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> somewhat confused by the general lack of "can do" attitude I moved from the US to Europe a year ago and this rings so true it hurts. Sometimes requests (for

by remyp 3y ago

> somewhat confused by the general lack of "can do" attitude I moved from the US to Europe a year ago and this rings so true it hurts. Sometimes requests (for anything from another glass of wine to government bureaucracy with big stakes) are simply met with a shrug and "nope, I can't do that." No solutions, no apology, they just go back to looking at their phone. This is nearly nonexistent in the US. In general, living in southern Europe it's a big adjustment to a culture where time essentially has no value, or at least is valued way less than in the US. Just wait another 30 minutes, why are you in such a hurry?

toomuchtodo 3y ago
It’s strange you write this comment, but then in another acknowledge the US rat race culture and time poverty. Why are you in such a hurry? Europe is to live slower and enjoy life.
- remyp 3y ago
  Because it's difficult to unlearn a lifetime of habit :)
  - toomuchtodo 3y ago
    I believe in you! Enjoy what you have. Slow down and smell the flowers.
sloaken 3y ago
I have 2 stories of the 'no can do' in Europe vs USA. Was on a business trip to Oslo Norway. Meeting involved a bunch of people, from around Europe. A couple of Finish guys joined my wife and me at a very nice restaurant. Not coat and tie, but definitely a major step up from a USA chain steakhouse. One of the Finns wanted a hamburger, but he was a big boy and was very hungry, it was 7 hours since we had lunch. So he asked that his hamburger be made with 2 patties of beef, not one, happy to pay whatever the price was. Waiter left, came back 15 minutes later and said sorry 'we cannot do that'. Excluding fast food, I cannot think of any place that would sell a hamburger in the USA that would not have accommodated my friend. 2nd event is the UK mobile phone service. At least my experience when you go to a brick and mortar store (not a kiosk), the manager there has the authority to do pretty much anything. Not literally, but they can get a lot accomplished if you need help. In the UK the people at the store do not know, and are not authorized to do anything beyond sell you a phone. And God forbid you want to terminate your service. Hours and hours later.... if you are lucky .... they will let you end your service (assuming contract is fully paid) in 2 months from now.

by remyp 3y ago

toomuchtodo 3y ago

It’s strange you write this comment, but then in another acknowledge the US rat race culture and time poverty. Why are you in such a hurry? Europe is to live slower and enjoy life.

remyp 3y ago
Because it's difficult to unlearn a lifetime of habit :)
- toomuchtodo 3y ago
  I believe in you! Enjoy what you have. Slow down and smell the flowers.

sloaken 3y ago

I have 2 stories of the 'no can do' in Europe vs USA. Was on a business trip to Oslo Norway. Meeting involved a bunch of people, from around Europe. A couple of Finish guys joined my wife and me at a very nice restaurant. Not coat and tie, but definitely a major step up from a USA chain steakhouse. One of the Finns wanted a hamburger, but he was a big boy and was very hungry, it was 7 hours since we had lunch. So he asked that his hamburger be made with 2 patties of beef, not one, happy to pay whatever the price was. Waiter left, came back 15 minutes later and said sorry 'we cannot do that'. Excluding fast food, I cannot think of any place that would sell a hamburger in the USA that would not have accommodated my friend. 2nd event is the UK mobile phone service. At least my experience when you go to a brick and mortar store (not a kiosk), the manager there has the authority to do pretty much anything. Not literally, but they can get a lot accomplished if you need help. In the UK the people at the store do not know, and are not authorized to do anything beyond sell you a phone. And God forbid you want to terminate your service. Hours and hours later.... if you are lucky .... they will let you end your service (assuming contract is fully paid) in 2 months from now.