America is so awesome! Look at some of the ways it kicks other countries’ asses!
You think 2000 calories is enough for an adult to consume each day? Well, we’re going to be 61% better than you!
You say that days off is good for mental health, improves productivity and promotes creativity? We say, screw you! Go back to Communism, you fascists!
Being honest now
I used to wish that some things in Europe worked more like they did in the US (banks, websites, store return policies) but I’m totally convinced that the advantages of EU-living far outweigh the annoyances. The thought of going back to the States to live is so disagreeable to me now. (Though the presence of Mexican food is tempting.) It’s a wonder I ever lasted as long as I did.
One place I’ll never live again is Spain, where they’re finally out of the recession! (If you consider 0.1% growth progress. I think that’s probably within the margin of error of any data which means that they’re actually probably still in the shitter.)
UPDATE: Mitch tipped me off to this Oxfam photo series documenting families from mostly third world countries with all the food they eat in a week. This in turn reminded me of the book Hungry Planet by Peter Menzel which is a similar concept except the people selected are from wealthier (and less healthy) nations. You can see a bunch of Menzel’s photos on Time.
In final news
You may have heard that the Boston Red Sox completely destroyed the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 6 to win the World Series. They’d lost two games earlier in the week. Those games were played on the two days that I wasn’t wearing any Red Sox paraphernalia. Coincidence? I’d like to think so, but I still made sure to wear my Boston pride during the rest of the Series because I didn’t want to be responsible for them losing. This kind of sports fan superstition isn’t something I’ve come across in Spain or France, and I spent years living under the global domination of the world’s best football team. Is this possibly an American thing?
Le cul entre les deux chaises 