American reacts to How I see the US after living in Europe for 5 years

[@Il_Misantropo]

Sixty hours of work a week? I don't care about money if I don't have time to spend and use it.

[@kpanic23]

No worries, health care will take care of that spending for you in no time, after you worked till you drop...

[@LunaJo67WDHTMJ]

Exactly!!

[@tracim3080]

Those hours don’t even pay them much so the can barely afford to have a life outside work anyway

[@Drusille]

i work 37'5h per week so i have a life and it's nice to be able to enjoy your time and family ( plus 22+6 working days of vacation days)

[@Ramotttholl]

if its a choice to work that much no problem.. but if working so much is the standard then yeah its a problem. here in the netherlands i kinda have the opposite problem, cant work more then 40h* and the more you work the more time off you get. I got loads off time off saved up but i wanna work more. *its actually 38h+2h that they return to you... with more time off.

[@raychgitau9863]

7yrs ago I left US in my late 20s,I had a good job making 6figures but I was burnt out,I was doing well according to US standards. I had the money to travel but could never afford the time,I have worked since the age of 16,even through college to support myself. I woke up one day and said enough is enough. In a year I sold most of posessions,gave up my lease, rented a room with a coworker, saved up as much as I could and took a one way flight to Zurich for Europe tour. I have travelled and even managed to finish my masters degree for free through scholarships,I was looking at 200k in the states. I graduated,obtained work visa sponsorship. I make half of what I did in America but I live a very comfortable life, I can take my 6weeks of annual leave and go do whater. When friends and family ask when I am coming back? I am like I am still travelling. I just applied for my Irish citizenship😂. I will visit my family but why would I give up a goverment job,35/hrs/wk,free health insurance,healthy food not full of chemicals,etc.

[@Alexandru0687]

Life is meant to enjoy itand not over work like a slave. Luxury is for millionares that have inherited large ammounts of money and don't need to work. Work to live. Don't live to work. Welcome to Europe ☺️

[@realulli]

@@Alexandru0687 Luxury is being in control of your time.

[@slvnyc2824]

Don't know why you would.

[@peterpaul5820]

First American I come along who isn't dumb enough to bee a willfully slave till the end of his days!!!! Please convince my wife, she still believe that the USA is the best country in the world and she still supports the blue line gang even I show her the proof that the tyranny is systemic cause of the qualified immunity of cops

[@steelrat1733]

When I was vacationing in America (you know, a month of paid leave) i actually lost around 5 kgs (11 lbs) - due to the fact that almost nothing there seemed edible to me. It probably was, but European taste is rather savory, not sweet, and I don't know, maybe I am wrong, but almost everything I was able to buy was sweet. Even the famous BBQ sauce (ok, to be in America as an European and not have BBQ would be a blasphemy) turned out to be just... sweet! Even your bread is sweetened. Sugar, sugar and corn syrup literally everywhere. So I ended up eating way less than I usually do, effectively loosing 11 lbs in a month. But the trip was great otherwise :)

[@SatieSatie]

I also lost weight in California. I neither liked the taste nor the price tags of the food.

[@paulgreen758]

Same here, I found the food awful I was glad to get home and cook a fresh meal

[@karlbmiles]

Every stock yard city has it's own BBQ style. The original BBQ from North Carolina taste like vinegar, there is "dry rub" popular in Memphis which is just savory spices not sauce. If you don't like sweet sauce stay away from Kansas City style BBQ.

[@solpat1977]

We have the drive in Europe, just not the drive to go to an early grave due to stress and financial ruin.

[@MrCPPG]

Ole Uncle Sam covering your defense expenses and saving you that cost helps out quite a bit.

[@Westcountrynordic]

@@MrCPPG Where's the "Ole Uncle Sam covering your defence expenses" because I'm not seeing it reduce the amount of tax I pay. I do see that what i spend in the grocery store is around 35% cheaper like for like compared to what my mate in St Louis pays

[@MrCPPG]

@@Westcountrynordic You'd pay even more tax if the US pulled out of NATO. Either that or learn Russian. How many aircraft carriers does Europe have? Nuclear missiles? Oh that is right, you're so peaceful you don't need all that. Russia would never invade your country. Ukraine thought that way too. Groceries in urban areas are more expensive because cities are allowed to add to the sales tax. In some states food isn't taxed. St Louis is an urban hell hole. I bet a Russian pays less than you do too. But his wage is also probably less. So unless you wish to divulge your occupation and wage as well as his, it is a meaningless comment.

[@lillia5333]

​@@MrCPPGYou have no idea how NATO works, do you? USA doesn't pay a dime for Europe's defense.

[@tamielizabethallaway2413]

@@lillia5333 lolol it's ok he's American bless him. Eating all those yoga mat ingredients has eroded brain cells. Besides we're not AT war are we? We like to negotiate peacefully in a civilised manner, not start waving flags and bragging. Bless him. 😂

[@corjp]

21.8 "What college did you attent.."Just remember The Big bang theory where Sheldon was very condescending towards Howard who önly was an engineer from MIT" This gives a perfect example how competitive the US is. When I visited the US a long time ago I was asked what university I went to, I answered that I did not go to a university.... the guy smurked and smiled politly and said that he thought all European folk were smart ones but as it seems you guys are not because WE in the US ALL go to university... I called him out as a liar and grabbed the first person around and asked what uni he went to and his reply was "Huh? I didn't go to uni as my mom and dad could not pay for that, why do you ask? I looked at the other guy .. he finished his drink and ran out....

[@JuliaBöhm-v3q]

In Germany you have a legally regulated amount of work hours between 36 and 40 per week, 22 to 30 paid vacation days not including saturday and Sunday. That means between 4,5 and 6 weeks of paid vacation. Then there are the public holidays adding up to another 5 to 8 free but paid days

[@arnot44]

I don't understand why American would brag about their job? It just means that this person has "no-life" except work . in Europe you brag on your travels, hobbies, family ... and rarely about work .

[@jenniferharrison8915]

Same in Australia! 😄

[@random.3665]

I would understand of someone being proud of doing something considered helpful to humanity (like being involved in medical research, or managing projects to get rid of homelessness, or working in organizations that try to protect the environment, etc.). But those are typically the people who dont brag at all, and are often very humble, even though they do waaaaay more for society, and humanity, than an investment banker who spends 70h at work and makes millions as a result.

[@CabinFever52]

It's just the way it is---"keeping up with the Jones''." You have to have the biggest. nicest house, with the biggest yard. The newest and most expensive car. It goes on and on. And on.

[@olgahein4384]

In Germany people do sometimes brag a little bit about their job in the sense as the position they hold. Being a lawyer is considered more impressive than being a burger flipper at McDonalds (exceptions are of course for students who flip burgers in McDonalds). Still, that quite depends on your social circle. Among my friends we have engineers, electricians, bakers, butchers, architects, nurses, etc. Our qualifications, paychecks, etc differ quite a lot. What people here actually DO brag about, is the amount of paid vacation we get (someone who only gets 25 paid vacation days will be impressed by someone who gets 40 paid vacation days), the additional 'service' and employer gives an employee (e.g. my employer pays a huge chunk of my private life ensurance, private retirement ensurance and building savings contract. My friend works for the state and gets an additional retirement policy with minimal payment and huge payout once retired, another friend works for a supermarket and her employer gave her a private loan to make her driving license AND buy a car and over 3 years she got 5% deducted from her paycheck - in the end, she paid back only 400 bucks more than she got loaned, another friend is working in IT and he is out on seminars and the like every other month, only during working days, all financed and organized by the employer AND getting fully paid. My partner has a company car and pays a bit for private use, the employer pays every single bill related to the car including gas refills, repairs and even tickets).

[@BlackHoleSpain]

@@olgahein4384 Over here in Spain, lawyers don't get much more than burger flippers. Twice at best. Anyway, the waiting time in our judicial system for a case to reach court is 7 years. It's completely collapsed! Average salary for blue-collar jobs is 1500€/month, but average salary for white collar jobs hardly exceeds 2500€ I'm an IT Systems & Networks administrator and I get €29k/year, while the same position in Germany is €55k Some months ago, I did read a macroeconomy report stating that prices in Spain were just 88% of those in Germany, but our salaries are much lower.

[@PDVism]

So you go out for dinner. You see a dish you like and order a drink with it. Let's say it's 30 USD all together but then you get your bill... and that 30 is increased by the state tax, the local tax, the MANDATORY fee for the server which nowadays can run you 20%, +a service tax so that you pay the server for working there and the place itself for letting him/her work there. EFFING HELL but sure, Americans love to complain about having to spend half a euro to use a clean public bathroom in Europe while that same meal would have cost them exactly what it said on the menu.

[@Ne0LiT]

That's actually wild. In Europe, you pay what you see. If in the menu the dish says 10 and the drink 3, then it's 13...and you then you may tip based on how you feel. Some don't tip at all. Some tip a little, but that's about it. lol

[@rayaqueen9657]

Public toilets are free in the UK too. The only place I've ever seen payment required is in the main railway stations in London.

[@Coooeee]

I'm Australian. In Australia, the toilets are free and are regularly cleaned. I just looked up my councils website. It says that the public parks in my area are cleaned 4 times per day in peak periods and at least once per day, off peak. When I was in Paris (over 20 years ago), I paid to use the toilet. The cubicle was cleaned after each use. I was more than happy to pay for a clean, sanitised toilet. There are so many bugs you can pick up on toilets, such as HPV, which can cause cervical cancer. I also really appreciated that, as it was manned at all times, I was safer. In Paris, there were also toilet cubes located around the city, a lot of them on the pavement. You paid to use them and after use, the cube self cleaned and dried itself before the next user ...Amazing! New Zealand also has free public toilets. I did come across a New Zealand Super Loo once. It was a paid bathroom and shower facility that was cleaned after each use. The UK has free public toilets as well. When I was in Switzerland, I used a free public toilet in a mountain village. My partner went to the mens, I went to the ladies. It was like a bathroom you would find in a hotel. It was glistening. No dirt, no cracked anything, fully tiled, beautiful lighting. There were perfumes and hand towels. We both couldn't stop talking about it. When I was in Venice over 20 years ago, I paid to use their toilets. They have a very regulated system due to a lot of Venice being built in water. When you enter the building, there is a manned counter and a board (like Macdonalds Menu Board) with the business and the pricing listed. I can't remember how it was worded, as it was in Italian but basically wee, poo or both, I imagine haha. You pay the person for what you think you're about to do. You go through the turnstile to the cubicle, highlighted by a light. The toilet had motion senses. If there was no movement, the light turned off and you had to move about to get them to come back on. There was a metal weight in the toilet. After you were done, you returned to the counter where you may get some money refunded or may have to pay more, depending on your estimation.

[@lilletrille1892]

​@@Ne0LiT in your example, if I was really happy with the meal and paid in cash I would probably leave the coins. Or one if okay .

[@feha92]

Over here you can't be billed with undisclosed fees and surprise fees. It must have been advertised well enough that it can be argued that you agreed to paying it.

[@TukikoTroy]

In George Orwell's novel '1984' Orwell says of the Ministry of Truth that "The Ministry of Truth manipulates and changes information, and the citizens of Oceania are required to believe it. In the end the Party would announce that two and two made five, and you would have to believe it." Orwell took inspiration from a real event in Russia where the communist party celebrated reaching a production goal in four years instead of five by proclaiming that the workers had made 2+2=5. In this quote he notes that we only ‛know' things that have been taught to us, and thus our reality can be changed.

[@arohk4415]

Man in dress = women, the government said so. ( germany)

[@anglosaxon5874]

And if you tell a big lie over and over, it gets believed. Also the younger the person is, the more susceptible to doctines/propaganda/lies they are!

[@royramse7389]

Good book

[@jenniferharrison8915]

True! Fear is taught by those closest to us, we frequently reflect our parents views, the church minister has a captive audience as does s teacher, what a pop star wears must be fashion, joining a protest makes you feel accepted, etc! People, please do your own research, try some lateral thinking, ask for real proof, and always be observant! 🤔

[@RealConstructor]

Still no change in Russia on that subject.

[@anglosaxon5874]

You may 'earn' more in America, but you also pay more: for food/elecricity/healthcare/rent/taxes/tips etc. Less holidays [or hardly any], so 'all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy'! lol

[@beldin2987]

Thats why total numbers mostly don't really say anything and percentages are way better. Like in this case : how many percent of your loan do you spent for general cost of living like housing and grocerys.

[@LMB222]

That's why so many Jacks need to powder their noses.

[@Trebor74]

Everyone who says this forgets one simple thing. Tipping. If you tip everyone 20%,then your expenses just went way up.

[@reinhard8053]

@@Pr0vidence555 But without AC and with better house insulation we need less electricity. If you calculate vacation and free holidays (not to mention sick days and unpaid overtime), we get our money for at least 10-15% less work.

[@stevehartley7504]

They're paid shit wages at the bottom! No benefits Taxed again when you go shopping Real food is expensive Fast food cheaper, but full of chemicals Can't afford to get ill Live paycheck to paycheck! Screwed if an emergency happens Your touted the American Dream if you work hard enough! Accused of being lazy if you don't chase the dream! Meanwhile corporations outsource jobs to china, Mexico for cheaper labour but make insane profits when selling to American consumers! Baulk at immigrants trying to better their lives and work for even lower wages than Americans! No sane individual would want to be American! Most Americans are nice ( Except MAGA They really are deluded) Even got some fantastic scenery!!!!!! Visit yes, love there not so much!!!

[@bionity4749]

I don't understand. I Live in Europe, I never paid for public bathroom... They're some in the middle of the street (1€), but everywhere else : gaz station, mall, restaurant, business building, amusement park, beach, lake, and tourist spot = it's free.

[@nedludd7622]

In Paris there are automatic public toilets that are free. There are even free public showers in Paris.

[@Donnah1979]

It really depends on where you are. In Germany it's very common, even at restaurants, to charge 50 cents for using the toilets.

[@lyricsmind]

​@@Donnah1979 in restaurants? I actually never experienced this. Train stations and rest stops at the Autobahn and in malls is most common to me. Oh, and at the christmas market, lol😅

[@ronaldderooij1774]

Lucky you. In some restaurants and most gas stations here in NL the bathrooms are not free. In most restaurants they are, but you have to order something. Most business buildings are not publicly accessible and in malls I never found a toilet. At amusement parks and nature reserves they are never free.

[@bionity4749]

@@ronaldderooij1774Wow, I thought those things were legit ruled by Europe (like : free access to bathroom is a duty for every building). I am surprised it's not. In France, I saw those little auto-cleaning bathroom box in Paris : 1€. Everything else is free. I don't even hold change anymore with me. I would be in trouble in Germany or NL.

[@SchniebediBiSchniebediBuh]

There are some American barracks in the Stuttgart area and that is why the Americans are very present here. When they come to Germany or Western Europe, they are surprised how free you can live here and how high the social standards and quality of life are here. They think they come from the land of unlimited possibilities and only realize here in Europe how unfair and antisocial the USA is. I know many who stay permanently in Germany after the army...🇩🇪

[@CabinFever52]

Yes, I had many family members who did just that.

[@vencik_krpo]

I work for an international company with HQ in the US, in Prague, Czech Republic. When our colleagues from the east coast come to visit, we show them around, take them for a hike typically... And they always ask questions like "aren't we trespassing now? Isn't it dangerous to just wonder around like this?" And we always have to explain that it's perfectly legal and safe... Once, one such guy told me "you know, it seems to me that you've got much more freedom here than we have in the US."

[@CabinFever52]

@@vencik_krpo ,telling its citizens that they have more freedoms than anywhere else in the world is one of the US's basic smokescreens.

[@anaguq4651]

​@@vencik_krpo I's really sad, when they realize America is not the prommised land for us, the common people. It's is too expensive!

[@ShadeOnTheUtube]

Lets be honest, the concept of a proper vacation is a foreign concept to Americans

[@karlbmiles]

What's a proper vacation? Ibiza?

[@qualitytraders5333]

Work 60 hours per week? So you give your employer a free refill of your time too? Free bathrooms? Sure, but then you have to tip, right? Whine about a dollar now and give away 5 dollars half an hour later?

[@jattikuukunen]

Can the employees use the bathroom too?

[@fliplefrog8843]

Yes, i saw your 'free restrooms'! Stinky, lousy, I wouldn't touch anything... You pay in europe, because there are specific cleaners, who serve you a fresh and clean bathroom! Thats worth a 50Cents!

[@ShizuruNakatsu]

In Ireland, almost all bathrooms are free. I've only ever seen like one, maybe two, that I had to pay in, in my entire life. But I've never been in a dirty/messy public toilet either. They always have people cleaning them. I would never use the public toilets in the US anyway, because of the giant gaps.

[@gabecollins5585]

@@ShizuruNakatsu People don’t typically look through the gaps. If they see it’s closed they wait away from the door until you’re done. The gap thing is stupid regardless and shouldn’t have those gaps on the sides or bottom. A simple occupied slider thing would suffice.

[@ShizuruNakatsu]

@gabecollins5585 It's more of me being self-conscious. I personally wouldn't be able to go the toilet if *I* can see *them* through the gaps. I even feel uncomfortable being in a room with the curtains/blinds open, because if I can see a person outside, I feel awkward, whether or not they're looking in at me. I definitely wouldn't be able to use a toilet unless I felt very private and secure.

[@gabecollins5585]

@@ShizuruNakatsu As an American I just never sit on the public ones. People just can’t find themselves to clean after themselves if they get something dirty at all. I don’t want to sit on someone’s piss stains. With the curtains thing I agree.

[@CabinFever52]

@@ShizuruNakatsu , I just got done on another video posting commenting about a hotel room in Texas that actually charged us for a room that had a toilet that was so dirty---the bowl was black...dog manure on the carpet and blood on the sheets. Even though it was freezing weather, I slept in the car, but my husband had to stretch out on the bed covered with towels, because he was driving. They refused to refund us any money, so we cancelled the CC payment, but the filth. I will never return to Texas. Disgusting. How can anyone in a civilized world live like that? (We had no other choices in hotels---they had a dusting of snow on the highway, so they closed the highway, instead of treating it, and AAA said this was the last room available in Amarillo)

[@ferdinandgluck2723]

Hi, I‘m from Switzerland and love your kind and toughtful comments. When travelling around the US we met so many awsome people and had the best time ever. And, its not all gold and happiness here in europe! I really would like to see a video about the good side of the US;)

[@Hrn250]

In the Netherlands: annual tuition fees at a university, for example, amount to 2500 euros per year. The rest pays the government. A normal working week is 36 to 40 hours. full-time. Each year you receive 4 times the number of hours you work (on average) per week. Suppose you work 40 hours a week. then entitled to 4 x 40 hours = 160 holiday hours. If you work 8 hours a day, you have 20 statutory holidays per year. You have to take your hours of from work. It’s good for your health to do so. Dutch healthcare is one of the best in the world. Everyone contributes to it, through taxes and compulsory basic insurance. This way we can all - young, old, healthy or sick - count on good care when we need it. You don’t have to be afraid of bills.

[@EVPaddy]

The ‘free refills’ in the US are often disgusting, taste of chlorine more than anything else. I’m also not sure why you would drink more than one cup of soda with your food. Even 1 is bad for your health.

[@Bramfly]

Plus a way to get diabetes II and then you’re really F’d because you can’t afford insulin.

[@danielvermeer5079]

People love a great deal and then some take it in a "Big Gulp"

[@jecapeca]

@@danielvermeer5079 They're fat for a reason. How to resist a free sugar?

[@Westcountrynordic]

@@danielvermeer5079 The thing is when you take the ice out of the "free" refills 3 drinks only adds up to one drink

[@CabinFever52]

It goes for free refills of coffee, tea, too, so you don't have to drink something with sugar in it.

[@eyekona]

Got a new job this week. 37 hours a week, 30 days of holidays and an extra free day at christmas eve and new years eve. So 32 days in total. Come to Germany. ^^

[@arohk4415]

What makes you think we don't have free public bathrooms in europe?

[@herrbonk3635]

Depends on the country, the city, and the time period. Our free public toilets are vanishing quickly at the moment, here in Sweden.

[@stewedfishproductions9554]

Exactly, most toilets are free in the UK except for train stations, Harrods and similar places... LOL!

[@fabios.3510]

If they’re free they’re mostly dirty

[@danielaliewald8340]

The Same in Austria. Yes there are still free restrooms, especially landside, but also much where you have to insert coins (the bigger the Tourist attraction the more expensive) ☺️

[@Anetka2]

And where in Western Europe? Hardly anywhere. Even Central Europe is already joining the toilet payment.

[@jjinwien9054]

I'm glad to see that you, as an American, are interested in seeing how others live and are open to other concepts than those you were raised on. Despite that, I can see how humorous it is to see how isolated you are in Indiana - for instance that your dad worked so much you thought the whole world was like that. If more Americans could see how others live, maybe they would realise that they really don't "have it all".

[@karlbmiles]

Then there's me! I've lived outside the U.S. a total of 7 years, on 3 other continents. I couldn't live in a tiny flat, in a tiny car, fighting for parking on the street, $8 liters of petrol, crowding onto public transportation like a homeless person. Not for me.

[@McGhinch]

US-Americans traveling: An American billionaire undertook a tour around the world with this private jet. He asked the pilot: "Where are we now?" The pilot answered, we're just above Paris, you can see the Eiffel Tower on the left side of the plane a little ahead." To which the billionaire replied: "No details, please. Continents suffice."

[@paklondo]

One thing - in Europe only some public restrooms are paid. There are plenty of free bathrooms too.

[@klarasee806]

I'll never understand why US Americans can't wrap their head around the fact that it costs money to maintain and clean the bathroom after (and before) you. "You gotta go, you gotta go." So what? You gotta eat, you gotta eat. But you don't expect your food to be free, either, right? I think the reason why it's so difficult for Americans to accept that they should pay to go to the bathroom is very similar to the reason why it's so difficult to convince them to accept social health insurance: the fear to be taken advantage of. They think something like: "Maybe others do a lot more mess than me (or are sick a lot more often or earn less so they pay less)... then I'll pay for them. This can't be right." If you would pay someone to clean for you BEFORE you go, I think more US Americans would be willing to pay. But you're basically paying to have the toilets cleaned AFTER you. Americans apparently don't like the idea that everyone benefits if everyone pays. They rather pay only for themselves and benefit for themselves - even if that is significantly more expensive in the long run (in the case of health care) or leads to disgustingly dirty toilets.

[@pippen1001]

from how it is in sweden i only know of some very few toilets that need payment, and usually in big cities or high traffic areas like a big train station.

[@manub.3847]

@@pippen1001 In Germany too, the toilets in restaurants, theaters, cinemas and larger shops are mostly free of charge. In train stations and shopping centers with many shops without their own customer toilet area, or Autobahn- Reststations you usually pay.

[@ryanwuzer]

well yeah, it costs money, but not much per user (probably like $0.02). It's all just part of a business trade-off. Free bathrooms may entice customers to go to that restaurant or store which might be worth more than enough to offset the cost of the free bathroom. Some places do actually give out free food or drinks to keep customers there (casinos for example). Obviously, this is not out of kindness, it's just a business calculation. In my opinion, free bathrooms subsidized by the profits of the business are more like "universal healthcare" than bathrooms that charge Of course, this whole discussion is a looking way too deep into a very simple likely just cultural difference that doesn't have a very deep meaning

[@eltrollo7293]

@@ryanwuzerrestaurants and stores in eu have free toilets , paid toilets are for public places only and biggers events (concerts/sports etc)

[@diegodessy9700]

well, this was a very american style comment 😅

[@siobhan28483]

Toilets (bathrooms) in the UK are free in the majority of places. Some train stations charge. But overall it’s easy to find free toilets in the UK.

[@trishloughman5998]

The 'left' in America is always a funny idea. Not sure where you get the idea toilets are not free to use in Europe. Certainly free here in Ireland.

[@Tinky1rs]

At train stations and at gas stations in the Netherlands they usually cost money. Like €0,50 or €0,70, sometimes with a €0,50 discount coupon for the nearby shop(s).

[@eucitizen78]

@@Tinky1rs Yes and the bathrooms in the Netherlands are clean.

[@paul1979uk2000]

I know, there's no such thing as left in the US, you've got the Republican Party which is seen as far right from the outside, then you have the Democrats which are seen as centre right and leaning more to the right as time goes by. Even Bernie Standers that in the US, they see him as an extream left, in many European countries, he's seen as more centre and even sometime to the right of politics. You get a sense that most Americans don't have a good sense of what left and right wing politics actually is, but regardless, what the US has got is right and far right politics, there isn't any left ring politics, and I always find it amusing how the Republican Party and there supporters always say the Democrats are the left, basically what they really mean is that they are not to the right far enough, and when you think about it, you can understand why the US has so many problems in it's society, Americans don't have many choices when it comes to politics, it's right or far right, nothing else, and that probably explains why the US is the odd one out of all the modern countries, and not in a good way.

[@colinmorrison5119]

The American left is like the European centre-right. As it was first explained to me "there's a right wing party, and a REALLY right wing party". Even Bernie Sanders is against the state nationalising basic utilities and services.

[@peterbrown1012]

Trish Loughman, please could you direct me to these free toilets, I've been the Republic a few times and public toilets are few and far between, the ones I did find you had to pay, although in Northern Ireland public toilets were plentiful and free.

[@PetriJarvenpaa]

At least in Finland bathrooms in stores and restaurants are free if you are a customer. Public bathrooms that sometimes are on the streets of big cities usually cost money to fund their upkeep.

[@erurainon6842]

Whats the point of earning more money if you have no time to spend it?

[@RaduRadonys]

It looks good in statistics.

[@thegrinderman1090]

It means they can get more credit to buy a larger house, so they can fill it with expensive stuff they never use. Then other people who care about such bullshit will be impressed, and they get to feel good. It's dumb, but it's not illogical.

[@janab.648]

Oh. The shop is Albert Heijn. Even as a German I sometimes go on a day trip to the Netherlands to go shopping there. It is the oldest and most common chain of supermarkets In the Netherlands. Their home brands are rivaling the top brands. I just love it.

[@Haroekoe]

I visit Kaufland when I visit Germany 😊

[@johnp8131]

The UK and Ireland generally has free to use toilets (Bathrooms). Most places I've been to in Germany and the Netherlands are free to use too, other than maybe the train stations and the very traditional larger venues? Then again I don't really visit the main tourist areas in any of them myself.

[@paul1979uk2000]

True, I've been to many public free to use bathroom in the UK and the rest of Europe, but some do have a charge on them, probably as an incentive to keep them clean compared to many of the ones that look like a mess, especially in the US.

[@colinmorrison5119]

Paying for toilets isn't a new concept. The term 'spend a penny' dates way back, Victorian era I believe. Most are free, though cleanliness isn't alway good.

[@framegote5152]

When you travel to 4 states, or 4 countries, in one week you may say you've been there, but it's impossible to say you've seen/experienced them. That's the fun thing about traveling: experiencing other cultures, architecture, people. Even in the USA there must be differences between states. It's not all about languages and/or borders (but that's fun too!)

[@karlbmiles]

There are big differences between the states but since people don't travel to the U.S. they don't know that. Cultures and architecture vary widely as well. It's mostly English of course, but that's true throughout the world.

[@yous3433]

as an Italian, i think i've seen more free public toilets than paid ones, for example, here many bars will let you use the restroom if you buy something from them, so you're not paying to use it, and usually even if they don't ask for you to buy something, i just go in, buy someting then ask to use the restroom

[@bettiegorgels9637]

I am from the Netherlands and love David Wen’s video’s.

[@teroholopainen1017]

In relation to these free public restrooms, yes, there are a couple (maybe half a dozen out of the 50) countries in Europe where you pay to go to a public restroom. In most countries it's free though. But if the videos reviewed are mostly from Germany and Netherlands, then you might think that this is the case in all of Europe.

[@wannes9125]

This is basically the most common issue when someone tries to look at or compare to Europe A couple of examples can set a pattern that does not hold up in a union of countries ranging from "kinda close to the same" to "completely different" from each other based on which 2 countries you look at

[@Kloetenhenne]

Well, many Americans think Europe is a country 😂😂

[@isegard2957]

I agree tourists always rant about paying toilets in France only because they want clean toilets and don't want to set foot in the free toilets that no one care to clean up. If you want a clean toilet with cleaner who sit in front of the place clean it every 1-2 hours then yeah you gotta pay up. If they really want free toilets they can be find in the street , some metros have them , commercial center and airport all have clean free toilets too which has their own cleaner but of course not often you are near those

[@philippthaler5843]

I am from Germany and the only time I have to pay for a restroom is in SaniFair stops on the autobahn. There is no other place where you have to pay for the restroom, as long as you are a customer. You can be denied access if you just walk into a bakery to shit and don'T buy anything. You usually go in and ask them if it's okay to use the restroom first. Or you just throw them 50cents and use the bathroom. But as long as you are a customer at the place with the bathroom you never pay anything. (except sanifair, but those are highly maintaned and cleaned all the time)

[@noanet8074]

Exactly, in many many countries bathrooms are free, you have to pay in some train stations in London or in very touristics areas in Paris or Rome for example, but normally you don't have to pay.

[@BobWitlox]

The US has socialized bathrooms.

[@eucitizen78]

So the US is a communist country at last. 😮😅😉

[@royramse7389]

😂 fucking sosialist😂

[@hughtube5154]

Socialised sports, too. The leagues control everything.

[@BobWitlox]

@@hughtube5154 Yeah, teams can't get relegated to a lower league. How protective and safeguarded. European promotion and relegation is competitiveness the American way

[@MrCPPG]

Worng. Socialized would be if we were forced by the governmemt to pay for the Walmart restrooms. No one is forced by the government to use Walmart restrooms. Try again clever Marxist.

[@tamielizabethallaway2413]

I get a culture shock just watching stuff about America, without even going there! I'm still traumatised by those tents in the street! 😳

[@gabecollins5585]

Homeless people don’t exist in cities in Europe? They need something to live in.

[@tamielizabethallaway2413]

@@gabecollins5585 not in tents in the street NO! They have homeless shelters and hotels.

[@lillia5333]

Some countries have no homeless at all. In Scandinavia, if you are homeless, you choose to be. The goverment is giving people who can't work, enough money to rent a home. But some people are addicted to drugs or alcohol and their addiction make them waste money on this. Finland has a great program for homeless people, btw.

[@gabecollins5585]

@@lillia5333 If only that we’re possible in the us. Big cities almost always have homeless problems.

[@gabecollins5585]

@@tamielizabethallaway2413 Those exist here but people have certain prerequisites to be able to join like not being drug addicts for an example.

[@robwhythe793]

I have to say that, as a Canadian Brit, his worry about splitting society in two and a strong growth in partisanship worries me too. I saw it in Britain with the split over Brexit, and that is continuing now with the Right/Left argument. There is a sign that it might get resolved there soon because the Right (the Conservative Party) is fragmenting into various forms of extremism, with a bunch of new Parties vying with each other to become the home that extremist Conservatives should gravitate towards. The expectation is that they will get trounced at the next election and we should end up with a more sensible government, but the expectation was that Brexit would get voted down... I pray for my country right now - it's at a turning point. It could come back from the brink. But there's no sign of that in America right now. Where we live now in Canada we are literally within sight of USA, and we have in the past hopped over the river/border for various reasons (such as to get a cheaper flight from a US airport). But the partisan feeling there now is worrying. I have lost American friends, people I've worked with and hung out with, but who I now haven't heard from in years. I wrote an email letter to them all when Trump was first elected, asking them if they had voted for him and whether their church had encouraged them to. Only half of them responded, and all but one had voted for him. I presume the others did too. They know I abhor Trump, and I now only hear from the one who didn't vote for him. The situation there frightens us, and I see no sign that it will change. We will not cross the border again unless it does. So far Canada seems to have avoided these problems, but there are bad signs: We moved to Ontario 18 months ago. It has had a Conservative government for many years and it shows. Our provincial healthcare is falling apart. There are so few doctors that we cannot even get registered with one. We even looked into getting a doctor as a private patient, and got turned down even then. And now Poilievre is bringing in all the usual right-wing fear-mongering tactics at Federal level, all the usual racist undertones, fear of foreigners, attacking Trudeau personally rather than his policies, claiming that Trudeau and his father before him were marxists, and so on. He has earned the nickname of "attack dog". It all sounds so familiar. And frightening. I hope we don't go down the same road.

[@paul1979uk2000]

To be fair, with Brexit, we were seeing much of what is going on in the US with politics, but a lot of that has eased off a lot since Brexit that it doesn't really divide the country. The problem in the US is that the division from politics, the media and the public are deep and continues, and seems to be getting worse, what we saw with Brexit is mild in comparison to what's going on in the US and even then, Brexit was a short term division, which even now, not many talk about it in the sense of it dividing the people.

[@MrCPPG]

Please do not come to the US! You extreme leftists are the problem.

[@Aquarium-Downunder]

Way back when I was a child in 1970 Australia you could get 500 sheets per roll of TP or 500 sheets per roll of TP, it came in many colours/prints and nice smells. That was a standard roll, now a standard roll has 180 sheets only. My mother would get TP with a print of little puppies and it smelt like roses. Kimbley Clark in Sydney makes 17 brands of TP, 8 brands of dipers, 26 brands of ladies pads ect. most of the brands are only sold in Coleworths and sets the price for the market.

[@nolajoy7759]

That meal that you wanted to reprrsent America?.I hope you were joking. Stodge and enormous serve of meat. No green, orange, red or purple on the plate.

[@nitr0usntc]

As an European that's exatcly how I and other europeans would picture an American meal. Some would even go further and picture a big ass burguer full of cheese and stuff.

[@tamielizabethallaway2413]

Did you see those cheeseburgers? The cheese was so yellow it could glow in the dark! 😳

[@dancelord0708]

That meat, with sidedishes are here for 3, maybe 4 persons!

[@KARIJAK]

It's like why do you need to refill your soda 4 times... and the wonder why the americans get fatter

[@BA-ik5be]

Just what I thought. It is more repelling than appetizing. 😂

[@Thekamikazin]

The only places where you need to pay for the bathroom in Europe is in public places like trainstations and gasstations etc. In stores, restaurants etc. this is usually NOT the case. When you need to pay for the restroom, you also usually get a part of the money back in the form of a coupon that you can spend at the place where this restroom is located.

[@uppyraptor49]

In september we visited friends in croatia and on the 5th day we went from croatia to slovenia and italy by car in one day, stunning day out👍👍👍👍

[@CabinFever52]

I love Croatia. Am ready to go back.

[@Pablogarcia-wi9et]

Big four refers to accounting firms not banks.

[@Whietie]

Yes, and it's EY, PwC, Deloitte and KPMG. They're very corporative so ppl there work after hours usually and you get lot of promotions to keep you engaged in work. Another point is, work there often ends in doing same thing again and again every day (for ppl who stays on same lvl) so the women (rude) was refering to that and that he doesn't have many skills.

[@JeroenJA]

i though those where the big 4 consultancy firms :-). Belgium here, but i renember a joke, if you work there, you barely get paid the first 2 years, but you'll get a small company car :-p don't know how it is in the USA, but starting at a big 4 is mostly about gaining lots of experience to put on your resume :). most then leave after 2 to 4 years, unless they got promoted to train the next bench , and get paid better. It's thus more treated like an extension to you scholing for about half that start there ;), then as a firm then want to keep working in for most of their carreer possibly :).

[@Whietie]

@@JeroenJA well, they offer consultancy so I think term "big 4" is used in both segments.

[@voyance4elle]

Thank you! I was searching for this comment, because I didn't understand why the woman was looking down on him..

[@teresalectar]

I do not mind paying for bathroom because they are usually clean, so you do not get grossed out for using it. Totally worth the 1€ price

[@rayaqueen9657]

She was an investment banker. He worked for an accountancy firm/high street bank. It's like she's an artist and he does colouring in. (To her mind)

[@NemYan]

The concept of free refills is bad when you're talking about sodas, they get you addicted so you'll come back more often.

[@eucitizen78]

That's the trick 😉

[@joyridgway6398]

Plus, it'll be very watery.

[@stevepage5813]

@@joyridgway6398Watery, but with a whole bag of sugar in it.

[@lonejensen5798]

I had been a mother for about 10 years when free refills or just really cheap soda in large quantities in restaurants hit my country. The first time I saw the biggest glass of coke in a restaurant I actually thought they had mistakenly used a flower vase for drinks. So I made a new rule (That's the beauty of being a mom. You make the rules yourself - that is, until your kids are old enough to do as they please). My rule was: - You must not drink anything until you have eaten at least half of the food. Why? Because they filled their stomachs with liquid and a split second after we had eaten they were hungry again. And I don't want to spend time cooking outside of meals :-D But they actually still remember it and it's not a bad rule. Eat some real food. Then you can fill your stomach with sugar water.

[@KrK-EST]

🇪🇪Estonia (🇪🇺EU), in local small town shop there is about a dozen options for tp. In the big general stores there is like 30 options (no more there or needed). We have food that actually is good not only shown or told. The price is per KG or L or pc. and the quality for foods are super regulated, we pay for it not just for the overlords or for tax, generally the prices for food are around the same. Here you get a full meal with all the extras from a restaurant usually under 20eur (for locals under 10, for tourists usually over 50 as they do not know better, yeah sadly many businesses do that). ER is zero, in most EU countries (sometimes only the from desk processing aka someting like 5 eur). The thing there is only like 10 tp. options and no more is cos there is no need for more types. Yes other countries are peacefull. Also an example, our north border 🇫🇮Finland has the lowest homeless pop in the world percap. The only thing USA has better/bigger/more is they have companies with more money and corrently the biggest army. And even those have problematic sides.

[@taniakiri99]

I live in the UK and get 6 weeks a year of holiday/vacation time. I sometimes find it difficult to take that much holiday time and I can only carry over 5 days (1 working week) into the next year. My manger has been hassling me to make sure I take the rest of my holiday time that can’t be carried over because he doesn’t want me to lose it! Such a different reality to the US it seems.

[@taniakiri99]

…And I work a 37 hour week. Today our boss told us to go home an hour early just because but I had a lot I wanted to finish before the weekend. He walked into the room half an hour later and asked why I was still at my desk!

[@verttikoo2052]

When you have holiday you actually don’t have to do anything or go anywhere. 🙄

[@joyridgway6398]

There are free toilets in the UK.

[@warrenturner397]

And Australia

[@eucitizen78]

I was in Austria (not Australia😉) with a group of our students. One was juvenile refugee from Afghanistan. He went to a bathroom in a resturant and he had no money to pay, just 1 €. You know what, the keeper of the restaurant let him in for free and gifted him 5 €.

[@just_passing_through]

7:03 A society is judged on how it treats its most vulnerable. And the US gets a big fail on that one. You only see homeless, encampments in two situations… Third world countries, and the USA.

[@cookielady7662]

Ridiculous comment. Many homeless people have mental problems. There are programs in place for them but most won't take advantage of them. We can't force anyone. You have homeless in the UK too. We have a much larger population, so yes, we have more. Please know what you're talking about before you speak.

[@just_passing_through]

@@cookielady7662 I dot’t live in the UK. ‘Please know what you are talking about before you speak”. I could in fact be from England, or Spain, or Wales, or Australia, or New Zealand, or France, or the Netherlands… or any developed country across the entire planet and recognise that the USA has a major issue with homelessness. What’s more is that it has been going on for decades and nothing is being done. There are over 46,000 people experiencing homelessness in the city of Los Angeles alone, and reports warn more than 100,000 could be homeless in Los Angeles by the 2028 Olympics. Los Angeles last hosted the Olympics in 1984. That was 40 years ago, and there was a major homelessness crisis even back then. So much so that in 1944, the city swept homeless people off the streets by enacting laws that made it a crime to be homeless. That’s right, they treated everyone that was homeless for BEING homeless and kept them incarcerated during the Olympics, and as soon a the Olympics was over they rescinded the law, released everyone who was incarcerated and threw them back to the streets. What kind of country does that?

[@cookielady7662]

@@just_passing_through you're right. You could be from anywhere. My bad. However, you still don't know what you're talking about. I despise misconceptions. Just know the examples you cite are in extremely liberal-run cities. That should tell you a lot. Rather than waste keystrokes on this going nowhere argument, I'll let you have it.

[@FloofersFX]

@@cookielady7662 You know, it's all nice and dandy talking about them having mental problems, but if you can barely get proper help with such things before they get worse over the years cause of lack of funds or availability... Or growing up around folks who look down upon such things so much that you avoid getting help, because unfortunately a lot of people still think like that, the chances of it happening go way up. Couple that with the ridiculously expensive costs of life in the US and that's where it gets worse, it's not just about one nation having a bigger population, there's a lot more to it.

[@budapestkeletistationvoices]

Shopping malls tend not to charge for the use of bathrooms. In the UK train stations don't charge you, and some public places don't charge you.

[@ArtIncFactory]

There are as many vacant apartments as there are homeless people (its the same, in the most western Nations). And we call ourselves civilized.

[@jenniferharrison8915]

It's the same in Australia, thousands of empty buildings, yet usual rentals are competitive and hard to find! It's called negative gearing & capitalism! 😠

[@WIDGI]

@@jenniferharrison8915 in the UK too, but we also have a king who apparently needs 14 palaces and 93 castles.

[@mehallica666]

​@@WIDGIThe Aussies have a king... ours!

[@jenniferharrison8915]

@@WIDGI Yes, I've noticed that even though some English towns are virtually empty and priority is given to migrants! Unfortunately, the King's generational Family built and paid for those palaces which provide enormous tourist income for the UK, and he is solely responsible for the costs involved in maintaining and staffing them! At the same time he is not allowed to change some for public use, even though he would! It's tough, but not the Royals fault!

[@peterfhere9461]

Free refills are available because the waiters give up earning a decent wage to pay for them......

[@nicksykes4575]

In the UK a lot of the public toilets used to charge one pre-decimal penny to use a stall, with the urinals being free, hence the old expression "I'm going to spend a penny". There were 240 old pennies in a pound, so it was never really expensive. but those public toilets became totally free about 50 years ago. Any toilet that charges money now, usually 20 new pence, is not a public toilet, it's run by a private company, like in a train station.

[@karlbmiles]

In the tourist areas of London it's 50P. But if you don't have it, you drop a Pound.

[@cedricvl4272]

the paid bathrooms have the good side of being better than free ones, this is due to two things: 1. People aren't going to pay money to enter a bathroom if all they want to do is vandalise it 2. The money you pay is used to hire and pay maintence staff who keep the same bathrooms clean and operational

[@Lyonsbane75]

Ryan - The Big 4 Accounting Firms are: Deloitte, PWC, E&Y and KPMG. I worked for KPMG for 13 years (pre-Covid and layoffs). They're Fortune 500 companies. It is weird that the lady in the story seemed to look down on that. Sounds like she expected him to work for one of the Fortune 100.

[@matthewryan4844]

None of the big 4 are Fortune 500 companies. They are big enough but they are set up as regional entities (LLPs, LLCs etc) in each country rather than being a single company and even if they did combine they are not public companies so wouldn't qualify. The lady may have looked down on him if she thinks investment banking is better than accounting (possibly due to the culture for big bonuses).

[@imeandmyself525]

@@matthewryan4844 I agree with you on why the lady looked down, for her, investment banking is FAR above accounting.

[@INFERN0FIRE]

In Europe, public bathrooms are less essential, since you don't live too far from everything, so you might as well just pee at home. So most public bathrooms go mostly unused anyway. In the US, people take more time to get things like groceries, because of zoning, parking, bigger shops, etc, so public bathrooms are part of the service, since people need 'm much more.

[@BnaaUK]

I have never seen a loo that you have to pay for in England. I've heard it's a thing, but I'm not sure where. They are not bathrooms, there's no bath. 😅

[@TimBadger-w7d]

That’s what I say to any American who calls it a bathroom. I then look at them as though they’re stupid.

[@karlbmiles]

In the rourist areas of London you better carry coins.

[@zandvoort8616]

Have you considered moving you family to Europe for say a year or so to see how you get on and report your experiences and pros and cons respectively?

[@fabios.3510]

That’s not so easy you know? Depends on your job and on how easy and flexible you are to leave everything behind and readapt to completely new life standards especially if you have a family

[@CabinFever52]

@@fabios.3510 , and that's not even considering what to do with your possessions. They are expensive to move. Expensive to store. Cars go bad if not used for a year, etc. etc. etc.

[@georgelynch6139]

Left the Murica 20 years ago for Sweden, never looked back, best thing I have ever done. Seeing my friends and classmates as they are today in the Murica makes me gasp at how old and unhealthy they are and even having their job as their identity and being in the unavoidable financial aspect that their everyday lives encompass, they are in a position that their financial situation guides their decisions rather than their happiness and joy.

[@RustyDust101]

The concept of "free refills" is about as 'free' as healthcare in Europe is 'free'. At some point someone somewhere has to pay the costs. But whereas in Europe 'free' healthcare means 'at the point of service' the concept of 'free refills' in the USA simply means that all other products from that restaurant or supermarket get that tiny little mark-up that all customers have to pay for. While I don't begrudge anyone a good drink of water to slake their thirst or to rehydrate, and I wished that in Germany a good glass of fresh tap water would also be free, I can still see the counterargument. I can't see the benefit of everyone in a restaurant/supermarket get unlimited refills of the biggest liquid sugarbombs imaginable. Healthcare at least attempts to improve everybody's health, whereas drinks manufacturers try to bind customers to them by getting them accustomed to their brands' specific taste profiles. Their intentions are ultimately all fueled by greed/search for profit. That's not a solidarity principle, that's ultimately about the profit. To recognize that difference is important.

[@stevepage5813]

@RustyDust101 I totally agree, there is no such thing as a free lunch.

[@andyf4292]

difference in Europe that healthcare is paid for in the same way the military is, taxes.. if maccys gives you a free refill, its getting that money back somewhere else

[@DenUitvreter]

The big four accounting firms are Price Waterhouse Coopers, KPMG, Toilette&Douche and Ernst&Young. A lot of graduates want to work there but a lot of them spend years counting stock in a warehouse while barely getting paid enough to afford the required suits. It's not as extreme as with law firms but a lot of juniors work their asses off while those who made it to senior levels are cashing on the work of the junior trying to make it to their position. It's not particularly enviable, but the industry is bit frowned upon in general in the Netherlands but not as in 'you didn't do well in life'.

[@warrenturner397]

And they all gave us tthe GFC!

[@CabinFever52]

I have been searching for an explanation of this and finally found someone who addressed it thoroughly enough for me. THANKS. Probably took a couple hundred comments to find.

[@Coooeee]

I'm Australian. I read a news article online a month or so ago. I don't know how accurate it was. It stated that American businesses will be phasing out free refills in the coming years. I just Googled about phasing out refills and the first info I read was this...By 2032, McDonald's will phase out its unlimited refill beverage machines. McDonald's drink machines, with their sugary drinks flowing like rivers of sweet calories, will disappear from the American culture of abundance. The same will likely be true for other restaurants.

[@MrCPPG]

Well the weight loss and diaetes industries will dry up as well. A moment of silence please.

[@terryware8200]

​@MrCPPG It'll never happen. The health insurance lobbyists won't allow Americans to get healthy. Over processed surgery food is the American dream.

[@josefsad1502]

I wouldn't be so sure about that. They always make big announcements to change this and that in a span of 5-10 years, so they don't really have to care about it today. Then they hope that the people will forget about it after a decade. There are studies that claim, McDonalds converted only 20% of what they have announced the last decade.

[@awright8489]

UK has mainly free toilets (bathrooms) & baby changing areas. In addition to normal items (like soap & toilet paper), many also have free female sanitary products & nappies (diapers), etc, too. I can't think of anywhere you need to pay other than a very few railway stations. I am in my 50s and estimate I have had to pay 5 or 6 times in total throughout my whole life.

[@Zandain]

Funny, when you said, 'Wow, this is what I want to represent the USA!' My split second reaction was, 'Yuck, that looks disgusting, gross and a complete over-kill-meal!' 🤮 We are so different! 🤔 - and NO, Ryan other countries are not as politically divided, as the USA. Not saying we agree on everything, but it isn't toxic and on the verge of threatning serious injury on each other... The amount of outright lies and misinformation is appalling! 😵‍💫 I prefer the 15 different party system we have here, where the possibility of representation is great! hello from Denmark 🌸

[@mickstaplehurst8471]

The intersection of four countries is what we used to do in a weekend whilst stoned! Europe has a lot going for it, we decided to do that trip whilst drinking in our local pub on a Friday night. We drove to a ferry port and went to Europe because we felt like it; enjoy yourself America!

[@NK-bj8li]

Is see the US the same as I see Dubai; alright to visit, but shit to live in.

[@paul1979uk2000]

Usually in supermarkets, you probably get on average around 5 or so brands of different things, which is usually more than enough without going over the top, but if you do want more choice, you can go online and there's a lot more choice on pretty much everything. I suspect the real difference is in Europe is that there are far more smaller shops so they will have less choice whereas in the US, a lot of people go to big mega centre like shops like Walmart, so Europeans still have a lot of choice, it's just done differently then it's done in the US, and I suspect the main reason for that is that in Europe, you can get to many shops on foot, bike or public transports whereas in the US, you need a car and usually have to travel much further, in that case, it makes more sense in the US to have bigger shops that sell everything, whereas in Europe, that's not really needed, but in Europe, if you do want a lot more choice, you can shop around or go online. Also, 2 weeks for 10 countries, that doesn't sound like fun, it sounds stressful to me and you're not really taking in all the experience of the trip by rushing through it, it pretty much defeats the purpose of going on holiday, which is to relax, recharge, do and see new things, which a lot of people in other modern countries do, but it seems like Americans are always on the go, rushing through everything, that doesn't sound like fun to me, it sounds stressful. As for divisions, I can only say for European countries, there are divisions on some things, but nothing to the extent of what we are seeing in the US, which the divisions in the US are tearing the country apart, from politics, to the public and the ideological views people get themselves entrenched in, divisions in other modern countries tend to be small scale and don't cause much of an issue over all and tend to ease up quickly, just look at Brexit in the UK, that was causing a lot of damage in the UK for a few years, but now it's more or less water under a bridge that few people talk about, that doesn't mean there isn't issues around Brexit, but it's not tearing the country apart like we see in the US with politics, the media and much of the public.

[@MetalRocksMe.]

Please rewind back five seconds after each pause because stuff gets missed in what is being said when don’t.

[@booboss]

I agree

[@Arturcik666]

40 minute videos incoming!

[@booboss]

@@Arturcik666 nope, many people does that and it doesn't extend the video to some ridicoulus point EDIT: Spojrzałem na nick i se myślę... Po ch... się produkuję po angielsku 🤣

[@conallmclaughlin4545]

He talks over so much he always misses the important parts anyway. Rewinding will just extend the video and he will still be just as clueless

[@random.3665]

It would help more if he actually let the guy in the video (the one he is responding too) talk until one point is finished in it's entirety, and THEN stop and formulate his thoughts on it. Stopping after every half-sentence both slows down the video and leads to him saying things that the guy in the original video would have said 5 seconds later anyway.

[@allenwilliams1306]

He worked for a “big four” accounting firm: PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, Deloitte, KPMG.

[@Songfugel]

I do wonder what sort of European store he is talking about if they don't have huge variety of choices for each product, maybe he went into a a local walk-in grocery store instead of the drive to jumbo markets?

[@Coooeee]

I'm Australian. I visited Verona, Italy. My friend and I went to a supermarket to buy some food for lunch. We were looking to buy some cheese. The entire refrigerated, long aisle was just different types of cheeses. It would take years to try all the different varieties. It took us a long time to choose. FYI, we chose a cheese in oil (not boconcini). It truly was the most delicious cheese I've ever tasted.

[@herrbonk3635]

The local boutiques are the only ones needed though. And also all we got in Europe, until the 1970s, before USA-fication.

[@EVPaddy]

Probably, as he said he drives to the local supermarket in the US as well.

[@paul1979uk2000]

It really depends on which stores you go too, some of the smaller ones will have less choice whereas bigger ones will have more, there's also online where you pretty much have whatever choice you want. I suspect the real confusion is for Americans is that in European countries, you have far more shops of all sizes and they tend to be far closer to where we live, contrast that with the US where you have to travel much further to get to a store, it makes a lot more sense in the US to have much bigger stores with everything in because of how cities are designed.

[@RealConstructor]

Dutch city supermarkets aren’t very big, they’re just in a shopping street with apartments above. I think he cycles to the supermarket or walk to one of the neighborhood supermarkets. You often have a few on walking distance. The bigger supermarkets are in the suburbs in shopping centers. But I don’t think I have ever seen a supersize supermarket in The Netherlands like they have in the US, or even France, we have smaller ones. We generally don’t have supermarkets at the edge of town like in other countries (US, France etc), we have them in residential areas of towns and cities.

[@johnam1234]

I really enjoyed your video and comments plus learning more about the world around me.

[@SOFTCOCOGIRL]

That meal, that big, was just to support obesity. Man, that was for 3 people. Soda is filled with sugar, I prefer that a cup of water has free refil. I prefer to pay for the toilet, the person who cleans them get a better pay and you can guarantee it is clean.

[@JanKowalski-wb8ih]

Bathrooms here are free in malls, supermarkets. Paid ones are city owned, and usually cost like 50 cent, to cover toilet lady (person who keeps eye on stuff, cleans, changes paper) salary etc.

[@roelkomduur8073]

Unlike in the US, we clean our public bathrooms. That's costs money...

[@Bennime_Once]

tbf does it cost 0.50-1€ per person to clean a toilet? They are still making money with that. if its automated like in trainstations you give some company the money and if its just some old lady its basically the same as the tipping in the US, old lady makes almost no money and keeps the "few coins" that you leave her.

[@janettewill3054]

Your comment on free public toilets. Australia and New Zealand both provide free public toilets, including those in stores.

[@paul1979uk2000]

Most of Europe does as well, there are a lot of free public toilets but there are also paid ones, it really depends on where you are, but paid ones tend to be nicer and cleaner.

[@bodybalanceU2]

@@paul1979uk2000 in aus and nz the free ones are also clean as the business or local govt employ cleaners for said job so all public toilets are clean and many have a number to call if you think the toilet needs attention

[@razvanlex]

Those are not "public" toilets. If it's in a store, gas station, restaurant and so on it's not public.

[@bodybalanceU2]

@@razvanlex but they are considered "public" as they are free to the public regardless where they are situated

[@razvanlex]

@@bodybalanceU2 You get the point. They are not really "public" as they are for the clients of that establishment. This kind of toilet are "free" also in Europe, because the customers pay for that service included in the price of food, gas and so on. A public toilet that is just that, a toilet on its own with no other way to get money from other services need to charge for it's service.

[@stevehartley7504]

Americans vacation 1 week if lucky! Europe 4 week's statutory Accrued if part time, statutory!

[@gabecollins5585]

And there is not required vacation time. It’s 100% up to your boss. Average is 11 days. In my opinion it should be at least a month no matter the job.

[@MrCPPG]

That week of vacation is not required to be paid out if you quit or are fired.

[@That_is_for_me_to_know]

Australia 4-5 weeks depending upon employer plus, usually, 10 sick days per year. Annual leave accrues

[@Jessicab-u7c]

In Canada tipping is suggested at 15% to 20% of what you paid for your meal and can be based on service too.

[@petermizon4344]

THAT WASNT A REACTION THAT WAS A RUNNING COMMENTARY SAYING WHAT THE GUY WAS ABOUT TO SAY

[@sarahgreen653]

Most public bathrooms in the UK are free. There are ones where you have to pay but in the most part there free.

[@McGhinch]

We don't have free healthcare. We pay for healthcare. But this is an insurance. If you never need a hospital you still pay for many years some 10 percent of your gross income -- just in case you may need it. -- And because it is mandatory to have health insurance.

[@warrenturner397]

Australia is 2%

[@stevepage5813]

@McGhinch Exactly. USA folk think that socialism is evil and that if they pay into a system that they might not use and therefore someone might get the benefit of instead of them, they are selfish, but they all pay insurance for absolutely everything which for most things is mandatory. If they never claim for damage etc... to their house or car, isn't that paying into a system which other people might be benefiting from rather than they themselves? As people in any country get older, they are more and more likely to need medical attention and as most people are living longer, this is even more likely. I say most people, but folk in the USA are becoming less healthy as a direct result of their food and car centric lifestyle.

[@TimBadger-w7d]

I never paid to use a bathroom in 50 years in The UK.

[@TimBadger-w7d]

American drivers are the most inconsiderate in The World.

[@triplesharigan]

I know he used to work for KPMG, the big 4 he refers to would include PwC/E&Y/Deloitte in the Accountancy they provide financial services to pretty much every big company world wide. I used to work for a smaller firm in the same field.

[@OldieBugger]

That American way of vacationing sounds like more hard work to me. Not for me!

[@stevepage5813]

@OldieBugger Yes exactly. If you try to do too much when you go on a holiday, you need a break to get over it when you get home.

[@Bennime_Once]

sounds like you would end up spending more time at the airport then actually enjoying the vacation.

[@princessesukii]

I had to go to the ER the other day here in Europe. On a public holiday. Got the invoice yesterday, and it costed me the appalling amount of... 2.97€ (without insurance it'd have been 65€ or something). I really hope your health system will change to be more like that someday

[@krimimimi]

funny how, in another video, you were wondering why european people arent as fat as the americans and than here asking why europe doesnt have free refills. and same with no unlimited sauces and dressings at the fast food restaurants. europe makes so much more sense than the usa

[@karlbmiles]

That doesn't make sense. You're denied a free drink and feel better about it?

[@andrewmcewan8081]

you missed him saying accounting company when he was talking to bankers

[@Mike-po2gx]

You would get more context and a better understanding. If you listened more and stopped interupting. You can still give your views. You said i need to focus. Yes You Do

[@bada2839]

Oh but supermarkets toilet is free in UK too, you pay just in places as stations, parks and so. Mainly for cleaning and safety of the premises. Of course museums are free as them toilets too

[@JeanetteWoodrow]

i know that you all like to talk about what your watching, but please oh please make it be a lot less talking

[@cindz4618]

My parents lived in the US for 8 years( Charlottesville VA) and when i went to visit them and we went shopping, as regards too much choice - i would go to the cookie section which consisted of at least 3 rows- I became ' addicted to ' Pepperidge Farm Cookies'- still miss them.!!! One thing that really shocked me- although maybe some European countries do the same- was being asked directly how much money I earned - this comment is in relation to the comparison comment.

[@crash_zp3840]

Heya Ryan, greetings from Ukraine. About fee's, im working maybe ten years ago in the cafe. So what i can tell you about service. In the city mostly all cafe, bar's and restaurants have price with tax included (it means that if your order will be for example 12.67 bill will be also 12.67) but only if you pay by your card, if you pay cash for example 13 they may keep your change 0.33 without your permission (for the service or like tips) For the vacation spot like sea shore, tips will be marked in bill like for service 10% . Also its your decision pay or not to pay tips for a waiter above the bill. For example when i worked waiter some of client may sitting all day in cafe, eat, drink. get his bill for a 356.43, and he pays 357 and my tips was only 0.57 (and 10% from bill goes to my week salary) or some of client may order 2 beers and chips pay for them 30 and give 50 above the bill, like tips for service.

[@lauram4168]

Lack of Health system there, vacation , maternity leave, safety so on so on, i wanted to move to LA 18 years ago when my husband was working there, than we decided to come to Canada. No country is perfect but whatever makes you happy, happines peace of mind is soo important, I wish i could say i found it here

Hi! I am from Norway, i have lived in Sweden, i have been to visit Denmark, Spain and some more countries. We have free public restrooms, in gasstations, shoppingmals, airports and in restingplaces built close to roads and highways. The restrooms where you have to pay, iis actually places that are watched by people because tthey will not tolerate violence, smoking, destruction or the use of drugs in them, often railwaystations where a lot of different cultures meet.

[@bjørnjacobsengaming]

It is not true that we do not have free public toilets in Europe. There are many countries in Europe where public toilets are free, we have that among others. here in Denmark, yes, there are places where it costs money to use a public toilet, but it is usually at railway stations in big cities, like Copenhagen, but this is to avoid that drug addicts occupy the toilets constantly and that there are constantly needles everywhere. In Germany, it costs money in all public toilets, but that is because those who clean do not get a good salary, so they are dependent on tipping just like an American waiter in a restaurant is.

[@leonieharry2941]

We in Western Europe have usually 8 to 12 hours days too but we have strictly work laws. So we have to get enough rest between workdays and we have to get time compensation based on worked time and we have to get vacation. So it is harder for companies to go around it.This does make a difference for sure. But we have also companies, which put a great stress on their employees. Never the less, I guess that we have less stress due to our public health insurance, good public schools and universities etc. which lower your stress about money and worries about it.

[@peterbrown1012]

I find Costco more expensive than a supermarket for a lot of things. Also a lot of their produce is American, sloppy sweet icing on cakes, sugar in bread rolls, hard to control huge trolleys.

[@JenniferRussell-qw2co]

Physically you can travel to many different European countries in a few days, but that doesn't take into account the amount of things to see and do everywhere. An hour's stroll around London, for example, could take half a day, or more, if you stop to fully experience everything. Even smaller towns/cities are much the same. Mainland Europe likewise, we are very lucky to have so much variety to enjoy and learn from.😊

[@FredPilcher]

I'm so glad that you're watching these, Ryan.

[@Nora-jt9zy]

I’m from Scandinavia , and we have ambition and drive in our career here. We do value work/life balance, but there is room for drive and ambition if you want to climb

[@martinloss4171]

Regarding grocery: They have a lot of variety of the basics but if you want bread, specific cheese or milk products then good look. And the prices are like the sizes ... extra big.

[@LoneStarr1979]

I think he said: "I work for a big ~foreign~ company" Not that I really understood it myself.... just considering the context (and your valid point about "big 4") it would make sense

[@daviddowsett1658]

Wein, the UK mainly have free public loo's, run by the council (local government) or in private shops, the only place that really charges are South-East, London way, things like big train/Tube stations and major tourist spots. And we have free healthcare at the point of use ...