do it to see the shit show but don't think imprisonment would be worth it.

 

[Maggot]

I had a potential opportunity to work a gig in Saudi Arabia but the crew required would have been problematic in a Muslim country so we declined on human rights grounds.

I kind of wanted to do it to see the shit show but don't think imprisonment would be worth it.

Thats why I decided not to retire to Central America. I got a big mouth. Down there the powers that be expect obedience and submission.

 

[Redmanss]

Spent months in Saudi, went into Riyadh every weekend, no problems at all but I know how to mind my manners in someone else's house and we took no women. Ate lots of chicken and beef kabobs, and lamb is delicious anyhow (just had some yesterday in fact), just stay away from camel as it's tougher than a wounded elk that runs for two miles before dying and don't touch the milk.

Any experience is what you make of it.

 

[uffduh]

My experience has been that there’s a greater chance of getting in trouble in Dubai than elsewhere in the ME because more is ‘allowed’ until it’s not...eg when you get in the taxi to go from a mate’s hotel to your own after a day at the pool.

 

[kl3309]

First World - sit-down toilet
Second World - squat-down toilet
Third World - toilet is the same body of water from which you draw drinking water

 

[Maser]

My experience has been that there’s a greater chance of getting in trouble in Dubai than elsewhere in the ME because more is ‘allowed’ until it’s not...eg when you get in the taxi to go from a mate’s hotel to your own after a day at the pool.

The reason why so many dumbasses get in trouble in Dubai is because visitors think they're in Vegas or something. They forget you have to abide by Arab laws.

 

[Maser]

First World - sit-down toilet
Second World - squat-down toilet
Third World - toilet is the same body of water from which you draw drinking water

Fuck squat toilets! I spent time for a few months in India when i was 7 and I HATED the squat toilets!

 

[uffduh]

The reason why so many dumbasses get in trouble in Dubai is because visitors think they're in Vegas or something. They forget you have to abide by Arab laws.

Yep, that wasn’t point.

 

[uffduh]

And maybe I should have added that I was never picked up by the religious police. Just observing that others who have been through have.

 

[Maggot]

First World - sit-down toilet
Second World - squat-down toilet
Third World - toilet is the same body of water from which you draw drinking water

As a young kid I remember circa 1960 shitting into a hole in the concrete on the Piraeus in Athens, then looking at the kids swimming in the water. After you shit you wiped your ass with your finger then washed it on the way out. That kind of got to me.

 

[flyer]

Yeah, my crew would have included women operating heavy equipment and not interested in taking shit from any one. Just being associated with that would have invited attention.

I might be able to go to Saudi Arabia if no one is looking too close at me but under scrutiny I would probably violate their rules.

 

[Maser]

And maybe I should have added that I was never picked up by the religious police. Just observing that others who have been through have.

The religious police have no authority anymore.

 

[PPB]

Where do these fit in???

 

[Inifinty]

Communism was "defeated" when the USSR collapsed.

Those peckerwoods weren't defeated.. just laid on their side to make it look that way while seeds to erode the foundations of their nemesis were allowed to sprout.

The old duma building still has the old iron and sickle plastered proudly right on top of it.

Feet of a bear, it will walk and bare teeth.

 

[uffduh]

Every taxi driver thinks he’s one. Go check it out. They’ll love you.

The religious police have no authority anymore.