As a Swede who has visited most countries in Europe, as well as many countries outside of Europe (including for instance India and USA), and who is now living in Brazil since about 5 years, I can say that as long as you have money - it doesn't really matter where you live. At that point the weather probably becomes the most important point.
I agree with you, I'm brazilian, and I lived for a brief time in USA, but I had a low paying job and was a student, so my life wasn't the best, I was in my early 20s so I didn't really care that much, but now as a late 30s man I think I wouldn't like to be living that way. Here in Brazil it's expensive to buy stuff, tech, etc. but it's cheap to have services, like a house keeper to come and clean your house every week, someone to fix something for you, to paint your house for ex. So yeah, as long as you have money it's fine wherever you live.
@@AlexanderMarkDavidOxladeChamb I can only give you my personal opinion. I think that the country is developing in the wrong direction. Crime is increasing and just the general feeling of walking the streets in any city is different from how it was when I was young. Frankly, sometimes it does not feel like Sweden at all. I grew up in Malmö which is now predominantly inhabited by people with a foreign background. I could notice the population gradually change over time. That is part of why I decided to leave. The other reason is that I really prefer a warmer climate. Between 6-8 months per year it will be cold and dark in Sweden and I do not like that much. But don't get me wrong, Sweden is still a decent place to live by my estimation. Social services are still not bad and many schools are decent. And it is "free" (including higher education). Of course, it comes at the cost of very high taxes, but if you have kids in school or someone in your family is sick - you don't mind.
@@SpinalGT true, as a tech guy myself, who likes gadgets, I do find the import taxes for these types of things to be quite brutal. But, as you said, there are upsides too. For instance, me and my wife have two kids and we can enjoy a good restaurant with a bottle of wine for less than R$ 200. That would be completely impossible in Sweden.
@@AlexanderMarkDavidOxladeChamb yes, well the financial situation is one thing. It is of course not good since taxes must be raised and people has to work longer. Politicians have talked about increasing the retirement age to at least 70. It is somewhat ironic since the same politicians sold the idea of immigration to the Swedish people as something that would save the pensions. That as well on humanitarian grounds. But there are other considerations to think about. There are neighborhoods and areas which are now basically only inhabited by immigrants. The schools in those neighborhoods only have students with a foreign background and who barely speak any Swedish. So, there is a risk that they will never be integrated let alone assimilated into the Swedish culture. That is a problem that will only grow worse. As for your question I really could not say. The only thing I could say about it is that my father is a mechanical engineer. He is retired now, but he worked many years for a company called Alfa Laval, in Lund, where he was part of many interesting projects. He designed high torque machinery, heat exchangers, valves and many other things. He enjoyed it very much. Lund is also a city that is still holding up pretty well. I worked in Lund myself for several years (albeit not at Alfa Laval). But I have no idea about how it is to work as a mechanical engineer in any other country. Good luck though!
I was raised in the US and moved to Spain when i was 27. Six years later when i came back to visit the homeland i noticed my friends would kind of brag to each other about how many hours they worked the last week. I was just quietly thinking 'that sounds like a horrible week' no time for anything at all. Life is short and you are only getting older. Nobody on their death bead ever said 'you know, i wish i had put in more 60+ hour weeks' 😂 I'm sitting there way more relaxed than anybody else, with way more stories to share and experiences lived just over those few years. All because of a cultural difference where Europeans feel that it's almost immoral and a dis-service to your valuable human life to waste it away by clocking hours whether it's for your own business, or for another person's business. I work to live vs I live to work is a real big difference between the USA and Europe.
At work in Germany i almost bought a coffee for takeaway but my friend Ralph stopped me saying, "who are you that you are too important to not sit and have a coffee?" That moment changed my life for the better.
Yup! Never been in Europe but I am about to move there after I am done with my seasonal job, the university education is shockingly cheap as hell I am so in shocked!! You can even be a nurse there for $5,000 in 4 years meanwhile in the USA is $20,000-$100,000 like wtf?!! I can't wait to move there November im traveling and checking all countries, this USA life is definitely 100% not for me
@@wanderlustoceans8205 This is actually a big reason WHY Americans work so much, the cost of living here is insane. Sometimes it's all they can be consumed with in order to stay alive and put food on the table. You're right, when I have enough saved and a good plan, I will be moving to the UK or maybe Spain.
I grew up in the U.S. and I completely identify with what you said about the speed of life. In the U.S. I’m considered an extremely “slow” eater to the point that my friends will ditch me at a restaurant as I eat my meal because they finished half an hour before me. But when I went to Spain, I went out to eat and received comments about how quickly I ate as I finished my meal way before anyone else. People in Europe simply cherish the time they have and connect with the food as opposed to wolfing it down and getting back to work ASAP in the U.S.
My best friend from back home (Canada) came to visit me in Europe lately and my god I never realised how much I hate eating with her. I've adapted to the European way of eating, to share conversation over the meal and enjoy the evening being out at a restaurant and everything that comes with it. Whereas she sat in silence, solely focused on her food and just eating it, and then paying the bill, and that was it. I didn't realise this culture difference in meals until this past week.
😂😂😂I get ya 1000%; have traveled extensively to European countries, I am originally from Uganda & I have lived in the Midwest for 20 years . Food in most European countries is far better especially Italy, France , Spain & Portugal. Even though I live in the Midwest; I try my best to eat healthier; grow a vegetable garden in the Spring/summer months ; produce that’s grown in your backyard tastes way better than anything store bought . American fast food just isn’t palatable to me; it’s shitty & makes you sick in a couple of years ; there’s good food here too but some decent # of Americans enjoy their unhealthy fast food drive thru b’coz it’s fast & convenient; instead of sitting out doors & enjoying a long relaxing meal with friends or colleagues . Having grown up in East Africa; we speak multiple languages; French or German was A requirement in High school, besides you needed foreign language credits . When we arrived to the States in 2003, it was easier to pick up Spanish during my college years b’coz it’s not too far fetched if you took French classes; pronunciation of words in Spanish are easier than French ; I utilized my Spanish more while traveling because Americans only care to speak English & nothing else. Europeans value diversity much more than Americans do. So yeah ; life is better in Europe if you speak with friends & compare their lifestyle to that of Americans.
@@atimnile2401 Try to have a holiday in Greece they are also extremely friendly people, they are, - just like in the other 4 mentioned Mediterranean countries, - also truly sociable and they create a lovely, relaxed atmosphere while eating out for breakfast, lunch or for dinner with friends, family and/or with strangers.
As a German, I feel quite isolated in New Zealand. Just to get to the supermarket, it's a ten-minute drive. The sidewalks are empty, as everyone drives from one place to another. Cafes and shops are so far apart and scattered that it's not appealing to walk around the streets. It's very much like America here.
I really hate it when this happens! Land is so scarce, its the one thing we can’t make more of, so what do we do when we find more of it? Not use even half of it efficiently!
@@it3ly800the people in these places differ: Americans are dumb, loud and act like they know everything, People in England are either dumb and aggressive or just stay entirely to themselves, Australian are funny and outgoing, and Canadians, i hear they’re nice
When he said Europeans feel like eating that fast is almost morally wrong, I really felt it. Having lunch with other people or even by yourself has such a deep meaning for most of us, even if it's just for 20 or 30 minutes cause one day you just don't have time. I'm glad you mentioned it. Greetings from Spain
I’m not an American, ím actually filipino but i eat very fast because I normally work on US time and somewhat adapted that culture. But I’m moving to Spain next year so I have to train myself to enjoy food and eat slow.
@@dezafinado in the netherlands they eat faster too, but still they tend to sit down for that perhaps 10 till 15 min while working, and when not working, they do tend to eat longer, i don't suspect that to be much different in Germany? there are some real differences between southern en northern europe :) , between germanic and romanic europe, with Angelsaksen having a bit formed it own, and from the weird quirky england most of the american values started ;) giving a a more extreme capitalistic USA then UK ever used to be :)
Just to also mention that European countries can be wildly different to each other. Life in Italy or Spain is very, very different to life in the UK or Ireland. Each have their pros and cons, you just have to know what vibe you're looking for.
Same with American states, which are what should be compared to EU countries. Texans aren't like Oregonians or New Englanders. Different states have different cultures.
Europe is so diverse that we cannot speak of the European way of life as a whole, but of each individual, by country, by region and, sometimes, by town or village.
As a European who has lived outside of Europe for extensive amounts of time, I can say with almost complete certainty that there is such a thing as a European way of life. Yes, we perceive each others regional or national cultures as very diverse. But there are a few major common traits that make European culture a distinct way of life, just as the North-American and latino-American way of life would be somewhat distinguishable.
@@AggroJordan86 care to elaborate? Because the italian way already is quite distinguishable from the austrian way for both, austrians and italians, and they share a border already.
@@pmudri there are a few things I see that make European lifestyle. None of them are individually unique and their degree of expression widely varies, but the propensity exists. Listed in no particular order. - A tendency for life taking place in public, i.e. outdoor activities in groups (not talking sports events, but more "urban" life) - a general sense of Work-Life-Balance, employee's rights, name it what you want. But it is deeply embedded in the culture. - a somewhat basic trust in public functions. Trust me, however much criticism we in Europe utter, many people outside of europe simply have given up on any public institutions and their integrity altogether. - a general mutual understanding to strike a balance between individual freedoms and societal needs and standards. Many places I have been to heavily gravitate to one end of that spectrum. To many Americans, we are socialists, to many Arabs, the concept of state itself is not culturally embedded. It is me-my family - my extended family - my tribe (not in the archaic sense) that drives identity. Very different from Europe. - a level of appreciation for our environment, even though we still have to fight hard to keep it intact due to our heavy industrialization. Silly example: the concept of hiking is a foreign/niche concept in a lot of places. As I said. Not anything that would not be found elsewhere, but the combination makes it European and unites us more than it keeps us apart.
One of the worst culture shocks for me when I visited friends in the US was how socially unacceptable it apparently is to take your time at a restaurant and talk for a while longer even after you finish eating. I understand having to leave when you're done if the restaurant's full and there are people waiting to get a table, but if there are still plenty of free tables, why should i be in a rush to get up? Me and my friends here in Europe always sit around for a little bit longer and talk after finishing our food, and if we're taking longer than 30 minutes we'll simply order another round of drinks. Meanwhile my friends in the US immediately pay and leave as soon as they're done eating, and it's so weird to me especially considering that the US doesn't offer many free public spaces to spend time in and socialize, meaning it's not like you can just leave the restaurant and find a nice park within a few minutes of walking where you could continue the conversation (in many places).
I'm European but it doesn't always happen. If there is something do discuss or the conversation is flowing, sure. But 90% of cases we just pay and leave and go somewhere else. Who wants to sit in greasy food smell for hours
This doesn’t speak for everyone. It’s probably more of the type of people you talked to or the kind of restaurant you went to. Also there is public spaces in the US I have no clue what you are talking about. There are parks, there are trails, there are pools, what more do you want?
I work in service in Germany and we have many people from different countries and what this guy says true. Almost every American who comes eats fast and then leave but I have to say that almost all Americans I have met are very friendly people@@HamburgerMan-ch1od
@@HamburgerMan-ch1odThe issue here is more of the fact that both places are continent sized one literally is a continent full of diverse countries and the other is a continent sized country with its own variations of culture. If you live in Texas this may be true as everything is very very far apart (unless you’re in the middle of a city) whereas if you make absurd amounts of money and live in Massachusetts where it’s more condensed there as absolutely plenty of public spaces to hang out in. These places are far too big to make any overarching statements about other than vague cultural ideas which are mostly half truths due to the generality of the statement
culture not only means music cinema and media, it often means (for us europeans) general knowledge, history and geography, books, art, politics, social awareness of the world, and all those things. it's this kind of culture were we think usa lacks
@@bear6562 It is not like that with all of them though. Just the majority. Perhaps, I should add here that the majority of most people in most countries suck too, maybe that is too negative, but I think it fits. Not everybody has the brains, interest or money to go as far as the middle and upper classes do. I think that in general, European education at the low and mid level is better than in the US, but also people in many European countries are raised better. They are taught to take responsibility and to think more about others. Thinking about others is taught by parents and school in the US too, but it is drowned out by society's focus on the individual - it's always, "look at me, me, ME!" We have a lot of parent's who I would not trust with the care of my worst enemy's dog, let alone with children. We have a lot of broken homes, addicted and abusive or neglective partents. Their children come to the schools and need to be socialized, before they can be taught anything. The weight falls on teachers, who are not trained to do that sort of thing and are already often struggling with a myriad of other problems. We also have a lot of kids who are just apathetic. School is a drag. Anti- intellectualism is also a big problem. When I went to school, it was not considered "cool" to get good grades. If you did, you were considered a nerd, and it was not uncommon for jealous classmated to vent their anger on you, physically, by literally beating you. When I went to school, if you were "gay" or were considered a "sissy" the other kids beat you up. Racism was commonplace. I am hetero, but I came from out of town, so I had to fight. You couldn't just run away all the time or that made things worse. You did not dare involve teachers, parents or police. From 6th to 10th grade was hell for me. By 11th grade I had gotten bigger, had been studying martial arts long enough to hurt people who messed with me, had gotten some friends and had the luck that many of the juvenile deliquents in our school, who had been held back a few grades were now getting adult criminal charges for their offenses, so they went to jail instead of just getting expelled for 6-18 months. I went to a middle class nearly all-white rural high school. The school had a decent academic program and when I went to university I never had any problems. At the university I never had to fight. I had a couple of cases that were self-defesnse since then. I moved to Europe in 1997, and since then I think I have seen like 4 fights from a distance and have never been involved in a fight, shooting, stabbing or anything. I am still traumitized from my highschool and my life in the US, I think.
@@leftwingersareweak I think it is certainly true for the majority of the people. The US educational system has also been hamstrung by stupid policies, like voucher schools and home schooling (Don't get me wrong, home schooling can make sense in a some instances, but it doesent, when your parents are morons or religious zealots or both.) and also by worrying more about students' scores on standardized achievement tests. The blame gets pushed on the teachers, who are usually caught in the middle between unreasonable parents, students, who range from academic to apathetic to violent, and spineless administrations, who are so worried about lawsuits that they either the teachers' hands by not giving the the backup they need or by flopping around like spineless jellyfish on policy and passing the buck to teachers, who are then held accountable for trying to make things work and shouldn't be. Meanwhile the anti-intelectual religious right is pushing for guns and Jesus. Becuase they think that their ignorance, stupidity and delusion is better than the knowledge of educated individuals, whom they actually believe were brainwashed in "communist training camps" called "universities". They are quite able to disregard their own brainwashing. Believe me if this party is to get power in America no one in the world will be safe from their idiocy. Especially not Europeans, whom they disdain and view with great malice.
@@bear6562 from that are subjects like like history or georgraphy aren't taught at school ? One of my Dad's relevatives was university Proessor of history put how I don't how popular subject it is study
You kind of prove the American stereotype by speaking of Europe as a singular entity. Life in France can be drastically different from life in Poland or Czech, for example. This doesn't mean only different languages, but also different costs of living, different mentality, different cultures and references, often different ways of life.
@@ReiraDemeester Americans tend to compare the US to the EU (which isn't even whole Europe, so there's that) and their argument is that "Europeans speak about the states the same!!!" but... States are in a country. Belgium, the UK, France and Ukraine are not. Completely different places. It's like speaking of single "America" meaning the US, Mexico and Canada. They don't get that.
@@capricorn3511 Absolutly, especially if you consider that some of the european countries are also made up of "states", like Germany or Austria for example, who can also have major differencies in their way of living. Living in Bavaria can be quite different from living in Lower Saxony. That's something a lot of us-americans completely overlook when they make these comparisons. Europe is not even close to being like one country and the "core" cultures of the countries are very eclectic, with more differencies and common points than most of the US.
I was born and raised in the United States and was fortunate to have lived in Germany for several years, many years ago. One thing that I have never forgotten was the time when several of us gathered at a Gasthaus for a few beers, and while there, was invited to join in the conversations that involved others from several different countries. What amazed me was the mutual respect shown by everyone, to everyone, regardless of their gender, nationality, or beliefs. This 'mutual acceptance' is becoming more and more difficult to find within the US these days.
You are right but that’s very much a new concept in Europe. We have pretty much spent three thousand years knocking lumps out of each other precisely because of those things. Ironically, it’s probably the primary reason that the US exists.
As an Italian with a Czech boyfriend, we sit together and consume every meal together, which I usually prepared for us with healthy ingredients (at least I try). And for me creating food with love and nourishing someone with it is such a gift from me to them, I literally get pissed if they don't take their time with it to enjoy it. 😂❤🇮🇹
Im from the US, but I went to pursue my masters degree in England and I loved it. I got to travel to Amsterdam, France, Spain and Italy. I lived in Spain for 6 months. Life in Europe is so stress free and calm, I love it there.
@Equilibrium I'm not going to deny there is a lot of stress that comes with, well, not being set for life basically, in Europe. Having to find a new job every time a contract runs out, having to compete in a tight market for affordable housing, dealing with government institutions for wellfare programs, having to navigate an impossible bureaucratic maze to prove you're mentally disadvantaged enough that you can get help navigating impossible bureaucratic mazes, or say all of the above but now in a language you never had any contact with before you were 40 and on the run, that stuff does introduce a lot of stress into being poor or otherwise disadvantaged. But is that really a difference between Europe and the US? I've never lived in the US, so this may just be ignorance on my part, but from media and such I get ideas like that it's normal there for poor people to work two nearly full time jobs to make ends meet? In much of Europe there are protections against that, including but not limited to minimum wages that typically are at least borderline fair compared to local living expenses. Employers themselves will fire you here for working more jobs on the side without telling them, because they feel like you can't possibly be putting enough focus into your primary job. I also feel like there is much more of an irrational hatred for wellfare programs and subsidies for anything that's not a large corporation or a good business investment in US news and politics than in Europe. The impression I get therefore is that being poor in the US is if anything on average a worse experience than in Europe. Now, on the positive side for the US: there really is more of an emphasis on staying ahead of the competition. And the first things we may think of in terms of US competitiveness might not always be positive, like high school baseball players dying of steroid abuse, but there is a huge upside to this mindset in ways that really matter a lot on the international stage. R&D budgets for instance are typically a lot higher in the US than in Europe, which is a main factor in why even European brands with good reputations are often seen less as the great innovator and more as a follower, but one that delivers good quality. I think that very real focus on innovation is a big factor in why the US is so rich, even by our standards. But the distribution of that wealth does seem pretty skewed, and all in all I'd probably rather be poor in Europe, you know, hypothetically, if poor people had a proper choice of where to be poor.
@Equilibrium 🤣 interesting, but rather crazy idea, that you could live better in the USA with little money than in Europe...... Being poor is stupid in any country. And, in fact, often worse in the USA than in most European countries. As a rule, they have a much better social and health care system than the USA.
Best wishes! It is great that all of the 1st world allows and makes it convenient for people to sell their stuff, renounce their citizenship, and move to another country. ( This is not universal in the world. )
@Steve Mar. Ironically, that would possibly be the most Amsterdam-like experience you could get there. There are three major differences between Amsterdam and the rest of the Netherlands: Amsterdam has way more tourists, way more people who think Heineken tastes good, and way, way more people who basically never leave their home city. If it's outside of the ring it doesn't exist. Also there's a bit of an overdone sex and drugs industry, but let's chuck that in with the tourism.
As a Dutch citizen, I genuinely think both the USA and Europe have very different but very interesting cultures with pros/cons depending on your preference of course, but living in the USA now for my exchange makes me realize how much I appreciate the relaxed life in Europe where (from eating food to working) everyone values and respects their time off. The same thing goes for food whereas in Europe we care about the quality and certain artificial ingredients are banned because they're unhealthy while in the USA they're still used simply to make the food look more appealing... I love the USA for so many reasons, but I appreciate Europe even more because of how seriously our health and time off is taken here
Europe: Prove to me that ingredient is safe and then you can use it! USA: Pop it in there (whatever it is) and if someone gets cancer and we get sued we’ll deal with it later. Time is $$$
As an American living in the midwest, I find myself craving the kind of closeness and cultural diversity that you talk about with Europe... here, everyone has big houses and big yards but no one really comes over to visit... You have to drive 10 minutes to get to a store, everyone feels so isolated and it's honestly so lonely here...
yes, I've been living in the US for 24 years and I still can't get used to isolation compare to Europe. I always feel lonely and alone. If we invite people over they can come, but they never invite us, therefore I always feel like no one cares about me. Always feel like no one cares what I think or say or do. I would love to live in Europe where people are more genuinely interested in each other, but I don't have the opportunity right now.
@@ArtfromtheHeart2I feel for you. Seems like everyone these days sits around and waits for others to contact them, but communication is a two-way street. I'm always starting conversations and reaching out and even though they respond and we talk for a bit... that's it. If I don't start them, they *never* happen with a lot of people. It's just sad.
as an indian living in the midwest right now. i was blown away by the kind of isolation here. life in india, at least for me, was filled with people around me. thankfully i am in a college town so it is still very buzzing. but yeah i feel you
In Europe's tapestry, a myriad of ways, Lifestyles dance through nights and days. From bustling cities to tranquil plains, A mosaic of cultures, each one retains. In Parisian cafes, the rhythm's chic, Where espresso's sipped, conversations speak. Fashion flourishes on Milan's streets, Where style and elegance forever meet. London's hustle, a vibrant symphony, With diversity as its heart's melody. Berlin's walls tell tales of resilience, A city reborn from past's brilliance. Amidst Tuscan vineyards, time slows down, As rustic charm and flavors astound. Athens whispers of ancient lore, Where history's echoes forever soar. In Scandinavian lands, where nature reigns, Simplicity thrives, devoid of strains. Amsterdam's canals, a tranquil glide, Reflecting serenity, a peaceful tide. From the fjords of Norway to the shores of Spain, European lifestyles, a colorful terrain. Where passions ignite and dreams take flight, In Europe's embrace, life feels just right.
I am from Russia, moved to Florida in 2016. The more I live here, the more I feel like I will eventually get back to Europe, just not Russia. Europe feels more relaxed overall, constant work culture and high pressure feel overwhelming here in the US. Always thought that America is for those who want to have a business and work 100 hours a week to earn millions, while Europe is for good work-life balance without catching stars from the sky, yet it is still can be subjective
Also live in Florida and completely agree with you, I do believe there are maybe better states if you want to live a more slow life but yes while Florida has so much fun things to do you often to even have the time to be able to enjoy those things and when you do it’s usually so overcrowded and uncomfortable.
@@LolaDelMarCaribe I do agree with you that there are some places in the US where you can find that slower pace of life. However, the problem typically with the slower states and cities is that they're often on the worst end of the spectrum when it comes to the cultural richness (interesting architecture, cafes & restaurants, diversity of people, city design, etc.) that he talked about in the video. The US is a young country so it's hard to have those things on the same level as Europe, but the slower states struggle even more with those things. I live in Orlando, which is a relatively big city, but still deeply feel that lack of cultural heritage and city quality.
Hello, I’m from Nebraska and I lived in Florida for 5 years. I’m not sure how much traveling you’ve done inside of the United States, but I will say that the East coast of the country is very different from the middle and west coast. Florida in particular is a very unique state and many people around the country joke that Florida is not part of the US. There are many places in the north that are much more European in lifestyle, I would recommend traveling to some different areas.
@@erikchoice6759 Afternoon! Unfortunately not much traveling overall; it is basically Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee, both Carolinas, NYC, Washington D.C, Mississippi and Georgia. I may move up north in the future, loved NYC too much. Though I know the costs of living there. I would say that it is kinda true regarding Florida, since I don’t speak Spanish and I live in Miami, a big drawback when it comes to communicating people here.
What shocked me as a belgian visiting NYC is how there were almost no terraces where you could sit down and enjoy a beer. The absence of that is unthinkable in most EU countries. There's bars with terraces everywhere.
yeah its so odd when go to other places people behave different from you. We need one government to tell us how to live our life's so we will be all equally boring.
If you had a over million homeless people like Murikkkah. you'd dine or sip outside a lot less. No chance you are having a beer outside, unmolested, in almost all of Africa and India, just no freakin way.
I was stationed in Germany for most of the 80’s and one of my few regrets in life is I didn’t stay there after I got out of the Army. I’m coming up on retirement soon and since I’m an American with polish descent and also German I’m thinking very seriously about retiring in Poland.
@@jeffjeziorowski8612 I was born in Poland, came to the states as a kid, now almost 30 years later, wanting to leave USA after living on both coasts and try Europe as an adult. I am still bilingual. If you have ancestry, you can get your Polish passport! More doors open with being a member of the EU. Also, leaving America on a one-way ticket on an America passport raises eyebrows. I tried it once and they made me buy a return ticket (before I had my Polish passport)
@@magdalenas_r I’m going to Europe in September for two months and I plan on going into Poland. I’ll check into retiring there. The Polish side of the family came to the United States in 1848. I was born in Germany because my Dad was also in the us army. I was in the US army for 16 years. I’ll see if I can be of any help with Ukraine. I’m hoping they can use my military experience.
Pretty nice video. As a immigrant myself coming from Hong Kong, I'm thankful and proud to be an American. I am able to have the life I have today is all thanks to the US giving me and family a chance to be successful. You can call me an idiot and shouldn't be "patriotic" but I'm happy here, and this place is diverse, cultural rich, "freedom". Yes there are problems, but what country doesn't? Let's share, communicate and fix the issue!! Housing, transportation, balance, building wealth etc. Every country have culture differences and that's what makes everyone unique. Cities have different culture and its up to us to find the one that's right for you. I personally hate big cities like LA and NYC, and I prefer a slower pace work and life balance.
God bless you! It seems like many born Americans take their privileges for granted while a lot of immigrants become extremely patriotic. As a European who visited America multiple times, it is the best, most beautiful, place in the world. The rest of the world just cant compare to American cities, towns, and natural beauties.
@@pigeon_master_8561 saying US is the best place in the world is an emotional claim. Stats on most metrics prove its not. In fact Australia being a similar country to US is better in every way. I look at subway of NY and compare it sydney....NY subway is absolutely horrible.
@@sinsinsinat5377 Uh oh, an Australian heard "America" and now needs to sh!t all over it. What "stats on most metrics"? That doesn't even make sense. And do you even know what the word "prove" means (hint: "proof" does not mean whatever information confirms your preferred narrative)? Talk about an emotional claim, JFC. What is it about Australians that they are so desperate to be seen as being better than Americans? For example, your claim about the Sydney subway...you mean that one line subway that just opened 5 years ago? NYC started 119 years ago. NYC has 472 stations. Sydney has 21. Call us in 115 years and see how modern and sleek the Sydney subway is then. . Geez, Aussies really do crave attention, don't they?
I left the US for Europe in the mid 80's and I can tell you it is safer, healthier and gives you a much better quality of life. As a woman I've never once felt fear that was constant in the US. I go anywhere without having to be in defensive mode. Life is relaxed and cosmopolitan. Ive learned two new languages, as well as sports that were not accessable to me before. Art and culture is available even in small towns. Healthy food is the norm. As well as local wines. Children play outside much more than they do in the US and don't need to fear that they will be murdered in their school. Nobody is shot to death going about their daily business. Education is free or very low cost. All medical costs have been covered by the government. My meds are free. There are so many advantages.
Where is it so unsafe in the US? i am just interested, have never been there...here you can walk all night outside as a woman and even sleep outside, Nothing negative will happen... even many people leave the keys for their houses in a flower pot or under the mat at the entrance....no unexpected person enters....😂
This constant fear difference is something I've noticed too, but people in the US in Canada never know what I mean. I think you don't notice the full extent of it until it's gone.
Amazing video Nath. I’m Nigerian and when I move around from state to state within my country, I observe differences in food, language(we’ve got like 250 dialects), myths, cultures, traditions, music and stereotypes. We are all blacks but I see different “nations” in one country. Travel sure does open one’s mind and adds perspectives.
Well, that’s because African nations were for the most part just invented in the 19th and early 20th century by European colonizers drawing some arbitrary borders in Africa which didn’t really reflect any actual ethnic, tribal, or political orders that existed prior to European colonization, all just in order to somehow divide up Africa among themselves. Therefore, modern African nation states didn’t really form organically like most European nation states did and also only formed rather recently compared to some European nation states, like for example France. Also, being the continent in which humans first evolved, Africa is by far the continent with the biggest genetic and ethnic diversity in the world. In fact, there’s more genetic variation among humans in just Africa alone than there is in the rest of the world combined which is a fact that never ceases to amaze me. I’m from Germany and it’s definitely not like all regions here are culturally homogenous either. Especially Bavarians feel like a very special bunch to all other Germans lol. But according to Google Nigeria is home to some 371 native ethnic groups. That’s definitely not something any European country can compete with.
I guess as a Frenchman, who lived in Canada, in England and in the US that what we call culture, in France in particular, is this intangible thing that has no commercial value. More exactly, something on which you cannot put a price. The most iconic moment in French literature that encompasses this idea is the madeleine de Proust. This feeling which comes from a scent, a sight or a taste that gives you a sense of identity. My grand-parents were of Italian origin, they came to France when they were eight, however their cuisine was infused with recipes from their childhood: pasta, gnocchis, capeleti, tortellli that they would prepare the morning before 6. We would take our breakfast with this fresh pasta drying on the table, and we knew that we would have a wonderful meal later on. Every time I go to Italy, this is what I have in my most deepest memory, the remembrance of these meals when I was so lucky to eat fresh Italian food. The real problem that Europeans have with American culture is not that Americans have no culture, but that any culture is bastardized by corporations. That you cannot escape prejudices or stereotypes because they sell. And as a Frenchman, some of these stereotypes were pretty cringy. I think that the first victims of this omnipresence of money and greed from these corporations are the Americans themselves.
This is a very good comment in my opinion, great insight! I hadn't thought about that aspect before, but now that you mention it it seems actually to be fairly accurate to my feelings about how and why US American 'culture' is not really seen as such.
This would also explain why so many US americans are so adamant about not wanting social benefits like universal healthcare, like many european countries have. It's as if they enjoy the threadmill they are stuck in. And from an inner european pov: I really envy the way italians celebrate family and the french seem to enjoy things with all their senses. I sometimes wish we germans wouldn't be so stuffy and closed off in our demeanor.
I grew up in Europe (UK and Switzerland) and love it for the variety of languages, architecture, food etc. that you mention. I’ve also lived in the US for the last 30 years and value it greatly for its spaciousness, convenience, and economic and cultural vibrancy. If I was very wealthy (i.e. didn’t need to work) I’d probably choose to live in Europe for the richness of variety it has to offer, but as an ordinary person who needs a job, an affordable home, the conveniences that make raising a family easier, I’d choose the US. If I landed lower on the economic scale than I do, I might choose Europe for things like the “free” healthcare, hard to say. I’d try to sum it up by saying the US is a great place to live and Europe is a great place to visit, but it does come down to your lifestyle and what you value most day-to-day.
Help me if you can somehow, to get me out of this hell(my country). Half of my life is gone I also like you guys want to enjoy life. But somehow financially and technically can't get out. Any country can be a starting journey for me to move to the USA later. I can work and earn for myself. Plus I can never say no to you for any task all your housework. ( except touching the body I am asexual and extremely allergic to touching a human except shaking hands ) .. I have zero ego actually I don't even know ego.. here I am just taking care of a small family business. Don't say do hard work. You don't know the backstory, also twice I tried the illegal ways, lost money and could not make it too. Just bad luck
When I was 11 I began learning French at school and as soon as I heard it spoken I said that I would one day live in France. I won an art competition at 14 and said then that one day I would live in France again. I lived in a small village in Scotland, no where ! When I was 17 I attended university and at 18 I took my first trip to Paris and immediately felt at home, the lifestyle, the sitting and observing, the weather, the fashion. At 21 after getting my degree I moved to Paris and never looked back. I did move for three years to Brazil then China but came back as soon as possible to France and I now live in the South West of France, very different from cities like Paris but equally wonderful. I go to the famers market in my village, the baker for fresh bread and lovely cakes and I walk the dogs in the botanical park of the local 16 th century chateaux then wind around the river and back home for lunch. I wouldn't change a thing.
Wish I was there walking my dogs too. I’m a NewYork, American of French descent and have been seriously considering leaving here and moving to France permanently.
@@seviregis7441 It can seem like a big step if you see bounderies but as I never have it was easy. I know quite a few foreigners around me, mostly chateau owners who took the plunge. One lovely couple came over from Canada over a year ago, another Lady came from NY like you and another couple are chateau hunting from Australia. I used to live near another English family who bought and restored a chateau and now an old convent. I rent a huge old mansion that belongs to local notables and am slowly putting it right as it was unlived in for 20+ years. I love doing up old houses even if they don't belong to me, it gives me great pleasure. Good luck with your future decisions.
As a French girl living in Canada and having lived in Mexico, each country has its own way of living. Europe is a continent, and living in France isn’t the same than living in Italy or Ireland for example 😊 and I guess living in Texas is wildly different from living in California as well haha
@@aurorem.3945 Can you tell me more about those cultural differences that made it more difficult to stay longer? I ask because Im interested in going to Mexico too.
My wife and I took six months and bought one way tickets around Europe. I had spent my whole adult life wondering if there was a better way to go about life, and Europe is a master class in it. Some days here, I feel like I’m taking a cheese grater to my lifespan, but Europeans understand and appreciate the simple things that make life good. We definitely have plenty we can learn.
@@dcrea9416 Sure, so as an American you can stay in the Schengen zone 90 days/180-day rolling period. If you travel to countries that don't participate (i.e. Croatia), it won't count against your 90 days. So, there are ways to bounce back and forth without overstaying. I meant that the pace of life in the US sometimes feels unsustainable. We don't give ourselves as much margin; we aren't as protective of rest. It leaves you feeling that there's more to life. Whereas in Europe, I feel like there's more balance: the pace is slower, there's more value placed on spending time with friends and family regularly, there's more time to pursue interests outside of your career path. That sort of thing.
@@dcrea9416 Very cool. Germany was fascinating. From our limited experience, I feel like Germans were the most culturally similar to us: the work ethic, the car culture. I definitely didn't feel the culture shock as much there as say like southern Spain. That's cool you've got residency. I think I'd move in a heartbeat if I could.
US is a labor camp for most of the people and a paradise for greedy folks with big money who actually run the camp to grow their capital. This is a root cause that explains all the differences. I do not even know if it makes sense to compare the two systems.
this is the first video of yours I watch and without even talking about the content which is really cool, my favorite part is the shots of you talking, the angles you manage to find make it sooo much more interesting to watch! Thank you for your creativeness!
My wife, our 10 year old and I moved to Switzerland about 6 months ago for a work opportunity. We live in a small village about 40 min north of Geneva along the coastline. Many of your observations ring true to what I have observed since moving here. A comment I made to my wife last week when we were in Italy for a long weekend was "no one hangs out like a European". That wasn't a derogatory comment. I said it with a sense of appreciation. I have really enjoyed the 1.5 - 2 hour lunches (3+ hour dinners) with our new friends. Just getting together for a coffee and conversations. The appreciation for nature and just being outside and experiencing fresh air, wind, sun etc, is fantastic as well. The slowed pace of life has been really refreshing. As has the overall sense of "manners". In the US the idea of good manners has seemed to disappear. I'm thinking that that will be one of the biggest "reverse culture shocks" that I will experience when we move back home. As will the quality of food. I feel so much better here and we are eating so well. With a major reduction in sugar. Anyway, it's been great so far and I already know that I'll miss most of it when we move back.
@@flutingaround An introvert would do very fine! Not all EU countries are so chatty and i would even describe many countries as "introverted". Switzerland tbh has a cliché overall of being a little cold in the beginning towards foreigners and it will take a longer time to form good friend- and relationships with locals.
@@flutingaround Europeans (in general, there are exceptions obviously) are less "small talk-y) than Americans. His "peach" vs "coconut" example is perfect. We've made some good friends quickly because of a unique situation that we've been put in. If we were completely on our own, I've heard stories of foreigners being very lonely after a year because they can't seem to make friends. I've discovered that life is what you make it. You want to be introverted and feel more comfortable not being social. Great, don't be. You are a social butterfly and need a lot of people around you? Cool, work towards that end. One of the big differences that I've noticed about living in Europe vs the US is how comfortable people in Europe are being by them selves. They drink coffee, eat meals, walk etc. alone. Much diff than in the US. You'd be fine I think
Imagine myself, who grew up partially in the US, and raised partially by a European stepmother, eating with my knife in my right hand, and a fork in the left, at a corporate lunch event, with everyone clinking their forks and knife back and forth because they never bothered to hold the fork with the left hand. Now imagine these same uncultured barbarians of the new world talking with food in their mouths. Now imagine on one occasion one of the women had a spec of food fire out of her mouth while she was talking, laughing, and had her pie hole stuffed with food at the same time.
this is so so accurate. I just moved to Paris from Vancouver, Canada and never want to go back to the grind until you drop mentality. Europeans truly know how to enjoy life.
@@Samezz69 i don't think they're saying there's something wrong with Vancouver but that they perhaps have a personal preference for the pace of life in Europe? Like Nathaniel said in the video, there's mostly trade-offs and no single country is the perfect package. So what one person may like about another country, another may not? sorry for jumping in all of a sudden.. of course if the commentator above feels that there are certain qualms they have with Vancouver, that would be an interesting discussion too :D
@@Samezz69 It's expensive; it rains a lot, although much less nowadays, but it's still very overcast; lots of homeless and drug addicts, and it's difficult making friends, esp. with native Vancouverites. Probably due to the American "grind until you drop dead" mentality OP mentioned. However, despite the odds, it's a great place to live, esp. if you love the outdoors. British Columbia's natural landscape takes your breath away. The city's also very cosmopolitan. Chinese and Indians are the biggest int'l demographic, but you meet people from all over the world, from all walks of life. The city's also very pedestrian-friendly and has an efficient public transport. You don't need a car to get around the city and the metro area, unlike most NA cities. You get pockets of shopping streets spread all over the city, which is rare for NA, even by Canadian standards.
I've lived in Europe for five years and recently moved to the US and I can totally vouch for the reverse cultural effect. I do find it easier to communicate in English here but I really miss the ease of making friends and having a general good vibe when going around any place in Europe. Like G Gold said below, "no one hangs around like the europeans". I would any day love to go back there.
U.S. likes to retain its image as an advanced, sophisticated and multicultured country when in fact it is culturally tasteless in most parts. There are only a few cosmopolitan hotspots like D.C. or Boston but those areas are expensive and full of bad actors. I don't think it will last very long. World is crumbling
Another guy that has a good life thanks to the greatest country in the world…AMERICA. No go ahead and turn around and bute the hands that feed. You welcome nitin paul
It's really wonderful to come across people who freely share valuable information online. You never know what kind of knowledge you might stumble upon that could have a lasting impact on your life.
Don't procrastinate when it comes to saving and investing. Don't wait for the perfect timing; start now because the current moment is the best time to invest.
Cryptocurrency trading appears to be quite lucrative. Despite the constantly changing nature of Bitcoin, it's evident that the cryptocurrency community is here to stay. John Joseph, you're doing an excellent job.
I apologize for interrupting, but I have been searching for assistance with this type of trading as my work consumes most of my time, leaving me with limited opportunities to focus on trading. How can I get to know him?
After moving to France (from Texas) 30 years ago, I can honestly say that every day is a thrill, enriching, rewarding, intellectually stimulating. Even being lonely is more interesting in Europe, LOL. Every time I go back to TX for a visit, I'm shocked to see such an emphasis on sports, on religion, and TV. There're usually at least 2 or more TVs in every damn restaurant. Not the case here. Vive la France !
Religion in Europe is more of a private matter, with very little judgment. And never any mention of it in politics. My personal experience has been that if you're not Christian in the US, you get a lot of backlash, and quite often from people you don't know well. It's a pity, because Jesus' main message was not to judge. I know a few Christians who espouse and practice that idea and a LOT who don't. P.S. the majority of my Italian friends are atheist, even if their parents go to church occasionally. :-)
@@franchic9565 I mean France is the key country for Islamophobia, and sports is the biggest thing in Europe, but mainly football. If you live in France near the bigger cities you will see it, but if you live in the country side then yeah it will be pretty peaceful because French people stink.
European 20 years in NYC. While life in the US can be dynamic and work relations more straightforward, now i definitely feel nostalgic for Europe, where I had backpacked for years when i lived in Milan. In the USA now the class disparities are way more visible. People tend to live more isolated. So many single family homes. Americans seem to be afraid of strangers. Getting out of the city is much harder and more expensive from NYC. Public transportation is very expensive, so is food. Many places seem the photocopy of any place. Nature is accessible mostly by driving to institutional state parks, with parking, access fees. Americans produce an incredible amount off un recyclable trash by ordering food, by having coffee in disposable cups, by using small plastic bottles and plastic utensils at home in many cases. The complaints about climate change and so on seem so hypocritical coming from people who waste so much and use so much energy for extreme air conditioning. Many beaches and coastline are off limits, because privatized. Wealthy people can build homes right by the ocean and keep everyone out. Some towns charge people $15 just to set foot on a public beach. The same restaurant, shop, motels chains seem to be everywhere in every part of the country. It makes traveling in many places boring. In Europe I could take a train out of the city for a few euros, get to a small town with old buildings, inexpensive and excellent bakeries, pastry shops, cafes. Find nature trails from the town itself and walk up the mountain without needing a car or being surrounded by no trespassing signs. Also in the USA in many places they will give you a ticket and possibly arrest you if you swim when there are no life guards on duty. It is the land of regulations and permits. On one hand Europeans seem sometimes more set in their ways and less open than Americans, but life in Europe, how to spend your time off feels more free, democratic and carefree
@@DiceDecides there are street sweepers in other countries. That is not what I was referring to. Anyway I live in nyc and there is so much littering, that sweeping roadways is a necessity
As Argentinian living in the US, i almost suffer depression with suburban life here. No kids playing on the streets or people walking around or something very typical in my country is simply sitting on the sidewalk with a couple chairs in the neighborhood or in the balcony / patio. I never see anyone playing on their yards despite they are huge, everything is souless and empty. I moved to a big city because it's the closest thing i could get- people still drive a lot here and are way lazier, but there's more foot traffic and people interacting with each other on the streets.
When you said there were no kids playing on the streets i just thought it might be due to the lack of safety and heavy presence of gun violence. Maybe I'm wrong, but i wouldn't feel comfortable to let my kid playing around (i do not live in the US)
There are definitely some dangerous neighborhoods where gun violence would keep you inside, but in 90% of cases in the US the reason kids don't play outside as much is because suburban areas just suck for going outside. You have to walk long distance and cars go fast even on roads they aren't supposed to because of the way they are designed. Parents are afraid of their kids getting run over or lost more than gun violence. Wild to me you think it would be primarily caused by gun violence. I mean naturally the US has higher gun violence due to the availability of firearms as well as the prevalence of gang violence, but do you think it's like a war zone here? People aren't just shooting their guns everywhere they go, it's pretty rare to even hear a gun shot in public. I've never heard one outside of the shooting range or at a camp in the woods where shooting is naturally expected to be happening.
@@nicholasgiampetro782 What i meant is that the only thing that i can think of that would push me to not letting my kid playing outside, is guns, and that's because she didn't say where she lives. Also i know there are around 400 million guns in US but only 330 million people, which is a little shocking for me as italian (guns are legal here but highly regulated), even tho only 1/3 own personally a gun and half of the country doesn't have a gun in their house, which can be also shocking in its way. But i can say that the thing that concerns me the most when i think of visiting the US is armed people walking around. Anyway i still think US is a beatiful country and hope to visit, maybe work in, one day
In the 90s and early 00s, you'd see those yards filled all the time. All the neighbors would be out, kids having fun on their bikes, having a party, etc.
I’ve been living in Italy for the past four months and I’ve never felt more holistically happy and fulfilled by my everyday life. I feel a connection with where I am far more than I ever have in the US. I feel like I’m part of a whole. A whole that works to keep the whole. In the US, I feel like I am competing against everybody around me and that I must always keep my head above water.
Well said. I just returned to USA from Poland, my first time there and aside from a trip to Ukraine over 20 years ago, my first solo European trip. I walked the city (Poznan) at all hours and never once felt in danger. Driving around with a friend, I didn't see the road rage that permeates our roads here. Of course, there's always someone in a hurry and inadvertently cuts you off, that's not exclusive to USA I know. But overall I sensed more, uh....sense lol. People knew how to conduct themselves. No Walmarts with people in pajamas fighting 🙄😆. And yes, the food tasted different. Better. Not just sugar and salt. I can't wait to go back, and discover more.
Italy is where i was burn and raised and if it wasn't for the economic situation I would be there right now . Cause it's really a good place to live if one has the money to live there
I just left Spain after being there for 3 months. In my opinion, Spain is by far way better than the US. Family over work, better food (Less poising & better tasting), better architecture, nicer people, better culture, less processed foods, overall better lifestyle over there. I'm really trying to leave the US. People who think the US is the best just need to go cross the ocean just once and experience somewhere different. Because it's so damn nice over there in Europe (Spain at least).
Spain is an amazing place. Southern Spain, the Andalusia region is magical. So is Greece. Something about the warmer weather and the food, and the warmth of the people.
The only thing the US has over Europe is the fact that it is way easier to get rich if you choose the correct state. I see United States as a company, not really a country. They don’t have their own culture, they have everything but nothing at the same time. No cultural identity like old European countries. Just a big pool of immigrants. For 99% of the people, Europe is way superior in terms of quality of life. I want to clarify that this is just my personal opinion, people can keep thinking United States is the best country in the world if that’s what makes them happy.
@@friskytwox More family orientated, better food and better for you, Everything is based around your friends. Its really hard not to make friends over there. Everything is just more relaxed, unless you go to Barcelona. America is basically the exact opposite, in my opinion. We're very money orientated, have to move out at 18 according to Society, while most Spanish people live with their family for a long time. Then our food is discussing unless you go to whole foods and get food with no random chemicals. Just way of life is better. Ofcourse every country has its problems, but if you like slow paced living, spain is one option.
I grew up in Argentina where the culture is very much European. We hang out with friends any day at any time, treasure Sundays and vacation time, will sit at a cafe over coffee for 3+ hours. I moved to the US 10 years ago, and I find that at the end of the day, life is what you make of it, and just like you said, observing different ways of living makes it possible for us to choose how we want to live. I still sit at a cafe for hours and read my book, I appreciate the customer service hotlines that will not have me waiting for 2-3 hours on hold, and the overall efficiency of this country, compared to Argentina where things hardly ever go right. I appreciate the train being on time and feeling safe on the street (compared to every day stress of pick pocketers, etc - of course I am aware that mass shootings occur often). I appreciate the stable-ish currency that allows me to save for my dreams without 150% inflation chewing it up. Overall, I find that having been brought up in a European way, and not falling for the insane consumerism that takes place in the U.S, makes me lead a happy life in this country. I still enjoy my siesta time, and shop in an “inefficient” way 3-4 times a week haha. Cheers! I really enjoyed your video😊
Mass shootings do not happen 'often'. They are stupid and should be eliminated but you are gulliible if you think they happen often. Drownings are a much bigger issue. The US is not about insane consumerism. It is about whatever you want it to be. Be religious or not. Work long hours or not. You are thinking like a European by worrying about what other people are doing. Why are you doing that? Get and use your own brain.
@@nicolasrivero3027 I am in Denver. But I’ve also lived in West Virginia, San Diego, Virginia Beach, South lake Tahoe, Key West, and Alaska. I’ve been here for 10 years and I love it
@@Heymsbrightside alot of people have lots of freetime in those states in the US and can do exactly what you said about coffee and time and friends in the US Except that there's shootings and killers everywhere not only the US The US is actually a little bit better than European because the states has more freedom of being who you are and you don't have to be extra
I am from Oregon and have lived in Sabadell, Catalunya for 2 years. I actually found the exact opposite to your views on a lot of things. Back home, we spent a lot more time off, where as here we do everything in a very rushed way. Also, i find it a lot harder here to find quality groceries for some reason even though they make a lot of good produce. As a European and american citizen, my opinion is that if you like cities and being surrounded by people, live in Europe. If you prefer the outdoors, space, and farmland, move to the Americas. As you said, both have their good things, but i prefer the USA personally because i love being outside and adventuring.
Something you didn't mention is the design of the states/countries/cities themselves really has an impact on how people behave and live in them! European cities were designed centuries ago, when cars and hyper productivity weren't a thing. The US is mostly built for cars, for suburban sprawl and for everyone to have their own house in a chunk of land; with the exceptions of cities like NYC, Denver, Chicago, etc. which also coincidentally have a much higher density of culture and diverse communities taking place in them.
The US wasn’t built for cars. It was demolished for them. US city streets used to be very different. Cities had extensive streetcar systems but they tore them out for cars.
While yes, places made for humans not cars are just better, it's wrong to think the US was made for cars. All the cities were at one point made for humans, but Americans decided to tear these cities down (or just some neighbourhoods) to make their cities car-centric. It was a counscious choice that happened AFTER fully functional cities had already been built. And on the other end of the spectrum, one of the best-designed cities, Amsterdam, was very car centric not that long ago, but they decided to ditch that model, because they accepted it was terrible, and have endeavoured to change the city ever-since (the 70s). Americans just refuse to see any of this, it has nothing to do with the US being more recently colonised by Westerners, it's a recent choice.
When i was in America for the first time i where in Wasington DC and me and my famliy ended up to walk along a Highway for 1km to get home since if we didn’t, we would have to walk 8km another way which 8 year old me and 7 year old sister couldn’t do since we already had walked 25km that day
Insightful video… as an Italian living in Canada for the last 40 years, I can relate to much of this. For me, what you find important in life is also a function of what stage you’re in: when I was young and starting my career, I felt Canada had more to offer, with fewer barriers and more opportunities. Now that I’m retired, I would love to stroll cities with more life, art, style, and leisure in Europe. Each offers different things, it’s a matter of choice and what matters to you that makes a big difference. I love them both for entirely different reasons.
@driftlock98 which situation? We have issues with housing, homelessness, traffic, and it has gotten worse, and it will get worse. But if you enjoy nature, Canada has plenty to offer.
I am originally from Puerto Rico. I have lived in the US, specifically in Miami and in NYC. Since 2009, I have lived between Madrid and Barcelona. I´ve been in Barcelona for the past 7 years. I would say that the quality of life is much better in Europe mainly as a result of a much better planned territory, meaning, better organized cities which are walkable and not designed for the car, but for people. The cities have a lot more public space where you can interact with citizens, and it is much safer than any US city I have lived in. Overall, the US is lagging quite behind as well in highspeed rail, which I use quite a lot here (I have even ditched my car), and in other matters such as universal healthcare and public education, Europe is on another level, as well as in food production and the quality of the produce. Finally, cost of life is a lot lower than in the US. People are in general more educated and sophisticated as well. I can say little more to be honest. I think that it is quite cleat.
It’s probably because the United States is just must bigger, cities are bigger and people have bigger houses and more space per person. So while Europe has more shared living the United States has more of a “own your own house” mentality
I wonder how different this comment would be if you lived in the Midwest or like Idaho or Utah or Arizona instead of big cities like NYC and Miami. I’ve lived in both as well as Barcelona and they are all very different with different things I like and hate But the one thing you said that I absolutely agree with is the cities designed for cars vs people. I absolutely loved being able to walk everywhere in Barcelona. Only time I was in a car was when I needed a cab in an emergency. But here at home In Utah I need a car to take my dog for a walk in the park. I hate it but I don’t know if it’s even possible to change it. It’s just too big. My childhood home is half a mile away from any other home. It would take way too long to walk anywhere. And the big city is 2 hour drive away. It’s a fascinating difference and I miss the walking and the experiences I got from walking everywhere in Barcelona.
I lived in BCN for a year and the only reason I left was because I couldn't land a job. I'm from PR as well. Been in the US since 2015 and I can't wait to go back and stay in Europe. After reading your comment, I felt you were reading my mind.
I love your videos how you highlight drivers behind differences. Often it’s a matter of perspective. Neither is good or bad. It’s just different from the other.
Having lived overseas now for about 18 years I'd agree with you on almost every point. I find the corporate food chains in the US pretty soulless and unhealthy. Much prefer the variety and freshness of food in Europe. One thing I've struggled with is indeed the pace of work and life generally in Europe. I'm always the guy looking to make things more efficient, faster, more profitable and most people around me don't feel the same way about things. It's been a difficult adjustment for sure. One thing I do love about the US is the national parks and the open road trips I used to do. The price of gas (less taxed) made that possible. Whilst in the US, sure you can perhaps make more money, but it's difficult to assess whether the tradeoff in work/life balance is worth it. The sweet spot is working at a job that you absolutely love.
I feel you! People over here in Europe can be so stuck in their ways. At least here, in Hungary. It's so obvious that some things could be logical, but it's like there is a whole generation of gatekeepers that want everything the same way it was 50 years ago.
@@EmeseVidae have those here in the US too but to your point I think the internet has connected so much of the world’s younger generations and we’ve come to realize that yes there are differences in mindset (like the poster here indicates, in the US we are taught from kindergarten to learn how to work as a team and how to value teamwork and new ideas) and while other countries absolutely have people of such a mindset, in the US it’s a part of our cultural identity (the “United” part of our United States so to speak). And I really appreciate being able to get opinions from people of an age with me in Hungary, or the UK, or Germany, or Estonia. I really deeply value the connections we’ve all been able to make through the internet. Just common ground and understanding. Sharing our ideas and cultures and perspectives. I think THAT is the lasting imprint that the internet will have on humanity. But like any tool, those that want to us it for bad things will. We just have to stay 1 step ahead of those that fear knowledge and human societal discourse. Maybe I’m turning into a hippie 😂 but I do believe that the war in Ukraine has brought the younger generation together over common cause and belief. We’re remembering on a deep level what our grandparents/great grandparents post-WWII were trying to say when they said “never again”. Humanity will find our way through together through brotherhood (and sisterhood 😊) NOT through abject violence. Edit: to add that Ukraine has had to suffer the burden of reminding all of us why we follow democratic laws and institutions - because the alternatives are proven worse. I wish peace to those in Ukraine as soon as possible ♥️♥️♥️
@@Rhov9 you're so right! At least that's a worldview I wholeheartedly share. I'm truly hoping humanity wakes up to its own nonsense and makes the necessary changes. We could live in such a beautiful, peaceful world! Less greed, more working together!
I moved from the US to Norway 9 years ago and it was such a world of difference. I now consider Norway home and the US as a place I often visit. I sometimes miss the friendliness of Americans, but overall I much prefer the culture here. Great video and I love that you've kept it non-judgemental. To each their own!
Just be careful if you have children living in Europe. Scandinavian countries especially Norway are very dangerous countries for parents, their child protection services frequently steal kids from their parents for no reason. Look it up
I am from the Czech Republic but lived in other European countries (Iceland currently). I can understand Slovakian, most of Polish and of course English and I also learn Spanish. It is fascinating to me that there are things I can only say in czech which would never translate into English while my Icelandic boyfriend can try to explain me the quirks of Icelandic and I will never fully understand that either until I get a deep understanding of Icelandic. When I started to get more fluent in Spanish I had a lot of "aha!" moments and I keep being surprised how nuanced Spanish is and how different it is from czech. Czech people are very straightforward, we separate our words and describe a lot while Spanish people do not separate words and it is okay for them to leave things unsaid if you can get them from the context. Having a teacher who is spanish (well Galician) but have lived in the Czech Republic for many years and is used to the mistakes that czechs make in spanish made me realise just how differently we use language to communicate. This is why it is so fascinating to me to learn new languages and immerse myself in different cultures.
I am from Romanian /Serbian origin and i understand Czech, polish, Russian, speak Italian almost as native, Spanish and English, knowledge in French and Portuguese
Totally agree. I have the same experience in Ireland... took me a few years to get their slang or jokes ... their pub culture.. language is a behavioral habit ...
@@vandergruff if you want to as a czech person communicate with slovak person, you really dont need to learn anything and its the same for slovak people. You can just go to slovakia and youll understand 80-90%. Sure, there are words that arent similar, but these 2 languages are so similar, that it really doesnt play a big role. I watch slovak youtubers and i understand everything and its the same for slovak people. So not much different.
This was a really well done video, the viewpoints were really balanced and as an American I appreciate that. So many times I see videos about how great Europe is and how bad the United States is without ever delving into the good of the United States and the bad of Europe. You did this in a very well done and intelligent manner.
I think the differences are incredibly well explained. I grew up in France and I’ve been leaving in the US for the past 7 years, and it reflects so much of my own experience. I always like to say no matter where I leave there will always be a part of me that will be missing where I’m not.
Moved to England from Canada in my 20s and was immediately struck by how isolated we are in our cultural and informational bubble. I thought the world kind of started and ended in North America but found the entire rest of the world was doing its own thing without us and there was just so much more going in on in the world than I could have imagined. Truly an eye opening experience.
Especially funny to hear it from Canadian. Cause in the rest of the World Canada is considered a quite a meaningless country without any real impact on the world.
@@arnolddavies6734as a Nigerian, everyone is in their own bubble not just Americans sure we are exposed to American culture because of their media and art but it's not something we live
I'm moving to London in Oct haha I have tried to open myself to UK culture, but you can't really experience that until you're there in person! I can't wait to leave the US, hopefully never to return!
I have lived 10 years in Europe (8 in Germany +2 in UK) and I am in the US (California) since 1987. Is life better in the US or Europe? This is not the correct question. One has to bring in the race of the person who is living there, in question. The life in Europe or the US as a white, black or brown will be completely different. And this difference increases as you age. Your acceptance in society as a student in your 20s will be different from that of a worker in his 40s or 50s.
As an american living most of the year in Europe, Europe is way more racist than the US in my personal experience. The things I have heard said in Europe, I have never heard said in the US, and this is often by your well educated proper European profiles. The thing is no one talks about race in Europe but its the elephant in the room in places like France, Spain, and Italy.
@@gerardtony4352 Nah, in most european countries about 30 days of vacation you can take whenever you want (you can even postpone it to some extend to the following year if you want), is pretty much standard (even though legally, you could get away with some less days). Also, if you are sick, you are sick, that does not reduce your vacation days (in Germany, if you're sick in your vacation, these days of sickness aren't vacation days any more, too). And of course, you'll get paid whether your are sick or in vacation. Usually, you'll also get reminders from your employer if you haven't taken all you vacation days to take them at some point (so it's really 30 days of vacations, not take less of them even if you are going into career mode). In the southern part of Europe, where it's very hot, there are some weeks in the year, where almost everything is shut down and almost everyone is in vacation, but not sure how this works with the vacation days.
I live in Utah, and the farthest I’ve ever been is Wisconsin, that is until last month. I traveled outside of the US for the first time, and went to Japan! It was the most incredible experience. Experiencing a different culture, the way that they travel around by train, and that’s the default, that you don’t have to tip at restaurants, the way that they move throughout spaces is so different and refreshing. I already had the notion that I didn’t think the US was the best country in the world, but visiting there, completely affirmed it. Of course, there’s always gives and takes, but at the end of the day anyone claiming they are the best is clearly ignorant. I am so excited to continue traveling to new places.
There are definitely pros and cons in every country out there, and the idea of "the best" country is purely subjective and up to the lifestyle and preferences of the individual. If one genuinely thinks they live in the best country on Earth, they are definitely just a victim of propaganda (and its not only americans who are guilty of this).
Japan’s really really cool, but they have an incredible set of problems that most Americans don’t realize until they live there. They feel quite the same amazement and wonder when they come from Japan over to the US because everything feels so different. I think there’s also probably quite a strong reason a lot more Japanese people move to the US than the other way around (despite them having 1/3 the population). I think humans just gravitate towards things that are new and feel refreshing even if it may not actually be better. My sister recently went to Brazil and she was telling me how good-looking and kind everyone was there and how bland and boring everyone at home seemed in comparison, but was shocked to find out that one of her new Brazilian friends thought the exact same thing of Americans when she visited the US 😂
I was born in South America, moved to the States at 8, then married a Nordic and moved to Finland at 23, and have been living here for 8 years. 2 of those years, we lived in southern Spain. I give this preface because I feel like I’ve had a comprehensive feel of how these countries’ culture function, how I feel as an individual, and how they view downtime. Spain definitely takes the cake on leisure time! They know how to take it easy. They aren’t overly ambitious to make money, they’re content with life being simple and beautiful. Finland definitely makes leisurely time a priority, although they do believe financial stability is basic - more of a “work hard, play hard” (insert mökki life and sauna). Now America… yeah, living life here now, I’d probably have a mental breakdown re-entering the American work culture.
I keep seeing this life is beautiful take it slow thing about Spain. You're misinterpreting it It's despair that things will never change. Why would I give my 120% when I'm going to get the same salary at the end of the day. The reward for a hard day of work is another day of probably harder work, why try?
@@metaphysicalfuck at least they recognize there's no reward in overworking yourself. You think americans are fairly rewarded for sacrificing their lives for their job? Most of them live paycheck to paycheck. Ignore the movies that show you pple living the grand life on a high paying corporate job. Those are exceptions and you can find those exceptions in spain too.
I have a mental breakdown every Wednesday. To clarify, that is the beginning of my work week where I begin my five days of struggle to make someone else rich and buy my family another week of survival
• Millionaires by Country 2023 The United States of America In 2019, 587,000 people joined the millionaires club. The USA has long been the land of the "American Dream" where a person can rock up with nothing and work until they have a fortune. Many in the USA have made their fortunes from oil, engineering, and international trade. The computer boom of the last 40 years has also provided more than a few millionaires. Japan It might surprise you that Japan hosts the second largest number of millionaires. According to some reports, there are over 3.39 millionaires. Japan is often known as the technology capital of the world. They have created many millionaires by investing in automotive and electronics technology. Germany While Germany is famous as a country with a strong economy and excellent engineering pedigree, did you know it had so many millionaires? Europes largest economy reportedly hosts over 400,000 millionaires. Germany excels in four main industries: • Automotive • Mechanical engineering • Chemical • Electrical industries • Likely you can immediately think of well-known brands such as Audi, Siemens, and other companies that are world leaders in these areas. China China has created a manufacturing industry of unprecedented proportions and invested in methods of shipping their wares around the world. They leverage their high workforce, sourced from their high population, to do this. As a result, entrepreneurs and business leaders have reaped the benefits. There are 4.4 million millionaires in China according to recent reports China has become known as the "World's Factory", however, will they continue to be so? Will other high population countries such as India and Indonesia start to take their market share? Only time will tell. Source: worldpopulationreview The U.S. has the most millionaires.
As an American, ive never been to Europe til earlier this year (2024 for those who see this years later lol) and just the history and culture made me fall in love & then I went back home to the states & wanted to experience that again, but its so limited because the US is a newer country than those in Europe, the US is more focused for the future, but Europe was focused on what the past & future, seeing a nice modern building & then a building from like 72 AD like a drive away, its just amazing, makes me wanna move there, thats my current goal to move somewhere out in Europe
That sounds so amazing I still don’t like how Europeans clown us for not knowing geography but they don’t know that public schools don’t teach it as heavily as countries in Europe does. I actually have to take time out of my day to learn it without people who are qualified to teach it now saying it isn’t enjoyable it is, but people in Europe don’t realize how large our country is that we don’t have to learn about any surrounding country unless we want to. Like I would love to learn it in school but other people don’t want to. We can’t learn about something by a professional unless the people who want to learn it are the majority not the minority you know?
@@HeyImTodd yeah, sadly theres alot of Americans who don’t care to ever leave the country too, in one side I get it because this country is so massive you can go and visit every state and spend years exploring, but after some time its like its the same country, at least with Europe a drive away your in a french speaking country and then near by is a German city, just more interesting
I left Canada for Italy since the pandemic. In Italy I have really found the beauty of a slower pace, enjoying food and company, and way less of a consumer mentality. Less pressure on having the latest gadgets.
But the opposite is that in Italy for example everything is more chaotic, infrastructure and houses are in a bad shape, old cars, less work, etc. But indeed beautifull country, nice weather, good food.
@A. M. Milan is a bad example, most modern city of Italy. I've been in the North and south and its a huge difference. From Firenze southwards quality of infrastructure etc is going downwards every 100km.
I love Italy, and many of the other parts of Europe I've visited, but I must say that you can easily dodge the pressure of having gadgets and etc in the US. Just stop caring what other people think of you. Not difficult.
I moved to France last year from Canada. I also lived in Ireland for over a year. It is great being able to walk a few minutes to a bakery or a grocery store. Buying daily is way better, so that you don't buy something and watch it die.
I live 5 walking minutes from the grocery store here. Every other day my wife, daughter and I set aside half an hour to go there and buy groceries for the next few days. My daughter loves it because she gets to walk inbetween us holding our hands. I guess that will change once she becomes a teenager, but for now, I wouldn't miss it for anything in the world. No cars involved btw. I work from home and my wife has a company car we can use if we really need to. We save SO ridiculously much money we can instead use to make our lives better and plan for the future of our daughter... There's absolutely nothing that would ever get me to become a "Walmart person" who owns an F-150 and buys grocieries in bulk, then watches half of them wither away while cursing taxes and socialism for their lack of money.
@@SeeWonderHaveLiveThe weather is pretty moderate here in France. In winter, it typically goes between 5 to -5 °C (41 °F to 23°F), and in summer it typically goes between 25°C and 35°C (77°F to 95°F), of course it depends in the region. It tends to be way hotter in the south, sometimes reaching temperatures over 40°C (104°F), but it is mostly what I said earlier. We don’t really have extreme temperatures there.
European living in the US for 6 years. I agree the US is the land of ambition and innovation. If you want to become great in what you do come here. However, the US way of life is not compatible with happiness in the long run. You are always on the run, chasing something. I loved how you put it, that “fear of stopping”. I am grateful for the training I received and the things I learned here but I look forward to be done and move back home in a few years. Living in the States made me appreciate home even more.
Idk, as an American who has lived in Europe for five nonconsecutive years I have felt the opposite. I need the speed a bit. Part of me wonders if this is that we are both foreigners with less of an immediate community. The impression I get with family friends that are European is a lack of closeness relative to the US. This is reflected in happiness statistics usually showing the US with a slightly above average happiness rating. Especially in "feeling loved". Right now we are rated as just better than France, Italy, the UK and others, and Equal to Ireland and Germany, but below the Nordics.
@@spartanparty3894 This is just some studys men. I have lived in Paris for almost 24 years and, I'm now in Montreal. Yes people seems more happy but seems less sensitive, less emotional than french people. It is challenging for me to create true Friendship. As you mention the Nordics, this countrys they got high suicide rates. So, many ways of living : you need to choose which one is the best for you.
Hey man, I think this is so spot on. I have lived on and off in Europe and New York. I am from New York and now I have finally decided to just leave New York to Europe once again because I feel that a fundamental difference between Europe (south western in particular) and the US is that europeans value mental health and happiness and are taught this SKILL at a young age, whereas Americans think it is secondary and value a more brazen mindset. I also think that having lived in NYC, I can say that I have NEVER seen a place with a more open display of severe mental illness and people seem to have a grim look throughout the day. I used to think this was merely my perspective as a kid growing up here, but my eyes opened once I left. I think that in Europe I feel lighter, less suffocated by polarizing politics, and people look at you as human and not as a sort of mannequin adorned with with brag-tags. I have lived in Spain, and Italy, and even though economically they are not as relevant as the US, I think the daily quality of life for a middle-class European is often what what most Americans save up to experience only a a few times a year on vacation. Now don't get me wrong, there are many great things about America- we a country of builders, hustlers, and leaders...but at the end of the day, how enjoyable is that? Anyways , keep up the great work man. Maybe I'll see you randomly on a street in Paris and say hello.
I think your reasoning could be why, there are so many mental health, self help gurus, positive living, channels/books coming out of America. I lived in the US years back and met wonderful people and the geography of the country is magnificent and beautiful but I felt there was more of a focus on the self, money and politics rather than on others and community. I did experience an orthodox community in an east coast city and felt right at home as their sense of family and togetherness was lovely 😊
Europe doesn't really value mental health that much .... They just don't value others emotions and think in a logical and no life besides money and work kinda of thing and a little bit more racism towards Africa than America America is a more of a free country and America is the reason why some European countries are open minded today
I agree on everything you wrote. I chose to live in southern EU after trying a few times the U.S. which I will continue to love but here I personally experience many small things that create quality days. Going for a walk and an espresso and randomly having nice chats with calm kind people is worth a lot in my view. No place is perfect.
Your thoughts are interesting. I used to work and live in Paris and had the same exact thoughts about Parisians having a grim or sad look on their faces in the subway going to work or even during the weekends. I felt suffocated by the negativity from medias, politics, and constant debates between people over a drink. I'm not the only one who got this feeling, I have multiple friends wanting to leave Paris for another country and have a fresh start. I'm now in NY, it's similar to Paris but I feel good energy and more positivity here compared to Paris.
Really good comment. I just want to add that most of my friends who lived any significant amount of time in NYC became angry and deeply unhappy. I am guessing à human is not meant to live in such an overcrowded and fast-paced way. I live in Washington, DC suburb now and i love visiting NYC for a weekend but feel like a bunch of anxious energy is leaving my body as soon as i return home to DC. I think NYC is just mentally draining for most people. I Hope you enjoy your new life in Europe!
As an American I really love this video. Normally I’m used to people dunking on the US but you gave a very thoughtful and unique perspective. I’m from the Midwest that lives in a above average small town. Will say the culture is very different compared to the coasts.
absolutely. people who say the US sucks always just look at the worst parts of the country, which are usually major cities like Atlanta, NY, LA, etc. the US is not as bad as everyone makes it out to be, and yeah i wouldnt say its the greatest country in the world and definitely has glaring issues both politically and socially, but i dont think people realize that the majority of the US is really peaceful, slow-paced, community driven, and extremely beautiful. the country is just so big that of course it gets roped in with all the bad stuff that happens within it. i live in a small southern town and you'd think we'd be the most backwards, racist, anti community but everyone is just so nice and crime rarely happens around here and thats how it is in a lot of places.
@@r.8902 Their are places in & around Atlanta that are pretty nice. They are typically small little bubbles. About the size of 1 to 3 blocks. However they do exist! The particular neighborhood matters the most!
@@maria-212 I have been in a few places.Liguria,Emilia Romagna,Puglia,Campania and its islands,a few times in Matera in Basilicata and other places I will omit for the sake of being consice.
Proximity to what you love is important. As a 73 yo in the US, I have worked every year of my life (except one, and until retirement) since my teen days. Getting to see major music events in NYC is difficult and expensive if you don’t live in NYC. Contrasted, I spent one year in Vienna (1971-72) as a graduate music student on fellowship. I went to school, practiced, and walked two blocks to the strassebahn to see over 50 operas at the Vienna Staatsoper and over 50 concerts in the Musikverein. All in standing room. I could not replicate this musical year in the US. Thus, the one year in Vienna was an important highlight of my life and I sometimes wish that I could have lived, studied, and worked many more years in Europe. 😊
Everything you claim is simply based on your perception of what is "better" for your desires and needs. You seriously think that you need to live in NYC in the U.S. to see "major music events" ? What does that mean? I think you are only referring to a very particular type of music that you enjoy. It's certainly not true if you want to see rock,pop,hip hop, country, jazz, country music, etc, in the U.S. and so many of those events that I have been to are FREE.
The line that you said about European countries not having to travel long to see a different culture or people reminded me of what I did recently. I met a few people in a video game I play and after knowing each other for around 2 years, there was a concert in Amsterdam that we all wanted to go to. In the end we decided who was going to go and we all met up in Amsterdam and stayed in the same apartment for a week. We had a lot of different nationalities: 2 were from the UK, 3 were from The Netherlands but from different parts, 1 was from Germany and 1 was from Cyprus. It was fascinating talking to everyone not only about our common interests but also about the culture and habits of each country. This, I think, is something the US is lacking.
If you live in Toronto seeing a different culture is literally just making a friend. This is where this guy is just so off the rails. Because he didn't do it, it doesn't exist.
@@dixonhill1108 he is talking about the US, not Toronto (which I live in btw, and visit europe very frequently). I agree with his point that even if US is diverse, its still the US, and they lack the very historical/deep differences that make Europe a very enticing culture and place. Where US is mired in differences due to culture, race, ethnicity - Europe has drawn lines around that for sure, but also celebrated it vivaciously and with gusto. Perhaps it is because the US is still "finding its ways", even as a superpower, but Europe has done that many times over the last few thousand years, and it just comes down to people want to be people.
Your work is everything for you. Pajama shopping is weird in other places, not in the US. Eating is a big deal and eat anywhere in car, train or walking down. And yes knowledge of geography is actually very bad even in school/college children. World events don't affect thinking and talking. Living anywhere in the US is pretty similar to all other places in the country.
@@joshdelsignore251 Lots of pockets of the US have diverse cultures. Not to mention pockets with traditions going back 200-300 years. Guy is playing the game of Comparing America to Europe, instead of America to one country in Europe. Cuba-Quebec-Mexico all have their own unique diverse parts. If I had to choose between France and America, I would say they're evenly matched at worst.
@@kathleenhensley5951As an Itlian, I find it concerning that someone had to specify it just because of dumb Americans that believe that pizza was from New York😅
I've watched about 5 of your videos today and-WOW, you do a great job. Obviously you have terrific story telling skills, but your pieces are really enlivened by your editing, creative framing of shots, use of b-roll. Congrats, and thanks for the great stories.
I am on my first trip ever to Europe right now, and although I don't understand the languages very well and have limited time, I am already learning things. Especially, gaining a new more realistic perspective of my life in America. I particularly resonated with the part about hustle culture and ambition. In the states, I always felt so useless for not being full of drive and ambition, not having big career goals, not figuring myself out at a young age and moving on fast. I come here and find others relaxed and casual when they hear about where my life is at and how I am still figuring myself out and exploring. Wheras in America it would have gone into a lecture about how I should work harder or jump into something big before I'm ready. Somehow I feel more free to make my own choices and explore more options now that I have seen multiple sides to the story of mankind... realizing no one culture has all the answers, means I am free to make my own too.
it is very easy to live life in EU with an American salary, try it the other way around. Productivity is way higher in the US than in EU. Even comparing Germany and US. Engineers in Germany would make half the money of engineers in the US. it's not all about the money, but it's a big part of it. so yeah the USA is still #1 overall. Brush off the peer pressure of having to slave away for your boss and be your own boss. Life is beautiful that way!
@@chartedtravel1776 i work 35 hours, have 35 paid days off, earn around 90k and spend like 700 on rent.I don´t pay for health insurance, i´ll also get a pension when i get old, if i lose my job i will get 70% of my salary for the next two years while looking for a new job, free education, cheap as hell public transportazion and amazing and cheap food culture. You eanr more, but still live pycheck by paycheck for most of the time.
@@Marco-tb1uj I make 225 before bonuses and taxes(which a way lower then yours because I don’t have to subsidize my neighbors life choices for the most part until dems took over), unlimited vacation, remote work, best healthcare in the world, I could spend $700on rent if I wished but I chose to live on the ocean in the house, drive any car I want , because I have no desire to spend hours on public transport with random strangers I have no desire to associate with, public transport is free because no one ever checks if you purchased a bus tickets, hell they deem it inappropriate to do so, amazing food culture from all over the world comes here, I make enough money to have my own pension and not depend on my neighbors subsidizing my life choices, i carry a gun to protect myself and my family,I could go on and on but you get the point
@@chartedtravel1776 90k before taxes but without bonuses which are taxed in a different way and i nevr include in the total (which would be aroun 110k i guess). You have unlimited unpaid vacation, spell it right. While i have 35 paid day. I still want to understand where the best healthcare come from... USA is 46th for life expectancy. Public transport is free because no one checks? Are you serious? It´s like saying i could be a billionaries if i just went and robbed a bank. I pay 49 euros each month and can literally travel around all of germany by train. Recently we are using it to go clubbing in other cities like ulm and munich. I also have a car, a shitty one. I´m 30 and am focusing on investing. Also my 700 euros rent is a 70 square meter house with annexed garden. Recently i broke my leg and had to get surgery, did you know how much i paid? 0 euros. My dentist? 0 euros. If i want to send my children to school? 0 euros again. And by the waay, how much do you work? 35 hours?
I haven’t lived in the US, but I have been there, I have worked for an American company and I have also lived in 4 different countries across Europe, and I can say that I love way more European way of life than the American one. Life in US is about work. Work in Europe is a part of your life, an important one, but just one part of your life.
Except if you are black, you don't experience work life balance in Europe. You need to work 100x to get a slight opportunity. As a black person, you may even have BSc, MSc and PhD from an European country but still not be given an internship opportunity...you end up wasting your life. So in my opinion, America is well suited for African immigrants....
@@mylifeisinhishandsamen4167 Racism in europe like in the US will truly depend on which state/country you are in. The system discriminate poor immigrants (any immigrants). If you are wealthy, educated you will get an equal chance in our society. Most of the african immigrants coming in europe and mostly in western europe are poor. You can see a lot of african elites in the biggest european universities and after getting very prestigious jobs.
@@alganis3339 I currently attend one of the top 2 business schools in the European country where I live. Also, you are not sincere by saying that the same fate that Africans experience in Europe is the same as the fate they experience in America if they are poor. All my friends who couldn't get anything apart from cleaning jobs are now in North America working for Samsung, Deloitte, Microsoft etc. When Europeans see an African, they automatically think he or she is dumb and cannot even do simple arithmetic like 2+2. By the way, those African elites you mentioned are those whose parents steal and keep the money in European banks. Europe aids thieves!
@@mylifeisinhishandsamen4167So in this case you should also know that we had black congressmen in 1800 in France and also in most of western europe we had creoles for a very long time. I'm not saying that our european society is fully fair to all and on the contrary I'm saying it isn't. I'm just saying that the question of color is less important (contrary to the US) than the question of wealth and most of the new immigrants are people from color so there is de facto a discrimination against them. If you are accept in Polytechnique, ENA or the big business school like HEC, ESCP you can get anywhere you want after. But only people who can have a very good education can access to this kind of universities. It's your opinion thinking that white europeans are going to think that but first europeans aren't all white (again it's a very american pov to think that so i dont know if you are but we don't think like that here in western europe). Also it's true that most of the very wealthy africans elites were before children of dictators etc but now that a lot of subsaharan countries are getting wealthy it's not the case. You can see quite a lot of wealthy people especially in the new generation coming from cities like Abidjan or Dakar.
Small towns in the US (at least in my area of the US) are having a resurgence! Small family owned restaurants, improved parks, events downtown. Not to mention, people know each other in small towns :)
@@enjoyslearningandtravel7957 Me too! Of course, those fast-food chains are inescapable in the US, but I've been presently surprised every time I go back to my hometown. Every time I go back, I go to a small family owned restaurant for brunch. I get crepes and a latte (and other times, more local southern dishes). And after that, I walk over to the local bookstore that's been in my hometown longer than I've been alive. Sometimes, I'll take the book I bought and read it on a bench at the local park. Seems like a pretty great experience to me :)
I (an American) went abroad to New Zealand for an extended amount of time (super greatful of that opportunity I was provided) and my entire world expanded. So many things i thought of as normal suddenly were just not present, and i was shocked. And NZ does have a fair amount of American influence, but very refreshing and eye opening to me.
I feel like the UK and Germany aren’t very much represented here, especially when talking about efficiency, work and food culture 😅 in that aspect we’re definitely not as romantic about our lifestyles as for example southern Europe. Scandinavia also has its very own cultural expressions when it comes to that as they are neither Laisser-faire nor extreme capitalists 💭 but of course I understand that this video is based on your experiences🙌🏻
They are more faster paced but they still don’t compare to how fast paced the US can be. Like he mentioned we get little vacation (like 10-15 PTO) and often work through our lunches. Those are both things that I don’t imagine are common in the UK and Germany
Totally agree, one thing though, in the "rush of the US" and "taking your time of Europe" comparison, i feel like you are referring more to southern Europe. Both Belgium, as well as Germany or parts of Scandinavia also really tend to focus on efficiency and productivity and therefore also create that sense of rush, i feel like
But that's nothing compared to US, from what I heard. At least in Germany paid vacations are the norm, and are a right for every worker, no one feels bad for taking days off and no one feels that they have to work when sick in order to keep their job.
Also the UK to an extent. As a Londoner, we are definitely closer to the american style of thinking about work and careers, but thankfully with the crucial distinction of really taking our holiday time seriously and not allowing employers to get in the way of that.
Exactly, I'm Spanish, I have lived in UK for 5 years. Spent some months in Iceland and nextly to Germany. Every country, with people, language, food, costumes, styles, architecture, parties, culture or even the human behaviour is completely different from one country to another. You can visit few days, but you aren't allowed to deep understanding this country, and their people. You can get proximity by spending a long time living there, speaking the language and meet a lot of native people. And most important, you aren't going to be shot, and you can visit hospitals for free.
Such an insightful breakdown of the pros and cons! It’s fascinating how 'quality of life' can mean different things on each side of the Atlantic. This video really got me reflecting on what 'better' actually means. Thanks for tackling this big question so honestly!
I've always since I was younger, probably 12, wanted to move to Europe. I've always been fascinated with the cultures and life styles. Now I'm 22 and I'm almost ready to travel it at least and get a feel for it. This video makes me even more excited. My debts from college and other things are nearly completely gone, and them I'm off. This is so cool.
Congrats and I loved to perceive the passion in your words ❤ but unintendedly you already revealed a big difference to what I have experienced when I left university (college) back then ... without debts as education was (still is?) free in Germany (e.g.) and I could start my professional life in relative financial stability. But again, that applied for Germany in my case and there are way poorer places in Europe where people have to struggle a lot to get ahead in their lives ...
having travelled much, Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Berlin, and London are easy to work for 1st time travelers. If you go to Barcelona, they do not start partying until 12 AM. The hostel system is good and a good place to meet people from all over. Good luck and enjoy!
I lived in Europe for 6 months a few years ago when I was 22, and wow was it a shocker being an American. I fell in love with the way of life of the people in France, Germany, and Spain. It is truly something you need to experience for yourself to really understand, but just being in a French or Spanish town, the energy, people and atmosphere is so relaxed. People enjoy themselves, you can just feel people are really enjoying their life over there compared to the rushed frantic feeling of any major city in the US where people are always stressed and mental health is just outwardly terrible in many people you encounter. I'm really longing to go back, Europe is such a magical place in comparison. The architecture, the outlook on life, the food, and emphasis on conversation that seems very evident in every European country I've visited is just amazing. I need to go back!
The US was built by Europeans. Several European countries raced to conquer the land and claim it for themselves. Europeans killed or enslaved everything and everyone living there and when that wasn't enough yet, they imported manpower by force to further help them to further their goals and purposes. That is where this "anything goes" spirit came from as well as the "we are the greatest" theme. Because really, anything was possible against any objections. It was something totally new. In Europe you had powers fall and rise over thousands of years. In the US, Europeans didn't really face meaningful objections, they just steamrolled through the continent with unquestioned and unparalleled force and brutality. You have to understand this history at least a little bit to be able to understand the US I believe. It was Europeans being unleashed, all if a sudden not having to deal with their European neighbors, no need to ask anyone for anything. You just do what you want, keep your private army at your side to smash all objections and keep rolling. If you understand that, Europeans will have an easier time understanding Americans. Sometimes people think the US is an old country. It is not, and we tend to forget that little factor. The US patriotism, feel of entitlement, and island nation mentality has its roots right there. The results justified all means was the bread and butter for the American colonies for close to 300 years. There is a reason why almost all US citizens are European descent. Because we the European killed everyone else. Go ahead, just ask the natives in their tiny reservations. Anyways, I guess all I'm saying is that to understand or even appreciate the US, you have to scratch the surface a little more, put the time in to dig a little bit deeper. And if you do, I'm sure more things will make sense. You know, history has a way of clearing things up sometimes and do it better than all influencers or current media outlets combined.
@@maccybear8093yes you described the USA. At least if you go to rural Italy it's not the most depressing stretch of methhead / fentanyl/ barely housed people you've ever seen in your life.
This is my first comment on TH-cam ever but I had to comment after seeing that you were a Rotary exchange student! I’ve been following you for years and always related so much with your world view and now I know why! I was a Rotary exchange student in Taiwan when I was 17 and learned fluent mandarin - as you said, I also felt the world expanding and I was suddenly able to communicate with 1 billion new people that I would otherwise not have had access to. It changed my life profoundly and similarly to you, I wouldn’t have my current lifestyle was it not for that experience.
I am so with Europe when it comes to work. I really hate the whole Protestant work ethic/workaholism that is such a part of American culture. I'm also with Europe when it comes to dressing well, not that I do here in the US, but if I lived in Europe I'd happily get on board. I also feel that Europe(mostly) is a more attractive place. The communities just seem to fit into the landscape, where in the US buildings and towns are like scars in the land. I do hate the public bathroom situation in Europe though.
My life improved so much the moment I left the U.S. in so many ways. I felt that I was able to live the life that I wanted and be who I truly am, instead of adhering to the nonstop hustle culture that's so prevalent in everyday life in the U.S. Time slowed down because things don't move as quickly, I enjoyed my day to day life, the food I ate had so much more flavor and quality, I felt safer than I ever had before, I could walk or take public transport to everything I needed, and I had more meaningful conversations about things other than work. I also felt healthier than I had been in a long time. It was this overwhelming feeling of "oh... this is what life should feel like" - Life was just richer in so many ways. Unfortunately, I had to go back to the U.S. last year due to a few reasons, and my life has gone back to being trapped in the rat race with no time, energy, or money to do anything but work, but I'm working hard to get out of here again as soon as I can and leave it behind for good. Hoping to make it possible by the end of this year! ❤
I really appreciate your comment. Because the whole "Grass isn't greener on the other side" has to stop being used as a lame excuse for everything. I take that saying with a grain of salt anymore, because it's pushback on the feelings others have to try something that could better benefit their lives and livelihood. You just have to take that chance for yourself and hope for the best. You betted on yourself and felt the ways and reasons that worked out for you. I applaud you for loving yourself enough to find what works for you. I don't know if I would feel more comfortable living anywhere else honestly. But that's only because I lived in the state I'm in most of my childhood to early adult life. I visited Arizona and it was ok... But as for another country entirely, I don't know. I wouldn't know if I would like another environment better due to having been conditioned to the whole hustle lifestyle over here in the US I do not like at all. I've heard from a guy on the radio that visited France that most of the area he visited were all closed by 3pm and everyone was just enjoying the evening. That's wonderful to hear people find a work-life balance like that. I hate it that 40hrs is the full time norm to "just make it" anymore. I wish you the best of luck out of this crappy rat-race. 💛💫
You may find Morris Berman's book "Why America Failed" interesting. He is a retired professor who moved to Mexico precisely because of what you are referring to. The book's theme is how America was created as a hustle culture and how it has been, despite material success, harmful to the physical and psychic health of its residents.
I am hungarian, living in Ireland and I have visited the U.S. a few times... mostly the east coast, but ones we drove from Boston to Florida... The first thing hit me about American culture was that people drive so much... everywhere... with big cars and long distances... even for work ... Everything is so BIG. Costumer service is amazing !!!! Food is not good quality. So many crazy places, so called " festivals " burning man etc. Empty villages... Some part of U.S. cities are really dangerous... at least I didn't feel safe. Most European cities are very safe to walk on the streets even during the night. About 30 years ago when the first Mc Donald's opened in Budapest people were shocked about "fast food " but it took only a few years to influence the younger generation with the american mentality ... in every aspects of life... but still , culture has deeper roots and Europeans will never give up their traditions. I love to be European .
I am an American Hungarian who decided to move to Hungary from the USA for education. One thing I miss deeply is being able to drive in open spaces. But the feeling of being safe is something that not everyone gets to experience in the USA. I always viewed the USA as a sense of adventure and the "wild west", meanwhile Europe, specifically Hungary, was viewed as the family roots and connection.
i am from China and always lived in cities, yes being able to take metros in midnight to go home after spending hours downtown was amazing. Our “nightlife” is sort of very sacred, where people can go for walks, hang out, relax, etc etc. (summer can be very bit during the day, if you take away people’s time to enjoy life between 7pm-112pm, well, good luck!) I can’t imagine doing that in NY, LA, or other cities in the US to be honest.
As someone who spent of a lot of time in Eastern Europe, I feel like western Europe is getting more and more like the US. Also, spending time in Sweden really emphasized what you mentioned that Europe care about dressing up, being more humble and eating healthy
I can assure you, it's not getting more like the US. At least outside of the internet. Internet culture is lead by the US so it makes sense that Europe kind assimilates. But traveling, seeing and experiencing more of Europe over the last years really started pointing out the differences to me AND the similarities amongst Europeans.
As a Swede i react to the idea that its just an American thing to be obsessed with time efficiency. More like a northern European thing. Think of Germany! The US was mostly populated by northern Europeans. And it would make sense if the British culture dominated. Just shit posting :P.
Grew up in Switzerland and left for California at 20. I'm now 33 and about to move back to Switzerland (for now) and I agree with a lot the things you've said in this video. I'm glad I came on this video randomly.
Switzerland: Oppressed, repressed, suppressed, depressed, xenophobic, anal, unfriendly people - and insanely expensive. The mountains are pretty. Thats all it's got. And safer then many places - but that has changed due to uncontrolled immigration.
As an American who has lived four years in Poland and more than 25 in Germany, this was interesting to watch. It sounds like most of your experience is in France and Italy. I think the regional differences in the US are a lot bigger than you mention. I grew up in central Pennsylvania, which is quite different from NYC, Florida, Texas, Utah and California. I lived six years in the LA area and have spent some time in the other regions. The biggest differences in Europe are between the former socialist countries and the West and the Catholic south. I know a lot of multilingual Americans in the US and Europe. I try to go somewhere every summer to learn a language intensively for 2-4 weeks. I've done it in every country on the EU's eastern border from Finland to Bulgaria, most of them more than once. That is a great way to see the differences in mentality, culture, language and history. Great to see the Spanish subtitles, one of my favorite ways to learn a language.
Yes, my thought too... culture throughout the U.S differs greatly based on region. I think most people outside the U.S think of California first. I'm from Nebraska and I find that most European's have no idea where Nebraska is let alone anything about it. But if an American can't point out Liechtenstein on a map they don't know geography. The U.S. is a very large country that differs in culture, landscape, industry... and our citizens are much more ancestral mixed than European countries. It's interesting how different we are considering the majority of who built the country are European.
@1111pamo , California, itself, is like dozens of separate worlds. In southern California alone, the "Orange Curtain" informally describes the line between L.A. County and Orange County because the cultures are so different. And, within L.A. County, the Foothill Cities are different from the West Side, which is different from the South Bay, which is different from the Valley, the High Desert, the Mountains, Malibu, etc. And, this is all in just one county.
I'm from Italy. I have traveled across Europe, but I have never gone overseas. The strangest thing is that I saw the USA as the best country, the country where to live and, in comparison, my little town in Italy was garbage. But the more I learn about the lifestyle in the USA, the more I found how it is quite the opposite. It seems to me that I have never known that I live in the perfect place for me. The strange part is that I'm now noticing the best part of my home town, after I have travelled so much and after I have discovered so much about other countries. It almost feels like the passage of the song Let her go: "Only hate the road when you're missing home"
Ah, you are very lucky :) I've lived in the USA my entire life, and am moving to Turkiye for a year, then settling in Greece. I've never felt like an American. I've always felt Greek at heart, as I have more of the same philosophy of life than the fast-food culture here. Plus, the violence is unmanageable. My daughter is thirteen, and I can't wait until she travels overseas. Italy's top of the to-visit-list when we move. Your country is spectacularly beautiful :)))))
It is great to appreciate what you have. Since you have never been to the US, and you seem like a thoughtful person, let me give you a honest review of it by someone who actually thinks like an American: America is whatever you want it to be for you. Nathaniel got one thing correct: no guard rails. You want to be in a strange religion or have no religion: no problem. You want to eat this sort of food at this time of day in this fashion: whatever, do what you want. You want to work hard or not work hard: go for it. Americans do not care what the people around them do; they concentrate on themselves, their family and their close friends. As long as you do not bother me, do whatever you want. Hope that helps. Italy is f***ing amazing! I dream of buying a country house in Italy: Your country is amazing, please keep it that way until I arrive. ;)
That’s the image created by Hollywood of the best country in the world. Besides, the US now is not exactly what it used to be just 20 years ago. I moved to US from Russia several years ago, and only after moving I realized how culturally poor it is to live here. The best thing in the US are the people, they are genuinely kind, accepting and understanding. I love my American friends and neighbors, amazing people. Nature is also great. Everything else is inferior even compared to Russia. Food, public transportation, quality of housing, healthcare, ridiculous cost of services, poor internet (who could think that US is so underdeveloped in that area), even banking services are like from 10 years ago compared to Russia. We take everything for granted, need to appreciate what we have more.
Il fatto è che noi italiani pensiamo che l'erba del vicino sia sempre più buona poi quando si scopre che non è proprio così soprattutto se ci si confronta con un paese come gli Stati uniti dove anche fare una cosa che a noi sembra naturale come una passeggiata sembra assurdo.
Completely agree with everything you said. When I moved to France I actually found myself, I wasn’t bombarded by the quick paced lifestyle I was able to slow down and appreciate the simplicities of life. I never got that in Los Angeles, I can’t ever see myself living in the US again.
Why did you move from USA to France? I know that many people dream of living in USA, and they say that the US has the cheapest housing prices relative to their salaries, and that you can save the most money from your net salary after all monthly expenses, i.e. the highest purchasing power
This has been more than just a video for me. This conveyed emotions beyond screens representing different parts of Europe as well as the US. Your videography skills are something else. Keep up the good work.
I’m happy for you that you found a place that you’re happy with. I’ve spent years in Germany, but was raised and live in the United States. I’m not going to say which is better because it really depends on the city or town that you live in. What I can say that I have observed is that most of the common folks live the same lives and have the same values. Some people have more money, and some people have less money so they can’t always afford to dress up fancy to go to the grocery store, but everybody is just trying to feed their families and live a good life.
The differences, however, are real. Consider the following: universal healthcare, nearly universal access to five weeks vacation per year and nearly free university education. If an American had these, wouldn't his life be less stressed?
Hey Nathaniel i'm a Puerto Rican born and raised on the island. I can say with certainty that even in a small place that it expands through 100 miles you can find differences in culture.
You put into words exactly what I have experienced having lived in Europe a short time and visited a few other times. When people ask me why I want to move there I struggle to put into words its something you just have to experience to understand. I have always wanted to live in europe ever since I was a child and I really hope I get to do that soon
Amazing comparison! Thank you for sharing this food for thoughts! As a person who grew up in Brazil and Germany (plus shorter in some other countries due to my parents‘ career as diplomats) I eventually found my home in Ireland. I love languages too.
I"ve had the humbling privilege of living in other countries, and traveling to even more. I can honestly say that travel is the best teacher. Thank you for this very interesting view into how you see things in Europe, Nathaniel!
I'm Costa Rican, and I have always dreamt about Europe, and I actually had the opportunity to live there for a few months a couple of times, in Germany and Greece, and I love it, for a lot of the reasons that you mention in your video. And now, life is taking me to live for two years in the US, even though I never thought of going there and am not even sure that I like it that much, but I really hope that this experience is going to help me get rid of a lot of prejudice and stereotypes that I have about the country.
I think you nailed it when you said that in America “You are allowed to dream about things that feel impossible”. As European I would love to see that here, and I think things are starting to change a bit. In Italy we had that too at some point but we lost it. I feel it is coming back in a second wing for the tech sector (we missed the first). I was adamant a few years ago to move to the US (or Canada/Australia) but now I am willing to give Italy a shot first. The US is fairly scary right now.
US is currently in a lack of employment stage. It's difficult to find jobs, although it's been getting easier for the past year and shows signs of getting better. Not to mention the political circumstances are unseemly.
I'm italian, and I think that the reason why in Europe we tend to think that the US has no culture is because it is ubiquitous. We live american culture daily through tv shows, movies, youtube videos, and so on, to a point where we don't even recognize it. American culture just feels like standard, so we don't see it as culture, especially the younger generations. Also, one other reason could be that the US does not have as much history as Europe. I literally live 500 meters from a 700 year old church, and I don't even live in a big city. The whole US isn't that old. So when you walk in the streets here, it's like you can breathe in the centuries or sometimes even millenia of history of the place. Just my two cents on the culture segment. Great video, btw.
I think also, the culture shown in American shows is the “popular” culture. For example everyone thinks California (where I live) is just Hollywood, Disneyland, and the beach, but that’s not true. California is so huge that the culture in Southern California is different than the culture in Northern California. The culture in the mountain communities is going to be different than the culture in the beach communities, and that’s just one state.
the US is large, so what you see on tv is just a part of it. you probably wouldn't hear about the minorities of people living detached from the typical american lifestyle. america is a young country, so ofc we don't share those old attributes with europe, but what we have here is still worthwhile
You're right about history. Europe has a very, very long history, and some of it not all that pretty. In North America some of that European culture makes it across the pond, but sometimes we can throw it out the window when we come here, and start again. And that's the good part.
Hi Ettore, I understand what you’re saying, and a lot of the history in Europe is much more obvious, but that’s not to say that the US doesn’t have one pre the official founding of the USA. There have been people there for 20 to 30 thousand years. Much of that culture and history has been systematically destroyed and invisibilised, or forcibly assimilated into the dominant settler culture.
I mean...there would be a longer history and culture in the US if the settlers hadn't wiped out the natives going from east to west. I suppose that's also part of the mindset though. Americans like to build new things but not things built to last. We can't even take care of roads 30 years old much less 300
I was raised outside of Washington DC, in an area that was solidly middle-class. There were embassy staff families with kids in my school and I had very rich experiences learning about the different cultures without travelling the world. I got the benefit of well-funded great public schools as a child of the 60s (though much that I learned of history, geography and anthropology has been revised). Now when I visit my old town, I feel like it's a different country because in many ways it is. Conversations with strangers quickly turn to, "What do you do for a living? How much money do you make? What kind of car do you drive?" It's like filling out a credit application! When I first started to travel to Europe I quickly realized we Americans have traded quality-of- life for standard-of-living, to our great loss. Now I have been to 22 countries, rich and poor. I have never been to any country where I didn't return with a warm feeling about the people of those places. Before things got so divided here, I could say that about the US. There're still lots of great people here, but the change over time is unfortunate.
@@Obi-MomKenobi That's a very common question in the suburbs of DC. The first question will be your name and the second will be "where do you work Or What do you do?" And if you talk for more than 10 minutes people will start inquiring how much that said job makes if they don't know. If you aren't close it's "Which neighborhood do you live in? What car do you drive? Where do you go shopping?" I don't necessarily know why, generally people are nice if you make a lot or not. But they average salary around here is $150,000 and they want to know how much you relate to that.
You have an amazing personality, and the video is just what I needed. I am saying it as a sociologist and a mother of two youngsters, who are currently trying to find their way abroad to study. Yes, we watch a lot of videos on different topics, but cultural and societal differences are some of the most important factors we consider seriously. So, thanks a lot for sharing it.
As a Swede who has visited most countries in Europe, as well as many countries outside of Europe (including for instance India and USA), and who is now living in Brazil since about 5 years, I can say that as long as you have money - it doesn't really matter where you live. At that point the weather probably becomes the most important point.
I agree with you, I'm brazilian, and I lived for a brief time in USA, but I had a low paying job and was a student, so my life wasn't the best, I was in my early 20s so I didn't really care that much, but now as a late 30s man I think I wouldn't like to be living that way. Here in Brazil it's expensive to buy stuff, tech, etc. but it's cheap to have services, like a house keeper to come and clean your house every week, someone to fix something for you, to paint your house for ex. So yeah, as long as you have money it's fine wherever you live.
@@AlexanderMarkDavidOxladeChamb I can only give you my personal opinion. I think that the country is developing in the wrong direction. Crime is increasing and just the general feeling of walking the streets in any city is different from how it was when I was young. Frankly, sometimes it does not feel like Sweden at all. I grew up in Malmö which is now predominantly inhabited by people with a foreign background. I could notice the population gradually change over time. That is part of why I decided to leave. The other reason is that I really prefer a warmer climate. Between 6-8 months per year it will be cold and dark in Sweden and I do not like that much.
But don't get me wrong, Sweden is still a decent place to live by my estimation. Social services are still not bad and many schools are decent. And it is "free" (including higher education). Of course, it comes at the cost of very high taxes, but if you have kids in school or someone in your family is sick - you don't mind.
@@SpinalGT true, as a tech guy myself, who likes gadgets, I do find the import taxes for these types of things to be quite brutal. But, as you said, there are upsides too. For instance, me and my wife have two kids and we can enjoy a good restaurant with a bottle of wine for less than R$ 200. That would be completely impossible in Sweden.
@@AlexanderMarkDavidOxladeChamb yes, well the financial situation is one thing. It is of course not good since taxes must be raised and people has to work longer. Politicians have talked about increasing the retirement age to at least 70. It is somewhat ironic since the same politicians sold the idea of immigration to the Swedish people as something that would save the pensions. That as well on humanitarian grounds.
But there are other considerations to think about. There are neighborhoods and areas which are now basically only inhabited by immigrants. The schools in those neighborhoods only have students with a foreign background and who barely speak any Swedish. So, there is a risk that they will never be integrated let alone assimilated into the Swedish culture. That is a problem that will only grow worse.
As for your question I really could not say. The only thing I could say about it is that my father is a mechanical engineer. He is retired now, but he worked many years for a company called Alfa Laval, in Lund, where he was part of many interesting projects. He designed high torque machinery, heat exchangers, valves and many other things. He enjoyed it very much. Lund is also a city that is still holding up pretty well. I worked in Lund myself for several years (albeit not at Alfa Laval). But I have no idea about how it is to work as a mechanical engineer in any other country. Good luck though!
ja gillar bilar
I was raised in the US and moved to Spain when i was 27. Six years later when i came back to visit the homeland i noticed my friends would kind of brag to each other about how many hours they worked the last week. I was just quietly thinking 'that sounds like a horrible week' no time for anything at all. Life is short and you are only getting older. Nobody on their death bead ever said 'you know, i wish i had put in more 60+ hour weeks' 😂
I'm sitting there way more relaxed than anybody else, with way more stories to share and experiences lived just over those few years. All because of a cultural difference where Europeans feel that it's almost immoral and a dis-service to your valuable human life to waste it away by clocking hours whether it's for your own business, or for another person's business. I work to live vs I live to work is a real big difference between the USA and Europe.
Brag of working hours is crazy. It only brings me bad emotions. I want to laugh because it's like slaves convinced that they are rocking. Brainwashed.
At work in Germany i almost bought a coffee for takeaway but my friend Ralph stopped me saying, "who are you that you are too important to not sit and have a coffee?" That moment changed my life for the better.
Yup! Never been in Europe but I am about to move there after I am done with my seasonal job, the university education is shockingly cheap as hell I am so in shocked!! You can even be a nurse there for $5,000 in 4 years meanwhile in the USA is $20,000-$100,000 like wtf?!! I can't wait to move there November im traveling and checking all countries, this USA life is definitely 100% not for me
@@wanderlustoceans8205 This is actually a big reason WHY Americans work so much, the cost of living here is insane. Sometimes it's all they can be consumed with in order to stay alive and put food on the table. You're right, when I have enough saved and a good plan, I will be moving to the UK or maybe Spain.
@@wanderlustoceans8205 What country are you moving to?
I grew up in the U.S. and I completely identify with what you said about the speed of life. In the U.S. I’m considered an extremely “slow” eater to the point that my friends will ditch me at a restaurant as I eat my meal because they finished half an hour before me. But when I went to Spain, I went out to eat and received comments about how quickly I ate as I finished my meal way before anyone else. People in Europe simply cherish the time they have and connect with the food as opposed to wolfing it down and getting back to work ASAP in the U.S.
How much you last eating? I am Spanish and got shocked by your comment.
My best friend from back home (Canada) came to visit me in Europe lately and my god I never realised how much I hate eating with her. I've adapted to the European way of eating, to share conversation over the meal and enjoy the evening being out at a restaurant and everything that comes with it. Whereas she sat in silence, solely focused on her food and just eating it, and then paying the bill, and that was it. I didn't realise this culture difference in meals until this past week.
Europe is a specter… Spain is the lazy part of Europe like Greece 😂 you would feel like an 👽 in Germany .
😂😂😂I get ya 1000%; have traveled extensively to European countries, I am originally from Uganda & I have lived in the Midwest for 20 years . Food in most European countries is far better especially Italy, France , Spain & Portugal. Even though I live in the Midwest; I try my best to eat healthier; grow a vegetable garden in the Spring/summer months ; produce that’s grown in your backyard tastes way better than anything store bought . American fast food just isn’t palatable to me; it’s shitty & makes you sick in a couple of years ; there’s good food here too but some decent # of Americans enjoy their unhealthy fast food drive thru b’coz it’s fast & convenient; instead of sitting out doors & enjoying a long relaxing meal with friends or colleagues . Having grown up in East Africa; we speak multiple languages; French or German was A requirement in High school, besides you needed foreign language credits . When we arrived to the States in 2003, it was easier to pick up Spanish during my college years b’coz it’s not too far fetched if you took French classes; pronunciation of words in Spanish are easier than French ; I utilized my Spanish more while traveling because Americans only care to speak English & nothing else. Europeans value diversity much more than Americans do. So yeah ; life is better in Europe if you speak with friends & compare their lifestyle to that of Americans.
@@atimnile2401 Try to have a holiday in Greece they are also extremely friendly people, they are, - just like in the other 4 mentioned Mediterranean countries, - also truly sociable and they create a lovely, relaxed atmosphere while eating out for breakfast, lunch or for dinner with friends, family and/or with strangers.
As a German, I feel quite isolated in New Zealand. Just to get to the supermarket, it's a ten-minute drive. The sidewalks are empty, as everyone drives from one place to another. Cafes and shops are so far apart and scattered that it's not appealing to walk around the streets. It's very much like America here.
America,Canada,UK,Australia, and New Zealand are very similar countries.
@@it3ly800not entirely id say: the entire south of the uk, is very very much walkable, as it’s made up of either cities or small towns
I really hate it when this happens! Land is so scarce, its the one thing we can’t make more of, so what do we do when we find more of it? Not use even half of it efficiently!
@@it3ly800the people in these places differ: Americans are dumb, loud and act like they know everything, People in England are either dumb and aggressive or just stay entirely to themselves, Australian are funny and outgoing, and Canadians, i hear they’re nice
@@damnboi951 UK is similar culture, yes it doesn’t have the road and suburb peoblem
When he said Europeans feel like eating that fast is almost morally wrong, I really felt it. Having lunch with other people or even by yourself has such a deep meaning for most of us, even if it's just for 20 or 30 minutes cause one day you just don't have time. I'm glad you mentioned it. Greetings from Spain
I’m not an American, ím actually filipino but i eat very fast because I normally work on US time and somewhat adapted that culture. But I’m moving to Spain next year so I have to train myself to enjoy food and eat slow.
Ditto, Greetings from Spain as well 😎
But in scandinavian countries you often have a 30 minute lunch break. But then you also leave work earlier.
Are Germans Europeans? They eat fast.
@@dezafinado in the netherlands they eat faster too, but still they tend to sit down for that perhaps 10 till 15 min while working, and when not working, they do tend to eat longer, i don't suspect that to be much different in Germany?
there are some real differences between southern en northern europe :) , between germanic and romanic europe, with Angelsaksen having a bit formed it own,
and from the weird quirky england most of the american values started ;) giving a a more extreme capitalistic USA then UK ever used to be :)
Just to also mention that European countries can be wildly different to each other. Life in Italy or Spain is very, very different to life in the UK or Ireland. Each have their pros and cons, you just have to know what vibe you're looking for.
not to mention Eastern Europe vs Western
Same with American states, which are what should be compared to EU countries. Texans aren't like Oregonians or New Englanders. Different states have different cultures.
@@mitzara25 central Europe also exists lol, and no, Poland, Check republic and. Slovakia are not part of Eastern Europe.
The same thing can be said about the US depending on region and state.
@@acme_tnt8741 except the political culture will be roughly the same, which is not the case for european nations
Europe is so diverse that we cannot speak of the European way of life as a whole, but of each individual, by country, by region and, sometimes, by town or village.
As a European who has lived outside of Europe for extensive amounts of time, I can say with almost complete certainty that there is such a thing as a European way of life.
Yes, we perceive each others regional or national cultures as very diverse. But there are a few major common traits that make European culture a distinct way of life, just as the North-American and latino-American way of life would be somewhat distinguishable.
@@AggroJordan86 There is central/western/northern EU way of life and mediterranean way of life. Then theres also Balkan. Balkan is the best.
@@AggroJordan86 care to elaborate? Because the italian way already is quite distinguishable from the austrian way for both, austrians and italians, and they share a border already.
You know, the North Dakota lifestyle is really rather different from how Hawaiians pass their time in Honolulu.
@@pmudri there are a few things I see that make European lifestyle. None of them are individually unique and their degree of expression widely varies, but the propensity exists. Listed in no particular order.
- A tendency for life taking place in public, i.e. outdoor activities in groups (not talking sports events, but more "urban" life)
- a general sense of Work-Life-Balance, employee's rights, name it what you want. But it is deeply embedded in the culture.
- a somewhat basic trust in public functions. Trust me, however much criticism we in Europe utter, many people outside of europe simply have given up on any public institutions and their integrity altogether.
- a general mutual understanding to strike a balance between individual freedoms and societal needs and standards. Many places I have been to heavily gravitate to one end of that spectrum. To many Americans, we are socialists, to many Arabs, the concept of state itself is not culturally embedded. It is me-my family - my extended family - my tribe (not in the archaic sense) that drives identity. Very different from Europe.
- a level of appreciation for our environment, even though we still have to fight hard to keep it intact due to our heavy industrialization. Silly example: the concept of hiking is a foreign/niche concept in a lot of places.
As I said. Not anything that would not be found elsewhere, but the combination makes it European and unites us more than it keeps us apart.
One of the worst culture shocks for me when I visited friends in the US was how socially unacceptable it apparently is to take your time at a restaurant and talk for a while longer even after you finish eating. I understand having to leave when you're done if the restaurant's full and there are people waiting to get a table, but if there are still plenty of free tables, why should i be in a rush to get up? Me and my friends here in Europe always sit around for a little bit longer and talk after finishing our food, and if we're taking longer than 30 minutes we'll simply order another round of drinks. Meanwhile my friends in the US immediately pay and leave as soon as they're done eating, and it's so weird to me especially considering that the US doesn't offer many free public spaces to spend time in and socialize, meaning it's not like you can just leave the restaurant and find a nice park within a few minutes of walking where you could continue the conversation (in many places).
I'm European but it doesn't always happen. If there is something do discuss or the conversation is flowing, sure. But 90% of cases we just pay and leave and go somewhere else. Who wants to sit in greasy food smell for hours
This doesn’t speak for everyone. It’s probably more of the type of people you talked to or the kind of restaurant you went to.
Also there is public spaces in the US I have no clue what you are talking about. There are parks, there are trails, there are pools, what more do you want?
Anecdotal evidence is dangerous. Today, Politic is driven by anecdotal myths.
I work in service in Germany and we have many people from different countries and what this guy says true. Almost every American who comes eats fast and then leave but I have to say that almost all Americans I have met are very friendly people@@HamburgerMan-ch1od
@@HamburgerMan-ch1odThe issue here is more of the fact that both places are continent sized one literally is a continent full of diverse countries and the other is a continent sized country with its own variations of culture. If you live in Texas this may be true as everything is very very far apart (unless you’re in the middle of a city) whereas if you make absurd amounts of money and live in Massachusetts where it’s more condensed there as absolutely plenty of public spaces to hang out in. These places are far too big to make any overarching statements about other than vague cultural ideas which are mostly half truths due to the generality of the statement
culture not only means music cinema and media, it often means (for us europeans) general knowledge, history and geography, books, art, politics, social awareness of the world, and all those things. it's this kind of culture were we think usa lacks
This!
@@bear6562 It is not like that with all of them though. Just the majority.
Perhaps, I should add here that the majority of most people in most countries suck too, maybe that is too negative, but I think it fits. Not everybody has the brains, interest or money to go as far as the middle and upper classes do. I think that in general, European education at the low and mid level is better than in the US, but also people in many European countries are raised better. They are taught to take responsibility and to think more about others. Thinking about others is taught by parents and school in the US too, but it is drowned out by society's focus on the individual - it's always, "look at me, me, ME!" We have a lot of parent's who I would not trust with the care of my worst enemy's dog, let alone with children. We have a lot of broken homes, addicted and abusive or neglective partents. Their children come to the schools and need to be socialized, before they can be taught anything. The weight falls on teachers, who are not trained to do that sort of thing and are already often struggling with a myriad of other problems. We also have a lot of kids who are just apathetic. School is a drag. Anti-
intellectualism is also a big problem. When I went to school, it was not considered "cool" to get good grades. If you did, you were considered a nerd, and it was not uncommon for jealous classmated to vent their anger on you, physically, by literally beating you. When I went to school, if you were "gay" or were considered a "sissy" the other kids beat you up. Racism was commonplace. I am hetero, but I came from out of town, so I had to fight. You couldn't just run away all the time or that made things worse. You did not dare involve teachers, parents or police. From 6th to 10th grade was hell for me. By 11th grade I had gotten bigger, had been studying martial arts long enough to hurt people who messed with me, had gotten some friends and had the luck that many of the juvenile deliquents in our school, who had been held back a few grades were now getting adult criminal charges for their offenses, so they went to jail instead of just getting expelled for 6-18 months. I went to a middle class nearly all-white rural high school. The school had a decent academic program and when I went to university I never had any problems. At the university I never had to fight. I had a couple of cases that were self-defesnse since then. I moved to Europe in 1997, and since then I think I have seen like 4 fights from a distance and have never been involved in a fight, shooting, stabbing or anything. I am still traumitized from my highschool and my life in the US, I think.
I'm not sure this is true.
@@leftwingersareweak I think it is certainly true for the majority of the people. The US educational system has also been hamstrung by stupid policies, like voucher schools and home schooling (Don't get me wrong, home schooling can make sense in a some instances, but it doesent, when your parents are morons or religious zealots or both.) and also by worrying more about students' scores on standardized achievement tests. The blame gets pushed on the teachers, who are usually caught in the middle between unreasonable parents, students, who range from academic to apathetic to violent, and spineless administrations, who are so worried about lawsuits that they either the teachers' hands by not giving the the backup they need or by flopping around like spineless jellyfish on policy and passing the buck to teachers, who are then held accountable for trying to make things work and shouldn't be. Meanwhile the anti-intelectual religious right is pushing for guns and Jesus. Becuase they think that their ignorance, stupidity and delusion is better than the knowledge of educated individuals, whom they actually believe were brainwashed in "communist training camps" called "universities". They are quite able to disregard their own brainwashing.
Believe me if this party is to get power in America no one in the world will be safe from their idiocy. Especially not Europeans, whom they disdain and view with great malice.
@@bear6562 from that are subjects like like history or georgraphy aren't taught at school ? One of my Dad's relevatives was university Proessor of history put how I don't how popular subject it is study
You kind of prove the American stereotype by speaking of Europe as a singular entity. Life in France can be drastically different from life in Poland or Czech, for example. This doesn't mean only different languages, but also different costs of living, different mentality, different cultures and references, often different ways of life.
Yes, this. I live in Belgium and even compared to the Netherlands, Belgians and the Dutch are completely different!
@@ReiraDemeester Americans tend to compare the US to the EU (which isn't even whole Europe, so there's that) and their argument is that "Europeans speak about the states the same!!!" but... States are in a country. Belgium, the UK, France and Ukraine are not. Completely different places. It's like speaking of single "America" meaning the US, Mexico and Canada. They don't get that.
@@capricorn3511 Absolutly, especially if you consider that some of the european countries are also made up of "states", like Germany or Austria for example, who can also have major differencies in their way of living. Living in Bavaria can be quite different from living in Lower Saxony. That's something a lot of us-americans completely overlook when they make these comparisons. Europe is not even close to being like one country and the "core" cultures of the countries are very eclectic, with more differencies and common points than most of the US.
My thoughts exactly
Schengen
I was born and raised in the United States and was fortunate to have lived in Germany for several years, many years ago. One thing that I have never forgotten was the time when several of us gathered at a Gasthaus for a few beers, and while there, was invited to join in the conversations that involved others from several different countries. What amazed me was the mutual respect shown by everyone, to everyone, regardless of their gender, nationality, or beliefs. This 'mutual acceptance' is becoming more and more difficult to find within the US these days.
No one is the best. We all suck
@@lumeaeamea1 and besides that, we fought so much in history that we came to accept each other
So ist es. In Biergarten.
@@AB-rx6no - Nur bis das erste Fass angezapft ist 😋
You are right but that’s very much a new concept in Europe. We have pretty much spent three thousand years knocking lumps out of each other precisely because of those things. Ironically, it’s probably the primary reason that the US exists.
As an Italian with a Czech boyfriend, we sit together and consume every meal together, which I usually prepared for us with healthy ingredients (at least I try). And for me creating food with love and nourishing someone with it is such a gift from me to them, I literally get pissed if they don't take their time with it to enjoy it. 😂❤🇮🇹
I need to find an Italian woman now 😂💕
Superficialité is the dominant, we used to have our cultures until universal mas publicity began its contamination
Im from the US, but I went to pursue my masters degree in England and I loved it. I got to travel to Amsterdam, France, Spain and Italy. I lived in Spain for 6 months. Life in Europe is so stress free and calm, I love it there.
@Equilibrium I'm not going to deny there is a lot of stress that comes with, well, not being set for life basically, in Europe. Having to find a new job every time a contract runs out, having to compete in a tight market for affordable housing, dealing with government institutions for wellfare programs, having to navigate an impossible bureaucratic maze to prove you're mentally disadvantaged enough that you can get help navigating impossible bureaucratic mazes, or say all of the above but now in a language you never had any contact with before you were 40 and on the run, that stuff does introduce a lot of stress into being poor or otherwise disadvantaged. But is that really a difference between Europe and the US?
I've never lived in the US, so this may just be ignorance on my part, but from media and such I get ideas like that it's normal there for poor people to work two nearly full time jobs to make ends meet? In much of Europe there are protections against that, including but not limited to minimum wages that typically are at least borderline fair compared to local living expenses. Employers themselves will fire you here for working more jobs on the side without telling them, because they feel like you can't possibly be putting enough focus into your primary job. I also feel like there is much more of an irrational hatred for wellfare programs and subsidies for anything that's not a large corporation or a good business investment in US news and politics than in Europe. The impression I get therefore is that being poor in the US is if anything on average a worse experience than in Europe.
Now, on the positive side for the US: there really is more of an emphasis on staying ahead of the competition. And the first things we may think of in terms of US competitiveness might not always be positive, like high school baseball players dying of steroid abuse, but there is a huge upside to this mindset in ways that really matter a lot on the international stage. R&D budgets for instance are typically a lot higher in the US than in Europe, which is a main factor in why even European brands with good reputations are often seen less as the great innovator and more as a follower, but one that delivers good quality. I think that very real focus on innovation is a big factor in why the US is so rich, even by our standards. But the distribution of that wealth does seem pretty skewed, and all in all I'd probably rather be poor in Europe, you know, hypothetically, if poor people had a proper choice of where to be poor.
@Equilibrium 🤣 interesting, but rather crazy idea, that you could live better in the USA with little money than in Europe...... Being poor is stupid in any country. And, in fact, often worse in the USA than in most European countries. As a rule, they have a much better social and health care system than the USA.
Best wishes! It is great that all of the 1st world allows and makes it convenient for people to sell their stuff, renounce their citizenship, and move to another country. ( This is not universal in the world. )
American suburbs are stress free for me after the Europe 🙂
@Steve Mar. Ironically, that would possibly be the most Amsterdam-like experience you could get there. There are three major differences between Amsterdam and the rest of the Netherlands: Amsterdam has way more tourists, way more people who think Heineken tastes good, and way, way more people who basically never leave their home city. If it's outside of the ring it doesn't exist. Also there's a bit of an overdone sex and drugs industry, but let's chuck that in with the tourism.
As a Dutch citizen, I genuinely think both the USA and Europe have very different but very interesting cultures with pros/cons depending on your preference of course, but living in the USA now for my exchange makes me realize how much I appreciate the relaxed life in Europe where (from eating food to working) everyone values and respects their time off. The same thing goes for food whereas in Europe we care about the quality and certain artificial ingredients are banned because they're unhealthy while in the USA they're still used simply to make the food look more appealing... I love the USA for so many reasons, but I appreciate Europe even more because of how seriously our health and time off is taken here
but the smoking..
Europe: Prove to me that ingredient is safe and then you can use it!
USA: Pop it in there (whatever it is) and if someone gets cancer and we get sued we’ll deal with it later. Time is $$$
@@josodoc1891Europe focus on education. Not policing
Most of the ingredients you guys ban for being "unhealthy" cannot be scientifically demonstrated to be unhealthy.
honest question why do you compare the whole europe to one country its like me using the whole americas
As an American living in the midwest, I find myself craving the kind of closeness and cultural diversity that you talk about with Europe... here, everyone has big houses and big yards but no one really comes over to visit... You have to drive 10 minutes to get to a store, everyone feels so isolated and it's honestly so lonely here...
that's kinda sad... go live 6 months in a different continent! life is too short!
yes, I've been living in the US for 24 years and I still can't get used to isolation compare to Europe. I always feel lonely and alone. If we invite people over they can come, but they never invite us, therefore I always feel like no one cares about me. Always feel like no one cares what I think or say or do. I would love to live in Europe where people are more genuinely interested in each other, but I don't have the opportunity right now.
@@ArtfromtheHeart2I feel for you. Seems like everyone these days sits around and waits for others to contact them, but communication is a two-way street. I'm always starting conversations and reaching out and even though they respond and we talk for a bit... that's it. If I don't start them, they *never* happen with a lot of people. It's just sad.
Your country has 50 states, each with its own specificities. Just move to another state, try to find some place that makes you happier.
as an indian living in the midwest right now. i was blown away by the kind of isolation here. life in india, at least for me, was filled with people around me. thankfully i am in a college town so it is still very buzzing. but yeah i feel you
In Europe's tapestry, a myriad of ways,
Lifestyles dance through nights and days.
From bustling cities to tranquil plains,
A mosaic of cultures, each one retains.
In Parisian cafes, the rhythm's chic,
Where espresso's sipped, conversations speak.
Fashion flourishes on Milan's streets,
Where style and elegance forever meet.
London's hustle, a vibrant symphony,
With diversity as its heart's melody.
Berlin's walls tell tales of resilience,
A city reborn from past's brilliance.
Amidst Tuscan vineyards, time slows down,
As rustic charm and flavors astound.
Athens whispers of ancient lore,
Where history's echoes forever soar.
In Scandinavian lands, where nature reigns,
Simplicity thrives, devoid of strains.
Amsterdam's canals, a tranquil glide,
Reflecting serenity, a peaceful tide.
From the fjords of Norway to the shores of Spain,
European lifestyles, a colorful terrain.
Where passions ignite and dreams take flight,
In Europe's embrace, life feels just right.
Thanks ChatGPT
Europeans are such idiots bro 😂
I am from Russia, moved to Florida in 2016. The more I live here, the more I feel like I will eventually get back to Europe, just not Russia. Europe feels more relaxed overall, constant work culture and high pressure feel overwhelming here in the US. Always thought that America is for those who want to have a business and work 100 hours a week to earn millions, while Europe is for good work-life balance without catching stars from the sky, yet it is still can be subjective
Also live in Florida and completely agree with you, I do believe there are maybe better states if you want to live a more slow life but yes while Florida has so much fun things to do you often to even have the time to be able to enjoy those things and when you do it’s usually so overcrowded and uncomfortable.
The US is not good culture
@@LolaDelMarCaribe I do agree with you that there are some places in the US where you can find that slower pace of life. However, the problem typically with the slower states and cities is that they're often on the worst end of the spectrum when it comes to the cultural richness (interesting architecture, cafes & restaurants, diversity of people, city design, etc.) that he talked about in the video. The US is a young country so it's hard to have those things on the same level as Europe, but the slower states struggle even more with those things. I live in Orlando, which is a relatively big city, but still deeply feel that lack of cultural heritage and city quality.
Hello, I’m from Nebraska and I lived in Florida for 5 years. I’m not sure how much traveling you’ve done inside of the United States, but I will say that the East coast of the country is very different from the middle and west coast. Florida in particular is a very unique state and many people around the country joke that Florida is not part of the US. There are many places in the north that are much more European in lifestyle, I would recommend traveling to some different areas.
@@erikchoice6759 Afternoon! Unfortunately not much traveling overall; it is basically Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee, both Carolinas, NYC, Washington D.C, Mississippi and Georgia. I may move up north in the future, loved NYC too much. Though I know the costs of living there. I would say that it is kinda true regarding Florida, since I don’t speak Spanish and I live in Miami, a big drawback when it comes to communicating people here.
What shocked me as a belgian visiting NYC is how there were almost no terraces where you could sit down and enjoy a beer. The absence of that is unthinkable in most EU countries. There's bars with terraces everywhere.
yeah its so odd when go to other places people behave different from you. We need one government to tell us how to live our life's so we will be all equally boring.
@@TheExoGames what a ridiculous comment is that?? Cynical person arent you?
@@nickverschoore4351 did you get all that from my cynical comment?
@@TheExoGames I can get even more out of it but im not going to because needless discussion is what cynics like you aim for
If you had a over million homeless people like Murikkkah. you'd dine or sip outside a lot less. No chance you are having a beer outside, unmolested, in almost all of Africa and India, just no freakin way.
As a 23 i moved to Poland , what a culture shock it was. Safe , clean and the food my man the food
Super expensive booze though isnt it? Like Vodka is insanely expensive?
@@starscreamthecruel8026 quite the opposite, a bottle of good local vodka can go for around 6-7 dollars for 500ml bottle
I was stationed in Germany for most of the 80’s and one of my few regrets in life is I didn’t stay there after I got out of the Army. I’m coming up on retirement soon and since I’m an American with polish descent and also German I’m thinking very seriously about retiring in Poland.
@@jeffjeziorowski8612 I was born in Poland, came to the states as a kid, now almost 30 years later, wanting to leave USA after living on both coasts and try Europe as an adult. I am still bilingual. If you have ancestry, you can get your Polish passport! More doors open with being a member of the EU. Also, leaving America on a one-way ticket on an America passport raises eyebrows. I tried it once and they made me buy a return ticket (before I had my Polish passport)
@@magdalenas_r I’m going to Europe in September for two months and I plan on going into Poland. I’ll check into retiring there. The Polish side of the family came to the United States in 1848. I was born in Germany because my Dad was also in the us army. I was in the US army for 16 years. I’ll see if I can be of any help with Ukraine. I’m hoping they can use my military experience.
Pretty nice video. As a immigrant myself coming from Hong Kong, I'm thankful and proud to be an American. I am able to have the life I have today is all thanks to the US giving me and family a chance to be successful. You can call me an idiot and shouldn't be "patriotic" but I'm happy here, and this place is diverse, cultural rich, "freedom". Yes there are problems, but what country doesn't? Let's share, communicate and fix the issue!! Housing, transportation, balance, building wealth etc.
Every country have culture differences and that's what makes everyone unique. Cities have different culture and its up to us to find the one that's right for you. I personally hate big cities like LA and NYC, and I prefer a slower pace work and life balance.
God bless you! It seems like many born Americans take their privileges for granted while a lot of immigrants become extremely patriotic. As a European who visited America multiple times, it is the best, most beautiful, place in the world. The rest of the world just cant compare to American cities, towns, and natural beauties.
@@pigeon_master_8561what’s the greatest state for you? Just curious.
@@HeleneOl-os3uq I really like Texas. Hot weather, nice people, interesting culture, and affordable.
@@pigeon_master_8561 saying US is the best place in the world is an emotional claim. Stats on most metrics prove its not. In fact Australia being a similar country to US is better in every way. I look at subway of NY and compare it sydney....NY subway is absolutely horrible.
@@sinsinsinat5377 Uh oh, an Australian heard "America" and now needs to sh!t all over it. What "stats on most metrics"? That doesn't even make sense. And do you even know what the word "prove" means (hint: "proof" does not mean whatever information confirms your preferred narrative)? Talk about an emotional claim, JFC. What is it about Australians that they are so desperate to be seen as being better than Americans? For example, your claim about the Sydney subway...you mean that one line subway that just opened 5 years ago? NYC started 119 years ago. NYC has 472 stations. Sydney has 21. Call us in 115 years and see how modern and sleek the Sydney subway is then. . Geez, Aussies really do crave attention, don't they?
I left the US for Europe in the mid 80's and I can tell you it is safer, healthier and gives you a much better quality of life. As a woman I've never once felt fear that was constant in the US. I go anywhere without having to be in defensive mode. Life is relaxed and cosmopolitan. Ive learned two new languages, as well as sports that were not accessable to me before. Art and culture is available even in small towns. Healthy food is the norm. As well as local wines. Children play outside much more than they do in the US and don't need to fear that they will be murdered in their school. Nobody is shot to death going about their daily business. Education is free or very low cost. All medical costs have been covered by the government. My meds are free. There are so many advantages.
Where do you live?
Where is it so unsafe in the US? i am just interested, have never been there...here you can walk all night outside as a woman and even sleep outside, Nothing negative will happen... even many people leave the keys for their houses in a flower pot or under the mat at the entrance....no unexpected person enters....😂
This constant fear difference is something I've noticed too, but people in the US in Canada never know what I mean. I think you don't notice the full extent of it until it's gone.
You are only right with health and education, with other things you are making a mistake, generalizing or exaggerating.
The National Health Service is on the verge of collapse and living in the UK I'd no picnic. 🇬🇧
Amazing video Nath. I’m Nigerian and when I move around from state to state within my country, I observe differences in food, language(we’ve got like 250 dialects), myths, cultures, traditions, music and stereotypes. We are all blacks but I see different “nations” in one country. Travel sure does open one’s mind and adds perspectives.
I'm interested in Nigerian cultural diversity. Where can I read more on it?
Greetings from India.
Respect from another brother ✊🏾
@@KitsGravity online I guess.
@@KjayVibes yeah, but can you give me some pointers as to what I should be looking out for? Any topics you'd recommend?
Well, that’s because African nations were for the most part just invented in the 19th and early 20th century by European colonizers drawing some arbitrary borders in Africa which didn’t really reflect any actual ethnic, tribal, or political orders that existed prior to European colonization, all just in order to somehow divide up Africa among themselves. Therefore, modern African nation states didn’t really form organically like most European nation states did and also only formed rather recently compared to some European nation states, like for example France.
Also, being the continent in which humans first evolved, Africa is by far the continent with the biggest genetic and ethnic diversity in the world. In fact, there’s more genetic variation among humans in just Africa alone than there is in the rest of the world combined which is a fact that never ceases to amaze me. I’m from Germany and it’s definitely not like all regions here are culturally homogenous either. Especially Bavarians feel like a very special bunch to all other Germans lol. But according to Google Nigeria is home to some 371 native ethnic groups. That’s definitely not something any European country can compete with.
I guess as a Frenchman, who lived in Canada, in England and in the US that what we call culture, in France in particular, is this intangible thing that has no commercial value. More exactly, something on which you cannot put a price. The most iconic moment in French literature that encompasses this idea is the madeleine de Proust. This feeling which comes from a scent, a sight or a taste that gives you a sense of identity. My grand-parents were of Italian origin, they came to France when they were eight, however their cuisine was infused with recipes from their childhood: pasta, gnocchis, capeleti, tortellli that they would prepare the morning before 6. We would take our breakfast with this fresh pasta drying on the table, and we knew that we would have a wonderful meal later on. Every time I go to Italy, this is what I have in my most deepest memory, the remembrance of these meals when I was so lucky to eat fresh Italian food. The real problem that Europeans have with American culture is not that Americans have no culture, but that any culture is bastardized by corporations. That you cannot escape prejudices or stereotypes because they sell. And as a Frenchman, some of these stereotypes were pretty cringy. I think that the first victims of this omnipresence of money and greed from these corporations are the Americans themselves.
This is a very good comment in my opinion, great insight! I hadn't thought about that aspect before, but now that you mention it it seems actually to be fairly accurate to my feelings about how and why US American 'culture' is not really seen as such.
Damn well said
Très bien dit
This would also explain why so many US americans are so adamant about not wanting social benefits like universal healthcare, like many european countries have. It's as if they enjoy the threadmill they are stuck in.
And from an inner european pov: I really envy the way italians celebrate family and the french seem to enjoy things with all their senses. I sometimes wish we germans wouldn't be so stuffy and closed off in our demeanor.
The United States - culturally speaking - is a shopping mall. ALL of it.
Nothing but strip malls, outlets, and fast food... everywhere.
I grew up in Europe (UK and Switzerland) and love it for the variety of languages, architecture, food etc. that you mention. I’ve also lived in the US for the last 30 years and value it greatly for its spaciousness, convenience, and economic and cultural vibrancy. If I was very wealthy (i.e. didn’t need to work) I’d probably choose to live in Europe for the richness of variety it has to offer, but as an ordinary person who needs a job, an affordable home, the conveniences that make raising a family easier, I’d choose the US. If I landed lower on the economic scale than I do, I might choose Europe for things like the “free” healthcare, hard to say. I’d try to sum it up by saying the US is a great place to live and Europe is a great place to visit, but it does come down to your lifestyle and what you value most day-to-day.
Help me if you can somehow, to get me out of this hell(my country). Half of my life is gone I also like you guys want to enjoy life. But somehow financially and technically can't get out. Any country can be a starting journey for me to move to the USA later. I can work and earn for myself. Plus I can never say no to you for any task all your housework. ( except touching the body I am asexual and extremely allergic to touching a human except shaking hands ) .. I have zero ego actually I don't even know ego.. here I am just taking care of a small family business. Don't say do hard work. You don't know the backstory, also twice I tried the illegal ways, lost money and could not make it too. Just bad luck
When I was 11 I began learning French at school and as soon as I heard it spoken I said that I would one day live in France. I won an art competition at 14 and said then that one day I would live in France again. I lived in a small village in Scotland, no where ! When I was 17 I attended university and at 18 I took my first trip to Paris and immediately felt at home, the lifestyle, the sitting and observing, the weather, the fashion. At 21 after getting my degree I moved to Paris and never looked back. I did move for three years to Brazil then China but came back as soon as possible to France and I now live in the South West of France, very different from cities like Paris but equally wonderful. I go to the famers market in my village, the baker for fresh bread and lovely cakes and I walk the dogs in the botanical park of the local 16 th century chateaux then wind around the river and back home for lunch. I wouldn't change a thing.
Wish I was there walking my dogs too. I’m a NewYork, American of French descent and have been seriously considering leaving here and moving to France permanently.
@@seviregis7441 It can seem like a big step if you see bounderies but as I never have it was easy. I know quite a few foreigners around me, mostly chateau owners who took the plunge. One lovely couple came over from Canada over a year ago, another Lady came from NY like you and another couple are chateau hunting from Australia. I used to live near another English family who bought and restored a chateau and now an old convent. I rent a huge old mansion that belongs to local notables and am slowly putting it right as it was unlived in for 20+ years. I love doing up old houses even if they don't belong to me, it gives me great pleasure. Good luck with your future decisions.
@@seviregis7441 first step!!! learn the language if you dont already speak it. save up and give it your best. you can do it.
it's so cliché.
@@TheFiown Hi Stephanie, you should use you skills to do up a place of your own !
As a French girl living in Canada and having lived in Mexico, each country has its own way of living. Europe is a continent, and living in France isn’t the same than living in Italy or Ireland for example 😊 and I guess living in Texas is wildly different from living in California as well haha
Quoi ? y'a pas de cowboys en Californie ? on m'aurait menti ? 🤔
how was mexico?
@@Sol-gl3nl i reckon dangerous haha
@@Sol-gl3nl good experience, but the cultural differences made it complicated to stay longer than i did 🙂
@@aurorem.3945 Can you tell me more about those cultural differences that made it more difficult to stay longer? I ask because Im interested in going to Mexico too.
My wife and I took six months and bought one way tickets around Europe. I had spent my whole adult life wondering if there was a better way to go about life, and Europe is a master class in it. Some days here, I feel like I’m taking a cheese grater to my lifespan, but Europeans understand and appreciate the simple things that make life good. We definitely have plenty we can learn.
I believe he meant he was taking a cheese grater to his life in the U.S.
@@dcrea9416 Sure, so as an American you can stay in the Schengen zone 90 days/180-day rolling period. If you travel to countries that don't participate (i.e. Croatia), it won't count against your 90 days. So, there are ways to bounce back and forth without overstaying.
I meant that the pace of life in the US sometimes feels unsustainable. We don't give ourselves as much margin; we aren't as protective of rest. It leaves you feeling that there's more to life. Whereas in Europe, I feel like there's more balance: the pace is slower, there's more value placed on spending time with friends and family regularly, there's more time to pursue interests outside of your career path. That sort of thing.
I agree ,, I live in europe and it’s amazing experience of wonderful and satisfying life..!
@@dcrea9416 Very cool. Germany was fascinating. From our limited experience, I feel like Germans were the most culturally similar to us: the work ethic, the car culture. I definitely didn't feel the culture shock as much there as say like southern Spain. That's cool you've got residency. I think I'd move in a heartbeat if I could.
US is a labor camp for most of the people and a paradise for greedy folks with big money who actually run the camp to grow their capital. This is a root cause that explains all the differences. I do not even know if it makes sense to compare the two systems.
this is the first video of yours I watch and without even talking about the content which is really cool, my favorite part is the shots of you talking, the angles you manage to find make it sooo much more interesting to watch! Thank you for your creativeness!
My wife, our 10 year old and I moved to Switzerland about 6 months ago for a work opportunity. We live in a small village about 40 min north of Geneva along the coastline. Many of your observations ring true to what I have observed since moving here. A comment I made to my wife last week when we were in Italy for a long weekend was "no one hangs out like a European". That wasn't a derogatory comment. I said it with a sense of appreciation. I have really enjoyed the 1.5 - 2 hour lunches (3+ hour dinners) with our new friends. Just getting together for a coffee and conversations. The appreciation for nature and just being outside and experiencing fresh air, wind, sun etc, is fantastic as well. The slowed pace of life has been really refreshing. As has the overall sense of "manners". In the US the idea of good manners has seemed to disappear. I'm thinking that that will be one of the biggest "reverse culture shocks" that I will experience when we move back home. As will the quality of food. I feel so much better here and we are eating so well. With a major reduction in sugar. Anyway, it's been great so far and I already know that I'll miss most of it when we move back.
Just curious if you think an introvert would do well in Europe? The constant chatting sounds like a nightmare to me. 😂
@@flutingaround An introvert would do very fine! Not all EU countries are so chatty and i would even describe many countries as "introverted". Switzerland tbh has a cliché overall of being a little cold in the beginning towards foreigners and it will take a longer time to form good friend- and relationships with locals.
@@flutingaround Europeans (in general, there are exceptions obviously) are less "small talk-y) than Americans. His "peach" vs "coconut" example is perfect. We've made some good friends quickly because of a unique situation that we've been put in. If we were completely on our own, I've heard stories of foreigners being very lonely after a year because they can't seem to make friends. I've discovered that life is what you make it. You want to be introverted and feel more comfortable not being social. Great, don't be. You are a social butterfly and need a lot of people around you? Cool, work towards that end. One of the big differences that I've noticed about living in Europe vs the US is how comfortable people in Europe are being by them selves. They drink coffee, eat meals, walk etc. alone. Much diff than in the US. You'd be fine I think
You also moved to Switzerland lol, the most prosperous nation in Europe. Perhaps not the best nation to take as a baseline for comparison.
Imagine myself, who grew up partially in the US, and raised partially by a European stepmother, eating with my knife in my right hand, and a fork in the left, at a corporate lunch event, with everyone clinking their forks and knife back and forth because they never bothered to hold the fork with the left hand. Now imagine these same uncultured barbarians of the new world talking with food in their mouths. Now imagine on one occasion one of the women had a spec of food fire out of her mouth while she was talking, laughing, and had her pie hole stuffed with food at the same time.
this is so so accurate. I just moved to Paris from Vancouver, Canada and never want to go back to the grind until you drop mentality. Europeans truly know how to enjoy life.
Would you mind telling me what's wrong with Vancouver?
@@Samezz69 i don't think they're saying there's something wrong with Vancouver but that they perhaps have a personal preference for the pace of life in Europe? Like Nathaniel said in the video, there's mostly trade-offs and no single country is the perfect package. So what one person may like about another country, another may not? sorry for jumping in all of a sudden.. of course if the commentator above feels that there are certain qualms they have with Vancouver, that would be an interesting discussion too :D
Yes it’s true I have many personal experiences … I love ❤️ europe culture
@@Samezz69 It's expensive; it rains a lot, although much less nowadays, but it's still very overcast; lots of homeless and drug addicts, and it's difficult making friends, esp. with native Vancouverites. Probably due to the American "grind until you drop dead" mentality OP mentioned. However, despite the odds, it's a great place to live, esp. if you love the outdoors. British Columbia's natural landscape takes your breath away. The city's also very cosmopolitan. Chinese and Indians are the biggest int'l demographic, but you meet people from all over the world, from all walks of life. The city's also very pedestrian-friendly and has an efficient public transport. You don't need a car to get around the city and the metro area, unlike most NA cities. You get pockets of shopping streets spread all over the city, which is rare for NA, even by Canadian standards.
@@Samezz69 Nothing is wrong with Vancouver. The highest quality of life city in North America.
I've lived in Europe for five years and recently moved to the US and I can totally vouch for the reverse cultural effect. I do find it easier to communicate in English here but I really miss the ease of making friends and having a general good vibe when going around any place in Europe. Like G Gold said below, "no one hangs around like the europeans". I would any day love to go back there.
I hope you find more good people here in the USA. Maybe you should try San Diego California.❤
@@glendavillegas6667 I hope so too Glenda :)
U.S. likes to retain its image as an advanced, sophisticated and multicultured country when in fact it is culturally tasteless in most parts. There are only a few cosmopolitan hotspots like D.C. or Boston but those areas are expensive and full of bad actors. I don't think it will last very long. World is crumbling
@@Punicia d.c cosmopolitan… boston??? You are one of those tasteless bad actors
Another guy that has a good life thanks to the greatest country in the world…AMERICA.
No go ahead and turn around and bute the hands that feed. You welcome nitin paul
What you’re doing is exactly what I want to do. After travelling I have so much knowledge. You’re editing is really good too btw
It's really wonderful to come across people who freely share valuable information online. You never know what kind of knowledge you might stumble upon that could have a lasting impact on your life.
Don't procrastinate when it comes to saving and investing. Don't wait for the perfect timing; start now because the current moment is the best time to invest.
What specific type of investment are you referring to? I'm aware that making money through investing is not as straightforward as it may appear.
Cryptocurrency trading appears to be quite lucrative. Despite the constantly changing nature of Bitcoin, it's evident that the cryptocurrency community is here to stay. John Joseph, you're doing an excellent job.
I apologize for interrupting, but I have been searching for assistance with this type of trading as my work consumes most of my time, leaving me with limited opportunities to focus on trading. How can I get to know him?
john joseph sabatier
After moving to France (from Texas) 30 years ago, I can honestly say that every day is a thrill, enriching, rewarding, intellectually stimulating. Even being lonely is more interesting in Europe, LOL. Every time I go back to TX for a visit, I'm shocked to see such an emphasis on sports, on religion, and TV. There're usually at least 2 or more TVs in every damn restaurant. Not the case here. Vive la France !
Everyone is religious.
@@leftwingersareweak Speak for yourself!
He means more people are religious in Europe than the US especially in Italy.
Religion in Europe is more of a private matter, with very little judgment. And never any mention of it in politics. My personal experience has been that if you're not Christian in the US, you get a lot of backlash, and quite often from people you don't know well. It's a pity, because Jesus' main message was not to judge. I know a few Christians who espouse and practice that idea and a LOT who don't. P.S. the majority of my Italian friends are atheist, even if their parents go to church occasionally. :-)
@@franchic9565 I mean France is the key country for Islamophobia, and sports is the biggest thing in Europe, but mainly football. If you live in France near the bigger cities you will see it, but if you live in the country side then yeah it will be pretty peaceful because French people stink.
European 20 years in NYC.
While life in the US can be dynamic and work relations more straightforward, now i definitely feel nostalgic for Europe, where I had backpacked for years when i lived in Milan.
In the USA now the class disparities are way more visible.
People tend to live more isolated. So many single family homes. Americans seem to be afraid of strangers.
Getting out of the city is much harder and more expensive from NYC.
Public transportation is very expensive, so is food. Many places seem the photocopy of any place. Nature is accessible mostly by driving to institutional state parks, with parking, access fees. Americans produce an incredible amount off un recyclable trash by ordering food, by having coffee in disposable cups, by using small plastic bottles and plastic utensils at home in many cases. The complaints about climate change and so on seem so hypocritical coming from people who waste so much and use so much energy for extreme air conditioning.
Many beaches and coastline are off limits, because privatized. Wealthy people can build homes right by the ocean and keep everyone out.
Some towns charge people $15 just to set foot on a public beach.
The same restaurant, shop, motels chains seem to be everywhere in every part of the country. It makes traveling in many places boring.
In Europe I could take a train out of the city for a few euros, get to a small town with old buildings, inexpensive and excellent bakeries, pastry shops, cafes. Find nature trails from the town itself and walk up the mountain without needing a car or being surrounded by no trespassing signs.
Also in the USA in many places they will give you a ticket and possibly arrest you if you swim when there are no life guards on duty.
It is the land of regulations and permits.
On one hand Europeans seem sometimes more set in their ways and less open than Americans, but life in Europe, how to spend your time off feels more free, democratic and carefree
So accurate 😢
Beautiful description
absolutely, I had a car parked on a street and got a ticket because of scheduled street sweepers, way too much regulation
@@DiceDecides there are street sweepers in other countries. That is not what I was referring to. Anyway I live in nyc and there is so much littering, that sweeping roadways is a necessity
Yep - nailed it. And I'm an American. 🙂
As Argentinian living in the US, i almost suffer depression with suburban life here. No kids playing on the streets or people walking around or something very typical in my country is simply sitting on the sidewalk with a couple chairs in the neighborhood or in the balcony / patio. I never see anyone playing on their yards despite they are huge, everything is souless and empty. I moved to a big city because it's the closest thing i could get- people still drive a lot here and are way lazier, but there's more foot traffic and people interacting with each other on the streets.
Yup welcome to America. We’re phones and TikTok and greed control everything here.
America used to be like that but not it’s a greedy place.
When you said there were no kids playing on the streets i just thought it might be due to the lack of safety and heavy presence of gun violence. Maybe I'm wrong, but i wouldn't feel comfortable to let my kid playing around (i do not live in the US)
There are definitely some dangerous neighborhoods where gun violence would keep you inside, but in 90% of cases in the US the reason kids don't play outside as much is because suburban areas just suck for going outside. You have to walk long distance and cars go fast even on roads they aren't supposed to because of the way they are designed. Parents are afraid of their kids getting run over or lost more than gun violence.
Wild to me you think it would be primarily caused by gun violence. I mean naturally the US has higher gun violence due to the availability of firearms as well as the prevalence of gang violence, but do you think it's like a war zone here? People aren't just shooting their guns everywhere they go, it's pretty rare to even hear a gun shot in public. I've never heard one outside of the shooting range or at a camp in the woods where shooting is naturally expected to be happening.
@@nicholasgiampetro782 What i meant is that the only thing that i can think of that would push me to not letting my kid playing outside, is guns, and that's because she didn't say where she lives. Also i know there are around 400 million guns in US but only 330 million people, which is a little shocking for me as italian (guns are legal here but highly regulated), even tho only 1/3 own personally a gun and half of the country doesn't have a gun in their house, which can be also shocking in its way.
But i can say that the thing that concerns me the most when i think of visiting the US is armed people walking around.
Anyway i still think US is a beatiful country and hope to visit, maybe work in, one day
In the 90s and early 00s, you'd see those yards filled all the time. All the neighbors would be out, kids having fun on their bikes, having a party, etc.
I’ve been living in Italy for the past four months and I’ve never felt more holistically happy and fulfilled by my everyday life. I feel a connection with where I am far more than I ever have in the US. I feel like I’m part of a whole. A whole that works to keep the whole. In the US, I feel like I am competing against everybody around me and that I must always keep my head above water.
I love Italy, too. I've been there twice and would love to live there. Happy for you!
As an Italian, it's nice to hear that, man👍. In which part of Italy are you living? I'm from Turin (north west, almost in France)
Well said. I just returned to USA from Poland, my first time there and aside from a trip to Ukraine over 20 years ago, my first solo European trip. I walked the city (Poznan) at all hours and never once felt in danger. Driving around with a friend, I didn't see the road rage that permeates our roads here. Of course, there's always someone in a hurry and inadvertently cuts you off, that's not exclusive to USA I know. But overall I sensed more, uh....sense lol. People knew how to conduct themselves. No Walmarts with people in pajamas fighting 🙄😆. And yes, the food tasted different. Better. Not just sugar and salt. I can't wait to go back, and discover more.
Italy is where i was burn and raised and if it wasn't for the economic situation I would be there right now . Cause it's really a good place to live if one has the money to live there
@@farsanehmir404 were you "burned" in Italy or simply "born"?
I just left Spain after being there for 3 months. In my opinion, Spain is by far way better than the US. Family over work, better food (Less poising & better tasting), better architecture, nicer people, better culture, less processed foods, overall better lifestyle over there. I'm really trying to leave the US. People who think the US is the best just need to go cross the ocean just once and experience somewhere different. Because it's so damn nice over there in Europe (Spain at least).
Spain is an amazing place. Southern Spain, the Andalusia region is magical. So is Greece. Something about the warmer weather and the food, and the warmth of the people.
The only thing the US has over Europe is the fact that it is way easier to get rich if you choose the correct state.
I see United States as a company, not really a country.
They don’t have their own culture, they have everything but nothing at the same time.
No cultural identity like old European countries.
Just a big pool of immigrants.
For 99% of the people, Europe is way superior in terms of quality of life.
I want to clarify that this is just my personal opinion, people can keep thinking United States is the best country in the world if that’s what makes them happy.
better culture?? genuine question, what about the culture makes it better than America's own?
@@friskytwox More family orientated, better food and better for you, Everything is based around your friends. Its really hard not to make friends over there. Everything is just more relaxed, unless you go to Barcelona. America is basically the exact opposite, in my opinion. We're very money orientated, have to move out at 18 according to Society, while most Spanish people live with their family for a long time. Then our food is discussing unless you go to whole foods and get food with no random chemicals. Just way of life is better. Ofcourse every country has its problems, but if you like slow paced living, spain is one option.
@@friskytwox Just about everything in most places are superior to American...
I grew up in Argentina where the culture is very much European. We hang out with friends any day at any time, treasure Sundays and vacation time, will sit at a cafe over coffee for 3+ hours.
I moved to the US 10 years ago, and I find that at the end of the day, life is what you make of it, and just like you said, observing different ways of living makes it possible for us to choose how we want to live. I still sit at a cafe for hours and read my book, I appreciate the customer service hotlines that will not have me waiting for 2-3 hours on hold, and the overall efficiency of this country, compared to Argentina where things hardly ever go right. I appreciate the train being on time and feeling safe on the street (compared to every day stress of pick pocketers, etc - of course I am aware that mass shootings occur often). I appreciate the stable-ish currency that allows me to save for my dreams without 150% inflation chewing it up.
Overall, I find that having been brought up in a European way, and not falling for the insane consumerism that takes place in the U.S, makes me lead a happy life in this country. I still enjoy my siesta time, and shop in an “inefficient” way 3-4 times a week haha.
Cheers! I really enjoyed your video😊
Mass shootings do not happen 'often'. They are stupid and should be eliminated but you are gulliible if you think they happen often. Drownings are a much bigger issue.
The US is not about insane consumerism. It is about whatever you want it to be. Be religious or not. Work long hours or not. You are thinking like a European by worrying about what other people are doing. Why are you doing that? Get and use your own brain.
The first positive comment about American life I've read so far... Life is what you make of it👏👏, bravo!
Where exactly are you living in the U.S? Just to be curious. Greetings from Argentina
@@nicolasrivero3027 I am in Denver. But I’ve also lived in West Virginia, San Diego, Virginia Beach, South lake Tahoe, Key West, and Alaska. I’ve been here for 10 years and I love it
@@Heymsbrightside alot of people have lots of freetime in those states in the US and can do exactly what you said about coffee and time and friends in the US
Except that there's shootings and killers everywhere not only the US
The US is actually a little bit better than European because the states has more freedom of being who you are and you don't have to be extra
I am from Oregon and have lived in Sabadell, Catalunya for 2 years. I actually found the exact opposite to your views on a lot of things. Back home, we spent a lot more time off, where as here we do everything in a very rushed way. Also, i find it a lot harder here to find quality groceries for some reason even though they make a lot of good produce. As a European and american citizen, my opinion is that if you like cities and being surrounded by people, live in Europe. If you prefer the outdoors, space, and farmland, move to the Americas. As you said, both have their good things, but i prefer the USA personally because i love being outside and adventuring.
Something you didn't mention is the design of the states/countries/cities themselves really has an impact on how people behave and live in them! European cities were designed centuries ago, when cars and hyper productivity weren't a thing. The US is mostly built for cars, for suburban sprawl and for everyone to have their own house in a chunk of land; with the exceptions of cities like NYC, Denver, Chicago, etc. which also coincidentally have a much higher density of culture and diverse communities taking place in them.
The US wasn’t built for cars. It was demolished for them. US city streets used to be very different. Cities had extensive streetcar systems but they tore them out for cars.
While yes, places made for humans not cars are just better, it's wrong to think the US was made for cars. All the cities were at one point made for humans, but Americans decided to tear these cities down (or just some neighbourhoods) to make their cities car-centric. It was a counscious choice that happened AFTER fully functional cities had already been built. And on the other end of the spectrum, one of the best-designed cities, Amsterdam, was very car centric not that long ago, but they decided to ditch that model, because they accepted it was terrible, and have endeavoured to change the city ever-since (the 70s). Americans just refuse to see any of this, it has nothing to do with the US being more recently colonised by Westerners, it's a recent choice.
Hi marta martinez
@@synthstatic9889 actually most of the pro walkable areas survived and the places that got demolished were peripheral
When i was in America for the first time i where in Wasington DC and me and my famliy ended up to walk along a Highway for 1km to get home since if we didn’t, we would have to walk 8km another way which 8 year old me and 7 year old sister couldn’t do since we already had walked 25km that day
Insightful video… as an Italian living in Canada for the last 40 years, I can relate to much of this. For me, what you find important in life is also a function of what stage you’re in: when I was young and starting my career, I felt Canada had more to offer, with fewer barriers and more opportunities. Now that I’m retired, I would love to stroll cities with more life, art, style, and leisure in Europe. Each offers different things, it’s a matter of choice and what matters to you that makes a big difference. I love them both for entirely different reasons.
Hows Canada ive heard the situation has gona worse there?
@driftlock98 which situation? We have issues with housing, homelessness, traffic, and it has gotten worse, and it will get worse. But if you enjoy nature, Canada has plenty to offer.
Ideally make your money in N. America, spend it in Europe.
Life keeps changing, and people usually underestimate how much change they will experience. Priorities do also chage, as people age
@@driftlock98 gotten worse? Based on what metric? What you value will dictate how you view a society.
I am originally from Puerto Rico. I have lived in the US, specifically in Miami and in NYC. Since 2009, I have lived between Madrid and Barcelona. I´ve been in Barcelona for the past 7 years. I would say that the quality of life is much better in Europe mainly as a result of a much better planned territory, meaning, better organized cities which are walkable and not designed for the car, but for people. The cities have a lot more public space where you can interact with citizens, and it is much safer than any US city I have lived in. Overall, the US is lagging quite behind as well in highspeed rail, which I use quite a lot here (I have even ditched my car), and in other matters such as universal healthcare and public education, Europe is on another level, as well as in food production and the quality of the produce. Finally, cost of life is a lot lower than in the US. People are in general more educated and sophisticated as well. I can say little more to be honest. I think that it is quite cleat.
I mean you Americans hate peurto ricans tbh. for good reason please dont come back!
It’s probably because the United States is just must bigger, cities are bigger and people have bigger houses and more space per person. So while Europe has more shared living the United States has more of a “own your own house” mentality
I wonder how different this comment would be if you lived in the Midwest or like Idaho or Utah or Arizona instead of big cities like NYC and Miami.
I’ve lived in both as well as Barcelona and they are all very different with different things I like and hate
But the one thing you said that I absolutely agree with is the cities designed for cars vs people. I absolutely loved being able to walk everywhere in Barcelona. Only time I was in a car was when I needed a cab in an emergency. But here at home
In Utah I need a car to take my dog for a walk in the park.
I hate it but I don’t know if it’s even possible to change it. It’s just too big. My childhood home is half a mile away from any other home. It would take way too long to walk anywhere. And the big city is 2 hour drive away.
It’s a fascinating difference and I miss the walking and the experiences I got from walking everywhere in Barcelona.
I lived in BCN for a year and the only reason I left was because I couldn't land a job. I'm from PR as well. Been in the US since 2015 and I can't wait to go back and stay in Europe. After reading your comment, I felt you were reading my mind.
I love your videos how you highlight drivers behind differences. Often it’s a matter of perspective. Neither is good or bad. It’s just different from the other.
Having lived overseas now for about 18 years I'd agree with you on almost every point. I find the corporate food chains in the US pretty soulless and unhealthy. Much prefer the variety and freshness of food in Europe. One thing I've struggled with is indeed the pace of work and life generally in Europe. I'm always the guy looking to make things more efficient, faster, more profitable and most people around me don't feel the same way about things. It's been a difficult adjustment for sure. One thing I do love about the US is the national parks and the open road trips I used to do. The price of gas (less taxed) made that possible. Whilst in the US, sure you can perhaps make more money, but it's difficult to assess whether the tradeoff in work/life balance is worth it. The sweet spot is working at a job that you absolutely love.
I feel you! People over here in Europe can be so stuck in their ways. At least here, in Hungary. It's so obvious that some things could be logical, but it's like there is a whole generation of gatekeepers that want everything the same way it was 50 years ago.
@@EmeseVidae have those here in the US too but to your point I think the internet has connected so much of the world’s younger generations and we’ve come to realize that yes there are differences in mindset (like the poster here indicates, in the US we are taught from kindergarten to learn how to work as a team and how to value teamwork and new ideas) and while other countries absolutely have people of such a mindset, in the US it’s a part of our cultural identity (the “United” part of our United States so to speak). And I really appreciate being able to get opinions from people of an age with me in Hungary, or the UK, or Germany, or Estonia. I really deeply value the connections we’ve all been able to make through the internet. Just common ground and understanding. Sharing our ideas and cultures and perspectives. I think THAT is the lasting imprint that the internet will have on humanity. But like any tool, those that want to us it for bad things will. We just have to stay 1 step ahead of those that fear knowledge and human societal discourse. Maybe I’m turning into a hippie 😂 but I do believe that the war in Ukraine has brought the younger generation together over common cause and belief. We’re remembering on a deep level what our grandparents/great grandparents post-WWII were trying to say when they said “never again”. Humanity will find our way through together through brotherhood (and sisterhood 😊) NOT through abject violence.
Edit: to add that Ukraine has had to suffer the burden of reminding all of us why we follow democratic laws and institutions - because the alternatives are proven worse. I wish peace to those in Ukraine as soon as possible ♥️♥️♥️
you should study industrial engineering those are the exact qualities industrial engineers have and do and there in demand aswell
@@Rhov9 you're so right! At least that's a worldview I wholeheartedly share. I'm truly hoping humanity wakes up to its own nonsense and makes the necessary changes. We could live in such a beautiful, peaceful world! Less greed, more working together!
@@huesenpaul1394 You're right about that. Too bad my schooling is pretty much behind me (finance degree and an MBA).
I moved from the US to Norway 9 years ago and it was such a world of difference. I now consider Norway home and the US as a place I often visit. I sometimes miss the friendliness of Americans, but overall I much prefer the culture here. Great video and I love that you've kept it non-judgemental. To each their own!
How did you move there?
really?
Velkommen tilbake Jenny!
Just be careful if you have children living in Europe. Scandinavian countries especially Norway are very dangerous countries for parents, their child protection services frequently steal kids from their parents for no reason. Look it up
"friendliness of Americans"
There, corrected it for you.
I am from the Czech Republic but lived in other European countries (Iceland currently). I can understand Slovakian, most of Polish and of course English and I also learn Spanish. It is fascinating to me that there are things I can only say in czech which would never translate into English while my Icelandic boyfriend can try to explain me the quirks of Icelandic and I will never fully understand that either until I get a deep understanding of Icelandic. When I started to get more fluent in Spanish I had a lot of "aha!" moments and I keep being surprised how nuanced Spanish is and how different it is from czech. Czech people are very straightforward, we separate our words and describe a lot while Spanish people do not separate words and it is okay for them to leave things unsaid if you can get them from the context. Having a teacher who is spanish (well Galician) but have lived in the Czech Republic for many years and is used to the mistakes that czechs make in spanish made me realise just how differently we use language to communicate. This is why it is so fascinating to me to learn new languages and immerse myself in different cultures.
I am from Romanian /Serbian origin and i understand Czech, polish, Russian, speak Italian almost as native, Spanish and English, knowledge in French and Portuguese
How different is the Slovak language from Czech?
Totally agree. I have the same experience in Ireland... took me a few years to get their slang or jokes ... their pub culture..
language is a behavioral habit ...
@@vandergruff if you want to as a czech person communicate with slovak person, you really dont need to learn anything and its the same for slovak people. You can just go to slovakia and youll understand 80-90%. Sure, there are words that arent similar, but these 2 languages are so similar, that it really doesnt play a big role. I watch slovak youtubers and i understand everything and its the same for slovak people. So not much different.
New language…..new world!!!
This was a really well done video, the viewpoints were really balanced and as an American I appreciate that. So many times I see videos about how great Europe is and how bad the United States is without ever delving into the good of the United States and the bad of Europe. You did this in a very well done and intelligent manner.
Agreed
I think the differences are incredibly well explained. I grew up in France and I’ve been leaving in the US for the past 7 years, and it reflects so much of my own experience. I always like to say no matter where I leave there will always be a part of me that will be missing where I’m not.
Living*
Hope you are having good experiences in the US.
Moved to England from Canada in my 20s and was immediately struck by how isolated we are in our cultural and informational bubble. I thought the world kind of started and ended in North America but found the entire rest of the world was doing its own thing without us and there was just so much more going in on in the world than I could have imagined. Truly an eye opening experience.
That’s the same as most Americans think. Welcome to the REST of the world.
Especially funny to hear it from Canadian. Cause in the rest of the World Canada is considered a quite a meaningless country without any real impact on the world.
@@arnolddavies6734everyone is in their own bubble. The canadian bubble, american, mexican, french. Everyone is in their own bubble
@@arnolddavies6734as a Nigerian, everyone is in their own bubble not just Americans sure we are exposed to American culture because of their media and art but it's not something we live
I'm moving to London in Oct haha I have tried to open myself to UK culture, but you can't really experience that until you're there in person! I can't wait to leave the US, hopefully never to return!
I have lived 10 years in Europe (8 in Germany +2 in UK) and I am in the US (California) since 1987. Is life better in the US or Europe? This is not the correct question. One has to bring in the race of the person who is living there, in question. The life in Europe or the US as a white, black or brown will be completely different. And this difference increases as you age. Your acceptance in society as a student in your 20s will be different from that of a worker in his 40s or 50s.
that’s very true!
As an american living most of the year in Europe, Europe is way more racist than the US in my personal experience. The things I have heard said in Europe, I have never heard said in the US, and this is often by your well educated proper European profiles. The thing is no one talks about race in Europe but its the elephant in the room in places like France, Spain, and Italy.
Attractive people have a better time too.
@@jaredpolitesplease explain. I’ve had the opposite experience
@@jaredpolites that's not true
And is a pleasure listen to you bro! Keep working you’re a genius
When I moved to the UK, the thing that most surprised me was how I instantly recieved 30 days of vacation when I started my first job.
Summer vacation? I guess you did not had a choice?
@@gerardtony4352 30 days of paid leave, I should say.
@@gerardtony4352 Nah, in most european countries about 30 days of vacation you can take whenever you want (you can even postpone it to some extend to the following year if you want), is pretty much standard (even though legally, you could get away with some less days). Also, if you are sick, you are sick, that does not reduce your vacation days (in Germany, if you're sick in your vacation, these days of sickness aren't vacation days any more, too). And of course, you'll get paid whether your are sick or in vacation.
Usually, you'll also get reminders from your employer if you haven't taken all you vacation days to take them at some point (so it's really 30 days of vacations, not take less of them even if you are going into career mode).
In the southern part of Europe, where it's very hot, there are some weeks in the year, where almost everything is shut down and almost everyone is in vacation, but not sure how this works with the vacation days.
Paid vacation
@@rexduffy7881yes.
I live in Utah, and the farthest I’ve ever been is Wisconsin, that is until last month. I traveled outside of the US for the first time, and went to Japan! It was the most incredible experience. Experiencing a different culture, the way that they travel around by train, and that’s the default, that you don’t have to tip at restaurants, the way that they move throughout spaces is so different and refreshing. I already had the notion that I didn’t think the US was the best country in the world, but visiting there, completely affirmed it. Of course, there’s always gives and takes, but at the end of the day anyone claiming they are the best is clearly ignorant. I am so excited to continue traveling to new places.
There are definitely pros and cons in every country out there, and the idea of "the best" country is purely subjective and up to the lifestyle and preferences of the individual. If one genuinely thinks they live in the best country on Earth, they are definitely just a victim of propaganda (and its not only americans who are guilty of this).
@@vladutzuli OK but..... E.g. Scandinavian countries ARE literally the best countries on earth by every metric so.... 🤷🏼♂️🤷🏼♂️
@@vladutzuli sßssxszszßß
Why Japan!? 😦
Japan’s really really cool, but they have an incredible set of problems that most Americans don’t realize until they live there. They feel quite the same amazement and wonder when they come from Japan over to the US because everything feels so different. I think there’s also probably quite a strong reason a lot more Japanese people move to the US than the other way around (despite them having 1/3 the population). I think humans just gravitate towards things that are new and feel refreshing even if it may not actually be better. My sister recently went to Brazil and she was telling me how good-looking and kind everyone was there and how bland and boring everyone at home seemed in comparison, but was shocked to find out that one of her new Brazilian friends thought the exact same thing of Americans when she visited the US 😂
I was born in South America, moved to the States at 8, then married a Nordic and moved to Finland at 23, and have been living here for 8 years. 2 of those years, we lived in southern Spain. I give this preface because I feel like I’ve had a comprehensive feel of how these countries’ culture function, how I feel as an individual, and how they view downtime. Spain definitely takes the cake on leisure time! They know how to take it easy. They aren’t overly ambitious to make money, they’re content with life being simple and beautiful. Finland definitely makes leisurely time a priority, although they do believe financial stability is basic - more of a “work hard, play hard” (insert mökki life and sauna). Now America… yeah, living life here now, I’d probably have a mental breakdown re-entering the American work culture.
I keep seeing this life is beautiful take it slow thing about Spain. You're misinterpreting it
It's despair that things will never change. Why would I give my 120% when I'm going to get the same salary at the end of the day. The reward for a hard day of work is another day of probably harder work, why try?
@@metaphysicalfuck at least they recognize there's no reward in overworking yourself. You think americans are fairly rewarded for sacrificing their lives for their job? Most of them live paycheck to paycheck. Ignore the movies that show you pple living the grand life on a high paying corporate job. Those are exceptions and you can find those exceptions in spain too.
It depends. For example I live in Spain but in the north. Here, the work culture is different than in the south.
I have a mental breakdown every Wednesday. To clarify, that is the beginning of my work week where I begin my five days of struggle to make someone else rich and buy my family another week of survival
• Millionaires by Country 2023
The United States of America
In 2019, 587,000 people joined the millionaires club. The USA has long been the land of the "American Dream" where a person can rock up with nothing and work until they have a fortune.
Many in the USA have made their fortunes from oil, engineering, and international trade. The computer boom of the last 40 years has also provided more than a few millionaires.
Japan
It might surprise you that Japan hosts the second largest number of millionaires. According to some reports, there are over 3.39 millionaires. Japan is often known as the technology capital of the world. They have created many millionaires by investing in automotive and electronics technology.
Germany
While Germany is famous as a country with a strong economy and excellent engineering pedigree, did you know it had so many millionaires?
Europes largest economy reportedly hosts over 400,000 millionaires. Germany excels in four main industries:
• Automotive
• Mechanical engineering
• Chemical
• Electrical industries
• Likely you can immediately think of well-known brands such as Audi, Siemens, and other companies that are world leaders in these areas.
China
China has created a manufacturing industry of unprecedented proportions and invested in methods of shipping their wares around the world. They leverage their high workforce, sourced from their high population, to do this.
As a result, entrepreneurs and business leaders have reaped the benefits. There are 4.4 million millionaires in China according to recent reports
China has become known as the "World's Factory", however, will they continue to be so? Will other high population countries such as India and Indonesia start to take their market share? Only time will tell.
Source: worldpopulationreview
The U.S. has the most millionaires.
As an American, ive never been to Europe til earlier this year (2024 for those who see this years later lol) and just the history and culture made me fall in love & then I went back home to the states & wanted to experience that again, but its so limited because the US is a newer country than those in Europe, the US is more focused for the future, but Europe was focused on what the past & future, seeing a nice modern building & then a building from like 72 AD like a drive away, its just amazing, makes me wanna move there, thats my current goal to move somewhere out in Europe
What country did you visit?
That sounds so amazing I still don’t like how Europeans clown us for not knowing geography but they don’t know that public schools don’t teach it as heavily as countries in Europe does. I actually have to take time out of my day to learn it without people who are qualified to teach it now saying it isn’t enjoyable it is, but people in Europe don’t realize how large our country is that we don’t have to learn about any surrounding country unless we want to. Like I would love to learn it in school but other people don’t want to. We can’t learn about something by a professional unless the people who want to learn it are the majority not the minority you know?
@@Eelainer Italy & England, planning to go to Switzerland soon
@@HeyImTodd yeah, sadly theres alot of Americans who don’t care to ever leave the country too, in one side I get it because this country is so massive you can go and visit every state and spend years exploring, but after some time its like its the same country, at least with Europe a drive away your in a french speaking country and then near by is a German city, just more interesting
And yet at the end of the day, far more Europeans move to America than vice versa. Self hating Americans are so cringe.
I left Canada for Italy since the pandemic. In Italy I have really found the beauty of a slower pace, enjoying food and company, and way less of a consumer mentality. Less pressure on having the latest gadgets.
Most Italians are broke
But the opposite is that in Italy for example everything is more chaotic, infrastructure and houses are in a bad shape, old cars, less work, etc. But indeed beautifull country, nice weather, good food.
@A. M. Milan is a bad example, most modern city of Italy. I've been in the North and south and its a huge difference. From Firenze southwards quality of infrastructure etc is going downwards every 100km.
I love Italy, and many of the other parts of Europe I've visited, but I must say that you can easily dodge the pressure of having gadgets and etc in the US. Just stop caring what other people think of you. Not difficult.
I moved to France last year from Canada. I also lived in Ireland for over a year. It is great being able to walk a few minutes to a bakery or a grocery store. Buying daily is way better, so that you don't buy something and watch it die.
I live 5 walking minutes from the grocery store here. Every other day my wife, daughter and I set aside half an hour to go there and buy groceries for the next few days. My daughter loves it because she gets to walk inbetween us holding our hands. I guess that will change once she becomes a teenager, but for now, I wouldn't miss it for anything in the world.
No cars involved btw. I work from home and my wife has a company car we can use if we really need to. We save SO ridiculously much money we can instead use to make our lives better and plan for the future of our daughter...
There's absolutely nothing that would ever get me to become a "Walmart person" who owns an F-150 and buys grocieries in bulk, then watches half of them wither away while cursing taxes and socialism for their lack of money.
Hows the water? I know climate is better in France
@@SeeWonderHaveLiveThe weather is pretty moderate here in France. In winter, it typically goes between 5 to -5 °C (41 °F to 23°F), and in summer it typically goes between 25°C and 35°C (77°F to 95°F), of course it depends in the region. It tends to be way hotter in the south, sometimes reaching temperatures over 40°C (104°F), but it is mostly what I said earlier. We don’t really have extreme temperatures there.
Or die because someone shot you with his AR15 because he thought you were looking the part..
Yeah. To me one of the worst things in US, that you can't just walk somewhere. You need to use a car everywhere
European living in the US for 6 years. I agree the US is the land of ambition and innovation. If you want to become great in what you do come here. However, the US way of life is not compatible with happiness in the long run. You are always on the run, chasing something. I loved how you put it, that “fear of stopping”. I am grateful for the training I received and the things I learned here but I look forward to be done and move back home in a few years. Living in the States made me appreciate home even more.
Idk, as an American who has lived in Europe for five nonconsecutive years I have felt the opposite. I need the speed a bit. Part of me wonders if this is that we are both foreigners with less of an immediate community. The impression I get with family friends that are European is a lack of closeness relative to the US.
This is reflected in happiness statistics usually showing the US with a slightly above average happiness rating. Especially in "feeling loved". Right now we are rated as just better than France, Italy, the UK and others, and Equal to Ireland and Germany, but below the Nordics.
@@spartanparty3894 This is just some studys men. I have lived in Paris for almost 24 years and, I'm now in Montreal. Yes people seems more happy but seems less sensitive, less emotional than french people. It is challenging for me to create true Friendship. As you mention the Nordics, this countrys they got high suicide rates. So, many ways of living : you need to choose which one is the best for you.
@@guillaumelebouvier3222 Yep!
@@spartanparty3894 because you probably went to Europe for work
@@antyx1 Its not about workload anything. I have lived and traveled in Europe as a tourist so I think I got both perspectives.
As someone who’s attempted to do TH-cam, I’m blown away by the amount of quality and work in this production.
Hey man, I think this is so spot on. I have lived on and off in Europe and New York. I am from New York and now I have finally decided to just leave New York to Europe once again because I feel that a fundamental difference between Europe (south western in particular) and the US is that europeans value mental health and happiness and are taught this SKILL at a young age, whereas Americans think it is secondary and value a more brazen mindset. I also think that having lived in NYC, I can say that I have NEVER seen a place with a more open display of severe mental illness and people seem to have a grim look throughout the day. I used to think this was merely my perspective as a kid growing up here, but my eyes opened once I left. I think that in Europe I feel lighter, less suffocated by polarizing politics, and people look at you as human and not as a sort of mannequin adorned with with brag-tags. I have lived in Spain, and Italy, and even though economically they are not as relevant as the US, I think the daily quality of life for a middle-class European is often what what most Americans save up to experience only a a few times a year on vacation. Now don't get me wrong, there are many great things about America- we a country of builders, hustlers, and leaders...but at the end of the day, how enjoyable is that? Anyways , keep up the great work man. Maybe I'll see you randomly on a street in Paris and say hello.
I think your reasoning could be why, there are so many mental health, self help gurus, positive living, channels/books coming out of America. I lived in the US years back and met wonderful people and the geography of the country is magnificent and beautiful but I felt there was more of a focus on the self, money and politics rather than on others and community. I did experience an orthodox community in an east coast city and felt right at home as their sense of family and togetherness was lovely 😊
Europe doesn't really value mental health that much ....
They just don't value others emotions and think in a logical and no life besides money and work kinda of thing and a little bit more racism towards Africa than America
America is a more of a free country and America is the reason why some European countries are open minded today
I agree on everything you wrote. I chose to live in southern EU after trying a few times the U.S. which I will continue to love but here I personally experience many small things that create quality days. Going for a walk and an espresso and randomly having nice chats with calm kind people is worth a lot in my view. No place is perfect.
Your thoughts are interesting. I used to work and live in Paris and had the same exact thoughts about Parisians having a grim or sad look on their faces in the subway going to work or even during the weekends. I felt suffocated by the negativity from medias, politics, and constant debates between people over a drink. I'm not the only one who got this feeling, I have multiple friends wanting to leave Paris for another country and have a fresh start. I'm now in NY, it's similar to Paris but I feel good energy and more positivity here compared to Paris.
Really good comment. I just want to add that most of my friends who lived any significant amount of time in NYC became angry and deeply unhappy. I am guessing à human is not meant to live in such an overcrowded and fast-paced way. I live in Washington, DC suburb now and i love visiting NYC for a weekend but feel like a bunch of anxious energy is leaving my body as soon as i return home to DC. I think NYC is just mentally draining for most people. I Hope you enjoy your new life in Europe!
As an American I really love this video. Normally I’m used to people dunking on the US but you gave a very thoughtful and unique perspective. I’m from the Midwest that lives in a above average small town. Will say the culture is very different compared to the coasts.
Can you elaborate more?
@shane7048 yeah pretty much; also wanted to say come to the Midwest. and experience here
absolutely. people who say the US sucks always just look at the worst parts of the country, which are usually major cities like Atlanta, NY, LA, etc. the US is not as bad as everyone makes it out to be, and yeah i wouldnt say its the greatest country in the world and definitely has glaring issues both politically and socially, but i dont think people realize that the majority of the US is really peaceful, slow-paced, community driven, and extremely beautiful. the country is just so big that of course it gets roped in with all the bad stuff that happens within it. i live in a small southern town and you'd think we'd be the most backwards, racist, anti community but everyone is just so nice and crime rarely happens around here and thats how it is in a lot of places.
@@r.8902 Their are places in & around Atlanta that are pretty nice.
They are typically small little bubbles.
About the size of 1 to 3 blocks.
However they do exist!
The particular neighborhood matters the most!
@@r.8902 nah NYC is good
I am a cuban man living in Miami,who visits Italy every year for a month,and I can say I have never felt more at home than when I am in the Old World.
Which part of Italy do you visit?
Benvenuto in Italia ❤❤
Non a caso siamo il Bel Paese
@@maria-212 I have been in a few places.Liguria,Emilia Romagna,Puglia,Campania and its islands,a few times in Matera in Basilicata and other places I will omit for the sake of being consice.
... pues quédate allá ... para mi como Miami no hay ná ... !!!
I love your appreciative attitude. So refreshing!
Proximity to what you love is important. As a 73 yo in the US, I have worked every year of my life (except one, and until retirement) since my teen days. Getting to see major music events in NYC is difficult and expensive if you don’t live in NYC. Contrasted, I spent one year in Vienna (1971-72) as a graduate music student on fellowship. I went to school, practiced, and walked two blocks to the strassebahn to see over 50 operas at the Vienna Staatsoper and over 50 concerts in the Musikverein. All in standing room. I could not replicate this musical year in the US. Thus, the one year in Vienna was an important highlight of my life and I sometimes wish that I could have lived, studied, and worked many more years in Europe. 😊
Go back to Europe, John! You deserve it!!
Gruß aus Österreich! Schön, dass es Dir so gefallen hat! 🙂💯❤
Everything you claim is simply based on your perception of what is "better" for your desires and needs. You seriously think that you need to live in NYC in the U.S. to see "major music events" ? What does that mean? I think you are only referring to a very particular type of music that you enjoy. It's certainly not true if you want to see rock,pop,hip hop, country, jazz, country music, etc, in the U.S. and so many of those events that I have been to are FREE.
The line that you said about European countries not having to travel long to see a different culture or people reminded me of what I did recently. I met a few people in a video game I play and after knowing each other for around 2 years, there was a concert in Amsterdam that we all wanted to go to. In the end we decided who was going to go and we all met up in Amsterdam and stayed in the same apartment for a week. We had a lot of different nationalities: 2 were from the UK, 3 were from The Netherlands but from different parts, 1 was from Germany and 1 was from Cyprus. It was fascinating talking to everyone not only about our common interests but also about the culture and habits of each country. This, I think, is something the US is lacking.
If you live in Toronto seeing a different culture is literally just making a friend. This is where this guy is just so off the rails. Because he didn't do it, it doesn't exist.
@@dixonhill1108 he is talking about the US, not Toronto (which I live in btw, and visit europe very frequently). I agree with his point that even if US is diverse, its still the US, and they lack the very historical/deep differences that make Europe a very enticing culture and place. Where US is mired in differences due to culture, race, ethnicity - Europe has drawn lines around that for sure, but also celebrated it vivaciously and with gusto. Perhaps it is because the US is still "finding its ways", even as a superpower, but Europe has done that many times over the last few thousand years, and it just comes down to people want to be people.
Your work is everything for you. Pajama shopping is weird in other places, not in the US. Eating is a big deal and eat anywhere in car, train or walking down. And yes knowledge of geography is actually very bad even in school/college children. World events don't affect thinking and talking. Living anywhere in the US is pretty similar to all other places in the country.
This is the same for Australia. I feel so isolated, and culturally homogeneous.
@@joshdelsignore251 Lots of pockets of the US have diverse cultures. Not to mention pockets with traditions going back 200-300 years. Guy is playing the game of Comparing America to Europe, instead of America to one country in Europe. Cuba-Quebec-Mexico all have their own unique diverse parts. If I had to choose between France and America, I would say they're evenly matched at worst.
6:50 Halloween is from Celtic orgin.
And Hotdogs are from German origin. Just as Hamburgers.
And cowboys are from Spanish origin.
Yeh they just claimed everyone else's culture through immigrants
was looking for this comment :)) it's funny most americans don't know this
Pizza is Southern Italian.
The Americans steal and then say they created it
@@kathleenhensley5951As an Itlian, I find it concerning that someone had to specify it just because of dumb Americans that believe that pizza was from New York😅
I've watched about 5 of your videos today and-WOW, you do a great job. Obviously you have terrific story telling skills, but your pieces are really enlivened by your editing, creative framing of shots, use of b-roll. Congrats, and thanks for the great stories.
I am on my first trip ever to Europe right now, and although I don't understand the languages very well and have limited time, I am already learning things. Especially, gaining a new more realistic perspective of my life in America. I particularly resonated with the part about hustle culture and ambition. In the states, I always felt so useless for not being full of drive and ambition, not having big career goals, not figuring myself out at a young age and moving on fast.
I come here and find others relaxed and casual when they hear about where my life is at and how I am still figuring myself out and exploring.
Wheras in America it would have gone into a lecture about how I should work harder or jump into something big before I'm ready.
Somehow I feel more free to make my own choices and explore more options now that I have seen multiple sides to the story of mankind... realizing no one culture has all the answers, means I am free to make my own too.
it is very easy to live life in EU with an American salary, try it the other way around. Productivity is way higher in the US than in EU. Even comparing Germany and US. Engineers in Germany would make half the money of engineers in the US. it's not all about the money, but it's a big part of it. so yeah the USA is still #1 overall. Brush off the peer pressure of having to slave away for your boss and be your own boss. Life is beautiful that way!
@@chartedtravel1776 i work 35 hours, have 35 paid days off, earn around 90k and spend like 700 on rent.I don´t pay for health insurance, i´ll also get a pension when i get old, if i lose my job i will get 70% of my salary for the next two years while looking for a new job, free education, cheap as hell public transportazion and amazing and cheap food culture. You eanr more, but still live pycheck by paycheck for most of the time.
@@Marco-tb1uj I hope your 90k after taxes which you never mentioned
@@Marco-tb1uj I make 225 before bonuses and taxes(which a way lower then yours because I don’t have to subsidize my neighbors life choices for the most part until dems took over), unlimited vacation, remote work, best healthcare in the world, I could spend $700on rent if I wished but I chose to live on the ocean in the house, drive any car I want , because I have no desire to spend hours on public transport with random strangers I have no desire to associate with, public transport is free because no one ever checks if you purchased a bus tickets, hell they deem it inappropriate to do so, amazing food culture from all over the world comes here, I make enough money to have my own pension and not depend on my neighbors subsidizing my life choices, i carry a gun to protect myself and my family,I could go on and on but you get the point
@@chartedtravel1776 90k before taxes but without bonuses which are taxed in a different way and i nevr include in the total (which would be aroun 110k i guess).
You have unlimited unpaid vacation, spell it right. While i have 35 paid day. I still want to understand where the best healthcare come from... USA is 46th for life expectancy.
Public transport is free because no one checks? Are you serious? It´s like saying i could be a billionaries if i just went and robbed a bank.
I pay 49 euros each month and can literally travel around all of germany by train. Recently we are using it to go clubbing in other cities like ulm and munich.
I also have a car, a shitty one. I´m 30 and am focusing on investing.
Also my 700 euros rent is a 70 square meter house with annexed garden.
Recently i broke my leg and had to get surgery, did you know how much i paid? 0 euros. My dentist? 0 euros. If i want to send my children to school? 0 euros again.
And by the waay, how much do you work? 35 hours?
I haven’t lived in the US, but I have been there, I have worked for an American company and I have also lived in 4 different countries across Europe, and I can say that I love way more European way of life than the American one. Life in US is about work. Work in Europe is a part of your life, an important one, but just one part of your life.
Except if you are black, you don't experience work life balance in Europe. You need to work 100x to get a slight opportunity. As a black person, you may even have BSc, MSc and PhD from an European country but still not be given an internship opportunity...you end up wasting your life. So in my opinion, America is well suited for African immigrants....
@@mylifeisinhishandsamen4167 Racism in europe like in the US will truly depend on which state/country you are in. The system discriminate poor immigrants (any immigrants). If you are wealthy, educated you will get an equal chance in our society. Most of the african immigrants coming in europe and mostly in western europe are poor. You can see a lot of african elites in the biggest european universities and after getting very prestigious jobs.
@@alganis3339 I currently attend one of the top 2 business schools in the European country where I live. Also, you are not sincere by saying that the same fate that Africans experience in Europe is the same as the fate they experience in America if they are poor. All my friends who couldn't get anything apart from cleaning jobs are now in North America working for Samsung, Deloitte, Microsoft etc. When Europeans see an African, they automatically think he or she is dumb and cannot even do simple arithmetic like 2+2.
By the way, those African elites you mentioned are those whose parents steal and keep the money in European banks. Europe aids thieves!
@@mylifeisinhishandsamen4167So in this case you should also know that we had black congressmen in 1800 in France and also in most of western europe we had creoles for a very long time.
I'm not saying that our european society is fully fair to all and on the contrary I'm saying it isn't. I'm just saying that the question of color is less important (contrary to the US) than the question of wealth and most of the new immigrants are people from color so there is de facto a discrimination against them. If you are accept in Polytechnique, ENA or the big business school like HEC, ESCP you can get anywhere you want after. But only people who can have a very good education can access to this kind of universities.
It's your opinion thinking that white europeans are going to think that but first europeans aren't all white (again it's a very american pov to think that so i dont know if you are but we don't think like that here in western europe).
Also it's true that most of the very wealthy africans elites were before children of dictators etc but now that a lot of subsaharan countries are getting wealthy it's not the case. You can see quite a lot of wealthy people especially in the new generation coming from cities like Abidjan or Dakar.
It's because European countries especially prefer giving jobs to their own citizens... I'm nothing to do with your skin color.
Small towns in the US (at least in my area of the US) are having a resurgence! Small family owned restaurants, improved parks, events downtown. Not to mention, people know each other in small towns :)
What part of the United States are you in, approximately?
@@enjoyslearningandtravel7957 Southeast!
@@benbojammin I’m glad family restaurants are having resurgence instead of just having chains everywhere :)
@@enjoyslearningandtravel7957 Me too! Of course, those fast-food chains are inescapable in the US, but I've been presently surprised every time I go back to my hometown. Every time I go back, I go to a small family owned restaurant for brunch. I get crepes and a latte (and other times, more local southern dishes). And after that, I walk over to the local bookstore that's been in my hometown longer than I've been alive. Sometimes, I'll take the book I bought and read it on a bench at the local park. Seems like a pretty great experience to me :)
In the Midwest/Great Lakes region too. It’s nice to see. I guess Amazon killing the malls had a good effect?
I (an American) went abroad to New Zealand for an extended amount of time (super greatful of that opportunity I was provided) and my entire world expanded. So many things i thought of as normal suddenly were just not present, and i was shocked. And NZ does have a fair amount of American influence, but very refreshing and eye opening to me.
I feel like the UK and Germany aren’t very much represented here, especially when talking about efficiency, work and food culture 😅 in that aspect we’re definitely not as romantic about our lifestyles as for example southern Europe. Scandinavia also has its very own cultural expressions when it comes to that as they are neither Laisser-faire nor extreme capitalists 💭 but of course I understand that this video is based on your experiences🙌🏻
This is bang on! Southern Europe has a completely different feel. The Germanic Countries especially Germany and England are much quicker in pace
the UK and USA are very close, to have corrupt politicians and their great distance to real live of normal people!
They are more faster paced but they still don’t compare to how fast paced the US can be. Like he mentioned we get little vacation (like 10-15 PTO) and often work through our lunches. Those are both things that I don’t imagine are common in the UK and Germany
to be fair, Sweden it's extremly capitalistic, more than US
@@sofiadeambrosi6229 Those are things that are illegal in Germany.
Totally agree, one thing though, in the "rush of the US" and "taking your time of Europe" comparison, i feel like you are referring more to southern Europe. Both Belgium, as well as Germany or parts of Scandinavia also really tend to focus on efficiency and productivity and therefore also create that sense of rush, i feel like
But that's nothing compared to US, from what I heard. At least in Germany paid vacations are the norm, and are a right for every worker, no one feels bad for taking days off and no one feels that they have to work when sick in order to keep their job.
Actually, contrary to stereotypes, Spanish people work more hours and suffer more stress and burnout than our German counterparts, check the stats
Also the UK to an extent. As a Londoner, we are definitely closer to the american style of thinking about work and careers, but thankfully with the crucial distinction of really taking our holiday time seriously and not allowing employers to get in the way of that.
In the Netherlands it is also normal to eat while walking or biking even, eating fast is quite normal, we don't have the extensive eating culture
Yes, London too
Exactly, I'm Spanish, I have lived in UK for 5 years. Spent some months in Iceland and nextly to Germany. Every country, with people, language, food, costumes, styles, architecture, parties, culture or even the human behaviour is completely different from one country to another. You can visit few days, but you aren't allowed to deep understanding this country, and their people. You can get proximity by spending a long time living there, speaking the language and meet a lot of native people. And most important, you aren't going to be shot, and you can visit hospitals for free.
Such an insightful breakdown of the pros and cons! It’s fascinating how 'quality of life' can mean different things on each side of the Atlantic. This video really got me reflecting on what 'better' actually means. Thanks for tackling this big question so honestly!
I've always since I was younger, probably 12, wanted to move to Europe. I've always been fascinated with the cultures and life styles. Now I'm 22 and I'm almost ready to travel it at least and get a feel for it. This video makes me even more excited. My debts from college and other things are nearly completely gone, and them I'm off. This is so cool.
Congrats and I loved to perceive the passion in your words ❤ but unintendedly you already revealed a big difference to what I have experienced when I left university (college) back then ... without debts as education was (still is?) free in Germany (e.g.) and I could start my professional life in relative financial stability. But again, that applied for Germany in my case and there are way poorer places in Europe where people have to struggle a lot to get ahead in their lives ...
how did you get your depts paid off so quick? Im trying to move to europe at 22 or for college too :)
having travelled much, Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Berlin, and London are easy to work for 1st time travelers.
If you go to Barcelona, they do not start partying until 12 AM. The hostel system is good and a good place to meet people from all over. Good luck and enjoy!
@@robertplant2059 good to know! Thank you!
I hope you love it!! I also, being 23, Have had the same dream🤍
I lived in Europe for 6 months a few years ago when I was 22, and wow was it a shocker being an American. I fell in love with the way of life of the people in France, Germany, and Spain. It is truly something you need to experience for yourself to really understand, but just being in a French or Spanish town, the energy, people and atmosphere is so relaxed. People enjoy themselves, you can just feel people are really enjoying their life over there compared to the rushed frantic feeling of any major city in the US where people are always stressed and mental health is just outwardly terrible in many people you encounter. I'm really longing to go back, Europe is such a magical place in comparison. The architecture, the outlook on life, the food, and emphasis on conversation that seems very evident in every European country I've visited is just amazing. I need to go back!
The US was built by Europeans. Several European countries raced to conquer the land and claim it for themselves. Europeans killed or enslaved everything and everyone living there and when that wasn't enough yet, they imported manpower by force to further help them to further their goals and purposes. That is where this "anything goes" spirit came from as well as the "we are the greatest" theme. Because really, anything was possible against any objections. It was something totally new. In Europe you had powers fall and rise over thousands of years. In the US, Europeans didn't really face meaningful objections, they just steamrolled through the continent with unquestioned and unparalleled force and brutality. You have to understand this history at least a little bit to be able to understand the US I believe. It was Europeans being unleashed, all if a sudden not having to deal with their European neighbors, no need to ask anyone for anything. You just do what you want, keep your private army at your side to smash all objections and keep rolling. If you understand that, Europeans will have an easier time understanding Americans. Sometimes people think the US is an old country. It is not, and we tend to forget that little factor. The US patriotism, feel of entitlement, and island nation mentality has its roots right there. The results justified all means was the bread and butter for the American colonies for close to 300 years. There is a reason why almost all US citizens are European descent. Because we the European killed everyone else. Go ahead, just ask the natives in their tiny reservations.
Anyways, I guess all I'm saying is that to understand or even appreciate the US, you have to scratch the surface a little more, put the time in to dig a little bit deeper. And if you do, I'm sure more things will make sense. You know, history has a way of clearing things up sometimes and do it better than all influencers or current media outlets combined.
Europe is cool if ur white. Many many countries there are racist.
All big cities are toilets. Everyone stressed. Full of crime. Expensive. Overcrowded.
Agreed!
@@maccybear8093yes you described the USA. At least if you go to rural Italy it's not the most depressing stretch of methhead / fentanyl/ barely housed people you've ever seen in your life.
This is my first comment on TH-cam ever but I had to comment after seeing that you were a Rotary exchange student! I’ve been following you for years and always related so much with your world view and now I know why!
I was a Rotary exchange student in Taiwan when I was 17 and learned fluent mandarin - as you said, I also felt the world expanding and I was suddenly able to communicate with 1 billion new people that I would otherwise not have had access to. It changed my life profoundly and similarly to you, I wouldn’t have my current lifestyle was it not for that experience.
I am so with Europe when it comes to work. I really hate the whole Protestant work ethic/workaholism that is such a part of American culture. I'm also with Europe when it comes to dressing well, not that I do here in the US, but if I lived in Europe I'd happily get on board. I also feel that Europe(mostly) is a more attractive place. The communities just seem to fit into the landscape, where in the US buildings and towns are like scars in the land.
I do hate the public bathroom situation in Europe though.
My life improved so much the moment I left the U.S. in so many ways. I felt that I was able to live the life that I wanted and be who I truly am, instead of adhering to the nonstop hustle culture that's so prevalent in everyday life in the U.S. Time slowed down because things don't move as quickly, I enjoyed my day to day life, the food I ate had so much more flavor and quality, I felt safer than I ever had before, I could walk or take public transport to everything I needed, and I had more meaningful conversations about things other than work. I also felt healthier than I had been in a long time. It was this overwhelming feeling of "oh... this is what life should feel like" - Life was just richer in so many ways. Unfortunately, I had to go back to the U.S. last year due to a few reasons, and my life has gone back to being trapped in the rat race with no time, energy, or money to do anything but work, but I'm working hard to get out of here again as soon as I can and leave it behind for good. Hoping to make it possible by the end of this year! ❤
You inspired me, this just solidified my plans. I am going to leave the U.S when I get my own place and move out.
@@weaklystep Glad to hear it! The world is out there waiting! ❤️
I really appreciate your comment. Because the whole "Grass isn't greener on the other side" has to stop being used as a lame excuse for everything. I take that saying with a grain of salt anymore, because it's pushback on the feelings others have to try something that could better benefit their lives and livelihood.
You just have to take that chance for yourself and hope for the best. You betted on yourself and felt the ways and reasons that worked out for you. I applaud you for loving yourself enough to find what works for you.
I don't know if I would feel more comfortable living anywhere else honestly. But that's only because I lived in the state I'm in most of my childhood to early adult life. I visited Arizona and it was ok... But as for another country entirely, I don't know. I wouldn't know if I would like another environment better due to having been conditioned to the whole hustle lifestyle over here in the US I do not like at all.
I've heard from a guy on the radio that visited France that most of the area he visited were all closed by 3pm and everyone was just enjoying the evening. That's wonderful to hear people find a work-life balance like that. I hate it that 40hrs is the full time norm to "just make it" anymore. I wish you the best of luck out of this crappy rat-race. 💛💫
You may find Morris Berman's book "Why America Failed" interesting. He is a retired professor who moved to Mexico precisely because of what you are referring to. The book's theme is how America was created as a hustle culture and how it has been, despite material success, harmful to the physical and psychic health of its residents.
If you don’t mind me asking, where were you mainly staying? Looking to get out to Europe soon and I need some ideas!
I am hungarian, living in Ireland and I have visited the U.S. a few times... mostly the east coast, but ones we drove from Boston to Florida...
The first thing hit me about American culture was that people drive so much... everywhere... with big cars and long distances... even for work ...
Everything is so BIG.
Costumer service is amazing !!!!
Food is not good quality.
So many crazy places, so called " festivals " burning man etc.
Empty villages...
Some part of U.S. cities are really dangerous... at least I didn't feel safe.
Most European cities are very safe to walk on the streets even during the night.
About 30 years ago when the first Mc Donald's opened in Budapest people were shocked about "fast food " but it took only a few years to influence the younger generation with the american mentality ... in every aspects of life... but still , culture has deeper roots and Europeans will never give up their traditions. I love to be European .
I am an American Hungarian who decided to move to Hungary from the USA for education. One thing I miss deeply is being able to drive in open spaces. But the feeling of being safe is something that not everyone gets to experience in the USA. I always viewed the USA as a sense of adventure and the "wild west", meanwhile Europe, specifically Hungary, was viewed as the family roots and connection.
@@AgnesLOL1 Life is full with adventures and connections 🤍 and nostalgia... we can only connect the dots looking back .
i am from China and always lived in cities, yes being able to take metros in midnight to go home after spending hours downtown was amazing. Our “nightlife” is sort of very sacred, where people can go for walks, hang out, relax, etc etc. (summer can be very bit during the day, if you take away people’s time to enjoy life between 7pm-112pm, well, good luck!) I can’t imagine doing that in NY, LA, or other cities in the US to be honest.
Stay out of the US much safer
Food is not good in the USA? LOL is this a joke?
As someone who spent of a lot of time in Eastern Europe, I feel like western Europe is getting more and more like the US. Also, spending time in Sweden really emphasized what you mentioned that Europe care about dressing up, being more humble and eating healthy
Americanization of some parts of the world makes me sad
I can assure you, it's not getting more like the US. At least outside of the internet. Internet culture is lead by the US so it makes sense that Europe kind assimilates. But traveling, seeing and experiencing more of Europe over the last years really started pointing out the differences to me AND the similarities amongst Europeans.
As a Swede i react to the idea that its just an American thing to be obsessed with time efficiency. More like a northern European thing. Think of Germany!
The US was mostly populated by northern Europeans. And it would make sense if the British culture dominated. Just shit posting :P.
Being more humble, lol. Europeans rival Californians in their pride
@@coolbreeze5683 Why be sad? It already happened nearly 50 years ago, how much more American can the rest of the world get?
Grew up in Switzerland and left for California at 20. I'm now 33 and about to move back to Switzerland (for now) and I agree with a lot the things you've said in this video. I'm glad I came on this video randomly.
Switzerland: Oppressed, repressed, suppressed, depressed, xenophobic, anal, unfriendly people - and insanely expensive. The mountains are pretty. Thats all it's got. And safer then many places - but that has changed due to uncontrolled immigration.
As an American who has lived four years in Poland and more than 25 in Germany, this was interesting to watch. It sounds like most of your experience is in France and Italy. I think the regional differences in the US are a lot bigger than you mention. I grew up in central Pennsylvania, which is quite different from NYC, Florida, Texas, Utah and California. I lived six years in the LA area and have spent some time in the other regions. The biggest differences in Europe are between the former socialist countries and the West and the Catholic south. I know a lot of multilingual Americans in the US and Europe. I try to go somewhere every summer to learn a language intensively for 2-4 weeks. I've done it in every country on the EU's eastern border from Finland to Bulgaria, most of them more than once. That is a great way to see the differences in mentality, culture, language and history. Great to see the Spanish subtitles, one of my favorite ways to learn a language.
Not trying invade your privacy but what kind of jobs support that kind of traveling? I’m a truck driver and got to travel through most of the US.
That's amazing you've travels and experienced so much of the world
So you know czech?
Yes, my thought too... culture throughout the U.S differs greatly based on region. I think most people outside the U.S think of California first. I'm from Nebraska and I find that most European's have no idea where Nebraska is let alone anything about it. But if an American can't point out Liechtenstein on a map they don't know geography. The U.S. is a very large country that differs in culture, landscape, industry... and our citizens are much more ancestral mixed than European countries. It's interesting how different we are considering the majority of who built the country are European.
@1111pamo , California, itself, is like dozens of separate worlds.
In southern California alone, the "Orange Curtain" informally describes the line between L.A. County and Orange County because the cultures are so different. And, within L.A. County, the Foothill Cities are different from the West Side, which is different from the South Bay, which is different from the Valley, the High Desert, the Mountains, Malibu, etc. And, this is all in just one county.
I'm from Italy. I have traveled across Europe, but I have never gone overseas. The strangest thing is that I saw the USA as the best country, the country where to live and, in comparison, my little town in Italy was garbage. But the more I learn about the lifestyle in the USA, the more I found how it is quite the opposite. It seems to me that I have never known that I live in the perfect place for me. The strange part is that I'm now noticing the best part of my home town, after I have travelled so much and after I have discovered so much about other countries. It almost feels like the passage of the song Let her go: "Only hate the road when you're missing home"
Ah, you are very lucky :) I've lived in the USA my entire life, and am moving to Turkiye for a year, then settling in Greece. I've never felt like an American. I've always felt Greek at heart, as I have more of the same philosophy of life than the fast-food culture here. Plus, the violence is unmanageable. My daughter is thirteen, and I can't wait until she travels overseas. Italy's top of the to-visit-list when we move. Your country is spectacularly beautiful :)))))
@@sianefer-ptah1258 How do you feel Greek? Have you tried living in other American states?
It is great to appreciate what you have. Since you have never been to the US, and you seem like a thoughtful person, let me give you a honest review of it by someone who actually thinks like an American: America is whatever you want it to be for you. Nathaniel got one thing correct: no guard rails. You want to be in a strange religion or have no religion: no problem. You want to eat this sort of food at this time of day in this fashion: whatever, do what you want. You want to work hard or not work hard: go for it. Americans do not care what the people around them do; they concentrate on themselves, their family and their close friends. As long as you do not bother me, do whatever you want. Hope that helps. Italy is f***ing amazing! I dream of buying a country house in Italy: Your country is amazing, please keep it that way until I arrive. ;)
That’s the image created by Hollywood of the best country in the world. Besides, the US now is not exactly what it used to be just 20 years ago. I moved to US from Russia several years ago, and only after moving I realized how culturally poor it is to live here.
The best thing in the US are the people, they are genuinely kind, accepting and understanding. I love my American friends and neighbors, amazing people.
Nature is also great.
Everything else is inferior even compared to Russia.
Food, public transportation, quality of housing, healthcare, ridiculous cost of services, poor internet (who could think that US is so underdeveloped in that area), even banking services are like from 10 years ago compared to Russia.
We take everything for granted, need to appreciate what we have more.
Il fatto è che noi italiani pensiamo che l'erba del vicino sia sempre più buona poi quando si scopre che non è proprio così soprattutto se ci si confronta con un paese come gli Stati uniti dove anche fare una cosa che a noi sembra naturale come una passeggiata sembra assurdo.
Completely agree with everything you said. When I moved to France I actually found myself, I wasn’t bombarded by the quick paced lifestyle I was able to slow down and appreciate the simplicities of life. I never got that in Los Angeles, I can’t ever see myself living in the US again.
usa usa usa usa haha haha
Why did you move from USA to France? I know that many people dream of living in USA, and they say that the US has the cheapest housing prices relative to their salaries, and that you can save the most money from your net salary after all monthly expenses, i.e. the highest purchasing power
This has been more than just a video for me. This conveyed emotions beyond screens representing different parts of Europe as well as the US. Your videography skills are something else. Keep up the good work.
I’m happy for you that you found a place that you’re happy with. I’ve spent years in Germany, but was raised and live in the United States. I’m not going to say which is better because it really depends on the city or town that you live in. What I can say that I have observed is that most of the common folks live the same lives and have the same values. Some people have more money, and some people have less money so they can’t always afford to dress up fancy to go to the grocery store, but everybody is just trying to feed their families and live a good life.
I think this sums it up perfectly, all the rest are just nuances of specific regions.
The differences, however, are real. Consider the following: universal healthcare, nearly universal access to five weeks vacation per year and nearly free university education. If an American had these, wouldn't his life be less stressed?
Why a lot of Americans moving to germany
Hey Nathaniel i'm a Puerto Rican born and raised on the island. I can say with certainty that even in a small place that it expands through 100 miles you can find differences in culture.
You put into words exactly what I have experienced having lived in Europe a short time and visited a few other times. When people ask me why I want to move there I struggle to put into words its something you just have to experience to understand. I have always wanted to live in europe ever since I was a child and I really hope I get to do that soon
Amazing comparison! Thank you for sharing this food for thoughts! As a person who grew up in Brazil and Germany (plus shorter in some other countries due to my parents‘ career as diplomats) I eventually found my home in Ireland. I love languages too.
I"ve had the humbling privilege of living in other countries, and traveling to even more. I can honestly say that travel is the best teacher. Thank you for this very interesting view into how you see things in Europe, Nathaniel!
I'm Costa Rican, and I have always dreamt about Europe, and I actually had the opportunity to live there for a few months a couple of times, in Germany and Greece, and I love it, for a lot of the reasons that you mention in your video. And now, life is taking me to live for two years in the US, even though I never thought of going there and am not even sure that I like it that much, but I really hope that this experience is going to help me get rid of a lot of prejudice and stereotypes that I have about the country.
I’m Costa Rican too ❤
I think you nailed it when you said that in America “You are allowed to dream about things that feel impossible”. As European I would love to see that here, and I think things are starting to change a bit. In Italy we had that too at some point but we lost it. I feel it is coming back in a second wing for the tech sector (we missed the first). I was adamant a few years ago to move to the US (or Canada/Australia) but now I am willing to give Italy a shot first. The US is fairly scary right now.
US is currently in a lack of employment stage. It's difficult to find jobs, although it's been getting easier for the past year and shows signs of getting better. Not to mention the political circumstances are unseemly.
@@moondude363well I'm pretty sure everything will become better and we usually get out of this in a few years.
@@Den_store_Kalmarunion no we have literally been through worse.
Don't, European tech is catching fastly, North America will be isolated probably if they still won't open up to China.
@@parkerwebb3470as a fellow American , it feels we are on the verge of a second civil war. It’s pretty shitty here for what life used to be like in US
Such an insightful perspective! I appreciate that your videos are substantive and thoughtful and not just click bait
I'm italian, and I think that the reason why in Europe we tend to think that the US has no culture is because it is ubiquitous. We live american culture daily through tv shows, movies, youtube videos, and so on, to a point where we don't even recognize it. American culture just feels like standard, so we don't see it as culture, especially the younger generations.
Also, one other reason could be that the US does not have as much history as Europe. I literally live 500 meters from a 700 year old church, and I don't even live in a big city. The whole US isn't that old. So when you walk in the streets here, it's like you can breathe in the centuries or sometimes even millenia of history of the place.
Just my two cents on the culture segment. Great video, btw.
I think also, the culture shown in American shows is the “popular” culture. For example everyone thinks California (where I live) is just Hollywood, Disneyland, and the beach, but that’s not true. California is so huge that the culture in Southern California is different than the culture in Northern California. The culture in the mountain communities is going to be different than the culture in the beach communities, and that’s just one state.
the US is large, so what you see on tv is just a part of it. you probably wouldn't hear about the minorities of people living detached from the typical american lifestyle.
america is a young country, so ofc we don't share those old attributes with europe, but what we have here is still worthwhile
You're right about history. Europe has a very, very long history, and some of it not all that pretty.
In North America some of that European culture makes it across the pond, but sometimes we can throw it out the window when we come here, and start again. And that's the good part.
Hi Ettore, I understand what you’re saying, and a lot of the history in Europe is much more obvious, but that’s not to say that the US doesn’t have one pre the official founding of the USA. There have been people there for 20 to 30 thousand years. Much of that culture and history has been systematically destroyed and invisibilised, or forcibly assimilated into the dominant settler culture.
I mean...there would be a longer history and culture in the US if the settlers hadn't wiped out the natives going from east to west. I suppose that's also part of the mindset though. Americans like to build new things but not things built to last. We can't even take care of roads 30 years old much less 300
Loved it. I'm glad I went to Spain at the age of 18. It was incredible how life changing it was. I am a different person because of Spain.
I was raised outside of Washington DC, in an area that was solidly middle-class. There were embassy staff families with kids in my school and I had very rich experiences learning about the different cultures without travelling the world. I got the benefit of well-funded great public schools as a child of the 60s (though much that I learned of history, geography and anthropology has been revised). Now when I visit my old town, I feel like it's a different country because in many ways it is. Conversations with strangers quickly turn to, "What do you do for a living? How much money do you make? What kind of car do you drive?" It's like filling out a credit application! When I first started to travel to Europe I quickly realized we Americans have traded quality-of- life for standard-of-living, to our great loss. Now I have been to 22 countries, rich and poor. I have never been to any country where I didn't return with a warm feeling about the people of those places. Before things got so divided here, I could say that about the US. There're still lots of great people here, but the change over time is unfortunate.
Americans don't ask anyone how much money they make, it's not done anywhere in the US
@@Obi-MomKenobi That's a very common question in the suburbs of DC. The first question will be your name and the second will be "where do you work Or What do you do?" And if you talk for more than 10 minutes people will start inquiring how much that said job makes if they don't know. If you aren't close it's "Which neighborhood do you live in? What car do you drive? Where do you go shopping?" I don't necessarily know why, generally people are nice if you make a lot or not. But they average salary around here is $150,000 and they want to know how much you relate to that.
You have an amazing personality, and the video is just what I needed. I am saying it as a sociologist and a mother of two youngsters, who are currently trying to find their way abroad to study. Yes, we watch a lot of videos on different topics, but cultural and societal differences are some of the most important factors we consider seriously. So, thanks a lot for sharing it.