Is there any country you would not go to even if you were paid to go there?

Rikand

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

At the time of going to PNG a colleague and I had a choice, one had to go to PNG, the other the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

We tossed a coin for it.
At the time Port Moresby and Kinshasa were something like 2 and 3 on the worst cities to visit in the world list after Mogadishu.

I think I would just give in my notice

breezy1985

breezy1985 wrote: »

That's assuming you are a straight man. Plenty of countries that have no civil unrest are hostile to both gay people or women or both. If I was gay I wouldn't risk Orbans Hungary. It might turn out fine but if all you have to go off is what you read before you book you will probably pick somewhere else

You don't need to worry about Hungary if gay. There are gay people actually living there.

Bobblehats

Rikand wrote: »

All of Africa
All of Central and South America
And probably a few of the ex-soviet countries too. Particularly the ones near the middle east.
Oh yeah, and the Middle East too
And some of those east Asian island type nations. Indonesia, for example would hold no appeal to me

Something like that. I could probably pass in most of those places under the “right light”, which let’s face it is almost directly overhead but once they catch a flash of the old blue steel I’m a potential ransom

breezy1985

breezy1985 wrote: »

That's assuming you are a straight man. Plenty of countries that have no civil unrest are hostile to both gay people or women or both. If I was gay I wouldn't risk Orbans Hungary. It might turn out fine but if all you have to go off is what you read before you book you will probably pick somewhere else

Homosexually decriminalised there in 1961, a full 30 years before Ireland. 6 years before the UK, which was in fact one of the most prosecutorial regimes regarding the actual use of the laws. See Turing. And one year before the first US state to legalise it, 40 years before the Supreme Court legalised it for the ten states or so who hadn’t yet done that.

And yet I don’t remember European states demanding we be kicked out of the EU. And gay people travelled here.

breezy1985

bubblypop wrote: »

You don't need to worry about Hungary if gay. There are gay people actually living there.

I don't doudt it. I was talking about tourism and if you had never been before and we're choosing a place to go the things you hear about Orban or similar leaders in other countries I imagine would put a lot of people off

cashback

Rikand wrote: »

All of Africa
All of Central and South America
And probably a few of the ex-soviet countries too. Particularly the ones near the middle east.
Oh yeah, and the Middle East too
And some of those east Asian island type nations. Indonesia, for example would hold no appeal to me

Can't tell if these kinds of posts are serious.

[Deleted User]

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Homosexually decriminalised there in 1961, a full 30 years before Ireland. 6 years before the UK, which was in fact one of the most prosecutorial regimes regarding the actual use of the laws. See Turing. And one year before the first US state to legalise it, 40 years before the Supreme Court legalised it for the ten states or so who hadn’t yet done that.

And yet I don’t remember European states demanding we be kicked out of the EU. And gay people travelled here.

your man over hungary is some throwback so,given his rethoric


But nonetheless,its likely just bluster,and we have as bad here with the ďup and their rethoric (they also have an openly gay elected representive,so its all bluster and bolix aswell...why need for it,fcuk knows!!)

cashback

cashback wrote: »

Can't tell if these kinds of posts are serious.

He is. Some people just prefer to stay at home.

Richard Hillman

Saudi Arabia, unless it was an invasion force. The vast majority of Africa. Wouldn't mind going to Cape Town in South Africa for cricket or Kruger for the wildlife. Plus the odd wildlife places around the continent but generally wouldn't touch with a bargepole.

Bangladesh looks a dive and obviously Afghanistan.

breezy1985

[Deleted User] wrote: »

He is. Some people just prefer to stay at home.

Nice safe Irish pubs in Spain too.

Electric Sheep

kenmc wrote: »

Usa for me. Food is usually awful, processed deep fried crap. If I could never ever go back there, I'd die a happy man.

You ate in the wrong places.

breezy1985

Electric Sheep wrote: »

You ate in the wrong places.

Yes he did. The USA

323

hot buttered scones wrote: »

That depends. How much are we talking here?

Indeed. That's what it really boils down to.



When asked to go to somewhere I'd no desire to see. First question always, "Whats the rate?", Have been known to change my mind. Never say never.

Mister Vain

breezy1985 wrote: »

Yes he did. The USA

I gained about 2 stone before I even got out of the airport.

breezy1985

breezy1985 wrote: »

Nice safe Irish pubs in Spain too.

Notice he didn't exclude the traditional holiday spots? or northern Europe? Just covered pretty much anything outside of Europe.

Many people prefer to stay at home and not travel, except for their sun holiday with the kids, or a romp in Amsterdam for a smoke. Little interest in going further afield.

TCM

Nigeria.

TCM

TCM wrote: »

Nigeria.

Apparently you can't really see it, even if you wanted to.

In Lagos, you are confined to an hotel, and you're advised not to leave your car (which needs to have a driver). Anyone venturing into the countryside has to hire private security.

Even if someone were paid to visit Nigeria, I'm not sure how much they'd ever get to see.

Nigeria is a somewhat interesting place, but visiting sounds like a complete waste of time.

It's also absurdly expensive. Nope.

OMM 0000

Deleted User wrote: »

I've been tempted. There's tours going from China, all under the guidance of Chinese governmental services, but... N.Korea seems more than a little too unpredictable. It would be very interesting though.

I went through a Chinese tour.

The North Koreans tried very hard to make up happy. We were considered VIPs.

The guy who stole the poster: imagine a Canadian is in an Irish hotel and goes into the staff area, wanders around and then steals something. He might be arrested too. So it's not shocking the guy was arrested. Obviously his treatment was awful, but NK isn't a nice European democracy, it's a totalitarian dictatorship, so what did he expect?

The fact he even did something like that makes me think he was probably being a total **** on the tour up until then. My group were all totally respectful and kind and as a result we could pretty much do what we want, within reason.

Andrea B.

Laois.

Mister Vain

Andrea B. wrote: »

Laois.

You mean Laos?

ShatterAlan

jmreire wrote: »

India has been independant since 1947, more than 70 years ago, while Iran removed the Shah in 1979, President Nasser kicked out the western foreigners in 1956,what happened in Egypt since then, is entirely an internal Egyptian matter.
These countrys at least have not been subjected to Western interference in their affairs since those times. Democracy, as we know it in the West, is a foreign concept in the ME.

Is it now? And after Sadat was whacked and the Western puppet, Mubarak, was installed in 1981?



And I never mentioned India or Iran.


I merely mentioned that Egyptian corruption and tyranny isn't an "Egyptian thung" as another poster tried to maintain but a deliberate system of external interference just like in many other states.


But this isn't a political discussion so I'll leave it at that.

Esho

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

Apparently you can't really see it, even if you wanted to.

In Lagos, you are confined to an hotel, and you're advised not to leave your car (which needs to have a driver). Anyone venturing into the countryside has to hire private security.

Even if someone were paid to visit Nigeria, I'm not sure how much they'd ever get to see.

Nigeria is a somewhat interesting place, but visiting sounds like a complete waste of time.

It's also absurdly expensive. Nope.

My cuz went there for work. Accompanied by 2; large unsmiling guys with kalishnikovs when out and about. He was working in advertising,

Ash.J.Williams

cagefactor wrote: »

Spent some time in Ivory Coast, never again.

what's it like

Ash.J.Williams

Richard Hillman wrote: »

Saudi Arabia, unless it was an invasion force. The vast majority of Africa. Wouldn't mind going to Cape Town in South Africa for cricket or Kruger for the wildlife. Plus the odd wildlife places around the continent but generally wouldn't touch with a bargepole.

Bangladesh looks a dive and obviously Afghanistan.

tally ho

jmreire

OMM 0000 wrote: »

I went through a Chinese tour.

The North Koreans tried very hard to make up happy. We were considered VIPs.

The guy who stole the poster: imagine a Canadian is in an Irish hotel and goes into the staff area, wanders around and then steals something. He might be arrested too. So it's not shocking the guy was arrested. Obviously his treatment was awful, but NK isn't a nice European democracy, it's a totalitarian dictatorship, so what did he expect?

The fact he even did something like that makes me think he was probably being a total **** on the tour up until then. My group were all totally respectful and kind and as a result we could pretty much do what we want, within reason.

A colleague of mine worked there for 18 Mths, but when she started to understand and speak the language, they did not renew her visa and she had to leave.Sure she was monitored all the time, and was never without her translator / guard. But aside from that, she loved it and would return there in a heartbeat.

FinnC

AMKC wrote: »

Me I would not go to Turkey. I was there once and would never go again. I found the people rude and small minded as well as backwards.

Sounds like Roscommon

breezy1985

FinnC wrote: »

Sounds like Roscommon

Both have very similar views on same sex marriage

Yurt2

jmreire wrote: »

A colleague of mine worked there for 18 Mths, but when she started to understand and speak the language, they did not renew her visa and she had to leave.Sure she was monitored all the time, and was never without her translator / guard. But aside from that, she loved it and would return there in a heartbeat.

What was she doing there do you mind me asking? I know there is (was with covid) a small cohort of westerners working on aid projects as well as a sprinkling of people in the higher education sector at an American founded Christian university (if you can believe that).

kowloon

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

Apparently you can't really see it, even if you wanted to.

In Lagos, you are confined to an hotel, and you're advised not to leave your car (which needs to have a driver). Anyone venturing into the countryside has to hire private security.

Even if someone were paid to visit Nigeria, I'm not sure how much they'd ever get to see.

Nigeria is a somewhat interesting place, but visiting sounds like a complete waste of time.

It's also absurdly expensive. Nope.

I never realised they were up there with North Korea and Turkmenistan. Has this been the case for long?

Esho

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

At the time of going to PNG a colleague and I had a choice, one had to go to PNG, the other the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

We tossed a coin for it.
At the time Port Moresby and Kinshasa were something like 2 and 3 on the worst cities to visit in the world list after Mogadishu.

I'd love your job!

kowloon

kowloon wrote: »

I never realised they were up there with North Korea and Turkmenistan. Has this been the case for long?

Friend of mine lived in Lagos for two years. Confined to compound to live in, 24 hour armed security, when they left it was in a car, with an armed driver.
Long two years!! That was the 90s

boardlady

Deleted User wrote: »

Ditto. It takes a lot to gross me out, and India is top of the list there. I'd thought poorer areas of China or Africa were bad (which they were), but India shocked me, and worse yet, they embrace that kind of living. Ugh. Dead bodies in the streets, and when the water rises in the towns/cities, the dodgy sewers open up to bring everything out into the open.

Also, while other countries/cultures have the same, India still shocks me for the differences between the rich, and the poor. It's brutal, and yet, you rarely hear anyone talking about it.

Yup. I have zero desire every to visit India again. I did one extended trip, and while there were some interesting sights, and some lovely people, it didn't balance out with the loonies, the poverty, the disgusting lack of hygiene, etc. Ugh. Never again.

I did India decades ago - 5 months and 1 month in Nepal. I agree with everything you say - but i'm still glad to have had the experience

jmreire

Yurt! wrote: »

What was she doing there do you mind me asking? I know there is (was with covid) a small cohort of westerners working on aid projects as well as a sprinkling of people in the higher education sector at an American founded Christian university (if you can believe that).

She was not working in the education sector, but on a long running medical assistance project, which predated covid.

TXPTGR1

UAE- been to Dubai on a stopover- horrible place frequented by awful people
I know i

kowloon

kowloon wrote: »

I never realised they were up there with North Korea and Turkmenistan. Has this been the case for long?

I am pretty sure Nigeria was a popular destination for Irish catholic missionaries in the 1950s. It can't have been very dangerous then, if they were accomodating priests and nuns with their foreign religion. No European in their right mind would walk about Nigeria without an escort anymore, so you'd have to assume standards have fallen since the civil war, to put it mildly.

Edna O'Brien, when she was researching her novel 'Girl' (a book about violence/ female circumcision) went to Nigeria. She had to have an armed guard with her constantly, and she was in her 70s! Went into Boko Haram territory and everything. That takes serious balls.

dxhound2005

If the chances of getting murdered, or being the victim of a crime are the biggest consideration, Nigeria is a lot safer than most of the Americas. Stay away from Mexico and Brazil. Nigeria is well down the list of the crime stats even in Africa. South Africa is a lot more dangerous.

itguyinaction

AMKC wrote: »

Me I would not go to Turkey. I was there once and would never go again. I found the people rude and small minded as well as backwards.

Interesting how point of view can depend on people. I was many years ago in Turkey and had very positive impressions. Sure the culture is much different but I love Turkish outdoor restaurant when many people come to eat with so much delicious food (and which are so crowdy and full of energy), many small family shops when you can come and bargain for hours and noone will tell you than you spend so much time and you didn't buy anything (and where they always offer you very very good tea for free) and many, many others things. Sure it's much different country than in Europe we are used too but for me it was very interesting.

boardlady

boardlady wrote: »

I did India decades ago - 5 months and 1 month in Nepal. I agree with everything you say - but i'm still glad to have had the experience

Me too. Don't get me wrong. As much as I disliked India, there were some good parts, and I have some interesting memories from my trip there. I'd just hate to have to repeat any of those experiences in that country. It's a destination marked off the list... and from reading books when I was younger, I definitely wanted to experience India firsthand. It's just that the real experience was too... real? :pac:

itguyinaction

itguyinaction wrote: »

Interesting how point of view can depend on people. I was many years ago in Turkey and had very positive impressions. Sure the culture is much different but I love Turkish outdoor restaurant when many people come to eat with so much delicious food (and which are so crowdy and full of energy), many small family shops when you can come and bargain for hours and noone will tell you than you spend so much time and you didn't buy anything (and where they always offer you very very good tea for free) and many, many others things. Sure it's much different country than in Europe we are used too but for me it was very interesting.

Turkey is a fabulous country. I have been many many times and it is ancient and interesting.
However I do understand posters reactions of they have only ever visited coastal tourist resorts. Especially if the women are fair. But that is a small part of the country and not really representative of the whole country.

Duffy the Vampire Slayer

dxhound2005 wrote: »

If the chances of getting murdered, or being the victim of a crime are the biggest consideration, Nigeria is a lot safer than most of the Americas. Stay away from Mexico and Brazil. Nigeria is well down the list of the crime stats even in Africa. South Africa is a lot more dangerous.

Most of the murders in Latin American nations don't occur in places where tourists (Or middle class locals) are ever likely to be.

dxhound2005

Duffy the Vampire Slayer wrote: »

Most of the murders in Latin American nations don't occur in places where tourists (Or middle class locals) are ever likely to be.

It should be possible to find some places in Nigeria suitable to visit. It is ten times the size of Ireland. There were places in NI which went mostly unscathed by the Troubles.

dxhound2005

dxhound2005 wrote: »

If the chances of getting murdered, or being the victim of a crime are the biggest consideration, Nigeria is a lot safer than most of the Americas. Stay away from Mexico and Brazil. Nigeria is well down the list of the crime stats even in Africa. South Africa is a lot more dangerous.

Ah now, you're not seriously claiming that Brazil is dangerous enough to necessitate armed protection?

The strictest advice I ever got in Sao Paulo was 'don't take your phone out of your pocket in the street'.

Tourists don't wander into the favelas. The principal cities are about as safe as Istanbul or Athens -- not exactly safe, but no need for personal protection. By comparison, people daren't step out of their cars in Lagos, unless to enter their hotels from an underground carpark. Different ballgame altogether, it seems.

dxhound2005

I took a good look at the USA government advice for their citizens going to Nigeria. It is grim, but not for the whole country. I just glanced at the information for Brazil. Much the same.

Do not travel to:

Any areas within 150 km/100 miles of Brazil’s land borders with Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and Paraguay due to crime. (Note: This does not apply to the Foz do Iguacu National Park or Pantanal National Park.)

Informal housing developments (commonly referred to in Brazil as favelas, vilas, comunidades, and/or conglomerados) at any time of day due to crime (see additional information below).

Brasilia’s administrative regions (commonly known as “satellite cities”) of Ceilandia, Santa Maria, Sao Sebastiao, and Paranoa during non-daylight hours due to crime (see additional information below).

Country Summary: Violent crime, such as murder, armed robbery, and carjacking, is common in urban areas, day and night. Gang activity and organized crime is widespread. Assaults are common. U.S. government personnel are discouraged from using public, municipal buses in all parts of Brazil due to an elevated risk of robbery and assault at any time of day, and especially at night.

CosmicFool

Middle East and as of today Hungary

Duffy the Vampire Slayer

dxhound2005 wrote: »

It should be possible to find some places in Nigeria suitable to visit. It is ten times the size of Ireland. There were places in NI which went mostly unscathed by the Troubles.

I would assume there are places that are fine, but I really don't know much about the country.

dxhound2005

Duffy the Vampire Slayer wrote: »

I would assume there are places that are fine, but I really don't know much about the country.

Nor do I. But I saw posters saying they would never go to any country in Africa. I doubt if they know very much about a continent which is three times the size of Europe.

Duffy the Vampire Slayer

dxhound2005 wrote: »

Nor do I. But I saw posters saying they would never go to any country in Africa. I doubt if they know very much about a continent which is three times the size of Europe.

Blanket answers about continents on this thread are usually ill-informed. I know plenty of people who visited different African countries and loved them.

Das Reich

People exagerating a lot about Brazil, never was robbed in 20 years living there, althought distant from Rio de Janeiro or sh*tholes like Fortaleza or Recife. In some states like Santa Catarina (the most European of all Latin America) half of the cities had no homicide in 2020 (https://www.sc.gov.br/noticias/temas/seguranca-publica/seguranca-publica-de-santa-catarina-fecha-2020-com-queda-historica-nos-indices-de-criminalidade). The fact is that if you live in small town and is not involved in drugs crime is not a problem.

PS: long time since I left Brazil and years ago the situation was much worse than now.

Mad_maxx

bubblypop wrote: »

Politics does not come into most people's mind when they wish to visit a country, unless it will impede their personal travels.
Hungary is a lovely country to visit and I wouldn't see a reason not to visit because of their current government.

I really disliked Hungary , found the people incredibly surly

Duffy the Vampire Slayer

Duffy the Vampire Slayer wrote: »

Blanket answers about continents on this thread are usually ill-informed. I know plenty of people who visited different African countries and loved them.

Same, although I also know plenty of people who visited a variety of African countries and seriously didn't enjoy their experience.

It all boils down to the person in question.. and honestly, when it comes to Africa (or many other countries) where it's easy to come across something outside their comfort zone, most people won't know until they experience it firsthand. Like the poisonous spiders, snakes, sharks, etc in Oz didn't bother me much, but I know many who completely flipped when they encountered even the less deadly of what's available. At the same time, I know people who were seriously uncomfortable around the Black townships in Africa.. I know I had my own very fearful experiences, but I was mostly able to shrug them off because I did get away without anything terrible happening to me.

The point being that Africa.. (yes, it's a massive generalisation), tends to force people to look at very different and uncomfortable realities... unless they're happy to stay most of their time in a compound/hotel, and be guided everywhere. (which I've found many actually do)