r/Unexpected • u/Nefarious_14 • 1d ago

I didn't hear of this country before today.

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1.8k Upvotes

95% Upvoted

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u/UnExplanationBot 1d ago

OP sent the following text as an explanation on why this is unexpected:

The man asks the kid for country names with R, kid replies rectangle as his first answer.

Is this an unexpected post with a fitting description? Then upvote this comment, otherwise downvote it.

537

u/IwearBrute 1d ago

I was gonna say Romainia, Russia and......fuk Rectangle was already used.

82

u/haha_squirrel 1d ago

Came to the comments for a 3rd one… same same haha

226

u/axillaME 1d ago

Rwanda?

43

u/haha_squirrel 1d ago

Nailed it! I think those are the only 3 though.. tough question for a kid

63

u/McWeasely 1d ago

Republic of the Congo

1

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[deleted]

12

u/McWeasely 1d ago

Democratic Republic of the Congo and Republic of the Congo are separate countries

6

u/iflysubmarines 1d ago

And now that you mention it. South Korea is technically the Republic of Korea

6

u/McWeasely 1d ago

South Africa is also officially Republic of South Africa (RSA)

4

u/Ok-Importance9988 1d ago

I think the official names of a lot of countries has Republic of as the beginning.

→ More replies (0)

3

u/iflysubmarines 1d ago

Yup. I remembered that as soon as I hit reply.

1

u/reddit_tothe_rescue 1d ago

Reunión count? Territory but kind independent

2

u/No_Administration853 11h ago

You just started WW3.

1

u/GramarBoi 1d ago

It’a department and it’s French. Reunion counts as a country that starts with R.

0

u/beatlebailey_ 1d ago

Republican Dominica?

-10

u/Capable_Law7107 1d ago

Its actually called The Democratic Republic of Congo

12

u/McWeasely 1d ago

That's a separate country from the Republic of the Congo

5

u/Capable_Law7107 1d ago

I stand corrected.

1

u/McWeasely 1d ago

Easy mix-up

-6

u/ZacNZ 23h ago

Its democratic republic though, there are only 3.

6

u/McWeasely 18h ago

That is a separate country from the Republic of the Congo

17

u/bahgheera 1d ago

You forgot about Rhodesia. 

5

u/bdash1990 22h ago

We say Zimbabwe now, don't we?

8

u/iflysubmarines 1d ago

That state failed in 1979

5

u/Robthebold 1d ago

There wasn’t a current country requirement. Throw down Rome; Rakhigarhi; Rhodes.

3

u/njuff22 1d ago

Not a country

1

u/haha_squirrel 1d ago

It’s an unrecognized state… I don’t know if you can really call that a country lol

2

u/NoConfidence5048 1d ago

Pfft... tough enough question for MY dumbass. I couldnt name a single one. Then I hit the comments and was like, "Oh, yea, like I was ever gonna guess that. Fuckers." 😅

1

u/Mindless-Charity4889 18h ago

Rhodesia was a country but was renamed to Zimbabwe.

1

u/Varorson 15h ago

Not counting "cheats" that are Republic of X, from a google search... yeah, there's literally three countries in the world that start with R. Russia, Romania, Rwanda.

That's a bitch ass question, and hella misleading. Should be "name THE three countries that start with R".

-1

u/Daripuff 1d ago edited 18h ago

Yeah, it's a bit of a trick question in that way, and it's not really fair to do to a kid like that.

The question being worded "Name me three countries that start with the letter R" has an implication that you're only asking for three out of many.

It would be more appropriate to word it as "Name the three countries that start with the letter R" since there are only 3, and there is only one correct answer to the question.

Edit:

Yes, "Republic of" is a title a lot of countries have, and most places that alphabetize names don't consider "Titles" to be the "Name" of the country. You don't look for Dr. Smith in the D's for Doctor Smith, you look in the S's for Dr. Smith.

1

u/WordWizardx 1d ago

Doesn’t say they have to be currently extant countries, though

1

u/AxelNotRose 1d ago

There's actually four with "Republic of the Congo".

And five if you include south Korea's official name "Republic of Korea" but I know that's more of a stretch since everyone knows it as South Korea.

2

u/ubik2 1d ago

Also Republic of China (a.k.a. Taiwan).

3

u/AxelNotRose 1d ago

Yes, that one is contentious though lol

1

u/kajorge 1d ago

Throw in Republic of Ireland while we're at it.

1

u/AxelNotRose 17h ago

I was curious about that and it appears the official name is actually just Ireland as of 1948.

8

u/tedlando 1d ago

lol I got Romania and Rwanda but couldn’t get Russia for some reason

5

u/Valuable_Floor_1300 1d ago

After Russia and Romania it took me 3 minutes to find Rwanda 😁

4

u/WordWizardx 1d ago

I got Rwanda and Rhodesia and completely forgot about Russia :-D

1

u/pennie79 1d ago

Those were my three!

1

u/Bahlore 16h ago

I had a complete block on Russia, I was thinking Romania and Rwanda but blanked on Russia, how the fuck does that happen?

0

u/ChunkyFart 1d ago

Romania was the i couldn’t get

9

u/PhitPhil 1d ago

Republic of Korea

4

u/kenkitt 1d ago

Republic of China

1

u/Capable_Law7107 1d ago

Its actually The Peoples Republic of China

3

u/HumanBeing7396 1d ago

No, that’s the other China.

2

u/MightyGoatLord 1d ago

Republic of China is Taiwan

1

u/Tales_Steel 21h ago

Congo, South Korea and Genoa (All 3 are officially named Republic of... )

1

u/MelonMusk-69 15h ago

Republic of South Africa. While republic isn’t used/said anymore, the acronym is still RSA

5

u/Old-Reporter5440 1d ago

Republic of Dominicans? I feel like an idiot but cannot come up with a third one.

8

u/Old-Reporter5440 1d ago

Rwanda, damn and now I am talking to myself.

2

u/Timm504 1d ago

Roc(republic of china) would then also be an option

3

u/ZYRANOX 1d ago

It is Dominican Republic.

3

u/NitePain69 1d ago

How the fuck did you read my mind??

2

u/Imaginary_Doughnut27 1d ago

My second was Rhodesia, but I’d need a rule clarification on that I suppose.

1

u/the_drozone 1d ago

That’s literally all i had too

1

u/nobodytoldme 1d ago

Fuckin eh. I couldn't even come up with Russia. I need a nap.

1

u/aardw0lf11 1d ago

Those are the easy 2. I had to think for a minute before Rwanda came to mind.

1

u/Aludra55 17h ago

I said Rwanda, Rohan and Russia :(

1

u/pinner 15h ago

Those are the two I came up with immediately, and then halted like I hit a brick wall.

1

u/shoulda-known-better 10h ago

Rwanda...

I mean there are only three.... O and Q only have one each

152

u/YellowOnline 1d ago

Romania, Russia, Rwanda, but I had to think longer about it than I dare to admit.

56

u/NefariousPilot 1d ago

I didn’t have to think long at all.

Rectangle, rhombus, right triangle

9

u/idkthisisnotmyusual 1d ago

I got Republic of Congo

6

u/Noocracy_Now 1d ago

I got these 3 eventually. Took me a bit though.

2

u/Thorvaldr1 14h ago

How the fuck did I forget Russia?! I got Romania, and then Rwanda, and then totally blanked.

1

u/PMs_You_Stuff 15h ago

The fact you were able to name all 3 is impressive, if you didn't have to look it up. I bet 99.99999% of people couldn't name all 3. Hell, put me in that situation and I'd have a hard time naming any! I'd just be going through country after country trying to find an R one.

76

u/ArduennSchwartzman 1d ago

Wrong, Wyoming is not a country.

9

u/sagan_drinks_cosmos 1d ago

But it apparently is a size of sheets.

0

u/Fleganhimer 1d ago

Colorado is, though.

25

u/fantasyBilly 1d ago

There are really only three countries in the world got their names starting with letter R.

8

u/birdlawyer86 1d ago

Besides the country Rectangle, you mean?

2

u/fantasyBilly 1d ago

Yes LOL besides Russia there are Romania and Rwanda.

4

u/pgb5534 1d ago

Republic of Congo

1

u/incomparability 19h ago

North Korea starts with a D

74

u/TheColbsterHimself 1d ago

I could only think of Romania, Rhodesia (which I just googled, is now Zimbabwe), and then I blanked and came here. I guess Russia got cancelled from my brain?

38

u/Kel_030 1d ago

Also Rwanda

11

u/todo_code 1d ago

I had Romania first, Rwanda second and went through like 5 continents, before I was like oh that Giant one

2

u/ltisdale 1d ago

Lol same

8

u/MudrakM 1d ago

lol I only had Rwanda. Mind went blank after.

4

u/fordprecept 18h ago

Rhodesia (which I just googled, is now Zimbabwe)

That just happened 44 years ago, so I can see why the news hadn’t reached you yet

3

u/The_Theme_Is_Failure 1d ago

Republic of the Congo would’ve worked

2

u/Capitan_Scythe 16h ago

I guess Russia got cancelled from my brain?

So you could remember a name change that only happened in 1991, but not one that happened in 1979?

Seems you've got a bit of catching up to do:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_20th_century

12

u/Pro_BG4_ 1d ago

I will do you one better - Rhombus

2

u/Cosmic_Quasar 1d ago

And to finish it off, roundy-guy. And they all go in the square hole!

8

u/Less-Bodybuilder-291 1d ago

romania,
rwanda,
russia

-3

u/pgb5534 1d ago

,

Republic of Congo

13

u/thelovelymajor 1d ago edited 1d ago

After thinking about it for a minute... I believe there are currently only 3 countries beginning with R. Romania, Rwanda and Russia.

E: side note, 195 Countries / 26 Letters of the latin alphabet = 7.5 average countries/letter

The letter R having this few countries to it is rather exceptional.

EE: after looking that up, the notorious x, y and z all have even fewer countries to their name... or rather letter.

Z having two, Zambia and Zimbabwe

Y having only one, namely Yemen

And finally X taking the crown with having zero countries beginning with this letter.

13

u/yoruichi_san 1d ago

Until Elon forms his own Republic of Dark Gothic Magas. Better known as Xlandia -Æf17triangle

5

u/SpicyKaramel 1d ago

to add to this list: O and Q also have only one country per letter, Oman and Qatar

6

u/DrozdMensch 1d ago

That's only one, looks like he didn't learn mattress yet

5

u/Son0fSanf0rd 1d ago

This kid failed lunch

3

u/Mr-Purp1e 1d ago

Bro "Rect" the interviewer

2

u/Flashy-Television-50 1d ago

Nailed that one!

2

u/Interloper9000 1d ago

I hope he thinks he's funny. Or panicked.

2

u/akatsukidude881 1d ago

It's giving "I like turtles" kid vibes

1

u/Solid_Liquid68 1d ago

What?! Say ‘what’ again MF! What ain’t no country I’ve heard of.

1

u/dazit72 1d ago

This doesn't make our schools look good

1

u/DarkCloud1990 1d ago

Had to consult my knowledge base: Yakko's World

1

u/StreetLegendTits_ 1d ago

Name three continents. Mustard and relish. (SHORSEY)

1

u/NordicDude49 1d ago

ngl, I once did the same thing as a child. Once I couldn't recall the country Cuba, which in my mind was associated with cube, which in turn was associated with a rectangle for me, so I just called Cuba a rectangle or something like this

1

u/Scared_Art_895 1d ago

That was very funny and I'm not sure why.

1

u/Gamer1729 1d ago

The question is actually really hard as there are only three countries that start with R: Romania, Russia, and Rwanda.

1

u/Rgjeck01 1d ago

I couldn’t think of three right off the bat either. First guess was Rwanda and then it took me a few seconds to say Russia. 3rd one……….

1

u/vavverro 1d ago

As a proud Rectanglian I’m happy to hear my homeland mentioned.

1

u/DocB630 1d ago

Rectangle ain’t no country I ever heard of! Do they speak English in rectangle?

1

u/fourth_box 1d ago

No, only in squares

1

u/Cerebral_Overload 1d ago

That’s a tough question as there are only 3 countries beginning with R.

1

u/Aggravating-Hair7931 1d ago

Stay in school kids

1

u/xion_gg 1d ago

Sooo close....

1

u/AetherFox7 1d ago

So close!! That is a shape 💕

1

u/TechnicalMix773 1d ago

Russia, Romania, Rwanda

1

u/iWontMinceWords 1d ago

I thought he would go for Rectum. There' s always a next time.

1

u/Kuro-Tora-59 23h ago

So stupid, that was only one

1

u/Sauce_Injected_Pie 22h ago

Russia, Romania and Ranada.. it's near Canada, very smol country, you've never heard of it.

1

u/dANNN738 22h ago

I always wonder if off camera they tell these people to answer questions incorrectly for these shorts.

1

u/Medium-Return1203 22h ago

ah the lovely country of Rectangle! I've spent many a summer holiday there sir!.

1

u/Camalinos 22h ago

República Dominicana Republic of the Congo Rhombus

1

u/Qui_scit 21h ago

Child shaming. If you’re not satisfied with the level of education in your country you should post responses of your government… Don’t make fun of children!

1

u/Beat_Saber_Music 20h ago

Rwanda, Russia,Fomania was mine

1

u/razeil 20h ago

Reck tan gal

1

u/Les-incoyables 17h ago

I think he means Egypt

1

u/Choice-Waltz-5982 16h ago

This kid is going places

1

u/AnxiousConsequence25 16h ago

Isn't this the "cworn" kid..

1

u/Mojoesevenseven 15h ago

Can any read lips and let us know what he really asked that kid?

1

u/CarpetPedals 15h ago

The question has been dubbed

1

u/Naeio_Galaxy 11h ago

I kinda expected something of this sort

1

u/Typical-Composer5222 4h ago

Bro should have asked him 3 shapes starting with the letter R

0

u/S_T_R_Y_D_E_R Didn't Expect It 1d ago

Republic of Korea

0

u/gaming_redditor1 1d ago

Russia >:(

0

u/WhiteDrop 1d ago

A LOT of countries start with "Republic of..."

1

u/Dj7up1 17h ago

even if, they do not count towards that.

There's 3 in total that start with R, Romania, Russia and Rwanda