4 ms·

This feels like an orthogonal point. The OP make a very specific comparison to his travel company and Airbnb, and how people ignored them or even belittled them

This feels like an orthogonal point. The OP make a very specific comparison to his travel company and Airbnb, and how people ignored them or even belittled them but adored Airbnb despite being very similar companies. Europeans use Airbnb. Trying to to say he was trying to "apply the American mindset to the European market" as a bad thing doesn't really hold water here when the American product literally won. Yes, the kind of companies historically started in Europe are very culturally different to startups. The point being made is that really for no good reason, Europe does not culturally support the existence of startups and is often actively hostile towards them. The solution being "just don't do startups in Europe" is like, ok sure I guess you can do that, but it doesn't actually address the problem that was presented: cultural incompatibility and unwillingness to change.

mertbio 1y ago
> the American product literally won Another part of the American mindset. Not all the companies are trying to win here in Europe. Some believe that companies can co-exist. They can serve different groups of people. Not all of them are pushing for getting more market share or jumping into different industries like Airbnb is doing now.
- mytailorisrich 1y ago
  That's a strangely naive and idealistic view of Europe. Companies are trying to win in Europe and competition is as fierce as anywhere. What "some" do is a moot point. You'll always find "some" people/companies behaving in a certain way wherever you go.
- ZephyrBlu 1y ago
  You keep avoiding the point. Yes, some companies aren’t trying to “win”, but what about the companies that are trying to “win”? It sounds like you’re implying they simply shouldn’t exist in Europe.
_vere 1y ago
Call me crazy but i don't think european media should hype up an airbnb-like company, just because it has the capability to make money does not mean its good for the world or should exist. We do not need a european amazon, we need to move away from companies like that full stop.
- owebmaster 1y ago
  > Call me crazy but i don't think european media should hype up an airbnb-like company You are right... Unless the alternative is all Europeans using an US company for that.

mertbio 1y ago

> the American product literally won Another part of the American mindset. Not all the companies are trying to win here in Europe. Some believe that companies can co-exist. They can serve different groups of people. Not all of them are pushing for getting more market share or jumping into different industries like Airbnb is doing now.

mytailorisrich 1y ago
That's a strangely naive and idealistic view of Europe. Companies are trying to win in Europe and competition is as fierce as anywhere. What "some" do is a moot point. You'll always find "some" people/companies behaving in a certain way wherever you go.
ZephyrBlu 1y ago
You keep avoiding the point. Yes, some companies aren’t trying to “win”, but what about the companies that are trying to “win”? It sounds like you’re implying they simply shouldn’t exist in Europe.

_vere 1y ago

Call me crazy but i don't think european media should hype up an airbnb-like company, just because it has the capability to make money does not mean its good for the world or should exist. We do not need a european amazon, we need to move away from companies like that full stop.

owebmaster 1y ago
> Call me crazy but i don't think european media should hype up an airbnb-like company You are right... Unless the alternative is all Europeans using an US company for that.