I recall in the 80's a lot of friends in the military doing tours there; I wonder how the drawdown of troops in the 90's effected their culture? Regardless, I'm of German heritage, but more important, also a proud American. Whether it's the "rape gangs" in Britain, or the police raids on meme's in Germany, the autocratic tendencies need to stop and make 1984 fiction again. Hopefully, but doubtfully, Vance's speech will do some good.
I've traveled the globe. (For example, in March, I'm returning to India for the second time and will visit Singapore for the first time.) Sure, Germany has healthy food and beautiful architecture, but so what? Whenever I travel outside North America, I'm always happy to return to the United States. We have it all here!
My wife and I have been to Europe a few times. There are noticeable differences from one country to the next. Americans seem to think that Europe is one monolithic 'country', but it's not. Germans are noticeably more rigid and conformist. Italians, on the other hand, are not.
Having been to Germany many times and with a daughter currently living there, I agree with you Adam. It’s easy to get ‘island fever’ when you first arrive as an outsider. Good public transportation, not needing a car all the time, good reasonably healthy food (the EU bans a lot of chemicals that the U.S. doesn’t) a slower, simpler existence, etc. But as you’ve pointed out, under the shininess is a stagnant economy, regulations on steroids, over reliance on gov’t and high prices on monthly needs like fuel, electricity, etc. The old saying about the grass being greener on the other side of the fence could easily be applied.
Now not every European country is run like Germany. There are differences. But by and large, Europe as a whole is more similar than different. If you’re an American looking for a bohemian lifestyle you’ll probably fit in well. If you’re reasonably wealthy your money will go far. But it’s not America for better and for worse.
I'm pleased you talked about the tax system in Europe that makes sure that practically everyone comes out near the minimum of 1800 a month no matter what their gross salary is on paper and no matter how hard/long they work. I mean, some people earn less than 1800 a month but 1800 is 'the norm' basically regardless. But when rent is around 800-1000 euro/month before lights and water and transport and you still have to eat, it gets a little silly. I can only imagine how they sh*t themselves at your salary expectations, I'm delighted just to think of it! For context, I live in Italy and I'm half-German. And my sister lived in Germany for 3 years while studying and I stayed there for 6 months.
Lol Yeah she did. Looking back it's hilarious but at the time I was devastated. I thought maybe I was being greedy. Plus, I lowered my salary expectations and it was still too high.
I am saddened and thankful that I learned more about what other countries would do in the face of the so-called pandemic. There are now many, many, many countries I would never want to visit and that's sad, but I'm thankful that I don't idealize them any longer. I remember going to Australia in 1994 and it was beautiful. I'm thankful I got to travel there and also Ireland in the early 2000's but I would never want to live in those places with how they handled things.
I really appreciate the US, and South Dakota in particular since I didn't have to wear a mask to go grocery shopping. What you describe in looking at how other countries handling COVID, I describe other states similarly since South Dakota never locked down at all. Kristi Noem said she didn't have the right to call people "nonessential". It was like living in another reality here and watching some the states behave as they did.
This is the first time America has experimented with authoritarianism - Germany had its run. So, we’ll see whether your perspective shifts over the next four years.
Actually I lived in Germany for 6 months and my sister lived there for 3 years while getting her PhD, and I agreed with pretty much everything Adam said. I certainly didn't see any factual errors. Maybe I noticed a few more homeless people, but that's the only thing I noticed.
I recall in the 80's a lot of friends in the military doing tours there; I wonder how the drawdown of troops in the 90's effected their culture? Regardless, I'm of German heritage, but more important, also a proud American. Whether it's the "rape gangs" in Britain, or the police raids on meme's in Germany, the autocratic tendencies need to stop and make 1984 fiction again. Hopefully, but doubtfully, Vance's speech will do some good.
I've traveled the globe. (For example, in March, I'm returning to India for the second time and will visit Singapore for the first time.) Sure, Germany has healthy food and beautiful architecture, but so what? Whenever I travel outside North America, I'm always happy to return to the United States. We have it all here!
USA!!!!🇺🇸
My wife and I have been to Europe a few times. There are noticeable differences from one country to the next. Americans seem to think that Europe is one monolithic 'country', but it's not. Germans are noticeably more rigid and conformist. Italians, on the other hand, are not.
Correct. They like to lump vastly different cultures together as being one. I try my best to not do that.
I dodged a bullet too. I was considering making England a second and eventual permanent home in 2019.
Glad you're home too!
Having been to Germany many times and with a daughter currently living there, I agree with you Adam. It’s easy to get ‘island fever’ when you first arrive as an outsider. Good public transportation, not needing a car all the time, good reasonably healthy food (the EU bans a lot of chemicals that the U.S. doesn’t) a slower, simpler existence, etc. But as you’ve pointed out, under the shininess is a stagnant economy, regulations on steroids, over reliance on gov’t and high prices on monthly needs like fuel, electricity, etc. The old saying about the grass being greener on the other side of the fence could easily be applied.
Now not every European country is run like Germany. There are differences. But by and large, Europe as a whole is more similar than different. If you’re an American looking for a bohemian lifestyle you’ll probably fit in well. If you’re reasonably wealthy your money will go far. But it’s not America for better and for worse.
Thank you for your comment
I'm pleased you talked about the tax system in Europe that makes sure that practically everyone comes out near the minimum of 1800 a month no matter what their gross salary is on paper and no matter how hard/long they work. I mean, some people earn less than 1800 a month but 1800 is 'the norm' basically regardless. But when rent is around 800-1000 euro/month before lights and water and transport and you still have to eat, it gets a little silly. I can only imagine how they sh*t themselves at your salary expectations, I'm delighted just to think of it! For context, I live in Italy and I'm half-German. And my sister lived in Germany for 3 years while studying and I stayed there for 6 months.
Lol Yeah she did. Looking back it's hilarious but at the time I was devastated. I thought maybe I was being greedy. Plus, I lowered my salary expectations and it was still too high.
Thanks Adam! So glad I started reading your essays and decided to follow/subscribe. Keep it up, Big Guy!
Thank you. I appreciate you following me.
I am saddened and thankful that I learned more about what other countries would do in the face of the so-called pandemic. There are now many, many, many countries I would never want to visit and that's sad, but I'm thankful that I don't idealize them any longer. I remember going to Australia in 1994 and it was beautiful. I'm thankful I got to travel there and also Ireland in the early 2000's but I would never want to live in those places with how they handled things.
I really appreciate the US, and South Dakota in particular since I didn't have to wear a mask to go grocery shopping. What you describe in looking at how other countries handling COVID, I describe other states similarly since South Dakota never locked down at all. Kristi Noem said she didn't have the right to call people "nonessential". It was like living in another reality here and watching some the states behave as they did.
This is the first time America has experimented with authoritarianism - Germany had its run. So, we’ll see whether your perspective shifts over the next four years.
Oh dear. You have a lot of factual errors in your essay.
Like what?
Actually I lived in Germany for 6 months and my sister lived there for 3 years while getting her PhD, and I agreed with pretty much everything Adam said. I certainly didn't see any factual errors. Maybe I noticed a few more homeless people, but that's the only thing I noticed.
Thank you Helen.