I agree with your essay 100%. It is interesting that most Americans think that they have an easier life than those in the rest of the world but that is not the case. As just one example, my doctor adjusted the dosage on one of my medications. I went to the pharmacy (just a walk across the street) today to have the prescription filled and the whole process took less than five minutes. If I tried this in the US at CVS or Walgreen's, it might have taken a day or two as there would have been multiple phone calls between the pharmacist, insurance company, and doctor's office to figure it all out and confirm that I wasn't planning a nefarious drug deal (even though the doctor ordered the change to begin with). I dreaded trips to the drug store back in the states but here, it's never a problem.
Although this is one occurrence, it is indicative of life here. Americans think that Europe is a backward continent but more and more I see that it's the United States that's falling behind in so many ways. Mainly, the US can't properly care for its citizens. Europe, while not perfect, does a much better job seeing to their populations' basic needs.
We have a superiority complex. Even people who have traveled (which is supposed to be the antidote) have it. We're so locked into a way of life that's proving more ludicrous than ever that it feels impossible to change it. Because it's going to be tough. So, we just double down. To me, it feels like the beginning of the end. Granted, we'll all be long gone by the time it ends (whatever that looks like), but the current cost of living crisis is a preview.
Imagine trying to get off the ground in America today? It's an expensive proposition. Sadly, the best strategy is to establish yourself as a freelancer/remote worker in the US, then move someplace else. There are lots of problems with that, but it's also all very relative.
This line hit home for me: "It’s not even that rules no longer seem to exist, it’s that our consideration for other people no longer exists." I think that if my parents were still alive they'd be dumbfounded at how people behave in public these days, with so much less politeness or consideration. When I do encounter someone with manners and optimism I take note. It's becoming so rare.
It's pretty bad. The things I see everyday, from thoughtless inconsiderate behavior to micro aggressions to dangerous and crazy driving. Not good.
On the other hand, more people - a vast majority - are still good to one another and such. But that's not enough to offset the vibe and the impact on society.
I think that the challenge of living in some of the major places in the United States is probably not the similar from the challenge of living in major cities elsewhere.
Our kids are growing up and have moved out of the house. Here in Zürich our daughter does a an apartment share with some friends so the bill is quite reasonable, probably Fr.900 to $950 a month for a room and a share of lounge.
Our son who is a little older is less comfortable with flat sharing and needs to pay rent of some 2500 Swiss francs per month including parking, so that is some US$2700 also per month with those prices you could say that you are hard up even if you earn 7’000 Swiss francs per month before taxes and private healthcare. This gets me to living in major cities and wanting to get ahead locks you in or condemn if you prefer the word to having to work very hard and pedal quickly almost like a hamster on a wheel just to break even and do okay and never mind doing better and perhaps, forward yourself some other luxuries.
We too are escaping from that as we plan for semi retirement and spending a lot of time down in South Africa.
Certainly it would be a philosophical debate as to when in one’s career you try to take that route. For many of our young folk, the options that Rocco outlines in his newsletter are not available until you have established a reputation and work. That requires you some cases to get on the hamster wheel and run very fast to see if you can get ahead.
Hi, Rocco. I enjoyed your comparison comments on the note from the person who says she's homesick for Spain after 6 months in the USA. I am really rooting for you and your wife to have a comfortable home in Spain, living in the kind of social environment you enjoy.
I see that collective lack of consideration a lot at work. People will just cut in line, refuse to move out of someone's way, etc. You also see a lot of sparks of humanity, but the scale keeps tipping the wrong way.
As for reckless driving, it's getting really bad here. I know it's all relative, but I see people run red lights all the time (not even "pink" ones), driving at ridiculous speeds (like 80+ in a 35), and more. And as we've discussed before, as much as this town likes to think it's progressive, it's not very bike or pedestrian friendly.
As for one car, I'd love to go back to that. I think we could "almost" make it work (winter weather might be the exception).
Hey Rocco,
I agree with your essay 100%. It is interesting that most Americans think that they have an easier life than those in the rest of the world but that is not the case. As just one example, my doctor adjusted the dosage on one of my medications. I went to the pharmacy (just a walk across the street) today to have the prescription filled and the whole process took less than five minutes. If I tried this in the US at CVS or Walgreen's, it might have taken a day or two as there would have been multiple phone calls between the pharmacist, insurance company, and doctor's office to figure it all out and confirm that I wasn't planning a nefarious drug deal (even though the doctor ordered the change to begin with). I dreaded trips to the drug store back in the states but here, it's never a problem.
Although this is one occurrence, it is indicative of life here. Americans think that Europe is a backward continent but more and more I see that it's the United States that's falling behind in so many ways. Mainly, the US can't properly care for its citizens. Europe, while not perfect, does a much better job seeing to their populations' basic needs.
Jim
We have a superiority complex. Even people who have traveled (which is supposed to be the antidote) have it. We're so locked into a way of life that's proving more ludicrous than ever that it feels impossible to change it. Because it's going to be tough. So, we just double down. To me, it feels like the beginning of the end. Granted, we'll all be long gone by the time it ends (whatever that looks like), but the current cost of living crisis is a preview.
Imagine trying to get off the ground in America today? It's an expensive proposition. Sadly, the best strategy is to establish yourself as a freelancer/remote worker in the US, then move someplace else. There are lots of problems with that, but it's also all very relative.
This line hit home for me: "It’s not even that rules no longer seem to exist, it’s that our consideration for other people no longer exists." I think that if my parents were still alive they'd be dumbfounded at how people behave in public these days, with so much less politeness or consideration. When I do encounter someone with manners and optimism I take note. It's becoming so rare.
It's pretty bad. The things I see everyday, from thoughtless inconsiderate behavior to micro aggressions to dangerous and crazy driving. Not good.
On the other hand, more people - a vast majority - are still good to one another and such. But that's not enough to offset the vibe and the impact on society.
I think that the challenge of living in some of the major places in the United States is probably not the similar from the challenge of living in major cities elsewhere.
Our kids are growing up and have moved out of the house. Here in Zürich our daughter does a an apartment share with some friends so the bill is quite reasonable, probably Fr.900 to $950 a month for a room and a share of lounge.
Our son who is a little older is less comfortable with flat sharing and needs to pay rent of some 2500 Swiss francs per month including parking, so that is some US$2700 also per month with those prices you could say that you are hard up even if you earn 7’000 Swiss francs per month before taxes and private healthcare. This gets me to living in major cities and wanting to get ahead locks you in or condemn if you prefer the word to having to work very hard and pedal quickly almost like a hamster on a wheel just to break even and do okay and never mind doing better and perhaps, forward yourself some other luxuries.
We too are escaping from that as we plan for semi retirement and spending a lot of time down in South Africa.
Certainly it would be a philosophical debate as to when in one’s career you try to take that route. For many of our young folk, the options that Rocco outlines in his newsletter are not available until you have established a reputation and work. That requires you some cases to get on the hamster wheel and run very fast to see if you can get ahead.
Hi, Rocco. I enjoyed your comparison comments on the note from the person who says she's homesick for Spain after 6 months in the USA. I am really rooting for you and your wife to have a comfortable home in Spain, living in the kind of social environment you enjoy.
Thanks, Carol. I appreciate it.
How was your trip!? I think you have already taken it, if I am not mistaken.
I see that collective lack of consideration a lot at work. People will just cut in line, refuse to move out of someone's way, etc. You also see a lot of sparks of humanity, but the scale keeps tipping the wrong way.
As for reckless driving, it's getting really bad here. I know it's all relative, but I see people run red lights all the time (not even "pink" ones), driving at ridiculous speeds (like 80+ in a 35), and more. And as we've discussed before, as much as this town likes to think it's progressive, it's not very bike or pedestrian friendly.
As for one car, I'd love to go back to that. I think we could "almost" make it work (winter weather might be the exception).