Everyone wants to be cool.
And each and everyone of us has a different definition of coolness.
What makes a person cool?
Some say it's the attitude.
Others might think it's the style.
Wikipedia defines "cool" as "an admired aesthetic of attitude, behavior, comportment, appearance and style, influenced by and a product of the Zeitgeist."
Image from aledlewis.com
I got the idea of this post from my mother when she sent me an email.
She forwarded an article from CNN and it contains a list of cool nationalities.
The roster only had 12 countries out of 250 candidates.
See if you're on the list.
12. Turks
One reason is because of the 1999 interent celebrity Mahir Cagri.
He has a website named "I kiss you" filled with pictures from different parts of the world and "interesting" comments in broken English.
See for yourself...
http://www.ikissyou.org/
11. Belgians
I'd say maybe because of their chocolates.
But according to CNN, it's because of Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy who is fondly called as the first "president of Europe."
What do you think?
10. Nepalese
Reason? Tenzing Norgay was one of the two individuals who were first to climb Mt. Everest. He was also named as one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century, according to TIME magazine.
9. Chinese
What makes them cool? They have Brother Sharp.
Who is Brother Sharp? He is the homeless man who became famous because of his homeless-chic style.
8. Botswanans
Why are they on the list? Because among those beauty queens who said they "want the world to be a better place," Mpule Kwelagobe (a Batswana) is one of those who really campaigned strongly for a cause.
7. Japanese
I would stray a bit from the CNN article because I don't think their icon of cool should be former Prime Minister Hatoyama.
I think the icon of cool for Japanese people are the brave men and women who staunchily march down the streets wearing their idea of fashion amidst the stares or disapproving looks they get from foreigners to elderly people.
Talk about individuality!
6. Spanish
It's the land of sangria and siesta.
Plus, they are the champions of the 2010 World Cup FIFA.
5. Americans
Hmm... I have to agree because some of my relatives are Americans and they might disown me if I say something bad about them. Ha ha!
They have Apple. For iPhone lovers like me, it's an enough reason to say they are cool.
4. Mongolians
They live in one of the nomad countries in the world. And they're man's best friend is not a dog, but a horse!
Ain't that cool?
3. Jamaicans
I just have one word for this... and it is REGGAE!
It is a music genre developed in the late 1960s and ever since has made it to the mainstream music scene.
2. Singaporeans
Who else can find the good balance between computer geekiness and pulsing nightlife?
Singaporeans love their IT gadgets as much as their nightlife.
Who wouldn't with a skyline like this?
1. Brazilians
If we are talking about partying, they take the crown.
Anyone who can dance the samba with such finesse and sexiness has the bragging rights of coolness.
Ever seen the Mardi Gras? Totally cool!
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cool_(aesthetic)
http://www.aledlewis.com/images/36_be_cool_big.jpg
http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/life/12-coolest-nationalities-earth-050844?page=0,0&hpt=C2
http://www.histyley.com/2009/03/
http://www.cnngo.com/hong-kong/carl-ng-play-brother-sharp-worlds-first-internet-meme-inspired-movie-277561
http://blog.yaoyuan.org/article/1280.html
http://florence-mycottage.blogspot.com/2010/07/world-cup-2010-sp.html
http://www.muchbetteradventures.com/news/view/88/adventure-of-the-month-tim-cope-on-the-trail-of-genghis-khan
http://lovellyinc.wordpress.com/2010/05/30/business-or-pleasure-singapore/
http://brazilbeach.wordpress.com/
Thanks for clicking.
