hetalia | On the nations' looks

(deleted comment)

Interesting! So you believe they care in the sense that they represent their nation, or in the sense that the people who "give identity" to them do?

And no, I don't think they perceive/measure/think about beauty (or a lot of things, for that matter) in the same way we would.

Also very interesting! Elaborate, please? ^^

I like those smells for conquistador!Spain, but I'd add the smell of gold? gold smells like a metal but with its own different tang ^^

(deleted comment)

I think Japan would be the ultimate freak about being dressed well, lol. Japanese people are extremely concerned with how they look, more than French and much more than Italians
I lol'd at your comment about EnglandXD

1. Yes. Especially after reading that comic about Japan and Greece in the rain.

2. Yes. Same as above.

3. Probably just to attract potential lovers. (SEE ABOVE)

4. AMERICA SMELLS LIKE FREEDOM. FUCK YEAH!

I SECOND ANSWER NUMBER FOUR.

4. FREEDOM AND APPLE PIE, FUCK YES

YES!

I love you! I agree on no.4

Well, at first I was going to talk about development within the countries; the tourism and what attracts that, and how it is usually a cultural or natural beauty that people will talk about when advertising a country, but then again, the nations of Hetalia are human representations, correct?
Therefore, surely the nations have a human side that thinks in a human way?

At the same time, I suppose we could argue that the nations are also meant to be much more complex that ourselves; as immortals they are unable to fall in love with anyone other than themselves (and if we think geographically, they can only 'marry' those which are next to them, such as Austria and Hungary etc) so I suppose that if you wished to take yet another point into consideration then physical looks aren't so important; it is more about the actual 'person' behind this. Surely an immortal would not spend their times only looking at the outer, rather the inner?

Then again, if we think about them as countries then the reason we war or otherwise is mainly over resources. So, if resources to nations is like sex appeal to the nations, then all of them should have something to boast?

But, to answer the questions now, after my strange rant;

-Do you think that nations are self conscious about their body and looks?
I think that their 'human sides' are for the reasons you have stated above, the ones with names such as Yung Soo or Alfred Jones, but their 'nation sides' would probably have more political interests. Being a nation is most likely a very very hard job, if you think of all that is going on in a nation at any time. I would also consider looking at such things as mines and new towns/cities. If you were thinking about nations expressed through the bodies then what would these represent?

-Do you think they play an important part in how successful/beloved/powerful/well connected/etc a nation is?
I would say that good looks would play a big part in tourism, but if tourism is actually people from other countries visiting that country then I suppose that yes, it would play a part in the economy and the countries relations with other countries!

-Do you think nations measure beauty in the same terms as we humans do?
Remember that each of us have our own ideas of what is beautiful and what is not. If you think of the countryside of England as beautiful, then I suppose that England and therefore Arthur Kirkland has beautiful parts and likewise with other countries. There are many types of beauty...Perhaps, as the nations were created by a human mind, the transition between beautiful land and human beauty is a purely positive one.

-What do they smell like?
I would like to think of this one as split. If a nation was regarding another nation as a, well, nation, then I would like to think that they could smell whatever the nation is represented by (like France as roses, wine and cheese or Russia as oil) but then, as the layers of formal interaction peel away into something much more friendly; more intimate, I would like to think that the human sides of the countries smell human like sweat or soap or something they've eaten, maybe cigarette smoke or even body odour. Of course, even in human interaction there would still be the lingering knowledge of their creation and past and so, perhaps the smell of their nationality still lingers?

I'm having way too much fun with this discussion; I think it's an absolutely wonderful subject to bring up and I myself have always wondered about how the nations worked and just how deep the nationality ran before it became the blood of a person with opinion and quirks and... :D
Sorry for the long answer!

Your "strange rant" captivated me; so you're saying that natural beauty or tourism attractiveness could be one measure about nations' beauty? because it's reflected in their body somewhat? (I'm starting to see why France is so beautiful, seeing as Paris has more tourists than any other city in Europe per year).
Another measure could be resources? This is interesting, because...well, because it's totally alien to usXD. Beautiful landscapes and cities are not sexually beautiful to us, but they're still beautiful, they merit that description. No matter how full of oil or gas a nation is, no human would say they're beautiful because of thatXD

I somewhat agree with you about immortals being less frivolous and caring less for looks; specially considering that their likes have to have changed drastically through the ages (think about the obese women that were the ideal beauty of times past).
They'd have to remain interested in something estatic, though, and personality also presents a problem, since the "ideal man" (and even more noticeable in women) as a person has also changed dramatically. The way people had to behave, the desirable atittude in men and women is very different now than it was.
(yes, I am aware I'm taking Hetalia too seriously ^^U)

Remember that each of us have our own ideas of what is beautiful and what is not. If you think of the countryside of England as beautiful, then I suppose that England and therefore Arthur Kirkland has beautiful parts and likewise with other countries.

This is cute! So our taste in landscapes and cities (natural beauty and architecture+urban design? LOL) would dictate how they find each other's looks? This works in favour of similar countries, since they'd never be too alien for them ^^U
But I love to think about that! Even if, taking your example, it'd make visiting the English countryside an almost orgasmic/voyeuristic experience for the nation who appreciates itXD

I also like your thoughts about the smell...something national, both from the present and essence of the nation, but also from its past, its long history, and a preminent personal essence that's more about their activites and personal tastes

I like over thinking things. I suppose that you could say that fandoms are the places I manage to offload my overactive thoughts on how things work. I've never been one for sciences, but how people work is one of the the few things that truly take my attention. Hetalia has so much space for the fandom to grow and for ideas to bloom.

I enjoy that you take Hetalia seriously - it's one of the reasons I enjoy it; being able to take it seriously as well as having a less serious side to it. If you're studying the world wars you can't really make jokes about America's super small condoms, you know? But I see the point you are making and to that I present the ever changing political balance of alliances; at different times nations will be closer to different nations and we could see this as a social or love life of sorts. Perhaps we could see it as a constant development, much like an adolescent human will go through, in which tastes evolve and change.

Haha, it's one of my favourite elements of Hetalia - making the nation into the body of the representation. If not assigning certain places to anatomy or costume (Texas etc) then thinking about how the nations looks correspond to their country and how they reflect on each other and other nations. The idea that a country would find visiting parts of the country voyeuristic or orgasmic though is hilarious and really needs to be explored! XD

I'm glad to share my thoughts :)

I remember a fill on the kinkmeme about France showing Canada his dresser filled with cologne ~~fill, where did you go?~~ I agreed with that. Cologne's or perfumes, maybe the soaps they use or their shampoos XD I've always thought a person smelling naturally like earth or wheat fields is a little silly. I mean, unless they went and rolled around in that beforehand.

And of course their beauty has a huge influence on their character. France is a cocky son of a bitch who knows he's gorgeous XD While England's always (or at least used to be) a bit sensitive about how "unrefined" his hair was.

As far as self conscious, Poland would like, SO not leave the house without straightening his hair or shaving his legs. Totally.

I've always thought a person smelling naturally like earth or wheat fields is a little silly. I mean, unless they went and rolled around in that beforehand.

LOL, but they're not normal people...if the objective of their physical beauty is to attract fellow nations and they have different ways to perceive beauty and be attracted to smells...see, what would Russia prefer, somebody who smells of sunflowers and sunshine/warmth or somebody who smells of an exquisite and expensive perfume? XD

Haha, totally agree on France, he's never been insecure about his looks, not even when he was a little beautiful ~~girl~~boy
And England strieks me as someone very self conscious about his looks! But time's been good to him, and he looks more attractive to nowadays tastes than he ever did to the idealized beauty standards in the past (someone as slim and wiry as him would have looked odd and unappealing to the barroque people, for exampleXD; not to mention his youthful looks, unbecoming in a man)

Totally. Poland, you know how to stay fabulous, man ;)

Just like us humans, it probably depends on the individual character. Germany is less likely to care about his appearance than, say, Italy, who's very fashionable and naturally wants to leave an ipression on the girls he flirts with. Austria apparently wears glasses because he thinks he looks bland without them? and doesn't like to be seen unkempt, whereas Prussia couldn't care less how he comes off to other people (but as we know that's only because he's convinced to be naturally irresistable, at all times).
And then there's those countries who, just like some humans, may be too socially awkward to consider their appearance, think Russia and his beat-up looking old uniforms and big-bonedness. XD

As for the smell, I have honestly never thought about that... but I guess just like us people most nation-tans don't smell much like anything when they're well-groomed, unless you get really close to them, and then everyone has their distinct, normal-person smell... I mean, I really hope America doesn't taste like McDonald's if you kiss him!

Mmm, I've always imagined kissing America tastes like sweet candy or apple. Which is think is absolutely delicous.

But Germany probably cares more about being appropiately dressed for eveyr occasion, yes? Less about looking handsome and more about wearing the right things at the right time.
I didn't know that about Austria, lol.
Russia does care! He had to explain he was big boned, wasn't he?XD (I think he cares more in the reputation sense and not out of a real desire to appear desirable)

That being said, I totally support the above reply! America tasting sweet and childish sounds about right ^^

Of course.
Francis anyone...?

And England refusing to cut his hair just to have shiny hair like that cool ~~girl~~ kid France...

England's crush is so cute ♥

(deleted comment)

I like your headcanon regarding the first question, but it makes me lol because Francis probably explodes from beauty appreciation AND dressing up xD
It sounds believable that their humans' nature would extend to this. Now, I wonder if they appreciate the things their humans do -that is to say, their people's favourite places, considered most beautiful and being the most traveled to are in the country the nation finds most beautiful in the world

I also second Alfred being very confident of his looks. He was an insanely cute kid who grew up extremely fast into a very attractive man. I believe America sports the looks most desirable in our time and age

As explained above, all depends on personality and culture. Some of the more self-conscious would probably be Arthur, Francis, Feliciano and Lovino, probably Kiku too.

DEFINITELY Kiku, much more than the others except France. And I think in Arthur's case it's totally more personality than culture, seieng as English people are not particularly fashionable or concerned with looking good?

the more successful the nation is, the more beautiful he or she is perceived to be. It's not so much about their body or facial structure though as it is about their health, since it's likely that the more successful they are the healthier they are, and better health usually makes a person more appealing. So yeah.

Tying in with one of my replies above about how physical beauty and personality considered desirable changes with time, but national prosperity doesn't. So very much agreed ^^
Also, America The Beautiful? It kind of explains it to me, seeing how quickly he became rich and successful and the standard of a modern society, and is always doing well, so he's the greatest catch a nation could make, uh? XD

Alfred probably smells a bit like motor oil, as much as he loves his cars... Yao might smell like incense, Arthur like rain, thanks to his famously moist climate, etc., etc.

America would also probably smell of spring air? Seeing his love for flying and his (mostly) good climate?
Arthur smelling like rain is beautiful and strangely melancholic ♥

So I went back and thought about it and have come up with a smell for Alfred besides freedom. Which is awesome, I know, but it's not very specific.

My head!cannon is that he would smell like a combination of coffee, leather, dust, and the sunshine of a late summer afternoon, when the seasons get stuck between autumn and summer, like they are so prone to do here in the US.

I agree with raekynnes on England smelling like rain. He'd also probably smell earthy, kind of like growing things or tea, with a hint of salt and smog.

France would smell like musky flowers, grain, and vineyards.

Canada would smell like pine forests and crisp, feeble sunshine (YES, SUNSHINE HAS A SMELL).

/stops thinking about smelling nations.

My head!cannon is that he would smell like a combination of coffee, leather, dust, and the sunshine of a late summer afternoon, when the seasons get stuck between autumn and summer, like they are so prone to do here in the US.

I agree with raekynnes on England smelling like rain. He'd also probably smell earthy, kind of like growing things or tea, with a hint of salt and smog.

Canada would smell like pine forests and crisp, feeble sunshine (YES, SUNSHINE HAS A SMELL).

Yes yes yes, agreed on all three! Nothing else comes to mind, these three descriptions are PERFECT ♥

Not so agreed with France, though. France is not a country with more flowers than other Europeans, doesn't have larger plantations or vineyardsXD. I actually think France smells of expensive and sophisticated perfumeXD (and maybe of fruity exquisite winy and champagne, and delicious bakery, and OHGODIWANTOTEATHIM)

Some others?
Spain smells strongly of sunshine and warm beaches, of sand and carnations and a little bit of olive grove or even olive oil

Italy smells of pasta cooking and clean masculine cologne and of old rocks and church incense

Russia smells of snow and strong pure alcohol and other things I'd know if I'd ever been there ;_;

(deleted comment)

Seriously? I thought California had nowadays the largest vineyards in the world, seeing as their production is much better quality than the other two. Isn't California the largest wine producer? Really?

I like that "smell inside of a cathedral", yes. I'd imagine that's something him and Spain, and maybe the Netherlands to some extent, share. Not the Italies, though, their cathedrals smell very very different
Ugh, lavender is associated in Spain with old people's perfumesXD

This is sort of out there not really related.. but I visited denmark.. the men smell good.. like.. something and vanilla.. and.. it makes you want to lick them... >.o''

ohmy
O///O

I'd say they care about their physical, human shaped body to a certain extent, though they care about their physical 'land' appearance more (America might be proud of his six pack, but he'd take his purple mountain majesties over it any day.) But like humans, some care about their looks and fashion more than other (Italy and France are probably more conscious of their wardrobe than some others.)

As far as being self concious it's pretty much canon that America and Russia worry about their weight to some degree with America's obsessive diets, and then Russia claiming to be big-boned. Uh huh. Of course you are, Vanya. He was insecure about his clothes being old fashioned too, so yeah, I'd say they can be.

Kind of already answered that question, but I think they see their physical bodies mostly the same ways humans do (although the standard of beauty changes throughout history, but they still mostly follow the human trends.) But they have a greater appreciation of the beauty of landscapes too, since that is a part of the package for them.

Smells...England smells like old books. America smells like grass clippings, and often gasoline and/or coffee. On the rare occasions that Russia doesn't smell like he just took a shower in vodka, he smells pretty earthy, like healthy soil. China smells like industry as of late (kind of metallic), but under that he smells like tea. Prussia doesn't smell like anything anymore, since he's no longer a country, and it kind of bothers him.

America might be proud of his six pack, but he'd take his purple mountain majesties over it any day.

Six Pack=Purple Mountain Y/Y?

America and Russia worry about it more than others, lol. Definitely don't follow their people there, as French, Italians and specially Japanese are more concerned about their appearance

(although the standard of beauty changes throughout history, but they still mostly follow the human trends.)

I tried to address this somewhere above because I find it particularly interesting. For example, England would have been very unattractive to most people in old times for his wiry and slim built and youthful features unbecoming in a man. France would have been too androginous for Middle Ageans. Prussia's looks would have been cause of persecution and seen as the Devil's influence. Russia must have looked like a gigantic monster to other nations and their citizens. Germany would have been propositioned every time he went out during the Nazi regime, because he was poster boy for the desirable looks.

But they have a greater appreciation of the beauty of landscapes too, since that is a part of the package for them.

Wow, double sexuality. I'm a firm supporter of the geography kink, because it makes me lol to imagine a nation getting hot and bothered by looking at a map, a photograph or just visitng another nation on vacations as a touristXD
(and here is where personal tastes must be discussed...because some people prefer snowy landscapes, others dig sunshiny ones, others rainy ones, some people prefer locations by the sea, others the countryside or even meadows...)

England=old books=instant turn on. I'd be so over him

Interesting thing to ponder about Prussia! so what does he do, wear tons of (different) perfume or roll around the earth/beach/sea to get some smell on himself?

Well the must care somewhat. I mean, Alfred cares about his weight(or did) and France cares about his clothes and looks, and even England cares about his clothes and what not
As for smells...I think they might smell something like thier country as well...
I bet Italy smells like pasta and the Catholic Church...whatever that smells like...

(deleted comment)

No! I don't want Italy smelling like old Catholic people >~

I thinklooks matter to the nations. Though it would matter to some more than others. Like to France, Poland, Japan, and America it's a really big deal. With America he wants to look up to date, but he also wants to have that classic American look at the same time (no idea how to explain what that is.. ake like the 50's sort of?). Japan I see as being the same way too, I think he'd be concerned with being modern yet wants to still look Japanese. Since England trims his eyebrows it matters to him too, but he doesn't want to admit it and doesn't want anyone to know about it. Spain, the Italies, Greece, Turkey, and Seychelles want to look like their looks are totally natural and just happen so they don't worry too much about it. I think Russia doesn't like being big boned and is a bit self concious about it so he may try to do someting about it, but nothing help so he just deals with it (why is this so cute to me?). As for the others I don;t really know I assume that they care.

hmmm I love the smell discussion idea.

England smells like Rain
Seychelles Smells like Ocean
Iceland smells like ash
Switzerland would smell like Fresh Air
Sweden, Norway, Finland, would all smell like snow (you know that smell right before it snows).
Japan smells like Fish ~~which attracts the cats that attrats Greece~~
Russia smells like booze
Poland smells like really expensive perfume... and same with France... and I'd possibly toss in Germany with that too (though Germany kind of Makes more sense)
Spain and Southern Italy would smell like Summer.
Belgium smells like Chocolate
Holland smells like Tulips and wood.
Belarus smells like ~~blood because she just murdered someone~~ baby powder (idk why she looks like she would?)
Ukraine smells like fresh cut grass
Canada it totally Maple Syrup
America is Apple Pie

i can't think of what the others would smell like though.

Edited 2010-03-11 02:00 (UTC)

On the nations' looks

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject