I also listen to Christmas songs in December.

And I listen to Irish music too.

If I'm not mistaken, it didn't happen in England because the lords were allowed to participate in the lucrative world trade.

Amazing info on an intriguing question, thanks!

Now I'm intriguided by the question of why Western Europe wasn't plagued by the same issues.

To an extent, it was. France famously lagged behind because of land wars in Europe.

But what helped, I think, is the natural borders such as mountains, and all the neighbors being settled people.

Even the sea-based threat that Taiwan was was caused by the Qing's arrival, which was caused by a land-based threat (the Manchus).

I think most would agree that the building doesn't look good, while tor the woman, it depends on if tatoos are a turn-off or if you're fine with them.

I'm fine with tatoos and the woman is beautiful to me.

Why can't I say as much about the building despite graffiti being arguably like tatoos? If you think about it a bit, the answer is obvious.

The woman is the one who decides what to put and where on her body. In that sense, it's part of her expression, her identity. She didn't draw them herself, but since she made decisions to express what she wants, it makes it her art to a point.

While there was not one person to decide for the biilding. Several came and drew whatever. And often without a lot of effort or skill going in. The point here is mostly to say This is me. I was there. Look what daring edgy thing I did in a place that's hard to reach.

If a lot of people took markers and wrote their name on a woman's body without much effort or skill and without striving for some sort of cohesion to the overall endeavour, I don't think it would have been appealing, either to an onlooker or the woman herself.

I haven't. I don't really see how it's such a big deal. I often see someone offer a bad take. I just read a bit and then scroll down.

Well, to your defence, there are no English lions, yet they're prominently present in symbols of English culture.

If you believe plants experience suffering, and would like to reduce suffering, you should go vegan. The reason is that by eating meat, you kill or harm way more plants — the plants that have been eaten by the animals you eat.

Hadn't thought of that.

Kinda surprised to see there are countries (Turkey and Pakistan) that hold a more unfavorable view of Israel than Palestine (or part of it — West Bank).

Very surprised to see that Germany has a that unfavorable view of Israel. I thought they were way more favorable based on the news I was seeing about it.

They did. I remember hearing them ask where he was stabbed.