15 Things That Make US Better Than Europe
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Delving into the intricacies of two Western societies, namely the United States and Europe, a myriad of contrasting perspectives emerges regarding their individual merits and shortcomings. Within this ongoing discourse, an array of contentious topics has become the focal point of recent online debates. The objective of this analysis is to illuminate the domains where there is a prevailing perception that the United States surpasses its European counterparts.
1. Mexican Food
This top answer is so true. First, finding ingredients for Mexican dishes is hard, if not impossible in Europe. And if any restaurants exist, they are usually laughable at best. Although, the same can be said for the Northern U.S. The closer you are to the Mexican border, the more likely you will find good authentic Mexican food.
2. Wildlife
Someone writes, “We have way more undeveloped land where wild animals roam freely.” Depending on the region, deer, bears, coyotes, porcupines, wild horses, wolves, buffalo, and so much more can be found roaming.
3. Land Diversity
This goes hand in hand with the wildlife roaming. “The US has national parks larger than some European countries. It’s really hard to describe the scale of the US, but basically, if you drove from Portugal to Moscow that’d be the equivalent of driving from New York to Los Angeles, and most of that space in between is just undeveloped land. Not just farmland but desert, mountains, canyons, etc.” So many wide-open spaces to see and explore!
4. Handicap Accessibility
This one is less obvious unless you’re dealing with a handicap yourself. I can personally confirm this one as a physical therapist. I’ve had wheelchair-bound patients that have wanted to visit old cities like Prague, from public transportation to cobblestone and stairs- it wouldn’t be impossible- but very difficult indeed. Surprisingly, there are many more ramps, elevators, and paved walkways in the US. for this purpose.
5. Free Bathrooms
This is always a tough concept for Americans to grasp when visiting Europe- having to pay for bathrooms (even in some gas stations). An American man writes that being able to pee when he needs to for free is true freedom.
6. Access to Guns
Depending on your experiences with guns and values, this can be seen as a good or a bad thing. Regardless, it is definitely true that getting a gun in the U.S. is significantly easier than in Europe.
7. Access to Healthcare
A heated discussion began online between Americans and Europeans about their access to healthcare. Americans often believe they have better access to healthcare (i.e. not wait times and specialists)- but at a higher cost. This isn’t always true and likely depends on a lot of factors, such as which EU country is being discussed, what insurance an American has, and where they live within the U.S.
8. Consumer Options
One person points out a common reality when people compare these two areas: “The variety of things that are available for consumers, movies, recreational activities, and national parks.” Accessibility to many things- whether shopping online, attending an event, etc.- is typically much easier to accommodate in the U.S.
9. Wide Open Spaces
Outside of larger hub cities, the population density in the U.S. is significantly smaller than in EU countries. This allows for wide open spaces. Many Europeans are always amazed at the “bigger skies” they see when visiting the Western U.S.
10. Super Sized Servings
Someone writes, “Massive serving sizes of cheap fast-food, not sure if that’s really better or not, probably is when you’re hungry.” It can feel more cost-efficient this way but it is also bad news for people’s waste lines and arteries.
11. Air Conditioning
In many parts of Europe, no air conditioning is still the standard- something most Americans can’t fathom (even if it’s just a swamp cooler). For anyone who hates melting all summer, the U.S. has you covered with their constantly blasting air conditioners to keep everything frigid (you might need a winter hat to go in some grocery stores). Again, this “benefit” can be argued both ways.
12. Silly Tourist Attractions
One American points out the ridiculous things you can find in the U.S.- which he finds amusing for road trips and adventure. He writes, “EU had real palaces. We have a corn palace.” To each their own.
13. Cheap Gas
Depending on the time of year and season (and regions compared), gas can be less than half the price of fuel in the EU. The difference is pretty clear when comparing what kinds of cars people drive. Not many people can afford to drive a gas-guzzling truck or suburban in Europe.
14. Big Appliances
When traveling to Europe, most Americans feel like they’re in a miniature land- due to small appliances, like washers, fridges, etc. On one hand, this helps save energy and waste. On the other, most Americans (and Europeans) agree that doing bigger loads of laundry and having more space in the fridge is advantageous for making life easier.
15. Customer Service
If you purchase an item that is too small or broken, of course, you can return or swap it, right? In the U.S., this is pretty standard. In many parts of Europe, not so much- the customer is NOT always right and you buy items at your own risk.
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