How I see the US after living in Europe for 5 Years

Cultural shocks? Differences between Europe and the USA? Stereotypes or Truth? In this video, I want to share with you how my view of my home country of the United States has changed after spending 5 years living in Europe.

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🔎 Video Highlights:
0:00 Introduction
02:18 Stereotypes about Americans
04:58 Freedom
09:09 Community
13:59 Language
19:07 Work-Life Balance
22:31 Wealth

Episode No. 133

S𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗠𝗘

[TypeAshton]

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[thomashammel]

After 8 years in the USA, I am moving back to Germany. I am moving back for many of the reasons you stated in this video. In the 8 years I have lived here, I have had zero work life balance and found myself working 15-hour days with no vacation. It's just not worth it. Coming from Germany I am aware of what I lost coming here. I am coming home to retake my Freedom.

[BalduinTube]

What I see as one of the most important differences is that Americans tend to a culture of "having something". Having houses, boats, children, guns, money... Whereas Europeans value "being something". being happy, being healthy, being part of a good community, being a good friend, husband, parent... This difference in focus on "having" vs. "being" is a fundamental different approach to life. "Having" focuses more on what you see on the outside whereas the target of "being" leads to focus more on inner values.

[franciscovasquez]

In america, you can have a dream... in europe, you can have a life

[JohnDanenbarger]

I was happy to discover an intelligent presentation of the differences. I was born and grew up in the USA. At 80, I have lived most of my life in Europe (Norway, Sweden, Italy) and will die in Europe. It is a personal choice that began in my 20s. The turning point for me was when I had this one exchange with my Norwegian boss in 3M company. I asked, "Since you lead a capitalist company, how can you feel good about paying taxes to support beggers on the street?" His answer made me aware of so many things. He said, "I don't mind at all. It keeps those same people from finding it necessary to break into my house."

[MrReese]

I have never heard someone talk about the difference between "freedom to" and "freedom from" before and I think it's an excellent point and distinction.

[sekborg]

The clip with Joe Rogan, saying that paid parental leave wouldnt work in the US, because america "is not europe, its better" was probably one of the funniest things i saw this week.
The stupidity of this statement can hardly be topped

[askadia]

As an Italian, what I love the most of the (both European and African) Mediterranean cultures is the "slow pace of living". It's heart-warming to see our elders in small towns, sitting on a chair by their doorstep, chit-chatting and gossiping with neighnours, family members, and friends, looking at passers-by, while kids are cheerfully playing around them. This picture is literally the depiction of success for me.

[Barfield-cgiq]

There are many USA/Europe comparison videos on Youtube but this is by far the most incisive and intelligent one I have ever seen. The content is made even better by being written and delivered by someone who treats their audience as intelligent rather than people with a four second attention span who need to be yelled at in Youtube-speak. What a breath of enlightening fresh air.

[tainz]

I'm German and never visited the US, but my view of the US has certainly shifted over the years. As a kid and especially as a teen I got most of my views from movies and TV shows and it seemed such a cool place to live with all the school and college activity's and such. Of course we learned in our English classes, that not everything was that great and Hollywood-like, but at that age you focused more on the fun stuff. Later on, through friends who went to the US, the news and especially through YouTube and Socialmedia my view shifted. I believe now, that the US is a great country if you are young and healthy and want to make it big, but I value my 30 days vacation, the security, that my boss can't just fire me without reason, that I don't have a set amount of sickdays and I'm allowed to study and get sick without fear of going into financial debt. I think it would be amazing to spend some time in the US to experience the culture and see the nature and sights, but I wouldn't feel comfortable moving there and not having the "safety net" we Germans often take for granted...

[andrewharrison]

We had an American come over to the UK to run a training course. He was shocked to find that we didn't start till 9 and finished at 5.
He was even more shocked when he ran out of teaching material half a day ahead of schedule because the attendees didn't waste time and didn't take long coffee breaks.
Longer working hours aren't the same as doing more work.

[kriskris]

Americans says that we have a freedom to bare guns. I don’t need that kind of freedom. In Europe you have freedom to open a beer in the park or the beach without too get arrested.

[bardmann]

The whole “Freedom Towards” vs. “Freedom From” comparison is one of the best I heard! Gonna remember that one! 👌🏼👌🏼

[fdski]

Good summary. I was born in Europe, spend my forming years in USA, including military service, I am an US Citizen, and I have been living in Europe for 20 years now. I think you analysis is spot on.
I had a bad luck years ago, child of mine was born with terminal heart defect. He received top notch health care but passed nevertheless. I always think about this when looking at my other children. Non of them would go to college or have any financial support from me if we lived in USA. It would have required all my assets and lots of debt and result would have been the same.
Like you, i'm sticking around here.

[IceGoddessRukia]

As someone living in the US and becoming more and more aware of our BS- Tucker Carlson saying "fighting off the Metric system" gives me the same feeling as a kid when their Dad says something really embarrassing.
I feel like quoting George Carlin: "They call it the American Dream- because you have to be asleep to believe it."

[mikegill]

I am an American citizen from Miami and I have been living In Bordeaux for over 30 years ! I listened carefully to every sentence that you said ! I could not agree with you more !

[camelusdromedarius]

I'm an American veteran who will be moving to Europe in the fall to go to school. I think you really encapsulated a lot of why I'm wanting to jump ship and leave it all behind.

[thesuperrickster]

I moved to Poland last summer after living in America for 60 years. I have made more friends in 6 months, despite the language barrier than in several years in the US. This Christmas one friend invited me to spend Christmas with her family.
Indeed the friendliness in the US is superficial. It seems to be more quid pro quo than just genuine kindness.
In America the greeting of "how are you" is really a hello, but in Poland "jak się masz" will get you a detailed story.

[northguy]

I have heard more than one American say they have a gun to protect their home against intruders. As a European you think 'what sort of neighbourhood do you live in?'.

[Souchirouu]

As an European watching this it almost feels like the US wants you to feel paranoid. Being constantly afraid of basic necessities disappearing sounds really medieval to me.