Embassies might be known for providing citizens with consular services abroad, but one TikToker has been ranking them based on visual and first impressions.
Owen Alexander shares unique facts about cities on his channel @owen_thedon. He also ranks embassies in different cities, and this time, he shares his thoughts on embassies while travelling in London.
Compared to a consulate, embassies provide a full range of services, including notarial services, passport services, adoption and surrogacy, birth abroad, marriage abroad, citizenship services, voting abroad, and more. Alexander tours the city in a series of videos to assess each embassy’s curb appeal and “flag representation.”
Out of all the embassies, Japan gets top marks.
@owen_thedon Wait until you see the USA Embassy. Which was your favorite? Any you’d like to see? #japan #brazil #italy #sweden #austria #london #embassy ♬ Relaxed (Sped Up) – MC Mablo Dos Paredões
“Starting off strong, we have the embassy of Japan, and damn, this embassy is beautiful,” he states. “I love the good flag representation. Fun fact: this is the first building in all of London to have its exterior entirely clad in marble — 9.5 out of 10.”
Hungary received the second-highest rating, 9.2 out of 10, for its “crazy attention to detail.”
Italy gets a 7 out of 10 despite being “kind of basic,” Brazil does a little better, earning an 8.5 for having a nice front door and a “good flag representation.”
Despite introducing the world to IKEA, Sweden’s design aesthetic doesn’t quite extend to its embassy.
“Sweden out here, on the other hand, looking like an elementary school,” he says. “This is terrible. I do like the three crowns. I don’t know what that represents, but y’all gotta get it together — 2 out of 10. Not good.”
@owen_thedon What country was your favorite? Which do you want to see next? #mexico #belgium #saudiarabia #panama #greece #poland #london #embassies ♬ Calmness/Chill/Live performance_609_2_1(840705) – table_1
In comparison, Nigeria gets top marks for its neatness and modern details.
“Hold up, [Nigeria said] we’re gonna take care of business,” states Alexander. “I like the crest above the door. They have screens advertising their country, great corner unit, well taken care of — 8.5 out of 10.”
Portugal also gets an 8 for looking “well put together.”
The same can’t be said for Switzerland’s unimaginative architecture.
“Switzerland, what is this bullsh*t?” demands Alexander. “We know you got money, so this is not cutting it. This looks like a hospital from the soviet era. You guys need to bulldoze this and start over. I expected way better — 2 out of 10.”
The UAE gets a mediocre grade for its “weird shape, weird colour.”
“We know you got money, so what is this?” he asks. “You spent the whole budget on your flag — 6 out of 10. Do better.”
@owen_thedon Which embassy was your favorite? Which do you want to see next? #portugal #uae #switzerland #nigeria #hungary #canada #embassy #london ♬ Acoustic guitar chill (no wave sound)(1254171) – KBYS
Canada’s “flag budget was on point”
Canada stands out compared to other embassies, but not for the reasons you’d expect.
“Canada out here looking like a courthouse,” says Alexander. “I don’t know why you need one this big.”
He then focuses on the multiple Canadian flags hanging over the street and states, “Clearly, your flag budget was on point — 8.5 out of 10 purely [based on] dominance.”
The Canadian embassy — known as the High Commission of Canada in the UK — resides in Canada House, a Greek Revival building that isn’t just impressive for its architecture.
It features furniture and woodwork by several renowned Canadian designers, which you can see during the monthly tours. You can also take a virtual tour here.
The High Commission of Canada is also impressive for its location. The former gentlemen’s club (members included the Duke of Wellington and Charles Dickens) is located on Trafalgar Square next to the National Gallery. For any Canadian feeling homesick, The Maple Leaf Pub Restaurant in Covent Garden is just a short walk away. For those unfamiliar, the pub gets absolutely packed during Canada Day and provides Canadians with a bit of a home away from home.