European vs American kite culture

[Osprey1]

As a U.S. citizen I think the lack of a law requiring companies to provide at least 20 days Paid Time Off is abhorrent. I'm hoping that in the next few years on the state level we can pass initiatives that will ensure Americans not only have time off to kite, but also to spend with their families and take care of themselves when sick.

Unfortunately the trend of providing paid time off is regressing in major corporations of which using the top tech companies for example only provide 15 days. If you have children these days are quickly used up caring for them when they are sick, and you're lucky to schedule a week vacation.

With no downtime no wonder 1 in 10 Americans are on anti-depressants.

[TomW]

Wow. So many misconceptions and myths about European life, but Some comments are spot on.

I'm an American that moved to Sweden at 24 years old, 30 years ago. Work for Japanese company now, based in Sweden.

When I was 24-34 my wife and I had the 5 weeks vacation but no money. We took 4 Week bike tours sleeping in tent and cooking our food. We did over 20 tours, because after 10 years we just kept doing it. Now we have been smart and frugal many years and can afford to stay at all- inclusive hotel if we want, and I can kite, my wife can run and swim and our young boy can learn to surf with me. We dont always do this.

Next vacation is bike tour we will sleep in tent and cook our own food. Then we may stay in 5 star hotell next vacation, or stay in cheap posada in Cumbuco. Or take a trip to California to visit family. We can decide what we want to do and are comfortable in the whole range from sleeping on the ground to 5 star all inclusive.

We are pretty happy to now have 6 weeks vacation + public holidays, and sick days when needed. We pay 55% income tax and 25% sales taxbfor this benefit, so its not free.

Do what makes you happy. You can choose where you live, choose what you find valuable. Nothing is free, change can take a great effort. No one is forcing you to stay where you are.

Have fun, be nice, work hard.

[Westozzy]

As a U.S. citizen I think the lack of a law requiring companies to provide at least 20 days Paid Time Off is abhorrent. I'm hoping that in the next few years on the state level we can pass initiatives that will ensure Americans not only have time off to kite, but also to spend with their families and take care of themselves when sick.

Unfortunately the trend of providing paid time off is regressing in major corporations of which using the top tech companies for example only provide 15 days. If you have children these days are quickly used up caring for them when they are sick, and you're lucky to schedule a week vacation.

With no downtime no wonder 1 in 10 Americans are on anti-depressants.

Yep us Aussies have been following America down the capitalistic 'free market..hahah' black hold for a long time now and it shows. We can all learn something from our Nordic friends in my opinion. I have friends in "professional' fields even in here that are lucky to be able to take 3 to 4 days off at any one time. The stats show we actually (and surprisingly) work some of the longest hours of any country. And just about everything is privatised here or owned by multinational companies (we have sold most of our infrastructure now, and even our land is being bought up as we speak by the Chinese) and we pay for it!

Life is getting busier and busier and more and more focused around work. It's not healthy and it shows with dramatically increasing mental illness and indeed obesity issues.

There is no long term agenda in my country, no historical perspective, it's all about making quick money and NOW...and just like in America the social fabric is getting torn to shreds.

Personally I have many American friends and in the end we are all the same, but they can keep there way of life I won't no part in it.

[Bain]

Personally I have many American friends and in the end we are all the same, but they can keep there way of life I won't no part in it.

I'm an American, and I don't want any part of it either. I think the whole "gung-ho American work till you drop" thing is mostly a façade. Sure there are people who really feel like that, but I think a majority of people don't.
It's good propaganda though, used to try to get more work out of people.
Capitalism is a scourge of humanity.

[Westozzy]

Personally I have many American friends and in the end we are all the same, but they can keep there way of life I won't no part in it.

I'm an American, and I don't want any part of it either. I think the whole "gung-ho American work till you drop" thing is mostly a façade. Sure there are people who really feel like that, but I think a majority of people don't.
It's good propaganda though, used to try to get more work out of people.



Capitalism is a scourge of humanity.

Amen brother. I think the blend of socialist policy and capital development by our Nordic brothers has a lot to offer. Funny I was talking to a Y12 exchange student from Finland, and I asked how the year went before he went back etc. He spent some time at a state school, then our "private school". He said in my country it doesn't matter what school you go to, but he was shocked at the 'environment' he encountered in the state school. He said 'I go to a state school in my country and it's as good or better than our school and he said they all are. He said we pay high taxes but education, health and services are all taken care of.

He said,"isn't this the whole point of living in a balanced, organised, law abiding society", pretty spot on for a young man.

Too many greedy pigs feeding their faces full in the money trough, expousing the virtues of a free market and capital development while they line their pockets and stuff that extra donut in their mouths. Sickening.

[Bain]

Thought I would post this commercial. I'm sure some have seen it, and some haven't.
It does touch on the discussion here. The commercial itself caused a bit of an uproar, and it takes on different meanings depending on your point of view.
"Fans on the political right see "Poolside" as an unapologetic ode to American values. Critics on the political left see it as Ugly American chest thumping at its worst. During a time when Americans are working harder and longer for less money, others question the spot's perceived workaholic message."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=deskt ... GJSI48gkFc
Edit: could not get to embed?

[MikeZ]

"Fans on the political right see "Poolside" as an unapologetic ode to American values. Critics on the political left see it as Ugly American chest thumping at its worst. During a time when Americans are working harder and longer for less money, others question the spot's perceived workaholic message."

As an American, I hate this effing commercial. And I get 5 weeks vacation.

I just wish I had all of August off, though.

[piccio]

Hi TomW That's a culture difference ,as you say you moved at 24,europeans unless they are forced to do it for working will never move from their country ,home ,family
final result: you son will make the same following your example and culture ,he will go somewhere else and you will see him every three years maybe, because is living too far away.
you get older alone and you'll see your nephew by pictures.of course you will get a dog or a cat and will love him so much. before continuing
DO NOT MISUNTERSTAND ME,YUST AN EXAMPLE ,I WISH YOU THE VERY BEST,NOT TO HAPPEN IT!!!!!!!
when you say "nothing is free ,change can take a great effort. no one is forcing to stay where you are" you will get from your son a strong person of course ,ready to face the world, but a bad result for you and your wife .
PLEASE GET ME RIGHT FROM MY BAD ENGLISH ,I HAVE TO DIE UNDER NEXT WAVE IF I HOPE YOU SUCH A THING! YUST EXAMPLE ;YUST TALKING.
so what would you like ? if you are coherent you should tell the same to your son.
He has to go?
it is or is not culture difference?
ooops!!!! trolling again !!!!!!!sorry mates I am so upset ,changed fins again but worse than before!!!!!!!
ciao tomw wish you and family very best for generations on,kiting and living toghrter for years!!!!!!

[blacktip]

As a U.S. citizen ...

Question. Are you a U.S. citizen, or are you an American?

BIG difference.

As a U.S. citizen you're pretty screwed. You are employee of a corporation called the UNITED STATES, a sly way to deceive Americans into believing they are dealing with the real government of the states united. U.S. is a corporation that is about to go bust and that therefor has to go to more and more extreme measures to keep the revenue coming in, simply by increasing taxes on its citizens, or by invading other countries to rob them of their wealth and resources.U.S. soldiers do not defend the people of America, they are defending U.S. corporate interests. U.S. citizens are bound and ruled by corporate law and are not protected by the constitution.

As an American youre not restricted and limited by the deceivers in Washington D.C. You have the constitution to protect youre rights and freedom. An American protected by the constitution probably enjoys the most Freedom and Rights any man in the world can have. So its well worth to look into this matter and defend what it means to be American.

"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government."
-- Patrick Henry

http://www.usavsus.info/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1jFlhpyCP0

[Puetz]

... were all living in America,,, is wunderbar!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxroiTRg7Tg