This really just proves my point about American Education.

[Pittsey]

that's why those "less capable" people move to England or Germany to do shitty jobs that pay more than they ever imagined.

But... The wages here pay more, but the cost of living is far higher. London is up there with the most expensive cities in the world. I find a lot of the Polish people that come over here live 10 to a house or more to be able to afford to live here. They also have to work very, very hard. And they send a lot of the money back to Poland where it goes further. Not to mention that if they work here they get to claim certain benefits such as child allowance even if their kids live in Poland. And... Who checks how many kids they actually have??!!?? That is the problem with our social system.

I never learned about Titanic in any school i attended. I just remembered asking my mom in the theaters if it was a true story, and she said not the story, but the actual sinking of Titanic was.

I can't be shocked to see people don't know about it. In history class, i always learned about Water Gate, JFK, Abraham Lincoln, MLK, shit like that. Never anything about Titanic.

Basically.... You only learn about America...

 

[Jokerman]

Basically.... You only learn about America...

I learned that 119 Americans, and also some others, died on the Titanic.

 

[masta247]

But... The wages here pay more, but the cost of living is far higher. London is up there with the most expensive cities in the world. I find a lot of the Polish people that come over here live 10 to a house or more to be able to afford to live here. They also have to work very, very hard. And they send a lot of the money back to Poland where it goes further. Not to mention that if they work here they get to claim certain benefits such as child allowance even if their kids live in Poland. And... Who checks how many kids they actually have??!!?? That is the problem with our social system.

Yeah I know. My aunt lives in London. She works in bio labs and complains about how expensive it is there. It's different for those who are just struggling to find ANY job just to survive, since they somehow manage to get by spending really a little of their money.
I met a few Polish people boasting about how much money they had earned there. Working as construction workers they were able to bring back so much money that they would spend a few months here in Poland without working (they couldn't find job here anyway), just travelling and enjoying long holidays.
A person from my elementary school had worked in England and when he came back to Poland he was on a forever-alone xbox spree for a few months without even considering looking for a job, he was able to save that much. For English people your minimum wages are probably very low, but for unqualified people from Poland they are not since they're used to different standards.

 

[Flipmo]

Yeah I understand that, it's not like it's a country where everyone's rich. It's just that it's possible to survive even with minimum wage and an unqualified person is able to live and buy things he likes from time to time doing a "crap" job. Here the minimum wage is only enough to pay rent for the cheapest places and buy the cheapest food just to get by. And you need a certain level of commitment and smarts to hold onto that job. That's how it looks like if you aren't working towards improving yourself here - that's why those "less capable" people move to England or Germany to do shitty jobs that pay more than they ever imagined.

Like Da Funk said, it's practically impossible to live off minimum wage. Those that are able to, live in a very small apartment and budget like a mother fucker. Instead of buying Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, they're eating the box of it that has no name and costs a buck.

When I was in Vancouver I don't think people were all about money. They say it's one of the most "American" places in Canada and I've encountered what I'd call assholes and ignorants more than anywhere else BUT I've met a lot of genuinely great people, very open minded and curious too. Even in stores. There was that lady in a Pharmasave shop that helped me a lot the first day I arrived too. I was pleasantly surprised.
I've met people on the bus, near the university campus that would just chat. Strangers eager to show me around and help with things even when I wasn't really asking for it. If anything I think it's more about extremes there - on one hand you have ignorants and people that I'd say had extremely poor value systems but on another hand you have great individuals too.
I'm sure it's similar in most places in the states though I've heard worse things from Canadians, lol.

Not surprised you were helped, Canadians are known to be very polite, at least that's what most tourists seem to say. I tend to agree with it for the most part as well.
Also, you were in Vancouver - whatever you say about it doesn't count as it's a Chinese colony - ( )

 

[Jokerman]

Instead of buying Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, they're eating the box of it that has no name and costs a buck.

Those are the best ones.

 

[S O F I]

I find America completely materialistic and obsessed with money. When I was in New York and LA I had people trying to hustle me, people begging for money. People who would do anything for $20. I was embarrassed for them. You rate money higher than self respect? I am too proud to behave like that. I found myself giving money away for stupid shit, as money means very little to me. One guy wanted to freestyle for me outside some club in NY in exchange for cash. Weak. Get a job. He didn't look like he had a drug habit, or that he lived rough. I gave him 20 dollars, because it amused me at the time how he behaved.

I think you have a fundamental misunderstanding of the concept of hustle.

If a guy is begging for money, he has no money to eat. If a guy is willing to entertain you for $20, he has no money to eat. If a guy wants to freestyle for you outside of a club in exchange for cash, he probably has no money for rent and sees the chance as an opportunity to show his skills, practice his skills, get a fan, etc. It's not about the money in itself, it's about surviving. Americans are materialistic, but no more than people in the Balkans and definitely not materialistic/obsessed with money for the reasons you provided above. Those fools (and I KNOW POLES TOO) spend two monthly checks on a phone. If you live in the village, the girls will still judge you by the quality and authenticity of your shoes. lol. There's so much obsession with having nice things.

It got to the point where I didn't want to talk to people in shops or restaurants as I didn't believe they were genuine. I felt they were fake and after my money and tips. I was glad to get back to London where most people are rude, but the friendly ones are friendly for no ulterior reason.

You want a server working a double shit for minimum wage to be genuinely friendly? lol. You can't have it both ways. People complain when the servers seem pseudo-friendly and complain when the server seems apathetic. It's all about service in America. People, for dumb reasons, pay high prices for meals and expect to be serviced. That's all. People will be friendly in the US for no apparent reason than that they are curious about others and very chatty, but you can't expect to go to NYC (the capital of the financial and ambitious world) and expect southern hospitality. Go visit Jeremy in Memphis if you're looking for friendly chatter lol. and elvis. yeah, elvis. right?

With that said, when are we kicking it with Ristol in NYC? lol

 

[S O F I]

It's just that it's possible to survive even with minimum wage and an unqualified person is able to live and buy things he likes from time to time doing a "crap" job. Here the minimum wage is only enough to pay rent for the cheapest places and buy the cheapest food just to get by.

Same with America. In fact, worse.

source: http://nlihc.org/oor/2012

It's hard in the US to live even OK on low wages. Most people who do are getting some sort of government assistance.

 

[S O F I]

I just wanted to say, the part that I bolded is absolutely, 100% false. It is next to impossible to survive on minimum wage in both Canada and the United States. Hence my comment about people surving on credit cards. Even if you were making 50k/year in North America, you'd be struggling to survive if you had kids.

I just saw this. Yep. I swear, people in the EU have such a fundamental misunderstanding of how day to day life in America is. All they see is snapshots. This has never been more true than when I go back to Bosnia and what my family thinks. My mom has gotten into heated arguments with our family over who works harder for what money to save what. High cost of living in the US and the shit you got to pay for that you don't think about in European countries is what really fucks you over.

 

[S O F I]

One thing I love about you Americans the most is you're inability to understand sarcasm. You guy's do realize I make posts and threads like I do just to get this kinda reaction out of you?

You don't recognize the same pattern time and time again? Me making a controversial comment, you guys start crying like bitches, and then I get bored and think of something else to do to piss you off.

I would say it must be a British thing but Pittsey doesn't exhibit qualities that you and Casey have. Casey would say some dumb shit usually in a very arrogant manner and when he's called out on it, he explains he's doing some sort of social-psychological research on this board. Same with you. You get called out on your bullshit and then say you're just doing it for laughs. One thing I love about Americans is our uncanny ability to call bullshit when we see it.

Also, let's say you are doing it to just to piss us off and that you actually don't believe the shit you say. That is very low, man. Nothing cool about that. There's nothing wrong with controversial statements but don't throw a rock and hide your hand when it's not going well for you.

 

[Ristol]

I would say it must be a British thing but Pittsey doesn't exhibit qualities that you and Casey have. Casey would say some dumb shit usually in a very arrogant manner and when he's called out on it, he explains he's doing some sort of social-psychological research on this board. Same with you. You get called out on your bullshit and then say you're just doing it for laughs. One thing I love about Americans is our uncanny ability to call bullshit when we see it.

Also, let's say you are doing it to just to piss us off and that you actually don't believe the shit you say. That is very low, man. Nothing cool about that. There's nothing wrong with controversial statements but don't throw a rock and hide your hand when it's not going well for you.

*applauds*

 

[Pittsey]

I think you have a fundamental misunderstanding of the concept of hustle.

If a guy is begging for money, he has no money to eat. If a guy is willing to entertain you for $20, he has no money to eat. If a guy wants to freestyle for you outside of a club in exchange for cash, he probably has no money for rent and sees the chance as an opportunity to show his skills, practice his skills, get a fan, etc. It's not about the money in itself, it's about surviving. Americans are materialistic, but no more than people in the Balkans and definitely not materialistic/obsessed with money for the reasons you provided above. Those fools (and I KNOW POLES TOO) spend two monthly checks on a phone. If you live in the village, the girls will still judge you by the quality and authenticity of your shoes. lol. There's so much obsession with having nice things.

You want a server working a double shit for minimum wage to be genuinely friendly? lol. You can't have it both ways. People complain when the servers seem pseudo-friendly and complain when the server seems apathetic. It's all about service in America. People, for dumb reasons, pay high prices for meals and expect to be serviced. That's all. People will be friendly in the US for no apparent reason than that they are curious about others and very chatty, but you can't expect to go to NYC (the capital of the financial and ambitious world) and expect southern hospitality. Go visit Jeremy in Memphis if you're looking for friendly chatter lol. and elvis. yeah, elvis. right?

With that said, when are we kicking it with Ristol in NYC? lol

In Britain the majority of people are too proud to ask for money. Although I imagine our social help is 100 times that of the American system. Plus we get the fundamentals, such as health care, for free. So maybe there is an area where I can't understand it so much....

Plus... I don't expect friendliness, I am from London, if you think NY is cold, go to London. It makes New Yorkers look like family members. I prefer to be left the fuck alone and not spoke to at all. Much how it is in London. Throw my food at me. Make me wait for an hour for my food. But I can't stand fakeness. I realise these girls need their tips, and I'm empathetic to that. But I was so confused by the end of my 4 weeks in the states as to who was friendly genuine and who was friendly for tips. Plus.... I couldn't walk down the street in NYC without someone wanting something from me.

I preferred places where people hated foreigners. At least I knew where I stood.

When I have been to the USA, I have met a lot of friendly people, and a lot of genuine people. But I find it hard to deal with the tipping culture. I never know what is the right amount and over tip to compensate. I also find the cost of living to be very good, so I don't mind it so much.

 

[S O F I]

My question is, did you find it in your experience that people in the US would hassle you for money while walking down the street more than in other places? I assume you've visited a few popular destinations in your day.

The fact that you're getting hassled for money in NYC is simply because NYC is one of the top tourist destinations. I've been hassled in Cancun, Mexico more than anywhere by short Mexicans trying to sell me Charlie because they know all white Americans just love doing blow in foreign countries. In every country that I've been to where the place/area is a popular destination, there was a gypsy asking for money or a grandma trying to sell me tacky souvenirs. If you're hassled for money in NYC, it's because they smell a tourist a mile away. It's their job lol. So, you're confusing tourism with societal values.

 

[S O F I]

I too hate tipping though. I was refused service by a bartender in a nice bar in Seattle because one of my friends in the group ordered two drinks and didn't pay a tip. He said I was guilty by association. The thing is, tips are optional. They're not mandatory. But I guess bartenders can use discretion in determining who gets service and who doesn't. I would much prefer to pay a higher price for drinks and not have to pay tips but the restaurant owners prefer to shift the cost of higher wages onto the consumer than pay it themselves. And I hate that.

 

[Ristol]

I think you have a fundamental misunderstanding of the concept of hustle.

If a guy is begging for money, he has no money to eat. If a guy is willing to entertain you for $20, he has no money to eat. If a guy wants to freestyle for you outside of a club in exchange for cash, he probably has no money for rent and sees the chance as an opportunity to show his skills, practice his skills, get a fan, etc. It's not about the money in itself, it's about surviving. Americans are materialistic, but no more than people in the Balkans and definitely not materialistic/obsessed with money for the reasons you provided above. Those fools (and I KNOW POLES TOO) spend two monthly checks on a phone. If you live in the village, the girls will still judge you by the quality and authenticity of your shoes. lol. There's so much obsession with having nice things.

You want a server working a double shit for minimum wage to be genuinely friendly? lol. You can't have it both ways. People complain when the servers seem pseudo-friendly and complain when the server seems apathetic. It's all about service in America. People, for dumb reasons, pay high prices for meals and expect to be serviced. That's all. People will be friendly in the US for no apparent reason than that they are curious about others and very chatty, but you can't expect to go to NYC (the capital of the financial and ambitious world) and expect southern hospitality. Go visit Jeremy in Memphis if you're looking for friendly chatter lol. and elvis. yeah, elvis. right?

Remember that thing you said about feeling a certain way, and then being happy when someone articulates it better than you could? That's what you did right there for me. Good stuff.

 

[Casey]

I would say it must be a British thing but Pittsey doesn't exhibit qualities that you and Casey have. Casey would say some dumb shit usually in a very arrogant manner and when he's called out on it, he explains he's doing some sort of social-psychological research on this board. Same with you. You get called out on your bullshit and then say you're just doing it for laughs. One thing I love about Americans is our uncanny ability to call bullshit when we see .

I've lost count of the amount of times you've brought my name up in threads that I have nothing to do with and haven't even posted in. Enough. I barely even post any more, so seriously, do not bring my name up unless you are directly addressing me, it's incredibly annoying. You've done it at least twice in the last week alone. I like you 90% of the time, but you need to stop thinking about me so much. Shit, find a hobby.

Also, Gotti is right. He and I have been on the same wavelength since day one on this board. There's been times where we've done it to each other, laughed about it at the same time on IM and the rest of you have all thought we were serious.

It's perfectly fine to admit that you just don't get it. But you won't..... and I'm the arrogant one? OK.

Peace.

 

[Ristol]

Casey, what is SOFI missing?

I find it strange that you'd be on the same wavelength with Gotti. I think of you as a very intelligent person.

 

[vg4030]

I would say it must be a British thing but Pittsey doesn't exhibit qualities that you and Casey have. Casey would say some dumb shit usually in a very arrogant manner and when he's called out on it, he explains he's doing some sort of social-psychological research on this board. Same with you. You get called out on your bullshit and then say you're just doing it for laughs. One thing I love about Americans is our uncanny ability to call bullshit when we see it.

How long were the "Bush's" President?

 

[Ristol]

How long were the "Bush's" President?

Oh, he's not talking about those Americans.

 

[vg4030]

Oh, he's not talking about those Americans.

It was actually a social experiment by the americans to see how fast they can fuck everything up and get rich without anyone noticing

 

[Jokerman]

Btw, 100 years ago this *hour* the Titanic was sinking.