European Perspective

[KYtotheCore]

Its pretty well-documented that many European people view Americans as sort of obnoxious and lacking in civility and culture. I’ve been to a few European countries and haven’t experienced it, but have heard where others have. What about you? Any experiences that support or negate those opinions?

 

[JimboBBN]

They only hate us cus they ain't us. Choking on all the freedom and shit.

 

[TheDude1]

Yeah, this will go well, as a bunch of people who haven’t spent time in Europe will chime in vehemently with uninformed opinions. Good thread.

 

[KYtotheCore]

Yeah, this will go well, as a bunch of people who haven’t spent time in Europe will chime in vehemently with uninformed opinions. Good thread.

Some of the stories happened here.

 

[TheDude1]

Some of the stories happened here.

Ah good. Someone can post a personal anecdote and then draw conclusions about an entire continent from it! And then other people can jump in about it! Much better!

 

[LetsGoDuke301]

Yeah, this will go well, as a bunch of people who haven’t spent time in Europe will chime in vehemently with uninformed opinions. Good thread.

This really wasn't necessary. Even if it ends up being true.

 

[Da_Bull]

I'll find out this September, heading to Italy and Greece.

 

[LetsGoDuke301]

I have never been to Europe. My wife lived in Barcelona for a couple of years and traveled to France and Germany some. She made it seem like people were mostly friendly towards Americans, but was warned not to go certain places that didn't have a favorable view of us. I don't think that is much different than some places here.

We hung out with a French couple in Barbados last year, they had some pretty smirky stereotypical things to say about us, but we also have smirky stereotypical things to say about them. Like, ahhhhhhh the French, you got to hand it to them. Because they sure as hell ain't going to fight for it themselves. Haha. Good people live all over the place, doesn't mean that some are not obnoxious.

 

[schoonerwest]

I was there for 2 weeks last year. Some people wanted to talk about Trump. Most people actually and there were mixed reviews on him. Everybody was very polite though. This was in Germany, Czech Republic and Hungary. Nobody ever treated us like we were uncultured or less than them. Everybody we actually talked with were very engaging and genuinely curious about us like we were of them.

The only horrible people we encountered there was some Californians at Oktoberfest. They lived in the Bay Area. Once they found out we lived in the oil capital of America they became very rude and even attempted to mock us at one point when I went to the bathroom, according to my girlfriend.

 

[dukedevilz]

Yeah, this will go well, as a bunch of people who haven’t spent time in Europe will chime in vehemently with uninformed opinions. Good thread.

It's a message board, what do you expect? Should we only talk about random topics where we have years of experience and training? Should we seek a 3-year federal grant to conduct a study on the cultural differences and expectations of Europeans and Americans?

 

[schoonerwest]

It's a message board, what do you expect? Should we only talk about random topics where we have years of experience and training? Should we seek a 3-year federal grant to conduct a study on the cultural differences and expectations of Europeans and Americans?

Let’s talk about the craziest situation you’ve come across when auditing somebody.

 

[LetsGoDuke301]

I was there for 2 weeks last year. Some people wanted to talk about Trump. Most people actually and there were mixed reviews on him. Everybody was very polite though. This was in Germany, Czech Republic and Hungary. Nobody ever treated us like we were uncultured or less than them. Everybody we actually talked with were very engaging and genuinely curious about us like we were of them.

The only horrible people we encountered there was some Californians at Oktoberfest. They lived in the Bay Area. Once they found out we lived in the oil capital of America they became very rude and even attempted to mock us at one point when I went to the bathroom, according to my girlfriend.

So you met @UL1986 in person?

 

[ExitFlagger]

Its pretty well-documented that many European people view Americans as sort of obnoxious and lacking in civility and culture. I’ve been to a few European countries and haven’t experienced it, but have heard where others have. What about you? Any experiences that support or negate those opinions?

Obviously our country has an extremely diverse population, but if you compare the average American (especially from Middle America or the south) to the average Brit, for example, it's easy to see why they have the perception they do.

 

[LetsGoDuke301]

Obviously our country has an extremely diverse population, but if you compare the average American (especially from Middle America or the south) to the average Brit, for example, it's easy to see why they have the perception they do.

GFY

 

[coryfly]

Experiences that support Americans being obnoxious and lacking in civility? I mean, I think we all have plenty of those.

 

[dukedevilz]

Let’s talk about the craziest situation you’ve come across when auditing somebody.

lol I try talking to my wife about this stuff and she loses her attention in about 17 seconds. I'll let you know when I uncover Mount Fraud which leads to jail time.

 

[TheDude1]

It's a message board, what do you expect? Should we only talk about random topics where we have years of experience and training? Should we seek a 3-year federal grant to conduct a study on the cultural differences and expectations of Europeans and Americans?

No, but I don't think it is too much to ask for people to say "You are asking a question, but I don't know enough about this topic to chime in in any meaningful way, so I won't try to answer it." That's totally fine, but people seem to struggle with it.

Europeans have different views on the US, as we have different views about them, especially since "Europe" is, like 50 countries. There is definitely an overwhelming feeling that Americans are big into guns and violence, which is pretty true. I think there is some feel that we are a bit brash and loud, which I think a lot of Americans think is true, too. But I've had lovely experiences with Europeans throughout Europe, drinking and hanging out and sleeping together and doing just regular stuff.

I know a lot of Europeans who live HERE; that's a different type of person. All are VERY happy to be here, but they are also very unhappy with what they see as a somewhat isolated and arrogant nation that interferes around the world. We DO interfere around the world, and I do think that any country with as much influence and power as we have would do the same. People are often harder on the country they live in than about other countries. They are generally VERY scornful of A) the dietary habits of Americans and B) the work expectations and habits in this country... most tend to believe Americans work too much.

 

[JimboBBN]

GFY

Teeth in the south > British teeth. Tell me I'm wrong

 

[LetsGoDuke301]

most tend to believe Americans work too much.

Don't worry. Millennials are changing that perspective.

 

[JimboBBN]

In all honesty, though. I wouldn't want to live there. Travel there of course. But the way things are going in the UK as far as new rules and things, I'll pass. I like freedom.

 

[LetsGoDuke301]

Teeth in the south > British teeth. Tell me I'm wrong

That dude seems like a snobby douche bag. Who obviously hasn't been around many brits. The average Brit is really not that much different than the average American.

 

[JimboBBN]

Don't worry. Millennials are changing that perspective.

Don't Asian countries work like 60 - 80 hour weeks?? I think America is right in the middle, which is probably where we should be.

 

[LetsGoDuke301]

Don't Asian countries work like 60 - 80 hour weeks?? I think America is right in the middle, which is probably where we should be.

This is from forbes, it says "selected countries", I am not sure if it is the actual top 15, or just the top 15 out of randomly selected countries. According to them, the U.S. is the 7th leading country out of these 15 in hours per year.

If the perception of Europeans is that we work too much, how does that reflect well om them?

 

[schoonerwest]

This is from forbes, it says "selected countries", I am not sure if it is the actual top 15, or just the top 15 out of randomly selected countries. According to them, the U.S. is the 7th leading country out of these 15 in hours per year.

If the perception of Europeans is that we work too much, how does that reflect well om them?

I believe most would say their quality of life seems to be better than the average American because they don’t commit so much time to working. Most people I’ve known from there or who have lived there for extended periods seem to agree on that.

 

[MileHighSpartan]

I'll find out this September, heading to Italy and Greece.

Where you going? I might be doing the same, but at the end of June.

 

[LetsGoDuke301]

I believe most would say their quality of life seems to be better than the average American because they don’t commit so much time to working. Most people I’ve known from there or who have lived there for extended periods seem to agree on that.

My quality of life would be better if I got paid more and worked less. I will admit.

 

[dukedevilz]

There is definitely an overwhelming feeling that Americans are big into guns and violence, which is pretty true. I think there is some feel that we are a bit brash and loud, which I think a lot of Americans think is true, too.

I know a lot of Europeans who live HERE; that's a different type of person. All are VERY happy to be here, but they are also very unhappy with what they see as a somewhat isolated and arrogant nation that interferes around the world. .

Nothing too crazy or one-sided, to be honest (outside of maybe the Greeks and Aussies). This is from the Pew Research Center:

 

[robamartin]

Its pretty well-documented that many European people view Americans as sort of obnoxious and lacking in civility and culture. I’ve been to a few European countries and haven’t experienced it, but have heard where others have. What about you? Any experiences that support or negate those opinions?

No, I don't think that's true in general. Definitely in Paris where they really look down on Americans, but that's about it as far as I've seen. I've spent a lot of time in France and can say the rest of France is very friendly towards Americans, as are the people I've come across in England, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, and Portugal. I can't speak for Eastern Europeans, though, haven't been there.

EDIT: Dammit, I just used up my quota of posts I'm allowed to make - haha, guess I'll see you all in a few months!

 

[TheDude1]

No, I don't think that's true in general. Definitely in Paris where they really look down on Americans, but that's about it as far as I've seen. I've spent a lot of time in France and can say the rest of France is very friendly towards Americans, as are the people I've come across in England, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, and Portugal. I can't speak for Eastern Europeans, though, haven't been there.

EDIT: Dammit, I just used up my quota of posts I'm allowed to make - haha, guess I'll see you all in a few months!

Dude, you can get around that. Here, I posted your user name on the football thread where they collect those; a mod can remove that limit.

I never had any issues in Paris. Love that town... outside of the old part of Florence, my favorite non-US city to just wander through.

 

[Da_Bull]

Where you going? I might be doing the same, but at the end of June.

Rome, Amalfi Coast, and Santorini

 

[TheDude1]

This is from forbes, it says "selected countries", I am not sure if it is the actual top 15, or just the top 15 out of randomly selected countries. According to them, the U.S. is the 7th leading country out of these 15 in hours per year.

If the perception of Europeans is that we work too much, how does that reflect well om them?

Many Europeans believe in a pretty good work-life balance. In this country, I think many people have absolutely gone WAY too far into the "work" part. Life isn't about working or making money or getting promotions, but a lot of people approach it that way, and sometimes forgetting the things that really matter. Employers might love it, and CEOs might love it, but it isn't necessarily creating a better life for anyone.

At the end of the day, nobody lay on their death bed wishing they made money or spent more time at work, you know?

 

[LetsGoDuke301]

Many Europeans believe in a pretty good work-life balance. In this country, I think many people have absolutely gone WAY too far into the "work" part. Life isn't about working or making money or getting promotions, but a lot of people approach it that way, and sometimes forgetting the things that really matter. Employers might love it, and CEOs might love it, but it isn't necessarily creating a better life for anyone.

At the end of the day, nobody lay on their death bed wishing they made money or spent more time at work, you know?

Yeah. But it costs money to live. I guess I am stuck working 45-50 hours a week so I can do a week in the Caribbean every winter. I feel for the construction workers though. More hours and less money.

 

[anon_0astpxev9h4gk]

So you met @UL1986 in person?

Sorry homie. @schoonerwest

 

[KYtotheCore]

Teeth in the south > British teeth. Tell me I'm wrong

 

[JimboBBN]

Nothing too crazy or one-sided, to be honest (outside of maybe the Greeks and Aussies). This is from the Pew Research Center:

Always knew I liked Italians and Hungarians, and whatever the name for a Polish citizen is. Those three countries are good in my book

 

[schoonerwest]

No, I don't think that's true in general. Definitely in Paris where they really look down on Americans, but that's about it as far as I've seen. I've spent a lot of time in France and can say the rest of France is very friendly towards Americans, as are the people I've come across in England, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, and Portugal. I can't speak for Eastern Europeans, though, haven't been there.

EDIT: Dammit, I just used up my quota of posts I'm allowed to make - haha, guess I'll see you all in a few months!

A lot of the Eastern European countries are just a few decades removed from being under the rule of the Soviets. Just 30 years ago you could be shot trying to cross the Czech border into Germany and now you're able to just drive right through without there even being a checkpoint. It was really interesting talking to some of the locals there. People over the age of 40 still have vivid memories of what their culture was like before it all changed. This guy was telling me how American movies started making their way over there and how his mind was blown when he first saw Pulp Fiction. He just couldn't believe that a story was being told that went so deep into the world of crime and how the government would allow something like that. It was/maybe still is? a pretty taboo thing to talk about because of the culture still recovering from living in fear of stepping out of line. A lot of them are still kind of new to the idea of being free to live the life they want and go wherever they want to. The young adults today are the first people from those countries to really never have lived under oppression so they definitely don't seem to have this negative attitude towards Americans as if they are more cultured and better than us.

 

[schoonerwest]

lol I try talking to my wife about this stuff and she loses her attention in about 17 seconds. I'll let you know when I uncover Mount Fraud which leads to jail time.

I enjoy hearing stuff like this. Helps me know what not to do.

 

[TheDude1]

Yeah. But it costs money to live. I guess I am stuck working 45-50 hours a week so I can do a week in the Caribbean every winter. I feel for the construction workers though. More hours and less money.

Yeah... I think the idea is that cost of living has increased while the wages of the average worker have stagnated, so everyone is having to work more just to make ends meet, which has thrown it all off balance?

Then throw in that American businesses are generally REALLY stingy about things like maternity leave, and that makes it tough too. My wife is a infant and child mental health expert, real knowledgable, and one of her jobs involves working with daycare centers and nursery schools to help improve them. She honestly believes a MAJOR issue we as a nation are facing is that SO many of our children are now being raised from VERY young in these group environments without a parent by often-minimum-wage employees... we went thousands of years with family raising our children, but in the last generation or so that has really taken a hit, as working parents drop their three month olds off at daycare from 7 AM to 7 PM. She firmly believes that is a root cause of a lot of the issues we see in young people, and its even worse in lower income families where both parents are working, often more than one job... you have these massive swaths of kids being raised in shitty day care centers with no resources and minimum-wage workers with CRAZY turnover... she is actually leaving that job now, because she has found it so completely disheartening, and sees absolutely no way that it can be changed

 

[dukedevilz]

I enjoy hearing stuff like this. Helps me know what not to do.

I think the best general rule is just not to say too much. When we ask you something, please be direct and provide us with the necessary documentation. Sometimes auditors are taking notes and there's a moment of silence, which can sometimes make people feel uncomfortable. It's common to see people fill in the silence with more information, and often it seems like they're explaining why things weren't done perfectly. But if you're going to tell me more, I'm going to investigate more.

 

[BasketBallJunkie-UK]

Concerning my experience with Ukraine women and American men. They much prefer us over their own. They told me we treat them much better than the Ukraine men. I will say that I prefer Ukraine women over American women as well.