NationStates Jolt Archive

Someone started a thread "Where have you been and where do you want to go." http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=9132487#post9132487

From reading the thread, it appears that Europeans travel more, at least on vacation, than Americans. Even though I have traveled quite a bit on business, my vacation time seems to be spent visiting relatives rather than visiting new and different places. What do you think?

well i would assume so.

excuse my language, but as a Canadian, i live in a big-ass country, lots of ground to cover... i haven't even been to every province and territory yet. and isn't it important for me to do that first, before going all over the world?

the way i see Europe, such small countries, it's like living in Holland and going to Germany for the day and coming back for dinner. you can almost do that everywhere.

I don't know how often the average American would leave for a holiday abroad, but for most Europeans, going abroad once a year on average seems the normal thing to me.

Mind you, in Europe, you ARE abroad a lot faster, that might be one of the reasons. Almost everybody can afford it, you can reach other counrties easily by car or with a short flight (1-3 hours. 3 hours might actually take you to the next continent...)

To list the places I've been so far (being from Germany) :

Austria
Switzerland
Italy
Kroatia
Czech Republic
Turkey
France
Netherlands
Belgium
England, Wales, Scotland
Canada
USA
Ireland
Denmark

An American traveling the same distance as a European does to get to another country would just land the American in another state. I'd be interested to see a comparison of distance traveled rather than destinations. I mean, if you're in England there is a train that will take you to France...

It might turn out that they still travel greater distances than Americans, it just seems that geography effects that more than anything.

Like The Chocolate Goddess said, America is REALLY big. I imagine that if you counted interstate travel that you would find Americans traveling alot more than Europeans for pleasure

An American traveling the same distance as a European does to get to another country would just land the American in another state. I'd be interested to see a comparison of distance traveled rather than destinations. I mean, if you're in England there is a train that will take you to France...

It might turn out that they still travel greater distances than Americans, it just seems that geography effects that more than anything.

Well, in the last two decades it has become more and more fashionable to travel further. Most people I know have been to America (either to the US or Canada, most of them both), a good number have been to Asia or the Middle East (Egypt must be such a fascinating place), and people who just want sun and beaches like to go to the Caribbean.
Being middle-class myself I realise that I'm most likely not talking about a majority here, but people in general find it important to see and experience other cultures. When I was at university, we were strongly encouraged to spend a few semesters abroad, as it would make us more sought-after when it comes to getting a job in our profession. Our school was having exchange programs with Itlay, England, USA, France, Hungary and South Africa. Knowing about other countries and cultures is regarded more or less essential in Europe.

Yep. Me in NY traveling to California/Florida is like somebody some guy in France going to China.

I am going to another nation (Canada doesnt count) for the second time in my 15 years this summer, though. (Been to a few places in the Carribean, and am now going to France)

Well, in the last two decades it has become more and more fashionable to travel further. Most people I know have been to America (either to the US or Canada, most of them both), a good number have been to Asia or the Middle East (Egypt must be such a fascinating place), and people who just want sun and beaches like to go to the Caribbean.
Being middle-class myself I realise that I'm most likely not talking about a majority here, but people in general find it important to see and experience other cultures. When I was at university, we were strongly encouraged to spend a few semesters abroad, as it would make us more sought-after when it comes to getting a job in our profession. Our school was having exchange programs with Itlay, England, USA, France, Hungary and South Africa. Knowing about other countries and cultures is regarded more or less essential in Europe.
Our universities have the same deal. Mostly it's prissy rich girls that end up going. Maybe thats why Europe considers us spoiled, they keep getting all our spoiled children in university exchange...

The exchange students we get have been fascinating, cool people. But maybe I've been lucky in the ones I've met.

I dunno about the ROC (Rest of Canada), but Quebecers do travel a lot. My friends are planning their vacations so that they can take the plane and go someplace far.

My recent destinations:
- San Antonio, TX, USA (1998)
- Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, MX (1999)
- Raleigh, NC, USA (2000) twice (1 week each time)
- Spain and France's Pyrenee mountains, Barcelona, Murcia (2001)
- Brazil (2003)
- India (2005)
- Switzerland, Hungary, Croatia, Austria (2005)

Most of my friends go to: Cuba, Dominican Republic, Thailand, Mexico, France, UK. Older people like to go to Florida mostly.

PS: We're by no means rich (mostly middle-class with a small budget), and when we travel to Europe/Asia we take the train (2nd or 3rd class), sleep in cheap hotels and backpack, it's the Canadian way! We meet a lot of Australian backpackers on the way. Bus loads of Brits and French. And camera-happy Americans and Japanese!

1/5 Americans have their passports.

1/7 can't find USA on a map...

Someone started a thread "Where have you been and where do you want to go." http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=9132487#post9132487

From reading the thread, it appears that Europeans travel more, at least on vacation, than Americans. Even though I have traveled quite a bit on business, my vacation time seems to be spent visiting relatives rather than visiting new and different places. What do you think?

Yeah, the US and Canada is pretty big. While its good to get out and see the world and different cultures, if you live in theNoth of the US and go to the south for a winter break, you've travelled a long distance just stayed inside the same country. To make Americans more seasoned travellers..give a ll the mexican and french colonies back!

I'm Canadian but I don't travel internationally often. I go to the US every other year (mostly New York, New Jersey, and Chicago). I go to Toronto practically every year. I go to Pakistan every um.. decade. That's about it :D

the way i see Europe, such small countries, it's like living in Holland and going to Germany for the day and coming back for dinner. you can almost do that everywhere.
That's so true!
When I was in a train in Eastern Europe, I took a 1 hours nap and completely missed Slovenia. Later my wife told my that anyway, it wasn't much of a country, not much to see when compared to its neighbors. :D

It's difficult to judge people from different continents; the geography and politics play a huge role in the way people travel, anyway. For example, if you're in India, you have a really big country to visit, but you can't really access the neighbors (borders are tense). So as a result, Indians travel mostly in their own country. The wealthy ones like to visit England, Canada, the US, Autralia.

In Europe they have smaller countries, which are very well connected by a cheap railway system. I mean.. you can take a Eurail pass with a special plan, and have free unlimited access to a selection of countries. This is SO cool. I can't imagine doing that in the US or Canada: trains are expensive, inter-city buses are painfully slow and uncomfortable. You have to drive. In Europe, we often take the night train and sleep in a VERY comfortable, private cabin for 2. I wouldn't believe my eyes when I saw the cabin: wow!!!! I slept like a baby (without the crying part). That way, you sleep well & save on hotels. Backpacking rules in Europe!

I don't think it's such a huge priority for me to visit Canada before visiting other countries. I go with the flow. Opportunities are unpredictable. Hey, I visited India because I was invited to a wedding there. Cool reason to get there!!! But right now I have visited maybe 1/4 of Canada, and I plan to visit other places (mostly in the west and the north) in the next years. We have friends in Alberta, so it's gonna be easier to get there and enjoy the stay!

I'm a Canadian, and I heven't seen our own east coast beyond a short stay in Halifax. I've been in every province including and west of Ontario, NUnavut when oit was the NWT, plus Montreal on a semi-reghular basis and of all those places, I've seen opnly a fraction of what each has to offer.

As an also-ran calibre DJ, I've ridden along with (deservedly) better known DJs I'm friends with, to play all over the globe. The two most common nationalities I've encountered among my feloow travllers are, in order: Australian and Canadian, followed closely by Americans and New Zealenders, everyone else being Europeans or South Americans. I think, based on this experience, that the greatest Globaltrotting nations are Australia and Canada. But most of these are the hobo type travellers like myself, working their way across the globe

As far as Tourrorists (not a typo), Europeans win hands down, but that could be because in Canda, American visitros are most often encountered in cottage country locales like Muskoka, Lake of The Woods, The Laurentians and the Jasper area...where they blend in very well (since they are "living" here during their stay, in cottages and cabins)

Between Canada and Mexico alone, I think you'd find the amount of Americans who regularily travel to another country to be quite a large number.

Like sevral people have already said, the size of our countries mean that the distances we have to travel to visit another continent are HUGE, and the distance between two major cities can be quite vast, with all kinds of fascinating places on the way in between. On wednesday, I leave to visit my parents in Winipeg, Manitoba, a distance of soemthing like 1800 KM (??? I dunno the exact figure) Thats just one province over. Extrapolate that to how many countries you'd travel across covering the same distance in Europe: You run out of Europe very quickly. The are I live in, Southern Ontario, is as big as Europe all on its own!

Broad sweeping generalisations ahead.

Okay I've seen most of Europe a lot of Asia and most of South America (I'm English) and during that time I've met many Americans travelling as well. Some on business some on holiday.

Anyway i found so many of them not very interested in where they were. or let me clarify that. In Venice i met some Americans from Oregan, they were great, but they went through the sites like boxes being ticked off. They 'did' Venice.

It seems odd but even those americans who escape their large country don't really seem that interested in whats going on. Just to look and stare.

I also noticed one thing. without exception every American i met travelling was from New Engladn/ New york, the West coast or Chicago. Just wondered if anyone else has noticed that.

That's so true!
When I was in a train in Eastern Europe, I took a 1 hours nap and completely missed Slovenia. Later my wife told my that anyway, it wasn't much of a country, not much to see when compared to its neighbors. :D
European coutries aren't small. A train takes four hours to reach Glasgow to Dundee, which is further north of where I live, and it's still in Scotland.

European coutries aren't small. A train takes four hours to reach Glasgow to Dundee, which is further north of where I live, and it's still in Scotland.


Haha, it takes 5 hours just to drive the long way across my state.

European coutries aren't small. A train takes four hours to reach Glasgow to Dundee, which is further north of where I live, and it's still in Scotland.

And in that same time you could cross from Germany through Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Austria to reach Italy.
Some European countries are among the smallest in the world, and if you're traveling you most likely cut through part of a country, not doing it east to west and north to south...

And in that same time you could cross from Germany through Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Austria to reach Italy.
Some European countries are among the smallest in the world, and if you're traveling you most likely cut through part of a country, not doing it east to west and north to south...

In Canda and the US there is a phrase we use for really smal towns: "Blink and you'll miss it". In Europe, the same phrase can be applied to entire countries. (Lichtenstein, Andorra, San MArino, Monaco) Well, if your on the express train anyway. I once missed Luxembourg while on a high speed train because I went to take a dump.

In Canda and the US there is a phrase we use for really smal towns: "Blink and you'll miss it". In Europe, the same phrase can be applied to entire countries. (Lichtenstein, Andorra, San MArino, Monaco) Well, if your on the express train anyway. I once missed Luxembourg while on a high speed train because I went to take a dump.

Oh, there are similar jokes in Europe. Why are the speed limits in Switzerland so strict? - Because otherwise you wouldn't even notice that you are crossing the country :D

Oh, there are similar jokes in Europe. Why are the speed limits in Switzerland so strict? - Because otherwise you wouldn't even notice that you are crossing the country :D

Yeah, I've heard quite a few of them. I was actually quite disappopinted when I missed Luxembourg...my late (German) Uncle was quite a fan of the place...would have been nice to see it, even at high speeds. I'll have to make trip there someday, to see why he liked it so much.

San Antonio, TX, USA (1998)


And what did you think of Alamo City?

Anyhoo, when I still lived in South Florida, my family would make a yearly trip to San Antonio to see family. We would drive the whole way, every time. But now that we live here there isn’t much call for that. A few years ago we took a trip to Vegas and the year before that we visited D.C. Overall, though, I guess I don’t go on vacation much, I like where I live, and don’t see much of a reason to leave it for an extended period. Although, I do have to drive over twenty miles to get to school when its in session, and the same goes for getting to the church I attend. Perhaps, if you take into account only mileage, I travel far more than most people.

And what did you think of Alamo City?
I love San Antonio, although I didn't have the time to visit the rest of Texas.
The food was great, the city is beautiful (the canale, the hotels, this huge building from 1929 with gargoyles). People were nice.

A few strange things: people there ABUSE air conditionned. I mean... it's 35C outside but 16C inside. I got a sore throat after 2 days at the hotel.

I really enjoyed walking in the streets, going to Mexican markets and buying dried peppers. Man, they do have a lot of choice!!!

Visited the Alamo of course, the old colonial mission and church too.

I ate at various restaurants along the canale, including a british pub and a mexican place (very cheap, very good). Texan grils rock.
The trees inside the house / growing through the walls, along the canale, are so cool.

I have also visited the botanical gardens, city's park, that tower from a continental exposition.

I was there to give a conference, but luckily the university was paying me to stay there for 6 days. :D

I've talked with alot of people in my age( high school grads, give or take a few years) in the US. And alot of them have never even left their homestate, let alone the countrie. And only 20% of Americans have a passport.
This does have an affect on how Americans view the world around them, IMO.

Myself, I'm finnish, and I've been to lots of countries in my 18 years:
Sweden
Denmark
Germany
England
France
Holland
Estonia
Lithuania
Latvia
Poland
Slovakia
Hungary
Romania
Spain
Brazil
US(3 times)
Canada

And this list includes trips far enough to be comperable to international trips for Americans too.

And even if Americans might travel further then Europeans in distance, never underestimate the power of cultural change when crossing a border. I mean, even inside the US, you have big differences between states, now think about countries, where people talk different languages, watch different TV shows and read other books then their neighbouring countries. They have different traditions(Europe is a melting pot of cool traditions and cultures, all tracing far back into history) to their neighbours too...
It's an experience to cross a border.

Overall, though, I guess I don’t go on vacation much, I like where I live, and don’t see much of a reason to leave it for an extended period. Although, I do have to drive over twenty miles to get to school when its in session, and the same goes for getting to the church I attend. Perhaps, if you take into account only mileage, I travel far more than most people.

I know this is a selected piece of what was posted by Undelia and I am not targetting them specifically, but this does express something rather fundamental in the different attitudes that seem to hold between Europeans and residents of continental scale countries (with the possible exception of Australia).

The idea that I am comfortable where I am so why would I bother traveling for extended periosds, is something that simply does not pass through the head of the average European. Why, because travelling is not about comfort. It is about experience and variety. Now if you live in Texas or Florida, then travelling a few hours is not going to bring you any variety. In fact travelling a day or two (by road) is really necessary before things start to change. The people you meet in your everyday life are nearly all from the same type of culture. Yes in San Antonio you will meet some tourists, but the majority will be the same type. It is not like living in London, or Rome, or even New York or SF. There you will find many differewnt cultures, and you learn to be interested in foreign ways and foreign ideas. Because they are present in your everyday life.

Most urban Europeans experience this, there are too many tourists from different places, to ignore them. Rural Europeans though are no more prone to travel than rural Americans. I lived for ten years in Yorkshire in England. Many of the locals had never left the county, and were proud of that fact. There is a lot to do with your home environment, as to whether there is a motivation to explore present, or not. Hence the USians encountered in foreign climes tend to be from the big cities. The same, however is true of the Europeans.

If you were to put it in perspective of miles travelled rather than place or nations. Then I would think you would see a more of an even number. I mean you can spit across alot of European nations. So to say as a European that you have been to 3 countries on vacation this year. It could be same as travelling from New York to Florida. If you really dig down into statistics you will find that more airflight miles are travelled in the US than anywhere else in the world. So again its a European generated misnomer as with many things "they" say about Americans.

Another thing I want to add is that I personally been to 52 other nations outside the US (50 within 14yrs). I have lived in the UK and Morocco(Hence the name). Im a regular ole American. No special upbringing or rich family either.

Being a Brit, I can say that the majority of people in my country, travel to Florida, France, Spain and around the Med in some way or another. This is the norm. However a funny note to add, when I went to Venice I also sat near some cousins from across the pond and all they went on about was there stupid ranch in Oregon! There they were in one of the worlds most beautiful cities talking about cattle and wind generators!

Remember British people don't class themselves as European! Its like calling an American a Mexican. Just because they are nearby doesnt mean they get on!

I know this is a selected piece of what was posted by Undelia and I am not targetting them specifically, but this does express something rather fundamental in the different attitudes that seem to hold between Europeans and residents of continental scale countries (with the possible exception of Australia).

The idea that I am comfortable where I am so why would I bother traveling for extended periosds, is something that simply does not pass through the head of the average European. Why, because travelling is not about comfort. It is about experience and variety. Now if you live in Texas or Florida, then travelling a few hours is not going to bring you any variety. In fact travelling a day or two (by road) is really necessary before things start to change. The people you meet in your everyday life are nearly all from the same type of culture. Yes in San Antonio you will meet some tourists, but the majority will be the same type. It is not like living in London, or Rome, or even New York or SF. There you will find many differewnt cultures, and you learn to be interested in foreign ways and foreign ideas. Because they are present in your everyday life.

Most urban Europeans experience this, there are too many tourists from different places, to ignore them. Rural Europeans though are no more prone to travel than rural Americans. I lived for ten years in Yorkshire in England. Many of the locals had never left the county, and were proud of that fact. There is a lot to do with your home environment, as to whether there is a motivation to explore present, or not. Hence the USians encountered in foreign climes tend to be from the big cities. The same, however is true of the Europeans.

True.

A few strange things: people there ABUSE air conditionned. I mean... it's 35C outside but 16C inside. I got a sore throat after 2 days at the hotel.

That’s how it is in most of the US. Our air conditioners are always on. We don’t turn them off unless they freeze over, we are having money problems, or its cold enough outside to use a heater. Also, there is the odd environmentalists nut that try to preserve energy so they keep the thermostat set high. (me :D ).

I was there to give a conference, but luckily the university was paying me to stay there for 6 days. :D

Good deal. :D

People living in big cities tend to travel more... because of 2 main reasons.

1) Salaries are usually higher in cities (thus, you can afford travelling). I've seen stats about Canada and people living in cities are 32% richer.

2) Living in a big cities means you're close to an international airport. For instance I live in Rimouski, a small city... if I want to travel I have to first drive 6 hours to get to Montreal's airport. So basically I lose 1 day.

"Do Europeans travel more than Americans or Canadians"

No.

European coutries aren't small. A train takes four hours to reach Glasgow to Dundee, which is further north of where I live, and it's still in Scotland.

It's a matter of scale:

The whole of the UK is 241,590 sq km (93,278 sq miles), which is smaller than OREGON. Scotland accounts for 78772 sq km (30418 sq miles) of it... or about the same size as South Carolina.

As a point of reference, Oregon is the 10th largest state, South Carolina is the 40th. http://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/infopage/usabysiz.htm

Even France, the largest European country (excluding Russia & Ukraine) is smaller than two Colorados (or, if you prefer, France is two Scotlands smaller than Texas)....

Europe is full of diverse culture, language and traditions. Apart from landscape, the US is all the same. Thats why Europeans travel more for leisure, because there is more to see! In the US the only difference in culture in the different states is the menu in McDonalds and even then its pretty much the same. Thats why the majority of travel is business related in the US.

In conclusion Americans travel more in their own nation only because its so big. Europe though travels because its how we have our holidays

Europe is full of diverse culture, language and traditions. Apart from landscape, the US is all the same. Thats why Europeans travel more for leisure, because there is more to see! In the US the only difference in culture in the different states is the menu in McDonalds and even then its pretty much the same. Thats why the majority of travel is business related in the US.
Have you ever visited the US?
Or Canada?
It's quite obvious that you can't tell the difference between a Cajun catfish soup, a New England clam chowder (creamy, with green pepper), a Texan grill or a Californian avocado-clementine salad.

I'm sick of these people pretending that there is no culture, good food, traditions, architecture, ..., in North America. Grow up and stop pretending that you're the center of the goddam universe.

And in that same time you could cross from Germany through Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Austria to reach Italy.
Some European countries are among the smallest in the world, and if you're traveling you most likely cut through part of a country, not doing it east to west and north to south...
You obviously failed Geography in school if you think Germany combined with Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Austria is smaller than Scotland.

Europe is full of diverse culture, language and traditions. Apart from landscape, the US is all the same. Thats why Europeans travel more for leisure, because there is more to see!
In the US the only difference in culture in the different states is the menu in McDonalds and even then its pretty much the same. Thats why the majority of travel is business related in the US.

This is the silliest piece of tripe I've seen on NS in 5 minutes...

If you really think New York, San Francisco, Boston, Seattle, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Miami and Los Angeles are all the same, I pity you.
Never mind The Grand Canyon, Hawaii, Myrtle Beach, Niagra Falls (props to our northern neighbors), Yosemite National Park... Nothing to see in the US? Pfha.

Also:
The little fact that most (continental) Europeans LIVE in their capital cities and that they traditionally LEAVE the city because of the oppressive heat in the summertime have anything to do with it, hmm? :rolleyes:

I'm mildly surprised that noone has commented on of the things mentioned on page one. Someone said, that travelling from NY to Florida would be the same as someone French travelling to China (!). I think *someone* needs to brush up on his geography.

I live in Denmark and I think of myself as a "seasoned traveller". I've been to (Starting with countries close to my location):

Sweden (many)
Norway (almost as many as Sweden)
Finland
Germany (too many to count)
Holland (x3)
Belgium (x3)
Luxemburg
England
France (x2)
Switzerland (ca. x11)
Italy (x2)
Carribean
China
South Korea
Mongolia
Japan
Vietnam
Thailand (x9)
Indonesia (Bali)(x2)
Malaysia
Singapore (x4)
(I was supposed to go to the US, but my mother threw a knife in her foot, badly injuring herself, so we had to cancel)

This is what I've managed in my 18 years of living.

Experiencing new cultures is eccential to both me and my family. This is why we do not just stay in Europe. We mainly travel to the far east, since this is where the culture is most unique imo. I agree with those before me who claim that americans (sorry for the generalisation; this only applies to those, who I have met (I'm sure the intellectual, american youth of this forum will not feel hurt. If you do; Its unintentional, and I'm sorry)) are ignorant concerning other cultures. They only travel to relax not to experience. Instead it sometimes seem as if the travelling american is trying to convert the "natives" to the american way of living, seeing how much time americans use praising America. Open your eyes. See, smell, taste, and touch new cultures no matter if they smell bad.

As to the actual topic, I haven't really seen that many Americans during my travels. Australians travel alot to South-Eastern Asia, but I haven't seen them anywhere but there. Americans in general are to scared to go there with "recent" events like to bombings on Bali and that sort of stuff (my mother is in the travelling business, so I know this for a fact. Its not something I'm making up). I've never met a Canadian fellow (but I am looking forward to it :P).

So if "travelling" refers to travelling between >different< countries, I'm forced to conclude that, yes, Europeans do travel more. Also, everybody I know has their own passport, very unlike americans.

Also, here in Denmark its the custom that when you finish school (before you go to the university (around the age of 21)) you go exploring the world for a year or so. So most of the Danish youth has travelled quite a bit.

I think its fair enough, that Americans don't leave the US that often or never at all, but when they do, I think it would be wise to experience the foreign culture (omg, I've seen quite a lot of Americans ordering big beef stakes instead of local food in Thailand way too often), since it would definately broaden your horizon. You could also try to learn a bit of some different languages (there was a language thread some weeks back..) since that also really helps a lot instead of also speaking some form of English (be that English or American or whatever).

I'm going to Switzerland and Thailand (again) this summer for the vacation. We're going to Phuket to spend some money since they really could use that after the tsunami (which also scared to americans away (europeans too)). Possibly we're going to some Southern European country as well, but thats not decided yet.

I really would like to go to Japan again sometime. That country really rocks, and I'm trying to learn Japanese. Maybe when I finish school next summer..

PS; This is not meant as an anti-american post. Its just an account for observations made.

PPS: Having a mother in the travelling-industri rocks, since we get airplane tickets for something close to nothing (uh.. And sometimes you get upgraded to business as well :D).

Oh, and I agree; inter-railing Europe is totally awesome. And cheap too.

I'm mildly surprised that noone has commented on of the things mentioned on page one. Someone said, that travelling from NY to Florida would be the same as someone French travelling to China (!). I think *someone* needs to brush up on his geography.


That's pretty bad... I figure NYC to Miami at about 1200 miles/1920 km.
Which is about equal to Paris to Bucharest (Romania)...

...And If I recall my old history prof correctly, the distance from Paris to Moscow is about the same as NYC to Denver. ;)

Europe is full of diverse culture, language and traditions. Apart from landscape, the US is all the same. Thats why Europeans travel more for leisure, because there is more to see! In the US the only difference in culture in the different states is the menu in McDonalds and even then its pretty much the same. Thats why the majority of travel is business related in the US.

This view and idea is a complete farce. Obviously you havent travelled the US. There are more diverse languages, people and religions than any other place on earth. Its obvious in which one of the worlds cultures is more affluent over the rest of them. Its not Europes.

I'm mildly surprised that noone has commented on of the things mentioned on page one. Someone said, that travelling from NY to Florida would be the same as someone French travelling to China (!). I think *someone* needs to brush up on his geography.

.

Try reading the post you are mentioning. Nothing was said it was the same to China.

In conclusion Americans travel more in their own nation only because its so big. Europe though travels because its how we have our holidays


Umm ok.... We dont have holidays? I know we work alot harder but cmon now.

Umm ok.... We dont have holidays? I know we work alot harder but cmon now.
It's sad to say, but you can do a lot more travel during a European worker's vacation (3-6 weeks straight) than during a North American worker's vacation (up to 2 weeks, 16 days max).
When French people move to Quebec, they are horrified by how short our vacations are. So they pack up and go back to France... and we can keep our accent and our maple syrup for ourselves.

Hmm, I've been to Germany, the GDR, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Liechtenstein, France, Spain, Turkey, The Czech Republic, Dubai, China, Singapore and Australia.
Obviously, in the EU it's easier to travel, but also leaving the EU is seemingly more common for Europeans than Americans leaving the US.
Maybe it has something to do with the status someone in Germany gains with his peers when he spends lots of money on a trip half way around the world?
Or maybe it's just that Americans don't think the rest of the world is worth seeing. They'd rather see the Grand Canyon...but can that really be it?

This view and idea is a complete farce. Obviously you havent travelled the US. There are more diverse languages, people and religions than any other place on earth. Its obvious in which one of the worlds cultures is more affluent over the rest of them. Its not Europes.

WHile I do not unbderstand what you mean by affluent here. I would beg to differ about the culture in the USA being more varied that the culture in the old world over an equivalent land area. In one country the USA probably only loses out to China on this (far more varied than people think), but over an equivalent land mass, then you would have to compare all of Europe, some of the middle east and parts of North Africa for cultural variety with the USA. No contest, I am afraid to say. Remember that many European countries have large numbers of immigrants as well, who brought their culture with them. Soho, in London is as chinese as chinatown. Acton, also in London, could just as well be Islamabad. etc.

Obviously you havent travelled the US. There are more diverse languages, people and religions than any other place on earth. Its obvious in which one of the worlds cultures is more affluent over the rest of them. Its not Europes.
Obviously you haven't traveled in Europe.

What's funny in this thread, is that people go to all possible extremes, even inventing new ones along the way.

Europe is full of diverse culture, language and traditions. Apart from landscape, the US is all the same. Thats why Europeans travel more for leisure, because there is more to see! In the US the only difference in culture in the different states is the menu in McDonalds and even then its pretty much the same. Thats why the majority of travel is business related in the US.

I was going to make a comment similar to this, but you beat me to it. Now I'll content myself with commenting on this.

(Disclaimer: European. British, in point of fact. Have been to the US exactly once, and stayed within about ten, twenty miles of Philadelphia)

The US is not all the same. How can it be? It covers close to half of a continent (North America), there's bound to be regional difference. Unless there's a cheap, high-speed method of travel which means that people from all over can mix, but there isn't.

However, it /is/ one country. It mostly speaks one language, accents notwithstanding. It's based on one set of founding principles, one political system, etc etc. There is a lot more population movement between states than between countries in Europe (I'm guessing here, but it seems reasonable - travelling between nations is always going to be more complicated than travelling inside one, even if only because of the language barrier). Thus, it is going to be more homogenous than Europe, which is a continent made up of a whole variety of cultural backgrounds etc.

There's also the fact that large areas of the US are geographically similar, or so I gather. I'm not sure why that is. It certainly isn't in Britain. It may be in Europe, I've not really been paying attention too much when I've travelled (which hasn't been all that often anyway).

I think the Americans and Europeans should stop bitching. The prolly both travel about the same distance, but Europeans go to more places.

HOWEVER, Australians definitely travel more than either of you. As for not seeing Aussies anywhere but SE Asia? Complete bull. Ever been to England? We've taken over the nation :D And we're all through Europe, Canadia (we OWN Whistler), and some parts of the States. Distance-wise we easily travel more (considering we're as big as mainland USA but are more centralised, thus have to travel more to get anywhere), and we easily go to more nations than the Seppos.

So anyway, bicker all you want, but Aussies have all of you pwned :p

This view and idea is a complete farce. Obviously you havent travelled the US. There are more diverse languages, people and religions than any other place on earth. Its obvious in which one of the worlds cultures is more affluent over the rest of them. Its not Europes.
Not really. America is certainly not all the same, but Europe is more diverse. America is overwhelmingly white, Christian and English-speaking.

This Connecticut Yankee has travelled to:

While Communist (each once for three weeks):
Poland, Czechoslovakia, East Germany and Hungary. (1980s)

Free Europe:
England, Iceland, Luxembourg, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Austria (x2), Slovakia (x4), Poland (x4), & Czech Republic (x2).

Canada:
Ontario, Nova Scotia, and British Columbia.

US: (26 states)
Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachussettes, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, California, Oregon, Washington, Missouri, Utah, Arizona and Nevada.

...and I'm working on getting to:
Japan
Australia
Belize
Italy

Europe is full of diverse culture, language and traditions. Apart from landscape, the US is all the same. Thats why Europeans travel more for leisure, because there is more to see! In the US the only difference in culture in the different states is the menu in McDonalds and even then its pretty much the same. Thats why the majority of travel is business related in the US.

I'm not so sure about that. I think there is a big difference in the culture and traditions of different regions of the US. Please note I said regions. For example, I grew up in the Northeast, Massachusetts, and my wife grew up in the Deep South, Alabama. While the language we spoke was the same, the accents are about as different as England and Ireland. There is a big difference in the foods the local people eat. Sure McD is the same in both places, but not so, the food in local restraints and definitely a big difference in what is eaten at home.

The clothes worn by people in different regions of the country are different. You won't find very many people in Maine wearing cowboy hats and boots, and you won't find a lot of people in Texas wearing overalls.

Originally Posted by Imperial Brittannia
In conclusion Americans travel more in their own nation only because its so big. Europe though travels because its how we have our holidays

Umm ok.... We dont have holidays? I know we work alot harder but cmon now.

What he is saying is Europeans spend their vacations (they call them holidays) traveling to other countries. For the Europeans an American Holiday is a day such as Christmas or the Fourth of July, and a week or two off from work is a vacation. Hey, we've been talking cultural differences and there is one

It ISN'T true that America is all the same everywhere (speaking as a brit) it covers half a continent for gods sake! But Europe does have greater variation on the whole.

You obviously failed Geography in school if you think Germany combined with Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Austria is smaller than Scotland.

Excuse me, but I never said that. What I said was you could cross the German border, drive in a more or less straight line through Switzerland, Liechtenstein ans Austria and be in Italy within 4 hours.
How do I know? I've done that almost every year when going on vacation.

I'm not so sure about that. I think there is a big difference in the culture and traditions of different regions of the US. Please note I said regions. For example, I grew up in the Northeast, Massachusetts, and my wife grew up in the Deep South, Alabama. While the language we spoke was the same, the accents are about as different as England and Ireland. There is a big difference in the foods the local people eat. Sure McD is the same in both places, but not so, the food in local restraints and definitely a big difference in what is eaten at home.

The clothes worn by people in different regions of the country are different. You won't find very many people in Maine wearing cowboy hats and boots, and you won't find a lot of people in Texas wearing overalls.

True... but if you project this distance to Europe, you would be living in Sweden and have married a woman from Tunisia. That's not just different accents like in England and Ireland (which are about 150 km apart), that's talking entirely different languages, writing with different alphabets, different religion, very different history, different appearances, different traditions and different food.
It's not cowboy hats and overalls, it's folkdraegt and kaftans.

While you do have people from different cultures everywhere in the USA, you don't actually have the cultures themselves there, just the extracts that people brought along.

I have been to nearly every continent at least twice...i am only 15 though...

Not really. America is certainly not all the same, but Europe is more diverse. America is overwhelmingly white, Christian and English-speaking.

Never been to New York City eh?

While you do have people from different cultures everywhere in the USA, you don't actually have the cultures themselves there, just the extracts that people brought along.

True. The cultural differences between the regions of the US are not as pronounced as the cultural differences between counties, but they do exist

Never been to New York City eh?

Or Boston.

Or Boston.

Hell... New Haven!!

As to the actual topic, I haven't really seen that many Americans during my travels. Australians travel alot to South-Eastern Asia, but I haven't seen them anywhere but there.
Also, here in Denmark its the custom that when you finish school (before you go to the university (around the age of 21)) you go exploring the world for a year or so. So most of the Danish youth has travelled quite a bit.

Australian also go abroad after high school and before university. its called a gap year. your right australian do mostli go to thailand and palces like that. but i no lots of people who go to fance and the uk for holidays. As for seeing americans you sometimes get them in Oz. some of them can be really nice others are rather loud and stupid, depends on their personality i guess.

Obviously you haven't traveled in Europe.

What's funny in this thread, is that people go to all possible extremes, even inventing new ones along the way.

Been to most of westren Europe. Lived in the UK, Lived in Morocco. Im not 13 like most of these posters on this board either. But thanks for trying to take a jab.

Originally Posted by Imperial Brittannia
In conclusion Americans travel more in their own nation only because its so big. Europe though travels because its how we have our holidays



What he is saying is Europeans spend their vacations (they call them holidays) traveling to other countries. For the Europeans an American Holiday is a day such as Christmas or the Fourth of July, and a week or two off from work is a vacation. Hey, we've been talking cultural differences and there is one
I know what he meant to say. I am familiar with how they use the term "holiday". Specifically it refers to how the English use the term. BTW its also a "holiday" for someone traveling from London to Paris or Amsterdam. Here in the states we would call that a road trip.

Australian also go abroad after high school and before university. its called a gap year. your right australian do mostli go to thailand and palces like that. but i no lots of people who go to fance and the uk for holidays. As for seeing americans you sometimes get them in Oz. some of them can be really nice others are rather loud and stupid, depends on their personality i guess.

Give you a story about an Australian I seen at a store. This guy was yelling at another guy pumping gas while talking on his cell phone. He was yelling and carrying on about how cell phones will cause the gas vapors to blow up. Now the American told him to shut it. I just was laughing to myself. But this Australian was yelling and pitching a fit until his woman told him to get in the car. The moral of this story is: There are loud and stupid people from ever nation. America does not have a monopoly on this behavior.

WHile I do not unbderstand what you mean by affluent here. I would beg to differ about the culture in the USA being more varied that the culture in the old world over an equivalent land area. In one country the USA probably only loses out to China on this (far more varied than people think), but over an equivalent land mass, then you would have to compare all of Europe, some of the middle east and parts of North Africa for cultural variety with the USA. No contest, I am afraid to say. Remember that many European countries have large numbers of immigrants as well, who brought their culture with them. Soho, in London is as chinese as chinatown. Acton, also in London, could just as well be Islamabad. etc.

Im very familiar with Europes cities as mixed cultures. But the sheer mix of peoples in the US trumps any nation. If you want to break it down to size for size then you could probably win on parts of your arguements. But the fact is the the US is one nation. The area in comparison your talking encompasses dozens of nations. You cant compare apples and oranges.

As far as China goes. I have been to Hong Kong and crossed into mainland China. I didnt see to much cultural diversity there. I know there are two main languages but the people look basically the same. It would be like calling India diverse when there are dozens of different languages but the majority of the peoples look the same. This is the same in Europe.

I've realized that we don't travel much because it's financially burdensome. My family's most recent trip--to Poland (we're Polonian)--cost $2400, just for tickets! Sorry, but that's a lot just right there (not to mention we were going to a wedding).

Interestingly enough, I've noticed we spend much more domestically (house, car, shopping, etc.) than on foreign enjoyment. Traveling within America is much more cheaper, and even then, we don't go a lot from state to state. Perhaps this is because we live near Chicago, and frankly, there is always something going on in Chicago. Why should I go to Venice when I can go locally to Chicago, take great pictures of a beautiful day or some bustling street, visit the museum, and enjoy the Taste of Chicago?

I would think Europeans traveled more. They get all kinds of government paid vacation time while americans seldom take what they have coming. Besides, everything is more compact in Europe so travel to other countries is much cheaper.
Canadians, I really don't know for sure, but, from the ones I have talked to, it is often the case that I get the impression, there is no one home.

(yes canadians that was a joke so put your ice augers back)

It would be like calling India diverse when there are dozens of different languages but the majority of the peoples look the same.
Let me disagree politely.

I have been to India, and have traveled 1000 km there.

In the south, the Dravidians are very dark-skinned, eat very spicy, strictly vegetarian food. Not to mention their very special pop music and languages. Even though they are mainly Hinduist, they are very fond of the god Hanuman, which is more of a minor divinity elsewhere.

The Tamils of the south are yet another special group. Their language and writing are very special.

The Bengalis have a fair skin, and like fried food.

The north-western indians are mainly muslims, but their culture is a blend of Hunduist + Islam + Jain + Sikh. They like food without much spice, but cook tender lamb in yogurt sauce, and lots of spinach. It's fatty but a pleasure to eat.

In the western states, there is a huge desert. If you go to Jaisalmer, you'll meet real desert people, with their specific features and their fierce culture.

I think we can identify a dozen main groups in the Indian population, each one with its language, specific origin & history, their food, their religion and their values.

If it wasn't for the British empire, I think today India would be really 6 or 7 independant countries. It wouldn't be so bad, and easier to manage anyway.

If it wasn't for the British empire, I think today India would be really 6 or 7 independant countries. It wouldn't be so bad, and easier to manage anyway.
I couldn't agree more.

You should read 'Kim' by Rudyard Kipling. :)

Interestingly enough, I've noticed we spend much more domestically (house, car, shopping, etc.) than on foreign enjoyment.
That's a question of priorities.
We have a crappy lawnmower, a very crappy old TV (just ONE), just one car, a frightening microwave oven, and a joke of a barbecue. But we travel a lot. That's part of our priorities.

I think that in 10 years I'll have less things rusting in my yard than some of my friends do, but I'll have great memories.

Im very familiar with Europes cities as mixed cultures. But the sheer mix of peoples in the US trumps any nation. If you want to break it down to size for size then you could probably win on parts of your arguements. But the fact is the the US is one nation. The area in comparison your talking encompasses dozens of nations. You cant compare apples and oranges.

As far as China goes. I have been to Hong Kong and crossed into mainland China. I didnt see to much cultural diversity there. I know there are two main languages but the people look basically the same. It would be like calling India diverse when there are dozens of different languages but the majority of the peoples look the same. This is the same in Europe.

To the Chinese visitor, they would not see any difference between California and New Hampshire. It is all very foreign. Please recognise that your perspectiver on China is not one that would enable you to see the cultural variety there. However as you wish on that.

There has been many many times on this forum this debate on whether you can compare the USA with one European country or not. In my post that you are replying to I clearly gave you two different positions to choose from. Either you compare country to country, in which case you could only compare with other countries of similar scale, which excludes any and all European nations. In which case the discussion does not apply to this thread. Or you compare on land area. Which you seem to think is invalid for some reason. Culture is as geographically defined as the staple foodstuff is but the fact that the variation in culture in the US is over such a large geographical area is not relevant from your point of view. Sorry but it is relevant.

Your comment that Europeans all look alike simply shows an ignorance of Europe. You may have been there, but if that is your opinion you did not look at the people. Most Europeans can tell at least which region of Europe someone comes from without them speaking. Just by looking. If we all looked alike that would not be possible. Now tell me that you can tell a New Hampshire native from a Washington State native just by looking (I do not mean native american, I mean born in that state). It may be that you can, I can't. So for me the residents of the USA all look pretty much alike, apart from the chinese or negros or latinos, but hey, they exist in Europe too (think about the origin of the word latino, huh)

That's a question of priorities.
We have a crappy lawnmower, a very crappy old TV (just ONE), just one car, a frightening microwave oven, and a joke of a barbecue. But we travel a lot. That's part of our priorities.

I think that in 10 years I'll have less things rusting in my yard than some of my friends do, but I'll have great memories.

I agree about the priorities. Before we did any kinds of renovation to our house, replace our car (110,000+ miles and crashed numerous times), or anything, we traveled a fair amount. I mean, we have been to Poland twice, and we have traveled to Florida four times (by car), and Canada (by car), but one thing they all had in common was that they were really financially burdensome. I've actually calculated the amount of income our family would make--with two full-time workers and one on disability, and it came out to less than $80,000 (at the most). While I don't work, personally, $80,000 for three people? :(
Not to mention skyrocketing driver's insurance (for me), exorbitant medical bills (medicines and an upcoming surgery), and other outrageously frustrating expenditures.
So yeah, it's a matter of priorities.

I'm American (live in Illinois) and my family travels A LOT! We visit our family in New England every summer, and in Florida every winter. Besides that, by age 13 I had been to almost every state, including Alaska and Hawaii, the caribbean, Canada, and I think Mexico.

I'm American (live in Illinois) and my family travels A LOT! We visit our family in New England every summer, and in Florida every winter. Besides that, by age 13 I had been to almost every state, including Alaska and Hawaii, the caribbean, Canada, and I think Mexico.

Just curiosity. Why the uncertainty about Mexico?

Just curiosity. Why the uncertainty about Mexico?

I don't remember if I had been there yet at that age.

For most Americans goig to Europe is considered a once in a lifetime thing because it is so expensive. I have only been to Europe once, when I was five. It would of been nice to remember it. My big vacation was when our family drove to Newfoundland and visited cousins there. Great trip, Canada is as geographicly diverse as the U.S., maybe even more.

I've read alot of post about people from europe travelling more because europe is compact. That is true, most people I know have been all over europe. In fact my wife is flying to Rome soon and paid £60 for the flight there and back (from the north of England). However it is my experience that the British specifically travel allot. It is not uncommon for people to travel to narth america, australia, north africa, australia and the far east. I think as a people the British don't think it too big a deal to jump on a plane and go half way round the world.
And if you visit any city centre bar in the UK you get a similar impression of the Aussies.

European coutries aren't small. A train takes four hours to reach Glasgow to Dundee, which is further north of where I live, and it's still in Scotland.
That tells more about Scottish railways than about the size of the country. I find it hard to believe that it would take 4 hours as the distance is only about 100 km. Maybe you meant some other town?
Last summer I drove 1100 km in one day to get back home from northern Finland. And I don't live in south. Not all European countries are small but most are. 1100km can reach over 7 countries.

If you really dig down into statistics you will find that more airflight miles are travelled in the US than anywhere else in the world. So again its a European generated misnomer as with many things "they" say about Americans.

We don't have to fly to another country. We take the cheap and fast train and be were we want to just as fast. I visited 3 countries last year. I took a flight to the first one, drove to the next one and a boat to the last one.