Most US states are larger than most European countries.
In terms of geographical area maybe. In terms of population, no.
They also vary in culture nearly as much. Its more Like the EU in form and function.
No, absolutely not, you underestimate the impact that different languages and a history full of international conflict has. Until WWII, Europe was constantly and brutally fighting each-other. Until very recently, you had a large array of different political entities and systems, from small republics to empires.
All the regional differences that exist in America exist within European countries too, they just have a longer history.
The main point I make is often many Europeans look down on Americans for never visiting another “country”.
I wouldn’t say I “look down on Americans” for that, it’s just a stereotype that Americans always think of the US as this magical, special and unique place in terms of diversity and regional differences while at the same time, they believe that everyone in Europe basically has the same views and opinions on everything because “Europe is a homogeneous place”, all without ever having visited Europe.
It was a common meme for a “typical american” to say something like “Yeah, an European country providing healthcare for people is nice and all, but that wouldn’t be possible in the US. It works in Europe because they are so small and homogeneous and America has so many differences and is so large, it would never work.”. Meanwhile, half of all US states have a population of 5 million or lower.
Because some English ass hole visited Ireland and Romania once
Most people from Europe tend to travel more than Americans, it’s not just a once in a lifetime thing. Even poorer people will go to a neighbouring country or something for vacation occasionally.
hardly different than a Texan visiting California and new York.
Of course it’s different. The difference between the average Texan and the average Californian is a slight accent and some specific differences of opinion about very specific topics. The biggest thing will probably be that the average Texan sees himself as more of a countryside/rural person and the average Californian sees himself as more of a city person, but again, you will have those kind of differences in the smallest of countries.
The average Irish person and the average Romanian person will barely be able to effectively communicate. They have a completely different language, a completely different history, a completely different identity and completely different values. So much so that they will be completely unfamiliar with traditions, customs, etc of the other outside of some stereotypes.
A Texan and a Californian will not have any issues interacting with eachother at all, their biggest difference will probably be rural vs urban thinking. Every Texan knows at least one person from California, probably they know a Californian personally or they are familiar with at least 1 Californian due to TV, radio, etc, same thing the other way around.
I’m gonna have to maintain that if you come from some small European shit hole and you travel a short distance to a neighboring country you are not more traveled than a new yorker who has visited south Carolina and Texas. Its right there. You can take a train. If you’ve gotten on a 13 hour flight then you are more traveled than most Americans.
The average Irish person and the average Romanian person will barely be able to effectively communicate.
This is like an American going to the Bahamas. Like everyone does that.
Most American do visit mexico . and those of us who aren’t poor fly over seas every now and then its just like a 13 hour plus flight and hard with kids. So we can’t do it on a weekend. I’ll be in North China come February. You typically need like a big castle or something to attract a American that far.
Its just like a Romanian almost never goes to see Texas.
I’m gonna have to maintain that if you come from some small European shit hole and you travel a short distance to a neighboring country you are not more traveled than a new yorker who has visited south Carolina and Texas.
Fair.
This is like an American going to the Bahamas. Like everyone does that.
Most American do visit mexico.
Yeah but those are actually different countries. An American travelling to Mexico is different than a Californian travelling to Texas.
its just like a 13 hour plus flight and hard with kids.
Yeah I completely understand why Americans don’t travel as much overseas, all I’m saying is that it’s kinda funny sometimes when Americans talk about other countries with a lot of confidence even though they have never even visited that country.
And I also think it’s pretty funny when Europeans think they are basically a native just because they visited a country a couple of times.
Its just like a Romanian almost never goes to see Texas.
Sure, but again, you claimed that the US is “more Like the EU in form and function”. That’s just not true, the EU doesn’t really have a federal government at all, it doesn’t even have law enforcement or a common cultural identity. I would say that a Romanian has about as much in common with an Irishman as he does with an American. And I’m not saying that someone from Texas is exactly the same as someone from California, but the cultural differences are smaller.
In terms of geographical area maybe. In terms of population, no.
No, absolutely not, you underestimate the impact that different languages and a history full of international conflict has. Until WWII, Europe was constantly and brutally fighting each-other. Until very recently, you had a large array of different political entities and systems, from small republics to empires.
All the regional differences that exist in America exist within European countries too, they just have a longer history.
I wouldn’t say I “look down on Americans” for that, it’s just a stereotype that Americans always think of the US as this magical, special and unique place in terms of diversity and regional differences while at the same time, they believe that everyone in Europe basically has the same views and opinions on everything because “Europe is a homogeneous place”, all without ever having visited Europe.
It was a common meme for a “typical american” to say something like “Yeah, an European country providing healthcare for people is nice and all, but that wouldn’t be possible in the US. It works in Europe because they are so small and homogeneous and America has so many differences and is so large, it would never work.”. Meanwhile, half of all US states have a population of 5 million or lower.
Most people from Europe tend to travel more than Americans, it’s not just a once in a lifetime thing. Even poorer people will go to a neighbouring country or something for vacation occasionally.
Of course it’s different. The difference between the average Texan and the average Californian is a slight accent and some specific differences of opinion about very specific topics. The biggest thing will probably be that the average Texan sees himself as more of a countryside/rural person and the average Californian sees himself as more of a city person, but again, you will have those kind of differences in the smallest of countries.
The average Irish person and the average Romanian person will barely be able to effectively communicate. They have a completely different language, a completely different history, a completely different identity and completely different values. So much so that they will be completely unfamiliar with traditions, customs, etc of the other outside of some stereotypes.
A Texan and a Californian will not have any issues interacting with eachother at all, their biggest difference will probably be rural vs urban thinking. Every Texan knows at least one person from California, probably they know a Californian personally or they are familiar with at least 1 Californian due to TV, radio, etc, same thing the other way around.
I’m gonna have to maintain that if you come from some small European shit hole and you travel a short distance to a neighboring country you are not more traveled than a new yorker who has visited south Carolina and Texas. Its right there. You can take a train. If you’ve gotten on a 13 hour flight then you are more traveled than most Americans.
This is like an American going to the Bahamas. Like everyone does that.
Most American do visit mexico . and those of us who aren’t poor fly over seas every now and then its just like a 13 hour plus flight and hard with kids. So we can’t do it on a weekend. I’ll be in North China come February. You typically need like a big castle or something to attract a American that far.
Its just like a Romanian almost never goes to see Texas.
Fair.
Yeah but those are actually different countries. An American travelling to Mexico is different than a Californian travelling to Texas.
Yeah I completely understand why Americans don’t travel as much overseas, all I’m saying is that it’s kinda funny sometimes when Americans talk about other countries with a lot of confidence even though they have never even visited that country.
And I also think it’s pretty funny when Europeans think they are basically a native just because they visited a country a couple of times.
Sure, but again, you claimed that the US is “more Like the EU in form and function”. That’s just not true, the EU doesn’t really have a federal government at all, it doesn’t even have law enforcement or a common cultural identity. I would say that a Romanian has about as much in common with an Irishman as he does with an American. And I’m not saying that someone from Texas is exactly the same as someone from California, but the cultural differences are smaller.
Fair enough. I’ve never even been there.