Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!!! If the US could just learn this from the Spanish, think how much better life would be. Your perception is right on target. One thing we don't always understand, as Americans, is how much our culture is changing the world, how influential and pervasive American culture is. I see how much the Spanish are embracing some of the American customs and I worry. But the Spanish are careful and very community focused so perhaps they will be able to maintain the balance while still moving forward. Spain has its problems, but the Spanish people are generally very loving. American could learn that money isn't everything. Saludos desde Oviedo.
Actually Americans and Spaniards and Latin American people mingle very easily with each other. Despite many cultural differences they have lots of guys in common. Remember that not all Europe is like Spain or Italy. For example Germans or Poles are very hard working and interactions with people come harder there. So there are many nuances there.
@@L.a.s.t-V.a.n.d.a.l Es cierto que en centro Europa y otros países de Europa es diferente, los españoles e italianos, somos como hermanos o primos hermanos, somos mediterráneos. Eso no significa que no trabajamos duro, simplemente priorizamos la vida, la familia, los amigos...la sociedad en general antes que el trabajo. Eso pasa en general en toda Europa. Al igual que en EEUU los estados del norte son diferentfes a los de sur, aquí pasa lo mismo. Está muy bien lo de ganar dinero y ser super-autosuficiente, pero nosotros miramos más a la comunidad. Si tus vecinos y conciudadanos están bien, seguramente tú también lo estés. intentamos el bienestar social. Menos homicidios, menos sintecho, más educación gratuíta, etc., por supuesto que aquí también hay violencia, pero nunca como en EEUU. No creceremos tan rápido como vosotros, no gastaremos nuestros impuestos en armamento tanto como vosotros, pero invertiremos en educación, infraestructuras, sanidad y ayuda al necesitado. Eso no es comunismo ni capitalsmo desbocado...es social democracia. En definitiva, el ser humano es una ESPECIE y hay que mirarnos como tal. La sociedad nos proteje y nosotros la protejemos. Un cordial saludo desde España
@@L.a.s.t-V.a.n.d.a.l Spain is a hard working country too. The difference is how personal relations and social behavior is handled, and the climate has a lot to do with it
Don't worry about that. The "American dream" or the "American way" was something of the 80s or 90s. These days some people obviously still believes in it, but it's something from the past. Slow living, being close to friends, etc are values that were there and Covid increased. Also China proved that "the American way" is not the only way to prosperity, so American values are there because all the TV shows and cultural influence, but not to the point that our way of live will change.
Tipping culture in the US has always mistified me, as someone who was born, and still lives, in Europe. Your boss is supposed to pay you enough to survive. Tips are gifts for excellent service, they’re not needed for the waiter to have a roof over their head the next month. You’re not supposed to rely on them to buy groceries. Your paycheck SHOULD be enough to get the basics.
Absolutely true! I am Italian and I always thought US tipping culture is workers exploitation, plain and simple. If I devote my time to one job, that job should cover at least the basic needs, since time is one of the most precious resources a human being has got and it is not renewable. US tipping culture means considering waiters' time worthless, as if they were lesser people, and this is just disgusting.
Would you believe that americans who also think the same are crucified by other americans for this opinion? Tipping culture is BAD in america to the point servers will be unpleasant with you and even tamper with your food. Safe to say i dont eat out anymore unless i know someone else will be covering the tip.
@@cremepuffle If I had to pay for the dubious privilege of serving you, I wouldn't be very nice to you either. Under US tax structure, waiters are taxed on 10% of sales - not the actual tips received. If their overall tax rate is 25%, and federal minimum wage is $2.13, then they have to PAY to work on any bill over $86. ($2.13 X 4 X 10). Worded another way, 25 cents comes out of their paycheck for every $10 they sell. If you don't want to tip - it's better that you don't go out rather than fuck over your server.
The irony is that such a tipping culture just like the American GoFundMe Healtcare trend are practicly taxes on being good to others, those who try to be humane and share are disproportionally burdened by the US system while the greedy get further ahead. Shouldnt surprise anyone that the American society is such a mess with good people falling off the ladder left and right, while the worst kind of people climb to the top.
@@kdeuler Read 'Draghi Report'. From 2008 US economy doubled. Chinese economy went even further. EU barely moved by a few percent. EU have a choice (according to Draghi), either become competitive, or become irrelevant within generation - if lucky, or a decade - if not. He gave EU 3 years to react. We are almost half way into second year - and nothing. Europe lives on credit. And payment is comming due soon. Inheritance and other people money are about to run out. I live in the EU country.
The American Dream is well and alive in Europe in Asia in many different parts of the world! 🌎 For those that can play this system it’s one of the few in the world that can make you insanely rich. Most of us want to live and thrive but not actually to be so rich we can buy a small country. The living and thriving is actually quite difficult in the American system and that’s currently the problem!
😂😂😂 Buddy I don't think u've lived in an actual third world country before. America's definitely got issues that seem to be getting worse but let's not get carried away.
@@archlectoryarvi2873We could agree on that it’s a “B” country. Not 3rd world but certainly not 1st either.
หลายเดือนก่อน +1
@@archlectoryarvi2873 Well, both the USA and underdeveloped countries have in common that the rich lock themselves away in Gated Communities and the like.
This is in covey's seven habits I think. Babies are dependent, we learn independence, but to be really successful we develop interdependence. The skills of delegation, trust, etc.
Indeed. Take it one step further. Self reliance is a lie, making you work hard, while you can't organise together and have strong unions, let alone fight for universal healthcare.
brooo, i felt this. America has normalized you sacrificing your life for living. Any and everything that brings you joy or happiness must be put aside to make a living.
You are right. I'm from Costa Rica and lived a few years in the US legally. What I noticed first is that as a society, it functions like an ant colony. Everybody has a task and do it fast. Then I noticed that after high school, students would leave their homes and move far away from their families. And I asked myself: how will this people develop a bond if they don't share a life together? I was very young at the time and took me a while to realized that the US is a place to learn how to work , not how to live. The whole system is design around money, not people.
@Sur-Ron Actually, I mentioned it because the reality of an immigrant without a green card is tougher, which would've changed the context of my comment. Cheers
God bless you. I have been saying this: America is about MONEY, from the church to the atheist. I have never been in a society that's more greed-driven than America. Tueh.
I went to a huge joinery factory in Portugal that employed 250 staff. when we broke for lunch we were told we would be eating in the company canteen. My heart sank because I was hoping for a slap up business lunch. The company canteen ended up serving restaurant quality food and had wine bottles on every table. I said jokingly to the owner ‘I bet your workers don’t get all this’ making reference to the bottles of wine and multi/course meal. He put his arm round me in a fatherly way and led me through two big doors which took us into the workers canteen. Every table had bottles of wine and the food was exactly the same as the managers were getting. I ended up with huge respect for this humble and egalitarian millionaire. Europe is different.
I visited an American paper making mill and we also were fed in the company canteen, it was hamburgers that day, and they were some of the best I have ever had. They had different meals each day.
@@AndreiTupolevpeople in southern Europe are enjoy wime but very little. 1 or 2 Glasses of Wine and it's fine. They have no problems with drinking. Being drunk would be socially most inappropriate. In Germany for contrast, being drunk is part of the culture.
I know this is a joke, but it's kinda true... Americans think we live like kings, when in reality, our standard of living is that of a developing country. American infrastructure is falling apart, cities are rundown, and wealth inequality is massive (just to name a few examples)
@@Velociter I don't think many Europeans would see this as a joke. I think many of us believe that Amricans mostly live with some kind of psychosis and embrace a form of Capitalism that more and more resembles a slight variation of Feudalism. You serve your lords, which aren't monarchs, but still inherit their power via wealth from their parents. And they don't directly force you to work for them, but they trick you into believing you have to and you depend on them. The end result is the same, though, you basically live in soft Feudalism. Other countries have moved on from that.
This has me in tears. I want out of the U.S. immediately. However, I am the caretaker of my very elderly bed-bound mother, so I'm stuck. I know with every fiber of my being that Texas is NOT where I'm supposed to be. I hope I get out of here before I die. So depressed, but happy for others who've found their way out.
from what I can see there is a growing awareness that the USA needs fundamental changes. perhaps joining a maker-space or other creative group can give you respite? I know caring for an ageing relative is all consuming though. ❤
While you are taking care of your mother you can learn. Read about different countries. Decide, where you want to live. Learn the language. Do research on the country and the people you want to live with one day. You are not stuck. You are in preperation. All the best to you. 🧡
@@chrissmaerz And learn about their economies and crime as you don't want to move somewhere far from your hometown and be in big trouble. And I say all this having lived abroad and moving back for family too. God Bless you! I know you will do what's best for yourself.
Friends of mine from Europe have been saying this to me for years. It wasn’t until I had the opportunity to live in Italy for almost a year that I saw how true it was. It’s not perfect, but no one is saying it is. There are real challenges, just like any other place. But the sources of stress are different when for example you don’t have to stay in a job you hate just because it provides you with health insurance. When health insurance is free, you get your life back not to mention a whole bunch of money stays in your pocket.
I left the US 10 years ago. I hope I never have to go back. It would feel like a terrifying punishment. So many toxic things are normalized and people live with more stress than they realize. The threat of medical debt, gun violence, doing everything alone, few social networks within our political systems, the tasteless and chemical filled food that makes people sick, etc., I could go on and on. Socializing in the US is very unsatisfying. People are looking at their watch the entire time ready to run off to the next thing. When we moved here we had a play date with our daughter and some new friends. We chatted with the parents and the kids played. I thought it would last an hour or two but we ended up ordering pizza and stayed until after 10:00 PM! Talk about culture shock. When they socialize, they sink their teeth in and give their companions their full attention in a relaxed and joyous manner. I love it. We don’t know how to live in the US. There is no work life balance. People take pride in not taking vacation time and our US vacations are pathetic as it is! No thank you. I’m glad you got out. Especially now.
No, I would love to immigrate elsewhere. But if you are an american from one of the poorest areas, it is nearly but not completely impossible to get away.
Freedom in the USA is freedom to be the opposition party n not get locked up for it, china, Russia, for example, locks up critics, its not financial freedom, thats it.
We are ALL, to a greater or lesser extent, trapped in mental prisons, built by the powers that be in our societies, and maintained primarily by media empires and educational institutions, along with any other authorities we encounter. The USA has been steeped in a culture strongly biased towards maintaining the dominance of those at the top of the hierarchy; a pervasive and oppressive conformity was all but inescapable until the fifties, when the beat generation started a pushback which culminated in the counterculture of the sixties and largely fizzled at the end of it, when the pendulum began to swing back hard with the authoritarian war on drugs and televangelist radicalisation of the bible belt; abortion used to be fine with these people, for instance. When blanket oppression failed, the emphasis shifted to divide and conquer. If you zoom way out and squint, all you can see is the dynamic of a tiny sliver of the populace perpetuating their dominance through whatever means which get the job done, with the ill effects on the populace and the world at large disregarded at best, or perhaps more likely considered a feature rather than a bug by the vile ruling class. The world is dying for their demented sake. Top-down organisation is toxic insanity - our only salvation can be anarchy (the political definition, not the ignorant synonym for chaos).
“American Exceptionalism” is another cruel myth. I live in Canada. I find so many Americans just assume that their way of doing things is best, even that it is has God’s stamp of approval, that they were chosen for a special destiny. I saw the cruelty of the myth most strikingly as a boy during the Vietnam war. The confidence that American governments had in their power to re-make another nation half-way around the world was misplaced, and conscripted military service tore apart the lives of a million families.
I am embarrassed that I didn’t mention the millions of lives in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos that were torn apart. The colonialist mindset is hard to shake.
@oldpossum57 isn't more than just a colonial mindset. It's pure Western greed but also narcistic scycopathy. Dealing whot the west is like dealing whit a person whit a narcistic scycopathic personality disorder. No matter what you say or what you do, that person is always looking for ways to intervere in your life. To meddle in your affairs one way or the other.
Absolutely nailed it. Merican exceptionalism - we're the best. Our systems are the best - let's face it - EVERY country today took on board the US system of 3 separate but co-equal branches of government. Australia & Canada took more - like the US, we're a bunch of colonies of the UK that came together to form a modern nation in 1840 (Canada) & 1901 (Australia). You Mericans have your heads up yo butts in many cases. You think you're so good that you literally can't see just how bad your system is. From an overseas perspective - oh, it's super bad. And we wonder what it's gonna take for you to see how bad it actually is.
This is the same thing I hate so much about Russia. Though to an extent every major geopolitically relevant nation/culture seems to have this sentiment.
They still do, and to some degree, the Brits, who still think in terms of Empire. A few years ago, some Brit commented about Kurds being abandon in Iraq, Syria etc... after the war, he say why don't we just draw the map for them. Conveniently forgetting or ignoring that most of the world conflict was precisely because the colonist drew the maps which only benefitted the West that cause so much problem to these day.
What a breath of fresh air you are. I am a retired/disabled veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard and had to mostly withdraw from society. I have not worked since retirement and being 100% rated by the VA; spending my day doing as I please has led to many people scrutinizing my way of life. I got tired of the negativity and presumed jealousness - been called lazy, continually reminded that I have no job, etc. Thanks for this.
Yes! Enjoy your retirement and thank you for your service to our country. You have nothing to feel guilty about! I'm 8 years retired and love every moment of it. My health is a bit compromised but I'm able to get around on my own. So many people I knew died within a year of retirement.
@@jerrydavila5647 yes! So many of my friends that retired from the armed forces, younger and older, are already gone because of service connected ailments. I’m glad that you and others have your health after retirement
This reminds me of a quote I read in “The Hedonism Handbook” by Michael Flocker: “In America, you are all in this mad race to be number one. And you know what? You win! You can be number one. Here [in Europe], we would rather enjoy our lives.” This has always resonated with me.
I grew up in the UK with a similar mindset and by 2014 [44] I was worth €6 million - and I was not happy once the novelty wore off. Its not like the movies and that is exactly what you are expecting. I suffered brain damage in a mugging and lost everything, which was a blessing in disguise - it allowed me to admit it was no MY dream I was chasing it was society's dream that had been programed into me. I could never have admitted that without losing everything - you cant admit you have wasted 25 years of your life chasing a pointless dream you dont even want. I now live a tiny minimalist life doing the things I enjoy.
It's hilarious that this is a sentence that someone puts together. Only an incredibly chauvinistic and self important education system like the U.S. can produce people that are not aware of the world they live in. I mean it's sad, but it's also funny. Not trying to be patronising, but for most people in the world it's unbelievable how ignorant people from the U.S. can be about the outside world.
It's perfectly fine to take Spain as the example to base the video on! I live in The Netherlands, and there's definitely a difference between northern and southern Europe. From my perspective, in the south, they are going a bit too far on the relaxing side and the economic situation reflects that I think. I mean, if they live happily, who can blame them? But I still think a country should be financially responsible and countries like Greece, Italy and Spain have definitely dropped the ball on that sometimes. But I do see it improving and Europe is kind of averaging out over time I think. One of the side effects of the EU and globalization on a larger scale. In any case, Europe overall is way closer together in this regard than when comparing Europe or any European country with USA. Canada leans a bit more towards the European style, but still a far ways off.
@@cygnusx7 Italian living in the Netherlands here, acquainted with both locals and other Southern Europeans in my area. As far as I could observe, the economic issues with Southern Europe are largely due to inefficiency and corruption at the political and institutional levels, and with Italy in particular there's also a widespread close-mindedness coming from entrepreneurs which hampers productivity and often keeps salaries low too as a result. In short, poor management. Being too "relaxed", however, has hardly ever been the problem. Every time I hear people say this, I sense that what is really being said is "you're poor because you're lazy", which, to put it very mildly, isn't really reflective of our reality.
2:31 "The mid break allows me to be more productive". Such an American thing to say! Feeling good is not enough, it must also make you more productive in order to be worth doing. As a recovering workaholic, I understand the feeling. Live and learn!
Yeah, I got a little sad listening to that. People have a hard time getting away from that overworking culture. Things have to be productive to be worth it for them
I'm a Canadian and my wife has some relatives in Texas. We went for a visit some years back and they are very nice, hospitable people. Some time after our visit to Texas, I had a job in Calgary and invited them to come have a look at Alberta and experience the Stampede. Three things stuck with me about the American culture, they couldn't seem to shake while they were in Canada. We mentioned that we had the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corp) and it was supported by the government so there was a certain amount of Canadian content on the TV. They were genuinely gobsmacked that we wouldn't just want all our TV to be American. They believed that everyone in the world wanted to be American, but the poor dears had the misfortune to be born in another country. When we went to the Stampede, we took the train to downtown as parking would have been impossible. On the way back the train was packed and there were some drunks causing a ruckus. Some people near them suggested they shut up and things settled down without a major incident. The next day my wife's cousin felt it necessary to mention to her that they felt we had put them in danger by taking the train at night. Di said "No one on that train had a weapon and the worst case the loud mouth might have gotten a punch in the face." They couldn't believe that with the number of people on the train, no one would have a gun. We took them for a trip around the Canadian Rockies and they were impressed, especially there granddaughter when we saw a moose. We suggested going to Drumheller where there is a world class museum full of dinosaur skeletons. They declined because the world was only 6000 years old and Gawd made it. They really didn't want their granddaughter to see scientific information that might shake her Christian indoctrination. My wife and I not being Christians, were like "Wow, that is some serious denial."
Greetings! Calgarian here, now living in BC. I married an American 15 years ago. ALL his friends in Washington, DC cooed and gushed with relief, "Whew, now you can get an American passport!" "NO THANKS!" I said, to their complete disbelief. Marriage didn't last. He hated it when I cheered for Canada during the Olympics - or when I stood politely/respectully, but didn't sing the US national anthem at hockey games...
Thanks for the story about the Texans. Yes, creationist and fundamentalist Christianity have had a dreadful impact on the United States, and it’s disguised by the fact of accomplishments elsewhere in the United States. The Texans believe their country is the “greatest”, but they ignore that ALL its contemporary greatness depends on its technological and scientific achievements - which wholly eschew creationism!
"Nobody ever gave me a handout. I got where I am through hard work!" Says every worker living paycheck to paycheck in a run down rathole. That's the worst thing about the American dream. It teaches self reliance and ruthlessness where community and compassion would be a hundred times more effective. People would rather accept poverty than help because they think it makes them weak. Our strength lies in our bonds, not in isolation.
its the old GOP playbook for poor people who hate other poor people that don't look like them. "Bubba, the reason why you're working two jobs and still living in a trailer is because of all those poor OTHER folk you already dont like. They are what's keeping you down, not my at the golf course with my friends thinking about how I can squeeze more hours out of you for less pay.". This trick has worked on poor desperate white people in American for the past 100 years. Last time I checked there wasn't really any blacks, muslims, hispanics or gay people running fortune 500 companies screwing little Bubba and Peggy Sue over. But this is what they have been brainwashed to belive.
That explains why Americans, especially those living in rural areas, always vote against their own self interests. I've seen the poverty for myself and wonder HTF do they accept this?
There is a training exercise I've seen used. A group is broken up into 3 teams and the rules are simple. There are going to be 5 rounds worth $$ . Each round you simply choose to maximize your profit, or cooperate. If everyone maximizes their profit, everyone makes $50. If everyone chooses to cooperate, then everyone gets $100. If it's not unanimous, then everyone who chooses to cooperate makes $30 and anyone who choses to maximize makes $120. Round 1 is done blind, then there is a meeting before round 2. If you do the math, the way to make the most total money is to cooperate every round. Americans are the absolute worst at this game and about 90% of the time will break the cooperation deal on round 5.
It keeps people divided so they are easily subdued by a stronger entity: a big company or the government. The more extreme case of absolute individualism is Russia. It has what a century of supposed collectivism turned the country to: extreme "look after yourself without ever looking sideways" ideology. This allows the government and companies to pluck people one by one, why the rest just ignores what happens. Until it is their turn, but they think it will never be their turn.
Here in Europe people who work in restaurants generally earn enough to live. In the US the customers are in essence paying the waiters wages through tips as the employer pays next to nothing. And the customers don't bat a eyelid. They suck it up. It's just another good example of hyper capitalism gone mad.
Europe has more rules and regulations to keep things more fair in society. Americans have been brainwashed to believe that regulation is bad so the system takes advantage of that. This behavior becomes the norm and is easily accepted throughout the generations. in essence, Americans have less freedom than Europeans because they’ve become beholden to the capitalist system (without reflecting on reality) and those in government who maintain it.
The ugly truth behind American tipping is that it started after slavery. Many freed slaves sought work in what they were familiar with... being a nanny, service staff, farm work. Tipping was actually started in Europe, and brought back by the wealthy... and it was a perfect way for employers to pay freed slaves a pittance. When minimum wage was being proposed, the South would only vote for it if those jobs were left out, or drastically reduced... because they didn't want minimum wage to apply to blacks. Oh, 'merica...
@@Kelly_BenOmg, that it so not true. What is 'tip' an acronym of? 'To Ensure Promptness'. It had fuck all to do with post-slavery and everything to do with lazy tourists. And yt children were benefitting from tipping long before the abolition of slavery. Like, have you ever read Horatio Alger, ffs? And your claim makes no sense anyway...it's not like there were minimum wage laws in the 19th century. An unscrupulous employer could pay anyone a pittance, regardless of color. Jaysus, I'm a liberal, but that shit was clearly just polemic hysteria you heard somewhere and just accepted at face value.
Just back to Europe from a holiday in the US. The 'almost compulsory' tipping culture is sickening to the core. Waiters/waitresses/hosts, whatever you want to call them, are human beings who deserve to be paid by their employer for their valuable work. It saddened me to see tired people in their later years on their feet almost begging for scraps to survive. It's not right.
You nailed everything. I’m an immigrant who’s been living in the USA for 26 years and I’m moving to Spain at the end of the month and renouncing U.S. citizenship. I’ve become repulsed.
Great 👌 I lived in the US for 13 years but was so thankful when it was time to come home to the UK. I got to walk around the streets again; pass the time of day with strangers, not feel like I was on a roller coaster of stress and enjoy my life again. Agree with everything you said XX😊
Amen! I've been living in Europe (Germany) for the past 36 years, and I visit Spain, Italy and Croatia often. Europe has helped me "recover" from so many "American" issues.
Title should say "living in Spain." As Europe is by no means a monolith. Spain is nothing like the UK or Germany for instance, but probably very similar other Southern European nations. And possibly some parts of Latin America too
Really,is living in Wales the same as North Ireland or Scotland or England? I was under the impression those countries that make up the United Kingdom and are somewhat different to each other lol
@@drewbranch7700 All those countries are in the same region, North-West Europe. Regions are mainly categoried by geographic location and cultural overlap. Variation WITHIN countries or continental regions exists but tends to be far less than ACROSS continental regions or continents as a whole. Its completely nonsensical to compare living in the USA to living in Europe, as one is a country the other is a continent with several countries, and a significant level of variation across regions!
“As Europe is by no means a monolith. Spain is nothing like the U.K “ I concur the continent of Europe is not a monolith,but where we deviate at is the United Kingdom part,sure Spain is nothing like the U.K,but are countries that make up the U.K a monolith. Sure it’s the same region,but it’s intellectually dishonest to claim or infer that they are all the same. Your logic there was flawed,and I have been to most of the countries that make up the U.K,so that’s why I thought it was such a vacuous statement. I don’t think it’s nonsensical for someone to say they live in a continent per se without being specific about where they actually reside;unless of course,you are dealing with a pedantic individual. I have heard people say,”are you from across the pond”;it doesn’t bother me,I then asked them if they could expatiate on the meaning. Some people could have thought of loads of things or even countries,so have some patience and realize things don’t always have to be perfectly stated according to your liking all the time. Don’t have a monolithic mindset and try to expand on your thoughts.
The title is probably more for the American audience who wouldn't understand the differences in Europe. But more would be interested in learning about living in "Europe" rather than just "Spain". It's a good catchy title.
We just moved to Spain 2 months ago. I’m still adjusting from working in NYC for 35 years. I do love it here and I’m learning how to slow down. I’m grateful.
Would you mind please to shed some light on your status? Type of visa? How long did entire process take? Did you hire Spanish lawyer to assist with immigration process?
@holmbergaudio Which is why Americans are so stressed. They have the biggest government, claim to love small government, yet theirs gives them nothing. It's sad, and that's why they have among the highest stress levels among developed nations.
@@MrChazz965 Well Mr Chazz, enjoy your voyage of discovery to a more relaxed and rewarding life. Although a European, I've spent a lot of time in the USA over thirty years and came to realise that the lifestyle there was a trap, a relentless treadmill for those in employment however well paid - or not - and for those people who opted to function outside of mainstream society they had often become enmeshed in the double whammy of poor parenting and even poorer education. I hope you've learned to take time to breathe, but it'll likely take at least six months before your mind accepts your new reality. If you live among the Spanish, bake and gift them an apple pie and serve it with cream or custard. You will stun them, in a good way. Regards, and good luck from Andalusia.
@@georgecooksey8216 Don’t be an asshole. Or are you a bot who’s trolling? 😠 In the community I live in, they held a fundraiser for a family who can’t afford insurance. Their daughter has a muscular disease that has to be treated in Columbus, OH (125 miles away) They raised $2,500 and I’m guessing that barely made a dent in what the family owes. Insurance wouldn’t, either: too many here choose food and rent over god-damned insurance, which we could all have with a Universal Healthcare system.
I hear what you are saying. After growing up in Minnesota, years ago I expatriated in Germany. I am still discovering how good my life is here. I never made a better decision. As time continues I realise how out of step I am with the American plutocracy, that you describe, not being a plutocrat myself. MAGA calls us here (decadent) socialists and communists without understanding what these scare words mean. That is their way of trying to justify American kleptocracy. Good luck my American brothers! But aside from 5% of the population, your future looks gray.
May I ask why you use the word 'expatriated' instead of immigrated? (genuine question 😊) I'm glad that the quality of life has improved so much for you. I personally really like our German neighbors(I'm Dutch) so good choice in country. 😊 Warm greetings from the Netherlands. 🌷
@@BabzVexpatriate usually means you are not permanently going to stay in that country but rather are there for work for a couple of years/ months. The original commenter sounds more like an immigrant to me since they say they moved “years ago”. ;)
gesture of satisfaction or approval made by kissing the fingertips of one hand and then spreading the fingers with an outward motion. I'm referring to how well it reframes the "gun debate". In Europe we very much prefer "the freedom from gun violence" to "the freedom to bear arms" @@JRspeaking
@Lightw81 perhaps, but I can imagine it's not as tiresome as hearing about the deluge of "thoughts and prayers" after yet another school shooting knowing that neither of these will make your children any safer when they leave for school in the morning.
My current job does not allow for breaks, and we work 14-hour shifts. Iived in North Africa three years and I was very happy. Now that I'm back in America, I'm feeling quite depressed and have gained a significant amount of weight.
I’ve known this my whole life, as I had European parents & spent a lot of time in Europe growing up. Americans have really crappy oppressed lifestyles where it’s all work & no play & then they get nothing in return. The average working class European has a far high standard of living than the average American, & crime is low, schools are great, society is just so much better in Europe… like America was a hundred years ago. Yet Americans are constantly brainwashed into thinking “America is the greatest” and most never travel and never see what they’re missing. It’s sad & pathetic.
I think 40 years ago there was a justification in Am3ric4 that the trade-off was a MUCH higher material standard of living and salary than Europe, but that has been eroded and eroded so that all that is left is the work and a lower standard of living.
My cousin who lives in Baltimore asked me this summer, "How do you have time to learn slacklining?" 😅 Idk. It was summer in Stuttgart, I had my leave, and it was a free program provided by the city to get people to the parks...
@@keithbartlett-y8e My friend in the US is exceptionally upper middle class. She was having to cut back on her spending and cancel subscriptions - thats how expensive life had got. She has worked at the same company for 35 years she was fired by SMS whilst in the airport going on holiday, along with her entire team - they outsourced the entire IT operation. About 145 people just binned with no notice, locked out of the building. She has a company pension they gave her a settlement per month - she accepted it and then they "made a mistake" its actually $1,250 less per month than they quoted her so she has had to cough up about $50k for a solicitor to fight that and it will take about 5 years and $250k they estimate. Her health insurance now she is not working is $1,500 a month so thats $18,000 a year. Her adult son had an accident that needs dental work - its not covered for reasons I dont understand but that's going to be $50k for implants. For the dental, the solicitor and 1 year medical she could buy a large villa with a swimming pool in my country and get the dental work done for free and free healthcare. Its getting completely crazy in the US.
Hello "American who moved to Europe". Your video, albeit only scratching the surface is enjoyable, and says a lot. Allow me to point out a couple of things. One is in Europe people working, say in restaurants do not work for $2.19 an hour, but are paid minimum wage, at least. Still though I always give at least something as a tip. You might want to elaborate on the mid-day "break" i n Spain. I think most Americans will not understand this is a matter of hours rather than half an hour. for lunch. I left the US several decades ago. Have lived in England, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Holland and Sweden, as well as seven years in South East Asia. I will never return to the US to live. Americans for the most part live in a bubble of self delusion, perpetuated to a large degree by the powerful and wealthy who fear people might demand real change if ever they found out life outside that bubble has a lot to offer. Good luck in Spain. Live a good life.
One, wiithout America paying your bills, Europe is in for a rude awakening. I really hope we withdrawal form Nato and you guys have to pay for your own military. Also I hope we hit you with tariffs, you are a welfare state of America. Two, mass immigration WILL surely and quickly change Europe, and the quirky culture you cam to enjoy will if the past. You vote for it, you got it.
"I've paid off my credit card debt". I'm from Eastern Europe, I'm almost 40, working professional in IT and never in my life I had a credit card, never even been in debt at all. It's crazy how people who have credit cards, student debt, medical debt, mortgage, consumer loans, etc somehow live in the delusion that they are "free".
I lived in Sweden for 10 years and moved back to Texas two years ago. You couldn’t pay me anything to live in Sweden again. The cold and the dark was too depressing.
@kimberlyberggren3440 Swede here. Yes, the cold and the dark _is_ depressing (Swede here), but, personally, I would rather take dark and cold any day over a society that is run by Greg Abbott and his likes. Besides, Sweden is a long country. The difference between Kiruna, Östersund, Stockholm, and Malmö is quite big. Southern Sweden isn't so bad (although it's nothing like Texas). Priorities, priorities...
@@elisaa9981 As someone who grew up in Malmö and now lives near Stockholm, the -20°C is a huge difference to me in the worst of winter. I was used to dealing with the deepest of winter with just a t-shirt and a wind breaker jacket, because down to -5 isn't that bad. But in minus 20 I have to layer up so much... I'd rather live in Australia where even the cute animals are venomous (even the platypus) than Texas any time, though. Or any other US state.
American expat living in the UK here, I will say that the UK is far from perfect but I do definitely relate to what you’re saying about breaking away from a lot of toxic ways of thinking about social connections and work life balance. Where I live in the UK, no one asks me about what I do for a living, they ask what I like and am interested in. If my current job is getting me down, I have a tea break, or I go to the pub afterwards, and on top of it all I don’t have to stress about paying for health insurance. It’s a huge relief and is something I’m quite thankful for.
As a UK born person who has moved away and doesn't like the "Americanisation" of British culture, your comment is really interesting. I suppose everything really is relative.
Whereabouts in the UK? As an English northerner living down south, I find the London commuter belt rat race so much more like America than eg Manchester or Leeds
@ I am an immigrant, I have no problem admitting that. I tend to use those words interchangeably, though you’re right I should probably not use expat for that reason.
Wonderfully well said, thank you. I’m a Canadian who has lived in Italy for 40 years. And not to mention cooking every meal from fresh produce and readily available quality ingredients! Such a simple but life changing aspect of everyday living in Europe.
Consider climate and consider trade practices. In Europe, neighboring countries trade freely with one another. In America, which is Continental system comprising many nations (countries, states) trade is controlled by …. Yes, you guessed it …. The US. The US deploys embargoes and tariffs (at a rate of 100% now, thanks to the recent triumph of an elected dictator) to ensure that cooperation and collaboration are impossible. The US uses trade to punish and control and to politically interfere. Imperialist in mindset. Buying groceries in Canada is affordable outside of corporate stores. Few talk about this. Don’t believe what you see on the internet.
Yes! I moved to New Zealand nearly 20 years ago and the culture shock was real. It did take me a while to stop working like an American, and now I’m so used to having healthcare, job protections, consumer protections and guaranteed sick and annual leave, I will never go back.
I'm European, and I can tell you, that there is a massive difference between countries in Europe. Can't just call it Europe as if all you're saying about Europe is the same all over. Massive difference between Norway, Great Britain, Serbia and Spain just to pick a few countries.
From an inside view, the are massive differences even within the regions of each country in europe. She provides an outside view: Your "massive difference" shrinks massively down when seen on her US background.
Yeah I was thinking the same, but for americans, most european countries will be a majour step upwards in terms of quality of life. (also they love to sometimes think EU = Europe = a country
Looking at the comments of Americans moving to Germany and other European countries, while each culture is different, the shift from the American mindset to the generalized European mindset is similar. The same could be said of different states and regions of the US, such as living in NYC vs a small rural town in the west, but from a European perspective, they’d be pretty similar in many respects.
Exactly. I live in Hungary, which is the poorest country in the EU. An expat with US or Western European money will absolutely live like a king here, but for many hungarians, life is miserable. Many live paycheck to paycheck, our wages are terrible, food prices are high, and most of the food you can buy is shit. The healthcare system barely functions. The infrastructure is shit, especially our railways. We're probably moments away from a massive railway disaster. Education is shit. The goverment is the most corrupt in all of Europe. The people are miserable. With that, I'd still wouldn't live in the USA, but I just want to examplify that there are shitholes in Europe too.
I think the relative safety and civility in some European countries as opposed to the danger and incivility of the Deluded States surprises a lot of Americans who move here. Add this to a generally educated population that doesn't believe it is the center of the universe, and you have a beautiful new society into which you can integrate. Many blessings from an ex-Californian living in Germany.
Yes, I encountered the whole debunking of the busyness myth when I became a Librarian. Before that I was always being pushed to be busy, do the most, be productive, even when I didn't have anything in particular to do. In my current department, my supervisor specifically sat me down and said: Slow down. What you're doing is important, but not life threatening. Its just books. Nobody is going to die so there is no need to rush to get it done. Working faster isn't going to help you be more productive, and the other departments aren't going to move any faster either, so slow down, take your time and be thorough, instead of doing the most work all the time.
@@laraf.111 hard to slow down in usa when the norm is to always working, making money, consuming. Slowing down is not only about less stress , its also about connecting with people/the life. Really hard to reach this goal with the toxic culture of USA about work/life balance
@laraf.111 but slowing down creates space for reflection, creativity, new ideas etc. And apart from that we humans aren't built to be fully focused for 8+ hours a day. Add on distractions like emails, calls etc and there you have your reason to regularly step back and pause 😏
I've only been to the US once and it was a shock to the senses. I could not get over the amount of obesity and the amount of older people who had poor mobility. I also did not feel that safe. It felt like a sick nation. Houses looked poorly built and the infrastructure was terrible. It also felt behind Europe in a lot of ways and having to work out the tax on purchases was crazy. Tax is added before you buy in Europe and service is part of your bill in a restaurant. Your not obligated to leave a tip but we often do if the service is good. I would rather pay my higher taxes for better healthcare, infrastructure and a house that won't blow down.
The amount of obesity has noticeably increased in my lifetime. And the saddest part is that "body positivity," whatever good intentions it may have originated from, has degenerated into learned helplessness -- and in extreme cases, even science denial, as they pretend that weight has no bearing on health.
Houses are DEFINITELY poorly built in the US. Wood and plastic. They last 40 years if you're lucky. In England there are still functioning buildings that were built over 1200 years ago.
@@damianjblackMost of the houses in my neighbourhood are from the 1600s-ish. Obviously some repairs or changes have been made (new roofing material, added insulation etc.), but the base housing build and materials haven’t been touched. I sometimes watch historical stuff and it’s so strange when I hear americans call a 150-200-yr-old building “old”!
@@damianjblack I suppose if you live in the hurricane and tornado parts of the US there's little point in building a house to a high standard if you know if going to blown to pieces every couple of years.
Nice video! I moved to the Netherlands and experienced many of the same things you experienced moving to Spain: more connection, less isolation, a slower pace. One thing that struck me when I last visited the U.S. was how sterile the cities were. People don't live there. A Dutch city street has much more activity. I find life much more liveable here, much more geared toward people's needs.
You are so right I have friends from Indonesia, the Philippines, I show them videos or pictures of the city or the suburbs where I work and the streets are empty and they’re always commenting. “Where is everybody how come the streets are empty? “ the suburbs are the most depressing. You go in the garage sit in your car. Open the garage door. Leave for work. Sit all day at work. Go in your car. Come home. Open the garage door park your car close the garage door walk into your house. You’re never on the street in the neighborhood, you’re not even in the driveway
We left the US 5 years ago when we got the opportunity and decided we didn't want our daughter to grow up there. I'm so grateful that she is being brought up in a more kind and (dare I say it) culturally free place where we are now. My nephews in the states are that same age as her and already suffering anxiety attacks from homework overload- tonight my daughter has to chop garlic and onion to bring in tomorrow because they are baking bread, and she has already surpassed them in maths and science. I love your channel, your presentation is so calming.
So beautifully and succinctly put. I left the USA almost 40 years ago and have lived mostly in Australia since but have spent some years in the UK and Italy and continue to spend some months in Denmark every year (my wife works there 6 mo/yr). Additionally, I've travelled extensively in Europe, the Middle East, S America, Mexico, Asia and a bit in Africa. I firmly believe that, apart from education, travel (with an open and accepting attitude) is the most valuable pathway to an enlightened and mature world view.
US “culture” is just a shame and punishment system for those who won’t or can’t conform. The idea that it’s about freedom or individuality is laughable.
I’ve got this same connection to Taiwan. I just got back, I was terrified when I landed at JFK, the aggressive vibes scared me after being in a country that values the common good and respect for others.
The aggressive vibes are the same in Canada, but they don't scare me, they piss me off. And I don't like to be pissed off. I love the communal spirit of Asia. I lived in many countries, Japan, South Korea, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, but never Taiwan.
As a son of Spaniards, who spent his child hood summers in Spain, but grew up in NYC, I love this video. For years I heard my uncles and aunts who live in Spain tell my father that we were living to work, while they worked to live. My father passed away at 59. His older brother and sister are still enjoying life each over 80 years of age. They're happy, well rounded and content. They may not have as much wealth or money as we have, but I often ask myself, what does that wealth give me? They are happier with less and things are easier and more enjoyable in European cities. They don't live in their apartments or homes. They live at pubs, restaurants, groceries, local shops, in parks and other outdoor places where they can socialize with neighbors and friends. I have a property in Spain that I inherited, and try to visit at least every other year. And when I go, I completely leave my US East Coast, go go go life style in the US and instantly become unburdened and relaxed. I leave my laptop and phone off the entire time I'm there. I'll sit at a table in the street at a pub and have a beer in the afternoon with local friends, while watching my kids play with theirs at 1:00 in the afternoon. No one judges me, and it's not the least bit odd. In the US you couldn't find a bar anywhere near a kids playground. Because here we associate it with binge drinking and drunkenness. In Europe it's common to have a glass. a wine, a beer, or just coffee or a water at a bar in the afternoon. And most kids parks will have one in sight distance, where you can grab some tapas and a drink and relax while keeping an eye on them. The life style is so different. I love it. The only reason I come back is because of my friends and family here. Wish I could take them all with me and live in Spain forever. Great video! @momshouldve .
As a european, I spent seven years living in the US. After I returned, it took a couple of months but I felt like I'd just unclenched my entire body. In the middle of it, I didn't realise how much stress I'd been under. Only once I'd left that environment did I realise just how bad it had been for me.
Look. I studied abroad for 3 months in Europe and college and that completely changed the way I lived my life today. America has it so backwards.We are not as bad as japan, but pretty close
@@momshouldve Unfortunately, those with power in the US make intentional efforts to quell curiosity and interests in activity that don’t make money of status. When you keep telling people that your country is number 1, that makes the locals believe that any outside information/ outside perspective are useless.
@@HomeFromFarAway Japan has a terrible over-working culture although this moreso has to do with extreme collectivism and deference to authority/ seniority as opposed to the US’s extreme individualism. Basically, Japanese workers are socially pressured to stay in the office until their boss leaves, and even then should the boss want to go onto after work drinking parties, you are also pressured to attend until he (and bosses there are practically always men) wants to leave as well. This leaves people VERY little if any free time for themselves to rest and recuperate.
The biggest American myth is that America is "the greatest country on earth", because most of the people who say this have never travelled the world. Guess what America, keep aspiring to it.
Ssshhh if Americans find out that there is a better qualify life out there, there will be thousands of American inmigrantes in Europe Property is becoming expensive enough. )))
Absolutely!! My wife and I just arrived in Portugal for our second phase of life. It's hard to let go of a life of rush, rush...rush! Thank you for sharing your observations and insight.
Wow - Wow & Wow! I am Hispanic, and all th pluses that you outline fell by the wayside when I moved to the USA. Now it's dinner, alone at 6PM. I have neighbors who tense up when they hear "hello". I have an excellent gathering dust in the garage because road-rage is so provocative. I live in a city where it seems that people are incapable of of negotiating sidewalks and crosswalks without the aid of a phone. On the plus side, I putter in my well-organized. I keep dog treats and stainless steels water bowls for dogs. The latter have turned my garage into a must stop on their walks, so their humans now have two options; speak to me, and interact with others who stop to comment on motorcycles or the garage itself. I am teaching young motorcycle friends how to properly dine - slow eating and conversation is a must. I'm 74, so going somewhere else isn't that feasible. Thanks for an excellent explanation about life from a different perspective.
@Ramon51650 - Thanks for sharing your story 🤗 When I visited Guanajuato, MEX, for the Festival Internacional Cervantino, I was seduced by the pace of each day! Practicing marching bands heralded most mornings! Early lectures & tours gave way to quiet siestas. Evenings were for performances & concerts and dinner was had at 8 or 9 or 10! Music was being made everywhere by everyone. Students filled the streets and women sold handmade art crafts and paintings. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t all roses. There were children begging & selling chiclets, the plumbing was tragic and there was refuse alongside the roads . . . But people _LIVED_ as well as worked.
@ Ramon- re 'I'm 74, so going somewhere else isn't that feasible' Well even tho' I'm an atheist I know I could be wrong, but even if so about that, I am sure you will be express delivery heaven-bound 'somewhere else' for all the kindness you are spreading!!😀
From the UK there are many things I admire about America but also some things I don't. The "I worked hard so deserve to keep what I earn" mentality ignores the degree luck plays in everything. Tim Minchin nailed it in his honorary doctorate speech as UWA. If you had asupport to get your degree you were lucky to have that environment. If you didn't have that support but made it anyway you were lucky to have that something inside you that overcame that lack. On a basic level if you are not born with something like cystic fibrosis, if you do not suffer from multiple sclerosis, if you don't carry the gene making you 80% likely to develop breast cancer you are already ahead of the game but crucially through NOTHING that you have done. The world is unfair but it has already been unfair in your favour and there are a million different ways in which this can work. So success is never self made. It relies on others. There is no self made millionaire. Everything is collaborative. An inventor needs a sales team. An investor needs a successful manager. America is great if you are the winner but it sucks if you just want to play rather than compete.
I got my Masters degree but I have 6 figure debt I will take to my grave. The masters degree is general because the field I went to school for did not work out. I was unable to secure a full-time job. I have a an invisible disability so getting hired is difficult for me. Mostly due to lack of experience and the fact that due to the high student loan debt, I cannot go back to school to change careers. So I am stuck. Due to the terms on my student loan, I do not qualify for forgiveness due to not having worked full time. I feel like I am being punished for difficulty finding work. In America, you only qualify for employment assistance if your spouse does not make too much money. I need help but my insurance does not cover career advising. Only mental health counseling. I need a coach to help me every step of the way to find a full time job. But I am not destitute so if I can't pay out of pocket for help I'm screwed. I have a Masters degree but I am not fine. I am disabled but not disabled enough to qualify for forgiveness. You must prove you are completely unable to work. If you can lift a finger and you can work any job, your disability does not qualify. So I am both stuck and screwed. We want to move to another country but cannot find out what the best course of action would be to get out.
@sewlove33 I am so sorry to hear about your position and I hope something works out. I had what others might consider a successful career but at the age of 58 I was assessed as autistic. I had the technical skills to be good at my job but not the interpersonal skills to deal with marketing and office politics. So I did well but not as well as others who were not as technically skilled but could work the system better. So on balance I got a good deal from life but also recognise the limitations that were part of my package. Without my technical skills I would have been sunk. I am not arguing that we should ditch capitalism as I have never seen even a concept of a workable alternative but unrestrained capitalism seems to be as bad as unrestrained communism. Both end up with a power structure where those in charge care nothing for the individuals struggling to get by each day. What matters is power and control. There are jobs here in the UK for those with good qualifications. It isn't easy but maybe it offers a possibility 🤞
I am from Germany. I have a few Spanish co workers. They say spain people Are a touch less Stressed. I could say spain represent all of Europe but we Are all the Same in values for live. I like to call me european more than german. I apericiate our close and far away neibours a lot.
Growing up in Miami we would often drive up to Orlando and visit Disney. On the way my favorite pass time was looking at license plates to see what states were visiting. Living in an idyllic port town in Spain I can do the EU version now. The ones I see the most come from France, Germany, Ireland, and UK (Europe not EU). Each place is very much different yet so similar.
So I do ! I am German/Italian, born and living in Germany, but speaking both languages and spent some time in Italy for holidays (Father was Italian). This Mixture of different cultures ( but on a similiar base) it is fantastic. Also to see how EU grow together step by step. Travelling through Europe is so great as there no controlled frontiers and most have samer currency. If I like to live in another culture I easily can do that. My pension can be deliverd quite everywhere. Europe was a great idea.
Worst thing the right wing tories did was to tale UK out of the EU. Whilst in, we enjoyed close ties, easy trading, educational, business and social links to name but a few. Inhope we can return some time.
This s spot on. As an American expat living in Spain for 2 1/2 years, I agree and feel I couldn't have made these points better myself. If you're thinking about moving here, a couple additional thoughts: Think hard about your motives. Don't make the move just to save money or to transport your American habits to another country. Come because you seek the lifestyle and cultural immersion, and be prepared to adapt regarding the pace, the values, the customs and the language because that's where the rewards are. If you come with that approach, you will be immensely grateful for the experience and will automatically show gratitude to the locals, which is the other necessity.
@@teejay3272 Period. 💯✔️ Especially Millennials-we prioritize self-care but also put in work. However, we do NOT live to work-especially in 2024🙅🏿♂️🙅🏿♂️🙅🏿♂️
@@kenneth.mclaurinthat’s about it, yet your lifestyle is consumerism 101 - if you have never lived abroad you’ll never understand what she is talking about…you’re in the American millennial consumption / mobile phone addition rate race … you’re living a pseudo self-care lifestyle, she however talks about communities…as I said, you don’t seem to understand a thing of what she meant - too young, too privileged too narrow minded
So...in case you are from the US... why do you not retire on your home continent America, like probably in Brazil, Argentinia, Chile or Mexico, Canada...? When you do not want to retire in the US?
@@dankarubarth7678 Probably because he just said he lived in Europe for 15 years, so that's an environment he knows, and even if he didn't lived in Europe he wants to retire in Europe, why would you proposed him to go to other countries he doesn't want ??
That was amazing!!!! I have been living in Germany for years and I really dont see me returning to the US its just so relaxed here and I am never in a rush to go anywhere or do anything. I just feel free. Thank you for for sharing your story.
Would you mind please to shed some light on your status? Type of visa? How long did entire process take? Did you hire German lawyer to assist with immigration process?
@@sunshadow9704 I work for the US government, and I never have to leave because of my work status. If and when I stop working for the government, I have a German partner, so I could quickly get a resident permit. When I retire one day, I have to prove that I don't need anything from the German government, and they will grant me a residence permit. Many retired military and non-military personnel have residence permits here in Germany.
I use to live in Frankfurt working at the US embassy Germany was a dope spot for this Miami native. Great food, good times, and traveled all over. Not sure if it’s still the same but it was enjoyable day in and day out.
Wow - Switerland is reckoned as the ultimate case of the community-driven society (as opposed to an individual-centered one), even by us, Europeans (a Hungarian myself) - must have been an even harsher culture shock for someone coming from the US...
@4:42, here in Ireland we have a political party literally called “People Before Profit”. They made some gains in this election last week. I hope they do well and gain more following in the future.
*EXCEPTIONALLY ELOQUENT LADY* with a wonderful way of explaining things. Just listening to you was a pleasure. EDIT: Im English living in Bulgaria in an apartment block with 85 other families - I know EVERY SINGLE PERSON in this apartment block, in the UK I didn't know the name of my next-door neighbour.
Kenyan-American living in Croatia here... The US's great at marketing... everyone wants to go and live there... Spend a season, then make up your mind, it's a billboard of Southern Charm with a realism of Idiocracy... Thanks but, no thanks.
As an American who is currently working in London for a month, and also having the pleasure of working in Spain two years ago for a few weeks, this statement is spot on about the reality of living in the US. Thank you for this video! I am slowly plotting a course to make my way over here permanently.
They kept talking about communist or fascist propaganda but no one does propaganda like the US. Just look at commonly known "stories" about their founding fathers, most of it is marketing, so it start since the beginning. Their form of propaganda isn't hiding the truth, but burying it with so much more BS.
After several travels abroad that started in my 40s I came to realize just what you share. It is so true and prevalent in American society to the detriment of living a happy life. We are wired by propaganda to work hard, toil, achieve success (?), and be heavy consumers. What a bunch of bologna! I was on the hamster wheel and just now at 60 trying to jump off! My son has lived in Sweden for some time and he also has discovered how different life can be when you don’t have to worry about your basic needs and work isn’t the most important thing, it’s living! Thank you for sharing your words of wisdom and experience.
Nice video, but I think many of the things you explain are unique to Spain (I'm a Spaniard) and not only that, Spain in a small sized city or village. Dinner time in most of Europe starts at 18:00 or 19:00 depending where you at, siesta is not even common in all Spain, it strongly depends on your work schedule and times. The trend in Spain is to adopt European work times, from 8:00 to 17:00 with 1 hour for lunch, but it is true there are still many jobs with the "split" work time from 8-9 to 12-13 and from 15-16 to 19-20 which allows a 30 minute siesta after a 90 minutes lunch. This is much related to the North-South axis: the Southern regions, due to summer temperatures, will have work times around the hottest hours of the day. The community vs individualism is sadly another thing that is progressively being lost, specially in medium-large sized cities. We still have many local festivities but they are more focussed in the business behind them than in creating a community, but again, that depends. From this video I take you might be in a Southern region of Spain, in a small/medium sized city or even a village where life is really slower.
Interesting comment from a native. Its ironic, I left a similar tone except in a different fashion. Im an American and was basically debunking the black and white tone of this video. 😂😅. I'm an American and while extreme patriotism scares me, I never understood the narrative of trying to make anything American like inferior and European Superior. (Overall i think both have things to offer and have their trade offs and its more dependent on the individual instead of the quality of the country). Videos like this make it seem like many are flocking to Europe to escape the American way and how we all collectively live the same lifestyle. In reality, just as many are still migrating to the US and have their own reasons for leaving Europe. One thing I have too heard wasnt quite as much of a thing was siesta. I have spoken to enough Spaniards and even folks in Italy to know they have their own versions of toxic work environments. And I have heard horror stories of them going without breaks, food, and water too. On the other end. I been broke struggling with 2 jobs and uninsured and found a way to take care of my Healthcare. The U.S offers many programs for people who need help with Healthcare and its always painted as if you will die because you're poor with no Healthcare. No, there are tons of ways to handle it before it even ever has to go that far. I say the US encourages more so being re active instead of pro active and with that a sense of entitlement from folks who decide to make some choices. I.e brings me to the tipping culture. In the end the culture is a bunch of entitled workers pressuring folks to tip them. I get it, i used to work for tips too. And when I felt like it wasn't enough, I got another job. No one is forcing you to get a job that relies on tips and no one is forcing you to tip. We also do have environments and cultures that caters more to a slower lifestyle and there are definitely areas with clubs, restaurants, bars open past 10pm.
The only explanation that I can come up with as to why the US is so far behind the rest of the world in so many indicators of happiness, health, well-being, mental health etc is that so many Americans don't have any idea of what life could be like so their expectations are grounded in ignorance and fear. I share your experience at living in Europe for quite a long time and once you experience what life could be like, you let get of the fear based rhetoric that is feeding into the American experience. Thanks so much for articulating what you and I have experienced!!!!! We are not EXCEPTIONAL in the positive sense of the word and I am so sad for so many Americans that believe that.
Depends on your job, no? If you're a school teacher, then yeh early hours it is. If you're a train driver in Germany, meh - might as well be 2h late for work. If you're a supermarket cashier, then you'll be the expendable. If you're a carpenter, you'll tell people you'll come at 10AM and arive some time after 12AM, maybe. And you'll be packing up at 4PM.
@Herr_Vorragender with early i mean 16:30-17. I had the same job in spain as i have in Germany, still work 8h but in spain i was from 8 to 18 at work, i am now from 8 to 16:30. And in spain is not strange to be at work up to 19-20 because of the 2-3h lunch... that doesnt happen elsewhere in Europe
@@luisj.serrano5821 True. Not culture wide. Maybe it depends on the job you'd do. And of course on your employer too. I don't know if I'd rather have a 2h lunch break over an early leave. When colleagues become friends, maybe 8PM office time wouldn't be a bad thing. I know shamingly little about the spanish work culture let alone laws. I requested a 4 day work week (for less money of course). My boss has absolutely no say in the matter. It's backed by law. Is it as easy in Spain too?
I agree with all of what you said apart from Europe ‘prioritising people over profit’. They are not mutually exclusive, and we prioritise both- in fact if you have healthy, educated people with stable lives, you get productive, creative and innovative employees.
That's the thing, though - creativity and innovation were never what got profit in a captured market. Squeezing people and throwing them away does. Corporations have been steadily making people pay more for less for decades now.
I’m thankful every day that I’ve never live in the Excited States of America. I also like living in a county that has Medicare and doesn’t normalize gun violence. That’s how normal countries show their patriotism by focusing on what is good for society.
Still in the states and retired a few years ago and I’ve slowed down, a lot. I get a reality check when making appointments and everyone seems so rushed. My hubby still run, run, runs and says to do nothing is not healthy - which isn’t what I said, but he’s an all or nothing kinda person. Ha ha ha We both watched your video and it really resonates. We were in Bilbao (and Motril, Barcelona and Palma) last year. They all felt safe and were super clean. Glad you discovered and appreciate quality of life while you’re still young - kudos to you.
As a Northern European with a Spanish dad, I know that within Europe cultures differ from country to country and that the difference between north and south, east and west is big. In other words, this is but one example.
Yes absolutely they are... but from someone who moved from the US to Germany... the difference inside of Europe are in the details (other than language of course) it really doesn't matter if you have 25 or 33 paid vacation days... both are at least 25 more than most people in the US have... it doesn't matter if the Healthcare if paid by the state or by your employer... you won't go broke because you sneezed one too many times... i have traveled Europe quite extensively in the 5 years i've been here... Public transportation is great everywhere... and yes i mean even tiny villages where the bus only comes every 2 hours.... that's still worlds better than the US... safety anywhere in Europe is miles better because you don't have to expect guns everywhere... as a gay black man... the Police is a million times more friendly and less dangerous... i have NEVER committed a crime... i was arrested 9 times in the 2 years before i left the US... i spend over 2 weeks in prison without ever being charged with anything... not even speeding... You can not imagine the pain and fear so many of us live with every day in the US and how different anywhere in Europe is
@@LoFiAxolotl hey, just a small note: I'm Polish, "every 2 hours" kinda seems like a lot for a tiny village (at least not counting school buses, though I have seen non-students board those) - but still, I'm not sure how many places there are over here that don't have public transport at all
@siliconsulfide8 Okay to be fair i have no visited that many villages outside of Germany, France and the Netherlands... so i was generalizing there... but in any city under 25000 in the US you can be sure there is no public transportation AT ALL whatsoever... and under 300k people there's probably one or two bus routes... and even if you compare Cities like Berlin and the 5 times bigger New York... Berlin has A LOT more public transportation and it's a much more sensible layout... and that's very unique to Germany as far as i know... but for 49€ you can get a monthly ticket that you can use ALL public transportation in germany.... that's insanely cheap... I can take the Train from Berlin to Cologne for free... (granted it takes like 7 hours with those regional trains but still... it's "free")
As a German I was nodding along the entire video, agreeing (almost) 100%. Maybe not to the 3 hour lunches (those are more a Belgian or French thing from my experience rather than German). But the rest? Heck, yes. The USA as an entirety has to escape the rat race, take a good long look at what needs fixing, and then get down to doing it.
I think defining Europe based on "Spain" is not a decent framing. Spaniards are known with their extra laid back culture. It's more like a Anglo-saxon vs Mediterrenean thing, Spain is the pinnacle of it, Italians and Greeks are more or less, in that same vibe wheras Germans, Dutch, British etc are way more protestant in their "work ethic"
it´s not the case anymore. I am living in Germany about 20 years and the work ethic is a myth. People in the west of Germany are Catholic and people in the east are Protestant. I can tell you that the French, despite all their faults, are working harder than the Germans.Germans work fewer hours and are more often ill. The difference in productivity is linked solely to the automated factory. Ask Musk, he complained about the unbelievable absentee hours in his berlin factory.
Clichés and bullshit. I have lived in Spain, the UK, Denmark and Germany. We are way more alike than you say in our approach to life and at the root of it, is the welfare state. Also.. to say Spain is not a ‘decent’ example is despicable.
This is something Americans tell themselves to justify not adopting a more laid back culture. Sorry, but all those countries have solid worker's rights (and the EU just passed the "right to disconnect", allowing people to legally ignore their employers past work hours), better living conditions, and less stress in their daily lives. The English are notorious for drinking at all hours of the day, not sure why you think they're just as fastidious as the US?
The Dutch are very respectful to work-life balance. You will not see anyone taking work home or working long hours, and managers will not pressure workers for overtime. They are efficient and simple, a cheese sandwich is enough for a short lunch. They will plan for leisure -- you can't make an appointment with a Dutch friend for tomorrow :) They will kick their friends out of their home gathering if they think the party should be over, but they will also be honest and direct about other things, too, so you can trust them. They don't have anything to hide (famous curtainless windows is a great Calvinist Protestant metaphor)
It is also very clean in Spain. The streets are clean because they have people sweeping them with brooms and picking up trash. I have noticed the same in other European cities in Denmark and in Norway.
Hi! I'm Spanish! Americans often talk about their country's problems like they are The Gospel Truth and they often forget that the world doesn't revolve around them. They talk about how amazing the US is The Land of the Free, the Home of the Brave! While simultaneously having one of the most barbaric societies I can imagine. How is it Freedom to be $100k in debt after finishing college? How is it Brave to send children to school with bulletproof backpacks? How is it a Dream to have to pay out of pocket for healthcare? Also WHY can teenagers drive at 16 but they can't drink alcohol until 21? Make it make sense. America is an ultra-capitalistic, over-consumeristic, unsafe country. The American Dream sounds like a nightmare ngl.
And I really appreciated the way you expressed yourself - contrasting independence with its shadow side, isolation, for example, is both pithy and poetic. You have a gift my dear, and I wish you every success.
Wow! I can't add anything to add to your comments. You are ABSOLUTELY 100% on spot. I was born in a former French colony but I lived in the U.S. all my life, starting a the age of 2. However, my life and home education was based on the French/European model/culture....I've been naturalized U.S. citizen for over 45 years;. I'm literal American in thinking and work ethics, but I always felt there was something always missing in my life. I worked as a U.S. Civil Servant overseas for over 30 years, and I felt at home, or should I say I was comfortable and happy of being with the cultures and people I met while working overseas. Name a nationality, I had friends and acquaintances form their respective countries. Now I retired and decided to move to France, because, as I mentioned previously, I was raised as a French/European even I lived and became a U.S. citizen. To mirror some the video producers comments, I realized it was an American "mindset" I lived all my life; work, culture, thinking, ....those were the parts of my life that I could not totally immerse myself in. I would like to quote a businessman and TH-cam personality, Mr. Andrew Henderson, who's motto is: "go where you're treated best." Now to the present, I live in France and do as the French do, and I realize this is the part of my life that I was always missing, but I couldn't understand what it was until I moved to France. I don't have any recollection of the French colony where I was born, but my French/European upbringing let me to believe/feel that the U.S. is not my home. Worst thing about its, I didn't know where home was all my younger day professional life. I wanted to be free to do and live a free life without having to pursue fame, money, power and or anything beyond spiritual well being. My grandmother told me before she died, son: "you can be as rich, famous, powerful as you want in life, you can't take none of them with you when you are 7 feet under." Live your life as if it was your last day. I chose the spiritual, freedom, society without guns being the first response to anger. Every morning I go walking around the nearby lake, and every passerby says good morning or salut. Wow! This is the life everyone should life; free, safe, amicable, helpful, .. I'm now home! .
Thank you for laying this all out so succinctly and clearly. I emigrated to canada, was in Spain in October, and man, Spain is doing some things better than us. It's motivating. Im thinking about renouncing my US citizenship, and i served! It's a ridiculous situation i wouldn't even have _seen_ before.
Wow you articulated this message in such a heartfelt and gentle way while dispelling every American misconception of what our hearts are really longing for. Actually having a life is truly living the American dream and you went abroad to discover that for yourself and courageously shared this epiphany. Thank you for this revelation of what truly matters in life, living.
I wish a lot of us in the U.S. really have that option to live abroad. A lot of us, myself included, are overworked and underpaid, and it's pretty much living to work.
As an American who has had more than my share of overseas life and travels - and who now is determined to stay and fight to make things better here in whatever way I can - I'm PLEADING to all the expats to keep voting!!! Most expats don't bother voting and we need your votes!!! All the info you need is online except for the actual ballot...
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!!! If the US could just learn this from the Spanish, think how much better life would be. Your perception is right on target. One thing we don't always understand, as Americans, is how much our culture is changing the world, how influential and pervasive American culture is. I see how much the Spanish are embracing some of the American customs and I worry. But the Spanish are careful and very community focused so perhaps they will be able to maintain the balance while still moving forward. Spain has its problems, but the Spanish people are generally very loving. American could learn that money isn't everything. Saludos desde Oviedo.
I have the same fear.
Actually Americans and Spaniards and Latin American people mingle very easily with each other.
Despite many cultural differences they have lots of guys in common.
Remember that not all Europe is like Spain or Italy.
For example Germans or Poles are very hard working and interactions with people come harder there. So there are many nuances there.
@@L.a.s.t-V.a.n.d.a.l Es cierto que en centro Europa y otros países de Europa es diferente, los españoles e italianos, somos como hermanos o primos hermanos, somos mediterráneos. Eso no significa que no trabajamos duro, simplemente priorizamos la vida, la familia, los amigos...la sociedad en general antes que el trabajo. Eso pasa en general en toda Europa. Al igual que en EEUU los estados del norte son diferentfes a los de sur, aquí pasa lo mismo. Está muy bien lo de ganar dinero y ser super-autosuficiente, pero nosotros miramos más a la comunidad. Si tus vecinos y conciudadanos están bien, seguramente tú también lo estés. intentamos el bienestar social. Menos homicidios, menos sintecho, más educación gratuíta, etc., por supuesto que aquí también hay violencia, pero nunca como en EEUU. No creceremos tan rápido como vosotros, no gastaremos nuestros impuestos en armamento tanto como vosotros, pero invertiremos en educación, infraestructuras, sanidad y ayuda al necesitado. Eso no es comunismo ni capitalsmo desbocado...es social democracia. En definitiva, el ser humano es una ESPECIE y hay que mirarnos como tal. La sociedad nos proteje y nosotros la protejemos. Un cordial saludo desde España
@@L.a.s.t-V.a.n.d.a.l Spain is a hard working country too. The difference is how personal relations and social behavior is handled, and the climate has a lot to do with it
Don't worry about that. The "American dream" or the "American way" was something of the 80s or 90s. These days some people obviously still believes in it, but it's something from the past. Slow living, being close to friends, etc are values that were there and Covid increased. Also China proved that "the American way" is not the only way to prosperity, so American values are there because all the TV shows and cultural influence, but not to the point that our way of live will change.
Tipping culture in the US has always mistified me, as someone who was born, and still lives, in Europe. Your boss is supposed to pay you enough to survive. Tips are gifts for excellent service, they’re not needed for the waiter to have a roof over their head the next month. You’re not supposed to rely on them to buy groceries. Your paycheck SHOULD be enough to get the basics.
Absolutely true! I am Italian and I always thought US tipping culture is workers exploitation, plain and simple. If I devote my time to one job, that job should cover at least the basic needs, since time is one of the most precious resources a human being has got and it is not renewable. US tipping culture means considering waiters' time worthless, as if they were lesser people, and this is just disgusting.
Would you believe that americans who also think the same are crucified by other americans for this opinion? Tipping culture is BAD in america to the point servers will be unpleasant with you and even tamper with your food. Safe to say i dont eat out anymore unless i know someone else will be covering the tip.
@@cremepuffle If I had to pay for the dubious privilege of serving you, I wouldn't be very nice to you either. Under US tax structure, waiters are taxed on 10% of sales - not the actual tips received. If their overall tax rate is 25%, and federal minimum wage is $2.13, then they have to PAY to work on any bill over $86. ($2.13 X 4 X 10). Worded another way, 25 cents comes out of their paycheck for every $10 they sell.
If you don't want to tip - it's better that you don't go out rather than fuck over your server.
The irony is that such a tipping culture just like the American GoFundMe Healtcare trend are practicly taxes on being good to others, those who try to be humane and share are disproportionally burdened by the US system while the greedy get further ahead. Shouldnt surprise anyone that the American society is such a mess with good people falling off the ladder left and right, while the worst kind of people climb to the top.
@EricWeimer-ib4qs the person said they don't eat out anymore. Your vitriol is exactly what he's talking about with American tipping culture.
America is not a country with citizens.
It's a business with employees.
Europe is a fiefdom with serfs
You made my heart drop. Your comment NAILED IT.
@ghostrider1827 The sad, disgusting truth of it all.
It's a country of consumers, customers and commodities.
How about a business with wage slaves.
The problem is that “the American dream” is only a dream for the company _owners_ . For the workers, it’s a nightmare.
“That's why they call it the American Dream, because you have to be asleep to believe it.” ― George Carlin
Yeah. America is good for employers. Europe is good for workers.
@@kdeuler Read 'Draghi Report'.
From 2008 US economy doubled.
Chinese economy went even further.
EU barely moved by a few percent.
EU have a choice (according to Draghi), either become competitive, or become irrelevant within generation - if lucky, or a decade - if not.
He gave EU 3 years to react.
We are almost half way into second year - and nothing.
Europe lives on credit.
And payment is comming due soon.
Inheritance and other people money are about to run out.
I live in the EU country.
The American Dream is well and alive in Europe in Asia in many different parts of the world! 🌎 For those that can play this system it’s one of the few in the world that can make you insanely rich. Most of us want to live and thrive but not actually to be so rich we can buy a small country. The living and thriving is actually quite difficult in the American system and that’s currently the problem!
The "American Dream" was nothing but an advertisement for consumerism after WW2.
Someone said: "The US is a third world country with great marketing". This feels more and more true every day.
😂😂😂
Buddy I don't think u've lived in an actual third world country before.
America's definitely got issues that seem to be getting worse but let's not get carried away.
Not really. The only ones taken in by the propaganda are it’s own citizens. The rest of the world looks on in horror.
@@archlectoryarvi2873We could agree on that it’s a “B” country. Not 3rd world but certainly not 1st either.
@@archlectoryarvi2873 Well, both the USA and underdeveloped countries have in common that the rich lock themselves away in Gated Communities and the like.
@@archlectoryarvi2873 Calm your eagles. It's obviously not meant to be taken literally.
The hamster wheel only looks like a career ladder from the inside!
Very good 😂
I am going to share that!
Going to pinch that!
wow that is a great analogy!!
Man, that's so spot on!
"relying on others isn't weakness, it's humanity", it's community as well as society, we look after and care about each other.
Competition is the law of the jungle, but cooperation is the law of civilization
But do you trust them?
@@EricTD1995 Trusting people is an individual question for individual situations - of course. How else would it be?
This is in covey's seven habits I think. Babies are dependent, we learn independence, but to be really successful we develop interdependence. The skills of delegation, trust, etc.
Indeed. Take it one step further. Self reliance is a lie, making you work hard, while you can't organise together and have strong unions, let alone fight for universal healthcare.
“Leisure is not laziness. It’s living”. Damn
THIS!!
@@ThomasPaine-g6t and living isn’t working
Ahah it sounds like a revelation to you. But This is natural.
brooo, i felt this. America has normalized you sacrificing your life for living. Any and everything that brings you joy or happiness must be put aside to make a living.
lol. How is that not obvious?
You are right. I'm from Costa Rica and lived a few years in the US legally. What I noticed first is that as a society, it functions like an ant colony. Everybody has a task and do it fast. Then I noticed that after high school, students would leave their homes and move far away from their families. And I asked myself: how will this people develop a bond if they don't share a life together? I was very young at the time and took me a while to realized that the US is a place to learn how to work , not how to live. The whole system is design around money, not people.
The whole system is design around money, not people - ( i dont know if you intended to write this as a gem of truth, but you did).
It’s hilariously ridiculous and sad that you felt you had to mention “legally”
@Sur-Ron Actually, I mentioned it because the reality of an immigrant without a green card is tougher, which would've changed the context of my comment. Cheers
God bless you.
I have been saying this: America is about MONEY, from the church to the atheist.
I have never been in a society that's more greed-driven than America.
Tueh.
I went to a huge joinery factory in Portugal that employed 250 staff. when we broke for lunch we were told we would be eating in the company canteen. My heart sank because I was hoping for a slap up business lunch.
The company canteen ended up serving restaurant quality food and had wine bottles on every table. I said jokingly to the owner ‘I bet your workers don’t get all this’ making reference to the bottles of wine and multi/course meal.
He put his arm round me in a fatherly way and led me through two big doors which took us into the workers canteen. Every table had bottles of wine and the food was exactly the same as the managers were getting. I ended up with huge respect for this humble and egalitarian millionaire. Europe is different.
Were they operating saws or other hazardous machinery after lunch? 😧
@@AndreiTupolevit's a factory do your guess
@@AndreiTupolev Are you trying to claim that the people working in factories in the US are sober??? That may be true some of the time.
I visited an American paper making mill and we also were fed in the company canteen, it was hamburgers that day, and they were some of the best I have ever had. They had different meals each day.
@@AndreiTupolevpeople in southern Europe are enjoy wime but very little. 1 or 2 Glasses of Wine and it's fine. They have no problems with drinking. Being drunk would be socially most inappropriate. In Germany for contrast, being drunk is part of the culture.
it's so heartwarming to see americans discovering the developed world.
*giggles*
Developed & Civilized World.
I know this is a joke, but it's kinda true...
Americans think we live like kings, when in reality, our standard of living is that of a developing country. American infrastructure is falling apart, cities are rundown, and wealth inequality is massive (just to name a few examples)
Or that the 'undeveloped' world is just developed in another way.
@@Velociter I don't think many Europeans would see this as a joke. I think many of us believe that Amricans mostly live with some kind of psychosis and embrace a form of Capitalism that more and more resembles a slight variation of Feudalism. You serve your lords, which aren't monarchs, but still inherit their power via wealth from their parents. And they don't directly force you to work for them, but they trick you into believing you have to and you depend on them. The end result is the same, though, you basically live in soft Feudalism. Other countries have moved on from that.
This has me in tears. I want out of the U.S. immediately. However, I am the caretaker of my very elderly bed-bound mother, so I'm stuck. I know with every fiber of my being that Texas is NOT where I'm supposed to be. I hope I get out of here before I die. So depressed, but happy for others who've found their way out.
Oh Fran, my hope is that you are able to.
from what I can see there is a growing awareness that the USA needs fundamental changes. perhaps joining a maker-space or other creative group can give you respite? I know caring for an ageing relative is all consuming though. ❤
We want out too. This rats pace is killing us. We dream of moving abroad one day and having a slower and happier pace of life.
While you are taking care of your mother you can learn. Read about different countries. Decide, where you want to live. Learn the language. Do research on the country and the people you want to live with one day. You are not stuck. You are in preperation. All the best to you. 🧡
@@chrissmaerz And learn about their economies and crime as you don't want to move somewhere far from your hometown and be in big trouble. And I say all this having lived abroad and moving back for family too. God Bless you! I know you will do what's best for yourself.
Friends of mine from Europe have been saying this to me for years. It wasn’t until I had the opportunity to live in Italy for almost a year that I saw how true it was. It’s not perfect, but no one is saying it is. There are real challenges, just like any other place. But the sources of stress are different when for example you don’t have to stay in a job you hate just because it provides you with health insurance. When health insurance is free, you get your life back not to mention a whole bunch of money stays in your pocket.
@@georgecooksey8216 no, it’s not. It’s €120 for the year. AND THAT’S IT. Do you still think it’s a ripoff?
Trapping people by fear for their health is how they get you. And the insurance can say no too
I left the US 10 years ago. I hope I never have to go back. It would feel like a terrifying punishment. So many toxic things are normalized and people live with more stress than they realize. The threat of medical debt, gun violence, doing everything alone, few social networks within our political systems, the tasteless and chemical filled food that makes people sick, etc., I could go on and on. Socializing in the US is very unsatisfying. People are looking at their watch the entire time ready to run off to the next thing. When we moved here we had a play date with our daughter and some new friends. We chatted with the parents and the kids played. I thought it would last an hour or two but we ended up ordering pizza and stayed until after 10:00 PM! Talk about culture shock. When they socialize, they sink their teeth in and give their companions their full attention in a relaxed and joyous manner. I love it. We don’t know how to live in the US. There is no work life balance. People take pride in not taking vacation time and our US vacations are pathetic as it is! No thank you. I’m glad you got out. Especially now.
Well said!
But now the proverbial economic bill is coming due.
European lifestyles cannot be sustained.
@@SK-lt1so Economic bill coming to whom?
@@baronmeduse
Uhhh...all of Europe
@@SK-lt1so Explain this mechanism to me.
And the saddest thing of all is that those Americans trapped in the American Dream believe they are free.
Nah some of us have no illusions about what we're dealing with. It's getting the rest of us to understand that's the issue.
No, I would love to immigrate elsewhere. But if you are an american from one of the poorest areas, it is nearly but not completely impossible to get away.
Freedom in the USA is freedom to be the opposition party n not get locked up for it, china, Russia, for example, locks up critics, its not financial freedom, thats it.
We are ALL, to a greater or lesser extent, trapped in mental prisons, built by the powers that be in our societies, and maintained primarily by media empires and educational institutions, along with any other authorities we encounter. The USA has been steeped in a culture strongly biased towards maintaining the dominance of those at the top of the hierarchy; a pervasive and oppressive conformity was all but inescapable until the fifties, when the beat generation started a pushback which culminated in the counterculture of the sixties and largely fizzled at the end of it, when the pendulum began to swing back hard with the authoritarian war on drugs and televangelist radicalisation of the bible belt; abortion used to be fine with these people, for instance. When blanket oppression failed, the emphasis shifted to divide and conquer. If you zoom way out and squint, all you can see is the dynamic of a tiny sliver of the populace perpetuating their dominance through whatever means which get the job done, with the ill effects on the populace and the world at large disregarded at best, or perhaps more likely considered a feature rather than a bug by the vile ruling class. The world is dying for their demented sake. Top-down organisation is toxic insanity - our only salvation can be anarchy (the political definition, not the ignorant synonym for chaos).
They are trapped in the dream because they're sleeping and won't wake up.
“American Exceptionalism” is another cruel myth. I live in Canada. I find so many Americans just assume that their way of doing things is best, even that it is has God’s stamp of approval, that they were chosen for a special destiny.
I saw the cruelty of the myth most strikingly as a boy during the Vietnam war. The confidence that American governments had in their power to re-make another nation half-way around the world was misplaced, and conscripted military service tore apart the lives of a million families.
I am embarrassed that I didn’t mention the millions of lives in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos that were torn apart. The colonialist mindset is hard to shake.
@oldpossum57 isn't more than just a colonial mindset. It's pure Western greed but also narcistic scycopathy. Dealing whot the west is like dealing whit a person whit a narcistic scycopathic personality disorder. No matter what you say or what you do, that person is always looking for ways to intervere in your life. To meddle in your affairs one way or the other.
Absolutely nailed it.
Merican exceptionalism - we're the best. Our systems are the best - let's face it - EVERY country today took on board the US system of 3 separate but co-equal branches of government. Australia & Canada took more - like the US, we're a bunch of colonies of the UK that came together to form a modern nation in 1840 (Canada) & 1901 (Australia).
You Mericans have your heads up yo butts in many cases. You think you're so good that you literally can't see just how bad your system is. From an overseas perspective - oh, it's super bad. And we wonder what it's gonna take for you to see how bad it actually is.
This is the same thing I hate so much about Russia.
Though to an extent every major geopolitically relevant nation/culture seems to have this sentiment.
They still do, and to some degree, the Brits, who still think in terms of Empire. A few years ago, some Brit commented about Kurds being abandon in Iraq, Syria etc... after the war, he say why don't we just draw the map for them. Conveniently forgetting or ignoring that most of the world conflict was precisely because the colonist drew the maps which only benefitted the West that cause so much problem to these day.
What a breath of fresh air you are. I am a retired/disabled veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard and had to mostly withdraw from society. I have not worked since retirement and being 100% rated by the VA; spending my day doing as I please has led to many people scrutinizing my way of life. I got tired of the negativity and presumed jealousness - been called lazy, continually reminded that I have no job, etc. Thanks for this.
they hate that you get to enjoy yourself
I find that most of them are of the Maga type! maybe it's just me?
Yes! Enjoy your retirement and thank you for your service to our country. You have nothing to feel guilty about! I'm 8 years retired and love every moment of it. My health is a bit compromised but I'm able to get around on my own. So many people I knew died within a year of retirement.
@@jerrydavila5647 yes! So many of my friends that retired from the armed forces, younger and older, are already gone because of service connected ailments. I’m glad that you and others have your health after retirement
Thank you for your service, your sacrifice. You deserve that "you" time now. Her advice to reach out to others is good advice.
"Independance is powerfull but connection is transformative"
.... what a gem
This reminds me of a quote I read in “The Hedonism Handbook” by Michael Flocker: “In America, you are all in this mad race to be number one. And you know what? You win! You can be number one. Here [in Europe], we would rather enjoy our lives.”
This has always resonated with me.
Some consider it the rat race, others consider it hustle culture. It’s definitely the best way to miss out on what truly matters.
@@momshouldve Even Rats relax at times.
"Leisure isn't laziness, it's living."
I grew up in the UK with a similar mindset and by 2014 [44] I was worth €6 million - and I was not happy once the novelty wore off. Its not like the movies and that is exactly what you are expecting. I suffered brain damage in a mugging and lost everything, which was a blessing in disguise - it allowed me to admit it was no MY dream I was chasing it was society's dream that had been programed into me.
I could never have admitted that without losing everything - you cant admit you have wasted 25 years of your life chasing a pointless dream you dont even want.
I now live a tiny minimalist life doing the things I enjoy.
@@piccalillipit9211 Peace of mind is priceless.
I am deeply aware that Europe has countries and Spain is one of them. I produced this video to share with those who need a different perspective.
KEY WORD, DREAM. MORE A NIGHTMARE!!! Well Said, AMEN
It's hilarious that this is a sentence that someone puts together. Only an incredibly chauvinistic and self important education system like the U.S. can produce people that are not aware of the world they live in. I mean it's sad, but it's also funny. Not trying to be patronising, but for most people in the world it's unbelievable how ignorant people from the U.S. can be about the outside world.
It's perfectly fine to take Spain as the example to base the video on! I live in The Netherlands, and there's definitely a difference between northern and southern Europe. From my perspective, in the south, they are going a bit too far on the relaxing side and the economic situation reflects that I think. I mean, if they live happily, who can blame them? But I still think a country should be financially responsible and countries like Greece, Italy and Spain have definitely dropped the ball on that sometimes. But I do see it improving and Europe is kind of averaging out over time I think. One of the side effects of the EU and globalization on a larger scale.
In any case, Europe overall is way closer together in this regard than when comparing Europe or any European country with USA. Canada leans a bit more towards the European style, but still a far ways off.
@@cygnusx7 Italian living in the Netherlands here, acquainted with both locals and other Southern Europeans in my area.
As far as I could observe, the economic issues with Southern Europe are largely due to inefficiency and corruption at the political and institutional levels, and with Italy in particular there's also a widespread close-mindedness coming from entrepreneurs which hampers productivity and often keeps salaries low too as a result. In short, poor management.
Being too "relaxed", however, has hardly ever been the problem. Every time I hear people say this, I sense that what is really being said is "you're poor because you're lazy", which, to put it very mildly, isn't really reflective of our reality.
@@cygnusx7 try to live in Greece, Italy or Spain and see how truly relaxed it is if you are not heir to some family fortune
2:31 "The mid break allows me to be more productive". Such an American thing to say! Feeling good is not enough, it must also make you more productive in order to be worth doing. As a recovering workaholic, I understand the feeling. Live and learn!
It's funny, but it's true. Sometimes doing less is actually more. You live better and you work better, no drawbacks.
Yeah, I got a little sad listening to that. People have a hard time getting away from that overworking culture. Things have to be productive to be worth it for them
What if productivity for her is exercise or a hobby? Productivity isn’t always related to work
@@AnnaBell033 She was talking about work, that's why.
It is an argument to convince bosses not to pressure their employees and not to view every break as laziness.
I'm a Canadian and my wife has some relatives in Texas. We went for a visit some years back and they are very nice, hospitable people. Some time after our visit to Texas, I had a job in Calgary and invited them to come have a look at Alberta and experience the Stampede. Three things stuck with me about the American culture, they couldn't seem to shake while they were in Canada. We mentioned that we had the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corp) and it was supported by the government so there was a certain amount of Canadian content on the TV. They were genuinely gobsmacked that we wouldn't just want all our TV to be American. They believed that everyone in the world wanted to be American, but the poor dears had the misfortune to be born in another country. When we went to the Stampede, we took the train to downtown as parking would have been impossible. On the way back the train was packed and there were some drunks causing a ruckus. Some people near them suggested they shut up and things settled down without a major incident. The next day my wife's cousin felt it necessary to mention to her that they felt we had put them in danger by taking the train at night. Di said "No one on that train had a weapon and the worst case the loud mouth might have gotten a punch in the face." They couldn't believe that with the number of people on the train, no one would have a gun. We took them for a trip around the Canadian Rockies and they were impressed, especially there granddaughter when we saw a moose. We suggested going to Drumheller where there is a world class museum full of dinosaur skeletons. They declined because the world was only 6000 years old and Gawd made it. They really didn't want their granddaughter to see scientific information that might shake her Christian indoctrination. My wife and I not being Christians, were like "Wow, that is some serious denial."
Greetings! Calgarian here, now living in BC. I married an American 15 years ago. ALL his friends in Washington, DC cooed and gushed with relief, "Whew, now you can get an American passport!" "NO THANKS!" I said, to their complete disbelief. Marriage didn't last. He hated it when I cheered for Canada during the Olympics - or when I stood politely/respectully, but didn't sing the US national anthem at hockey games...
Doh! Just dawned on me why they have had to import scientists!!!
I’d have asked them if they thought the Flintstones were a cartoon or a documentary?
@@David-p9y9c Yup, and pretty sure Republicans mistook "Hand Maid's Tale" for a manual not a novel.
Thanks for the story about the Texans. Yes, creationist and fundamentalist Christianity have had a dreadful impact on the United States, and it’s disguised by the fact of accomplishments elsewhere in the United States. The Texans believe their country is the “greatest”, but they ignore that ALL its contemporary greatness depends on its technological and scientific achievements - which wholly eschew creationism!
"Nobody ever gave me a handout. I got where I am through hard work!"
Says every worker living paycheck to paycheck in a run down rathole. That's the worst thing about the American dream. It teaches self reliance and ruthlessness where community and compassion would be a hundred times more effective. People would rather accept poverty than help because they think it makes them weak. Our strength lies in our bonds, not in isolation.
its the old GOP playbook for poor people who hate other poor people that don't look like them. "Bubba, the reason why you're working two jobs and still living in a trailer is because of all those poor OTHER folk you already dont like. They are what's keeping you down, not my at the golf course with my friends thinking about how I can squeeze more hours out of you for less pay.". This trick has worked on poor desperate white people in American for the past 100 years. Last time I checked there wasn't really any blacks, muslims, hispanics or gay people running fortune 500 companies screwing little Bubba and Peggy Sue over. But this is what they have been brainwashed to belive.
That explains why Americans, especially those living in rural areas, always vote against their own self interests. I've seen the poverty for myself and wonder HTF do they accept this?
There is a training exercise I've seen used.
A group is broken up into 3 teams and the rules are simple. There are going to be 5 rounds worth $$ . Each round you simply choose to maximize your profit, or cooperate. If everyone maximizes their profit, everyone makes $50. If everyone chooses to cooperate, then everyone gets $100. If it's not unanimous, then everyone who chooses to cooperate makes $30 and anyone who choses to maximize makes $120.
Round 1 is done blind, then there is a meeting before round 2.
If you do the math, the way to make the most total money is to cooperate every round. Americans are the absolute worst at this game and about 90% of the time will break the cooperation deal on round 5.
you think it's any different anywhere else???
It keeps people divided so they are easily subdued by a stronger entity: a big company or the government. The more extreme case of absolute individualism is Russia. It has what a century of supposed collectivism turned the country to: extreme "look after yourself without ever looking sideways" ideology. This allows the government and companies to pluck people one by one, why the rest just ignores what happens. Until it is their turn, but they think it will never be their turn.
You’re so right!! I’m Brazilian and we have universal healthcare. It’s crazy that the richest country in the world doesn’t
Here in Europe people who work in restaurants generally earn enough to live. In the US the customers are in essence paying the waiters wages through tips as the employer pays next to nothing. And the customers don't bat a eyelid. They suck it up. It's just another good example of hyper capitalism gone mad.
Europe has more rules and regulations to keep things more fair in society. Americans have been brainwashed to believe that regulation is bad so the system takes advantage of that. This behavior becomes the norm and is easily accepted throughout the generations. in essence, Americans have less freedom than Europeans because they’ve become beholden to the capitalist system (without reflecting on reality) and those in government who maintain it.
Unless the owner or manager steals their tips which is often .
The ugly truth behind American tipping is that it started after slavery. Many freed slaves sought work in what they were familiar with... being a nanny, service staff, farm work. Tipping was actually started in Europe, and brought back by the wealthy... and it was a perfect way for employers to pay freed slaves a pittance. When minimum wage was being proposed, the South would only vote for it if those jobs were left out, or drastically reduced... because they didn't want minimum wage to apply to blacks. Oh, 'merica...
@@Kelly_BenOmg, that it so not true. What is 'tip' an acronym of? 'To Ensure Promptness'. It had fuck all to do with post-slavery and everything to do with lazy tourists. And yt children were benefitting from tipping long before the abolition of slavery. Like, have you ever read Horatio Alger, ffs? And your claim makes no sense anyway...it's not like there were minimum wage laws in the 19th century. An unscrupulous employer could pay anyone a pittance, regardless of color. Jaysus, I'm a liberal, but that shit was clearly just polemic hysteria you heard somewhere and just accepted at face value.
Just back to Europe from a holiday in the US. The 'almost compulsory' tipping culture is sickening to the core. Waiters/waitresses/hosts, whatever you want to call them, are human beings who deserve to be paid by their employer for their valuable work. It saddened me to see tired people in their later years on their feet almost begging for scraps to survive. It's not right.
You nailed everything. I’m an immigrant who’s been living in the USA for 26 years and I’m moving to Spain at the end of the month and renouncing U.S. citizenship. I’ve become repulsed.
Safe travels!
Bienvenido! Were you originally Spanish?
@patrickortiz2898 oh the irony....
@@patrickortiz2898 you proved johnsilver’s point
@@patrickortiz2898 You can't handle the honesty.
Great 👌 I lived in the US for 13 years but was so thankful when it was time to come home to the UK. I got to walk around the streets again; pass the time of day with strangers, not feel like I was on a roller coaster of stress and enjoy my life again. Agree with everything you said XX😊
I've lived in the USA since 1982. I'm from Cambridge, but would like to move to Spain or France.
Amen! I've been living in Europe (Germany) for the past 36 years, and I visit Spain, Italy and Croatia often. Europe has helped me "recover" from so many "American" issues.
Thanks for sharing!
I'm glad you enjoy it here in Germany :)
Omg Croatia, what places did you visit??
Title should say "living in Spain." As Europe is by no means a monolith. Spain is nothing like the UK or Germany for instance, but probably very similar other Southern European nations. And possibly some parts of Latin America too
THIS. I'm from Poland and our life approach isn't as healthy as more Southern and Western Europe :
Really,is living in Wales the same as North Ireland or Scotland or England? I was under the impression those countries that make up the United Kingdom and are somewhat different to each other lol
@@drewbranch7700 All those countries are in the same region, North-West Europe. Regions are mainly categoried by geographic location and cultural overlap. Variation WITHIN countries or continental regions exists but tends to be far less than ACROSS continental regions or continents as a whole.
Its completely nonsensical to compare living in the USA to living in Europe, as one is a country the other is a continent with several countries, and a significant level of variation across regions!
“As Europe is by no means a monolith. Spain is nothing like the U.K “ I concur the continent of Europe is not a monolith,but where we deviate at is the United Kingdom part,sure Spain is nothing like the U.K,but are countries that make up the U.K a monolith. Sure it’s the same region,but it’s intellectually dishonest to claim or infer that they are all the same. Your logic there was flawed,and I have been to most of the countries that make up the U.K,so that’s why I thought it was such a vacuous statement. I don’t think it’s nonsensical for someone to say they live in a continent per se without being specific about where they actually reside;unless of course,you are dealing with a pedantic individual. I have heard people say,”are you from across the pond”;it doesn’t bother me,I then asked them if they could expatiate on the meaning. Some people could have thought of loads of things or even countries,so have some patience and realize things don’t always have to be perfectly stated according to your liking all the time. Don’t have a monolithic mindset and try to expand on your thoughts.
The title is probably more for the American audience who wouldn't understand the differences in Europe. But more would be interested in learning about living in "Europe" rather than just "Spain". It's a good catchy title.
We just moved to Spain 2 months ago. I’m still adjusting from working in NYC for 35 years. I do love it here and I’m learning how to slow down. I’m grateful.
Would you mind please to shed some light on your status? Type of visa? How long did entire process take? Did you hire Spanish lawyer to assist with immigration process?
@holmbergaudio Which is why Americans are so stressed. They have the biggest government, claim to love small government, yet theirs gives them nothing. It's sad, and that's why they have among the highest stress levels among developed nations.
@@MrChazz965 Well Mr Chazz, enjoy your voyage of discovery to a more relaxed and rewarding life. Although a European, I've spent a lot of time in the USA over thirty years and came to realise that the lifestyle there was a trap, a relentless treadmill for those in employment however well paid - or not - and for those people who opted to function outside of mainstream society they had often become enmeshed in the double whammy of poor parenting and even poorer education. I hope you've learned to take time to breathe, but it'll likely take at least six months before your mind accepts your new reality. If you live among the Spanish, bake and gift them an apple pie and serve it with cream or custard. You will stun them, in a good way. Regards, and good luck from Andalusia.
Welcome to the civilized world where humanity still has priority.
I live in Spain too and moving here it was wild how quickly the daily fear i lived with as a gay man melted away
I am genuinely happy for you. Best wishes!
I am so happy you made the move.
@ my husband is Mexican, we did it right after the Jan 6. We just had a sense things would continue to get worse there. Zero regrets
As a European, this makes my heart very happy that you feel comfortable here
@@user-pr2xj1bm4u My husband is now Spanish & I will be in another couple years, we are proud and grateful to be here
As a German I've never understood how Americans think they're a free country. Just basic human rights are non-existent.
So true.
@@momshouldve You agree that "basic human rights" are non-existent in the US? Really?
@@georgecooksey8216 hard to not agree when you're one medical bill away from complete bankruptcy
@ Then get insurance. In the US it's a simple matter of personal responsibility.
@@georgecooksey8216
Don’t be an asshole. Or are you a bot who’s trolling? 😠
In the community I live in, they held a fundraiser for a family who can’t afford insurance. Their daughter has a muscular disease that has to be treated in Columbus, OH (125 miles away)
They raised $2,500 and I’m guessing that barely made a dent in what the family owes. Insurance wouldn’t, either: too many here choose food and rent over god-damned insurance, which we could all have with a Universal Healthcare system.
Welcome to the free world, glad to have you onboard! Best regards Dan in Sweden 😊
Thanks Dan in Sweden! It’s such a pleasure to have healthcare!🤣
True freedom - not the fake, manufactured freedom they're selling in the States these days ☹️
Loved this!
I think she forgot the myth that the US is supposed to be a democracy
Best wishes from Norway, Spain its a really nice country. I really like Malaga ,its so many nice places in Spain
I hear what you are saying. After growing up in Minnesota, years ago I expatriated in Germany. I am still discovering how good my life is here. I never made a better decision. As time continues I realise how out of step I am with the American plutocracy, that you describe, not being a plutocrat myself. MAGA calls us here (decadent) socialists and communists without understanding what these scare words mean. That is their way of trying to justify American kleptocracy. Good luck my American brothers! But aside from 5% of the population, your future looks gray.
May I ask why you use the word 'expatriated' instead of immigrated? (genuine question 😊)
I'm glad that the quality of life has improved so much for you.
I personally really like our German neighbors(I'm Dutch) so good choice in country. 😊
Warm greetings from the Netherlands. 🌷
@@BabzVexpatriate usually means you are not permanently going to stay in that country but rather are there for work for a couple of years/ months. The original commenter sounds more like an immigrant to me since they say they moved “years ago”. ;)
@@BabzVbecause anglophones are special people 😂
"Your freedom from gun violence is protected" chef's kiss
What's a "chef's kiss"?
gesture of satisfaction or approval made by kissing the fingertips of one hand and then spreading the fingers with an outward motion.
I'm referring to how well it reframes the "gun debate". In Europe we very much prefer "the freedom from gun violence" to "the freedom to bear arms"
@@JRspeaking
@@JRspeaking a tiresome meme.
FOOL @@Lightw81
@Lightw81 perhaps, but I can imagine it's not as tiresome as hearing about the deluge of "thoughts and prayers" after yet another school shooting knowing that neither of these will make your children any safer when they leave for school in the morning.
My current job does not allow for breaks, and we work 14-hour shifts. Iived in North Africa three years and I was very happy. Now that I'm back in America, I'm feeling quite depressed and have gained a significant amount of weight.
I’ve known this my whole life, as I had European parents & spent a lot of time in Europe growing up. Americans have really crappy oppressed lifestyles where it’s all work & no play & then they get nothing in return. The average working class European has a far high standard of living than the average American, & crime is low, schools are great, society is just so much better in Europe… like America was a hundred years ago. Yet Americans are constantly brainwashed into thinking “America is the greatest” and most never travel and never see what they’re missing. It’s sad & pathetic.
I think 40 years ago there was a justification in Am3ric4 that the trade-off was a MUCH higher material standard of living and salary than Europe, but that has been eroded and eroded so that all that is left is the work and a lower standard of living.
My cousin who lives in Baltimore asked me this summer, "How do you have time to learn slacklining?" 😅 Idk. It was summer in Stuttgart, I had my leave, and it was a free program provided by the city to get people to the parks...
I grew up traveling internationally and still fell victim to it.
Now I'm understanding a little more how Trump got elected
@@keithbartlett-y8e My friend in the US is exceptionally upper middle class. She was having to cut back on her spending and cancel subscriptions - thats how expensive life had got. She has worked at the same company for 35 years she was fired by SMS whilst in the airport going on holiday, along with her entire team - they outsourced the entire IT operation. About 145 people just binned with no notice, locked out of the building.
She has a company pension they gave her a settlement per month - she accepted it and then they "made a mistake" its actually $1,250 less per month than they quoted her so she has had to cough up about $50k for a solicitor to fight that and it will take about 5 years and $250k they estimate.
Her health insurance now she is not working is $1,500 a month so thats $18,000 a year. Her adult son had an accident that needs dental work - its not covered for reasons I dont understand but that's going to be $50k for implants.
For the dental, the solicitor and 1 year medical she could buy a large villa with a swimming pool in my country and get the dental work done for free and free healthcare.
Its getting completely crazy in the US.
"Your freedom from gun violence is protected." Lol, love the phrasing! Not sure many non-Americans will have caught that.
How are they protected from gun violence? What protects them?
Yes, we caught it. We are very well aware of the excuse American’s use to “protect our freedom to own guns”.
Not having the US constitution protects us. That thing is a bin fire on paper.
It is blatantly obvious to non-Americans.
you bet we do
Hello "American who moved to Europe". Your video, albeit only scratching the surface is enjoyable, and says a lot. Allow me to point out a couple of things. One is in Europe people working, say in restaurants do not work for $2.19 an hour, but are paid minimum wage, at least. Still though I always give at least something as a tip. You might want to elaborate on the mid-day "break" i n Spain. I think most Americans will not understand this is a matter of hours rather than half an hour. for lunch. I left the US several decades ago. Have lived in England, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Holland and Sweden, as well as seven years in South East Asia. I will never return to the US to live. Americans for the most part live in a bubble of self delusion, perpetuated to a large degree by the powerful and wealthy who fear people might demand real change if ever they found out life outside that bubble has a lot to offer. Good luck in Spain. Live a good life.
Well put.
One, wiithout America paying your bills, Europe is in for a rude awakening. I really hope we withdrawal form Nato and you guys have to pay for your own military. Also I hope we hit you with tariffs, you are a welfare state of America. Two, mass immigration WILL surely and quickly change Europe, and the quirky culture you cam to enjoy will if the past. You vote for it, you got it.
And that minimum wage is a reasonable wage
@@sarahmitchell821 Its a living wage, as such so called tipping is not necessary.
@@roscored1000 Exactly. It's a reasonable wage and not one that puts you below the poverty line unless topped up by tips
"I've paid off my credit card debt". I'm from Eastern Europe, I'm almost 40, working professional in IT and never in my life I had a credit card, never even been in debt at all. It's crazy how people who have credit cards, student debt, medical debt, mortgage, consumer loans, etc somehow live in the delusion that they are "free".
I live in Sweden.. I’ve been living abroad for almost 12 years now. You couldn’t pay to move back to the U.S.
I lived in Sweden for 10 years and moved back to Texas two years ago. You couldn’t pay me anything to live in Sweden again. The cold and the dark was too depressing.
@@ripley3440 come to Australia, we've got all the sunshine, too much of it really! :P
@kimberlyberggren3440 Swede here. Yes, the cold and the dark _is_ depressing (Swede here), but, personally, I would rather take dark and cold any day over a society that is run by Greg Abbott and his likes. Besides, Sweden is a long country. The difference between Kiruna, Östersund, Stockholm, and Malmö is quite big. Southern Sweden isn't so bad (although it's nothing like Texas).
Priorities, priorities...
@@elisaa9981 As someone who grew up in Malmö and now lives near Stockholm, the -20°C is a huge difference to me in the worst of winter. I was used to dealing with the deepest of winter with just a t-shirt and a wind breaker jacket, because down to -5 isn't that bad. But in minus 20 I have to layer up so much...
I'd rather live in Australia where even the cute animals are venomous (even the platypus) than Texas any time, though. Or any other US state.
@@catwatts6352…which is best for Black Americans:
Sydney or Melbourne?
American expat living in the UK here, I will say that the UK is far from perfect but I do definitely relate to what you’re saying about breaking away from a lot of toxic ways of thinking about social connections and work life balance. Where I live in the UK, no one asks me about what I do for a living, they ask what I like and am interested in. If my current job is getting me down, I have a tea break, or I go to the pub afterwards, and on top of it all I don’t have to stress about paying for health insurance. It’s a huge relief and is something I’m quite thankful for.
As a UK born person who has moved away and doesn't like the "Americanisation" of British culture, your comment is really interesting. I suppose everything really is relative.
Whereabouts in the UK? As an English northerner living down south, I find the London commuter belt rat race so much more like America than eg Manchester or Leeds
Ex-pat is just a cope word so you don't admit to yourself you are an immigrant
@ I am an immigrant, I have no problem admitting that. I tend to use those words interchangeably, though you’re right I should probably not use expat for that reason.
@@landravac It's just a word invented by white people who don't want to call themselves immigrants.
Wonderfully well said, thank you. I’m a Canadian who has lived in Italy for 40 years. And not to mention cooking every meal from fresh produce and readily available quality ingredients! Such a simple but life changing aspect of everyday living in Europe.
Imagine how much they would charge for these ingredients in Canada.
A lot. We like to have a glass of 🍷 with dinner, a decent Primitivo is about €6.00 here, but about €22 in BC
Milk €2.33/L, vs. About €1.09
Consider climate and consider trade practices. In Europe, neighboring countries trade freely with one another. In America, which is Continental system comprising many nations (countries, states) trade is controlled by …. Yes, you guessed it …. The US.
The US deploys embargoes and tariffs (at a rate of 100% now, thanks to the recent triumph of an elected dictator) to ensure that cooperation and collaboration are impossible.
The US uses trade to punish and control and to politically interfere. Imperialist in mindset.
Buying groceries in Canada is affordable outside of corporate stores. Few talk about this. Don’t believe what you see on the internet.
Yes! I moved to New Zealand nearly 20 years ago and the culture shock was real. It did take me a while to stop working like an American, and now I’m so used to having healthcare, job protections, consumer protections and guaranteed sick and annual leave, I will never go back.
I'm European, and I can tell you, that there is a massive difference between countries in Europe. Can't just call it Europe as if all you're saying about Europe is the same all over. Massive difference between Norway, Great Britain, Serbia and Spain just to pick a few countries.
From an inside view, the are massive differences even within the regions of each country in europe. She provides an outside view: Your "massive difference" shrinks massively down when seen on her US background.
Yeah I was thinking the same, but for americans, most european countries will be a majour step upwards in terms of quality of life. (also they love to sometimes think EU = Europe = a country
Looking at the comments of Americans moving to Germany and other European countries, while each culture is different, the shift from the American mindset to the generalized European mindset is similar. The same could be said of different states and regions of the US, such as living in NYC vs a small rural town in the west, but from a European perspective, they’d be pretty similar in many respects.
Exactly. I live in Hungary, which is the poorest country in the EU. An expat with US or Western European money will absolutely live like a king here, but for many hungarians, life is miserable. Many live paycheck to paycheck, our wages are terrible, food prices are high, and most of the food you can buy is shit. The healthcare system barely functions. The infrastructure is shit, especially our railways. We're probably moments away from a massive railway disaster. Education is shit. The goverment is the most corrupt in all of Europe. The people are miserable.
With that, I'd still wouldn't live in the USA, but I just want to examplify that there are shitholes in Europe too.
@@tesznye6992Sorry to hear, I didn't know things were that bad in Hungary.
I think the relative safety and civility in some European countries as opposed to the danger and incivility of the Deluded States surprises a lot of Americans who move here. Add this to a generally educated population that doesn't believe it is the center of the universe, and you have a beautiful new society into which you can integrate.
Many blessings from an ex-Californian living in Germany.
Thanks!
Yes, I encountered the whole debunking of the busyness myth when I became a Librarian. Before that I was always being pushed to be busy, do the most, be productive, even when I didn't have anything in particular to do.
In my current department, my supervisor specifically sat me down and said: Slow down. What you're doing is important, but not life threatening. Its just books. Nobody is going to die so there is no need to rush to get it done. Working faster isn't going to help you be more productive, and the other departments aren't going to move any faster either, so slow down, take your time and be thorough, instead of doing the most work all the time.
Often slowing down feels so alien. I know it's hard to do. It's a blessing that you supervisor has the wherewithal to know what's best.
I'm trying to slow down too, but then I feel guilty, like I should be more productive. 😕
@@laraf.111 hard to slow down in usa when the norm is to always working, making money, consuming. Slowing down is not only about less stress , its also about connecting with people/the life. Really hard to reach this goal with the toxic culture of USA about work/life balance
@@laraf.111never feel guilty. Be cool.
@laraf.111 but slowing down creates space for reflection, creativity, new ideas etc. And apart from that we humans aren't built to be fully focused for 8+ hours a day. Add on distractions like emails, calls etc and there you have your reason to regularly step back and pause 😏
"Your freedom from gun violence is protected."
Most Americans could not have even imagined that this combination of words is possible.
I've only been to the US once and it was a shock to the senses. I could not get over the amount of obesity and the amount of older people who had poor mobility. I also did not feel that safe. It felt like a sick nation. Houses looked poorly built and the infrastructure was terrible.
It also felt behind Europe in a lot of ways and having to work out the tax on purchases was crazy. Tax is added before you buy in Europe and service is part of your bill in a restaurant. Your not obligated to leave a tip but we often do if the service is good. I would rather pay my higher taxes for better healthcare, infrastructure and a house that won't blow down.
The amount of obesity has noticeably increased in my lifetime. And the saddest part is that "body positivity," whatever good intentions it may have originated from, has degenerated into learned helplessness -- and in extreme cases, even science denial, as they pretend that weight has no bearing on health.
Houses are DEFINITELY poorly built in the US. Wood and plastic. They last 40 years if you're lucky. In England there are still functioning buildings that were built over 1200 years ago.
Spot on👏👏👏💪🏴@@damianjblack
@@damianjblackMost of the houses in my neighbourhood are from the 1600s-ish. Obviously some repairs or changes have been made (new roofing material, added insulation etc.), but the base housing build and materials haven’t been touched. I sometimes watch historical stuff and it’s so strange when I hear americans call a 150-200-yr-old building “old”!
@@damianjblack I suppose if you live in the hurricane and tornado parts of the US there's little point in building a house to a high standard if you know if going to blown to pieces every couple of years.
Nice video! I moved to the Netherlands and experienced many of the same things you experienced moving to Spain: more connection, less isolation, a slower pace. One thing that struck me when I last visited the U.S. was how sterile the cities were. People don't live there. A Dutch city street has much more activity. I find life much more liveable here, much more geared toward people's needs.
You are so right I have friends from Indonesia, the Philippines, I show them videos or pictures of the city or the suburbs where I work and the streets are empty and they’re always commenting. “Where is everybody how come the streets are empty? “ the suburbs are the most depressing.
You go in the garage sit in your car. Open the garage door. Leave for work. Sit all day at work. Go in your car. Come home. Open the garage door park your car close the garage door walk into your house. You’re never on the street in the neighborhood, you’re not even in the driveway
We left the US 5 years ago when we got the opportunity and decided we didn't want our daughter to grow up there. I'm so grateful that she is being brought up in a more kind and (dare I say it) culturally free place where we are now. My nephews in the states are that same age as her and already suffering anxiety attacks from homework overload- tonight my daughter has to chop garlic and onion to bring in tomorrow because they are baking bread, and she has already surpassed them in maths and science. I love your channel, your presentation is so calming.
So beautifully and succinctly put. I left the USA almost 40 years ago and have lived mostly in Australia since but have spent some years in the UK and Italy and continue to spend some months in Denmark every year (my wife works there 6 mo/yr). Additionally, I've travelled extensively in Europe, the Middle East, S America, Mexico, Asia and a bit in Africa. I firmly believe that, apart from education, travel (with an open and accepting attitude) is the most valuable pathway to an enlightened and mature world view.
US “culture” is just a shame and punishment system for those who won’t or can’t conform. The idea that it’s about freedom or individuality is laughable.
How is it a "punishment system" ?
I’ve got this same connection to Taiwan. I just got back, I was terrified when I landed at JFK, the aggressive vibes scared me after being in a country that values the common good and respect for others.
The aggressive vibes are the same in Canada, but they don't scare me, they piss me off. And I don't like to be pissed off. I love the communal spirit of Asia. I lived in many countries, Japan, South Korea, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, but never Taiwan.
Taiwan is part of a five thousand year old sivilization with great values.
Taiwan only exists because of American protectionism.
@@holmbergaudio conservatives aren't exactly sunshine and roses either 😂
Many Americans see respect for the common good as an infringement on "personal freedom".
As a son of Spaniards, who spent his child hood summers in Spain, but grew up in NYC, I love this video. For years I heard my uncles and aunts who live in Spain tell my father that we were living to work, while they worked to live. My father passed away at 59. His older brother and sister are still enjoying life each over 80 years of age. They're happy, well rounded and content. They may not have as much wealth or money as we have, but I often ask myself, what does that wealth give me? They are happier with less and things are easier and more enjoyable in European cities. They don't live in their apartments or homes. They live at pubs, restaurants, groceries, local shops, in parks and other outdoor places where they can socialize with neighbors and friends. I have a property in Spain that I inherited, and try to visit at least every other year. And when I go, I completely leave my US East Coast, go go go life style in the US and instantly become unburdened and relaxed. I leave my laptop and phone off the entire time I'm there. I'll sit at a table in the street at a pub and have a beer in the afternoon with local friends, while watching my kids play with theirs at 1:00 in the afternoon. No one judges me, and it's not the least bit odd. In the US you couldn't find a bar anywhere near a kids playground. Because here we associate it with binge drinking and drunkenness. In Europe it's common to have a glass. a wine, a beer, or just coffee or a water at a bar in the afternoon. And most kids parks will have one in sight distance, where you can grab some tapas and a drink and relax while keeping an eye on them. The life style is so different. I love it. The only reason I come back is because of my friends and family here. Wish I could take them all with me and live in Spain forever. Great video! @momshouldve .
As a european, I spent seven years living in the US. After I returned, it took a couple of months but I felt like I'd just unclenched my entire body. In the middle of it, I didn't realise how much stress I'd been under. Only once I'd left that environment did I realise just how bad it had been for me.
Look. I studied abroad for 3 months in Europe and college and that completely changed the way I lived my life today. America has it so backwards.We are not as bad as japan, but pretty close
I wish more people would take the time to explore new cultures like you did and see that there are different ways to live life.
@@momshouldve
Unfortunately, those with power in the US make intentional efforts to quell curiosity and interests in activity that don’t make money of status. When you keep telling people that your country is number 1, that makes the locals believe that any outside information/ outside perspective are useless.
What did you start by saying look. ???
as bad as japan?... I am curious
@@HomeFromFarAway
Japan has a terrible over-working culture although this moreso has to do with extreme collectivism and deference to authority/ seniority as opposed to the US’s extreme individualism. Basically, Japanese workers are socially pressured to stay in the office until their boss leaves, and even then should the boss want to go onto after work drinking parties, you are also pressured to attend until he (and bosses there are practically always men) wants to leave as well. This leaves people VERY little if any free time for themselves to rest and recuperate.
The biggest American myth is that America is "the greatest country on earth", because most of the people who say this have never travelled the world. Guess what America, keep aspiring to it.
This deserves more views.
Thank you so much. Please share it with someone who needs to see it. 🤍🤍
I agree!
Ssshhh if Americans find out that there is a better qualify life out there, there will be thousands of American inmigrantes in Europe Property is becoming expensive enough. )))
Then keep sharing this video with your family and friends and acquaintances.
@@iberiano-ls2rv😂
Absolutely!! My wife and I just arrived in Portugal for our second phase of life. It's hard to let go of a life of rush, rush...rush! Thank you for sharing your observations and insight.
Wow - Wow & Wow! I am Hispanic, and all th pluses that you outline fell by the wayside when I moved to the USA. Now it's dinner, alone at 6PM. I have neighbors who tense up when they hear "hello". I have an excellent gathering dust in the garage because road-rage is so provocative. I live in a city where it seems that people are incapable of of negotiating sidewalks and crosswalks without the aid of a phone. On the plus side, I putter in my well-organized. I keep dog treats and stainless steels water bowls for dogs. The latter have turned my garage into a must stop on their walks, so their humans now have two options; speak to me, and interact with others who stop to comment on motorcycles or the garage itself. I am teaching young motorcycle friends how to properly dine - slow eating and conversation is a must. I'm 74, so going somewhere else isn't that feasible. Thanks for an excellent explanation about life from a different perspective.
Your comment starts on such a down & finishes on a high. Your not a victim anymore, the others are & you've given some of them a chance to change. 👍
@Ramon51650 - Thanks for sharing your story 🤗 When I visited Guanajuato, MEX, for the Festival Internacional Cervantino, I was seduced by the pace of each day! Practicing marching bands heralded most mornings! Early lectures & tours gave way to quiet siestas. Evenings were for performances & concerts and dinner was had at 8 or 9 or 10! Music was being made everywhere by everyone. Students filled the streets and women sold handmade art crafts and paintings.
Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t all roses. There were children begging & selling chiclets, the plumbing was tragic and there was refuse alongside the roads . . . But people _LIVED_ as well as worked.
@ Ramon- re 'I'm 74, so going somewhere else isn't that feasible'
Well even tho' I'm an atheist I know I could be wrong, but even if so about that, I am sure you will be express delivery heaven-bound 'somewhere else' for all the kindness you are spreading!!😀
@@reflective5001 Thank you for the kind wishes; I too am an atheist inspired by Butterfly McQueen.
From the UK there are many things I admire about America but also some things I don't. The "I worked hard so deserve to keep what I earn" mentality ignores the degree luck plays in everything. Tim Minchin nailed it in his honorary doctorate speech as UWA. If you had asupport to get your degree you were lucky to have that environment. If you didn't have that support but made it anyway you were lucky to have that something inside you that overcame that lack. On a basic level if you are not born with something like cystic fibrosis, if you do not suffer from multiple sclerosis, if you don't carry the gene making you 80% likely to develop breast cancer you are already ahead of the game but crucially through NOTHING that you have done. The world is unfair but it has already been unfair in your favour and there are a million different ways in which this can work. So success is never self made. It relies on others. There is no self made millionaire. Everything is collaborative. An inventor needs a sales team. An investor needs a successful manager. America is great if you are the winner but it sucks if you just want to play rather than compete.
I got my Masters degree but I have 6 figure debt I will take to my grave. The masters degree is general because the field I went to school for did not work out. I was unable to secure a full-time job. I have a an invisible disability so getting hired is difficult for me. Mostly due to lack of experience and the fact that due to the high student loan debt, I cannot go back to school to change careers. So I am stuck.
Due to the terms on my student loan, I do not qualify for forgiveness due to not having worked full time. I feel like I am being punished for difficulty finding work. In America, you only qualify for employment assistance if your spouse does not make too much money. I need help but my insurance does not cover career advising. Only mental health counseling. I need a coach to help me every step of the way to find a full time job. But I am not destitute so if I can't pay out of pocket for help I'm screwed. I have a Masters degree but I am not fine.
I am disabled but not disabled enough to qualify for forgiveness. You must prove you are completely unable to work. If you can lift a finger and you can work any job, your disability does not qualify. So I am both stuck and screwed. We want to move to another country but cannot find out what the best course of action would be to get out.
@sewlove33 I am so sorry to hear about your position and I hope something works out. I had what others might consider a successful career but at the age of 58 I was assessed as autistic. I had the technical skills to be good at my job but not the interpersonal skills to deal with marketing and office politics. So I did well but not as well as others who were not as technically skilled but could work the system better. So on balance I got a good deal from life but also recognise the limitations that were part of my package. Without my technical skills I would have been sunk. I am not arguing that we should ditch capitalism as I have never seen even a concept of a workable alternative but unrestrained capitalism seems to be as bad as unrestrained communism. Both end up with a power structure where those in charge care nothing for the individuals struggling to get by each day. What matters is power and control. There are jobs here in the UK for those with good qualifications. It isn't easy but maybe it offers a possibility 🤞
@@BirkguitarsRespect total Respect 🏴👏👏👏🙏💪
I am from Germany. I have a few Spanish co workers. They say spain people Are a touch less Stressed. I could say spain represent all of Europe but we Are all the Same in values for live. I like to call me european more than german. I apericiate our close and far away neibours a lot.
Growing up in Miami we would often drive up to Orlando and visit Disney. On the way my favorite pass time was looking at license plates to see what states were visiting. Living in an idyllic port town in Spain I can do the EU version now. The ones I see the most come from France, Germany, Ireland, and UK (Europe not EU). Each place is very much different yet so similar.
So I do ! I am German/Italian, born and living in Germany, but speaking both languages and spent some time in Italy for holidays (Father was Italian). This Mixture of different cultures ( but on a similiar base) it is fantastic. Also to see how EU grow together step by step. Travelling through Europe is so great as there no controlled frontiers and most have samer currency. If I like to live in another culture I easily can do that. My pension can be deliverd quite everywhere. Europe was a great idea.
Worst thing the right wing tories did was to tale UK out of the EU. Whilst in, we enjoyed close ties, easy trading, educational, business and social links to name but a few. Inhope we can return some time.
Interesting. A poster on a forum I’m a member of is in Spain. She is terribly stressed and hates her job. It’s affecting her health.
This s spot on. As an American expat living in Spain for 2 1/2 years, I agree and feel I couldn't have made these points better myself. If you're thinking about moving here, a couple additional thoughts: Think hard about your motives. Don't make the move just to save money or to transport your American habits to another country. Come because you seek the lifestyle and cultural immersion, and be prepared to adapt regarding the pace, the values, the customs and the language because that's where the rewards are. If you come with that approach, you will be immensely grateful for the experience and will automatically show gratitude to the locals, which is the other necessity.
americans live to work, in europe we work to live.
I'm an American. I don't live to work. MILLIONS don't.
@@teejay3272statistics show otherwise
It's the same in Britain.
@@teejay3272 Period. 💯✔️ Especially Millennials-we prioritize self-care but also put in work.
However, we do NOT live to work-especially in 2024🙅🏿♂️🙅🏿♂️🙅🏿♂️
@@kenneth.mclaurinthat’s about it, yet your lifestyle is consumerism 101 - if you have never lived abroad you’ll never understand what she is talking about…you’re in the American millennial consumption / mobile phone addition rate race … you’re living a pseudo self-care lifestyle, she however talks about communities…as I said, you don’t seem to understand a thing of what she meant - too young, too privileged too narrow minded
I’ve lived in Europe for nearly 15 years and will retire here shortly…this is sooooo spot on!
So...in case you are from the US... why do you not retire on your home continent America, like probably in Brazil, Argentinia, Chile or Mexico, Canada...? When you do not want to retire in the US?
@@dankarubarth7678 Probably because he just said he lived in Europe for 15 years, so that's an environment he knows, and even if he didn't lived in Europe he wants to retire in Europe, why would you proposed him to go to other countries he doesn't want ??
That was amazing!!!! I have been living in Germany for years and I really dont see me returning to the US its just so relaxed here and I am never in a rush to go anywhere or do anything. I just feel free. Thank you for for sharing your story.
Do you know Uyen Ninh? You have to watch her if you don't😂
Would you mind please to shed some light on your status? Type of visa? How long did entire process take? Did you hire German lawyer to assist with immigration process?
@@sunshadow9704 I work for the US government, and I never have to leave because of my work status. If and when I stop working for the government, I have a German partner, so I could quickly get a resident permit. When I retire one day, I have to prove that I don't need anything from the German government, and they will grant me a residence permit. Many retired military and non-military personnel have residence permits here in Germany.
I use to live in Frankfurt working at the US embassy Germany was a dope spot for this Miami native. Great food, good times, and traveled all over. Not sure if it’s still the same but it was enjoyable day in and day out.
@@tezzyboy79 I see. You're lucky one.
Thank you for sharing your insights. As a Norwegian I'm often terrified by the systemic abuse of the US that people put up with and see as successful.
It's ingrained.
I came to Spain from AZ 16 yrs ago. Although I miss people there, I am not going back.
I will share your video. Thank you
How were you able to move? How did you get residency?
I hope you are very happy in your new home! -former American living in Switzerland, and loving it
Very...likewise.
Idem. Been living in Switzerland for over 4 decades, raised my 2 daughters here. I could never go back, especially now.
Wow - Switerland is reckoned as the ultimate case of the community-driven society (as opposed to an individual-centered one), even by us, Europeans (a Hungarian myself) - must have been an even harsher culture shock for someone coming from the US...
Most of us live our lives blinded from reality. You are one of the few to break free of our brainwashing and propaganda. Well done :)
3:53: that is true for Spain, but not for most countries in Europe. In Austria most Restaurants open at 5 to 6 pm and the kitchen closes at 9.30
Claro, es que tenemos un huso horario erróneo.
Exacto
@4:42, here in Ireland we have a political party literally called “People Before Profit”. They made some gains in this election last week. I hope they do well and gain more following in the future.
*EXCEPTIONALLY ELOQUENT LADY* with a wonderful way of explaining things. Just listening to you was a pleasure.
EDIT: Im English living in Bulgaria in an apartment block with 85 other families - I know EVERY SINGLE PERSON in this apartment block, in the UK I didn't know the name of my next-door neighbour.
Kenyan-American living in Croatia here... The US's great at marketing... everyone wants to go and live there... Spend a season, then make up your mind, it's a billboard of Southern Charm with a realism of Idiocracy... Thanks but, no thanks.
As an American who is currently working in London for a month, and also having the pleasure of working in Spain two years ago for a few weeks, this statement is spot on about the reality of living in the US. Thank you for this video! I am slowly plotting a course to make my way over here permanently.
Croatia of all places! I am from Croatia, but living in the UK. How did you choose Croatia?
Why not go to Kenya?
They kept talking about communist or fascist propaganda but no one does propaganda like the US. Just look at commonly known "stories" about their founding fathers, most of it is marketing, so it start since the beginning. Their form of propaganda isn't hiding the truth, but burying it with so much more BS.
@@trawsoza2926 Because for Americans, the US is 'home'. So why don't you want to make your home better, instead of telling people to leave?
I moved to Ireland for a slower pace of life. It is amazing! Ireland is my soul place.
After several travels abroad that started in my 40s I came to realize just what you share. It is so true and prevalent in American society to the detriment of living a happy life. We are wired by propaganda to work hard, toil, achieve success (?), and be heavy consumers. What a bunch of bologna! I was on the hamster wheel and just now at 60 trying to jump off! My son has lived in Sweden for some time and he also has discovered how different life can be when you don’t have to worry about your basic needs and work isn’t the most important thing, it’s living! Thank you for sharing your words of wisdom and experience.
Nice video, but I think many of the things you explain are unique to Spain (I'm a Spaniard) and not only that, Spain in a small sized city or village. Dinner time in most of Europe starts at 18:00 or 19:00 depending where you at, siesta is not even common in all Spain, it strongly depends on your work schedule and times. The trend in Spain is to adopt European work times, from 8:00 to 17:00 with 1 hour for lunch, but it is true there are still many jobs with the "split" work time from 8-9 to 12-13 and from 15-16 to 19-20 which allows a 30 minute siesta after a 90 minutes lunch. This is much related to the North-South axis: the Southern regions, due to summer temperatures, will have work times around the hottest hours of the day. The community vs individualism is sadly another thing that is progressively being lost, specially in medium-large sized cities. We still have many local festivities but they are more focussed in the business behind them than in creating a community, but again, that depends. From this video I take you might be in a Southern region of Spain, in a small/medium sized city or even a village where life is really slower.
Interesting comment from a native. Its ironic, I left a similar tone except in a different fashion. Im an American and was basically debunking the black and white tone of this video. 😂😅. I'm an American and while extreme patriotism scares me, I never understood the narrative of trying to make anything American like inferior and European Superior. (Overall i think both have things to offer and have their trade offs and its more dependent on the individual instead of the quality of the country).
Videos like this make it seem like many are flocking to Europe to escape the American way and how we all collectively live the same lifestyle. In reality, just as many are still migrating to the US and have their own reasons for leaving Europe.
One thing I have too heard wasnt quite as much of a thing was siesta. I have spoken to enough Spaniards and even folks in Italy to know they have their own versions of toxic work environments. And I have heard horror stories of them going without breaks, food, and water too.
On the other end. I been broke struggling with 2 jobs and uninsured and found a way to take care of my Healthcare. The U.S offers many programs for people who need help with Healthcare and its always painted as if you will die because you're poor with no Healthcare. No, there are tons of ways to handle it before it even ever has to go that far. I say the US encourages more so being re active instead of pro active and with that a sense of entitlement from folks who decide to make some choices.
I.e brings me to the tipping culture. In the end the culture is a bunch of entitled workers pressuring folks to tip them. I get it, i used to work for tips too. And when I felt like it wasn't enough, I got another job. No one is forcing you to get a job that relies on tips and no one is forcing you to tip. We also do have environments and cultures that caters more to a slower lifestyle and there are definitely areas with clubs, restaurants, bars open past 10pm.
The only explanation that I can come up with as to why the US is so far behind the rest of the world in so many indicators of happiness, health, well-being, mental health etc is that so many Americans don't have any idea of what life could be like so their expectations are grounded in ignorance and fear. I share your experience at living in Europe for quite a long time and once you experience what life could be like, you let get of the fear based rhetoric that is feeding into the American experience. Thanks so much for articulating what you and I have experienced!!!!! We are not EXCEPTIONAL in the positive sense of the word and I am so sad for so many Americans that believe that.
We need more Americans like you ❤ Greetings from Poland
“..it’s called the American Dream.. bc you hafta be asleep to believe it.” ~ George Carlin
American dream is nightmare for a European. So Georg was right
That line is so over quoted. A little originality maybe?
Spain is an exception in Europe, in Germany we start early, eat in about 30min and go home early, its like this in most countries in Europe.
Depends on your job, no?
If you're a school teacher, then yeh early hours it is.
If you're a train driver in Germany, meh - might as well be 2h late for work.
If you're a supermarket cashier, then you'll be the expendable.
If you're a carpenter, you'll tell people you'll come at 10AM and arive some time after 12AM, maybe. And you'll be packing up at 4PM.
@Herr_Vorragender with early i mean 16:30-17. I had the same job in spain as i have in Germany, still work 8h but in spain i was from 8 to 18 at work, i am now from 8 to 16:30. And in spain is not strange to be at work up to 19-20 because of the 2-3h lunch... that doesnt happen elsewhere in Europe
@@luisj.serrano5821 True. Not culture wide. Maybe it depends on the job you'd do. And of course on your employer too.
I don't know if I'd rather have a 2h lunch break over an early leave. When colleagues become friends, maybe 8PM office time wouldn't be a bad thing.
I know shamingly little about the spanish work culture let alone laws. I requested a 4 day work week (for less money of course). My boss has absolutely no say in the matter. It's backed by law.
Is it as easy in Spain too?
I agree with all of what you said apart from Europe ‘prioritising people over profit’. They are not mutually exclusive, and we prioritise both- in fact if you have healthy, educated people with stable lives, you get productive, creative and innovative employees.
That's the thing, though - creativity and innovation were never what got profit in a captured market. Squeezing people and throwing them away does. Corporations have been steadily making people pay more for less for decades now.
Dream on
In biotech, medicine, pharma...the productivity comes from the USA, not Europe.
@@SK-lt1so "Productivity"?
@@Timeskipper-g2n
Uhhh, yeah-like the major products medications,, research, Nobel prizes, medical devices...
"Productivity" by any definition
@@SK-lt1so Well well well, is that so? Do you happen to have any stats?
Calling itself "land of the free" is the biggest myth America has.
I’m thankful every day that I’ve never live in the Excited States of America. I also like living in a county that has Medicare and doesn’t normalize gun violence. That’s how normal countries show their patriotism by focusing on what is good for society.
As a Canadian, I concur.
Still in the states and retired a few years ago and I’ve slowed down, a lot. I get a reality check when making appointments and everyone seems so rushed. My hubby still run, run, runs and says to do nothing is not healthy - which isn’t what I said, but he’s an all or nothing kinda person. Ha ha ha We both watched your video and it really resonates. We were in Bilbao (and Motril, Barcelona and Palma) last year. They all felt safe and were super clean. Glad you discovered and appreciate quality of life while you’re still young - kudos to you.
As a Northern European with a Spanish dad, I know that within Europe cultures differ from country to country and that the difference between north and south, east and west is big. In other words, this is but one example.
Yes absolutely they are... but from someone who moved from the US to Germany... the difference inside of Europe are in the details (other than language of course) it really doesn't matter if you have 25 or 33 paid vacation days... both are at least 25 more than most people in the US have... it doesn't matter if the Healthcare if paid by the state or by your employer... you won't go broke because you sneezed one too many times... i have traveled Europe quite extensively in the 5 years i've been here... Public transportation is great everywhere... and yes i mean even tiny villages where the bus only comes every 2 hours.... that's still worlds better than the US... safety anywhere in Europe is miles better because you don't have to expect guns everywhere... as a gay black man... the Police is a million times more friendly and less dangerous... i have NEVER committed a crime... i was arrested 9 times in the 2 years before i left the US... i spend over 2 weeks in prison without ever being charged with anything... not even speeding...
You can not imagine the pain and fear so many of us live with every day in the US and how different anywhere in Europe is
@@LoFiAxolotl hey, just a small note: I'm Polish, "every 2 hours" kinda seems like a lot for a tiny village (at least not counting school buses, though I have seen non-students board those) - but still, I'm not sure how many places there are over here that don't have public transport at all
@siliconsulfide8 Okay to be fair i have no visited that many villages outside of Germany, France and the Netherlands... so i was generalizing there... but in any city under 25000 in the US you can be sure there is no public transportation AT ALL whatsoever... and under 300k people there's probably one or two bus routes... and even if you compare Cities like Berlin and the 5 times bigger New York... Berlin has A LOT more public transportation and it's a much more sensible layout... and that's very unique to Germany as far as i know... but for 49€ you can get a monthly ticket that you can use ALL public transportation in germany.... that's insanely cheap... I can take the Train from Berlin to Cologne for free... (granted it takes like 7 hours with those regional trains but still... it's "free")
20% tip is a tax because the employees are not paid a living wage.
As a German I was nodding along the entire video, agreeing (almost) 100%. Maybe not to the 3 hour lunches (those are more a Belgian or French thing from my experience rather than German). But the rest? Heck, yes. The USA as an entirety has to escape the rat race, take a good long look at what needs fixing, and then get down to doing it.
That's a brunch, lunch and afternoon tea combined! More people should try that 👀
It’s not a brunch . Since when drink Belgians and French tea after lunch . We drink coffee and digestive after lunch .
Germany😅
3h just an special celebration.
Never in workdays
Birthday
Christmas
Not so common
I wouldn't cope with 3h lunch at work. Give me 30 minutes and I'll spend the other 2,5 at home, after work.
I'm Swedish, btw.
I think defining Europe based on "Spain" is not a decent framing. Spaniards are known with their extra laid back culture.
It's more like a Anglo-saxon vs Mediterrenean thing, Spain is the pinnacle of it, Italians and Greeks are more or less, in that same vibe wheras Germans, Dutch, British etc are way more protestant in their "work ethic"
it´s not the case anymore. I am living in Germany about 20 years and the work ethic is a myth. People in the west of Germany are Catholic and people in the east are Protestant. I can tell you that the French, despite all their faults, are working harder than the Germans.Germans work fewer hours and are more often ill. The difference in productivity is linked solely to the automated factory. Ask Musk, he complained about the unbelievable absentee hours in his berlin factory.
Clichés and bullshit. I have lived in Spain, the UK, Denmark and Germany. We are way more alike than you say in our approach to life and at the root of it, is the welfare state. Also.. to say Spain is not a ‘decent’ example is despicable.
This is something Americans tell themselves to justify not adopting a more laid back culture. Sorry, but all those countries have solid worker's rights (and the EU just passed the "right to disconnect", allowing people to legally ignore their employers past work hours), better living conditions, and less stress in their daily lives. The English are notorious for drinking at all hours of the day, not sure why you think they're just as fastidious as the US?
The Dutch are very respectful to work-life balance. You will not see anyone taking work home or working long hours, and managers will not pressure workers for overtime. They are efficient and simple, a cheese sandwich is enough for a short lunch. They will plan for leisure -- you can't make an appointment with a Dutch friend for tomorrow :) They will kick their friends out of their home gathering if they think the party should be over, but they will also be honest and direct about other things, too, so you can trust them. They don't have anything to hide (famous curtainless windows is a great Calvinist Protestant metaphor)
well, that extra laid back culture has a country that is growing as no other...
Thank you for this! And…
Freedom from gun violence!👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
It is also very clean in Spain. The streets are clean because they have people sweeping them with brooms and picking up trash.
I have noticed the same in other European cities in Denmark and in Norway.
Hi! I'm Spanish! Americans often talk about their country's problems like they are The Gospel Truth and they often forget that the world doesn't revolve around them. They talk about how amazing the US is The Land of the Free, the Home of the Brave! While simultaneously having one of the most barbaric societies I can imagine. How is it Freedom to be $100k in debt after finishing college? How is it Brave to send children to school with bulletproof backpacks? How is it a Dream to have to pay out of pocket for healthcare? Also WHY can teenagers drive at 16 but they can't drink alcohol until 21? Make it make sense. America is an ultra-capitalistic, over-consumeristic, unsafe country. The American Dream sounds like a nightmare ngl.
Let's hope the people who need to know this see your comment.
You should have a gig in broadcasting. Your diction is just perfect! By far the best I've heard on TH-cam!
She has a beautiful voice.
And I really appreciated the way you expressed yourself - contrasting independence with its shadow side, isolation, for example, is both pithy and poetic. You have a gift my dear, and I wish you every success.
"These aren't utopian ideals, they are choices." Well said.
Wow! I can't add anything to add to your comments. You are ABSOLUTELY 100% on spot. I was born in a former French colony but I lived in the U.S. all my life, starting a the age of 2. However, my life and home education was based on the French/European model/culture....I've been naturalized U.S. citizen for over 45 years;. I'm literal American in thinking and work ethics, but I always felt there was something always missing in my life. I worked as a U.S. Civil Servant overseas for over 30 years, and I felt at home, or should I say I was comfortable and happy of being with the cultures and people I met while working overseas. Name a nationality, I had friends and acquaintances form their respective countries.
Now I retired and decided to move to France, because, as I mentioned previously, I was raised as a French/European even I lived and became a U.S. citizen.
To mirror some the video producers comments, I realized it was an American "mindset" I lived all my life; work, culture, thinking, ....those were the parts of my life that I could not totally immerse myself in. I would like to quote a businessman and TH-cam personality, Mr. Andrew Henderson, who's motto is: "go where you're treated best."
Now to the present, I live in France and do as the French do, and I realize this is the part of my life that I was always missing, but I couldn't understand what it was until I moved to France.
I don't have any recollection of the French colony where I was born, but my French/European upbringing let me to believe/feel that the U.S. is not my home. Worst thing about its, I didn't know where home was all my younger day professional life. I wanted to be free to do and live a free life without having to pursue fame, money, power and or anything beyond spiritual well being. My grandmother told me before she died, son: "you can be as rich, famous, powerful as you want in life, you can't take none of them with you when you are 7 feet under."
Live your life as if it was your last day. I chose the spiritual, freedom, society without guns being the first response to anger. Every morning I go walking around the nearby lake, and every passerby says good morning or salut. Wow! This is the life everyone should life; free, safe, amicable, helpful, ..
I'm now home!
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Welcome home! Thank you for sharing your story with me.
Thank you for laying this all out so succinctly and clearly. I emigrated to canada, was in Spain in October, and man, Spain is doing some things better than us. It's motivating. Im thinking about renouncing my US citizenship, and i served! It's a ridiculous situation i wouldn't even have _seen_ before.
Wow you articulated this message in such a heartfelt and gentle way while dispelling every American misconception of what our hearts are really longing for. Actually having a life is truly living the American dream and you went abroad to discover that for yourself and courageously shared this epiphany. Thank you for this revelation of what truly matters in life, living.
I wish a lot of us in the U.S. really have that option to live abroad. A lot of us, myself included, are overworked and underpaid, and it's pretty much living to work.
As an American who has had more than my share of overseas life and travels - and who now is determined to stay and fight to make things better here in whatever way I can - I'm PLEADING to all the expats to keep voting!!! Most expats don't bother voting and we need your votes!!! All the info you need is online except for the actual ballot...
It's long past time to fight. America is circling the drain.
Great video. I hope you don't get too much grief from your country people. Appreciate the honesty
It's been wild. But I guess that's what I'm in for being on YT