<p>Being independent and helping those in need, particularly your own family members, are NOT mutually exclusive.</p>
<p>I’m also said relying on my family for things rather than myself.</p>
<p>European (and other countries) history and how it affects culture should be taught more. We need to spend more time on “how it got from there to here and why?” There are many basic differences between our cultures that are easily explained by history and geography. A “comparitive history” class of sorts.
America has a short history in comparison and in simplistic terms came with a “clean slate” on the history time line.</p>
<p>I don’t understand what being “interdependent” means, on a practical level (maybe because I’m American lol). Does it mean you do not move away from your parents, even if the job opportunity is across the country?</p>
<p>As a parent, I can’t imagine expecting my adult children to add my life to their top priorities - life is demanding and complicated as it is, they will have their spouses and children to attend to along with themselves, and I am capable of caring for myself and enjoy having my “own” life away from them, actually (again, maybe that is the American individualistic way).</p>
<p>Interdependent means being mutually dependent on one another. It is the American way, which is why no one has agreed with me so far…lol. My mom is a very strong woman and I have learned my interdepence from her. Every step you take in life, someone else played a role in it no matter how miniscule it was and you may have directly or indirectly helped them as well.</p>
<p>Ive lived and traveled extensively in Europe and the Middle East…The most important lessons we learn from other cultures is what it is that makes our American lifestyle and culture worthy… Last year we had the parents of a young Iranian musician visit us from Tehran. The first day, I took her mom out for a stroll in our little town . As we sat in the plaza with a glass of wine, tears welled up in her eyes and she said:" You have no idea what it is to sit in the open, sipping wine, with my head uncovered." We both cried. Viva liberty. Though this pleasure is not unique to America, I have in the past taken this sort of things for granted. Their visit was a good lesson and now, I don’t take these simple pleasures lightly.</p>
<p>Musica–that’s a result of our “clean slate” and one of our best assets. Although USA has struggled through civil strife, wars, economic woes etc, we haven’t had to fight off hundreds of years worth of baggage in comparison to other cultures.</p>
<p>Here are two things the US should learn from Europe:</p>
<ol>
<li>The value of good public transportation–it is worth subsidizing</li>
<li>School systems should offer a vocational path for students in high schools and not assume everyone should attend college.</li>
</ol>
<p>I lived and worked in Switzerland for several years. The first time we went skiing there, we were shocked by the disorganized lift lines and rude behavior of the people. I mentioned to one of my Swiss colleagues how surprised I was at this since Swiss people are normally polite and orderly. Without missing a beat, he replied, “Oh, those were Germans.”</p>
<p>Public transportation and its effectiveness depends on where you live and geography. NY and Wash DC are examples of good transport. Compact university cities are great. High density cities are great.
Don’t come to where I live and wait for a bus–under the best circumstances it’ll never arrive. I WISH it for all but know it’s simply not practical in way too many places.</p>
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</p>
<p>In my city, the buses eventually do arrive, but it seems to take a long time, and with our weather, I cannot imagine being dependent upon the bus system. I always feel so bad for these people in August when it’s 108 degrees outside.</p>
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<p>I agree. I can’t think of an example where this is NOT the case. In Finland all over the place they had what was called a “grilli” - a little kiosk cooking and serving delicious sausages with various condiments that you eat on the go. In France I’ve eaten crepes and drunk delicious hot chocolate served from kiosks. Seoul was loaded with little impromptu cookeries - a few family members who have set up a hibachi on the sidewalk and are grilling and selling spiced chicken on skewers and other delights, or an old lady sitting next to a huge pile of dried, salted squid that she’s selling as a snack. Japan has tons of food and drink sold on the street except the kiosks are replaced by thousands of vending machines. And so on… </p>
<p>I can’t see why others could single out the Americans for eating and walking when its so common pretty much everywhere else.</p>
<p>
</li>
</ol>
<p>I wholeheartedly agree with both. </p>
<p>Although geography does have something to do with the first item, we could do a lot better, outside of a few metropolitan areas (NYC, DC, Boston, et al).</p>
<p>I can’t see why others could single out the Americans for eating and walking when its so common pretty much everywhere else.</p>
<p>Agree. I thought one of the perks of traveling was trying new street food.
[Street</a> Food Photos – National Geographic](<a href=“Travel”>Travel)</p>
<p>salone4u, I assume you will be departing the US for the wonderful culture from which you hail ASAP?</p>
<p>I’m about as independent as they come - except Fred needs to come finish replacing the hallway electrical switches (Fred is a BSEE / Electrician friend :))… I come from a country in Europe (Elbonia) where interdependence is the national sport.</p>
<p>If you luck out, you get free cooked meals, free child care, free house care, and so on, all for the little cost of having Mother Turbo (the Asian Tiger Grandma)… I’d rather pay Manhattan preschool rates and SIUE union fees than deal with Grandma…</p>
<p>Consolation, that’s a few years down the road. Not now, but thanks for noticing. :D. America doesn’t need my help, they have plenty to get by. I’m going to help my country that actually doesn’t have anyone to help it. I hope you realize the sarcasm in my first two sentences.</p>
<p>
To add to what coureur said - great pomme frites stands in Belgium, sausage stands in Germany, pasty take-out (and eat outside the store) in England, the late night food stands in Australia, all kinds of street food available in parts of Asia, and other similar eateries for their areas. </p>
<p>In addition, let’s not forget the American FF places over there where the Europeans are eating the same stuff in the same style as those who frequent the same FF places here.</p>
<p>It’s difficult to distinguish sarcasm when a person’s communication is garbled. Like yours.</p>
<p>FYI, I would never have considered being so rude when residing in other countries.</p>
<p>Honestly, what’s your problem? I have a right to my own opinion and if you take offense to it, then fine. Don’t attack me because you don’t agree with me. I bet if we were face to face, this whole conversation would go very differently. I really dislike people that use a computer screen as their defense.</p>