[Xcelerate]

As an American who lived in Europe in the 90s when I was young, a lot that I really appreciated about the European way of life has deteriorated and is now almost unrecognizable to me in some ways.

When I visit every few years, it amazes me how quickly Europe is “Americanizing”. More fast food and less traditional food. Ripping up vineyards that have been there for centuries. Fewer protections for your farmers. More people walking around staring at their phones and less people talking to each other in cafes. Seems like almost everyone dresses like Americans and can speak English now. And it’s hard to tell the difference between the coffee shops in Spain and those in San Francisco. How long until you start building suburbs and driving everywhere?

Don’t get me wrong—I love the U.S., and I love living here. But its culture is not for Europe.

[Aurornis]

Comments like this are interesting because the changes you’re describing aren’t really “Americanizing”, they’re just a sign of modern times.

For example: People weren’t walking around staring at their cellphones in Europe in the 90s because they were distinctly European. It was because we didn’t have smartphones anywhere. The smartphone changes happened in lockstep across the globe.

Likewise, many of your other points are purely people’s personal preferences. I think your criticisms are largely nostalgia for the 90s and your time spent living abroad, not an indictment of “Americanizing” Europe.

[f1refly]

Vineyards are ripped up because they have become unprofitable due to decreased alcohol consumption in general. I'm not sure that has much to do with Americanization.