What does the USA do better than Europe re: travel...and vice versa
Sep 22nd, 2005, 06:07 PM
#61
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In Ft. Myers, Florida the long awaited new airport opened a couple of weeks ago. In an effort to "update" things, the huge signs as you enter the highway point toward parking which then divides into "hourly" and "daily" instead of the old "long term" and "short term". It was decided that people would have a clearer picture that hourly parking would indicate those staying for a brief period and paying by the hour while daily parking would certainly refer to people staying an entire day or number of days. Guess what? People kept circling the airport and protesting because they had no idea where they were to park if they were only going to be there for an hour or where to park if they were going to be there for a week. After a lot of controversy, the signs have already been changed to read "long term" and "short term".
Is this an example of "dumbing down"? Of course this comes from the hanging chad state where about half the population couldn't figure out how to use voting machines.
Is this an example of "dumbing down"? Of course this comes from the hanging chad state where about half the population couldn't figure out how to use voting machines.
Sep 22nd, 2005, 06:25 PM
#63
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Well maybe you're right, but what does long term and short term mean to the person driving there for the first time? Could short term mean standing for a few minutes only? If you thought you'd be there an hour or two would that be short term or long term? It seems to me that knowing you're paying an hourly or a daily rate makes it a lot clearer, but not to everyone.
Sep 22nd, 2005, 06:48 PM
#64
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rockhopper, not exactly a US specific example, but a sign from the Canada side of Niagara Falls is a pretty good example of what I think Katya is talking about:
http://www.collegehumor.com/pictures/154944/
I like too that so many places in Europe give some credit for you having a brain and don't rail everything with signs hanging everywhere to remind you what they're for. On the other hand, much has been on the infrastructure necessary to make sure you don't fall down!
Sep 22nd, 2005, 06:52 PM
#65
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Another one - http://www.collegehumor.com/pictures/157483/
Sep 23rd, 2005, 02:16 AM
#67
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As regards TV: Yes, American TV drove me crazy with commercials every 6 minutes (I timed it!). I just couldn't watch it... Not to mention 'reruns' and sports that are totally incomprehensible to us, such as baseball and football. Impossible to watch!
Things aren't as bad yet here, commercial-wise, but getting there, unfortunately...
Things aren't as bad yet here, commercial-wise, but getting there, unfortunately...
Sep 23rd, 2005, 03:05 AM
#68
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Assuming mass stupidity is neither recent nor American.
Our pantry is stuffed with packets of walnuts, almonds etc (even from Waitrose, who you'd have thought would have been above such nonsense) saying "Caution: may contain nuts".
And it's gone missing in a move somewhere along the line, but we used to treasure an Aer Lingus scented towelette one of us picked up over 20 years ago that said (I think in both English and Irish, but memory may be flawed), with little pictures for the less literate:
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE:
1. Open pack
2. Unfold
3. Wipe over face
Of course the Irish may well have said for all I know "Yes we know. But never understimate the thickness of the Brits, the litigiousness of the Yanks or the Aussies' ability to drink anything"
Our pantry is stuffed with packets of walnuts, almonds etc (even from Waitrose, who you'd have thought would have been above such nonsense) saying "Caution: may contain nuts".
And it's gone missing in a move somewhere along the line, but we used to treasure an Aer Lingus scented towelette one of us picked up over 20 years ago that said (I think in both English and Irish, but memory may be flawed), with little pictures for the less literate:
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE:
1. Open pack
2. Unfold
3. Wipe over face
Of course the Irish may well have said for all I know "Yes we know. But never understimate the thickness of the Brits, the litigiousness of the Yanks or the Aussies' ability to drink anything"
Sep 23rd, 2005, 04:00 AM
#69
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On the whole I think we should cherish the differences both between the US and Europe and within each area...they are both hugh regions that are slowly becoming more like themselves and eachother.
Living in Ireland I can see that the shops are slowly becoming the same in every town and every European city is heading the same way. The buildings may be 16th century or whatever but there's still a Zara, a H&M, the fast food joints and the Ikea on the edge of every town.
In short, if everything was as good as and the same as at home there'd be little point in going anywhere.
Sep 23rd, 2005, 04:41 AM
#70
I'm not sure about the signs thing. On my recent trip to France I saw a sign at the castle at Beynac on a terrace overlooking the Dordogne advising people not to throw rocks.
And at the Chateau de Breze, outside the rest rooms, there was a sign advising people not to urinate on the grass.
And at the Chateau de Breze, outside the rest rooms, there was a sign advising people not to urinate on the grass.
Sep 23rd, 2005, 06:45 AM
#71
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Americans have better emission control. Our dowtown air is much less stinkier then in Europe.
But Europeans seem much less wasteful in general. Even the few Europeans that I know here seem less inclined to buy a lot of junk that ends up at garage sales. But then again, it could be that I too, am less likely to spend my money like that and that's why we like each other.
Both seem to be obsessed with food:
Americans with quanity, Europeans with quaility.
Americans overeat.
Europeans smoke.
But Europeans seem much less wasteful in general. Even the few Europeans that I know here seem less inclined to buy a lot of junk that ends up at garage sales. But then again, it could be that I too, am less likely to spend my money like that and that's why we like each other.
Both seem to be obsessed with food:
Americans with quanity, Europeans with quaility.
Americans overeat.
Europeans smoke.
Sep 23rd, 2005, 06:52 AM
#72
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It is hard to come up with items not already mentioned.
When I have been in Europe for a few weeks, I really crave..
1. Iced tea (I'm southern you know)
(they seem to have a problem with
ice cubes
2. Elevators
3. Finding a restroom that is on the
same floor as I'm on
Otherwise Europe has....
1. Wonderful zimmerfrei
2. Tasty kondetori
3. Marvelous desserts
4. Crisp, sparkling white bed linens
with duvet covers.
5. Wonderful church organists
6. the most beautiful churches even
in small towns
7. church bells
I could go on and on.....
When I have been in Europe for a few weeks, I really crave..
1. Iced tea (I'm southern you know)
(they seem to have a problem with
ice cubes
2. Elevators
3. Finding a restroom that is on the
same floor as I'm on
Otherwise Europe has....
1. Wonderful zimmerfrei
2. Tasty kondetori
3. Marvelous desserts
4. Crisp, sparkling white bed linens
with duvet covers.
5. Wonderful church organists
6. the most beautiful churches even
in small towns
7. church bells
I could go on and on.....
Sep 24th, 2005, 11:05 AM
#73
Ice cubes have been mentioned several times. It should be noted that there have been debates about this on the Lonely Planet site, and many non-Americans wonder why Americans need all of their drinks totally diluted by melting ice rather than drinking their beverage pure.
Sep 25th, 2005, 07:47 AM
#74
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USA
The #1 - Jazz and Blues.
1. Breakfast topped with real Maple Syrup.
2. Well-made hamburgers.
3. Comedy Central
4. Toilets without a ledge.
5. All is always open!
6. Service with a smile.
7. Individualism.
8. Abundance of food and lodging (although often chained).
9. Cheap, cheap stuff which comes at a price on the other end, of course.
10. Ghettos. I apologize for this sarcastic one
Europe
1. Generally better expertise of customer service. They know the products they are selling.
2. Even the nuttiest drivers are more responsible in my opinion. Maybe it's due to how much it costs to get a license.
3. Closeness of people.
4. Shopping cart deposits. Money keeps people organized.
5. Tax included. Notice on car rentals, the final price is pretty close to the quote.
6. Speed of getting through the check-outs. Obviously, one receives less smiles or customer service in return. But 2 cash registers at Komet can process a lot more people in less time, than 24 at Wal-Mart.
7. Freedom of speed on the Autobahn. I understood the danger of speed on that highway better than I would anywhere else in the world. Clean restrooms on the highway.
8. No random gun shots in the countryside.
I wish my right half could live in the US and my left in Europe
The #1 - Jazz and Blues.
1. Breakfast topped with real Maple Syrup.
2. Well-made hamburgers.
3. Comedy Central
4. Toilets without a ledge.
5. All is always open!
6. Service with a smile.
7. Individualism.
8. Abundance of food and lodging (although often chained).
9. Cheap, cheap stuff which comes at a price on the other end, of course.
10. Ghettos. I apologize for this sarcastic one
Europe
1. Generally better expertise of customer service. They know the products they are selling.
2. Even the nuttiest drivers are more responsible in my opinion. Maybe it's due to how much it costs to get a license.
3. Closeness of people.
4. Shopping cart deposits. Money keeps people organized.
5. Tax included. Notice on car rentals, the final price is pretty close to the quote.
6. Speed of getting through the check-outs. Obviously, one receives less smiles or customer service in return. But 2 cash registers at Komet can process a lot more people in less time, than 24 at Wal-Mart.
7. Freedom of speed on the Autobahn. I understood the danger of speed on that highway better than I would anywhere else in the world. Clean restrooms on the highway.
8. No random gun shots in the countryside.
I wish my right half could live in the US and my left in Europe
Sep 25th, 2005, 10:45 AM
#75
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I rarely drink it anymore, but pop should be cold. Unless you take half an hour to drink it the ice will not dilute it significantly but just keep it cold.
In some ways, Europeans (and the Japanese) appreciate jazz more than mainstream Americans. I have read of several now-famous jazz musicians who went to Europe to play for seasons, even years because they failed to gain acceptance here.
Now to the important question, Patrick are you going to share your sister's whipping cream cake recipe?
In some ways, Europeans (and the Japanese) appreciate jazz more than mainstream Americans. I have read of several now-famous jazz musicians who went to Europe to play for seasons, even years because they failed to gain acceptance here.
Now to the important question, Patrick are you going to share your sister's whipping cream cake recipe?
Oct 25th, 2005, 06:22 AM
#76
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I feel the opposite about taxes being included in prices. I want to know clearly how much I'm paying for the item itself and how much sales tax I'm paying. I know to add the taxes, so it's not like I'm shocked to find out the final cost to me is more than what's on the price tag.
Oct 25th, 2005, 08:44 AM
#77
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How interesting! Just generalizations, true, but:
USA:
1. Highway systems
2. Street signs - not only for driving, but also for walking
3. Water automatically served when seated in most situations, or free when asked for
4. Free refills on most drinks!
5. Iced tea that is truly iced tea and you can sweetened or add lemon as you please
6. Showers (not the pressure, but lower height of tubs and full panels)
7. More ways to fix a potato than a "french fry"
8. Bigger diversity in sports
9. Not having to flag down the waitstaff to get the check so one can out of the restaurant and onto other activities
Europe:
1. Coffee
2. History (Preservation of)
3. Siesta
4. Having the luxary to sit in a restaurant for as long as one wishes without being pressured to leave
USA:
1. Highway systems
2. Street signs - not only for driving, but also for walking
3. Water automatically served when seated in most situations, or free when asked for
4. Free refills on most drinks!
5. Iced tea that is truly iced tea and you can sweetened or add lemon as you please
6. Showers (not the pressure, but lower height of tubs and full panels)
7. More ways to fix a potato than a "french fry"
8. Bigger diversity in sports
9. Not having to flag down the waitstaff to get the check so one can out of the restaurant and onto other activities
Europe:
1. Coffee
2. History (Preservation of)
3. Siesta
4. Having the luxary to sit in a restaurant for as long as one wishes without being pressured to leave
Oct 25th, 2005, 02:01 PM
#80
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Hi
Europe has realistic speed limits and enforcement. The US has speed limits from the 1960's and use enforcement as punishment and a way for cities to get additional funds.
In Europe, you can sit as long as you want w/o being bothered in a cafe or restaurants.
For me, the biggest difference is, a waitperson doesn't come over and introduce him or herself and ask "what are we going to have?" I don't know what you're having, I know what I'm having.
Europe has realistic speed limits and enforcement. The US has speed limits from the 1960's and use enforcement as punishment and a way for cities to get additional funds.
In Europe, you can sit as long as you want w/o being bothered in a cafe or restaurants.
For me, the biggest difference is, a waitperson doesn't come over and introduce him or herself and ask "what are we going to have?" I don't know what you're having, I know what I'm having.
