You can trade one trait/stereotype/custom from your country and adopt something from another

[RyviaUSA]

American here.  I'd trade away our love of big chains like Walmart and horrendous restaurants like TGIFridays, Ruby Tuesdays etc. away in a heartbeat.  

I'd be content with adopting kilts as acceptable style.  95 degrees and humid?  Definitely wearing a kilt to the office.

[mbflash80]

Id trade away the american trend of the extended family unit not gathering together on a regular basis to share a meal...and replace it with what is still customary in many countries...a meal amongst aunts, uncles, cousins, on a very regular basis. For me growing up in an Italian family here in the united states we would have multiple meals every week with my extended family...it was a great childhood in that regard.

[Puros Y Vino]

38 minutes ago, mbflash80 said:

Id trade away the american trend of the extended family unit not gathering together on a regular basis to share a meal...and replace it with what is still customary in many countries...a meal amongst aunts, uncles, cousins, on a very regular basis. For me growing up in an Italian family here in the united states we would have multiple meals every week with my extended family...it was a great childhood in that regard.

So true. Italian also. After my mom passed away, my aunt invited my brothers and I for a home cooked meal.  My cousin brought his wife and two kids. The food was exactly what we used to have at gatherings as kids. It was like travelling back in time. Best part?  Open invitation for the next meals and my aunt is 10 minutes away. ?

[SigmundChurchill]

The culture of working all the time.  I want to take August off, like in some European countries.  A mid-day siesta would be nice too.

[dominattorney]

I like the extended family one mentioned above. Also American. 

I would trade obesity for the mainland European custom of walking everywhere. Not only do you get exercise regularly but being out in the community strengthens familiarity and connection with those around you in a way cruising the highway in your car does not. 

[Islandboy]

Having a drive-thru for everything from crappy food to banking has become a disgusting American habit that only leads to more disgusting behaviour. I’d like to see open markets everywhere, complete with a few health hazards to keep everyone’s immune system functioning properly. 

[RDB]

Can I please surrender the Brits’ unique self-deprecating snobbery:

“We’re crap, but still somehow better than everyone else”

And swap it for American optimism? 

“We’re a decade behind the Russians in the space race: let’s go to the moon.”

[Fuzz]

13 hours ago, Islandboy said:

Having a drive-thru for everything from crappy food to banking has become a disgusting American habit that only leads to more disgusting behaviour. I’d like to see open markets everywhere, complete with a few health hazards to keep everyone’s immune system functioning properly. 

Yeah, you know you've taken that too far when you have drive-thru funerals.

"Sorry Aunt Petunia, can't park the car for your funeral. I'm taking the kids to Disney World this weekend."

<drives up to viewing window> "Hi, we're here for the Thompson viewing... oh, and could I also get a large fries and jumbo Coke? Thanks."

[99call]

I will give up the UK's class system, and 'old boy alumni' networks

I will take on Japans attention to detail and sense of care/style in every object, no matter how small or seemingly unimportant

[GP]

The culture of working all the time.  I want to take August off, like in some European countries.  A mid-day siesta would be nice too.

Hear, hear! The world has become obsessed with working longer hours


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[PigFish]

I don't want to give up anything! I don't, nor have I ever represented a societal norm. If society wants a norm, let them have it. If you want a tattoo, go get it. Want a $5 crappy latte from a drive-through, go to it...

I want to be king in my own castle. I want to treat people like they are individuals and be treated in kind. But if you want to think poorly of me because you see me as a cigar smoking, truck driving, gun loving, energy hogging, God believing pig... then all the power to you mate!

Cheers! -Piggy

[RyviaUSA]

21 hours ago, GP said:

 

Hear, hear! The world has become obsessed with working longer hours


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Always a sign of a terrible boss - insisting their people occupy their office chair for 40hrs/wk.

 

Do the job.  Do what it takes to do the job.  If you can do it by working only 4hrs/day, then more power to you.

[Shelby07]

I’m an American. I have a pretty good life. I wouldn’t change a thing. 

[SigmundChurchill]

4 hours ago, RyviaUSA said:

Always a sign of a terrible boss - insisting their people occupy their office chair for 40hrs/wk.

 

Do the job.  Do what it takes to do the job.  If you can do it by working only 4hrs/day, then more power to you.

40 hours a week would be a vacation for me.  I work double that.  

I have a terrible boss.  A mean, nasty, slave driving, son of a bitch.  Unfortunately, there is no escaping him.  He has followed me to every job I have ever had.  He even comes on vacations with me.  On the rare occasion when I can make it to one of my kid’s school functions, there he is, right there with me.

Look, I’m not the guy you responded to, but he was just agreeing with my post.  And I think you misunderstand.  I work a lot because I want to.  Tomorrow, I could decide to cut my hours in half, and make half as much money.  But, I love what I do, and I like to be able to afford nice things.  

I often wonder if it is worth it though, and I am certainly a bit jealous of the European life/work balance.  That is all I was saying.

[99call]

3 minutes ago, SigmundChurchill said:

European life/work balance

Ha, replace with Italy, Greece, and Spain........everyone else has their shoulder at the wheel

[Colt45]

2 hours ago, Shelby07 said:

I’m an American. I wouldn’t change a thing. 

Damn skippy.

[Shelby07]

Just to clarify...

I’m an American. I have a pretty good life. I wouldn’t change a thing. 

 

I am grateful for what I have and don’t feel the need to complain. Others have it much worse. 

Stereotypes are overrated. 

[Shelby07]

1 hour ago, Colt45 said:

Damn skippy.

“I’m an American” was a point of clarification,  not one of arrogance. Sorry if it was misinterpreted. 

[Colt45]

1 minute ago, Shelby07 said:

“I’m an American” was a point of clarification,  not one of arrogance. Sorry if it was misinterpreted. 

Uh, not at all - I'm first generation American - my reply was Hell Yeah!

Three of my siblings were born in Manchester, England. Whenever they would try to screw with me, I'd remind them of that fact. It would piss them off to no end. They stopped trying to screw with me.

[99call]

2 minutes ago, Colt45 said:

Three of my siblings were born in Manchester, England

??? sorry I don't get it?  they were born in the greatest city in the world....why would they want for anything more?

 

[Duxnutz]

On 6/28/2019 at 5:45 AM, Islandboy said:

Having a drive-thru for everything from crappy food to banking has become a disgusting American habit that only leads to more disgusting behaviour. I’d like to see open markets everywhere, complete with a few health hazards to keep everyone’s immune system functioning properly. 

Always cracks me up when the drive through is jammed but one can walk into a bank or even Maccas (McDonalds) and there’s no line! I personally find drive through weddings efficient though, gonna hit up the ‘walk through wedding chapel’ in Honolulu soon.

[Colt45]

38 minutes ago, 99call said:

??? sorry I don't get it?  they were born in the greatest city in the world....why would they want for anything more?

I'm sure it's a nice place to visit.

[99call]

26 minutes ago, Colt45 said:

I'm sure it's a nice place to visit.

I was just pulling your leg.  I'm not a believer in best places in the world