[ghusto]

> Sounds like idealism to me

I hear this a lot from Americans that haven't been here. But I'm talking about Europe _right now_, not some imaginary fairy tale land.

> I think you'd have a hard time quantifying your perspective

I can only talk of my own experiences of course, but the majority of Americans I've talked to who have stayed for more than a month (more than just a holiday) are amazed at how high the quality of life is here, and how friendly people are.

> It's not the only assessment. Just statistically likely that it's the majority.

Perhaps in America — and I'd believe it, I've visited a few times — but not here. Unfortunately, it's also a self-fulfilling prophecy; the more you believe it, the truer it becomes.

[kreutz]

I didn’t say the quality of life was worse or equivalent to America. The improvements to quality of life in Europe are likely largely driven by government policy not for-profit organizations.