Despite America’s status as a developed nation, many Americans yearn for the lifestyle and amenities that Europeans enjoy. A user asked the forum, “What do Europeans have in everyday life that you consider a luxury in America?” Let’s see what Americans have to see.
WEEKS OF VACATION
“4-6 weeks of vacation at time of hire.”
NO HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP
“No high fructose corn syrup in everything!!!!
Like you don’t even need to check the label for it.”
MATERNITY LEAVE
“Maternity leave and healthcare come to mind.
Edit: what I meant was affordable healthcare and maternity leave equally available to everyone. I know some people have healthcare, and some companies offer paid maternity leave, but it’s not the standard.
I know someone who works 50+ hours a week, makes just enough to support his small family (child with special needs), and can’t afford to treat his hepatitis C because the treatment (12 weeks of pills) costs more than he earns in 18 months. He can’t afford to pay for health insurance.”
FRESHLY BAKED BREAD
“Fresh baked bread for reasonable prices that you can get within walking distance of your home and aren’t full of preservatives.
Also, affordable health care.”
GOOD PUBLIC TRANSPORT
“Good public transport outside of main cities. Germans, in particular, love to complain about Deutsche Bahn (and rightfully so), but compared to the USA, it’s just so much more versatile.”
LOW HUMIDITY
“Not 150% humidity.
Sincerely, Mississippi”
GOOD CHEESE
“I’m just going to assume “Really good cheese” is a legitimate answer.”
A BETTER ENVIRONMENT FOR LABOR
“A better environment for labor. More union protections and rights. I dream of having Norway’s broad trade union system in the States.
*Vastly* better consumer protections. The EU has been really good for the world in that regard by forcing changes to products.”
A WIDE RANGES OF POLITICAL PARTIES TO VOTE
“A wide range of parties you can vote for.”
EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM AND WORK-LIFE BALANCE
“Education system in Finland. Workers’ rights and work-life balance in Italy.”
CREDIT CARD MACHINES
“Not having to hand over your credit card to a server who then disappears with it. In Europe, the machine comes to you, and you just tap it with your card/phone/watch.”
UNLIMITED SICK DAY LEAVES
“Unlimited sick days. Or just sick days, because it’s just not a concept. If you are sick, you are sick and stay at home with full pay until you aren’t anymore. Can’t get fired for it, too.”
PRESERVING HISTORICAL BUILDINGS
“For the most part, European countries value their history and preserve buildings that would be torn down and replaced by modern architecture in the US. I put Italy at the top of the ladder in this respect.”
UNADULTERATED FOOD
“Ability to purchase good, unadulterated food at reasonable prices. You can get the same stuff in the USA if you are willing to pay 100% more than “regular” prices for it, but in Europe, you can get it for even cheaper than the US price for HCFS-laden.”
TOWEL WARMERS
“Towel warmers. The UK has them in every bathroom with a shower; I view that as a frivolous luxury.”
STOOLS AND CHAIRS FOR THEIR CASHIERS
“Stools and chairs for their cashiers.”
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This article was originally published on Mrs. Daaku Studio.