Do Europeans Live Better?

[RasFarengi]

Tuesday, Jul. 22, 2003
Europeans Just Want to Have Fun
Long vacations. Lots of dancing. So why can't we loosen up?
By MICHAEL ELLIOTT
Walking across Boulevard St. Michel in Paris last week, on the night before Bastille Day, I bumped into an old friend — an American who has lived in the city for 25 years — who told me he was taking up the tango. When I asked him why, he suggested I take a stroll along the Left Bank of the Seine, opposite Ile St. Louis, and so of course I did.

It was one big party. A drop-dead-gorgeous crowd was tangoing away in a makeshift, open-air amphitheater. Nearby, a multiethnic group was doing the merengue. Hundreds of others were tucking into picnics by the river as a full moon rose in a cloudless sky. Much later that night, after a perfect fish soup in the Place des Vosges, I walked into the narrow passages of the Marais district and stumbled upon an impromptu block party. Someone had set up a sound system on the sidewalk, and the street was packed with people — straight and gay, young and old, black and white — dancing to salsa.


Europe is enjoying itself. O.K., in late July, it always does. The weekend I was in Paris, an estimated 500,000 kids descended on Berlin for the annual Love Parade, a carnival of techno music, dope and sex. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of families started their treks from the damp north of the Continent to their vacation homes in the warm south. But even when the sun isn't shining, Europeans seem to be throwing themselves into fun and festivity with unprecedented zeal. Each weekend, central London is one great bacchanal. Cities that for reasons of politics or religion were once gloomily repressive — Madrid, say, or Dublin — now rock to the small hours. In Prague the foreign visitors who get talked about are not the earnest young Americans who flocked there in the early 1990s, but British partygoers who have flown in for the cheap beer and pretty girls. The place that British historian Mark Mazower once called the true dark continent — and from whose curdled soul the horrors of fascism and communism sprang — has become Europa ludens, a community at play.

Funny. This is how the U.S was supposed to be. In a famous series of essays collected in his 1976 book, The Cultural Contradictions of Capitalism, Daniel Bell noted how the decline of the Protestant small-town ethic had unhinged American capitalism from its moral foundation in the intrinsic value of work. By the 1960s, Bell argued, "the cultural justification of capitalism [had] become hedonism, the idea of pleasure as a way of life." This magazine agreed. In a 1969 cover story titled "California: A State of Excitement," TIME reported that, as most Americans saw it, "the good, godless, gregarious pursuit of pleasure is what California is all about ... 'I have seen the future,' says the newly returned visitor to California, 'and it plays.'"

But the American future didn't turn out as we expected. While Europeans cut the hours they spend at the office or factory — in France it is illegal to work more than 35 hours a week — and lengthened their vacations, Americans were concluding that you could be happy only if you work hard and play hard. So they began to stay at their jobs longer than ever and then, in jam-packed weekends at places like the Hamptons on Long Island, invented the uniquely American concept of scheduled joy, filling a day off with one appointment after another, as if it were no different from one at the office. American conservatives, meanwhile, came to believe that Europeans' desire to devote themselves to the pleasures of life and — the shame of it!--six weeks annual vacation was evidence of a lack of seriousness and would, in any event, end in economic tears.

Why do Europeans and Americans differ so much in their attitude toward work and leisure? I can think of two reasons. First, the crowded confines of Western Europe and the expansive space of North America have led to varied consumer preferences. Broadly speaking, Americans value stuff — SUVs, 7,000-sq.-ft. houses — more than they value time, while for Europeans it's the opposite. Second, as Bell predicted, America's sense of itself as a religious nation has revived. At least in the puritanical version of Christianity that has always appealed to Americans, religion comes packaged with the stern message that hard work is good for the soul. Modern Europe has avoided so melancholy a lesson.

Whatever the explanation, the idea of a work-life balance is a staple of European discourse, studied in think tanks, mulled over by policymakers. In the U.S., the term, when it's used at all, is said with the sort of sneer reserved for those who eat quiche. But it might still catch on. When Bill Keller was named executive editor of the New York Times last week, he encouraged the staff to do "a little more savoring" of life, spending time with their families or viewing art.

Even better, they could take up the tango.

[SunWuKong]

i remember i was drinking with an English guy, a French guy, and some other people from various different backgrounds.  the English guy and the French guy were just bashing on each other's countries to the ground for good fun.  i really liked that.  i don't think Asian people can do the same to each other.  there would have been broken beer bottles and flying fists after the second or third joke, i think, unless the people involved were really good friends with each other.

[RasFarengi]

really liked that. i don't think Asian people can do the same to each other. there would have been broken beer bottles and flying fists after the second or third joke, i think, unless the people involved were really good friends with each other.

No shit. It would put Ultimate Fighting Championship to shame. Even my wife...she is a female, but I can't imagine what kind of hell would break lose if someone...from a neighboring Asian country started bashing Japan in front of her.

If Shit goes down like that though..my money is on Koreans! (Sorry Momo..if you're reading.hehe)

[kimpossible]

<!--QuoteBegin-SunWuKung+Jul 23 2003, 01:09 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (SunWuKung @ Jul 23 2003, 01:09 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> i remember i was drinking with an English guy, a French guy, and some other people from various different backgrounds. the English guy and the French guy were just bashing on each other's countries to the ground for good fun. i really liked that. i don't think Asian people can do the same to each other. there would have been broken beer bottles and flying fists after the second or third joke, i think, unless the people involved were really good friends with each other. [/b][/quote]
psshh... try going over there during World Cup. There were a ton of bar fights every night. Throw a little football match into the lot of them and the old Euro prejudices come out fast.

[rakovlam]

If you like high taxes that goes to someone else, you might like Europe too.&nbsp; After all, Sweden now has lower GDP than Mississippi, the poorest state in the Union.&nbsp; If the Americans don't take the load of the work, who will?&nbsp; I mean, my state of New Jersey probably produces more new pharmaceutical products than all of Europe.&nbsp; We own the Europeans in just about everything (one day, we'll even beat their asses in the soccer field&nbsp; :lol: )&nbsp; We keep the world running.&nbsp; If we're screwed, then the rest of the world follows.

In France it is illegal to work more than 35 hours a week

Just last month, when the French government tried to extend the work requirements for public employees receiving pensions from 37.5 years of work to 40 years (in order to match the private sector), the French Commies and Socialists helped shut down France for several weeks.&nbsp; Also, where are the liberals who should be complaining that France and Germany are try to get tax cuts during a reccesion that is worst over in Europe (the fact that Europeans are more "loose" may explain it).&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

When Bill Keller was named executive editor of the New York Times last week, he encouraged the staff to do "a little more savoring" of life, spending time with their families or viewing art.

I thought "stop making shit up" was the first order of business&nbsp; :P

[rakovlam]

If you like high taxes that goes to someone else, you might like Europe too.&nbsp; After all, Sweden now has lower GDP than Mississippi, the poorest state in the Union.&nbsp; If the Americans don't take the load of the work, who will?&nbsp; I mean, my state of New Jersey probably produces more new pharmaceutical products than all of Europe.&nbsp; We own the Europeans in just about everything (one day, we'll even beat their asses in the soccer field&nbsp; :lol: )&nbsp; We keep the world running.&nbsp; If we're screwed, then the rest of the world follows.

In France it is illegal to work more than 35 hours a week

Just last month, when the French government tried to extend the work requirements for public employees receiving pensions from 37.5 years of work to 40 years (in order to match the private sector), the French Commies and Socialists helped shut down France for several weeks.&nbsp; Also, where are the liberals who should be complaining that France and Germany are try to get tax cuts during a reccesion that is worst over in Europe (the fact that Europeans are more "loose" may explain it).&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

When Bill Keller was named executive editor of the New York Times last week, he encouraged the staff to do "a little more savoring" of life, spending time with their families or viewing art.

I thought "stop making shit up" was the first order of business&nbsp; :P

[moschikat]

oooh, Man U vs. Nottingham . . . *brrr!*

besides, we can't even have boobs on local TV here in the states . . . pffft!&nbsp;

[YuheiCarreau]

<!--QuoteBegin-Hello_Hapa+Jul 23 2003, 05:17 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Hello_Hapa @ Jul 23 2003, 05:17 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> psshh... try going over there during World Cup. There were a ton of bar fights every night. Throw a little football match into the lot of them and the old Euro prejudices come out fast. [/b][/quote]
I remember when the English finally got knocked out of the running during the Korea- Japan World Cup. The US had a game against Germany later that day, and just on my walk to school I heard 3 seperate people saying "Did you hear mate? Yeah, the only thing that'll make me feel better now is if the Yanks stuff the Germans!". They never really got over the Blitz, I guess...

[golden_buns]

the grass is always greener on the other side

[Walrus]

That's sweet that they can't work more than a certain amount of hours... there were already studies done on working, and how if you work less you are more likely to be more productive than if you had worked longer.&nbsp; This was on some program about entrepeneurs, telling them that they should not over work, otherwise they will make less money.

The best solution is to get a job with a union, or move to a more layed back city.&nbsp; It's pretty relaxed in Vancouver Canada... but I suppose Canada is much different than the U.S. in this respect.

[Emperor_Mike]

<!--QuoteBegin-Walrus+Jul 23 2003, 04:28 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Walrus @ Jul 23 2003, 04:28 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> That's sweet that they can't work more than a certain amount of hours... there were already studies done on working, and how if you work less you are more likely to be more productive than if you had worked longer. This was on some program about entrepeneurs, telling them that they should not over work, otherwise they will make less money.

The best solution is to get a job with a union, or move to a more layed back city. It's pretty relaxed in Vancouver Canada... but I suppose Canada is much different than the U.S. in this respect. [/b][/quote]
Vancouver is relaxed, yes. It's a great city to live in and having easy access to world class facilities, excellent restaurants and an abundance of recreational diversions is a very big plus. Summers spent playing golf at the UBC Club and wintertime up in the chalet in Whistler...such bliss. :) Live in British Columbia instead!

As for Europe, it's great there. Almost every capital on the continent has something or other going on (e.g. festivals and the like) each season and you can't beat the cultural experience of the Old World. If you want the quiet life, spend it in the Swiss countryside amidst the stunning backdrop of the alps. My personal favourite village is Niederweningen. It's positively stunning during the winter when everything is blanketed in snow. :) In any case, finding work may be a bit tricky, but according to a friend of mine if you can get a position in a multinational getting posted to far off offices may be easier.

[AngryABCGirl]

I acutally wouldn't mind paying higher taxes for a little better social welfare for everyone.&nbsp; But that's just me, I believe in helping everyone and little social responsibility.

[maxdacat]

<!--QuoteBegin-Emperor_Mike+Jul 23 2003, 08:57 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Emperor_Mike @ Jul 23 2003, 08:57 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Live in British Columbia instead! [/b][/quote]
OK!! - I did the migration self assessment and I got over 75 points if i brush up my French....i get even more if i arrange employment there....who knows but BC sounds like the "ideal society" tho just kicking it in london at the moment.

[Craig]

<!--QuoteBegin-AzNBuffGrL+Jul 23 2003, 10:22 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (AzNBuffGrL @ Jul 23 2003, 10:22 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I acutally wouldn't mind paying higher taxes for a little better social welfare for everyone. But that's just me, I believe in helping everyone and little social responsibility. [/b][/quote]
Why are you assuming that they pay higher taxes in Europe ?&nbsp; People pay less in taxes in Germany than they do in California.&nbsp; Darn, those Germans with their 35 hour work weeks, 6 weeks vacation, free education, 2 year unemployment benefits, affordable housing, decent cheap public transportation, etc.&nbsp; We really have it much better here in California than those fools.

[SunWuKong]

<!--QuoteBegin-Craig+Jul 24 2003, 12:47 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Craig @ Jul 24 2003, 12:47 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Why are you assuming that they pay higher taxes in Europe ? People pay less in taxes in Germany than they do in California.[/b][/quote]
hahhah that actually doesn't surprise me.

but i think in general, European countries have higher taxes than the US. i've heard that the US (federal) actually has lower taxes than most countries around the world.

(HK has a flat rate of 12% to 15% - and only a small wealthy minority actually pays 15% :))