Living in Switzerland ruined me for America and its lousy work culture

Post by atmosx » Sat, Aug 01, 2015, 8:56 PM UTC

gregsq wrote: post #224

atmosx wrote: post #186

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Actually the average European enjoys a way better living standard than the average American. Just take a look at healthcare system in the US. A disease in the US could ruin a family in Europe is taken care by the state... Same goes for education, etc.

I'm a dual national UK/Australian resident in the US. If I were to find that I needed serious medical attention, I'd be on the plane back to either country as soon as I could. Out of interest I'll look up how much it costs to rent a jet and pilot.

Post by jqm » Sat, Aug 01, 2015, 8:57 PM UTC

jqm wrote: post #195

fab13n wrote: post #117

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Reading this as a European, it's fun and telling that you focused on salary differences, whereas what mattered to me were the other quality-of-life elements (I assume you're living in the US). To sum up, what matters to me, in what she described, were the consequences of the belief that one shouldn't be ashamed of having a life outside of work, and needing some time and peace of mind to actually enjoy it. More money…

More money would make me happier. I'd give up a few Saturdays for it. One day a week is enough rest. Besides, few pleasures compare to productively working.

Post by plonh » Sat, Aug 01, 2015, 8:58 PM UTC

alkonaut wrote: post #98

rsync wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Exactly. I really do love switzerland, but a proper comparison would be to say, Marin County or Boulder or La Jolla. I think our pockets of "switzerland" stand up pretty well in comparison.

Few in the US who make a lot of money seem to spend it on working 80% rather than on buying a big house or a nicer car. The quality of life difference is cultural, not economical.

Post by toephu2 » Sat, Aug 01, 2015, 8:59 PM UTC

yardie wrote: post #225

phaemon wrote: post #2

I think living anywhere other than your home country for a while is a valuable experience. You learn to not only recognise the flaws in your own country (which you can then push to improve), but you also learn to appreciate what you previously took for granted.

I moved out the US just for a few years. Almost a decade later I still haven't returned. And when I seriously contemplate picking my return date I see events in the news like Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Sam Dubose and think why should I move back.

Post by enraged_camel » Sat, Aug 01, 2015, 9:01 PM UTC

jqm wrote: post #259

ido wrote: post #227

Earlier quoted context omitted.

More time off would make me happier. I'd give up $10k/year for it. $90k/year is enough money. Besides, few pleasures compare to spending quality time with your loved ones. So now we have two pieces of anecdotal evidence, worth exactly twice as much as one (2*0)

So do it. Do what makes you happy. If you aren't happy working or you don't get enough time off... change the situation. But don't spend a bunch of your life unsatisfied.