<p>The shopping hours and big retailers have both expanded since we left Germany in the mid80s.</p>
<p>@ scout59: “and don’t even get me started about the roundabouts.”</p>
<p>We lived in England for two years. When we went there as tourists, the roundabouts were baffling and scary. But after we moved there and actually studied the material to get our drivers licenses, then we learned about how roundabouts actually work. Once you get the hang of it, it’s extremely efficient - you can get through intersections without having to stop and sit and wait for the red light to turn green. You only have to stop at a roundabout entrance if traffic is very heavy since the cars already inside the circle have the right of way. But usually, there’s not a car coming and you can move right through. Since Roundabouts are one way, by definition, you only have to check a single direction for oncoming traffic. I have never seen a car crash in a roundabout and if there was one, it would not be one of the dangerous head-on or T-bone type collisions, it would be a fender bender with a lower chance for injury.
I also found British drivers much, much more courteous than American drivers. They strongly recommend courtesy in their drivers license materials and people actually do practice courtesy especially in turn situations, which was tremendously refreshing. It was also nice knowing that no one was going to pull out a gun gun and shoot me for being a bonehead driver!
When we got back to the US, I was beside myself at having to sit through one red light after another. Just waiting, not moving. Then driving forward and waiting at the next red light. No thanks.
If US roundabouts had yield signage at each entrance, people would get the hang of it pretty quickly. Give me a roundabout any day!</p>
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</p>
<p>Indeed they are, but being Asian is no guarantee that a kid will have them.</p>
<p>My Asian exchange student was immature, not helpful, and refused almost all opportunities to do things with our family. He smoked in our house, despite being clearly told that it was not acceptable. (His family lied about his being a smoker on his application.) He was flunking most of his classes at the HS, and on several times got into difficulties with teachers that I had to step in and help solve. </p>
<p>We also had a Swiss exchange student, who was wonderful. We hosted a French/Vietnamese student for a few weeks one summer, as part of a group of students from France. They were a mixed bag. Ours was pleasant but reserved, another was outgoing but extremely entitled and not terribly thoughtful as a houseguest.</p>
<p>The bottom line is that people are people, and generalizations are dangerous. Cultural differences can be real, and interesting, but putting individuals in boxes with labels, whether good or bad, is very foolish.</p>
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</p>
<p>I find this ironic, since the reserve of New Englanders is often decried on CC in favor of the supposedly superior “friendliness” of Southerners and Midwesterners. :)</p>
<p>One thing to consider is that Americans are largely comprised of people from lots of different cultures - more so that the people of those other cultures. From that perspective I think the other cultures have a lot to learn from Americans. </p>
<p>
I’ve been to Europe quite a bit and this point is simply one of practicality. They need to learn other languages because of the relatively few people who speak their own language and the fact that theirs is not the language of global business. In addition, one can travel a couple of hours by car and be in a country speaking a different language so they not only have a possible need to use that language but also the opportunity. This isn’t so for most people in the USA. Even if they learn another language most Americans won’t have too much of a need to speak it or an opportunity to.</p>
<p>
I like driving in Germany as well but there’s no way that discipline will work with the mix of people in the USA. You’ll be happy to know though that I DO have that discipline so if you’re coming up behind me on the freeway I won’t be sitting in the left lane blocking you from passing. It frustrates me to experience the driving cultures of some people who come here from another country. However, there are many examples of people from other cultures who come to this country with their local driving habits that drive me crazy - i.e. slow or inexperienced drivers (the former from countries with terrible roads and the latter form countries where most people don’t drive).</p>
<p>
The graffiti in Europe is awful and much worse than anything I see here. They have graffiti on everything including historical monuments, cathedrals, etc. They really need to get it under control. Italy is especially bad in this area but so are England, Germany, France, and some other countries.</p>
<p>Of course all generalizations need to be taken with a grain of salt, and there are negative aspects to many positives, as well as many individual differences within a culture. There are French folks who eat at McDonalds and I’m sure don’t linger over their meals. </p>
<p>I have Asian family, friends, have hosted students. In the individuals I have contact with, the group living skills are exemplary. Do I expect this of every individual? No. But am happy to be pleased and surprised, over and over. Is it bad to say this in response to the question that was posed? </p>
<p>And sympathies for hosting HS students, which I have not done, as it can be a rougher, and more time intensive road.</p>
<p>What we can learn from Europe, Japan, Brazil, etc: how to eat healthier food with reasonable portions.</p>
<p>What other countries (especially European countries) can learn from us: take care of your roads, and teach people how to drive. I love going to Europe but every time I get in a car there, I start fearing for my life.</p>
<p>One thing I wish American employers would take from Europe would be offering more vacation time. ;)</p>
<p>If you want to get along in other countries around the world, French, after English, is most likely to be the lingua franca. I think Americans should learn at least two languages other than English, doesn’t really matter which ones. There is a need for Americans to learn a lot of other languages, not just the most obvious. And what is obvious depends on where you live, and what will be useful depends a lot on what you plan to do in life.</p>
<p>All culture is regional. Midwestern Americans are not the same as Southern Californians or New Yorkers or Cajuns. Parisians are not the same as those from Marseille or Strasbourg, although they are all French. Northern Italians are not the same as Southern Italians. The same is true of almost any country.</p>
<p>Learning other languages changes your way of thinking about communication, about looking at the world, and about other cultures. For many people, simply realizing that educational systems in other countries are very different from ours (for instance, we are about the only country in the world, if not the only country, that does not have a centralized educational system, making out-of-state, cross-country moves sometimes a nightmare for U.S. families.) </p>
<p>It is true that the top 30% in any country will do well. It is also true that a certain percentage will probably fail no matter where they are. Where differences really stand out is in the middle. Education is France, for example, is seen as an equalizer. Anyone can succeed through hard work, no matter their background. Of course, this is not completely true as family culture, parental expectations, and opportunities for outside enrichment still vary widely. But we know that in the U.S. students in poor neighborhoods usually have poorer quality schools, often really substandard ones, and are far less likely to succeed than students in more affluent areas. </p>
<p>At the very least, exposure to other cultures/languages shows you that other people think, speak, and look at the world differently. The same is true within one’s own culture, but it is less often made apparent to monolingual speakers. Whose way is better or worse is more a matter of personal preference. </p>
<p>I’ll take French or Italian eating habits over the typical American ones I grew up with any day. However, I do admit that after a year abroad, my first “meal” upon returning (this was more than 30 years ago) was a ice cold Coke, nacho cheese Doritos and Oreos.</p>
<p>
GreatLakesMom:
I was in one reasonable sized town in France one time (can’t remember which one) and we tried to find a ‘local’ restaurant but they all seemed to be closed, I guess because of the time of day and day of week - it might have been a Sunday. It turned out that one of the few restaurants open was a McDonalds and not only was it a very large one but it was packed with locals! I think it was the only McDonalds we ate in on the 3 week trip. However, as traveling in Europe many times, and Japan as well, I’ve noticed that generally the American FF places over there are packed with people. I think they’re like this because they off an inexpensive option compared to the local restaurants and they offer fast service for the many people in those countries who, like many Americans, don’t have the time or inclination to spend 2-3 hours eating lunch.</p>
<p>
I’ve hosted Japanese female students a number of times and noticed that by and large they were very quiet, respectful, and neat, but then got one student who was the exact opposite. Nevertheless it was fun to do and we still communicate with some of them many years later. I recommend to anyone interested in doing this to do it. Our program was easy since it was only about a month in the summer versus the entire school year.</p>
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I’m exactly the opposite and even our restaurants are too slow for me but I’m not the most patient person in the world and genuinely don’t enjoy lingering in a restaurant, don’t sit and drink coffee (but then I never drink coffee), etc. I can see a need for restaurant services that meet the needs of all types of people. </p>
<p>I also like American food the best - you know - food like Mexican food, Italian food, German food, Chinese food, etc. ;)</p>
<p>Newstudentmom (and all the other anti-Americans out there),</p>
<p>As a 52 year old “businessman” who travels internationally on business and for pleasure… and lives in the MetroNY area (based in NYC), I’d like to address your comments</p>
<p>The arrogance and/or “bad behavior” you accuse Americans of exhibiting abroad is eclipsed by the anti-American sentiments of many foreigners. The dislike and distaste for American travelers has taken on a life of it’s own, compete with a long litany of anecdotal stories that have long lost any connection to fact. People who have little contact with Americans can tell you stories that will make your toes curl in anger against Americans. It has become a ridiculous situation.</p>
<p>When abroad and out with colleagues and/or friends, the subject of poorly behaving Americans often comes up only so they can tell me how pleased they are that I am an exception. They truly bring this up as a compliment to me. I can see it in their faces and in their voices. But in fact, they are only demonstrating their blatant prejudice toward Americans. </p>
<p>I have been introduced countless times as “Maikai (not my real name) from New York” followed by some comment that indicates I’m OK, even though I’m from America.</p>
<p>I have been recognized as an American in foreign airports or hotels after I speak. People have said nasty things to me about “you Americans!” or something disparaging about our politics. They say these things as if it’s a matter of course… as if I should expect them to say such things… as if they have a G-d given right to say them to me, a total stranger to them. </p>
<p>Now here I am with a High School Junior, so I’m on a US based college website, and I read your anti-American comments addressed to Americans. And you say it as if it’s not rude. You say it as if it is some universal truth that you are allowed to say without regard to good manners or social decorum.</p>
<p>From my point of view, foreigners are much more bad mannered than Americans, and you are a good example. Apparently you feel writing a diatribe about Americans to Americans is good manners, while an American taking a stroll through Paris while… G-d forbid!.. eating something is unforgivable. The American might be unwittingly committing a cultural sin, but you are are intentionally being “in-your-face” rude and obnoxious with your comments. Pardon me for holding up the mirror, but around here we call that profoundly hypocritical. </p>
<p>I’d like to know what tri-state area you are from, because the tri-state area I am from (metroNY with main office in NYC) uses no other language than English. I speak English, German, Spanish and French… in that order or fluency. I can hold a conversation or a meeting in the first two. I can get myself around and get what I need with the second two. I grew up in the five boroughs. Until I was an adult and traveling abroad, there was absolutely no need for a second language. I speak four languages now ONLY because I am frequently in the company of people that speak those languages as their first/only language. </p>
<p>As someone else said, European countries are analogous to US States geographically speaking. If I had to speak Jerseyian when I visited New Jersey, you can bet we all would have picked up Jerseyian as we grew up. 
That’s the only reason why many Europeans speak multiple languages. They didn’t set out to do so. It is just something that happens when that many sovereign languages are in such a small geographic area. </p>
<p>As for men giving their seats to women, that’s a global issue. I’ve witnessed it. Young men everywhere are somewhat clueless. It’s rare for for a 30-something man not to give up a seat to an elderly or pregnant woman. Again, what tri-state area are you from, because NYC is just as bad (or good for that matter) as London or Paris in this regard.</p>
<p>To anyone else reading this:
I’ve never said any of this to anyone outside my family, but the fairly constant anti-American comments by many in this forum have me flustered, hence my own diatribe. These anti-Americans are incredibly prejudiced people. They don’t realize it’s prejudice because they surround themselves with like-minded people and often reaffirm it as fact among themselves. I can only imagine this is how people who hated African Americans back in the 1960’s must have felt/behaved. Prejudice is wrong no matter what time period and/or who it is aimed at and, IMHO, the people who allow it to be in their lives are nothing more than human trash.</p>
<p>An appreciation and support of the arts. When in Europe, I always marvel at the support for their orchestras and museums.</p>
<p>Table manners. Chew with your mouth closed and a hamburger ( or schnitzel) should not be eaten two bites. And, yes, manners matter even in fast food joints.</p>
<p>Unlimited all you can eat buffets are not your friend.</p>
<p>What Europeans can learn from the US.</p>
<p>Start serving water for free with a meal, don’t make us by .25l little glasses of bubbly stuff that really does nothing for thirst when eating a spicy sausage. And, if you tell me your health codes do not allow the serving of tap water…then you better be able to explain what you use in your cooking. Two ice cubes in a glass do not constitute ‘with ice’.</p>
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<p>I’m also from and live in NYC and I’m not sure about the above statement based on my experiences. Grew up in a neighborhood where having a working knowledge of Spanish is critical unless you have Spanish speaking friends…especially if you’re running a business. </p>
<p>Moreover, in some Chinatown restaurants…knowing how to converse in Cantonese, Fujianese, and/or Mandarin goes a long way to not only get better service, but also access to the “special menus” targeted towards native-born Chinese/Chinese Americans…especially before the boom in learning about China/Chinese from the '90s onward. The above also goes for other ethnic neighborhoods/restaurants IME.*</p>
<ul>
<li>I.e. Experience in a few Koreatown restaurants when they were surprised I loved the cold spicy crab side dish as the managers mentioned that most Americans & non-Koreans didn’t care for it.</li>
</ul>
<p>To Maikai:</p>
<p>I don’t think I have been rude. I would never call myself an anti-American. I think America is a wonderful country with a lot of great people. If a person is criticizing something, it doesn’t mean that he/she hates it. I pointed out the things I don’t like. Is this so wrong? I am not attacking anyone, I barely point out that there are things Americans can learn from other nations. And believe me, just like you, I’ve had to “defend” the reputation of the US multiple times talking to foreigners when their opinion is based on anecdotal evidence.</p>
<p>You could be a patriot and wish for your country to improve at the same time. It is not mutually exclusive, you know.</p>
<p>And I live in NYC (in one of the 5 boroughs) and commute almost daily across the river to NJ. There are LOTS of people who speak different languages.</p>
<p>One more thing. I am done posting here. I really don’t like to be attacked and accused this way for just voicing my opinion.</p>
<p>Speaking more than one language is a good thing, but one needs to decide <em>why</em> it is important. That people in other countries speak more than one language isn’t by itself a good reason to spend time becoming multi-lingual. The reason for their multi-lingualism could in fact be negative: it may mean that the residents of their country do not share a common language.</p>
<p>I support Americans learning foreign languages (whether to the point of fluency or not) because I think it helps them acquire a more thorough understanding of the English language (root meanings, origins, history), and helps when traveling.</p>
<p>I was in Holland one time and asked the client why he spoke English so well. His answer was practical. He said that there are very few people who speak Dutch and the population of that country so small that few movies or TV shows are produced or dubbed into that language so many of them are in English with only subtitles at best and even subtitling wasn’t done extensively. Combined with a requirement to learn English in school they have the benefit (or drawback depending on perspective) of being constantly exposed to English from the time they’re very young due to this practical limitation.</p>
<p>The Dutch don’t speak English because they’re somehow more ‘cultured’ or language inquisitive than Americans, it’s simply very practical for them to learn it. It also benefits them in the business world which is mostly English for international business.</p>
<p>I am going to say that I don’t think that newstudentmom was anti-American. I really think that Maikai needs to chill a bit.</p>
<p>I agree that to know another language would be a wonderful thing and I wish I had learn something besides Latin in high school. I do agree though that unless there is an opportunity to use a language, the knowledge pretty much disappears. </p>
<p>I think we could all learn to appreciate the arts more, walk more and have more flower boxes in the cities 
I also wish we wouldn’t think that we had the corner on beautiful places in the world. We do have many spectacular places but so does Canada, Argentina, & Norway to name a tiny few.</p>
<p>I wish other parts of the world would understand how huge the US is as a nation. We had a foreign exchange student and she couldn’t understand why her French class didn’t go to New Orleans for a field trip (we live in N. Illinois). The immense size of the US is part of the reason Americans don’t travel to foreign countries as people in other countries, but we should. It is good to see ourselves through others’ eyes, even if we don’t agree.</p>
<p>No other country can compete with the variety and beauty of our national parks. And I’ve been to Norway and Switzerland. Those mountains are nice but they have a tendency to make them so tame by putting gondolas or ski lifts on all of them with a restaurant on the top. That’s why there are so many Europeans in our parks, particularly in Arizona and Utah. There is just nothing like them in Europe. Yellowstone has more geysers than anywhere else on earth. Europe has the alps but very little wildlife there. Compare that to our bears, bison, elk. A ranger at Bryce Canyon told me that half of their visitors are from France and Germany. The French and the Germans have to travel a continent away to see anything like it. </p>
<p>I was talking to some Australians hiking at the Grand Canyon last summer and asked “Doesn’t Australia have any comparable scenery?” and they said “No way, mate”. </p>
<p>I loved hearing the Frenchman looking at Bryce Canyon saying “vrai magique” (spelling?), or the German in Yellowstone asking whether the animals were really wild. </p>
<p>Europeans like Death Valley in the summer just to experience something really dangerously hot and wild. </p>
<p>Interesting contrasts.</p>
<p>Americans need to learn to appreciate life experiences rather than material goods. I visit my native Elbonia every once in a while and it amazes me that most of my relatives there still live in the same homes, with the same furniture, etc. but have been all over the planet…</p>
<p>*</p>
<p>the ‘smaller portion fairy’ must not have stopped in the small town where our European operations are based… Most restaurants, and our company’s cafeteria, serve at least twice as much food as I thought one could eat. And I eat a lot :).</p>
<p>Not to mention that everything comes with a golf ball sized side of butter…</p>