Examples: What is better in your country than in the USA?

Originally posted by thoughtsfull
Hmm...

My country (Sussex) is better at hating parking meters than the USA

In the last 7 years 400 have been blown up in the capital (Lewes) with the ones in the High Street (Main Street) have been blown up 26 times in the same period with zero injuries.

So on the zero injuries I reckon that's proof we are also better at blowing up Parking Meters

I also think it proves we are better at having worse CCTVs as no one has ever been caught or arrested for the covert bombings.

Article from 2007 when the bombings reached the 200 mark.
www.independent.co.uk...

I hate parking meters and that is one way of telling the government to go to hell.
No injuries too..impressive!!

We do have our very own parking meter hater Icon....Cool Hand Luke.

reply to post by newcovenant


Cool Vid
Glad you have icons to look up too as well

reply to post by newcovenant


yes thats true . I visited france a lot of time, love the country..dont know why but it feels like home when iam over there.
I really would like to visit the USA. I have a dream, i want to travel with my friends from the east to the Westcoast. I have em since i was a child..i hope one day it happen "(i know crappy englsih)"

A great topic OP.
But I'm betting it will turn into nationalistic drum beating any time now.....
I've not been to USA so only know what the media tells me. But US is such a big country, I expect the various states each have their own characteristics, good points and bad points and that people are different too. That also applies to the comparatively tiny UK. It peeves me that a lot of foreigners judge UK by London whereas the truth is that most of the population don't live there and there are also big differences in temperament between the different regions.
If I was to emigrate, my chosen country would be Australia. Not sure about NZ - though they say it feels like UK 50 years ago (no bad thing imo).

Originally posted by Anunaki2012
reply to post by newcovenant

 

yes thats true

. I visited france a lot of time, love the country..dont know why but it feels like home when iam over there.
I really would like to visit the USA. I have a dream, i want to travel with my friends from the east to the Westcoast. I have em since i was a child..i hope one day it happen "(i know crappy englsih)"

Wish you the best and the best time on your trip. Hope that dream comes true and Americans are as good as I know they can be to you. There are some really great people here. Hope you get to meet them on your way across. You should hit the National Parks across the country. That would be a great road trip.

Originally posted by starchild10
A great topic OP.
But I'm betting it will turn into nationalistic drum beating any time now.....
I've not been to USA so only know what the media tells me. But US is such a big country, I expect the various states each have their own characteristics, good points and bad points and that people are different too. That also applies to the comparatively tiny UK. It peeves me that a lot of foreigners judge UK by London whereas the truth is that most of the population don't live there and there are also big differences in temperament between the different regions.

Not until the Americans wake up...we have about 45 minutes...

There are big differences between each State and sometimes the people are so different it is like a whole nother country. I had a friend tell me and I have found it is true...not color, religion or race...the Mason-Dixon line is the largest dividing factor in the USA. On one side the people are all like this and the other side they are all like that,

Well here in the Netherlands we have less fat people.
and we have better cheese

Originally posted by Silend
Well here in the Netherlands we have less fat people.
and we have better cheese

Somehow they don't seem to go together. Less fat, more cheese?
Must be a lot of running that cheese off.

reply to post by newcovenant



America


The Netherlands

reply to post by Silend


You also have great coffee shops. Surely Hollands greatest achievement.

reply to post by Silend


No doubt about it...you have it better.



But I'll bet those American girls could beat any one of those skinny chicks arm wrestling.

I think someone told the American girls they are worth their weight in gold and they are just getting ready for the weigh-in.

Hello,

i think it's ironic that the first thing coming to mind if you say "Germany" is Autobahn, Beer and Octoberfest

But here is something serious, some food for thought:

European countries (and especially Germany) are VERY advanced when it comes to what we call renewable energies, alternative energies and so forth. Solar Energy, Wind Energy etc..etc.. There is a BIG industry and as far as i know Germans are amongst the world leaders in that area.

This is also where other countries, including the US are still somewhat lacking.

*What is better?*

I don't like the stereo-types and say what things are better and what things are worse..but after having lived in the US for almost a decade i value VERY HIGHLY what we have in Europe:

* I fricking love the fact that we are liberal and not having that morality complex like the US has. The US is a country where a "nipple-slip" can cause panic and outrage...where people in EU can only laugh
I love that we have a more natural view on things like sexuality...in the US i had the impression that big parts of the society are really mentally screwed up by seeing things like nudity etc. as something evil or bad. Also, the media in the US are censored heavily when it comes to such things..it's just WAY over the top how anything even remotely close to bare skin is seen as something bad. So..from ALL things in comparison i value most our liberal thinking in Europe.

I'm american, living in France for the last 20 years.

I don't really want to get into a "who's better" discussion, though it is exactly what people ask me all the time.
I still love my country, and also love this one I am in. They each have their positive and negative.

But the thread here is asking what is better over there?

As said, the health care system. Truly. It is good care, and has none of the problems we hear about in other countries like long waits, unavailability of staff, low quality care. If we were to look at what other countries are doing in order to get ideas to try out, it would be important to point out that the system here is NOT like that in England or Canada, and the model of socialized medicine Obama has been trying to push has nothing similar to it either.

It is a multi-payer system, and though state facilities exist, we are free to go to private facilities and practices (and still be covered by Social Security). Doctors are NOT employees of the state (a common misconception).
This means competition is stimulated between all health care givers, including the state run, and the quality of care is kept higher.

I especially appreciate the focus upon personal life and family, in the culture. They feel a person can be more productive if they have enough time to rest, do sports, socialize, spend time with their families. So they do work less hours. Yet their productivity is surprisingly high! Everyone gets two hours for lunch, so that parents and children can all meet at home to eat together. There is even organisms that give aid to families to allow them to go on vacation somewhere, as if that is something essential! And all employees have the right to paid vacation each summer by law.

I scoffed at all this at first and called them lazy and spoiled. With time I observed that this philosophy has it's merits! Keeping people stressed, striving at the limit of their capacity ambitiously seems, superficially, like it would be best for the nation as a whole, but in the long run, I don't think it does. You get burn out, a drop in productivity, or they turn to consumption as a stress reliever (of products, possessions, food), which leads off into health problems, social interaction lack, and growing discontent with an ever-growing appetite.

I wish America could develop some of these things- a better healthcare system, and a system more supportive of social ties and personal, emotional fulfilment.

I really like wine and foie gras too.

Oh, and being less uptight about sex and nudity- took me a while to get used to that, but it is more rational in the long run.

reply to post by newcovenant


In all seriousness I can imagine an autobahn might seem like a great idea.. but is it really better?

Where I live one could say the roads are lousy compared to an autobahn.. so lousy that in an SHTF situation I have chosen bug out bikes for the family as the roads currently can't even cope with the day trippers.

But on the flip side they are single lane roads within a picture perfect landscape.. so to some it is better to get from A to B as quickly as possible but for others it is better to chill and drive the country lanes letting mother nature in to their souls.

I guess I am just saying it is all a matter of perspective...

Great thread OP!

As a Scotsman i would have to say that Scotland is one of the best countries in the world, could be better of course but hey i'm happy enough.

We have a vivid history and culture that is pretty unique, along with 2 fantastic exports that are Scottish, Whisky and Haggis!

The country itself is beautiful and diverse, with ancient forests, quartz topped mountains, rare arctic animals and castles that arouse the curiosity and imagination. Not to mention Nessie!!!

The people here, for the most part, are very friendly, welcoming and polite.

Nothing beats a dram of whisky in a historic bar with an open fire, somewhere deep in the Scottish highlands with a Celtic band and good company to pass the night!

I'd also like to add that my home town of Aberdeen is Europe's Energy and Oil capital which is excellent for advancing renewable energies. This will only help Scotland and the UK become a market leader in harnessing the elements of NW Europe for our future!

Originally posted by flexy123
Hello,

i think it's ironic that the first thing coming to mind if you say "Germany" is Autobahn, Beer and Octoberfest

But here is something serious, some food for thought:

European countries (and especially Germany) are VERY advanced when it comes to what we call renewable energies, alternative energies and so forth. Solar Energy, Wind Energy etc..etc.. There is a BIG industry and as far as i know Germans are amongst the world leaders in that area.

This is also where other countries, including the US are still somewhat lacking.

Thank you! This is what I'm asking.
I think the beer and the autobahn came up because well... first things first. Energy usage is great but it doesn't always come to mind because you can't see energy but you are very correct. Why is it taking the US so long to catch on to the innovative ideas of other countries? I think the initial greatness of the USA was due to the fact the the first people were from many different areas of the world and they BROUGHT ALL THE BEST IDEAS from their countries and implemented them here. Now we are just horribly out paced. As well we have become like a closed room, a closed mind and not open to new ideas ...especially if they come from another country. We have grown arrogant and narrow minded and it has set us back a few paces and we are sliding farther every moment.
We need an influx of new thinking as the old and stale is choking the life out of us...the vitality and energizing optimism we once had is gone.

reply to post by newcovenant


Where I live, everything is better than in the USA... that being Melbourne Australia, the most liveable city in the world.

www.theage.com.au...

IRM

And by the way, what i do NOT like about Europe.

We just moved to Spain...and i think it's SILLY, SILLY, SILLY that Spain literally closes up for Siesta every fricking day from 2pm to about 5:30pm - PLUS the countless of catholic Holidays (which are even more than in already very catholic Southern Germany). I just think its dumb that people in Spain complain about their economy all the time but the country is literally shut down every day for Siesta, even in Winter.

You cannot be productive if everything is CLOSED. Cheezus people....

reply to post by flexy123

* I fricking love the fact that we are liberal and not having that morality complex like the US has. The US is a country where a "nipple-slip" can cause panic and outrage...where people in EU can only laugh

This is true and it is such phony bull crap. You see more disgusting body parts falling out of clothing in Walmarts.
Meanwhile I'll bet we are right at the top when it comes to access, manufacturing and distribution of pornography.
It is a shame sex and the female and male forms are considered "naughty" but violence is revered and exalted at every turn in every medium.

*What is better?* I don't like the stereo-types and say what things are better and what things are worse..but after having lived in the US for almost a decade i value VERY HIGHLY what we have in Europe:

Trust me..I worked with a couple of different word choices. What I am after is information as our French poster gave regarding the shorter work week and more vacation, the energy plan you have.
What are the things that are really useful in our everyday lives? Things that matter to everyday people.
What are the things that make your life more free than mine? I know there are many things people can mention - and we have some few advantages here in the USA others don't have...they happen to escape me at the moment but I know there are a few. This isn't about how we are better though. It is about how we are worse. Thanks for the input.

Okay, although I am a Brit living in France and love the way of life, it does have its downs too.
I hate the French motorway system. It is all toll roads and can sometimes double the cost of a journey.
Bloody daylight robbery. Even though it adds time to my journey, I tend to take the backroads these days.