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Hemispheres
Author: BobR
Date: 2013-11-21 11:40:25
The problem with constantly being surrounded by people like you and familiar stuff is that it becomes so much a part of the fabric of your life, you cease to question it or examine it for what it is. This is true in politics, in racial or economic strata cultures, or - in a broader sense - our common American experience.
It's always interesting and educational to step outside those boundaries, and look in from the outside. It's good to see what others consider normal and abnormal in their circle of life versus yours. I was reminded of this once again as I read this link about things that non-Americans find odd about America. Surprisingly, our health care "system" wasn't a common theme.
What I did find interesting is things I've noticed as well: there's sugar in everything. The common complaint was that our bread was sweet. There was also the observation that sodas were huge and refills were free, American chocolate is crap, and we have way too many flags and guns. I would absolutely agree with all of that.
I've been lucky enough to travel in Europe, although it's been over 10 years since my last visit. Here are some things I noticed over there that I found interesting compared to my American "norm":
Quality and craftsmanship is preferred over cheap and crappy. This goes for food, housing materials, domestic goods, etc. They have less of a selection than we do, but it's all good stuff.
These are just some of my own personal observations. Realizing that the way we've "always" done things isn't necessarily the best way is one of the best benefits of stepping outside and into another sphere. Our sphere could improve if we can take the best of all the spheres out there and combine them. We just need to break our addiction to our bad products and habits, and recognize that those who market those inferior ideas and products are doing so only to benefit themselves.
It's always interesting and educational to step outside those boundaries, and look in from the outside. It's good to see what others consider normal and abnormal in their circle of life versus yours. I was reminded of this once again as I read this link about things that non-Americans find odd about America. Surprisingly, our health care "system" wasn't a common theme.
What I did find interesting is things I've noticed as well: there's sugar in everything. The common complaint was that our bread was sweet. There was also the observation that sodas were huge and refills were free, American chocolate is crap, and we have way too many flags and guns. I would absolutely agree with all of that.
I've been lucky enough to travel in Europe, although it's been over 10 years since my last visit. Here are some things I noticed over there that I found interesting compared to my American "norm":
- There's nudity on broadcast TV - in the commercials.
- People not only drink alcohol during the lunch break at work, they drink it in the office. I remember visiting a customer there, and a woman had a glass of wine at her desk. Having a beer or a glass of wine during lunch was normal - no one got soda or tea. In France, the typical lunch prix fixe menu included a glass of wine as part of the deal.
- Restaurant menu prices were what you paid - no taxes, no tips. Also - no 14.95; they don't like to deal with the small change.
- If you buy something at a store (like a bakery), they hand you your change back on a little tray instead of putting it in your hands.
- Being smart and informed is expected. Being proud and stupid is frowned upon.
- People are quietly religious in their private lives, not in their public ones.
- People smoke everywhere (that may have changed)
- Cash is preferred. A lot places (at least back in the late 90s) did not take credit cards. Compare that to America where we pay for a $2.30 cup of coffee with our checkcards.
- Guns are nearly non-existent, but the people do not fear their government. On the contrary, if they want something, the entire country goes on strike, and the government caves.
Quality and craftsmanship is preferred over cheap and crappy. This goes for food, housing materials, domestic goods, etc. They have less of a selection than we do, but it's all good stuff.
These are just some of my own personal observations. Realizing that the way we've "always" done things isn't necessarily the best way is one of the best benefits of stepping outside and into another sphere. Our sphere could improve if we can take the best of all the spheres out there and combine them. We just need to break our addiction to our bad products and habits, and recognize that those who market those inferior ideas and products are doing so only to benefit themselves.
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
Raine on 11/21/2013 13:57:30
Good morning.
Raine on 11/21/2013 13:57:30
Good morning.
Comment by 
Mondobubba on 11/21/2013 13:58:53
Mondobubba on 11/21/2013 13:58:53
Morning.
Comment by 
wickedpam on 11/21/2013 14:11:20
wickedpam on 11/21/2013 14:11:20
Morning 
I was looking at that too - I've never noticed that our bread was sweet. Wonder if that's the same for sourdough (my fave).
I like this getting change back on trays - seems classier. And in doing wine lists for a lot of accounts that are owned by people not originally from here - I get the pricing thing.
I was looking at that too - I've never noticed that our bread was sweet. Wonder if that's the same for sourdough (my fave).
I like this getting change back on trays - seems classier. And in doing wine lists for a lot of accounts that are owned by people not originally from here - I get the pricing thing.
Comment by Raine on 11/21/2013 14:17:19
I had forgotten abut this incident --
Raine on 11/21/2013 14:17:19
Quote by Mondobubba:
An interesting article on Georgie Zizzy.
Then in late October, she claimed her estranged husband nailed a marksman target with “17 bullet holes†to a wall in her parents’ home. Ostensibly he did so as a threat of what he is capable of doing – and an eerie reminder of the 17-year-old boy he killed.
Comment by Raine on 11/21/2013 14:20:13
Raine on 11/21/2013 14:20:13
Thanks for that article, Mondo. It's really frightening how many domestic abusers are allowed to keep walking the streets.
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/21/2013 14:22:34
It is so nice to see Florida is leading the nation in letting them out of jail! I
my state!
Mondobubba on 11/21/2013 14:22:34
Quote by Raine:
Thanks for that article, Mondo. It's really frightening how many domestic abusers are allowed to keep walking the streets.
It is so nice to see Florida is leading the nation in letting them out of jail! I
my state!
Comment by Raine on 11/21/2013 14:38:34
That was why I wrote yesterdays post -- real consequences happen when these things aren't taken seriously by the court system.
Raine on 11/21/2013 14:38:34
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
Thanks for that article, Mondo. It's really frightening how many domestic abusers are allowed to keep walking the streets.
It is so nice to see Florida is leading the nation in letting them out of jail! I
Comment by 
Scoopster on 11/21/2013 14:42:09
Scoopster on 11/21/2013 14:42:09
Mornin' all.. 
I don't know why I try to suggest anything to help boost sales at the office. They just come back at me and say it's a hassle.
I don't know why I try to suggest anything to help boost sales at the office. They just come back at me and say it's a hassle.
Comment by Raine on 11/21/2013 14:43:03
Raine on 11/21/2013 14:43:03
And can honestly say that the 17 year old is lucky to be alive after surviving that night.
So is the woman -- and, yes, even the man.
So is the woman -- and, yes, even the man.
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/21/2013 14:43:25
I am totally on the same page with you.
Mondobubba on 11/21/2013 14:43:25
Quote by Raine:That was why I wrote yesterdays post -- real consequences happen when these things aren't taken seriously by the court system.Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
Thanks for that article, Mondo. It's really frightening how many domestic abusers are allowed to keep walking the streets.
It is so nice to see Florida is leading the nation in letting them out of jail! I
I am totally on the same page with you.
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/21/2013 14:44:39
Mondobubba on 11/21/2013 14:44:39
Comment by Raine on 11/21/2013 14:48:15
That looks like a very good org.
Raine on 11/21/2013 14:48:15
Quote by Mondobubba:
When Mrs Mondo died, I donated all of her clothes to the Hubbard House.
Comment by Raine on 11/21/2013 14:50:14
and please let me add:
Raine on 11/21/2013 14:50:14
Quote by Raine:That looks like a very good org.Quote by Mondobubba:
When Mrs Mondo died, I donated all of her clothes to the Hubbard House.
and please let me add:
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/21/2013 15:00:10
They are. They do a whole lot of good. When I was working at AOL we would do a clothing and gift drive for them at Xmas.
Mondobubba on 11/21/2013 15:00:10
Quote by Raine:That looks like a very good org.Quote by Mondobubba:
When Mrs Mondo died, I donated all of her clothes to the Hubbard House.
They are. They do a whole lot of good. When I was working at AOL we would do a clothing and gift drive for them at Xmas.
Comment by wickedpam on 11/21/2013 15:10:43
wickedpam on 11/21/2013 15:10:43
wow - callers are really being assholes today
Comment by wickedpam on 11/21/2013 15:13:14
wickedpam on 11/21/2013 15:13:14
Nice Chris!
Comment by Raine on 11/21/2013 15:13:31
They have a very interesting approach today.
Let me talk, let me finish.
Raine on 11/21/2013 15:13:31
Quote by wickedpam:
wow - callers are really being assholes today
Let me talk, let me finish.
Comment by Raine on 11/21/2013 15:14:51
Raine on 11/21/2013 15:14:51
Oh, Chris, that wasn't cool. There are a lot of Stephanie Trussell on the BoF
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/21/2013 15:16:01
Mrs Mondo had a ton of clothes. A lot of them she had never worn. I wanted them to go to woman who really needed them. They we excited to get plus sized clothes.
Mondobubba on 11/21/2013 15:16:01
Quote by Raine:Quote by Raine:That looks like a very good org.Quote by Mondobubba:
When Mrs Mondo died, I donated all of her clothes to the Hubbard House.
and please let me add:
Mrs Mondo had a ton of clothes. A lot of them she had never worn. I wanted them to go to woman who really needed them. They we excited to get plus sized clothes.
Comment by wickedpam on 11/21/2013 15:19:41
I get his frustration though. Some of these trolls need outing as professional callers
wickedpam on 11/21/2013 15:19:41
Quote by Raine:
Oh, Chris, that wasn't cool. There are a lot of Stephanie Trussell on the BoF
I get his frustration though. Some of these trolls need outing as professional callers
Comment by Raine on 11/21/2013 15:19:52
I know he mentioned public page -- but that is assuming that people understand what that means.
Also -- that just gives the troll more attention. I;m sure she's going to dee her likes go WAY up now.
Raine on 11/21/2013 15:19:52
Quote by Raine:
Oh, Chris, that wasn't cool. There are a lot of Stephanie Trussell on the BoF
I know he mentioned public page -- but that is assuming that people understand what that means.
Also -- that just gives the troll more attention. I;m sure she's going to dee her likes go WAY up now.
Comment by Raine on 11/21/2013 15:21:00
That part is true, I agree.
That said -- I think it would be better for the call screeners to know this information and not let them on the air. (this is information that could be passed around. Just saying.)
Raine on 11/21/2013 15:21:00
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:
Oh, Chris, that wasn't cool. There are a lot of Stephanie Trussell on the BoF
I get his frustration though. Some of these trolls need outing as professional callers
That said -- I think it would be better for the call screeners to know this information and not let them on the air. (this is information that could be passed around. Just saying.)
Comment by wickedpam on 11/21/2013 15:22:17
True. It probably should have been internal info.
wickedpam on 11/21/2013 15:22:17
Quote by Raine:That part is true, I agree.Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:
Oh, Chris, that wasn't cool. There are a lot of Stephanie Trussell on the BoF
I get his frustration though. Some of these trolls need outing as professional callers
That said -- I think it would be better for the call screeners to know this information and not let them on the air. (this is information that could be passed around. Just saying.)
True. It probably should have been internal info.
Comment by Raine on 11/21/2013 15:28:00
Raine on 11/21/2013 15:28:00
Dumbest people on TV.
Hassleback is actually the least dumbest among them this time.
Hassleback is actually the least dumbest among them this time.
“I don’t know that Barack Obama could have been elected president if he was living in a racist nation,†co-host Steve Doocy opined. “Are there racists out there? Absolutely. Is it a majority of people? No. A majority of the people, according to the polls, simply don’t like his policies.â€
“And certainly throwing around racist accusations, calling someone a racist certainly for disagreeing when they are indeed not, would undermine racism when it does occur,†Hasselbeck chimed in.
“That’s right,†Doocy agreed.
“There’s so much rude stuff toward 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. in my lifetime,†Kilmeade said. “Reagan was dumb, remember. George Bush was incompetent and illegitimate. Bill Clinton, we know where he ended up with the Monica Lewinski stuff. Where was the racism there? This, to me, is a situation where you’ve gone six years with almost no criticism of the president.â€
“But this is someone as powerful as Oprah instilling fear in those that may come to critique policy under a cloak of racism when it may not be there,†Hasselbeck declared. “So again, it undermines racism when it does occur.â€
Comment by Raine on 11/21/2013 15:29:59
Raine on 11/21/2013 15:29:59
I want Angry Black Lady to debate Angry black conservative lady.
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/21/2013 15:40:23
Mondobubba on 11/21/2013 15:40:23
Jon Stewart, you little scamp!
With all due respect to the Chicago area blogger.
It seems that Jon Stewart angered Chicago when he “may have implied that deep dish pizza tastes like a string cheese that had been baked for two hours inside of Mike Ditka’s ass..
With all due respect to the Chicago area blogger.
Comment by wickedpam on 11/21/2013 15:41:07
wickedpam on 11/21/2013 15:41:07
Good lord
Comment by Raine on 11/21/2013 15:42:07
That caller was a damn hot mess.
Raine on 11/21/2013 15:42:07
Quote by wickedpam:
Good lord
Comment by Raine on 11/21/2013 15:43:26
Raine on 11/21/2013 15:43:26
Ahh A caller asking about the cost of the healthcare.gov website.
TROLL ALERT.
TROLL ALERT.
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/21/2013 15:44:51
Totally. Sheesh.
Mondobubba on 11/21/2013 15:44:51
Quote by Raine:
Ahh A caller asking about the cost of the healthcare.gov website.
TROLL ALERT.
Totally. Sheesh.
Comment by Will in Chicago on 11/21/2013 15:45:03
Will in Chicago on 11/21/2013 15:45:03
Good morning, bloggers!!
I have never been outside the U.S. (The closest was being one exit away from the Mexican border in El Paso back on Thanksgiving, 2009 as I was moving back from Phoenix.)
However, a friend has said that many other countries have qualities that we could emulate. I know people from Democracy Interactive who live in countries like Canada, Sweden and the Netherlands and are amazed and disturbed by our health care system. My friend Elyse, who just came back from New Zealand, says that the people there are generally polite and very well read.
Similarly, many other countries have vibrant, multi-party democracies that we could learn from. While I want a peace agreement between the Israelis and the Palestinians and I am unhappy that Netanyahu's Likud cobbled a coalition together when they got less votes than the Kadima party, I think the Israelis have the right attitude about political parties. If a party does not fulfill its promises, that party vanishes. New parties form in response to the public.
A wise person is willing to learn from others. The same can be said for wise nations.
I have never been outside the U.S. (The closest was being one exit away from the Mexican border in El Paso back on Thanksgiving, 2009 as I was moving back from Phoenix.)
However, a friend has said that many other countries have qualities that we could emulate. I know people from Democracy Interactive who live in countries like Canada, Sweden and the Netherlands and are amazed and disturbed by our health care system. My friend Elyse, who just came back from New Zealand, says that the people there are generally polite and very well read.
Similarly, many other countries have vibrant, multi-party democracies that we could learn from. While I want a peace agreement between the Israelis and the Palestinians and I am unhappy that Netanyahu's Likud cobbled a coalition together when they got less votes than the Kadima party, I think the Israelis have the right attitude about political parties. If a party does not fulfill its promises, that party vanishes. New parties form in response to the public.
A wise person is willing to learn from others. The same can be said for wise nations.
Comment by wickedpam on 11/21/2013 15:47:11
she's a conservative with liberal views?
That makes you a Libertarian, hon.
wickedpam on 11/21/2013 15:47:11
Quote by Raine:That caller was a damn hot mess.Quote by wickedpam:
Good lord
she's a conservative with liberal views?
That makes you a Libertarian, hon.
Comment by Will in Chicago on 11/21/2013 15:48:01
Will in Chicago on 11/21/2013 15:48:01
Harry Reid is speaking. Harry, it is time to give them HELL and go nuclear.
Comment by Scoopster on 11/21/2013 15:49:25
DOOOOOOOOOO EEEEEEEEEEEEEET!!
Scoopster on 11/21/2013 15:49:25
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Harry Reid is speaking. Harry, it is time to give them HELL and go nuclear.
DOOOOOOOOOO EEEEEEEEEEEEEET!!
Comment by Raine on 11/21/2013 15:53:45
GOOD.
Are they going to try to filibuster this a point of order?
Raine on 11/21/2013 15:53:45
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Will in Chicago:
Harry Reid is speaking. Harry, it is time to give them HELL and go nuclear.
DOOOOOOOOOO EEEEEEEEEEEEEET!!
GOOD.
Are they going to try to filibuster this a point of order?
Comment by Will in Chicago on 11/21/2013 15:55:13
Will in Chicago on 11/21/2013 15:55:13
It sounds like they are going to do it.
Enough of the obstructionism.
Enough of the obstructionism.
Comment by Raine on 11/21/2013 15:56:36
Now that I think about it -- she did sound a little high... 
Raine on 11/21/2013 15:56:36
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:That caller was a damn hot mess.Quote by wickedpam:
Good lord
she's a conservative with liberal views?
That makes you a Libertarian, hon.
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/21/2013 15:57:52
I don't want the filibuster to do away. I want the silent filibuster to go away. You feel that strongly about something? Go all Wendy Davis. Stand up and talk, you whiny little turds.
Mondobubba on 11/21/2013 15:57:52
Quote by Raine:Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Will in Chicago:
Harry Reid is speaking. Harry, it is time to give them HELL and go nuclear.
DOOOOOOOOOO EEEEEEEEEEEEEET!!
GOOD.
Are they going to try to filibuster this a point of order?
I don't want the filibuster to do away. I want the silent filibuster to go away. You feel that strongly about something? Go all Wendy Davis. Stand up and talk, you whiny little turds.
Comment by Raine on 11/21/2013 16:05:19
That's been my opinion for a long time.
I do however believe that when it comes to presidential nominees, we need to do something.
Holds are NOT acceptable. Allowing these nominations to never come up for a vote is not acceptable.
Filibuster laws, not presidential appointments. This silent hold shit is something I find reprehensible.
Raine on 11/21/2013 16:05:19
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Will in Chicago:
Harry Reid is speaking. Harry, it is time to give them HELL and go nuclear.
DOOOOOOOOOO EEEEEEEEEEEEEET!!
GOOD.
Are they going to try to filibuster this a point of order?
I don't want the filibuster to do away. I want the silent filibuster to go away. You feel that strongly about something? Go all Wendy Davis. Stand up and talk, you whiny little turds.
I do however believe that when it comes to presidential nominees, we need to do something.
Holds are NOT acceptable. Allowing these nominations to never come up for a vote is not acceptable.
Filibuster laws, not presidential appointments. This silent hold shit is something I find reprehensible.
Comment by Will in Chicago on 11/21/2013 16:09:30
Yes, present your case to the American people.
Will in Chicago on 11/21/2013 16:09:30
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Will in Chicago:
Harry Reid is speaking. Harry, it is time to give them HELL and go nuclear.
DOOOOOOOOOO EEEEEEEEEEEEEET!!
GOOD.
Are they going to try to filibuster this a point of order?
I don't want the filibuster to do away. I want the silent filibuster to go away. You feel that strongly about something? Go all Wendy Davis. Stand up and talk, you whiny little turds.
Yes, present your case to the American people.
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/21/2013 16:11:17
I find silent holds cowardly.
Mondobubba on 11/21/2013 16:11:17
Quote by Raine:That's been my opinion for a long time.Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Will in Chicago:
Harry Reid is speaking. Harry, it is time to give them HELL and go nuclear.
DOOOOOOOOOO EEEEEEEEEEEEEET!!
GOOD.
Are they going to try to filibuster this a point of order?
I don't want the filibuster to do away. I want the silent filibuster to go away. You feel that strongly about something? Go all Wendy Davis. Stand up and talk, you whiny little turds.
I do however believe that when it comes to presidential nominees, we need to do something.
Holds are NOT acceptable. Allowing these nominations to never come up for a vote is not acceptable.
Filibuster laws, not presidential appointments. This silent hold shit is something I find reprehensible.
I find silent holds cowardly.
Comment by Raine on 11/21/2013 16:16:01
Raine on 11/21/2013 16:16:01
NO CALLER -- there is no TRILLION dollars that cost to build the healthcare.gov website.
You are not only a troll, you are stupid. you give trolls a bad name.
You are not only a troll, you are stupid. you give trolls a bad name.
Comment by Raine on 11/21/2013 16:19:58
Raine on 11/21/2013 16:19:58
I'm actually stunned that a caller (RW) claimed that healthcare dot gov cost a TRILLION dollars. 
Comment by Scoopster on 11/21/2013 16:22:37
Scoopster on 11/21/2013 16:22:37
OH SHUT THE FUCK UP MITCH MCCONNELL... 
He's on the Senate floor crying about "they did it first" (referring to the ACA, which did NOT breaking cloture at all it passed the 60-vote mark and was tweaked via the budget reconciliation rule which allows for a simple majority) and appointments to "a court that doesn't even have enough work to do." referring to the DC Circuit, which is the second busiest court in the country!
He's on the Senate floor crying about "they did it first" (referring to the ACA, which did NOT breaking cloture at all it passed the 60-vote mark and was tweaked via the budget reconciliation rule which allows for a simple majority) and appointments to "a court that doesn't even have enough work to do." referring to the DC Circuit, which is the second busiest court in the country!
Comment by Raine on 11/21/2013 16:23:22
One... Hundred... BILLION DOLLARS!
Raine on 11/21/2013 16:23:22
Quote by Raine:
I'm actually stunned that a caller (RW) claimed that healthcare dot gov cost a TRILLION dollars.
Comment by Scoopster on 11/21/2013 16:26:41
Scoopster on 11/21/2013 16:26:41
Welp here we go.. looks like the Senate will first do a normal cloture vote on Millet's nomination. I'm guessing Harry Reid thinks maybe the Republicans will be scared shitless into voting for cloture just to avoid the rule changes.
Comment by Raine on 11/21/2013 16:27:25
Mitch -- is a consummate disnformationist. Seriously, he is. I'll give him credit for this, he a better politician than he is an elected representative. He's a terrible legislator. He's a professional politician.
Raine on 11/21/2013 16:27:25
Quote by Scoopster:
OH SHUT THE FUCK UP MITCH MCCONNELL...
He's on the Senate floor crying about "they did it first" (referring to the ACA, which did NOT breaking cloture at all it passed the 60-vote mark and was tweaked via the budget reconciliation rule which allows for a simple majority) and appointments to "a court that doesn't even have enough work to do." referring to the DC Circuit, which is the second busiest court in the country!
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/21/2013 16:28:48
Oh he means the court he doesn't want to see with a liberal majority. Dick.
Mondobubba on 11/21/2013 16:28:48
Quote by Scoopster:
OH SHUT THE FUCK UP MITCH MCCONNELL...
He's on the Senate floor crying about "they did it first" (referring to the ACA, which did NOT breaking cloture at all it passed the 60-vote mark and was tweaked via the budget reconciliation rule which allows for a simple majority) and appointments to "a court that doesn't even have enough work to do." referring to the DC Circuit, which is the second busiest court in the country!
Oh he means the court he doesn't want to see with a liberal majority. Dick.
Comment by Raine on 11/21/2013 16:29:14
This is getting interesting --
SERiously.
Raine on 11/21/2013 16:29:14
Quote by Scoopster:
Welp here we go.. looks like the Senate will first do a normal cloture vote on Millet's nomination. I'm guessing Harry Reid thinks maybe the Republicans will be scared shitless into voting for cloture just to avoid the rule changes.
SERiously.