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[The Lamp]

That's true, we get lots of holidays. Just used a week to go up to Scotland, climbing up hills and mountains (Conic Hill, Arthur's Seat, Ben Nevis not all of it), Edinburgh Castle, Luss, checking out lochs, staying in a cottage and waking up to sheep nearby. Good exercise and lots of peace to calm the brain.

America seems to have similarly beautiful places like Pacific Northwest so y'all should take some holidays there and get your climbing on.

Now that I've seen so much of Europe that's actually next on my list, traveling a bit in my own backyard. Thankfully my job values work/life balance a lot, so I have it way better than most Americans (they encouraged me to do this 2 month trip before I start work).

But I still only get 2 weeks of vacation a year lol.

 

[theWB27]

No reason to take it personally.

No worries. Waking up and reading it it sounded a tad more harsh than I would've wanted.

 

[Alabamaman]

What are you talking about. We usually tip in restaurants or bars (Germany)

Nobody expects it in Finland.

 

[oti]

I once tipped a bartender in Greece 1€ and he almost started crying.

 

[MWS Natural]

Well, we lack the layer of fat beneath it.

I can tell! Especially in the butt areas where people seem hurt the most.

 

[daviyoung]

I can tell! Especially in the butt areas where people seem hurt the most.

that sure told them

 

[Daria Morgendorffer]

About the smoking stuff you mentioned, where have you been so far in Europe, if you have been more in Southern Europe then yeah, they smoke a lot there, but in the Northwestern countries people smoke as much or even less than in America.

Did you try Turkish Peper? Sour Spicy Candy is the pride of the region. I think (?) They eat it in Germany, The Netherlands and Iceland too!!

These are so good, but I haven't seen them here in the Netherlands in ages, I would kill for some now.

 

[PdotMichael]

What are you talking about. We usually tip in restaurants or bars (Germany)

Basically just pennies like paying 50€ if the pill is 46€, though.

Or really for services which were way outside of the things you paid for.

 

[Forkball]

Summary of what European people eat every day:

England: Three liters of vinegar
France: Ennui
Spain: Tapas
Portugal: Portuguese Tapas
Germany: Bratwurst stuffed with beer (Beerwurst)
Italy: Pasta and pizza that they can't wait to inform you about how it's so much better than the shitty pasta and pizza in your country
Belgium: Chocolate waffles
Switzerland: Hot chocolate waffles
Sweden/Norway/Finland: Anything, but they use IKEA leg chairs as eating utensils
Croatia: The Game of Thrones theme song
Austria: Kangaroo steak with Mozart wigs on top
Greece: Literally their own fingers

 

[Skellig Gra]

Biggest issue I have is how many people smoke in Europe when you all are supposedly much more health conscious than Americans. Non-organic food is horrible but cancer sticks are ok. Doesn't make a lot of sense. You guys smoke WAY more than us. I say this as a former smoker myself so I pay attention to these things. It's obviously not the same in every country. Places like Italy, Czech Republic, Spain, and France are particular offenders. UK , Germany, Holland, and Ireland not as much.

 

[daviyoung]

Biggest issue I have is how many people smoke in Europe when you all are supposedly much more health conscious than Americans. Non-organic food is horrible but cancer sticks are ok. Doesn't make a lot of sense. You guys smoke WAY more than us. I say this as a former smoker myself so I pay attention to these things. It's obviously not the same in every country. Places like Italy, Czech Republic, Spain, and France are particular offenders. UK , Germany, Holland, and Ireland not as much.

smoking keeps you slim, everyone knows that

 

[The Lamp]

About the smoking stuff you mentioned, where have you been so far in Europe, if you have been more in Southern Europe then yeah, they smoke a lot there, but in the Northwestern countries people smoke as much or even less than in America.

These are so good, but I haven't seen them here in the Netherlands in ages, I would kill for some now.

Idk, It just does not match what I experienced. I was in Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, France, Spain and now going to Italy. Smoking on the street and in public places was magnitudes more prevalent than anything I've experienced in most of the U.S. Not only is regulation much stricter in general in most of the U.S. (I think in Texas we just passed a law where it's illegal to smoke in a car with a minor aboard), the stigma is that smoking is not only unpleasant, but that second-hand smoke is weaponized negligence for those around you. Definitely not what I've seen in Europe. In Europe most people I've seen light up don't care about those around them.

Mind you those are stats for a whole country and I haven't seen a whole country at all. Just bits and pieces.

 

[barik]

smoking keeps you slim, everyone knows that

And slim = healthy. We've cracked it!

 

[poodaddy]

No worries. Waking up and reading it it sounded a tad more harsh than I would've wanted.

Fun fact! I met and spoke with Christina Scabbia before a Lacuna Coil show up here in Seattle. She was great, and I even got a hug. I noticed your avatar and thought you might get a slight kick out of that brother

Edit: just took a closer look at your avatar and realized it's Alanis Morisette not Christina Scabbia lmao. Disregard the story haha.

 

[SomedayTheFire]

Smoking is fun and makes you look cool though

Spoiler

don't take this so serious

 

[QuicheFontaine]

I can tell! Especially in the butt areas where people seem hurt the most.

We don't say "butt hurt", we say "bum agony"

 

[Herbspiceguy]

These are so good, but I haven't seen them here in the Netherlands in ages, I would kill for some now.

You can order a different brand of those from candyonline.nl
Category 'Scandinavian candy'. The 'Swedish candy mix' is awesome too.

 

[Apt101]

Whenever I watch travel/food hybrid shows I am always amazed at how lean most Europeans are despite what appears to be calorie and alcohol dense diets. So this doesn't surprise me.

 

[Chariot]

What are you talking about. We usually tip in restaurants or bars (Germany)

Well, I tip for exceptional service, not out of obligation.

 

[Interceptor]

Nobody expects it in Finland.

Congratulations. After scolding the american for generalising you just discovered europe is more than Finland.

 

[Rad-]

I once tipped a bartender in Greece 1€ and he almost started crying.

I once tipped 2€ (also in Greece) for what was probably the best pizza I've had in my life and the waiter just stared at me almost sobbing "Th-thank you!!!". I didn't even understand the situation.

 

[daviyoung]

And slim = healthy. We've cracked it!

our supermodels are the healthiest around

 

[Beefy]

Biggest issue I have is how many people smoke in Europe when you all are supposedly much more health conscious than Americans. Non-organic food is horrible but cancer sticks are ok. Doesn't make a lot of sense. You guys smoke WAY more than us. I say this as a former smoker myself so I pay attention to these things. It's obviously not the same in every country. Places like Italy, Czech Republic, Spain, and France are particular offenders. UK , Germany, Holland, and Ireland not as much.

I can see smoking being banned completely (apart from in your own home) in the UK soon.

 

[DeaviL]

Whenever I watch travel/food hybrid shows I am always amazed at how lean most Europeans are despite what appears to be calorie and alcohol dense diets. So this doesn't surprise me.

Same crap, smaller portions.
It has been said.

I've been to America twice, and the plates i got were 3 to 4 times as much as i normally eat.

I can see smoking being banned completely (apart from in your own home) in the UK soon.

Smoking brings in too much taxes to make completely illegal.
That and you can't expect addicted people to just stop after years. (Home only is unrealistic too)

 

[Alabamaman]

Congratulations. After scolding the american for generalising you just discovered europe is more than Finland.

What can I say, my wallet feels no sympathy for greedy waiters.

 

[Daria Morgendorffer]

You can order a different brand of those from candyonline.nl
Category 'Scandinavian candy'. The 'Swedish candy mix' is awesome too.

Oh thanks for the tip, it's currently out of stock there but I'l keep an eye on it.

 

[elyetis]

Idk, It just does not match what I experienced. I was in Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, France, Spain and now going to Italy. Smoking on the street and in public places was magnitudes more prevalent than anything I've experienced in most of the U.S. Not only is regulation much stricter in general in most of the U.S. (I think in Texas we just passed a law where it's illegal to smoke in a car with a minor aboard), the stigma is that smoking is not only unpleasant, but that second-hand smoke is weaponized negligence for those around you. Definitely not what I've seen in Europe. In Europe most people I've seen light up don't care about those around them.

I can't compare smoking habits to the US, but the same law was passed in France this year ( July I think ), and I think I remember reading the same about UK but I could be wrong.

Not that I think that enough is being done about smoking, it still boggle my mind how no one respect the law when it come to the not being allowed to sell cigarette/tobacco to minor ( in France at least ).

 

[Beefy]

Smoking brings in too much taxes to make completely illegal.
That and you can't expect addicted people to just stop after years. (Home only is unrealistic too)

They will get every one addicted to them E-Cigs and tax the hell out of that instead. That way the Government can say they care about peoples health yet still get the same amount of cash.

 

[Pankratous]

Well, I tip for exceptional service, not out of obligation.

Someone on GAF who understands the real point of tipping?

I don't believe it. You're my favourite now.

I can't compare smoking habits to the US, but the same law was passed in France this year ( July I think ), and I think I remember reading the same about UK but I could be wrong.

Not that I think that enough is being done about smoking, it still boggle my mind how no one respect the law when it come to the not being allowed to sell cigarette/tobacco to minor ( in France at least ).

Yeah this law passed in the UK as well, taking effect in October I believe.

 

[MilkyJoe]

I don't get what I'm supposed to be seeing that we don't have in any grocery store in the states.

Large selection of fresh fruit and vegetables. Where do you get them from? Didn't have it in Walmart or Food Lion last time I was there.

 

[oti]

Summary of what European people eat every day:
Greece: Literally their own fingers

Eeeeeeyy

Well, I tip for exceptional service, not out of obligation.

You bring my food to my table, you get a tip.
I bring my food to my table (buffet etc.), you don't get a tip.

 

[Alabamaman]

Not that I think that enough is being done about smoking, it still boggle my mind how no one respect the law when it come to the not being allowed to sell cigarette/tobacco to minor ( in France at least ).

Really, stores sell cigarettes to kids? In here they'd ban the store from selling cigarettes for good.

 

[Ryuukan]

Really, stores sell cigarettes to kids? In here they'd ban the store from selling cigarettes for good.

Michelle Obama could learn a lot from France on how to combat childhood obesity apparently

 

[Hypron]

Really, stores sell cigarettes to kids? In here they'd ban the store from selling cigarettes for good.

A friend of mine would do that all the time when we were around 12. "Could I get some cigarettes/tobacco? It's for my dad".

I once bought alcohol at the same age, and didn't even offer them any excuse (and they didn't ask any questions either).

On the other hand I thought regulations had gotten a bit stricter since then.

 

[boiled goose]

Portions are smaller and people are more active

 

[Bedameister]

Portions are smaller and people are more active

aaaand were done here

Spoiler

but I'm sure we won't be

 

[dsp]

Large selection of fresh fruit and vegetables. Where do you get them from? Didn't have it in Walmart or Food Lion last time I was there.

I don't think I've bought groceries from Wal-Mart aside from getting eggs or something at like 3 in the morning. I've never really thought of them as a real grocery store since all the ones I've been to sell everything from electronics, cheap clothes, games, etc. As for Food Lion, I've heard of them but never shopped at one so I can't really speak on that.

This is a section of the type of place I get groceries (Wegmans).

The same applies to any grocery store in any state I've lived in, though. Publix, Giant, etc. are the ones I've shopped at when I lived in other areas.

 

[funkypie]

I don't understand the op. Complains about lack of healthy options in europe, yet the alternative in america is food filled with sugar and other shit to the max, lol.

try asking for tap water, because its free. who the fuck orders bottled water at a restaurant then complains about it?

 

[BigDes]

I don't understand the op. Complains about lack of healthy options in europe, yet the alternative in america is food filled with sugar and other shit to the max, lol.

try asking for tap water, because its free. who the fuck orders bottled water at a restaurant then complains about it?

Eh, dude just went to restaurants and cafes and thought that restaurant fare was what people ate at home

It's like going to America, only eating at Denny's or and then complaining about the American diet.

 

[Bisnic]

How much carbs is there in american bread? I suppose my canadian bread isn't much different, yet I've been eating my 2 slices of bread for every breakfasts since I was a kid and i'm skinny. Unless americans tend to eat 3x as much every day or something.

 

[Chococat]

We have the advantage of having lots of space and we use it, unfortunately that means we need cars to get around easier.

We have the advantage of a lot of space an use it poorly in America. We don't build up, which is great for walking cause it condense many needs in one place, we build flat and outward, with no parking structures, so it is just a sea of cars. The country argument is weak: less than a 1/3 of Americas actual live in rural. Everyone else lives in the burbs and cities. So why do we design are live area around rural area living instead of urban living? It is madness.

I grew up in the country, moved to Detroit Metro area, and have visited cites with with real public transportation: Toronto, multiple Japan cities, New York, DC, and Portland. There is absolutely no reason the large cities in America cannot be retrofitted for more public transportation for basic day to day travel. Yes, every American family likely would need a "weekend car" for trips, picking up bulk shopping, or vacation.

I am I wrong to assume that in many European countries, would it be mind boggling that a family of four has a car for each member?

 

[Pankratous]

Eeeeeeyy



You bring my food to my table, you get a tip.
I bring my food to my table (buffet etc.), you don't get a tip.

I hope you tip other people for doing what they are already paid to do.

 

[barik]

am I wrong to assume that in many European countries, would it be mind boggling that a family of four has a car for each member?

Yeah, in Holland it's normal to have one car per family, sometimes two (or none).

 

[elyetis]

Really, stores sell cigarettes to kids? In here they'd ban the store from selling cigarettes for good.

Pretty much this :

A friend of mine would do that all the time when we were around 12. "Could I get some cigarettes/tobacco? It's for my dad".

And when they get closer to 16 then don't even come up with an excuse anymore.

I also don't understand why selling cigarettes to them is forbidden ( even if store owner don't care about it ), but a minor smoking is still perfectly legal ( not inside the school, but they really just need to go at the gate of the school to do it ).

 

[RangerX]

Really, stores sell cigarettes to kids? In here they'd ban the store from selling cigarettes for good.

Yeah Here in Ireland I was buying smokes when I was 12. No one ever got in any trouble. Its relatively common.

 

[DeaviL]

I don't understand the op. Complains about lack of healthy options in europe, yet the alternative in america is food filled with sugar and other shit to the max, lol.

try asking for tap water, because its free. who the fuck orders bottled water at a restaurant then complains about it?

No tap water served in tons of European restaurants though.

 

[DUFFMCWALIN]

You're basing our food preferences on restaurants and hotels? Most European diets are self-cooked, old farmer type stuff. Just some potatoes with a sausage and cauly flower for example. I certainly do not eat croissants and chocolate breads everyday day all day.

Sounds like Europeans when they come to the states.

 

[daviyoung]

Sounds like Europeans when they come to the states.

except OP is saying Texan restaurant food is the same as Texan home cooking

 

[Alabamaman]

Pretty much this :
And when they get closer to 16 then don't even come up with an excuse anymore.

I also don't understand why selling cigarettes to them is forbidden ( even if store owner don't care about it ), but a minor smoking is still perfectly legal ( not inside the school, but they really just need to go at the gate of the school to do it ).

 

[funkypie]

No tap water served in tons of European restaurants though.

This is the problem with these kind of comparisons. Everyone eu country is different