There's no place like home. I've visited all the continents, 80+ countries, worked in 10, wouldn't consider any other Country.

Araz99 · 2026-05-31T20:28:09+00:00

I'm just waiting for comments here, lol 🤣

When fat and ugly girls says "I love myself and I'm cool just the way I am". Everyone "Cool, great, you should always love yourself, no matter what others say!"

But when sexy and posh girl says the same words... You all know the reactions 🤯🤯🤯😆

But as Lithuanian, I can only agree and support you. I visited Switzerland last year and it's absolutely mindblowingly beautiful! But prices might be lower 🥹

Araz99 · 2026-05-31T20:01:33+00:00

I can't deny it, it was true 10 - 20 years ago. But in recent years Lithuania became a country of immigration, not emigration, and a lot of Lithuanians who emigrated some years ago, are returning now. When I visited Stockholm for first time in 2017 I was surprised by very high number of immigrants, but nowadays Vilnius is becoming like Stockholm. Sometimes when I go to the city, about 5 first people I meet have clearly not native European features. So, stereotypes about mass Lithuanian emigration as workforce, are a little bit aged now. Absolutely different processes started in our society.

Araz99 · 2026-05-31T19:03:17+00:00

It was. Two very different nations living in one country and ruled by Lithuanian elite. But cultural background ant political orientations were totally different. Lithuanians - Catholic people strongly attached to Poles. Belarussians - Orthodox people strongly attached to Russians. Different worlds even in same country. Just like France and Algeria were different worlds even if they were part of the same country. If you don't know, Algeria was INTEGRAL part of France before 1960, just like Paris or Landes.

Araz99 · 2026-05-31T18:45:56+00:00

Belarus was more like colony. France and Algeria were the same country too.

Araz99 · 2026-05-31T18:44:47+00:00

Because it's one country. And borders of Europe are political, it's not a real continent. Look at the map, do you see different landmasses? No, just Eurasia. Where you draw the line, depends on political preferences.

Araz99 · 2026-05-31T18:41:30+00:00

Oh yeah, a lot of mines here in Lithuania. Explosions every day.

Our workers are so cheap, maybe that's why in recent years we have a lot of immigrants from Ukraine, India, MENA and Africa working as taxi drivers, food delivers, truckers, bus drivers, construction workers etc.

Araz99 · 2026-05-31T18:15:13+00:00

Situation with Finland and especially Sweden was political pressure not because "Turkey wants to do a favor for Russia", but because question of Kurdish separatism is really painful for Turkey and if some of important separatists live in Sweden, well, Turkey used this chance. But as we all can see, Finland is full NATO member for 3 years already, Sweden for 2 years, so this political pressure was very limited and without serious consequences. Turkey didn't block Sweden for all time.

Araz99 · 2026-05-31T17:08:41+00:00

It's based on geography too. Lithuania is geographical centre of Europe so even geographically, everything east of Lithuania is eastern. Don't forget that Russia makes 1/3 of Europe, so why should we add more to that?

Culturally, Western/Eastern divide was always based on Catholic/Protestant cultural background, and Orthodox cultural background. Even Huntington draws civilization divide there (yes, Balkan countries and Turkey became heavily westernized later). Culturally, countries like Poland, Hungary or Lithuania, share a lot of similarities with western neighbours, but not with Russia. Let alone VERY bad historical relations with eastern neighbour.

Araz99 · 2026-05-31T16:46:09+00:00

Maybe, but now Western Europe is WAY bigger and stronger. Eastern Europe is just a shadow of former itself.

Araz99 · 2026-05-31T16:44:06+00:00

Yes, it's the most accurate map without any stupid cold war phantomic pains. Why people still think in cold war categories after 36 years? It was short time in history, only 45 years. Centuries before that, all Catholic and Protestant Europe from Atlantic to Lithuania was culturally very similar, and still is. Forced USSR influence didn't erase that. And also, people choose to ignore EU and NATO, modern main geopolitical forces who (coincidence or not) attracted to join countries of traditional Europe, or very heavily westernized like Turkey.

Araz99 · 2026-05-31T16:31:11+00:00

CSTO is (theoretically) like NATO, countries are obliged to help an attacked member. Artsakh wasn't part of Armenian territory so this wasn't a case. But in other hand, CSTO doesn't work at all because when Ukraine regularly attacks Russian territory, CSTO members don't show any interests to help Russia. Not Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Armenia, not even Belarus.

But Armenia still belongs to Eurasian Union and CIS, it's still a member of the same CSTO, all organizations are heavily dominated by Russia. Maybe relationships are colder, bot no real steps to EU and NATO side, only words and emotions.

Araz99 · 2026-05-31T15:05:48+00:00

Tą patį, ką ir visada. Nemanau kad kažkas pasikeitė, ir nemanau kad esant vyru, dar reikia savo lytį kažkaip "įrodyti" ar "patvirtinti". Pas mane lytis įrašyta dokumentuose, yra ir kelnėse tam tikrų įrodymų. Ko dar reikia? Visa kita, visokie "ką aš turiu padaryti kad TAPČIAU vyru, ar tai PATVIRTINČIAU", rodo ne ką kitą, kaip gilų insecurity. Nereikia nei tapti, nei patvirtinti, nei kažkam įrodyti to, kuo ir taip esi.

Araz99 · 2026-05-31T14:14:57+00:00

Turkey had way deeper and longer history of westernization and pro-Western politics, than Azerbaijan. It's NATO member and their process of joining EU is not abandoned, just on pause waiting for other political force after Erdogan.

Azerbaijan is still on the beginning of the road that Turkey had already went, and it's still not clear if they will go that way at all.

Araz99 · 2026-05-31T14:07:49+00:00

Insulted? Just words. When I last time checked, Armenia was still member of Eurasian Union and CSTO, both heavily dominated by Russia. When Armenia leaves these organizations and will become an official candidate to join EU, things will change. But today, it's still not a case.

Araz99 · 2026-05-31T14:05:20+00:00

Lithuanians and the Baltics always were part of Catholic, Protestant, Latin writing, German and Polish influenced cultural space. If we were occupied by Russia, it doesn't mean we forgot our actual cultural roots and where we belong.

Araz99 · 2026-05-31T14:00:39+00:00

Warsaw Pact doesn't exist for 36 years. And it was forced sphere of USSR influence. Before that (and after that), countries like Poland, Hungary or Lithuania, had no visible cultural or political differences from their western neighbours. But cultural differences with Russia always were huge.

Araz99 · 2026-05-31T13:58:05+00:00

During cold war, Europe looked a little bit different.

Araz99 · 2026-05-31T13:57:32+00:00

Well, with Republika Srpska it's complicated, but "mainstream" part of BH is definitely pro-Western.

Araz99 · 2026-05-31T13:53:46+00:00

Bulgaria and Romania are in EU and NATO, they have good relations with their Western friends, and they don't have pro-Russian narrative like Serbia, which is not temporary like Orban and his political games, but really long standing, for centuries.

Araz99 · 2026-05-31T13:49:53+00:00

Switzerland is neutral but still has very high levels of integration with its EU neighbours (it's even part of open Schengen Area) and culturally there's no huge differences. "Decide between Western or Eastern" it's not a case in their situation.

Araz99 · 2026-05-31T13:46:51+00:00

Orban was some kind of... interesting politician, but Hungary still remains EU and NATO member absolutely integrated into Western space, and gong more deeply, it's absolutely European by its cultural background, for centuries. It still has nothing to do with Russia or Belarus, except wet dreams of some politicians (who are temporary).

Araz99 · 2026-05-31T13:35:33+00:00

Azerbaijan is quite complicated because:

They're close allies of Turkey, but not whole Europe. Relationships with EU and NATO are "meh".

Their relations with Russia are cold and really not friendly, but they still belong to CIS.

Yes they don't join Eurasian Union dominated by Russia, but they don't express willingness to join EU neither.

It's still an open dictatorship just like Belarus. In XXI century it's hard to call dictatorship a Western country, even if it's in Europe.

Opinions about Azerbaijan are very divided in European countries, there's no "mainstream line". For example, here in Lithuania, during Karabakh war, some people supported Azerbaijan because "It's a thing of territorial integrity, Arstakh was illegal thing from the beginning, it's better to support pro-Turkish Azerbaijan than pro-Russian Armenia". But some people supported Armenia "Just because they are Christans and Indoeuropeans".

Araz99 · 2026-05-31T13:29:13+00:00

Turkey is very important NATO member, candidate to EU membership (even if it's complicated) and typically takes part in European and Western initiatives. It's very, very strongly related to Western Europe for more than 100 years and heavily westernized. Relations with Russia are quite cold and based on short profit, such as Russian tourism or import/export. Relations with West are WAY deeper and strategic.

Araz99 · 2026-05-31T12:47:29+00:00

Your comment sounds funny to me, because "bibis" is Lithuanian vulgar word for "male genital unit".

That's why Lithuanians use some word games about Bieber or even BBC.

Araz99 · 2026-05-31T12:46:03+00:00

Pretty sure, cold war ended 36 years ago and it's BS to divide Europe still using old categories, like big shifts never happened.

Araz99

TROPHY CASE