What's something Europeans do that you wish we'd do more of back

@funacct: Europeans don't take half the medications that the US consumes. They are just healthier and don't need the diabetes medications etc. That's a real nice quality to have.

@funacct: I haven't been as an adult so I don't know what the temperature is like but I love the outdoor cafes. My parents met at an outdoor cafe. So romantic!!

@Tamara: I could not agree with you more on medication. I was telling hubby just the other day, where did all these food allergies and other children diagnoses come from? None of this was around when I was growing up.

@Tamara: we are going next year in April so I will be glad to let you know. I just want to sit at a cafe and people watch.

@funacct: I really enjoyed the outdoor cafes, walkable cities, and excellent public transportation. Europe is an amazing place to visit, and I love traveling there. But after weighing all the pros and cons, I'm always grateful to call Texas home. As much as I appreciate Europe, I just can't imagine living anywhere outside the U.S.

@ChrisR: oh trust me Texas and the US is my home. There are several things, freedoms, we have that they don't. But I do wish we could adapt some of the ways of life they have.

@funacct :
More walkable cities are nice...but in Dallas in 103 degree Summer weather, that all breaks down. I tried recently to take a stroll around downtown Frisco / the Rail District around 1pm in 95 degree weather, and only lasted about 20 mins... ; ) The longer meal thing kind of drives me crazy...I'd rather just eat and move on to more interesting things...unless it's with friends, of course.

@Jjj: I agree sometimes the weather can interfere with walking. But I do like the idea of parking and walking. When the weather is nicer I will be walking th Erwin district I think restaurants need to know their customers. And I also think customers need to know their restaurant. Example, going to chili's I get they want to flip the tables and get as many customers as they can in a night. But when hubby and I are going out to a nice dinner for a special occasion,I don't want to be rushed. I do tell them it's a special occasion, not to get the free dessert but to not be rushed. If we order an appetizer or have a before dinner salad, please don't bring my dinner 5 minutes after you delivered the appetizer. Don't bring me the check until we look like we are finished.

In many places, bottles of regional wine's are not only good, but cheaper than bottled water!

@FriscoFrye: that's good to know. We might be drinking lots of wine in Italy next year

@Jjj : There are only about 3 months of weather that is nice around here. It is just too hot once it is past 10am.We Americans are always on the go. We even put coffee in paper cups so we can keep going.

@FriscoFrye : Beer is about the same price as soda.

@KiNg :
My wife and I have been taking a lot of walks around 11pm at night lately...when there's a cool breeze, and the day's heat has dissipated, it's pretty nice.

@Jjj :
I've been saying that the city needs to require more trees when new parking lots are built. The concrete slabs absorb the heat and kept the temperature high.If you touch the concrete even by about 11am or noon it is still not hot and by about 3pm it is hot enough for cooking and it stays hot for hours.

I don't like the cold and what's cold is a matter of opinion. I just got back from Alaska and when it was 50 degrees they are all in t shirts and shorts. As far as the heat that's also toohot. So in the 4 to 5 months I enjoy it here otherwise I'm gone