europe sucks

[Legend]

Originally posted by: RichUK

Originally posted by: JS80
European ketchup SUCKS

Is that all you American's think about FOOD and the sauce that goes with it. lol, you guys are brainwashed by McDonalds. Super Size that!

lol. I'm guessing European ketchup is actually ketchup. Ie theirs is tomato paste, while American ketchup is mostly corn syrup.

 

[saymyname]

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: saymyname

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: saymyname
I love Europe. It's not supposed to be like America. If it was we wouldn't go there.

Of course I wish I could have the best of both worlds. Since I can't, I pick the better of the two for me and live in the USA.

So what part of Europe do you like? The Socialism or Complacency?

I worked, studied, and played there. The socialism and complacency (both domestic and international) were some of the top reasons I left.

Then was it the Xenophobia and Anti-Semitism?

You've lived there too?

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: 3cho
you shut up! europe is awesome. can't afford it? don't go.

says someone from new york, where a 500 sq ft apartment in need of some serious renovation and costing $400,000 is a 'bargain'

AND it has no roof.:laugh:

 

[imported_Phil]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
1) they charge you again for a refill. wtf?

Nope. You're in the wrong place.

2) they charge you if you want more than two ketchup packets.

Do you really need that much ketchup?

3) if you ask for water they charge you $5 for a bottle of evian. are we in the fscking 3rd world where the water will kill you? no.

Water's £1, pretty much wherever you go.

4) the bars won't keep your credit card open as a tab. everyone on the planet drinks more when they only have to say their name in exchange for a drink. this is a really big problem because of 5, below.

Where the hell are you? This just isn't the case.

5) credit card minimums. it's the 21st century, and backwards europe still carries cash around? worse yet, the smaller demoninations are all in inconvenient heavy coins that trick you into thinking the 4 pounds 50 p that you just paid for a sandwich in a plastic box at sainsbury's wasn't that much.

Okay. Credit card transactions are usually £5 minimum because of the processing fees. £4.50 for a sandwich from Sainsbury's? What did you buy, the double-pack Taste The Difference ones or something? Sandwiches are £2, pretty much wherever you go.

Seriously, go somewhere else. Sounds like you're in central London.

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: saymyname

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: saymyname

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: saymyname
I love Europe. It's not supposed to be like America. If it was we wouldn't go there.

Of course I wish I could have the best of both worlds. Since I can't, I pick the better of the two for me and live in the USA.

So what part of Europe do you like? The Socialism or Complacency?

I worked, studied, and played there. The socialism and complacency (both domestic and international) were some of the top reasons I left.

Then was it the Xenophobia and Anti-Semitism?

You've lived there too?

No, but I've only heard bad things. OK 1 good thing, the sightseeing, architecture and historical shvt is amazing.

My jewish friends tell me people there are anti-semitic.
My asian friends tell me they treat asians like second class citizens.
My black friends tell me...well it's too fvcked up to say.
Everyone tells me most of the countries there are anti-American.
Everyone tells me the food sucks.
Everyone tells me everything there is overpriced.

Basically I put a European vacation at the bottom of my list.

 

[Ausm]

The only thing I liked in Europe was Amsterdam good weed.



Ausm

 

[KeithTalent]

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: saymyname

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: saymyname

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: saymyname
I love Europe. It's not supposed to be like America. If it was we wouldn't go there.

Of course I wish I could have the best of both worlds. Since I can't, I pick the better of the two for me and live in the USA.

So what part of Europe do you like? The Socialism or Complacency?

I worked, studied, and played there. The socialism and complacency (both domestic and international) were some of the top reasons I left.

Then was it the Xenophobia and Anti-Semitism?

You've lived there too?

No, but I've only heard bad things. OK 1 good thing, the sightseeing, architecture and historical shvt is amazing.

My jewish friends tell me people there are anti-semitic.
My asian friends tell me they treat asians like second class citizens.
My black friends tell me...well it's too fvcked up to say.
Everyone tells me most of the countries there are anti-American.
Everyone tells me the food sucks.
Everyone tells me everything there is overpriced.

Basically I put a European vacation at the bottom of my list.

I'm sure everyone over there is very sad to hear that :roll:

 

[imported_Phil]

Originally posted by: JS80
No, but I've only heard bad things. OK 1 good thing, the sightseeing, architecture and historical shvt is amazing.

My jewish friends tell me people there are anti-semitic.
My asian friends tell me they treat asians like second class citizens.
My black friends tell me...well it's too fvcked up to say.
Everyone tells me most of the countries there are anti-American.
Everyone tells me the food sucks.
Everyone tells me everything there is overpriced.

Basically I put a European vacation at the bottom of my list.

So you've no actual experience yourself then?

 

[ts3433]

Originally posted by: RichUK
Is that it just 6%? sheesh.

However i do favour the exchange rates, they ROCK! I like going to America to buy clothes and that on the CHEAPO.

It varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, even between cities in the same county (like here--the county of Fresno has a sales tax of about 8%, while my city, Clovis, has a higher rate of 8.3%). California seems to be on the higher end of sales taxes in this country. Some states, such as Oregon, have no sales tax.

And to make things more complicated, in some states certain "necessity" items, such as food, are not subject to sales tax.

 

[TheWart]

I can't speak for England, as I have yet to go, but a lot of places in France do charge for refills of soft drinks. But why get Coke when you can have a nice wine for less money? I am here in France right now, and will be so for another week, and imo there is plenty of amazing food. Sure, there are sucky places to eat, but that's not exclusive to any one country. As for your ketchup thing, I have never been to a place that has given me packets (other than Macdonalds which had a whole bin), so I am not sure how widespread that practice is.

I have enjoyed every minute of my time in France, but if I had to make a list of things I didn't like, I would put things like the unfortunately prevalent I-have-a-chip-on-my-shoulder-cause-I-am-French first, but that's just me...

 

[DivideBYZero]

- Lot's of places do free refills now.
- If you paid £4.50 for a sandwich in Sainsbury's you're an idiot. The Deli round the corner would have made one fresh for £2.20.
- The ketchup things is again dependant upon establishment and I can't imagine you were eating at a 'fine dining' establishment so suck it.
- Ask for tap water if you don't want bottled. It is assumed you mean Bottled, so put them straight.
- Leave if it bothers you. No one is forcing you to stay

I'm not going to bash the US(I've been plenty of times). There are plenty of differences between the US and Europe, but this is WHY you travel. You can sit in your comfort bubble for as long as you want, but just go with the flow and try to enjoy the differences, rather than griping about them.

Also, nice work on the troll thread.

 

[miniMUNCH]

The poor can't "afford" healthcare in the US?

I'm sorry...but that is just not true. I am a poor, married grad student with a 1 year old son...we make all of 23k per year (my stipend).

we live just fine off that. We can afford rent+utilities (we don't conserve much...A/C going all the time), car insurance, ample amounts of food, healthcare for the three of us, high speed internet / cable, a cell phone plan for my wife and I, and various sundry items here and there.

The poor pay no taxes...in fact, poor folks with kids get a lot of money back from the feds every year. Last year the gov. paided us 1500 USD in tax credits.

There is free healthcare available for our son...we choose not to use it since we are not really that needy.

The "healthcare for the poor" thing is mis-represented...many people don't have their priorities straight and buy cell phones clothes and game consoles instead of health insurance.

 

[AngelOfDeath]

Imho this thread should be closed. It's nothing but dirt-throwing. I can see good and bad things in US and EU and if each in here use atleast a little amount of braincells, I'm pretty sure you would agree with me

 

[Mill]

I :heart: Europe.

 

[IAteYourMother]

Originally posted by: Mill
I :heart: Europe.

except Spain. I wasn't a huge fan of Spain. It had it's redeeming qualities, but just not for me.

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: IAteYourMother

Originally posted by: Mill
I :heart: Europe.

except Spain. I wasn't a huge fan of Spain. It had it's redeeming qualities, but just not for me.

I didn't care for Milan. Spain was ok, but I'm sure it will be awesome now that I've been learning Spanish.

 

[rikadik]

Originally posted by: saymyname

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: saymyname
I love Europe. It's not supposed to be like America. If it was we wouldn't go there.

Of course I wish I could have the best of both worlds. Since I can't, I pick the better of the two for me and live in the USA.

So what part of Europe do you like? The Socialism or Complacency?

I worked, studied, and played there. The socialism and complacency (both domestic and international) were some of the top reasons I left.

Complacency about what?

 

[rikadik]

Originally posted by: JS80
My jewish friends tell me people there are anti-semitic.
My asian friends tell me they treat asians like second class citizens.
My black friends tell me...well it's too fvcked up to say.
Everyone tells me most of the countries there are anti-American.
Everyone tells me the food sucks.
Everyone tells me everything there is overpriced.

Basically I put a European vacation at the bottom of my list.

Put down your crack pipe and listen to what you are saying! Are you seriously trying to say that Europe is just insitutionally racist? Treat asians like second class citizens? What are you on about! And the food sucks? What, European cuisine, including French and Italian food, sucks?

 

[SoundTheSurrender]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
1) they charge you again for a refill. wtf?
2) they charge you if you want more than two ketchup packets.
3) if you ask for water they charge you $5 for a bottle of evian. are we in the fscking 3rd world where the water will kill you? no.
4) the bars won't keep your credit card open as a tab. everyone on the planet drinks more when they only have to say their name in exchange for a drink. this is a really big problem because of 5, below.
5) credit card minimums. it's the 21st century, and backwards europe still carries cash around? worse yet, the smaller demoninations are all in inconvenient heavy coins that trick you into thinking the 4 pounds 50 p that you just paid for a sandwich in a plastic box at sainsbury's wasn't that much.

You suck, and don't generalize Europe.

 

[mezrah]

Originally posted by: rikadik

Originally posted by: JS80
European ketchup SUCKS

Heinz ketchup is awesome.

Definitely. Heinz > Hunts x 1,000

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: rikadikWhat, European cuisine, including French and Italian food, sucks?

frying goose livers in butter is awesome :thumbsup:

 

[Cattlegod]

I'm sorry but I'm a condiment queen. If that ketchup one is true, I can never go to Europe. I use about 10-15 packets of ketchup on a small fry. uppwards of 30 packets on a larg fry.

taco bell sauce i'm even more crazy on. I put 12-15 hot sauce packets on the top of my mexican pizza and pepper it with 3 fire sauce packets. All soft tacos get 3 fire sauces, along with gorditas and the like.

I could never last on 2 packets of ketchup. I'd rather not have any at all than be limited to 2 packets. Usually I just go to the pump station and create a pile on my tray the size of a large fist. I will even dip my burger in the ketchup pile.

I would throw a fit if I was limited on my ketchup.

 

[revnja]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
What, you don't like "The Final Countdown?"

Duh nuh nuh nuh
Duh nuh nuh nuh nuuuuhhhh
Duh nuh nuh nuh
Nuh nuh nuh nah nuh nah nuuuuuhhh

Duh nah nah nuh
Duh nah nuh nah nuh nah nuh
Dun dunnnnn duh nah nuh nuh nuuuuh

 

[Dritnul]

to true at our small concesion stand we ran during sports the tanks of pop were paid for when they were 1/4th empty meaning u get like 300% profit and we only bought like 5 a year imagine buying in bulk

 

[Davegod]

From a UK perspective,

Originally posted by: ElFenix
1) they charge you again for a refill. wtf?

They charge by the cup, if they did it free refil style they'd just multiply the price by the average number of cups drank, give or take. Either you can get annoyed for paying per refil, or you can get annoyed by paying a refil-inclusive price when you only want one cup.

Originally posted by: ElFenix
2) they charge you if you want more than two ketchup packets.

I can only think of American-owned fast food places and those natty supermarket food 'things' that do that, though last time I was in a McD's (years ago) there was a tray where you help yourself anyway. Anywhere half decent will pass you the bottle of Heinz if you ask for ketchup, and anywhere decent will look slightly offended by you wanting to ruin their food with it.

Originally posted by: ElFenix
3) if you ask for water they charge you $5 for a bottle of evian. are we in the fscking 3rd world where the water will kill you? no.

Only in a nightclub which is trying too hard to appear exclusive will you be charged anything like that, but yes bottled water is generally expensive.

Over the entire process of getting that bottled water to you the overheads are similar to drinks with supposably more expensive ingredients. The actual raw ingredients of Coke and other soft drinks are a miniscule fraction of the end price, and only in a few places is bottled the normal way to drink water, so the mass scale economy isnt there.

If you're buying food ask for a jug of tapwater, they'll bring over a jug with lemon and ice if required and charge you nothing for it.

Originally posted by: ElFenix
4) the bars won't keep your credit card open as a tab. everyone on the planet drinks more when they only have to say their name in exchange for a drink. this is a really big problem because of 5, below.

Yeah not many places do this, in the UK if they did there would probably be some outcry about people opening tabs and getting too drunk because they've not been following what they're spending, or being amazed a few weeks later when sober and the £70 bill comes through.

It's very unusual to pay by credit card for anything small here, it's all cash until you get to around £10. The only time you'd pay by card is if you were doing rounds with a large group, or more likely using bank card and you'd use cashback because you forgot to go to the cashmachine (autoteller or whatever it's called over there).

Originally posted by: ElFenix
5) credit card minimums. it's the 21st century, and backwards europe still carries cash around? worse yet, the smaller demoninations are all in inconvenient heavy coins that trick you into thinking the 4 pounds 50 p that you just paid for a sandwich in a plastic box at sainsbury's wasn't that much.

The cc companies charge something like 30p for each transaction, which is normally absorbed by the seller. Little wonder small shops are unwilling to pay that when their margin is even less. Almost everywhere will let you pay by CC if you really want, but would add the 30p surcharge and be assuming that you would not want to.


for the lazy:
1 British Pound = 1.83902 US Dollar
1 US Dollar (USD) = 0.54377 British Pound (GBP)
(though i think it's usually more like £1 = $1.4 to 1.6)