Things like an appreciation for a full breakfast and school sports we get from the Brits. (Roundabouts aka rotaries, too, in some parts of the U.S.)
Especially Amsterdam. We saw a bike park there, literally thousands of bikes, one wonders how somebody can make out which bike is theirs.
Yeh its called socialism. :-)
When my daughter was in the hospital I would have killed to be able to crack open a window.
We're sex saturated enough...I have no desire to have sexy eiropean TV commercials playing in my home. Thanks just the same.
A healthy skepticism of government would have saved the Germans a fair amount of grief. Perhaps they should consider that.
bfl
America was founded on a wise biblical teaching: “Put not your faith in princes, in whom there is no help.” Psalm 146:3. We would be far better off today had America stuck to that verity.
One other thing I noticed, hotel rooms have thermostats, but they never seem to work.
Modern feudalism isn’t awful. That’s why people support socialism, it’s only awful compared to our society.
The two things that made the biggest impression on me were the lack of growth-what was at a place had been at that place for likely hundreds of years.
And they use human waste in their fertilizer and you can tell.
You like Europe? Stay there.
They live their lives for pleasure. Dinners take hours and everything is social.
They have beauty in everything, every little doorknob, window latch, everything has a delightful element of design.
You walk through history, usually starting through Roman times to the modern day.
The butter, cheese, bread and yogurt is unbelievably delicious and the food is PURE.
The street signs are up high on the corners of the buildings and very easy to find.
They all dress better and appreciate fashion, not to mention the men’s shoes.
I live part of my year in Europe and just returned. I notice the differences immensely. I could go on and on of my love of Europe. The politics stink, but most think Obama is a scourge on the planet, unlike in 2008 when he was a God that come from heaven to save us all.
If you love socialism so much, why don’t you stay there?
No ice cubes, everything served room temperature including milk and beer... yechh!
Not too many people have refrigerators at home so you are always shopping for food and standing in lines.
They have different power outlets over there so nothing you bring from U.S. plugs in unless you buy some special adapter plug.
And all those different languages. It's like every country has to have a different word for everything. Even in England, they have special words like bollocks, knackers, lorry and loo.
Good descriptions. Consistent with what I’ve seen their.
Ironically, they have their “Wild West Western” cousins to thank for all of their electronic payment of everything. Most of the non-”Wild West Western” world has had limited capability to make major leaps in technology. The integrated circuit, the microprocessor, the microcomputer/PC, and the Internet (with MAJOR contributions from the Brits and CERN) were invented in the U.S. (I remember talking with a Frenchman when the Internet was just sweeping the U.S., and he was lauding the limited Minitel government monopoly system then in place throughout France, with remarks that it did everything he could think of that could possibly be needed already, so what was the big deal about the Internet, France would never need it because they had Minitel, etc.)
Perhaps Europeans are simply content enough with their little Giuseppe shops, bread, beer, and chocolate. That and the fact that socialism has fundamentally paralyzed much of their innovation and advancement beyond the surface pleasures of life.
“Oh man, the bread and the beer. Why can’t Americans make good bread or beer?”
I agree with most of your thoughts but disagree with the beer assessment.
I spent some time in Europe this summer, and was really disappointed by the beer selections. I feel that the US has a greater variety and is generally less expensive (I did really enjoy London Pride and Marzen though.).
Just my 2 cents ;-)
Of course they're stark and bare. They're all under the influence (and purse strings) of a huge, nationalistic healthcare system. While water fountains and gardens are probably overkill, I find that a hospital with a little "cheerfulness" places patients in a much better state of mind for recovery. The functional windows and beer are "shiny objects," and certainly not for the patients.
Electrical bills are paid in advance. You are billed for electrical usage that the electric company assumes you will be using for a half year at a time. If at the end of the six months you use less or more - compensation is then made.
Sounds efficient. And, like an interest-free loan to the utility company.
Breakfast is not a big deal in Europe. McDonald’s doesn’t even open until 8 or 9 am.
I don't think breakfast is a "big deal" in the US, but having some kind of nutrition available before one heads off to work is important. Whether that's a bagel with cream cheese, a piece of fruit, or a coffee and sandwich from McDonald's or Starbucks, that's up to the consumer.
Going to the bank is like going to the morgue. Deathly quiet. There is no friendly banter among clerks or clientele. Not like down here in the South anyways.
How positively un-capitalistic.
Shopping in stores is almost equally reserved. You are hardly ever approached with “Can I Help You” which I kind of liked.
At most US department stores, you get more of that too. Clerks are too busy with other tasks, and shopping is more self-serve. At better stores in the US, you can still get some service, if you require.
Stores are only allowed to have SALES twice a year - usually late summer and then again after Christmas. All stores are required to have their sales on the same days so as not to give marketing advantages. Except for the middle Eastern tobacco shops and 7-11 type stores, the major merchants must close at the same hour.
God forbid a business should try to find a "marketing advantage." Again, speaks to their socialist' nature, and utter disdain for capitalism and prviate enterprise.
Dogs and cats are allowed Everywhere - stores, banks, restaurants. Was always constantly amazed at how well behaved the dogs were even in the presence of other dogs.
Sounds positively un-civilized.
A liter of gas costs almost what a gallon of gas costs here. Then again European cars get much better on gas mileage. I liked the Smart cars for city driving. It always amused me how many cars could parallel park on a street due to their small size. Polizei cars were also ridiculously small.
Transportation in Europe is not about freedom; i.e., the freedom to travel about and do as one wishes. Travel in Europe is getting from Point A to Point B. There is no pleasure in it, and if they don't have cars, they can always take the train, or other form of mass transport. While I wish we had more trains here in the US, if only as another travel option, I would not want to sacrifice my ability to drive.
Oh man, the bread and the beer. Why can’t Americans make good bread or beer? I could just about live on Olijven brot ( olive bread ). And the delicate confections at the konditoreis ( bakeries ) make our typical donut shops pathetic. A konditorei shop window is a true work of art. Marzipan anyone?
I think our bread and beer are perfectly fine. If we find something else outside the US, we'll import it. Geez. Of all the things to drone on about.
The chocolate. Need I say more
European chocolate, especially Belgian chocolate, is over-rated. Seriously. Again, if we find one we like, we'll import it. If not, we'll take our Hershey's and be done with it.
Walmart type stores are only found in the burbs. In the city there just isn’t a store that has everything. You have to go to different stores to get things like paper clips and clothespins. Then again, all the small mom and pop food and craft shops were fascinating, and you could see the pride in their work. I loved the little Giuseppi-like toy store with hand crafted toys. Kids use their imaginations more; not so much emphasis on electronic toys.
Lovely. And inefficient. Such a waste of time, as if people have nothing better to do than shop in ten different stores, as apposed to what they could buy in one.
Bakeries that open at 5am in the morning. You can get warm REAL bread. It was quaint to see the lines of people waiting to get into some of the better bakeries so early in the morning.
Ah yes, Europe is nothing without their innate desire to "queue up," and stand in another line.
Eggs and milk are generally not refrigerated, although you can get them in the refrigerated section.
Warm milk, and fermented eggs. Sounds yummy.
I could pick out more things. I spent a good deal, enough time in Europe, when I was in the service. As the dying cradle of Western Civilization, there are some good things there. I'm not trying to sound provincial, but I was always glad to get back to the US. I appreciate what we have just fine.
Once America was discovered who came and who stayed in Europe?
Those with courage and ambition came to America; those who did not mind being a peasant and being lorded over remained...
Thanks for sharing. I love reading about different cultures, especially first hand experiences from Americans. I’m under the impression that many places in Europe have an abundance of cynical, snobby/stuffy types. Hence, the reserve. Always gravitated towards England, (Great Britian, UK, whatever the heck they call it now lol) probably because it’s where my ancestors lived.
Question: Who do you think is truly happier on the whole, them or us?