Why Does Europe Seem Better Made, Better Tasting, and Better Looking?

[Smurf]

if shrub wins the election

I can't wait to go back to europe either, Canada is so crappy these days, I'm probably going to move to Europe if the liberals keep winning.

 

[meteor]

Do you have baseball over their?

Not very much, but i played in the baseball team of my school. I still guard the bat. Gosh, the ball is pretty heavy! It can make you darn injury if it falls right over your head

 

[Kalimaa23]

I've been to Europe (The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Switzerland, and Germany) once and I can't WAIT to go back! Absolutely everything about it was awesome! Dimitri, you can stay with Ivan and I when you come to the Pacific Northwest. UNLESS! - Shrub should win the election. Then I'm comin' to live with YOU! OK? Got a room I could rent? Is there a hospital with an xray department nearby so I don't have to walk the streets to pay my rent?

Deal. I've got a spare bedroom we never use, so you can crash there.
Enjoy Belgium, where the phrase "Damn those right-wing liberals !" is often used

 

[Tsu]

Deal. I've got a spare bedroom we never use, so you can crash there.
Enjoy Belgium, where the phrase "Damn those right-wing liberals !" is often used

 

[Gokul43201]

But you should realize if we hadn't been allied of USA in Iraq, maybe the probabilities of suffering a bombing had been lower. But in part you're right because in the deep of my thinkings I think a group of criminals of Morocco revenged the older conflicts between Spain and them, and maybe it has nothing to do with Iraq's War.

I think your second statement holds more water than your first.

One of the most sobering pieces of information to come out of the investigation of the March 11th bombings is that the planning for the attacks may have begun nearly a year before 9/11. In October, 2000, several of the suspects met in Istanbul with Amer Azizi, who had taken the nom de guerre Othman Al Andalusi—Othman of Al Andalus. Azizi later gave the conspirators permission to act in the name of Al Qaeda, although it is unclear whether he authorized money or other assistance—or, indeed, whether Al Qaeda had much support to offer. In June, Italian police released a surveillance tape of one of the alleged planners of the train bombings, an Egyptian housepainter named Rabei Osman Sayed Ahmed, who said that the operation “took me two and a half years.” Ahmed had served as an explosives expert in the Egyptian Army. It appears that some kind of attack would have happened even if Spain had not joined the Coalition—or if the invasion of Iraq had never occurred.

 

[Clausius2]

I think your second statement holds more water than your first.

I've read your information you posted below. I'm furious (not with you). All of us believe in that information, at least the part who didn't vote to Zapatero last elections. The problem here is: it cannot be said! Instantaneusly you are called racist! Recently, two years ago, we have a conflict with Morocco, because they invaded a small island near the shore of Morocco. The spanish government (presided by Aznar) decided to send the army in a secret and surprising mission to defeat and release the island, which was property of Spain. I think that some morocco people could have been disturbed by the event, plus they hate spanish because of the Reconquering of the peninsula by the cristians in ancient ages.

The problem is I really don't know why USA have such a good relations with Morocco, knowing the 90% of the terrorists of the 11 March came from Morocco, and probably the secret intelligent of that country was involved in some horrible way in the bombing. Why?. We supported you in Iraq's War, why do you have a preferential alliance with them instead of with us?.

 

[Gokul43201]

That's easy : if the US wishes to establish military bases in North Africa (in countries like Morocco or Tunisia, which can be "bought") this would be possible only if there is a good relationship with these countries.

 

[Tsu]

plus they hate spanish because of the Reconquering of the peninsula by the cristians in ancient ages.

And it's these very types of feelings, felt by peoples all over the globe, that will ultimately prevent us from ever experiencing true world peace. Too sad.

 

[CloakNight]

To be fair America does have a higher standard of living than Europe. And the phrase "live large" applies heavily in America. The average house in America is over 3 times bigger than the average European house. Latest statistics show the typical America house at over 2,300 square feet. With the typical European house at about 700 square feet. And it's not just houses. Everything from roads, to cars, drinks, hamburgers, coffee, is bigger in America.

I disagree with the statement "Europe looks better". I find America to look far more modernized while Europe has more of the classic look. Nothing wrong with the classic look but I prefer the much more modern look.

 

[cragwolf]

To be fair America does have a higher standard of living than Europe.

By what measure? It really depends on what your measuring stick is. In this list of most livable cities in the world, there is only 1 US city in the top 30 (Honolulu, 21st) compared to 16 European cities. There are 5 Australian cities, 4 Canadian cities, 2 New Zealand cities, and 2 Japanese cities, in the top 30. That's an embarrassing performance by the richest and most powerful country in the world. This is typical of so-called most livable lists. The USA rules in quantity, but it suffers in quality.

And the phrase "live large" applies heavily in America. The average house in America is over 3 times bigger than the average European house. Latest statistics show the typical America house at over 2,300 square feet. With the typical European house at about 700 square feet. And it's not just houses. Everything from roads, to cars, drinks, hamburgers, coffee, is bigger in America.

Yes, this illustrates my point. Quantity is everything in America.

Nothing wrong with the classic look but I prefer the much more modern look.

Fair enough.

 

[tumor]

Deal. I've got a spare bedroom we never use, so you can crash there.
Enjoy Belgium, where the phrase "Damn those right-wing liberals !" is often used

Can I also come? I bring some beer OK? and I can sleep in the basement, no problem

 

[CloakNight]

By what measure? It really depends on what your measuring stick is.

In that the average American has more money and spending power than the average European.

In this list of most livable cities in the world, there is only 1 US city in the top 30 (Honolulu, 21st) compared to 16 European cities. There are 5 Australian cities, 4 Canadian cities, 2 New Zealand cities, and 2 Japanese cities, in the top 30.

I don't know what the criterias were for "livable cities" but by standard of living I was speaking in terms of money.

Yes, this illustrates my point. Quantity is everything in America.

So you're suggesting that the average American house is inferior in quality to the average European house? I do not think many analysts will agree with that. Unless you can explain in what aspect would European houses be superior.

 

[tumor]

I disagree with the statement "Europe looks better". I find America to look far more modernized while Europe has more of the classic look. Nothing wrong with the classic look but I prefer the much more modern look.

Europe looks better in the sense of quality of products they make from light bulb to the passenger jets.
I'm always blown away by the awesome trains in France or Germany,those are some of the most obvious examples of excellent workmanship.Some other examples are, public transport systems, incredible highways(autobahns)...well everything.Easthetically Europe beats USA/Canada hands down no question about it.
On the other hand Europeans earn less,pay higher taxes,don't own homes like people in the USA do etc.
But I would choose European system anyway,little bit of socialism does not hurt.
USA is too wild and heartless for average shmock.

 

[CloakNight]

In this list of most livable cities in the world, there is only 1 US city in the top 30 (Honolulu, 21st) compared to 16 European cities. There are 5 Australian cities, 4 Canadian cities, 2 New Zealand cities, and 2 Japanese cities, in the top 30.

Alright I just looked at the list. There is only 1 US city in the top 30? What is Boston doing at #28? 11 of the top 40 seems to be in America.

Also Vancouver is ranked first? Now I know this list has no credibility. Vancouver, as decent of a city it is, is just a dumbed down version of Seattle. Visit Seattle and visit Vancouver and tell me what you honestly view as the better city.

Not to mention the ranking of American cities are so fiddled up. Honolulu, Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Lexington, Miami are the most "livable" cities in America? We really need to define "livable" here.

 

[Chi Meson]

By what measure? It really depends on what your measuring stick is. In this list of most livable cities in the world, there is only 1 US city in the top 30 (Honolulu, 21st) compared to 16 European cities. There are 5 Australian cities, 4 Canadian cities, 2 New Zealand cities, and 2 Japanese cities, in the top 30. That's an embarrassing performance by the richest and most powerful country in the world. This is typical of so-called most livable lists. The USA rules in quantity, but it suffers in quality.

Exactly. What measuring stick? THis is a list of British expatriates preferred cities. Cities within the British Commonwealth will get preference because they don't need special visas. New Zealand, Austrailia and Canada are the easiest countries for British subjects to move to. THey speak the same language and they can "just go"!

This is by no means a final say in any kind of ranking for cities. THere is NO way that Honolulu is "more livable " than Portland OR. I've spent time in both. BUt British folks are moving away from overcast skys, not toward them!

 

[CloakNight]

THis is a list of British expatriates preferred cities.

cragwolf seemed to have failed to mention this.

"Melbourne and Vancouver are the best cities in the world for expatriates to live in, according to a survey by the Economist Intelligence Unit."

http://archives.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/europe/10/04/world.cities/#fulllist

 

[cragwolf]

So you're suggesting that the average American house is inferior in quality to the average European house?

No, I don't think I've ever mentioned the word "house". I was merely commenting on your focus on what is bigger.

There is only 1 US city in the top 30? What is Boston doing at #28?

Yes, but there are 4 cities tied at 28, and Boston is listed at the bottom of those 4, so I mistakenly assumed that it was at 31. Doesn't really change the picture much. 2 of the top 31 are US cities.

cragwolf seemed to have failed to mention this.

I assume you forgot a "you" between "cragwolf" and "seemed", because I wouldn't expect you to be rude and start talking about me in the third person.

"Melbourne and Vancouver are the best cities in the world for expatriates to live in, according to a survey by the Economist Intelligence Unit."

Yes. So? Alright, so you give no credence to the preferences of a group of people who have left Britain. No problem. There are other lists. Let me get a list compiled by an American company, Mercer HRC, just in case you're worried about anti-American bias. The link to the list is below, but you'll need to register (free) to view it:

http://www.mercerhr.com/knowledgecenter/reportsummary.jhtml?idContent=1128060

The story is much the same. There are only 2 US cities in the top 31 of this list, Honolulu and San Francisco. There are 17 European cities, 5 Canadian cities, 5 Australian cities, and 2 New Zealand cities. The US cities tend to come in around positions 40 to 50.

Of course, all of these "most livable" lists contain a mixture of objective and subjective elements, and how they're brought together will involve a mixture of objective and subjective techniques. That is obviously unavoidable. But the fact is that there is a clear trend in these lists which sees European cities consistently rated as more livable than US cities. Which is quite relevant to this thread.

One final point: if you base your opinion of the credence of these lists in your personal preferences of cities, then you are not thinking very clearly. It's like saying, "This list of most popular films has no credence because obviously The Godfather was a better film than Return of the King!" Learn what a survey is before making silly comments like those.

 

[Chi Meson]

One final point: if you base your opinion of the credence of these lists in your personal preferences of cities, then you are not thinking very clearly. It's like saying, "This list of most popular films has no credence because obviously The Godfather was a better film than Return of the King!" Learn what a survey is before making silly comments like those.

Oh, get a joke!
You MIGHT be referring to my last post. IF you are, I assure you I understand surveys. I know that you can get a survey that is not very useful by selecting only specific groups. An analysis of answers can lead to speculation about why certain results have shown up. Follow-up surveys can bear out these speculations.

Simply from personal experience (I have a Scottish mother and half my extended family are British), I know that a huge number of Brits are tired of the dreary weather that perpetuates in those Isles. If they plan to move to America, for whatever reason, the last place they will consider (if they have the option) is another place famous for its dreary weather. It was a bit of a joke. This thread has tinges of flame around it.

 

[Clausius2]

That's easy : if the US wishes to establish military bases in North Africa (in countries like Morocco or Tunisia, which can be "bought") this would be possible only if there is a good relationship with these countries.

You should be shamed (you're american, aren't you?) of your government of having such alliances by military interests. USA is giving a bad impression abroad with it.

 

[Chi Meson]

The "mercer" list (which Cragwolf mentions) is available here without registration: http://www.finfacts.com/qualityoflife.htm

 

[cragwolf]

I'm not looking for a flame fest, and sometimes I miss jokes. I'm not very intelligent in that regard.

 

[MiGUi]

I don't agree. South of Spain hasn't got a better way of life than the north. Or do you mean South has better way of life because they work less (they have the higher figures in unemployment of Spain) and take home more money after all? It's an strange effect.

I advice the potential travelers to go to north zones of Spain. I'm very bored all people around us only know about us because of "Flamenco" and "Sevillanas". The 99.9999% of Spain has nothing to do with it.

I didn't vote to Zapatero in the last elections (it's an important clarification). But you should realize if we hadn't been allied of USA in Iraq, maybe the probabilities of suffering a bombing had been lower. But in part you're right because in the deep of my thinkings I think a group of criminals of Morocco revenged the older conflicts between Spain and them, and maybe it has nothing to do with Iraq's War.

When I said south, I mean Spain as southern Europe! I love Spain as an united country. All of its 500000 square kilometers.

> I didn't vote to Zapatero in the last elections

Ok, I supposed it because this kind of forums are for intelligent homo sapiens, you know

 

[Bad_Boy_Blue]

I live in the UK and it's ****. Europe is a ****hole.