I was wondering what other people around the world thought of Europe, what image do you when you think of this old continent? If you live in Europe I would also like to know what you think?
I think of many things; I love most of them. My main region of historical, cultural, and intellectual interest. (Oh, and as an erstwhile French chef/owner, I'd toss in culinary interest as well, but that's a given).
I know that I want to visit it. The castles and the culture and the history of Europe strongly interest me.
Frankly i never thought seriously as a whole of europe, But individually there is much to say, I appreciate great rome and its architecture, efile tower, Dictatorship of hitler, can't sumup everything here. if i lived in that part of the world then i would like to be in the era of roman empire sitting beside cleaopatra in the coliseum
Only dreaming. I do not have money to visit Europe. If adonis can manage some money for me sure Iam going to visit Europe.
I live in Wales which is in the UK (NOT England, btw) so that's Europe. As far as places go, it's OK I suppose. However, people from the UK tend to see Europe as "over there" as we are not directly linked to it, have our own currency rather than the Euro, etc.
all this civilisation and culture in europe makes me sick. after a closer look you see there is not much left of "culture" - just turn on the tv! and whats about the rock solid cars everyone wanted a few years ago? you are lucky if they last more tha 5 years now - i had to fix mercedes campervans a few months ago, this are the cars with most problems (at least this sprinter-series). then you order a dashboard (made of 100% plastic, no switches or electronics inside!) for $140,- and after 3 das you get a parcel FROM CHINA (!) with a mercedes logo on it. i reacon this workers in china earn $5000,-/month if the build such expensive stuff for mercedes! same with porsche, they send all parts to east europe, they assemble it cheap and then it goes back to germany and they only fit in seats, tyres and small stuff so they can label it "made in germany". the good things are: nude beaches during summer, health and social insurance is quite cheap, you cant get stuck in the middle of nowhere because there is just no nowhere
The thing is that I am listening radio and tv everyday and all i can here is how usa is bad how africa is going nowhere and spend all their money on weapons, how china treats their workers bad, how indians are dirty, etc etc etc .... hypocrates !!! how japanese work all day long while we have 8 hour workday I dont hear something is bad in europe on tv or radio, but sure can see it with my own eyes .... and then every 15th i get paying list where i can see 45% of my earnings go for taxes and social and health insurance. social insurance is alone 20% of my paycheck....plus i have to pay 25 euros a month for extra insurance otherwise i have to pay the bill in hospital. Now i wonder how much americans pay in % off their paycheck for good health insurance.....? sorry for the rant but EU where i live is full of shit and everyone here thinks how they are better than anyone cross eu border
Anywhere you'll go on this whole globe, you'll find reasons to bitch about, instead of cursing bad things, have fun with the good ones , life is beautiful.
Europe can no more be bundled into one category than any other continent. It's far more diverse than North America yet you'd never let anyone say New York and LA are the same, or California and Utah. Europe is amazing, I wouldn't want to live there but certainly I loved the time that I did have travelling around (by bike mostly) back in the early '90s. Germany was fascinating looking at the old people and knowing that they were alive during WWII and being left speechless. Spain was incredible, such a mix of cosmopolitan and traditional misogyny. I guess you have to look at what you expect of "Europe", and what stereotypes you are applying to the people of those countries - and how valid those stereotypes maybe.
Pretty much the same for many of us. Insurance for my family is around $1200 per month. It is not cheap anywhere and taxes are getting everyone. So you are not alone in your bad luck.
I've been to Germany and Austria for a short while and it's awesome. I do not know much about living there and other issues so my view may be short sighted.
Europe is not one country but dozens. I think differently about the different countries of Europe. Otherwise it's like saying "What do you think of the United States". It's a bunch of different "nations" to me. new York and New Orleans are as different as Spain and Germany.