5 ms·

Your comments are spot on. I wouldn't say either one is good or bad, I've learnt to appreciate the differences. Having lived in latin America and the US, US f

Your comments are spot on. I wouldn't say either one is good or bad, I've learnt to appreciate the differences. Having lived in latin America and the US, US feels more concerned about individualism, achievements and efficiency and it shows in friendships. Outings are organized days in advance, people are expected to show up on time, calendar invites are not unheard of. In latin America, life is more about family and being happy. You can call a friend the same day and enjoy a cold beer after work (some time after work, punctuality not required). I think people would laugh in my face if I tell them I'll send them a calendar invite.

nightski 5y ago
These are also gross generalizations and seem to revolve around American big city life which is selective (but to be fair is where the majority of our population lives). But in smaller cities I've been able to find a great balance of both. Work on ambitious ideas but spend evenings and free time with friends and family.
- pault 5y ago
  Do you have any recommendations? :) I've been trying to find a big town or small city with lots of natural beauty and nice weather. I grew up in Seattle and refuse to live anywhere with more than 90 days of cloudy weather per year. One heuristic I've come up with is small towns that are sustained by natural tourism. They tend to be much more laid back, and people are happier and more social because of it. Whitefish, MO is one example, but unfortunately it's too cold for me. :)
ridethebike 5y ago
Hi, Hope you're doing well. Wanna grab a drink?
kelnos 5y ago
I think it just depends, though you may be right that this "regimented life" is more common in the US. For myself, I'm happy to jump out in the middle of the day if a friend wants to go on an impromptu walk. But if I am planning a get-together at my house with more than a couple people, I probably will send out a calendar invitation. Not because I think the other people need it, but I do like to put things on my calendar so I don't forget when things are going on, and it's only a couple extra seconds to add the guests to it, so I might as well. As another data point, I know people who are introverted and need a little mental preparation before seeing people, even good friends, so impromptu meetings can cause social anxiety. > You can call a friend the same day and enjoy a cold beer after work (some time after work, punctuality not required) I've definitely been trying to get better at the last part of this. People finish work at different times some days, sure. So it's fine to just head to the bar whenever you're done, and whoever gets there first will grab a table and just chill alone with a drink until the other person shows up, and that's the norm, not the exception. But I feel like most of the time (where I live) you try to figure out when both people will be done with work and then only meet when you can arrive at about the same time, creating unnecessary anxiety around punctuality.

nightski 5y ago

These are also gross generalizations and seem to revolve around American big city life which is selective (but to be fair is where the majority of our population lives). But in smaller cities I've been able to find a great balance of both. Work on ambitious ideas but spend evenings and free time with friends and family.

pault 5y ago
Do you have any recommendations? :) I've been trying to find a big town or small city with lots of natural beauty and nice weather. I grew up in Seattle and refuse to live anywhere with more than 90 days of cloudy weather per year. One heuristic I've come up with is small towns that are sustained by natural tourism. They tend to be much more laid back, and people are happier and more social because of it. Whitefish, MO is one example, but unfortunately it's too cold for me. :)

ridethebike 5y ago

Hi, Hope you're doing well. Wanna grab a drink?

kelnos 5y ago

I think it just depends, though you may be right that this "regimented life" is more common in the US. For myself, I'm happy to jump out in the middle of the day if a friend wants to go on an impromptu walk. But if I am planning a get-together at my house with more than a couple people, I probably will send out a calendar invitation. Not because I think the other people need it, but I do like to put things on my calendar so I don't forget when things are going on, and it's only a couple extra seconds to add the guests to it, so I might as well. As another data point, I know people who are introverted and need a little mental preparation before seeing people, even good friends, so impromptu meetings can cause social anxiety. > You can call a friend the same day and enjoy a cold beer after work (some time after work, punctuality not required) I've definitely been trying to get better at the last part of this. People finish work at different times some days, sure. So it's fine to just head to the bar whenever you're done, and whoever gets there first will grab a table and just chill alone with a drink until the other person shows up, and that's the norm, not the exception. But I feel like most of the time (where I live) you try to figure out when both people will be done with work and then only meet when you can arrive at about the same time, creating unnecessary anxiety around punctuality.