USA vs Europe

[Kudzu]

Unlike its title suggests, this is not a hate thread. If it turns into a mindless battle it should be locked. Thanx.

***

It's quite clear that the 2 continents have evolved differently. US is a great powerful empire, and in Europe we only have rain and metal (wich is ok for me). I could never adapt to the US lifestyle of "get as much cash as you can nevermind the cost" but on the other hand I would like a push for Europe technologically and economically speaking, because sometimes it seems that we are living in 1936.

Wich are the good and the bad things from each continent? Why would you like to live in one and not the other?

And musically? Any reason why you prefer American bands above European ones and viceversa?

 

[ThisIsACoolName]

I could never adapt to the US lifestyle of "get as much cash as you can nevermind the cost"...

Uh, what?

And musically? Any reason why you prefer American bands above European ones and viceversa?

I don't decide which bands I like based on where they come from. I prefer to go by "do I like their songs".

 

[Mort Divine]

Wait, what? I'm confused because you really don't understand the American way of life - it isn't all big money, don't see the people based upon the government and the celebrities.

I for one want nothing beyond a quiet life that I can share with someone I love.

 

[cookiecutter]

This will not end well.

As an American I like my country best of all. I also love Canada and that is why I am going to school here. The United States is great because it allows it's citizens very many freedoms, it is economically powerful and the religious wackos, who really are only ~10% of the population are generally good people. There is a great variety of peoples and cultures that share this country with relatively few problems. You characterization of American lifestyle being "get as much cash as you can nevermind the cost" is a stereotype that may seem true when seen the eyes of European Social Democracy.

I don't think I will ever live anywhere besides the US or Canada. I have visited Europe and really liked it, but I don't think I could live there. If I had to, I would choose the UK, Belgium or the Netherlands.

Musically I prefer American bands, because they make the style of death metal and black metal I prefer. I think when taken as a whole though, Europe has a better metal scene than the US.

PS: Google image search "Patriot". You will not be disapointed

 

[Pessimism]

I wish the majority of US cities had the beauty of their European counterparts. Maybe that is because of the "limited technology" as you put it, maybe not; either way, I'm for it.

I've known a few people who are money whores... but the majority of men and women I've met are rather simple, and prefer non-material things over money (like companionship, love, a great day, etc.)
There are however a great deal of money fucking whores...I fucking hate the majority of our generation.

 

[Kudzu]

Wait, what? I'm confused because you really don't understand the American way of life - it isn't all big money, don't see the people based upon the government and the celebrities.

I'm not saying it's strictly that way, but If we don't generalise it would be difficult to discuss anything.

The image that we have of america over here is of a more materialistic oriented society. I'm not saying that's bad, I'm crazy about my 42" TV, but I imagine it's full of people that value other ways of life wich you can only fully obtain in one (or the other) continent. Call it climate, language, diet...I myself would die if I had to get used to american food.

 

[ThisIsACoolName]

the non religious wackos, who really are only ~10% of the population are generally good people.

I'm not so sure if I agree with this, but I'm not really basing it on anything. 90% of the people being "religious wacko's" seems way too high. Maybe it seems that way because the "religious wacko's" are loud. (Unless, of course, you mean to say that anyone relgious is actually a Wacko).

 

[cookiecutter]

American food is really just eating slightly diluted versions of everyone else's food.

 

[Pessimism]

I myself would die if I had to get used to american food.

And you think we're not dying because of it?
Honestly, it all depends where you live, and where you can shop. There are many places with good healthy (and best of all: cheap) food. Unfortunately, places like that are hard to find as they are outnumbered 30-1 with crap places.

American food is really just eating slightly diluted versions of everyone else's food.

I agree; but when I think of American food, I typically think of fast food.

 

[cookiecutter]

I'm not so sure if I agree with this, but I'm not really basing it on anything. 90% of the people being "religious wacko's" seems way too high. Maybe it seems that way because the "religious wacko's" are loud. (Unless, of course, you mean to say that anyone relgious is actually a Wacko).

CRAP! Meant to say religious wackos obviously. Original post edited. I based my number on the fact that the Evangelical association has 30 Million members.

 

[CAIRATH]

 

[ThisIsACoolName]

American food is really just eating slightly diluted versions of everyone else's food.

And a lot more of it.

 

[Kudzu]

The United States is great because it allows it's citizens very many freedoms

The way of understanding freedom is different in each continent. I could not live with the supposed freedoms America has, as probably you couldn't with the European ones.

I don't know if it will end well or not, but it's a thread about perspectives and preferences, not an excuse to kill each other.

 

[cookiecutter]

Actually it's going better than I hoped. Occasionally in the past when this topic comes up, someone (usually Hubster) comes in and starts barking about "typical Americans" and how we don't appreciate culture or something like that.

What do you mean by "supposed freedoms America has"?

 

[Matt]

The way of understanding freedom is different in each continent. I could not live with the supposed freedoms America has, as probably you couldn't with the European ones.

Err why? They're not really all that different than the majority of other euro nations

 

[cookiecutter]

I agree; but when I think of American food, I typically think of fast food.

They have fast food all over the place in Europe too.

 

[Valerie]

I didn't know the US was a continent

Anyway, to respond to the original post...
I love living here in America. There's lots of awesome and easily-accessable things. It's a huge country with a variety of environments as well as people. Europe is much the same in that respect.

I could probably get used to living in Europe. I was actually born in Russia where my mother lived, but my dad lived in the US so not long after my sister and I were born (two-ish months), my dad took my mother and us to America. My dad is an immigrant to the US from Finland, and I've been there a couple of times, I could get used to it.

As for music, I don't care where bands come from.

And yeah, as others have said, we're not all rich capitalistic whores. I have a good job and enjoy the benefits of making money, but making money is by no means my goal in life. And America isn't really an empire. The president isn't an all powerful being as a lot of people seem to assume. There isn't one branch of the government that's more powerful than the other, and these branches are made up of many many people. Besides, our constitution gives us the right to change or overthrow our government. How many countries have that right? (I honestly don't know, so if anyone does, tell me )

 

[cookiecutter]

Good point about the President. At this point he really only has the power to stop things from getting done.

 

[Matt]

The only real money whore I've ever seen is Dave. Other than that, I of course want to be successful and able to support my family, give my kids a good education, etc.

 

[Matt]

Good point about the President. At this point he really only has the power to stop things from getting done.

Which in turn can be reversed with a 2/3rd's vote in congress (or something)