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You're not that much older than I am. Both you and I grew up in Southern California.
All those things you talk about existing in Europe and not in the US existed in the US, at least Southern California, in a major way when we were young. Despite laws saying otherwise (California's had a 21 drinking age since Prohibition, and is one of the states with an age of consent of 18, common in western states although 17 is the most common age of consent in America. In other states it's 16 such as in your family's native New Jersey. )
Yes, but I think our parents were less likely to encourage us to get drunk, especially since it was illegal. I know that in the UK a parent can give a child as young as 5 a six-pack and encourgae them to 'drink up.' However, a neighbor cannot give someone else's 5 year old liquor. Like most of my friends while a teenager I did my fair share of participating in illicit drinking, but when my parents caught me there was hell to pay, LOL! A memory comes to mind of being stinking drunk on Jack Daniels, having a tummy fully of Nacho Cheese Doritos and trying to take on a car in a fight in the middle of the street, but I won't elaborate further on that shameful moment
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Everything you describe in the UK exists in the US as well, even today. Including in California where our "Bros" are like Britain's "Chavs". While UK kids' maturity level is similar to those of US kids (more cultural similarity), it goes without saying that kids in Continental Europe have a much higher maturity level. For example, Italian teenagers have a higher maturity level than US teenagers or UK teenagers, and perhaps as high as that of US adults....
Ah yes, the Chavs! A national embarrassment to any decent Brit. I used to be worried sick that my son would bring home a chavette and introduce her as his girlfriend (((SHUDDER)))! As far as cultural similarity between American and British kids, I would have to strongly disagree. It is a long held belief simply because we share a common language. I went to the UK with that same belief and within 6 months my belief was blown out the window. But I would agree that kids from Continental Europe are far more mature than their British counterparts, and in some cases more mature than American kids. I think this is partly due to the fact that European parents, like most American ones, still have a line between parent & child, whereas in the UK too many parents give up the role of parent to instead take on the role of best friend and drinking companion. I've noticed this trend is far more prevalent with British mothers than with fathers. Plus, although Europe and the UK have similar governments with socialistic leanings Europeans still maintain less reliance on the government. Am I making sense? LOL!
And don't insult the 'Bros' by comparing them with 'Chavs.' Thats pretty harsh, LOL! Seriously, this is typical chav behavior, seen on any estate at any given time of day or night. Nobody is safe from these little thugs, from age 1 to 100. Generally when a chav starts to torment or threaten someone other people will gather around to watch, egg on the little thug and take great joy in the free entertainment. I've seen seniors age 60 and older after they've been beaten up by one of these bas***ds...
German kids are more mature than kids in Miami fl USA, i know cause i just finished school and hung out with some German kids in germany visiting family
also the drinking age at 21 causes many binge drinking deaths and alot of irresponsibility in the US, i know of 3 people who died cause of alchohol, why? cause they thought it was "cool" to get **** drunk,drive, and do other dumb ****
most Germans drink responsibly and socially even at bars, the friends make sure everyone is ok, trust me on this, not like in the US
Yet in the UK binge drinking deaths and illnesses of under 21's is out of control. They encourage each other to drink until they are legless and going into a coma is common.
But I agree with your comments about German kids. Those I met who were visiting the UK while I lived there were decent and responsible. They are also very clean and polite.
Times come and go, and each has its downsides. Now is better in many ways, and worse in many, just as any other time.
Today we have hate crimes, but at least we stopped lynching people.
There are still the battles over whether women own their own bodies, or society, but overall the bodies are at least healthier.
We've systematically stripped our public funding to cripple our infrastructures' maintenance, and then burdened them with over-population, but we're still driving safer cars, eating better foods (when we choose to), and the world is still beating a path to our doors.
There isn't any time in history I would want to go back to, but I have to admit that we're far from perfect yet.
Yet in the UK binge drinking deaths and illnesses of under 21's is out of control. They encourage each other to drink until they are legless and going into a coma is common.
But I agree with your comments about German kids. Those I met who were visiting the UK while I lived there were decent and responsible. They are also very clean and polite.
idk why its different in the UK, maybe cause Germany is still a very family oriented country? also the eyeball shot **** was invented in theUK, which is the dumbest thing ive ever seen/heard about same as putting alchhol in your but
Times come and go, and each has its downsides. Now is better in many ways, and worse in many, just as any other time.
Today we have hate crimes, but at least we stopped lynching people.
There are still the battles over whether women own their own bodies, or society, but overall the bodies are at least healthier.
We've systematically stripped our public funding to cripple our infrastructures' maintenance, and then burdened them with over-population, but we're still driving safer cars, eating better foods (when we choose to), and the world is still beating a path to our doors.
There isn't any time in history I would want to go back to, but I have to admit that we're far from perfect yet.
I agree, for the most part. When we compare our era to others in the past modern America looks REEEEAL good! As a woman I have no desire to experience life pre-vacuum cleaner, pre-washing machine or pre-ready made clothes. However, if I had to choose a time period to go back to I would pick a time pre- cell phones, hunt down the inventor and convince him that his idea will NEVER work! The idea of cell phones is great, as long as they remain as just PHONES, and not miniature entertainment centers. I believe they are creating a more self-centered and easily bored society with short attention spans.
idk why its different in the UK, maybe cause Germany is still a very family oriented country? also the eyeball shot **** was invented in theUK, which is the dumbest thing ive ever seen/heard about same as putting alchhol in your but
You said exactly what I was trying to get across, that Germany is still more family oriented and the people have a strong sense of personal pride. I know that many German women still follow the old morning tradition of sweeping and cleaning the front stoop/steps to their houses. I am actually in personal contact with a German man who fought in WWII at age 17. He was taken prisoner when the commanding officer left his young soldiers behind on the beaches at France to save his own butt. Pieter was taken to a British POW Camp and has written his story for me of life in the camps. He is a lovely, lovely man.
The eyeball shots are soooo gross! Lots of small children also walk around sucking on lollipops made out of vodka and other liquor.
But I would agree that kids from Continental Europe are far more mature than their British counterparts, and in some cases more mature than American kids. I think this is partly due to the fact that European parents, like most American ones, still have a line between parent & child, whereas in the UK too many parents give up the role of parent to instead take on the role of best friend and drinking companion.
Relatively common in the US too.
There's a friend of mine in Beverly Hills who took her then-underage daughter with her to go barhopping and clubbing regularly, beginning when her daughter was 16. (Her daughter's now 21.) This is hardly the only instance of this that I've heard of on either coast in America.
The major difference between US youth and UK youth is that UK youth are a little more extreme with their drinking....
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I've noticed this trend is far more prevalent with British mothers than with fathers. Plus, although Europe and the UK have similar governments with socialistic leanings Europeans still maintain less reliance on the government. Am I making sense? LOL!
The continent's more socialist, if anything.
You mentioned German teens being more mature than UK and US teens ; Italian teens seem to be the most mature of all the continental nations. They seem like American adults. This is true in the north and the south alike.
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And don't insult the 'Bros' by comparing them with 'Chavs.' Thats pretty harsh, LOL!
They're very similar. As is the East Coast "Guido".
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Seriously, this is typical chav behavior, seen on any estate at any given time of day or night. Nobody is safe from these little thugs, from age 1 to 100. Generally when a chav starts to torment or threaten someone other people will gather around to watch, egg on the little thug and take great joy in the free entertainment.
Considering where you live right now, your current surroundings must seem awfully familiar.
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I've seen seniors age 60 and older after they've been beaten up by one of these bas***ds...
Are you fairly well pleased with the culture in America today ? Do you believe there was a time in American History when it was better ? Explain .
American culture today is a cesspool. We have lost the distinction between fame and notariety, and we gave the most attention to the most narcissistic and insignificant people who have nothing positive to offer to society. We inordinately worship people who have done nothing but find some way to make themselves famous, and some of them are leading us down the road to ruin. We don't have enough faith in ourselves to think for ourselves. It's pretty pathetic, actually.
American culture is being purposely diluted to erase the last vestiges of nationalism.
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