Post: #51

firstshowing.net/2012/must-watch-crazy-red-band-trailer-for-bobcats-god-bless-america/

Post: #52

Would never live in America, have to deal with enough dumb Americans in my travels around Europe. The worst are the students that infest the major European capitals, sometimes they don't even know which Country they are in.

I overheard one girl at a hostel a while ago on the phone to her Mum saying "Mum, i'm in Budapest, Hungaria!!". Another time I was at a bus stop and there were these American students, one offered my friend an Almond and asked "Do you have Almonds in Poland?".

When I hear the younger Americans in Europe(which isn't hard because they're shouting inane trash as loud as they can), I don't let them hear i'm English, I don't want to be pulled into a thoughtless, empty conversation with these brats. Also hearing that their sentences are primarily constructed of the words "right" and "like", is enough to puke on.

I'm just glad they stick to the tourist trail, and are too easily spooked to stray away from the trodden path.

That said I have some very decent American friends

Post: #53

(01-28-2012 10:24 PM)chochemonger1 Wrote:  

(01-28-2012 10:05 PM)InternationPlayboy Wrote:  

(01-28-2012 10:00 PM)chochemonger1 Wrote:  

(01-28-2012 09:40 PM)mofo Wrote:  In my opinion the US is the best place to go from rags to riches. If anybody thinks differently than please tell me where it is easier to go from zero to hero in terms of money.

Not anymore my friend. This according to the Brookings Institute

ECONOMIC MOBILITY OF FAMILIES ACROSS
GENERATIONS IS LOWER IN THE UNITED STATES
THAN IN MANY OTHER COUNTRIES
While Americans have an optimistic faith in the ability of individuals to
get ahead within a lifetime or from one generation to the next, there
is growing evidence of less intergenerational economic mobility
in the United States than in many other rich industrialized countries,
at least according to the relative mobility measures commonly used
in economic research.
The earnings of American men are more closely tied to the earnings of their fathers than are those of men in other countries. Both the United States and the United Kingdom stand out as having higher associations between fathers’and sons’ earnings—and thereforeless economic mobility—than do seven other industrialized countries, according to a comprehensive review by Corak. After reviewing dozens of studies of the earnings relationship between fathers and sons in the United States and other countries, and adjusting the statistics for comparability to the extent possible, Corak ranked the ninecountries in the order shown by
the bars in Figure 2.
• Low-mobility countries. In the United States and the
United Kingdom, about half (50 percent) of parental earnings advantages are passed onto sons. If trends hold consistent, it would
take an average of six generations for family economic advantage
to disappear in the United Statesand the United Kingdom.
• Mid-range countries. France, Germany, and Sweden were in
the mid-range of mobility measures for these nine countries.
• High-mobility countries. Paternal earnings had the least
effect on sons’ earnings in Canada, Norway, Finland, and Denmark, where less than 20 percent of income advantages are passed onto children. The implication of these statistics is that in these countries it would take three,
not six, generations, to essentially cancel out the effects of being
born into a wealthy family.
Recent studies suggest that Italy may be in the same “low-mobility” range as the United States and the United Kingdom, while both Spain and Australia join the list of countries with higher rates of mobility than
the United States.

Yeah, but when you say that, "The earnings of American men are more closely tied to the earnings of their fathers than are those of men in other countries." Is that really a big deal if the average dad is making $52k a year? Thos high mobility countries in scandinavia get taxed out the ass and if you've read a lot of info on the forum, it seems to be a very dull places to live.

Im not trying to say that America isnt full of financial opportunities. Only that it is way less relative to other countries NOW compared to 20 or 30 yrs ago. And that it is a myth that the US is number one with regard to economic mobility.

IN CONCLUSION (not according to me but the Brookings Institute)

The findings from cross-country research challenge the traditional view of the United States as a land with more mobility and opportunity than other countries. While cross-country comparisons of relative mobility rely on data
and methodologies that are far from perfect, a growing number
of economic studies have found that the United States stands out as
having less, not more, intergenerational mobility than do Canada and several
European countries. American children are more likely than other children to end up in the same place on the income distribution as their parents. Moreover, there is emerging evidence that mobility is particularly low for Americans born into families at the bottom of the earnings or income distribution.

Not wanting to listen to cold hard facts about their own country is one pet peeve that I would add to Pilgrims list of 17 about America. I´m American but when i see strong evidence I dont look the other way.

As for the American social mobility question, knee-jerk anti-Americans love to ignore the conclusion of that famous study - our incompetent government run schools are why people can't make a better life for themselves anymore* . Whenever we try to institute reforms such as school vouchers like they have in Scandinavia, Europeans call us racists who aren't open minded and sophisticated like themselves.

* which after the Penn State scandal appear to also be dens of child rapists - it wasn't just the football program hiding child rapists

Post: #54

(01-29-2012 10:59 AM)Deb Auchery Wrote:  Another time I was at a bus stop and there were these American students, one offered my friend an Almond and asked "Do you have Almonds in Poland?".

Wow...they have almonds in Poland? I'm so there!

But I bet they don't have Pistachios in Poland

Mixx

Post: #55

I thought that article was really feeble.

I could write a much better indictment of why you wouldn't want to live in Europe.

Both continents definitely have the bad qualities. And good.

I do prefer Europe though.

Post: #56

I don't believe he gave American women a pass.

Post: #57

I live in Europe and we are pretty much all the same, there might me a whole host of different countries here with different languages cultures and standards of living but please carry on treating it like one place as it does not make you look stupid at all.
As for America its interesting that that land of the free has such restrictive laws and draconian punishments. American TV shows, and films, shite as they are IMO, dominate the world and perhaps that has somthing to do with how many people want to go live there, Friends has alot to answer for.
What does annoy much of the world is the God Bless the USA crap that yanks go on about. Yanks are convinced that AMERICA is best, which is fine but please shut the fuck up about it.

Post: #58

America is perhaps one of the easiest places to live in the world when you consider income vs cost-of-living. Cars are required outside of the big cities, and I think this is actually a strength -- within a 15 minute car radius in an American suburb, I many more choices for good stores or restaurants than a 15 minute metro radius of say Prague. The car culture means there is more choice thus higher competition and higher quality. A lot of people complain about the car culture in the USA, but I actually think it's good.

There is no one perfect place for living. This is why we travel.

Post: #59

(01-29-2012 02:39 PM)billy Wrote:  Yanks are convinced that AMERICA is best, which is fine but please shut the fuck up about it.

In general, Europeans have no business making this complaint. The level of pretentiousness in Europe about everything from food to fashion to finance is nauseating.

From any other continent in the world, I'd accept this complaint.

Post: #60

(01-29-2012 05:52 AM)chochemonger1 Wrote:  

(01-28-2012 11:11 PM)InternationPlayboy Wrote:  

(01-28-2012 11:05 PM)chochemonger1 Wrote:  

(01-28-2012 10:52 PM)InternationPlayboy Wrote:  Dude, I have a job that requires very little experience and I make a good living. I'm always able to save money and live comfortably (Even go out and drink at expensive places 2-3 times a week), and that's with no college degree, trade school, nothing. You're acting like the average person has to struggle to make a living in America, and that's simply not the case. Most "poor" people by American standards live better than most other citizens of the world.

Youd be surprised how much a bit of capital, can go a long way in a 3rd world country. I got out of the US a few years ago and started investing in real estate in a small South American country. Ive been there for 4 years and now I have enough passive income to live all year round in whatever country Id like(except for maybe Japan and Norway). And that with working 20 hour weeks and being my own boss all these 4 years(thus being able to travel to Brazil and Colombia for 4 or 5 months each year). I´m pretty sure id still be in a cubicle working my ass off and just being able to travel 2 weeks each year if I´ve stayed in the US. And that unfortunately is the reality for most Americans.

This is basically my plan. I was planning on doing the same thing in terms of investing in properties in South America. I'd be happy to hear some more insight on how you got where you are. Did you just save up a lot working your ass off in the states to invest in these properties? That's basically my idea.

Yes i will start a thread soon as to not sabotage this one. Ive been living in Quito, Ecuador for more than 4 years now and I did take my savings from the US there. Bought a cheap house in cash(property prices are the lowest in South America), remodeled, subdivided it and started renting out the sucker. Best to buy a property close to a University as it is way easy to rent out small units to students. Saved up the money from the rentals and with some more capital I had, bought another property. Now I have 4 properties that produce a very good cash flow without paying any income taxes (just property taxes which are dirt cheap compared to the States). Though I dont particularly like the country, financially it has been pretty good to me and it has alllowed me to explore Colombia and Brazil, which are the 2 best countries to live in the Americas.

Looking foward to reading this thread.

Post: #61

(01-29-2012 03:08 PM)Luckystar Wrote:  

(01-29-2012 02:39 PM)billy Wrote:  Yanks are convinced that AMERICA is best, which is fine but please shut the fuck up about it.

In general, Europeans have no business making this complaint. The level of pretentiousness in Europe about everything from food to fashion to finance is nauseating.

From any other continent in the world, I'd accept this complaint.

EUROPE again, really, seriously the WHOLE of Europe is pretentious ?????

Post: #62

(01-29-2012 03:54 PM)billy Wrote:  

(01-29-2012 03:08 PM)Luckystar Wrote:  

(01-29-2012 02:39 PM)billy Wrote:  Yanks are convinced that AMERICA is best, which is fine but please shut the fuck up about it.

In general, Europeans have no business making this complaint. The level of pretentiousness in Europe about everything from food to fashion to finance is nauseating.

From any other continent in the world, I'd accept this complaint.

EUROPE again, really, seriously the WHOLE of Europe is pretentious ?????

Haha. Just certain parts. Um, where are you from again?

Post: #63

(01-29-2012 03:59 PM)Aliblahba Wrote:  

(01-29-2012 03:54 PM)billy Wrote:  

(01-29-2012 03:08 PM)Luckystar Wrote:  

(01-29-2012 02:39 PM)billy Wrote:  Yanks are convinced that AMERICA is best, which is fine but please shut the fuck up about it.

In general, Europeans have no business making this complaint. The level of pretentiousness in Europe about everything from food to fashion to finance is nauseating.

From any other continent in the world, I'd accept this complaint.

EUROPE again, really, seriously the WHOLE of Europe is pretentious ?????

Haha. Just certain parts. Um, where are you from again?

I think most of us can tolerate alot of bad things from every culture and are pretty adaptable and open minded. What we have in common is that we CANT tolerate feminazis, fatties, paper pusher women, ignorant girls with no style, masculinized females etc. With that in mind, I´ll take Europe, even with its annoying pretentiousness, any day over America.

Post: #64

(01-29-2012 03:54 PM)billy Wrote:  

(01-29-2012 03:08 PM)Luckystar Wrote:  

(01-29-2012 02:39 PM)billy Wrote:  Yanks are convinced that AMERICA is best, which is fine but please shut the fuck up about it.

In general, Europeans have no business making this complaint. The level of pretentiousness in Europe about everything from food to fashion to finance is nauseating.

From any other continent in the world, I'd accept this complaint.

EUROPE again, really, seriously the WHOLE of Europe is pretentious ?????

With the exception of EE, yes, Europe is more pretentious.

It's moronic to point out that Europe shouldn't be generalized and then proceed to generalize a land of about the same square miles(America).

Do you not think that America is different from one region to another? The west coast, deep south, northeast, etc have differing values and lifestyles.

There ARE sweeping conclusions of continents that can be made. It's ok to generalize. Europeans are hypersensitive about their sovereign individualities, yet they'll make generalizations about Russia, China, and India, ignoring the fact that there are a ton of different backgrounds and beliefs within them...just like Europe.

Most ethnocentric (ie. pretentious) continent by far. No wonder they hate outsiders...and each other.

Post: #65

We have history, style and culture in Europe; of course we're going to be pretentious.

Are you trying to say that America is as culturally different as Europe?

Post: #66

(01-29-2012 06:44 PM)Deb Auchery Wrote:  We have history, style and culture in Europe; of course we're going to be pretentious.

Are you trying to say that America is as culturally different as Europe?

No America isn't, more culturally diverse than Europe, but Russia, China, and India are just as culturally diverse.

Just get over yourselves, guys. You're nothing special. I seriously think to many of us put Europe on a pedestal. Great place, great people, better than you and I...fuck no.

Post: #67

(01-29-2012 06:44 PM)Deb Auchery Wrote:  We have history, style and culture in Europe; of course we're going to be pretentious.

Post: #68

(01-29-2012 07:00 PM)Luckystar Wrote:  

(01-29-2012 06:44 PM)Deb Auchery Wrote:  We have history, style and culture in Europe; of course we're going to be pretentious.

Are you trying to say that America is as culturally different as Europe?

No America isn't, more culturally diverse than Europe, but Russia, China, and India are just as culturally diverse.

Ever hear an Indian person get pretentious about how people HAVE to understand that being Punjabi is so uniquely different than being Tamil? Nope. Yet, an Indian is an Indian to every European.

Just get over yourselves, guys. You're nothing special. I seriously think to many of us put Europe on a pedestal. Great place, great people, better than you and I...fuck no.

China, India and Russia are huge f*cking countries, Russian spans from Europe to freaking Alaska for christ sake.

Exactly how diverse do you expect for instance Norway to be?. A Norweigan is a Norweigan!

Another thing I can stand is when American tourists come to Europe and start calling everyone Europeans

Post: #69

Exactly my point, comparing Norway to Russia is not apples to apples. But comparing Europe to Russia is much closer to it.

I'm coming across like I really care about this stuff, and I really don't. I'm just an equal opportunity kinda guy who only really loves European women at the end of the day.

Post: #70

I think I am going to cry. Russia is partly in Europe and partly in Asia. I am well aware of there being different people in the Indian subcontinent and so do most British people. from England to Russia, Europe is MUCH more diverse than I think you give it credit for. Remember that even in Spain there are a variety of languages and cultures Basques have a very different language to Spanish and Catalan and by the time you consider Galica and Aranease thats alot of languages just for Spain. Europe is a very small place with massive diversity of Language and culture. Remember that the culture of France is a Polar opposite to the UK and as such they have been our traditional Enemy for 1000 years. Trying to claim that Russia and china have similar levels of cultural diversity to the whole of Europe is silly.

Post: #71

Also the Indian sub continent is a shit load of countries depending on whose definition you take.

Post: #72

The only people I call Indians are Indians themselves. I would only use the word Asian if I was unsure of the origins of a person, but deem them to be from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka region. I certainly wouldn't use the word Asian inside any of the countries, for example if I was in India and someone asks how my trip is going and I say "Wow I love Asia, it's awesome!" (Like so many Americans do)

Post: #73

(01-28-2012 09:26 PM)P Dog Wrote:  

(01-28-2012 09:23 PM)InternationPlayboy Wrote:  

(01-28-2012 09:18 PM)chochemonger1 Wrote:  Maybe 30 or 40 yrs ago it far outpaced most countries in economic and financial opportunities. But not anymore.

America still by far has the most dominant economy in the world. It should be that way for at least the next 15 years. Even if and when China surpasses us, the US is still gonna be a major world economy. And even though China has a huge economy, the quality of life probably doesn't touch the US.

If China and the U.S had economies of roughly the same sized (predicted to happen in the 2020's), China's GDP per capita would only be a quarter of Americas.

From what I understand you have to adjust Per Capita GDP for Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) and my understanding is that, by current projections by around 2020-2030, China's will exceed most Western countries, including possibly the US. Yes, I understand PPP is a controversial metric but when I saw the predictions for this I was shocked.

Post: #74

(01-29-2012 07:01 PM)Mr.GM Wrote:  

(01-29-2012 06:44 PM)Deb Auchery Wrote:  We have history, style and culture in Europe; of course we're going to be pretentious.

   

Yes, Europe is quite cosmopolitan. I stand corrected.

Post: #75

Favorite European Past-Times:

1. Soccer
2. Obsessing about America