If countries were people

...and you met them at a class reunion.

The US would be the super competitive over-achiever who stepped on everyone's toes while trying to make people like him. He was a solid student and captain of the football team. He always had more determination than talent, but went on to get an ivy league MBA, make a lot of money and marry a movie star. Now the pressures of the job seem to be wearing him down and he looks a little frayed around the edges. But he still laughs the loudest and throws a fit when things don't go his way.

England, Germany and France would be the snobbish rich kids who didn't mingle very much back in school but, having been through tough times, they seem a lot more mellow now. Their childhood rivalries have given way to a laid-back camaraderie, as they sit together and reminisce about the 'good old days'. Although stuck in dead-end jobs today, they seem pathetically indifferent towards their lot in life.

Israel would be the sharp little kid who always managed to get on the right side of all the teachers, and to get the bigger boys to fight his schoolyard battles for him. Street-smart and quick witted, he always landed on his feet but his mean streak made you slightly wary of him. Today he sells used-cars and makes enough to get by.

Mexico would be the scruffy child who always got to class late and then spent the whole day daydreaming. His dog ate his homework and he tried to copy yours a few minutes before handing it in. Now he works at McDonald's and seems to have developed a bit of a drinking problem. He keeps asking if you can get him a job at your company.

Russia would be the sullen, slightly overweight boy who sat quietly in the back of class, rarely talking to anyone. A bully by nature, he picked on those who couldn't fight back. Once relatively successful, he lost most of his money when his poorly conceived business failed. But he doesn't seem too upset about it. Or does he? Who knows when it comes to him?

Brazil would be the big, boisterous kid who threw spitballs at the teacher when her back was turned. Anything for a laugh. Restless and over-energetic, he spent most of his afternoons in the principal's office or in detention. Today he's still great company, buying drinks for everyone and making off-color jokes, but you wish he'd get off his ass and do something productive with his life.

Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and Iraq would be the gang of troublemakers who usually skipped class to smoke behind the gym. Always in trouble at school because of their poor grades and bad habits, they stayed close to each other, barring a few violent internal fights. Proud and fiercely independent, they always believed that no one else understood them and banded together every time an outsider confronted one of them. Today, unsurprisingly, they are in trouble with the law.

Saudi Arabia would be the wannabe-gangster who craved respect from the guys above, but was too soft to cut it. Instead, he lavished his ample money on parties for them and on blingy gold chains and leather jackets for himself, hoping this would buy him some street cred. He still does not work and lives off his generous inheritance, but you've been told that it may run out some day.

Australia and Canada would be the good natured, cool guys who played in the school rock band, smoked weed and grew their hair long. Never concerned by what the others thought of them, they led a cheerful, relaxed life without pissing off any one else. Not much has changed today - they're both fairly succesful, but still seem uninterested in what's happening out there in the real world.

China would be the guy from a poor family who sat at the front desk, worked his ass off and finally made it really big. Although his success is well deserved, his lack of emotion leaves you cold when you meet him now. You suspect that the years of silent suffering have left him emotionally scarred and that he may completely melt down some day.

India would be the other hard working poor boy, but his misplaced morals never allowed him to succeed in the way that China has. Geeky and awkward as a child, he seems to have finally come of age, starting up a tech company that's doing pretty well. His nouveau-rich status sits uncomfortably on his shoulders and makes his former classmates treat him with suspicion and disdain, but he takes it all in his stride.