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Post by Zee on Jan 27, 2024 3:10:39 GMT
Dryers, apparently, since everyone here stated they have to line dry things Yes, your clothes dryers are MUCH better, from what I have heard from Merge and several other Americans. But I don't line dry because I "have to", I line dry as often as possible so I'm not using electricity unnecessarily. And when it's too cold or wet to use my clothes line outside, I dry my clothes on a rack over the ducted heating vents. Fair enough--many of us who are stuck in HOAs aren't even allowed to hang laundry out to dry even if we wanted to! On a nice day I will hang rugs and things on the back deck where no one can see the offending items being -GASP- hung outside. But I wouldn't dry my clothes that way on purpose, it's too humid here for about half the year for the items to get truly dry enough to fold and store and too many bugs. Like I'd have to put them in the dryer anyway or risk a mildewy smell. It would be full of joro spiders in the spring and summer when they're little and hatching and flying away on the wind. Gross
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Post by Merge on Jan 27, 2024 3:11:51 GMT
Dryers, apparently, since everyone here stated they have to line dry things Yes, your clothes dryers are MUCH better, from what I have heard from Merge and several other Americans. But I don't line dry because I "have to", I line dry as often as possible so I'm not using electricity unnecessarily. And when it's too cold or wet to use my clothes line outside, I dry my clothes on a rack over the ducted heating vents. I'm still flummoxed by this. When my kids lived at home we did literal mountains of laundry each week. I don't know how I would ever have hung everything to dry inside the house (never mind that our heat vents are in the ceiling, so they're no help in drying things). I imagine hanging clothes to dry as a relic of earlier times when people had many fewer clothes. Clearly it would be better for the environment if we had fewer things AND hung them to dry, but here we all are at the peak of modern consumerism.
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Post by peano on Jan 27, 2024 3:13:02 GMT
First of all--Americans of a certain age were brought up to believe that European things are far more glamorous and fashionable and better than American things. This goes all the way back to colonial times with homemade things vs having things imported from Europe. So while the products may or may not be better, the perception by many, if not most, Americans will be that if it's from Europe it's automatically better. Artisan products here can be every bit as good, but if it's "Irish wool" or "Italian leather" or "Belgian chocolate" etc it's going to be perceived as better than. And artisan products aren't readily available all over. "Made in Europe" automatically makes most Americans assume quality. Just as almost anything stamped Made In China is deemed lower quality, whether it actually is or isn't. (Fine china and jade would be notable exceptions). In the past it was Taiwan, or Hong Kong, or Mexico. I will definitely give you that actual champagne, from France, beats out most sparkling wine and prosecco! I had a bottle of Dom for my 50th bday that was divine. I tried to open a bottle of Korbel after it was gone and I couldn't even drink it. Normally Korbel is just fine for my NYE but that year I got spoiled 😁 Yes! I rarely drink actual Champagne because of the prohibitive cost, but it just blows our domestic sparkling wine and all prosecco out of the water. I've started drinking cava from Portugal and Spain because it's made in the methode Champenoise of French Champagne, unlike prosecco, which is just an insipid imitation.
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Post by Merge on Jan 27, 2024 3:18:13 GMT
First of all--Americans of a certain age were brought up to believe that European things are far more glamorous and fashionable and better than American things. This goes all the way back to colonial times with homemade things vs having things imported from Europe. So while the products may or may not be better, the perception by many, if not most, Americans will be that if it's from Europe it's automatically better. Artisan products here can be every bit as good, but if it's "Irish wool" or "Italian leather" or "Belgian chocolate" etc it's going to be perceived as better than. And artisan products aren't readily available all over. "Made in Europe" automatically makes most Americans assume quality. Just as almost anything stamped Made In China is deemed lower quality, whether it actually is or isn't. (Fine china and jade would be notable exceptions). In the past it was Taiwan, or Hong Kong, or Mexico. I will definitely give you that actual champagne, from France, beats out most sparkling wine and prosecco! I had a bottle of Dom for my 50th bday that was divine. I tried to open a bottle of Korbel after it was gone and I couldn't even drink it. Normally Korbel is just fine for my NYE but that year I got spoiled 😁 Yes! I rarely drink actual Champagne because of the prohibitive cost, but it just blows our domestic sparkling wine and all prosecco out of the water. I've started drinking cava from Portugal and Spain because it's made in the methode Champenoise of French Champagne, unlike prosecco, which is just an insipid imitation. I love Cava! Other parts of the world make wine so much better that the US does. (Sorry, Napa. I'm just not impressed.) Europe, Aus/NZ, Chile, Argentina, and South Africa make some excellent wines - often at very good prices unless you're looking for something rare or exceptional.
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Post by dewryce on Jan 27, 2024 4:11:36 GMT
Yes, your clothes dryers are MUCH better, from what I have heard from Merge and several other Americans. But I don't line dry because I "have to", I line dry as often as possible so I'm not using electricity unnecessarily. And when it's too cold or wet to use my clothes line outside, I dry my clothes on a rack over the ducted heating vents. Fair enough--many of us who are stuck in HOAs aren't even allowed to hang laundry out to dry even if we wanted to! On a nice day I will hang rugs and things on the back deck where no one can see the offending items being -GASP- hung outside. But I wouldn't dry my clothes that way on purpose, it's too humid here for about half the year for the items to get truly dry enough to fold and store and too many bugs. Like I'd have to put them in the dryer anyway or risk a mildewy smell. It would be full of joro spiders in the spring and summer when they're little and hatching and flying away on the wind. Gross All of this, and allergies. I’d never be able to breathe freely again if we hung our items outside to dry. Also, the sun here in Texas would do much more damage to our clothes than the low settings we dry most of our things on. We do hang many of DH’s shirts to dry so they don’t get too short in the waist, but they’re on hangers on a 3’-4’ bar in our laundry room. It does have a vent that goes outside to help with the humidity they create in the room. As long as we keep up with laundry there is plenty of room for air circulation doing a hanging load about every other week. I agree with those that mentioned police procedurals, have really enjoyed the few I’ve seen for the exact same reasons listed. And agree with those that say we’re comparing huge manufacturers with much smaller, specialty makers. There are smaller makers here that make excellent food products. Don’t drink tea or coffee or alcohol much so can’t speak to those. lesley From the kitchens I’ve seen I prefer the size of the typical kitchens and appliances here. For most rooms in general actually, and storage. It’s a trade-off for sure because everyday homes over there have so much character! Transportation, for sure.
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carhoch
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Post by carhoch on Jan 27, 2024 16:03:23 GMT
I have lived the first 30 years of my life in Switzerland and the second 30 years in the USA I always thought that if we mixed both countries we would be close to perfect (for me at least ) Switzerland does way better Chocolate,Cheese,Bread , farmers use less chemicals, local produce are better Health care, public transportation, apprenticeship/tread school , college tuition are super affordable…
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Post by flanz on Jan 27, 2024 20:32:11 GMT
Well, apparently I am on a roll, so I will say that Canada has the best ICE WINE as our climate ensures a yearly harvest. Maple syrup is also excellent and the Americans make a great maple syrup as well. The chocolate recipes for Hershey chocolate is different in Canada than in the USA. Canada has stricter requirements for the ingredients and won't allow some of the additives. Ice wine from the Niagara region is sublime!~
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Post by refugeepea on Jan 27, 2024 23:04:20 GMT
I don't know. I've never used European butter. I also have no idea about cheese. I live near a factory where I can buy it directly. It's certainly nothing fancy, but good.
I've had chocolate and yes, European is better.
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Post by peasapie on Jan 28, 2024 0:49:43 GMT
So many products made outside the U.S. are better! We’re mainly a service economy - we make money and spend money. But I think the services we have are very, very good. For example,
- Convenience. We have a huge selection of products and brands at grocery stores as well as 24-hr places to eat, get meds, dog care, etc. - Entertainment. An abundance of concerts, movies, shows (including traveling Broadway shows) and theme parks. - Science, technology and medicine. People seem to come from around the world for any kinds of surgeries.
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Post by Zee on Jan 28, 2024 4:54:40 GMT
Shout out to Wisconsin cheddar cheese curds. Can't believe I forgot Wisconsin cheeses and dairy. Amish butter and jam.
The Amana colonies in Iowa used to produce some of the best quality wool blankets, home appliances, handmade furniture, candles, baskets, dairy, beef, you name it. The colonies were somewhat like the Amish (in that they were of German origin and were a true commune, based on shared religious beliefs) and self-sustaining for a time. Now when you go there, almost everything except the food and the woolen mills is full of imported things. I haven't been there for just over a decade so maybe things will change back.
There is a great little brewery there called Millstream, great place to sit and listen to German folk music and have drinks.
I hate to go there and see everything now marked "made in China", just like a lot of what's for sale in the touristy Annual places in PA like Intercourse, Lancaster, etc.
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Post by auntiepeas on Jan 28, 2024 4:59:03 GMT
Scotland makes the best marmalade. 😋
But New Zealand, and I think I'm unanimous in this 😉, produces the best Mānuka honey.
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theshyone
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Post by theshyone on Jan 28, 2024 13:34:23 GMT
A friend gave me German or Austrian chocolate and one so much better than Canada or usa
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Post by katiekaty on Jan 28, 2024 15:19:42 GMT
Give me an American pair of jeans any day!
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Post by craftedbys on Jan 28, 2024 18:13:16 GMT
Bread. All. Of. The. Bread.
We were stationed in Europe for almost 4 years back in the 90s, and I still dream of the ham and cheese brochen we used to get.
All of the breads we enjoyed in our travels. Baguettes, scones, croissants, brochen, bread, bread, bread. Did I mention BREAD?
So yes, Europe all the way for the bread and bread products.
Side tangent, not meant to derail this thread, but I have to get it out while I remember:
Before any New Yorkers/East Coasties protest, bagels are not included in my answer. I have never had an authentic NY bagel, though I dream of how wonderful they taste. The mass-produced, store bought lumps of baked dough we are resigned to buy surely should not be called bagels.
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artbabe
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Post by artbabe on Jan 28, 2024 19:04:56 GMT
I think part of the problem with US products is the mega corporations are being compared to much smaller ones in Europe. There are excellent, cheese, beer and chocolate producers in the US - but people are comparing Kraft, Budweiser and Hershey which all suck. This. Small producers' products usually taste much better than mass-produced so often times we are comparing apples to oranges. I'll fight to the death defending US beers but I'm not talking Budweiser, which I agree, sucks. A Columbus Brewing IPA? That is a lovely, lovely beer made in my city. There are so many craft breweries in the US turning out wonderful beer. Same with cheese and chocolate. Now that I'm writing this I'm craving beer, cheese, and chocolate. Which, along with coffee, are the 4 main food groups, as far as I am concerned.
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Post by Basket1lady on Jan 29, 2024 20:26:26 GMT
Croissants. We had a bakery in the tiny little town where we lived in Belgium. It didn't even have a bar or grocery shop, but it had a boulongerie. And there were 4-5 others within a mile of the house in our very rural area. Croissants were less than a euro. They are $4-5 here if you find a French bakery.
I agree on the washers and dryers. Regardless if you want to hang your clothes out to dry or beat them on a rock to wash them, American style washers and dryers are leaps about bounds more convenient. It took 4 hours to do a load of laundry with EU style machines--3 hours to wash and another hour to dry on the 'normal" settings. I can do a load in my US machines in about 80-90 minutes.
Believe me, Europe has its own bad beer. Jupiler anyone? And bad coffee, cheese, and don't get me started on the beef. But maybe that was a Belgian thing. I bought ground beef once and never did again. It was just weird tasting and not in a good way. And yes, I'm sure it was beef.
Kitchens--I've seen my share of some pretty bad Belgian kitchens. And plenty of so-so ones. And just as many great ones. I think the prettier, more cohesive kitchens are more common in typical US homes. European kitchens tend to be practical and less grand in normal homes. But also remember that a lot of people move their kitchens with them from home to home.
But Europe wins every time on health and human services. You won't go bankrupt if you get sick in Europe. You know the cost of your medical care up front (if there is even a fee). Workers rights are superior and even fast food workers have contracts. New moms are aided if they choose to stay home with their babies. If you care for a family member, there is help for that.
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Post by Tearisci on Jan 29, 2024 20:53:31 GMT
Argentina has the market in good beef hands down. Even though they export a lot of good beef, I still dream of the meals I've had there. Also, farm to table is just the norm there and it makes a huge difference in how things taste.
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Post by gillyp on Jan 29, 2024 21:59:17 GMT
I say this as an English veggie, but you can not beat Scottish beef, fish landed in Scotland, Scottish raspberries and I think they might be quite good at making a wee dram. I hear what a number have pointed out, small does seem to be better.
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AllieC
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Post by AllieC on Jan 30, 2024 0:08:21 GMT
dewryce re your comment "Also, the sun here in Texas would do much more damage to our clothes than the low settings we dry most of our things on". I live inland in Australia where we have super dry hot climate similar to Texas. We don't have any issues with damage to clothes - we hang most thing inside out (take them off that way so no extra work) and they are dry when the next load needs to be hung out
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Post by dewryce on Jan 30, 2024 1:27:07 GMT
dewryce re your comment "Also, the sun here in Texas would do much more damage to our clothes than the low settings we dry most of our things on". I live inland in Australia where we have super dry hot climate similar to Texas. We don't have any issues with damage to clothes - we hang most thing inside out (take them off that way so no extra work) and they are dry when the next load needs to be hung out I didn’t think about turning them inside out! But we have had towels left out that got lightened pretty significantly. And it wasn’t an even lightening of the color, because they weren’t hung over anything but just left laying there crumpled so they’re all splotchy I wondered if it was a distance from the equator thing. But near San Antonio, Tx we are only a couple hundred miles closer than Sydney and about 500 closer than Melbourne. I’m not sure if that’s enough to make a difference. Does y’all’s grass bleach from the sun? But I am taking daily allergy meds and PRN meds several times a day and I still can’t breathe and have a sinus headache right now. And I rarely go outside, the last time was Thursday, and we don’t open our windows. So for me, it’s a moot point anyway. Stupid cedar!
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Post by dewryce on Jan 30, 2024 1:29:14 GMT
Argentina has the market in good beef hands down. Even though they export a lot of good beef, I still dream of the meals I've had there. Also, farm to table is just the norm there and it makes a huge difference in how things taste. Yes, I have absolutely loved the beef in the few Argentinian restaurants I have been to! Agree about farm-to-table restaurants and those that source most things locally. Kitchens--I've seen my share of some pretty bad Belgian kitchens. And plenty of so-so ones. And just as many great ones. I think the prettier, more cohesive kitchens are more common in typical US homes. European kitchens tend to be practical and less grand in normal homes. But also remember that a lot of people move their kitchens with them from home to home. Wait, what? How does that work, are the cabinets and counters not built-in? I can see taking appliances, because there are standard sizes, though I don’t think most people do here. But I’m trying to understand how you’d take a kitchen with you. Even if the cabinets are free-standing, the configurations needed from house to house are so vastly different here. Are they not there?
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Post by Basket1lady on Jan 30, 2024 2:26:36 GMT
Argentina has the market in good beef hands down. Even though they export a lot of good beef, I still dream of the meals I've had there. Also, farm to table is just the norm there and it makes a huge difference in how things taste. Yes, I have absolutely loved the beef in the few Argentinian restaurants I have been to! Agree about farm-to-table restaurants and those that source most things locally. Kitchens--I've seen my share of some pretty bad Belgian kitchens. And plenty of so-so ones. And just as many great ones. I think the prettier, more cohesive kitchens are more common in typical US homes. European kitchens tend to be practical and less grand in normal homes. But also remember that a lot of people move their kitchens with them from home to home. Wait, what? How does that work, are the cabinets and counters not built-in? I can see taking appliances, because there are standard sizes, though I don’t think most people do here. But I’m trying to understand how you’d take a kitchen with you. Even if the cabinets are free-standing, the configurations needed from house to house are so vastly different here. Are they not there?It applies to leased homes, too. At least in Belgium, Germany, and France. I think that it’s part of why the kitchens look just a little off to our American eyes. To me, they often look incomplete because the cabinets often don’t quite fill the space or are in odd configurations. There’s also a big market on thrift and charity shop sites. We looked at one house that didn’t have overhead light fixtures, either. Evidently it’s quite normal to move your chandeliers with you from one apartment or house to the next. Funny, because 90% seems to be Ikea!
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Post by Basket1lady on Jan 30, 2024 2:39:56 GMT
Yes, your clothes dryers are MUCH better, from what I have heard from Merge and several other Americans. But I don't line dry because I "have to", I line dry as often as possible so I'm not using electricity unnecessarily. And when it's too cold or wet to use my clothes line outside, I dry my clothes on a rack over the ducted heating vents. I'm still flummoxed by this. When my kids lived at home we did literal mountains of laundry each week. I don't know how I would ever have hung everything to dry inside the house (never mind that our heat vents are in the ceiling, so they're no help in drying things). I imagine hanging clothes to dry as a relic of earlier times when people had many fewer clothes. Clearly it would be better for the environment if we had fewer things AND hung them to dry, but here we all are at the peak of modern consumerism. One thing to keep in mind is much of the heat is hot water radiators. So the heat is very hot, very dry, and quite concentrated in one area. They have nice big racks in the shops from which to hang clothes (I even brought mine back with me!) and clothes dry overnight. Because the machines are so small, I did a load almost every night. When we travel, I’ll make a hot room in a bedroom and hang all of the laundry in there. But it’s always a challenge to time a load and give it enough time to dry before we pack up again.
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iowgirl
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Post by iowgirl on Jan 30, 2024 17:40:21 GMT
There have been a couple of threads this week where a non European Pea has said European butter is better than US and a different Pea said European Tea is better than the US. I love watching tiktoks of people who come to the US and are blown away by good things (some of which make me scratch my head)... LOL At the top is usually BBQ and the sides. Starbucks drinks are popular (not always coffee, per say, but the different ways it is prepared and the non-coffee drinks there too. Ranch dressing is always a topic. Our beef is almost exclusively sent abroad, so I am going to say good Iowa beef is better than European, from first hand knowledge. LOL It is fun to hear where our beef goes. We don't always know, but sometimes the let us know. Once our entire load went from a Pack in Omaha right onto a jet to Japan (take that Kobe beef!) ... MASH DK (Modern American Steak House, Denmark) was buying our beef. I know sometimes it goes to UAE also. I prefer to buy US butter. I think KerryGold is good, but so is LOL butter, and you can get it European style, which is also 82% butterfat, just as KerryGold is. I support US Farmers. I love my Terry's Chocolate oranges! As far as I can tell, the are manufactured in France. So yummy! I also love Lu Petit Ecolier cookies, which I believe are made in France. Such a treat when I can find them! I like Barilla pasta, which is an Italian company - but it is made less than 100 miles from me in Ames Iowa!
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huskergal
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Post by huskergal on Jan 30, 2024 18:06:42 GMT
U.S. Beef
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scrappert
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Post by scrappert on Jan 30, 2024 18:09:38 GMT
our mini-Cadbury eggs with the crunchy shell are the bomb.com 100% agree
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Post by gar on Jan 30, 2024 18:11:19 GMT
our mini-Cadbury eggs with the crunchy shell are the bomb.com 100% agree Are they different to ours (uk) I wonder? Ours are pretty good! 😄
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Post by workingclassdog on Jan 30, 2024 18:12:33 GMT
I watch Dawn Farmer on TT.. she is obsessed with all things American (she is in England).. she is young, cute funny girl. Give that girl some Ranch dressing and she is a happy camper.
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huskergal
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Post by huskergal on Jan 30, 2024 18:21:28 GMT
We have great craft breweries.
I think we have some great ice cream.
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Post by Merge on Jan 30, 2024 18:24:33 GMT
I’m going to add Mexican food, both real and Tex-Mex. We’ve seen what passes for Mexican food in Europe and Australia, and … no.
The Asian food was generally much better in Australia, though.
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