Germany or USA? This is where we REALLY feel more free! w/

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ABOUT ME: Hallo, Servus, and welcome to my channel! My name is Felicia (Feli), I'm 28, and I'm a German living in the USA! I was born and raised in Munich, Germany but have been living in Cincinnati, Ohio off and on since 2016. I first came here for an exchange semester during my undergrad at LMU Munich, then I returned for an internship, and then I got my master's degree in Cincinnati. I was lucky enough to win the Green Card lottery and have been a permanent resident since 2019! In my videos, I talk about cultural differences between America and Germany, things I like and dislike about living here, and other topics I come across in my everyday life in the States. Let me know what YOU would like to hear about in the comments below. DANKE :)
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[@FelifromGermany]

Watch Part 1 on NALF's channel ▸kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZWVoWt_arpsiac Shoutout to you for being so amazing to talk to! :) How do you guys perceive the concept of freedom in the US vs. Germany? 🤔 Let us know in the comments below!

[@josueveguilla9069]

Fun Fact: Freedom isn’t Free.

[@IvanPlayyz]

USA had it before

[@josueveguilla9069]

@@IvanPlayyz But now we’re becoming Communist China, North Korea, the former Soviet Union, etc day by day, unfortunately.

[@josueveguilla9069]

Another Fun Fact: Abortion is not a "right".

[@IvanPlayyz]

@@josueveguilla9069 it shouldn't be

[@markusmayer7956]

I have been thinking about this topic of freedom a lot lately. As an Austrian (i.e. almost German) expat in Canada (almost the US), I am going to say that the notion of "freedom" has some very different connotations in Europe vs. the US. The basic ideas that overlap (democracy, fair justice system, etc.), but things quickly diverge once you look deeper. In the US, “freedom” is the “freedom from rules and restrictions”, i.e. Americans want few laws and weak regulations. Freedom is the ability to do whatever one wants in the pursuit of one’s dream (within the limit of the law). “Nobody tells me what I can or cannot do.” Freedom very much means individuality. It means everybody does their own thing and isn’t hindered by rules. "You do you, and I do me." It can make it easier to innovate and found companies. It also makes it easier to exploit the weak. In Europe, “freedom” is “freedom from oppression” and "freedom from worry." This means the presence (rather than the absence) of strong laws and regulations. Laws are intended to protect the less powerful from the more powerful. Employees are protected from employer overreach. But also at a much smaller scale, noise bylaws mean that the community is protected from the one person who would like to mow their lawn on a Sunday, etc. Using the noise by-law as an example, the stereotypical American would say, “I am going mow my lawn whenever I please! It is my property! Nobody but me gets to say what happens here. This rule is the very absence of freedom.” The stereotypical European would say, “Not being able to mow my lawn on a Sunday can be an inconvenience at times, but I am used to it and can easily work around it. The bylaw affords the freedom of peace and quiet and is totally worth it.” These very different notions of what "freedom" is (freedom to do what one wants vs. freedom to not have ones quality of life impeded by something somebody else is doing) is quite intriguing once you start thinking about it.

[@pancen2799]

This sums it up quite well!

[@jackjman5577]

Europe is a nanny state and the results in both approaches has been well documented since ww2. Both places suffer from corruption, but the general idea of promoting individuals rather than collectives has clearly been an advantage for the USA.

[@rorypaul153]

The US also has labor protections and noise ordinances.

[@treetopjones737]

American loonies lost their minds during Covid mandates. HELLO, DEADLY VIRUS. Them: "FREEDUMB!!! YOU ARE FASCIST!!!" SMH

[@Kenton-tn4gy]

Extremely well said.

[@eastfrisianguy]

The differences are really so interesting. My stepmother was an au pair in California in the early 1980s and while most people watched TV in their free time, she liked to walk around the neighborhood in Altadena because she was curious and the gardens were so beautifully landscaped. She also walked with the kids half a mile to school and kindergarten because she just felt it was a waste to take the car for such a short distance. After a week, she was stopped by the police and asked why she was walking around and the neighborhood was wondering. She was questioned by the police a total of four times in one year (always very politely but they were very baffled by her behavior) and once she almost caused a major incident when one of the mothers saw my mother picking up two of the host family's children from school and the children wanted to run and she grabbed the children by the hand and ran down the hill with them....the other mum seriously thought my stepmom was going to kidnap foreign children. But since the police station already knew my mother, they knew about the "weird German girl who likes to go for walks". 🤣

[@mplconsulting]

This is the art of living the freedom that every child in Germany knows. It's so cool and I miss it when I see other kids who don't have that opportunity for freedom. Your stepmother is wonderful and I think the kids will love her especially for that bit of freedom. It's nicer for a child to grow up in Germany, because in Germany you usually don't have the criminality that you know from America. You may be lucky in America, too, if you live in a part of the city or state that doesn't have crime on this scale. You can be glad to had a stepmother like yours and I hope you’ll give you’re kids this part of freedom too.

[@alice73322]

As a child growing up in the US in the 80’s we had that kind of “freedom”. We rode our bikes everywhere & our parents had no idea where we were. We just came home for dinner. We used to have it like that but things changed. We just don’t connect with our communities the way we did back then. Everyone knew each others kids but now we are strangers with our next door neighbors! Just different times 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@KC3DJV]

100% agree. I like watching Stranger Things because it really was like that (without the Upside Down, lol)

[@johnedreslin]

Very true. I grew up in NYC in th3 40's and 50's and would go everywhere on my own, by bike, subway, or whatever, and felt perfectly safe. Our communities were more tight knit, and people looked out for each other.

[@NeutralTea]

As a 90s kid, we did the same. Parents not knowing exactly where we are at all times because maybe plans would slightly change because we ran into other friends or something, this wasn't intentional, but there were no cell phones to just call back or text... So just stay in bounds of knowing mostcof yoir surroundings. The riding bikes around town, going to the park and walking over to the ice rink to go ice skating. Becoming good friends to this day with some of the neighbors. I agree it was very different these days and i appreciate it. Stranger Things does so good at this feeling!

[@theire483]

We sure did...60-80 in a major city. When school was out we stayed outside sometimes til the Sun rose. As long as we were in the neighborhood, it was no problem. The rule was if you were not in the neighborhood you had to be home when the street lights came on. Even then you could still stay outside as long as you were on your porch or the neighbors porch.

[@Libanass]

It’s less and less safe in Europe as well, but still safer than the US indeed

[@lawrencemitchell5983]

It feels like here in America there's plenty of Freedom but not enough responsibility to go along with that Freedom.

[@Allaiya.]

This

[@tuggaboy]

I mean, it is freer than ‘People's’ Republic of China or North Korea but it is probably the least free country in the ‘developed countries' list’....

[@Edzhjus]

Bingo 🎯 Freedom should come with cost to not take it for granted. 🥂

[@tuggaboy]

@@Edzhjus it is not that free... You are not free to chose public healthcare as everything is private and everything is hyperpriced in a way that it is inhumane

[@DENVEROUTDOORMAN]

Exactly

[@dansmith7077]

The helicopter parent thing is relatively new in the US. I was in grade school in the late 1950s and would take the bus to the town center for a movie, walk to a friends house by myself, or spend the day at the beach with my friends. Just be home by dinner was what my parents said.

[@lenab5266]

This "relatively new" is VERY relative. Over 60 years ago is very long time ago for a 21 year old like me. My parents weren't even born then. and affordable cars weren't around for "that long" in the 50s (Ford Model T since 1908 ) About 50 years, so less than fom the late 50s to now. It was a whole other world back then.

[@brownjatt21]

@@lenab5266 I'm only 32 and it wasn't really like that when i was a kid. So it is relatively new. Feels like last 15 yrs after smart phones and social media. Before that kids didn't have phones so parents couldn't really bother you or ask where you're at all the time. I grew up semi what the gentleman mentioned. Left the house in the morning grabbed my bike or skateboards ran a muck around time doing whatever and came home when the street lights came on. After every kid had a cell around time mid 2000's rolled around than every parent was always blowing up their kids phones asking where they are etc. I didn't have a cellphone until I was 17. So i grew up unbothered and untracked most of my youth lol. Parents are just paranoid nowadays thinking everyones a kidnapper etc. You hardly see kids even trick or treat nowadays (like 50% compared to my childhood) and if they do they are with their parents smh. We used to run out of candy in the late 90's early 2000's. We always have extra nowadays cuz kids barely show up. The few that do show up we give them a bunch lol.

[@nahnotsomuch2292]

I was an 80's kid. Back then, after breakfast in the summer, you'd jump on your bike and essentially be gone most of the rest of the day. You might stop back in to get lunch or ask if you could go to someone else's house father away than you'd usually go. But, no helmet. No cell phones. Your mom would tell you to check back in at some point during the day. The 90's is when everything started to change and parents started treating their kids like they were raising veal.

[@515aleon]

I'm older than you, but yes, life for kids has changed for the worse. I lived in a semi-rural area in Wisconsin. At lunch time mom would blow a whistle or something (some parents had bells).If your kids didn't hear it, well they ate a friend's house probably. I would go off on my bike and go everywhere. Even in the winter (not so much on the bike). I think helmets are good though (I'm less sanguine re; small children having cell phones) but I feel parents these days hear the all the scary stories and they get played up in the Press to the hilt. Now there are parents who don't want kids ever out of their sight. The kids have "screens" but to me kids need to run around and play, not sit in front of a devices.

[@milesrayl4078]

The concept of a “license“ to fish or anything else is a whole different thing between the U.S. and Germany. A fishing license in the U.S. is basically a tax to fish. You can buy a fishing license in the U.S. without any needed “training” etc. you basically just pay to fish and obey the local rules for the species your fishing for. So the idea of “licensing” is much different between the two countries.

[@theire483]

👍... In a capitalist system you milk the people any way possible. It's all about $$$

[@sonicpsycho13]

The fishing license also allows the fish and game department to track the ecology and health of the wildlife.

[@DENVEROUTDOORMAN]

Yup same thing for hunting to fund conservation programs

[@Habakuk_]

@bLackstar pfff there are hardly any guns on the street for that. what is better if everyone can carry a weapon and the risk of being shot is greater or if there are generally fewer weapons you can defend yourself well without weapons yes there are other means of self-defence. pepper spray. Electric stool or you go to a self-defense course.

[@th.a]

Very interesting conversation and balanced views from both sides. You should do this kind of collaboration more often or make a series out of it.

[@markjones1500]

I agree. In these days of such polarised media it is refreshing to have a balanced discussion.

[@mmmitchell6887]

I lived in Munich & studied as a teen and got a job as a young adult. Born in Wisconsin, my dad took me to bars at birth. I developed a serious dislike of drunk people especially with bad breath and bad hairdos. I began learning German in sixth grade in Wisconsin. Personally I feel freer in Germany and virtually everyone was very kind.

[@Nickelbippy]

Love you Feli, still missing your original title wish something could've been done. Anyway I will be always watching. I want to learn about life in Europe. I was born on the day the Berlin Wall was constructed. August 13th, 1961. Thank you for coming here and sharing your knowledge. I trust you to have open and honest truthful content.

[@DaveL19]

Feli- wish I had these videos 20 years ago. They really explain my experience in Germany and would have me not question stuff that happened

[@KrystalNCMA]

I just appreciate videos like this because it allows us all to understand one another's cultures more and have a respect and love for our differences and similarities.

[@pseudo_nym]

*When I - as a German - was at the Californian coast* for work some years ago, after work I couldn't resist *grabbing a bunch of beers* from the supermarket and *enjoyed them* at a more or less hidden place *at the beautiful beach* with a wonderful *view over the ocean* . I couldn't let go of this german freedom... *Naughty me* 😁

[@guitarista666]

I don't think Americans always follow the rules when it comes to drinking in public, so it's a wonder you didn't see some other people there at your favorite drinking spot!

[@pseudo_nym]

@@guitarista666 *I believe you're right!* Just I was there only twice or thrice during my two stays of in total three to four week (as far as I remember). *So there is a good chance someone else took the spot in-between* 😁

[@davorzmaj753]

When I visited San Diego in the early 80s, it was perfectly OK to walk around outside with an open beer. I don't know whether it was legal, but everyone was doing it. But there was a $75(?) fine for taking a glass bottle onto the beach. Beer in a can? Go for it. Cola in a bottle? Nope. Now that's a restriction that makes perfect sense. [EDIT: Not sarcasm; I mean this.]

[@pseudo_nym]

@@davorzmaj753 I believe here was the focus on keeping the beach clear of broken glass. Unfortunately there are always people not taking care. For the record I left nothing behind but my butt print 😁

[@Andreas_Cologne]

Das klingt nach einem schönen Feierabend.

[@mojojim6458]

Thank you both. This was really enjoyable. Please do it again soon.

[@GlenHunt]

That was totally fun. You two play off of each other very well.

[@hansmolders1066]

Having universal healthcare makes me feel free from the worry of getting sick.

[@envisibleward2422]

my mother is dead due to "universal health care"

[@bossman9579]

Good deal. I couldn't imagine living life worried about getting sick every day. All these people going on about pandemics and monkey pox. Pffft. We got helthcare ! No big deal mate! 😜

[@liversuccess1420]

The U.S. could easily afford a universal health care policy if we simply remove all our military forces and bases from Europe. How about you pay for your own defense, and we pay for our own health care? Sounds like a good deal to me.

[@envisibleward2422]

@@liversuccess1420 communist much?

[@rameynoodles152]

@@liversuccess1420 That's a really good point. Also though, the US's medical system is completely fucked by pharmacuetical monopolies and corruption with government. It needs to be cleaned out, and then you'd be amazed at how much cheaper our healthcare would be. It literally isn't working in the same economic system as the rest of the US.

[@scottbarwick5251]

Fun interview...lots of light bantering; perfect prescription for a Sunday afternoon.😊

[@brenmcguire963]

Just my two cents: I believe that the definition of freedom is different: - In the US freedem is more or less defined by "What am I allowed to do?" - In Germany the definition s rather "What are we allowed as a community?"

[@Cogitoergosumist]

I am german and I would have to disagree. Your first definition is a much better definition of freedom than the second one in my opinion. It is also the german definition because thankfully it is the one used in the german constitution. Human beings have diverging interests. Sometimes those interests coverge regarding a particular topic for a particular group of people but freedom means that you don't have to conform to a "community" to exercise your rights or be allowed to do something.

[@Wernerkp1]

I would say its more like: US - what am I allowed to do? and DE - what can I do? Germany has a lot more rules that "lower" your freedom, but therefor they create new freedoms which come with safety and trust

[@Cogitoergosumist]

@@Wernerkp1 I think that's a better description. Although the constitutional meaning of freedom is negative liberty (freedom from interference) in both countries, german politics has a much larger emphasis on so called positive liberties (freedom and ability to do something) than US politics in my perception.

[@RobinSeiffert]

The definition is, and that was the big mistake in the video, you are free as long your freedom is not LIMITING the freedom of others! So, nothing with "bothering or stuff like that!" even when it may sometimes feels like that!

[@ldmtag]

@@Cogitoergosumist my personal stereotype is that europeans in general and germans in particular are SO FREAKIN' SMART! You guys discuss negative and positive liberties, and my d*mb *ss is like: I kNoW jEEp LiBeRTy, lol! I spend a lot of time in the comments, it often feels like in Germany even 10 y.o. kids are fluent in English and know the difference between left and right wing politics (I, 25, still struggle uderstanding that stuff😂). And german music (I'm talking mostly rock-ish, metal-ish, folk-ish stuff) is so innovative, diverse and simply beautiful! Nothing russian comes even close, even tuvan, which Tuva is a part of Russia, and they probably have best music out there. Cars, on the other hand... I think Germany has lost... like... the edge? I think today best cars are produced by the US. Especially EVs. It's silly to even compare the genius of Tesla or Rivian to Porsche Taycan with like 69 MPGe. STILL! I know how strong Volkswagen AG management is, they'll figure EVs out in no time at all.

[@Mdwells2944]

Love the videos, great hearing both sides and experiences.

[@LucasBenderChannel]

Your team-ups are so delightful. Everytime :)

[@jamespozin]

I feel like I've secretly been waiting for a Feli/Nafl collaboration for a while. When you were talking about freedom in the US, it seemed to be more about convenience and leisure activities. In Germany, it feels like it's more about actual freedom. After I retired from the U.S. Army five years ago, I moved to Germany, and I'll admit it is a strange feeling to go back to the states and be told I can't do something I would typically do in Germany, like walk home in my childhood neighborhood after dark, because it's too dangerous or the cops will stop you.

[@zorrothebug]

In my opinion, the focus in Germany is on social freedom, while in the U.S. it's about personal freedom.

[@k.s.421]

@@zorrothebug Ja, das stimmt, Andy! I only can speak of my own experiences: for example my relatives in California, they builded a house some years ago. Here in Germany you would not allowed this, you can't build your house as you like. Before construction can start, you have to contact the building authorities and the would give you many restrictions and rules to follow. And if you don't do so and they find out, you have to pay a fine or even worse, you have to build it back.... And there are other aspects of live, too...So the personal freedom is a valuable asset...

[@arroe8386]

That it could be to dangerous to walk home after dark for a veteran, sounds absolutely insane to me

[@arroe8386]

@bLackstar because it shouldn't even be to dangerous for a 15 year old girl to walk home after dark

[@jackjman5577]

Not true for most of the states...just certain shit neighborhoods. Pretty milquetoast comment for a vet

[@andrewrorke2532]

Since you both now have significant others from your adopted country- I really want to see a joint video about the ins and outs of dating and falling in love outside of your home country.

[@Warentester]

I'm following you both and it is nice to see these collaborationd. Keep them up. They should be a low effort video series for you guys with a lot of learning potential for everyone. I'd love to see this become a regular thing.

[@CreatorInTrng]

I've enjoyed both of your video collaborations. The two styles with your developing perspectives is quite engaging. I'd like to see more.

[@IIIOOOUS]

In Berlin you can go grocery shopping at 2 am and then telling someone off because he is pushing his cart wrong. So we have the most freedom.

[@22craigjohnson]

Much of the conversations seem to be talking about inner-city living; there are areas that are different within the US. There are also city neighborhoods, single family homes, front yards, backyards, kids on bikes, neighborhoods that do not have busses, safe areas to walk alone at most times. Areas like this do not seem to be talked about here.

[@KirksDrumRoom]

What a GREAT post! Thanks for sharing!

[@hartmutbohn]

Thanks for this wonderful video.

[@T-Slider]

The freedom of children to ride across town on public transportation as a 3rd grader is exactly how it was in the ‘50s in the U.S.

[@cvr527]

60s, 70s and 80s too. It chnaged in the late 80s onward. I think driven by TV.

[@gdp3rd]

Some of these things are "recent" changes, in that growing up in the 1950s - 1960s we walked or biked to school, roamed all over the neighborhood on our own, etc. On the flip side, many places had blue laws back in the day, and stores weren't open on Sundays, or couldn't sell certain things.

[@johnedreslin]

Agreed, and I grew up in NYC.

[@theire483]

Even later than the 60s as recent as the 80s.

[@theire483]

As recent as the 80s in a major US city I habe seen child age 6-12 riding puvlic transportation to school by themselves. So yes, not allowing kids to travel by bus, or ride their bikes alone is fairly recent like in the 90s.

[@invalid8774]

@@theire483 I get that the 80s feels recent to you but I wasnt born yet and my friends are having kids so maybe we should stop referring to the 80s as "recent". :D

[@theire483]

@@invalid8774 you miss read, I did not say the 80s was recent. I simply used it as a time frame, as compared to the 60s (previous comment). I actually said the 90s was recent.

[@mrchainanimal3637]

Great to see you two colaborate. I love both of you on your channels, and it is great to hear both sides of the medal...

[@sylvie797]

Love the Feli-Nalf collaborations!

[@anderclayton9856]

Walked to school almost throughout the time I was in school, including ten blocks to school when I was in kindergarten in Chicago. This was a few years back though. Lately it seems like people are freaking out in the US. Not just helicopter parents but adults with others' kids.

[@anderclayton9856]

So note that this stuff is just the last 20-30 years.

[@brettdrought6181]

I agree totally with your sentiment. When I was young (4-7) we lived in Baton Rouge for my father's job for a short time. I remember walking to elementary school and movie theaters and many other places all of the time without fear or parental worrying. About 3 years ago I happened to be traveling through Baton Rouge and visited the old haunts. It was 1.75 miles from our house to the elementary school. The shopping and movie theaters were down by the main road. Turns out that the main road was a freeway and was 2.5 miles from our house. Times have changed for sure.

[@smenor]

@@anderclayton9856 it's the last 20-30 years and if you look at the statistics things are significantly safer now than they were 30 years or more ago. It's literally all just perception and paranoia

[@anderclayton9856]

@@smenor Yep. I talk to a friend of mine who lived in Chicago at the time (didn't know him then) and he seemed to think it was pretty dangerous (and maybe it was) but I never had any problem walking around. I mean heck I had a lot of fun.

[@kennethklosterman159]

I agree the fears have changed since I was a kid 40 years ago. We walked to school.. rode our bikes everywhere… had a gun in our pickup trucks. Living in Ky.

[@Dog.eatdog]

American freedom: ME; ME; ME! German freedom: WE; WE; WE!

[@mariondiemert430]

That was very interesting. Both of you rock.

[@briansands9004]

Hi Feli, I just wanted to thank you ( and Nalf) I am an American that has lived in several European counties over the last few decades. Hearing your observations and reactions has been very interesting, I am not a big Youtubue guy but have found the observations from you and @Nalk interesting, informative and entertaining. Many thanks, Brian , Vienna, Austria

[@bennymohr6374]

I grew up in a seventies eighties and the 90s and we never worried about riding our bikes and being out late we never had that fear that is something new in the last past 25 or so

[@sternedeluxe27]

I really liked the videos with NALF. If you make another video with NALF, I'd love to hear your thoughts on work-life balance in both countries.

[@53ludwigsburg]

I watched the first half today about education in the US/Germany. Thus, I have a couple comments about the advantages and disadvantages of both systems. In the US there is a great emphasis I’m going to college. However, not everyone is suited for college or wants to go. So many students are left behind and end up dropping out of the US education system because they don’t have an interest in pursuing a higher education or they don’t see any short or long term benefits in the education system they are in. I realize/recognize that the German system is not perfect. However, unemployment is low in Germany and the the Hauptschule und Realschule provide education and training so a person can get a job or go into an apprentice program get the training and certificate that they need for employment. I taught Junior High and High School here in the US. There were so many drop outs from high school because the students couldn’t see the value in the education that they were getting. I would say that a majority were not intellectually challenged, they were smart but they were interested in working with their hands, mechanics carpenters, hairdressers, computer techs etc. if we had vocational training for the students who are not interested in higher education it would reduce the drop out rate significantly and you would have a happier member of society versus somebody who dropped out and had no future to look forward to. Secondly, my nephew admitted to me that he screwed around and ended up in Realschule. He received his vocational training in carpentry and did that for a period of time. He then applied and went back to school and has a different career in health care which he very much enjoys. I enjoy your channel!!!

[@nanorider426]

Hi there. I believe this telegram note is a fake. I received it and a lot of other people did too.

[@squidwardshouse67]

Driving on the autobahn is more free than using the highway in America. You can actually drive as fast as you want in designated sections provided it’s safe to do so. In America it’s usually the same exact low speed limit everywhere on the highway.

[@JostSchwider]

Freedom in Germany: For everyone. Freedom in the USA: For individuals.

[@squidwardshouse67]

Exactly. There is a huge me me me culture in America.

[@Warentester]

It's like the America dream: each individual can get rich... but not everyone.

[@Anon54387]

For EVERY individual. Think about it.

[@sassy0010]

@@Warentester It's more like "Each individual CAN get rich... but most people don't."

[@treetopjones737]

@@squidwardshouse67 During Covid mandates there were selfish idiots ( including politicians ) who said "if older people die, THAT'S THE PRICE OF FREEDUMB!!" SMH ( also Covid does not just kill elderly people we discovered ).

[@alexaales7937]

I used to live in NYC for 9 years, thinking that Germany was way more bureaucratic and regulated I have to say, now being back in Germany I feel so much more free here and less regulated. Just walking into a bar in the US all the signs like 'employes must wash hands' or 'pregnant women should not drink alcohol' and so on made me feel so parented :-). I went to a supermarket in NYC on a sunday morning wanting to buy a case of beer for our evening BBQ and was told that I could not buy it before 12 pm by a like 15 year old cashier I thought 'are you effing kidding me?? I am an 32 year old adult, are you serious??' The US is so not the land of the free!

[@Andreas_Cologne]

He wanted to prevent you for making a Frühschoppen.🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@rorypaul153]

To be fair, you were in NYC lmao

[@DENVEROUTDOORMAN]

And unless you re 50 you need to be ID Ed for buying cigarettes and alcohol

[@christineperez7562]

Those are old prohibition laws that were never changed. You can't drink but you can shot a gun and go to war.

[@rorypaul153]

@@christineperez7562 lol you sound like an alcoholic

[@Dikkker]

"Fear" is just such a great helper for sales … Make people afraid and offer a solution they can buy. "Drive an Uber. Get a gun. Get a taser. Get a lock. etc. etc."

[@martinaberger9689]

Oh great, my favourite two youtubers with another collab - thanks for that interesting topic .

[@ljhere123]

50 years ago here in the US you would not have had a problem walking home at night. I was there so I know. We grow up in LA and in beach cities as well as inland. People back then self limited based on morally solid principles. We would go out of our way to think of others. Freedom depends on your community and putting others first without being told to, because you care about others. Freedom everywhere depends on respecting others rights. We (my generation) did not miss out on that freedom growing up. Then we ignored our freedoms and allowed self only ideology to infuse our thinking, that kills freedoms.

[@Alejojojo6]

Sad to hear. It seems American society has evolved into the "me, me, me and just me"... which is sad. We dont live alone, we live in a society that we should care for too.

[@filippo5157]

Hi Feli! What about the difference on the individualistic approach of life (US) vs a more society oriented one (Germany) ?

[@ane-louisestampe7939]

You are two lovely people. It's a pleasure learning from you!

[@StingRaeTheSingingSiren]

I would like to see/hear a discussion on the differences in healthcare since you’ve already talked about the school system. And again, I agree that the definition of “freedom” can change based on who you ask, where you ask (what region you’re talking about), what subject you’re talking about… I think that we can learn a lot by watching other countries, not only when it comes to laws and government, but society, family life, traditions and values, etc. My husband is Ukrainian American but his grandmother was German and the family spent some time there before coming to America. I have German roots as well and have always been attracted to the country and culture. My husband and I have always spoken a little German (first time he ever said “I love you” was in German and he didn’t expect me to understand him haha) and would love to visit someday. I have enjoyed your channel since stumbling across it a year or so ago. Not only is your content interesting and informative but you yourself are inspiring considering what you’ve accomplished and continue to pursue. Bravo & Danke!

[@Chris_oak80]

As for the parks, people in the U.S have huge back yard instead going to parks.

[@Chris_oak80]

@Irving Shekelstein I guess you grow in bad area, all the parks in my area, are fine, most of them a great, but empty.

[@alexandertaschke6247]

You definitely notice that Feli is from Bavaria and Nalf lives in a small city, because in Berlin you could literally go grocery shopping until midnight or go to the “Späti” at 2am or on a Sunday.

[@arnodobler1096]

i live in a small City in the south REWE is open to 24.00 the others 22.00

[@mariusmreule9236]

And he could geht a touch of how it feels to walk alone there at knight

[@laurenisilluminated]

And also in Berlin you can be attacked for being a woman alone at night (happened to me)

[@scipioafricanus5871]

Once again my favorite KZbin collaboration teams up!

[@SciDOCMBC]

We should not forget that marijuana was also only banned worldwide after the US started its war on opium. At that time (I think it was the 1930s) the US not only insisted that other countries ban opium. They also insisted that marijuana be banned.

[@SticcyBRA]

I used to play Golf with my father and he was in a golf club for 20 years and traveled trough out many places in Germany to play Golf. I can tell you with 100% certainty, there is no such thing as a golfers license. many golf clubs need you to have an actual handicap to be allowed to go on the course. so i'm guessing that's what he maybe ment. open golf courses in germany are usually in pretty poor condition and are looked down upon by "real" golfers

[@tnit7554]

There is a kind of licence here in germany called "Platzreife".

[@wizardsghost876]

@@tnit7554 Yeah, but thats a world wide thing, not just German. Basically having a handicap is the same. But: these Rules are established by the golf course owners, i cant see any link to 'freedom' here. You are not denied to play golf, you just follow the clubs rules. Same with fishing / hunting. Wann do that? No problem, just get your license, and go on. Getting your license you take a course, so your knowing what you do, canrt see a f'freedom# problem here.

[@Alex-kd5xc]

I definitely think a lot of this has to do with the fact that the German idea of “freedom” seems to be related to independence, whereas American idea of freedom has more to do with a lack of involvement/interference from the government. Like when I think of freedom, walking to school or being able to walk around at night don’t really have anything to do with “freedom” on a national level in my mind like they do to Feli.

[@anderclayton9856]

I think that is a generational thing. Go search out Born to Be Wild if you haven't heard it. Yes it is something that seems to be eroding and fraying badly but freedom of movement has definitely been an American thing.

[@EconomistGI]

No, the German notion of "freedom" is not primarily related to independence in the sense of the examples you mention. Instead, it recognizes that a person's freedom is not just (or even mainly) restricted by government actions, but at least as much by economic and social dependencies, i.e., by other private sector actors. The absence of a law prohibiting people from sleeping under bridges is not a freedom one should celebrate. In contrast, the freedom obtained by not having to worry whether one can finance one's own individual healthcare SHOULD be regarded highly, as it widens a person's options what to do in life.

[@maximilianmaier3950]

I find the American idea of freedom pretty hypocritical, because a lot of those freedoms are then used to justify stripping their people of other, much more important freedoms. I've seen so many videos of people getting arrested and put in handcuffs who had to spend at least a night in jail for minor infractions, where in Germany, even if what they did was illegal here too, they would've just gotten a letter with a fine in the mail, but would've never been actually arrested. Or another example: Americans have the freedom to own firearms, but then this freedom is used to justify pretty insane police shootings like for example the death of Daniel Shaver. It's like "Ok, you are free to do A, but because you're allowed to do A, you can't do B and C, sorry"

[@annamc3947]

Exactly. Our founders drafted the Constitution to protect individual freedoms that they had been denied by the British colonial government, or the denial of which they had experienced under European monarchies before coming to the Colonies. Freedom of religion, speech, the press, assembly, private property ownership, and, yes, gun ownership were written into our Constitution in that context. We still have a strong anti-government strain in our politics as a result.

[@maximilianmaier3950]

@@annamc3947 I'm German, but I read and watched a lot about American history and honestly, I think your founding fathers would turn in their graves if they saw what American politics have become. I don't think America as a nation represents anything of what these men had in mind when they wrote the constitution.

[@elvinjonas5451]

Thanks, Feli!

[@paula.wherry2244]

Thinking back to the '70s in the States I remember walking or biking to elementary school, so that is a change. It is good to here you can still do that in Germany.

[@gowerstreet23]

First off, thanks for your awesome videos, Feli. My boyfriend is German and we now live in the US midwest together so I love hearing your comparisons as we've experienced many of the same. Moreover, we just returned from Germany a few days ago - fresh thoughts! Something not touched on, my boyfriend absolutely hates the US reliance on cars. He feels like you cannot get anywhere in certain states without a car and that feels so limiting to him. People have argued with him that the car allows you to get anywhere. But having lived in Europe, honestly, the extent of public transport feels absolutely freeing in comparison. Regarding the smoking, it's the one thing my boyfriend absolutely hates each time he goes home. So much smoking in our age group. I recently looked at the percentage differences between the two countries and Germany definitely comes out on top with the 18-35 group. We were considering why this is the case. It seems easier to smoke in Germany. Restaurants etc. have eliminated indoor smoking in Germany similar to the US, but certainly not in the outdoor eating areas where ash trays still adorn the tables and you're almost guaranteed to have at least a few smokers around you. In the US it's far more inconvenient to smoke because you can't in so many locations and must stay at least 15 feet away from an enclosed area outside. My boyfriend also doesn't recall receiving that much education around the harms of smoking in school (at least in comparison to my school experience where it was essentially hammered into you every year). Perhaps this also contributes as well as the sense of the freedom to smoke? Curious as to what others experience has been with the education. Oh man, the park areas. People don't use our city parks in the US like they could and it's really sad. And randomly swimming in lakes and rivers is far less common. We're in Chicago, so big exception there, but we were in Bern, Switzerland and man floating down the Aare River - that is the life. That feels like freedom.

[@feuerrabe]

The US started anti smoking campaigns decades before Europe did. That's the reason for the differences in my opinion. In Germany, the amount of smokers in the younger age groups (under 26) has significantly reduced in the last 20 years, but we haven't caught up with US rates yet.

[@treetopjones737]

What's really stupid is selfish people say "I don't my tax dollars spent on public transportation" and then they complain about traffic and finding parking. SMH

[@mojojim6458]

I'm here from the NALF channel to follow the really interesting topics these two are discussing. One of these interesting topics is Nalf's documentary, Unicorn Town. It's available now for pre-order in the States.

[@thatguy8869]

NALF... "...there is a different type of freedom in each country..." Very true.

[@user-fw6ne7zz4y]

People not using a park in the US realy shoked me.

[@danielcarter491]

Germany's loss is definitely our gain. This young lady is such a delight. We could probably all use a Feli in our lives.

[@invalid8774]

thats fine. We usually neither mind fellow germans exploring the world and leaving the nation nor americans coming over and enriching our culture. So I dont mind Feli living in Cincinati and I welcome Nick here as long as he wants to stay.

[@robertkirchner8857]

I lived in Germany for 3 years, I played ice hockey there. I did have to obtain a license to play hockey. You guys made great points on freedom in each country. Basically the same, the analogy I will give on both Countries Freedom "it is six of one, a half dozen dozen of the other." Just a matter of which Country you choose to live in!

[@nanorider426]

Hi there. I believe this telegram note is a fake. I received it and a lot of other people did too.

[@robertkirchner8857]

@@nanorider426 Thank you. I thought there was something unusual abou it.

[@nanorider426]

@@robertkirchner8857 Yeah. Feli doesn't have a telegram.

[@Abicated]

I would be interested in seeing a video discussing the differences in your experience between rural suburban and urban living. Or even different regions living. America is such a huge country that during much of this video I thought, we never had that issue growing up. Our town was safe and we could ride our bikes anywhere even at night. We took a bus to school but only because we were miles from it.

[@T-41]

Delightful and interesting.

[@515aleon]

Vacations/outdoor are very different in Western states (and also states like Maine). Road trip/camping type trips are much more common and much more experience oriented (going to National and state parks, hiking, kayaking, etc). I used to live in Illinois and now in New Mexico and it's totally different. Also not uncommon to go have lunch or breakfast in a park or just spend time walking around with a friend. One thing that is very different though is the ability to walk places. I'd say this is a very unwalkable city and they are MADE to be unwalkable. Whereas Germany is made to be walkable with stores, houses, etc. all having common zoning. I think it's a freedom many of us don't have. (Lived in a walkable city and life was different in that people did walk to cafes, get coffee, to the bakery. But it's unusual in the US.

[@lucasward9506]

Albuquerque is like the *least walkable* city in existence. If you don't get run over trying to walk there you will get stabbed or shot by a criminal (or the APD lol).

[@mch12311969]

As an older American (early fifties), I remember being out all hours of the night and not thinking anything about it when I was younger. I don't know if things have gotten more dangerous or if it is the 24 hour news cycle that makes it seem that way, in any case while I am still out past midnight on a regular basis, I am more aware of my surroundings than I used to be. Also, stores used to be closed on Sundays.

[@christineherrmann205]

I was going to say the same; a lot depends on where you live, and big towns have changed.

[@nejdro1]

I concur. i grew up on "da Sout Side" of Chicago, in da mayor's neighborhood of Bridgeport in the 50's and never felt unsafe. Walked to school alone, even in kindergarten. Played in the parks that were several blocks from home. When I was 12, my parents moved to the NorthSide and I had to finish grade school in the old neighborhood, which required me to ride public transportation across town and transfer buses twice. Never a problem! I am not sure if it is perception or reality that it is more dangerous now a days? But, I would not travel that route now a days.

[@rabbiezekielgoldberg2497]

Shifting racial demographics

[@jamescarel5520]

It’s 9pm,do you know where your kids are!

[@berndhoffmann7703]

Wait I am an early fifties naturalized free German and I still feel young! ;)

[@falkjanen5050]

The whole "Preis-Leistungsverhältnis"-hotel-thing is so true! One of my best memories is spending two nights in Phnom Penh, Cambodia at a 5-dollars-a-night-hostel drinking 50-cent-beers and 1-dollar-cocktails while sharing giant 1.50-dollar-plates-of-fried-rice with people from all over the world. IT... WAS... PERFECT!🤤

[@theire483]

Not disturbing the peace at a certain time is not allowed in some neighborhoods, especially if you are in a homeowners assoc.

[@c_wanderluster]

I used to go to school by myself in the elementary school in Romania

[@feenjawesker1991]

Interessant wie unterschiedlich das doch ist :D Ich kann das alles ja nur von meiner Sicht aus betrachten, da ich mein Leben lang nur in D gelebt habe - aber nur vom Zuhören her wirkt es manchmal so, als wären in Amerika viele Dinge freiheitlich eingeschränkt, bei denen es nicht wirklich Sinn ergibt, dass man sie einschränkt. Und dann wider rum gibt es solche, in denen Leuten Freiheit gegeben wird, obwohl man sich dabei fragt, ob das nicht vermehrt zu Problemen führen könnte. Ihr habt anfangs die Angellizenz erwähnt und da ich selbst den Fischereischein besitze, muss ich sagen, dass ich diesen durchaus sehr wichtig finde. Wenn man den machen möchte, dann lernt man dabei sehr viel über die Gesetze (ins besondere des eigenen Bundeslandes) und welche Rechte, aber auch Pflichten ich als Angler habe. Außerdem muss man sich viel mit Gewässer- und Naturschutz befassen, warum man nicht einfach jedes Gewässer befischen darf, welche Schonzeiten die heimischen Fischarten haben, welche Mindestmaße sie haben müssen um entnommen zu werden, welche Fangquoten es gibt, usw. Also eine ganze Menge wichtiger Dinge, die jeder wissen muss, der angeln gehen will. Darum finde ich es gut und richtig, dass man in D nicht einfach so eine Angel kaufen und dann frei jedes Gewässer befischen darf. Freiheit sollte immer dort enden, wo man Schaden anrichten könnte. Man würde ja auch niemanden ohne Führerschein als Busfahrer einsetzen.

[@helmutgromann5692]

Ich bin zwar kein Angler, aber die Einleitung und der Schluss sagen alles!!!!! Gilt auch für Waffenbesitz!

[@Zireael83]

was very interesting :)

[@BobbiDoll]

I've been watching both you and NALF for quite awhile. It's like looking at both sides of a coin.

[@Thetanjanixxshow]

I think there is a certain independence you have when you are in Germany, I walked myself to school except for the first day, I also rode my bike through the woods after parting at 3am. It is easier in the US to start a business without having to go through a lot of paperwork.

[@invalid8774]

yeah noone matches us germans in paperwork, we never claim to be good at that. Actually we have consistently elected parties that wanted to reduce the paperwork for the last 30 years or so. None have come through. :D

[@HalfEye79]

What you can talk about with NALF is the topic of bullying/mobbing. I in Germany changed school in the middle of the 3rd grade (we moved). Because, I was the "new kid", and because I was the only one with glasses, the mobbing started and went on over two school changes (elementary school --> "Orientierungsstufe" --> "Gymnasium") and died down in grades 9 and 10. Mostly the students, which did it a lot went from that class. The other reason is, that the remaining students grew up. In times that mobbing was a beat-down, but mostly it was psychological terror. How does that compare to mobbing in the US?

[@TheCovenant2]

Afaik from friends over there - its rly not any better and sometimes even worse - but it also highly depends on which school/area you are I think a great example is the number of school shootings happening cuz of bullying every now and then. Not all of them are even mentioned by media cuz its just.. "is part of life there"

[@swanpride]

Considering that it is an often mentioned feature of American TV shows that children get "shaken down" for their lunch money, I suspect it is even worse. Not to mention the social class in the US schools...you know, the whole Sport team/Chearleader thing.

[@HalfEye79]

@@swanpride Yeah, from that I know especially from the movie "Disturbing Behavior". There is a lot peer pressure it seems.

[@lucasward9506]

I have never really seen any examples of such behavior in the schools I've been to. Most people are pretty accepting of others.

[@butenbremer1965]

Please do more colabs with @nalf - he's such an appreciative American successfully living in between cultures. Talk him into finally trying a Butterbretzel mit Schnittlauch, he deserves this experience!

[@thomasp.5057]

Great ! Großartig! 🙂

[@rickmarkell9725]

Feli, I do not understand your comments on abortion in Germany. Here is a quote from Wikipedia: "Abortion in Germany is illegal, but not punishable during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy under the condition of mandatory counseling, and it is permitted later in pregnancy in cases that the pregnancy poses an important danger to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman." Can you please expalin?

[@jitterskater]

The "counseling" is a formality, it's not like the counselor actively tries to stop the abortion. The "counselling" part is basically a remnant of the Christian tradition, it is meant to give women some pause and time to reflect on their decision. In practice however, it's not really relvant. The point is that if you want an abortion in Germany, you can do so legally without an issue, as thousands of women do every year. The Wikipedia wording is misleading to say the least.

[@rickmarkell9725]

@@jitterskater So, is abortion on demand, at any point during the pregnancy, for any reason, available in Germany?

[@jitterskater]

@@rickmarkell9725 Who said it is and why is that even relevant? The point is that abortion is not illegal as it is in more than half of the 50 US states. Plus, the "12 weeks" limit is not relevant for abortions for medical reasons (as in the health of pregant woman being in danger) or criminal reasons (rape), another major difference - in those cases, abortions can happen at any time, indeed.

[@rickmarkell9725]

@@jitterskater At the time Roe vs Wade was overturned, I was curious about abortion laws were in the rest of the West. I learned that in all English speaking countries plus the Netherlands it was legal on demand but everywhere else - including where we might not expect, such as Scandinavia, Switzerland, and Germany, - it had similar restrictions to what we will probably end up with here. I just want to know what the truth actually is. I like to be correct when I discuss things.

[@christ6671]

I grew up in 70s and 80s. I walked to school or rode my bicycle. Then the issue of child molesters and women being rapped was a big problem in NY city. That is a big reason for the helicopter parenting.

[@nordwestbeiwest1899]

Mehr davon ! We want more ! 😉

[@jetteramsey9292]

I am Danish,and the life there is about like Germany,love your station!

[@redknight808]

American perspective here: It seems like a lot of what is discussed in this vid is Safety rather than Freedom. They seem similar but are actually the reverse, safety being free *from* antisocial behavior and freedom being free *to do* antisocial behavior.

[@dead-claudia]

and unfortunately you can't guarantee one without the other too - without freedom you can't ensure personal safety (china's proved that in spades) and without safety you aren't actually able to exercise much of your freedom (part of why disorganized anarchy never survives anywhere)

[@rafarequeni822]

That's really an american perspective; I don't know anywhere else where freedom is measured by the ability of commiting antisocial behaviour. That's like if I say that freedom is being free to do crime. Since rape and murder are illegal in the USA, it's not "free". As Claudia says, without safety all your freedom is purely theoretical and worthless, that's why rule of law is a prerrequisite for freedom everywhere. Russia is a very free country... in theory.

[@robletterly6679]

@@rafarequeni822 unfortunately @redknight808 is very very on point. The point has been proven due to a) the exponential increase in gun crimes, b) the Trump presidency, and c) the Coronavirus. For many reasons, which I have on other parts of the Internet explained about, the American mindset can be described as 'don't tell ME what to do'. That is 'freedom' according to the American definition. Not all the behaviors are anti-social although obviously if someone is acting anti-socially, someone else will tell them to cease their behavior, and the first person will cry about their 'freedoms'. The American society is 'immature' in that it isn't very old and hasn't endured the hardships that other societies have. Thus, we haven't had to think much past the 'ME' in favor of the 'WE'. A mature society realizes that the most fundamental freedom is Safety. We're not there yet.

[@redknight808]

@@rafarequeni822 Our Bill of Rights (an addendum to our constitution) outlines many such freedoms, as a protection against our own government infringing on speaking out (including against government and common decency) and carrying a gun, even if it makes other people uncomfortable. Governments naturally want to impede both of these activities, but if it is strictly following the highest law in the land, it cannot. Yes, this is different from almost every other country. I love that my words and personal security are not restricted by the person with the weakest stomach in the room.

[@rafarequeni822]

@@redknight808 My words and personal security are even less threatened than yours, despite not being a particular fan of my country's constitution. I mean, good for you for being so proud of the american constitution and the Bill of Rights, but y'all americans act like if the rest of the world doesn't have electricity. It's not us who are scared to walk at night through the city because it's dangerous, or afraid to speack our minds and being "cancelled" or losing our jobs.

[@andressanchez5007]

I am so done with America. I wish I would move to Germany right now but realistically I need to get a bachelors or masters degree before I am able to move.

[@rayclark9643]

I spent 30 months over in Germany when I was in the service. I didn't live on base & rented eine Wohnung von einer nette ältere deutsche dame over there. I loved Deutschland & in all of the years since I've returned to the states have missed it!

[@arnodobler1096]

Nice thx Danke und Prost

[@rickyn1135]

USA here. When I was a kid,All Stores closed. Closed at 5pm except Thursdays,stayed open till 8pm! That’s how 7-11’s convenient stores came about. Banks,credit card processing and written checks processed M-F,9-5. Now so many things open or processed 24/7. If I remember more,I’ll edit & add.

[@alroth6308]

Interesting to note how Feli "danced" around the "reproductive freedom" issue with Germany and most of europe having "a word" curbs at around 12 weeks. (pre Dobbs the usa was mostly between 15 and 24 weeks (now Ohio appears to have restrictions at either 5 weeks or 24 weeks based on heartbeat or viability), but the states surrounding Ohio currently are 15 to 24 weeks before "curbs" and obviously exceeding that in germany. In the usa the "procedure" is not generally paid for with government funds however. If current Ohio "situation" is deemed too restrictive, then a drive across the river puts one in a different state situation.

[@petercathain3326]

Yes, I guess it is not surprising that she would omit this, since most of her videos seem intent on spreading some degree of propaganda about Germany being a utopian ideal compared to the US. "Abortion in Germany is illegal, but not punishable during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy under the condition of mandatory counseling...." I just watched a video about abortion in Germany which concluded that "abortions for most women were difficult to access and technically illegal." After all I've read about abortion in Germany, it really seems like even after this decision by the supreme court, abortions will still be easier to get here in the US, just by travelling to a different state. Feli really needs to stop spreading misinformation.

[@petraw9792]

@@petercathain3326 Travelling costs money. This whole debate is about making the procedure accessible and save for everyone, not just privileged people.

[@petercathain3326]

@@petraw9792 Um, what? Did you miss the part about abortion being illegal in Germany? And not always easily accessible. My point of contention was that she had the nerve to indulge in righteous indignation over abortion laws in America, when German laws have been far worse over time, and it’s highly debatable if they compare favorably now even after recent changes here (I would say not). The fact that she would try to shame America and not even mention Germany’s own anti-abortion culture (which is strong and has deep roots) is complete hypocrisy.

[@alroth6308]

@@petraw9792 from cincinatti to cross a river bridge is costing serious money......"come on man" ''i know biden gas is expensive these days, but less than a gallon ( maybe more if your use a big rig or hummer) each way gets one to another state (flying to germany is likely more expensive even if the "proceedure" is paid by german taxpayers (unlikely considering the law noted there)

[@alroth6308]

@@petercathain3326 for all we know the 'media experience' may be a trial for a new vocation in "politics', yet most politicians usually avoid the "a" word due to being quite polarizing (and potentially banned in social media if found on the opposing side of the leftists). Also interesting to note was that communist east germany also had similar restrictions (unlike in red china where folks were often "forced" to terminate by government)

[@kurtschindler360]

Feli, can you finish with a part two on your video on health care? In the USA one may not have freedom to switch jobs, or start a new business, because one is "prisoner" to the current job out of fear of loosing health insurance. Is that a non-worry/freedom one has in Germany?

[@sarumanork-orphanage5612]

In the US you can find an grocery store at 2 am, in Germany you can walk around at 2 am without getting jumped... is that what it comes down to?

[@RichardinNC1]

I grew up in a small town and then in the countryside. I'm old enough to remember it being pretty safe to be out and you just avoided certain areas. I agree there are far fewer of those "safe" areas these days especially the last decade. One difference in the US is states are allowed to have their autonomy in many areas. So many laws vary, especially in details. Although many you mentioned area consistent across most states. One development in North Carolina is breweries that have large open areas that families hang out with kids and dogs playing while the adults are drinking. Special permits are required to allow drinking in public spaces such as for street fests, etc. Whereas New Orleans and Las Vegas are 2 areas I've been where open containers are allowed pretty much anywhere.

[@stirbjoernwesterhever6223]

Yeah you're free in the USA to live on cost of common goods and other people, but a lot of people are not free to go shopping at any time, because they live in a food dessert or they are broke because of their health costs or because they are exploited by their employers.

[@nathanhenry4214]

I completely agree with limiting someones ability to make noise. If you are cutting grass or fixing something then you have the freedom to do so. If you want to play music or something considered fun then you shouldn't be able to do as you please if it bothers other people.

[@petercollingwood522]

Absolutely correct. One of the most nauseating scouges in contemporarary America is these inconsiderate scumbag people who insist on imposing their amplified bloody noise on their neighbors. We have a neighbor across the fence from us who'se just installed a pool with a damned large screen TV and a sounds system out by the pool. So now we have to hear their garbage noise when were trying to enjoy our yard.

[@petercollingwood522]

@@peter_meyer Yes. Well. Doesn't exist in America unfortunately.

[@jimmym3352]

I just hate the people who play music on their phones when they are hiking. I come to nature to get away from human noise, and these people bring it with them. Very frustrating. I don't understand Americans obsession with always constantly have to have noise going on in the form of either music or videos. I can't even eat a meal in my company break room without people playing videos. People seem to have this fear of silence. Smart phones are the worst invention ever created in my opinion. Even though I own one, but only had to get one this year after 3G networks shut down, but I never play music or videos on my phone. The sound quality of smart phones is horrible. They remind me of those horrible clock radios of the 80's. I'm always amused people pay $1000 for such crap. sorry for the rant. LOL

[@petercollingwood522]

@@jimmym3352 Not remotely a rant. It's perfectly correct. I agree with you. The obsession in this country with amplified fucking noise is disgusting. You're right. Everyone is completely addicted to it and literaly cannot let it go. Wether running in the suburbs or hiking in nature. Practically impossible not to have some idiot with a damn phone making a racket. And even if they have earbuds the damn volume is so high you still can't get away from it.

[@petercollingwood522]

@@nathankirwan2565 You shouldn't need to force adults to be quite. They should be able to behave like adults on their own accord.

[@VaghonBrae]

The best advice I've received from you came from one word......Augustiner. This beer has changed my life. 😄 Thank you SO much!!

[@PropertyOfK]

oooh, I love me some good Preis-Leistungs-Verhaeltnis!!! I do it everytime I travel, for me the experience is more important than everything around it. The room and bathroom need to be clean, food needs to be good - and the most important thing for me is location! I have planned the whole road trip through the southern Spain with this in mind and I am very satisfied with the spendings I ended up with : )

[@northguy2367]

Shops being open 24 hours is something you hear a lot about from Americans versus Europeans - but how many times do you want to go shopping at 1am?

[@alroth6308]

If you ever work nights or other not normal hours in essential services such as healthcare, law enforcement, transportation, airports, communications, and the like, then you will understand it can be a bit more than a convenience......

[@northguy2367]

@@alroth6308 Fair enough - except that none of the American I hear talking about this work unusual hours - in fact they are usually KZbinrs and can work when they want.

[@ghostlyMostly1]

@@northguy2367 I know service industry workers (bars, clubs, breweries) who basically work 5-11/12 and sleep 3-11/12pm. Many of them stop by 24 hr Walmarts at Midnight to do their grocery shopping.

[@jlpack62]

gotta get NALF to 100K!

[@lauravalle3766]

From a healthcare provider perspective, most of my younger patients don’t smoke because they’ve seen a direct link between the smoking of their grandparents or parents and medical diseases like lung cancer, emphysema, and COPD. However, for many Americans, there’s a disconnect between diet and medical conditions even with obesity. I think we do a poor job educating on nutrition from childhood - from direct education to poor school lunches - and our culture embraces/normalizes fast food, junk food at parties (starting in childhood), and inactivity, which is often a byproduct of working too much and not having enough personal free time. I also agree that many activities, including vacations, like you mentioned, are centered around eating. Most people get tighter to eat vs going on a hike or playing games in the park. There’s also a PLETHORA of diet books that give a wide variety of varying information on nutrition and often they are not evidence based. So, people rarely connect health issues with diet or obesity. Often, people think that they have hypertension or diabetes due to getting older. It’s a hard thing to overcome in healthcare. Much easier to change the culture on smoking, for sure. As an aside, the government made tobacco companies place warnings on their products of the dangerous side effects and their are active campaigns in media against smoking. That is harder to do with unhealthy foods, but would love to see the US ban things that are allowed here like HFCS, food dyes, artificial flavors, etc.

[@keywestfrau]

As child in Germany, my parents would go to a bar/cafe and drink and they would let me...i'e encourage me to drinks shots of Ratzeputz! It's sort of a ginger schnaps, very fiery going down. As my German mother would say, " it will kill your worms" Ha! My playing stomping ground was like a mile radius. I went everywhere, with friends or by myself. You are right, I was very independent, afraid of nothing! I still am and now I know where that came from. As far as the freedom difference with doing what I want anytime I want, it has it's perks like shopping for instance, BUT I do agree with Germany on , noise levels or being a nuisance with your neighbors. It's called common courtesy!!! I don't want to lawn mowers on a Sunday morning!! I don't want to hear construction at my neighbor's house after 5pm or anytime on a Sunday. it's just a respect and consideration thing for each other! As far as drinking beer in a park or any outdoor place, hell ya!!

[@neumanwolfe9742]

Many of these differences are generational. Many cultural changes in the US between the 60’s and 80’s. Sone good, some bad. As a 7y/o growing up in San Francisco I walked 1.5 miles to my school. Today I would not let my granddaughters out of my sight there. While Nick touched on it briefly I don’t think the differences from state to state can be overemphasized. Example, women’s rights. Feli, you’ll never have to go to Germany for women’s services…you may have to go to another state though. Here in California those services will always be available, however, there are other freedoms that are limited here as opposed to other states. We have a huge state bureaucracy that thrives on regulations I’ve been to Germany (mainly Bayern) many times and have considered retiring there. I love the absence of consumer culture and I believe in general, Europeans have more of a sense of personal and social responsibility than we do in the US.

[@Jelissei]

Didn't a state make it a crime to go to another state to do an abortion just recently? edit: not yet, but Missouri is trying. And not everybody has the money to travel to another state for an abortion.

[@LauraPalmerD]

"Here in California those services will always be available, however, there are other freedoms that are limited here as opposed to other states" -> I wouldn't be so sure about this. In 2024 the Republicans will win the presidency, the senate, AND the house and they can do whatever they want. They will make many things federal law that you never thought could ever leave California. They already said this is their plan. 'Giving the power back to the states' was never their plan. Their plan is to make THEIR way into federal law. And you will be fucked in California too. (I'm not saying this because I'm happy about it. I'm a democrate, progressive, immigrant... but frankly, I don't see another way. Republicans will win big. I will vote otherwise, but the way this country is going, they will take everything. The 'this will never happen here' obnoxious attitude of Californians is infuriating. Open your eyes. This can absolutely affect YOU. And frankly, you are being ignorant to class issues. Feli will likely have the resources to go to California or even close Illinois, MN, or NY, or if she needed to, to Germany. But many don't have the money and resources. And sure, there are amazing organizations that help people cross state lines, it is still not available to all. And some states will ban crossing state lines too....

[@neumanwolfe9742]

@@Jelissei I didn’t mean to comment specifically about RvW being overturned. While I think the decision was a terrible mistake, there’s also a lot of misinformation that follows it. I live in California and some coworkers came in the day after the decision was announced thinking abortion had been outlawed. I agree about travel not being feasible for many, but Feli mentioned potentially needing to go to Germany. If you have the money to leave the country, driving or flying to another state shouldn’t be an issue. My main point was pointing out how different individual states can be.

[@neumanwolfe9742]

@@LauraPalmerD Political suicide. Won’t happen. I hope it won’t, anyway Also, I watch Feli to get away from all the BS and toxic divisions social media promotes. Her YT’s are refreshing and positive. Let’s keep it that way.

[@vanyac6448]

I mean, I grew up in a pretty safe suburb that often makes the spot for safest city in America (and even when it doesn't it's only because it had, like, ten more property crimes than one of the other contenders), but I still wasn't let out on my own till I was a teenager, because in my state, if you let a kid out by themselves before age 12, CPS will come after you. (I know people who grew up in my hometown back in the '70s, though, and they biked to and from school by themselves, took buses to the beach during the summer without adult supervision, etc.) So yeah, I think it's mainly cultural paranoia that originated from the '90s. I did live for 5 months in Germany, though, and there I took public transportation to and from school by myself, without problems. I didn't leave my parents' sight that much besides that, partially out of habit and partially because I didn't have that many friends (I was shy at the time and didn't really have strong social network).

[@DiacriticalOne]

Has abortion law changed recently in Germany? It has always been far more restricted there than any state in the US and is still more restricted than all but a couple of states, as far a I know. Interesting.

[@ClarisseOrwell]

It hasn't changed. Still illegal, but remains exempt from punishment under very specific circumstances up to 14 weeks p.m. (or 12 weeks p.c.). There was a lift on the so called "advertisement ban" recently, though. Now health care providers can openly inform about procedures they might (or might not) offer to end an unwanted or non viable pregnancy.

[@yannickurbach5654]

@@ClarisseOrwell That's not quite accurate. Elective abortion is legal (not just exempt from punishment) up to 12 weeks. That's an important distinction. @Douglas Palmer "far more restricted there than any state in the US" - really? According to Wikipedia, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin don't allow elective abortion at all. Ohio, South Carolina and Tennessee only allow it before cardiac-cell activity.

[@ClarisseOrwell]

@@yannickurbach5654 Paragraph 218, Strafgesetzbuch: ein Schwangerschaftsabbruch ist in Deutschland grundsätzlich für alle Beteiligten strafbar. Er bleibt aber nach Paragraph 218a Absatz 1 straffrei nach Beratungsregelung. Es ist also keineswegs legal eine Schwangerschaft abzubrechen, sondern eine Straftat, die nur unter bestimmten Umständen straffrei bleibt.

[@yannickurbach5654]

@@ClarisseOrwell That is not §218 StGB, but a (wrong) interpretation of it. §218 indeed bans abortion, but §218a specifies exceptions to that, which is a common pattern in German law. You can not treat articles as separate from the law in which they are. Another example would be §228 StGB. §218a (1) StGB starts with "The elements of the offence under section 218 are not deemed fulfilled if...", meaning actions that fulfill the criteria given subsequently are not even considered abortion in the sense of §218 StGB. §218a (2) StGB reads "A termination ... is not unlawful, if ...", meaning actions that fulfill the subsequent criteria are considered abortion, but are not illegal. The same goes for §218a (3) StGB. §218a (4) StGB reads "The pregnant woman does not incur the penalty specified in section 218 if...", meaning actions that fulfill the subsequent criteria are considered abortions, as well as illegal, but are exempt from punishment (for the pregnant woman). Those are all different "levels" of exceptions, and while they all prevent punishment, the distinction is still very important with regards to what can officially be offered as a service, and also for civil lawsuits. (translations of the articles of the StGB by Prof. Dr. Michael Bohlander)

[@ClarisseOrwell]

@@yannickurbach5654 Die Info kam wörtlich von den Seiten des Bundesfamilienministeriums. Habs jetzt noch mal im StGB nachgelesen und da steht tatsächlich bei 218 a2 "nicht rechtswidrig" unter dort genannten Bedingungen.

[@TheTardis76]

Great conversation. I'd like to add that some towns and cities in the US are legalizing drinking in public. Small downtowns can be quite busy where you can see people dining and drinking outdoors and just walking around on the town square, etc.