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Is there anywhere in Europe that is superior to the US?


Just got done touring Europe. Culturally and historically it was beautiful and fascinating. But as far as quality of life? I did not visit any cities that didn’t seem dirty or disorganized in some way. All cities are dirty in certain areas but Europe being so much older has many places that are beyond repair and get treated/upkept poorly as a result.

I also did not get the impression that the locals were very worldly or interested in anything outside of their cultural bubble. Whereas most educated Americans want to travel and explore other cultures.

Lastly, every last city I visited (10 total in 6 different countries) had inferior technology and resources in almost every way. Of course there are exceptions but it was clear that access to many basic things that are standard in America (free public restrooms, well maintained roads and sidewalks) and the things they did have were inferior (water power in showers sinks and toilets was very weak.)

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I wouldn't know as I've never been there but my wife and some of my friends toured Europe many years ago

They all tell me that Switzerland and Germany are top shelf👍
Good standard of living, modern facilities, strong economies, polite people and very little crime

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Oslo. It’s clean, wealthy, and the entire city seems designed to make everyone fit and healthy.

Weak water power and toilets? Not a very good tour if that’s where they put you. Most 3-4 star hotels I’ve stayed in there had very modern bathrooms. Also, you aren’t going to connect with people if you are just drifting in and out of countries as a tourist.

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Not trying to diss Norway, but I couldn't believe drug addicts in Oslo were using heroin in the park at daylight, amid families with small children. And no one batted an eye!

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Same thing happens in Seattle, Washington. I'm all for harm reduction strategies to help addicts, but the police need to enforce open use in public places.

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It was so weird, because the area was otherwise very pleasant, not dilapidated or anything. A nice park with lots of tourists. And I may be from Holland and even had a drug addict for a neighbour, but never in my life have I seen anyone use heroin!

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Yes, they have better resources for classical music and music education, probably I can tell with my magical eye. It's pretty obvious. Actually, Spain and Italy I saw seemed kinda the same as the US, in different ways... I recently discovered that they are also the same race as other Europeans mixed with Northern African, whatever race that is or was. However, other countries are mixed, as well, with them, too. Many of them are nice, though, as well as attractive.

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very true

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"I recently discovered that they are also the same race as other Europeans mixed with Northern African"

The percentage of North African ancestry in the DNA of Italians is extremely low (only slightly higher than other Europeans) and mostly to be found in Southern Italy. The same goes for Spain. The Italians and Spanish certainly don't consider themselves a separate race.

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The Southern Italians are of Greek descent so I was told.

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Yes, I believe they're closest to the Greeks.

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My father in law was Calabrian - he always pointed out that he wasn't Sicilian.

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Well, of course. If you're from Calabria, you're not from Sicily!

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The Sicilians are looked down upon was his point.

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who's at the bottom of the pecking order in Canada?

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east coasters where I was born.

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why?

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An isolated rural area dependent on the fishing industry/lower educated/a strong local accent. The people are the nicest you can meet but they are a little rough around the edges. Canada's version of hillbillies but it is changing.

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Ah, I see. That's true.

I have the same question as Laura. Who's way down in Canada??? Folks from Newfoundland?

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Newfoundland it is where I was born. It is changing slowly as the economy moves from fishing to oil exploration. .

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Now it makes sense!

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They are also very good people who helped out a lot of American travelers on September 11/2001.

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I'm sure the people of Newfoundland are very decent folks. I was just joking!

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I was not offended 👍👍

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What a relief!😊

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One of the things Newfoundlanders are known for is laughing at themselves.

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Then you should try a little harder, Mitch!

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How fortunate all of you are! I have never had the opportunity or the funds to travel. I will leave this earth only knowing Ohio, Florida, Texas and Mississippi! How dull and meaningless is that? My dream was to visit Israel, and also to take a train trip through Europe via a luxury train like the Orient Express. Only the best accommodations with private bath! Maybe run into a character like Hercule Poirot. 🤗

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Not dull or meaningless at all. I've been all over and few sights approach the beauty of the sun setting over the Gulf of Mexico.

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Thanks, but it would have been an unforgettable adventure to have fulfilled my dream. 😔

BTW, we face South so I’m missing out on that also! I can’t win! ☺️

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Turn to the right!

Sorry, I don't mean to be flippant, just trying to make you smile. 🙂

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You did just that...make me smile!🥰 Thanks!

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wum

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Whereas most educated Americans want to travel and explore other cultures.
What? Its a standing joke in the rest of the world that most Americans dont have a passport and dont want to leave the country.

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Most?

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well the internet meme / myth is only 10% have passports, which was true only a short while back (94)
now its 40%

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True. We're also monolinguists for the most part. Probably the two are related.

Whoa, this thread has ballooned like mad. There were only a couple of posts when I last saw it.

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I'm mad to find out the Peter Rabbit movie was filmed on a movie set,and not a real place like that is open to people to see.

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That's quite a generalisation 🤦‍♀️

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