Community & Culture
- With the exception of those of us who take mass transit and carpool, the majority of Americans drive alone to work everyday, and then pull their cars into their garages at night never to utter a word to a single neighbor. As a result of not having that everyday physical connection to and communication with our neighbors, we are a lonelier and more isolated society.
- Europeans walk, bike, and utilize mass transit as a daily part of life, paying more attention to what’s going on around them. Not only are they getting exercise and reducing their carbon footprint, they stay connected to their communities and culture. European society is simply physically more integrated, resulting in a deeper psychological connection and feeling of home. Stronger community ties result in a fundamental feeling of being more secure.
Mealtime 
- How often do you eat lunch alone at your desk while you continue to work? How often do you run into a deli or fast food restaurant to pick up something to eat on the go? How often do you eat dinner around the TV, even if the entire family is home?
- Mealtime in Europe remains an extremely important time to connect with friends, family and colleagues on a more personal level. Most fast food places in Europe don’t have disposable plates & silverware! You get your food on a real dish. Not only is this more economical and environmentally friendly, it actual encourages people to enjoy their food and engage with one another.
Large meals in the late afternoon where friends and family gather are still the norm in many European countries. People are much more open to inviting people into their home to connect with them over a meal.
One of the best examples of this (and enjoyable for me) was a couple of years ago. I was in Spain, trying to close a deal for a project that I was working on, and the owner of the company I was negotiating with had us over to his home for several meals. We would work at his house for an hour or so (instead of the conference room at his office) and then talk socially over a delicious home cooked Mediterranean feast. I was so charmed by the intimacy of this trust building business practice, that it made me more confident in my potential partners – and helped the negotiation come to a close much faster!
In Fab & Fru (and European) fashion, you might just find that less really is more. In essence, if you live well, spend your money wisely, and appreciate all that you have—it may not be so hard to find true happiness after all. But if you need further proof, start saving now for your research trip to Denmark!
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This article was fantastic to read. I have traveled to Spain often since 1992, with my husband, who’s family is from Spain, and I can attest to the fact that food really brings families together there. We spend more time eating and visiting with family and friends than anything else when we go to Spain yearly.
Your comment on small vs. large is so true also. Having been in Spain for a great deal of the summer this past year, I can tell you that I really wish our society was more like that. People just “get it” more there than they do here…hopefully, one day that will change, but for now, I’ll just try to create my own “Private Euro Zone” with my family and see how it goes.
everytime my husband talks about colleagues who make more money or have more stuff I ask him about their quality of life. Do they have such an easy going work schedule where they can take time off for travel? Do they enjoy the company of their co-workers? Often times the quality of life does not match the quality of stuff they can buy. I remind him we aren’t rich, but we live beyond our dreams and yet within our means. We have more than enough “stuff”….and more importantly the time to spend with family and friends.
I’d definitely prefer scaling back and having more time rather than more money. If it weren’t for the necessity of health insurance, I’d happily go back to working part-time.
I just watched a documentary called, I.O.U.S.A, which talks about the U.S. Deficit so the timing of reading this article is pretty uncanny! It is true, after living in London for four months on a semester abroad program, that Europeans value TIME to enjoy. We do work a lot over here while Italy shuts down at noon .. literally. But I guess like everything, its that BALANCE. I love America’s drive and spirit but we also need to remember to take time out for family, friends and make the effort to stay engaged. It can be empowering!