It's hard to compare countries without also comparing the cultures. European countries, who take more time to enjoy their food, like you say, also work fewer hours, do not have an entrepreneurial culture, live in denser neighborhoods where they walk places instead of drive, and have even more social programs than we do. We used to host t…
It's hard to compare countries without also comparing the cultures. European countries, who take more time to enjoy their food, like you say, also work fewer hours, do not have an entrepreneurial culture, live in denser neighborhoods where they walk places instead of drive, and have even more social programs than we do. We used to host teens for 2-3 week exchanges from European countries when we had teens at home as part of a non profit exchange program. They were amazed that we didn't walk anywhere, nearly all of them lived in apartments, or in row houses where a backyard didn't even exist. We hosted teens from Ukraine once where they said they couldn't sleep as it was 'too quiet' here. Used to traffic noise, neighbors, etc. None of them went to church, except maybe Christmas and Easter and thought it odd we went every week. Some would go with us, others were like, nah, I'll sleep in.
BUT the US is? (was?) the world's economic engine - going home for a 2 hour lunch in the middle of the day is not productive. Europe turned from religion long before the US, same with declining fertility rates, and labor productivity growth in the US has been more than double that of the eurozone for the past 20 years. I blame socialism. And yet, there is constant carping in the media that we should be 'more like Europe'.
I know it was tough with both of us working, kids at home and trying to make healthy meals at home with all their activities and ours too. But we made it work most of the time, although dinner may have been a turkey sandwich and carrot sticks in the car on the way to practice. And the kids complained that they didn't get to eat all the fast food like their friends did, lol.
The two hour lunch though, is by and large a thing of the past. Still, Europeans tend to take more time for their food, both preparing and eating. It’s easier for them to do so, but it’s also something they value. Our culture hasn’t seemed to put much of a premium on that for the most part.
Except for barbeque! KC is one of the barbeque capitals of the US and even churches and neighborhoods have barbeque contests. I have never done 'real' competitions, but I know a few who do, KC has several that are part of the 'circuit' - hours prepping and then staying up all night to monitor and so on....When I get my smoker out it's a whole weekend of prep, cook, portion and freeze and then cleanup. Cook enough for a dozen or more dinners plus turkey breasts and brisket for sandwiches.
Oh yes!! That is something quite apart!! 😍 I don’t know if you remember me saying but I lived in KC years ago, for about 5 years. We absolutely loved the barbecue and the barbecue culture. Now here in Indiana, my good friend’s husband participates in competitions and has won quite a few. He makes the best bbq I’ve had since I left KC 🤤😋
It's hard to compare countries without also comparing the cultures. European countries, who take more time to enjoy their food, like you say, also work fewer hours, do not have an entrepreneurial culture, live in denser neighborhoods where they walk places instead of drive, and have even more social programs than we do. We used to host teens for 2-3 week exchanges from European countries when we had teens at home as part of a non profit exchange program. They were amazed that we didn't walk anywhere, nearly all of them lived in apartments, or in row houses where a backyard didn't even exist. We hosted teens from Ukraine once where they said they couldn't sleep as it was 'too quiet' here. Used to traffic noise, neighbors, etc. None of them went to church, except maybe Christmas and Easter and thought it odd we went every week. Some would go with us, others were like, nah, I'll sleep in.
BUT the US is? (was?) the world's economic engine - going home for a 2 hour lunch in the middle of the day is not productive. Europe turned from religion long before the US, same with declining fertility rates, and labor productivity growth in the US has been more than double that of the eurozone for the past 20 years. I blame socialism. And yet, there is constant carping in the media that we should be 'more like Europe'.
I know it was tough with both of us working, kids at home and trying to make healthy meals at home with all their activities and ours too. But we made it work most of the time, although dinner may have been a turkey sandwich and carrot sticks in the car on the way to practice. And the kids complained that they didn't get to eat all the fast food like their friends did, lol.
Exactly, there are lots of factors in play.
The two hour lunch though, is by and large a thing of the past. Still, Europeans tend to take more time for their food, both preparing and eating. It’s easier for them to do so, but it’s also something they value. Our culture hasn’t seemed to put much of a premium on that for the most part.
Except for barbeque! KC is one of the barbeque capitals of the US and even churches and neighborhoods have barbeque contests. I have never done 'real' competitions, but I know a few who do, KC has several that are part of the 'circuit' - hours prepping and then staying up all night to monitor and so on....When I get my smoker out it's a whole weekend of prep, cook, portion and freeze and then cleanup. Cook enough for a dozen or more dinners plus turkey breasts and brisket for sandwiches.
Oh yes!! That is something quite apart!! 😍 I don’t know if you remember me saying but I lived in KC years ago, for about 5 years. We absolutely loved the barbecue and the barbecue culture. Now here in Indiana, my good friend’s husband participates in competitions and has won quite a few. He makes the best bbq I’ve had since I left KC 🤤😋