How much did you know about your SO's country BEFORE meeting him/her?

[Staashi 371]

Here's a funny thing... I thought I KNEW that Spanish were the same as Mexican's, right?? wrong!! LOL I have come to find out they are VERY different, even language, is not exactly the same. Spaniards are European and Mexicans have more of a south american influence. I never realized there was much of a difference. I sure am glad to know that difference (namely Marcos)! (wink wink)

Uh hum... Mexico is in NORTH America and actually isn't influenced from South America since it's so far away from the continent. IMHO, Mexico has it's own rich culture, food, Spanish accent, music, art, entertainment - QUITE unique from any other Latin American country.

Muito obrigada brother bora You are wise.

SISTER bora

I'm an Anthropologist and an ESL teacher, so those kind of things bother me...

I hate it when people ask me if my husband speaks Spanish, or even worse Brazilian

I know! Our case is the reverse, my husband is Argentine, and everyone asks...does he speak Portuguese? I say, "No, he's from Argentina, not Brazil."

[chri'stina 190]

A limited amount.

I knew of certain aspects of the country and culture, but not nearly as much as I learned after meeting Sujeet.

[Emancipation 2]

I'll speak for hubby here.. His education about Canada started the day I met him

[derekkj 0]

I'll speak for hubby here.. His education about Canada started the day I met him

Sounds like me and Derek! Thanks to hockey I knew roughly where cities and provinces are and all the words to the Canadian national anthem. Thanks to Anne of Green Gables I knew where PEI is. My education has improved in leaps and bounds since then.

[Alex & Rachel 78]

Hmm, I'd say somewhere in between a lot and a limited amount. I'd never actually visited the US, but we'd studied parts of it in-depth in Geography and History at school; I'd seen many American films, and also read books by many American authors. When I finally did visit the US nothing particularly surprised me, although I did like it a lot better than I thought I would.

Alex didn't know much at all about the UK before talking to me.

[bora bora 1]

I'll speak for hubby here.. His education about Canada started the day I met him

Sounds like me and Derek! Thanks to hockey I knew roughly where cities and provinces are and all the words to the Canadian national anthem. Thanks to Anne of Green Gables I knew where PEI is. My education has improved in leaps and bounds since then.

Same here!!

[KarenCee 3]

I'll speak for hubby here.. His education about Canada started the day I met him

Yup! Same for me. My hubby has been quizzing me for four years now!

[antda 13]

Hi Everyone,

What an interesting poll, indeed.

My answer: -"A lot (explain)"

-Too much for my own good really, as Canada and the US are so close to each other. Neighbours, we are really. Canada= The 51st US State? In fact, back then when we were apart doing the "long/short distance relationship thing", we were living so close to each other (oh, about 250 miles/500km), that we used to get the same radio stations, tv stations, etc. on both sides of the border.

I still can't believe though, that I have to go through this painstaking, expensive, time-consuming, and chaotic, immigration process just to move that short of a distance!!!

Ant

Edited August 8, 2008 by AntandD

[Andy-n-Maricar 6]

Alot. I have worked with Filipinos for over 25 years in my job and there is a sizeable Fil-Am community where I now live. I slowly learned about the culture through them. Also, my father spent some time in the Philippines on TDY in the Air Force (while we were stuck in Japan) and he told me alot about the people there. I have been in love with the Filipino culture and people for a long time and will be retiring there.

[Gemmie 142]

Bill knew a lot about the UK as he's the most intelligent person I've ever met in my life... he just stores knowledge like a sponge, and also enjoys history.

I didn't know too much about America but I've learned a lot since being with Bill.

Edited August 9, 2008 by Gemmie

[Sassy1natl 0]

I knew quite a bit about Pakistan before I met my husband. I became friends with his sister while I was in college with my International Business studies and was then introduced to Laeeq. I didn't see him for almost a year, until I went to Lahore, Pakistan for their cousins' wedding. We met up again, there. By the time we started dating (per say) I was very familiar with his country, culture, and religion.

[eekee 182]

A lot, because I was already living there, majored in Russian Studies, and have an Eastern European family background.

[Yiyi and Chris 0]

Before meeting my wife, I went to Nicaragua 5 times (bussiness), I stayed about 10 days on every trip, worked for 2days and the rest of the time I was a tourist... Nicaragua is a small coutry, so I visited all the major cities, beaches, mountains (I even dated a girl --myy wife hates that of course--)

[redglasses 1]

I lived in the US when I met my husband (USC).

[JULIAFERNO 0]

My sister-in-law is Turkish (1st generation American), which is a complete coincidence, but because of that I knew quite a bit about Turkey before I met my fiance. Although, I learned a lot more after meeting him, and quite a bit more after living there! Strangely, my sister-in-law has seemed resentful about the whole thing. People are strange...