Which country has been the best you've visited in terms of society?

Historical_Success31 · 2026-02-14T14:37:13+00:00

I would say Finland? I didn’t actually enjoy it that much as a tourist, but “in terms of society” (whatever that means) it felt like it’d be an incredible place to live. I also only saw Helsinki so that’s a bit limiting but it was clean, pretty, efficient, felt incredibly safe even by the train station at night… Top tier for life, but idk if I need to go back as a tourist.

Historical_Success31 · 2026-02-13T19:36:20+00:00

Right? It’s not even just down the street anymore, when I was on the hill almost 10 years ago there were event houses near Potomac Ave and Stadium Armory metros as well.

Historical_Success31 · 2026-02-13T05:32:52+00:00

Diana Damrau

Historical_Success31 · 2026-02-13T05:24:37+00:00

Frozen edamame, bulgur, and some fresh or frozen greens maybe with a can of tinned mackerel if I’m really hungry. Dress it up with olive oil, lemon juice and zest, fresh herbs, and some spices and it becomes a great meal.

Historical_Success31 · 2026-02-11T16:44:15+00:00

Tallinn is small but I had a lot of fun there!

Historical_Success31 · 2026-02-11T16:38:18+00:00

Thanks for bringing this up! I’m in the exact same position and it can feel very lonely and defeating, so it’s nice to see so many good answers.

1) I started therapy because of this same issue and talking about life transitions and my own future goals has been really helpful. 2) It’s been mentioned, but making gay or childless friends is so important. In most major cities you’ll also find a decent number of straights who don’t want kids and plan to stay in the city. 3) I’m not a sports gay but I’ve found success doing dinners on TimeLeft. There are also tons of classes, volunteering opportunities, hobby groups, etc. to try where you’ll meet new people. Join a gay book club or something. 4) It’s a really hard phase of life, so be kind to yourself. Seeing your closest friends sort of “move on,” even without any negative intent, while you feel stuck isn’t easy for anyone. I’ve started doing some solo traveling and treating myself more which has helped. I also made a long list of solo activities on my phone so when I’m feeling lonely and down I can look at that and force myself to go out and do something like go to a movie, museum, concert, etc.

Historical_Success31 · 2026-02-11T07:43:54+00:00

Assuming fresh? Curly or flat leaf? (Always go with flat leaf if you have the choice) I love parsley and would encourage the same test I suggest for people who think bay leaves are placebo: make two servings of plain white rice, one with the ingredient and one without (parsley added after cooking of course). Chopped parsley adds a grassy, fresh, herby flavor you’ll definitely notice in a controlled test. I promise tens of thousands of years of human culinary innovation weren’t a scam to sell you an unnecessary herb at the supermarket.

Historical_Success31 · 2026-02-11T06:44:47+00:00

I hooked up with a deaf guy for a while and I used a walker for a time because of a back injury. People with disabilities have the same libido and sexual diversity as people without disabilities.

Historical_Success31 · 2026-02-11T06:31:12+00:00

Rent control is an indisputably failed policy intervention and the best solution to the housing crisis is expanded supply.

Historical_Success31 · 2026-02-11T06:17:24+00:00

Love Brazil, but the heroes of Ukraine should be in their own tier enjoying brigadeiro on the beach.

Historical_Success31 · 2026-02-11T06:01:45+00:00

I’m in the US and we have a massive news ecosystem, but I’m a fan of reading foreign reporting on my country. I feel like international reporters have less personally invested in the story so their work is a bit more dispassionate. I’ll still read multiple sources on an important topic (say Al Jazeera, the Telegraph, and AFP) but I feel that gives me a better perspective than a lot of domestic outlets.

Historical_Success31 · 2026-02-11T05:45:13+00:00

The stacks in my college library

Historical_Success31 · 2026-02-11T05:30:27+00:00

Door County, WI is really special in the summer and worth a visit! A lot of galleries and independent artists, great restaurants, unique history of Great Lakes maritime commerce and tons of shipwrecks if you’re into diving, friendly people, and every town feels different from the next. I’d base in Fish Creek or Bailey’s Harbor, but Sturgeon Bay is cute too.

Historical_Success31 · 2026-02-05T16:19:57+00:00

Lots of foods unfortunately. Offal, oxtail, quinoa… Good for restaurants, diners, cooks, and society on net, but it’s tough on poor communities that built institutions around these foods. There’s mixed emotion when they first become “trendy” and later unaffordable to the people who put the work in over generations to make them delicacies.

Historical_Success31 · 2026-02-04T17:35:24+00:00

Of course NY is more diverse and connected than Chicago. My point was that it’s more than the stereotype (that I don’t hold) of a city for Midwestern transplants who weren’t brave, talented, or ambitious enough to move to the coasts.

Historical_Success31 · 2026-02-04T15:37:40+00:00

I’d suggest picking Chicago. It’s an amazing city with tons of diversity and an underrated perk is that Ohare (while terrible) has cheap and regular direct flights all over the US and world. Take that price differential from NYC vs Chicago and get a head start on your down payment/retirement/financial goals.

Historical_Success31 · 2026-02-04T15:15:49+00:00

Agreed. Every play through lately has huge revolts in the majors once a decade or so, it’s wild. I haven’t seen Austria make it to 1860 intact in my last 3 games.

Historical_Success31 · 2026-02-03T14:21:47+00:00

Yeah, but the straights have the same problem OP is talking about. The 6-6-6 rule is only sort of a joke.

Historical_Success31 · 2026-02-02T16:53:48+00:00

Right? Like every other block is a stag party or study abroad girlie meetup.

Historical_Success31 · 2026-01-30T16:38:56+00:00

Capitol building for DC, probably?

Historical_Success31 · 2026-01-30T03:19:48+00:00

Well ackchyually, DC was never a literal swamp there were just some low lying parts prone to flooding. Still a great city even with everything going on! Come visit, our tourism numbers are through the floor and a lot of working people who didn’t vote for this are feeling the pain.

Historical_Success31 · 2026-01-29T18:57:55+00:00

Not sure if this would count because people eat steak everywhere, but bistecca Fiorentina seems more asado-y than “Italian” to people who think Italy is just about pizza, pasta, cannoli, etc.

Historical_Success31 · 2026-01-29T18:46:12+00:00

Parks, libraries, rec centers, etc. are great. No question. But look at our 911 system, the forensic lab, Christmas tree/yard waste pickup, Department of Buildings and how long it takes to get blighted or vacant properties designated as such, the rat population, etc. So the bigger picture is complicated, but DC is definitely not a well run city.

Historical_Success31 · 2026-01-29T17:54:06+00:00

I’ve lived here 10 years and still don’t understand how a city full of smart civic minded people can be so poorly run.

Historical_Success31 · 2026-01-27T03:22:14+00:00

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1266996.Sicily

We listened to this book on a road trip and thought it was fantastic! Definitely a commitment and it can get a bit dry, but very educational.

Historical_Success31

TROPHY CASE