I AM NOW BACK ON AMERICAN SOIL, dear readers, so I thought this week I would offer some closing thoughts on what I saw and learned while in Europe.
I mentioned in a previous column that everywhere we went, from Rome to Paris, public transportation was far superior to the American product. Trains, buses and subways were cleaner, quieter, faster and ran far more often than in America. American public transportation is, to be blunt, an embarrassment, in serious need of a comprehensive overhaul. If we took maybe 20 percent of our federal highway budget and spent it on upgrading our public transportation system, we could replicate the comfort and convenience of the European systems and lower our carbon footprint to boot.
You know what I didn’t see much of in Europe? Homeless people — and I mean that literally: We spent whole days in major cities and did not see any homeless people whatsoever. I walked the streets of Rome and Paris late at night, through parks, squares, past the doorways of businesses that had closed hours before — in short, places where there would be abundant homeless people in San Francisco or New York — and saw only people walking home after a late night at a restaurant or party.
It made me see the homeless people here in the States with new eyes. My office is in a building on the edge of the gritty Tenderloin neighborhood in San Francisco, where the streets teem with those who have various mental and substance abuse problems. My first day back, I suddenly noticed how shell-shocked those people looked — living as a person with those kinds of struggles is a traumatizing experience in the United States in a way that it would not be in Europe. The patchwork of public and private help available to our homeless has enormous gaps, and thousands fall through those gaps every day. The trauma I see in their haunted faces is a perfectly understandable result of the ruthlessness with which they are treated by our society.
The evidence of my experience is that European countries do a far better job of taking care of their most vulnerable citizens, thanks to far more generous social welfare programs. Why can’t we imitate their success?
Another thing: Americans spend way too much time alone, isolated from one another. I think this goes a long way in explaining a lot of the social problems that afflict this country. I think the level and severity of drug abuse can be explained by isolation — and I’m not just referring to street drugs like heroin or cocaine, but even relatively mundane substances like alcohol and caffeine.
I didn’t see very many places in European cities that would qualify as “dive bars.” Americans typically drink in bars that exclude children, and where the main activity is drinking. Europeans drink more often in restaurants that also serve food, where children are present, and where the point of the place is to enjoy the company of others. I like scotch and brandy, but drinking them in, say, a Paris bistro was a very different experience than at a typical American tavern. (I should probably mention that I’m not speaking from the summit of wisdom here — as I type this, there is a tumbler of scotch next to my keyboard. I’m just reporting my impression, that’s all.)
Coffee, too, is consumed in a far more social way, and at far lower quantities, than in America. If you order a cappuccino in Italy, you get maybe 8 to 10 ounces of liquid in an actual ceramic cup, consume it on the premises and commune with whomever you’re there with; in America, a grande cappuccino at Starbucks is 16 ounces — twice the caffeine — and we’re more likely to consume it like an addict uses his drug of choice: purely for the chemical effects.
I suspect that if Americans made it easier to encounter one another as a normal part of daily life — if we made a concerted, conscious effort to make our lives more about “us” and less about “me” — I think we could make significant progress against many of the problems that beset our society.
Going to Europe has changed me in ways I’m still coming to terms with. It has made me realize my own loneliness and isolation. After my first workday back, I walked the length of Market Street down to the San Francisco Ferry Terminal, and for once I was not lost in thought or surfing the Web on my phone. I put away the distractions and made an effort to tune in to the world around me — and suddenly I realized that there’s an awful lot of life around me everywhere I go that I’ve been missing.
Matt Talbot is a writer and poet, as well as an old Benicia hand. He works for a tech start-up in San Francisco.
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Matt is there anything in America to your liking or for that matter anything we do right. Believe me Matt I have traveled a lot and it appears my take is much different than yours. I did enjoy my travel and did do what the folks where I traveled did. Guess what I do believe we have a much better life in America than almost any other country. Can we improve, Yes. But that is what it is all about. Most countries try to copy America and do not do a very good job of it.
Great, great column, Matt and dead right in most of it. It’s hard for Americans – who have grown up with daily doses of “we are exceptional” (even though that quote was written in mockery) or “God chose us” ideas to be able to see clearly what we are lacking. Certainly, the most obvious one is our lack of meaningful contact with anyone other than our near and dear. it is true that America once was a model in many ways for political experimentation of the highest order (people in other countries do not see that anymore as corporations become the driving force in our government) and progressive thinking in science, art and technology (ditto). People still do want to come here, it is true, but they are usually the most ill-educated and marginal in their own countries. Keep up your cogent observations, please, and if you ever decide to organize a tour of Europe, count me in! I wish we could, indeed, be open minded about seeing what the older and more sophisticated societies, esp. in Europe, have to offer us today!
I think we have J and America wins every time.
Bob said: I think we have J and America wins every time
Then again we also have J and the Americans.
That was a great comment music man Dennis. I get the feeling Mike does notr like me. He is carrying around a load of anti Bob Livesay. That to me just shows how well followed I am. Thanks for the following Mike.
I read an article the other day that made, what I thought was, a very astute comparison between nationalism and a more grounded socio-political outlook. Nationalist are like young children. If one says something critical about a young child’s parents, the young child will become upset. In a young child’s eyes, parents are infallible, and not capable of doing anything wrong or unwise. However, as a child ages and becomes an adult, they typically learn to recognize that their parents are not the models of perfection they once thought.
Mine were
“I didn’t see very many places in European cities that would qualify as “dive bars.” ”
I hear you, Matt. No shortage of those here in the U.S.. I have come to know them as “Towny” or “Old Man” bars. These bars usually have a least one irritable usual suspect, whose butt-print is firmly worn into the corner bar-stool.. Nonetheless, these bar are entertaining for the routine incoherent squabbles that breakout. These bars are as much a part of American culture as saggy pants.
it appears Matt says and calls out so called dive bars. Matt try going into one and saying that. Every done that in Richmond or even Benicia? It appears you do not know what an actual dive bar is. These so called dive bars are all over America and I also have been in the same type of bars when ever I have traveled out of the country.. Believe me north and south America has them As does Asia, England, Ireland and they are all over the EU. Just where have you folks been. Thomas name a few dive bars in Benicia. If you can it means you have been there.Will you.
Bob, Where o’ where did I claim that I’ve never been to a dive bar (Old Man Bar),
hmmmmmm? Can’t answer that, can you?
You did not say you have never been to a dive bar.. Just name some here in Benicia if you think there may be some in Benicia. Have you been to A dive bar in Benicia? If so name it. Or you could say there are none in Benicia or have not been in a dive bar in Benicia. That is all I am askng. Your describtion of a dive bar is colorful ..
I’d have to say that that seems rather unimportant. So, not worth a reply.
You said it and made a decription of a dive bar and the folks thatr go there. So tell us if there is one in Benicia and if you have been in that bar. . You wuill not.
You are barking up the wrong tree. But, go ahead and get the last word. There just does not seem to be a point in what you are asking.
I just thought that you could tell us about the dive bars in Benicia if in there are any. If you wish not to tell us that is ok. But you seem to be very familiar with dive bars.
“us”?
readers
Just you.
“Trains, buses and subways were cleaner, quieter, faster and ran far more often than in America.”
This is probably due to the fact that they have to cater to more up-scale commuters. Many of the folks I know in Europe use these transportation systems. However, they might also have a European sedan or sport bike sitting in their garage.
Thomas I think Matt thinks he has a lot of readers. We comment as do you. Sioyes to all the readers not just me.
Correction. You are the only one asking me a question (that has nothing to do with the column).. Many folks may read Matt’s column, yet you can’t provide any proof that it is more than you that reads my comments. Besides that, you already know the answer to the question. Bottom line, no “us”.
Matt,
Thanks for your reports on your visit to Europe.
Although I don’t think you said it, your comments indicate a person visiting Europe for the first time. I may be mistaken on that, but that is the impression gained.
I mentioned previously that I have been to Europe numerous times (10-12) as well to multiple countries within (9). So my perspective differs.
Your comments indicate you believe Europe to be superior to the USA, I believe “different” would be more appropriate, but that is a quibble. If I may add a historical perspective, as well as a comment:
Matt from Rome to Paris, public transportation was far superior to the American product.
No doubt, but consider:
– Much of the European RR system was destroyed in WWII and then rebuilt with US funds.
– Continental Europe is about half the size of the USA (Poland, Austria being the east line of demarcation). It also has about 500 million people.
– Population density in Europe is about four times that of the USA, thus RR make sense.
– Cost of gas in Europe is about $7.5 to 8.0 dollars per gallon. Thus public transportation is strongly encouraged.
– Car taxes, license fees and insurance rates are very high in Europe, again to encourage public transportation.
Additionally: didn’t see very many places in European cities that would qualify as “dive bars.”
You were in the seventh Arrondissement in Paris, a very upscale area. Rule of thumb in Paris: The higher the Arrond. # the worse the area (the 16th is an exception). You want dive bars in Paris, try the 10th near Gar d’est, ask the ‘very friendly’ local girls for a recommendation. Dive bars are usually not found in upscale tourist areas, but they can be found, if one looks (I also hope you did not spend too much time on this search).
And: Americans typically drink in bars that exclude children Good point. I was in the Altstat in D’dorf. When the young lady next to me struck up a conversation. She had been to the USA, as an exchange student that past semester (she was home for Christmas) and enjoyed the opportunity to speak to an American. She was very nice and I was enjoying the chat, as well as she was enjoying her beers. Curiosity got the best of me and I asked her age. She was 16 years old.
‘Kids’ can drink at bars in Europe at 16, but cannot drive until 18.
As a European friend said: “we want to make sure they can handle their beer before we let them drive”
Is Europe better? In some, yes of course. But in many other ways, no. It is all just a matter of taste and preference.
You nailed it Dennis.
Jim Pugh “European conclusions”:
http://beniciaherald.wordpress.com/2012/05/11/european-conclusions/
and your point is?
I noticed Mr. Pugh had a couple of compliments for the Europeans and wanted to see if Mr. Livesay would call him anti-American.
Fair enough. Let’s see what he has to say.
DDL
Mike I too have had A Couple of complements for foreign countries. Notice you said a couple. Matt is =falling all over himself with emotion driven fuzzy and cuddle talk about his trip. Ity is very apparent he has not been on public transportation in America. The NY subway is great as are all other transit systems in the USA. Try the Baltimore to DCor Baltimore to Philly; Baltimore to NY Baltimore to Boston. All other big city transportation is great. Remember the EU and Japan were completely rebuilt after WII. Ny sibway is over one hundred years old and is still serving the public very well. Why would I call a Full Bird Marine pilot Un-American He was very clear how he saw the EU. Matt was all a fantacy and he wrote it like that.
We have nothing in the U.S. that even comes close to this …
http://www.viralnova.com/subway-art/
Poor Hank he is still suffering from the big wave defeat of the Liberal.Progressive, Socialist. Even in California of all places the Republicans picked up seats in the State Senate and the Assembly. Hank also the House .. HANK how could that possible happen?. So as you see your comment and comments mean nothing. Try again in 2050. HANk you would have been better off just standing back and taking the defeat just as Debbie Wasserman Shultz is doing. Or is she still telling the news media that the Dems would not lose the Senate as did Joe {Orange hair} Biden still saying. Hank the best thing for you to do is separate yourself for the next 30 years FROM THE Dems and also go into hiding on comments. You have no credibility. left just negative comments about me that will get you no where..
HANK oi you new where all that crap started you would have never put that link up. Stop it Hank you are going deeper in the hole of a failed Liberal commentor.
Moron, we’re talking about mass transit.
I new I could get to you Hank. Your at it again. Very anti American talk.
And by you, very illiterate and uneducated talk. An indictment of the early 20th century education system.
http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/photo-gallery-glories-of-socialist-architecture-fotostrecke-70849-tablet.html
Not sure what you were trying to tell us Thomas. But those pictures tell a very interesting story about parts of Socilalist EU AND Eastern Europe. Now if you want to see some great stuff just visit DC, Penn station in DC and NY. Empire State building {built in just over a year}, Grand Cental Station. Near at home UC Berkeley, Stanford, Coit Tower andf of course the Golden Gate Bridge. Just for starters. Who needs EU design except for the rockets. Now thise were good.
Bob,
Back in 2001 I had the opportunity to visit Chemnitz, Germany (formerly Karl Marx Stadt, when it was part of East Germany). We took some clients on a site visit to what was then a brand new state of the art coal fired power plant, one built to nuclear level engineering and with the best scrubbers and ash disposal systems available. What was interesting was Chemnitz itself as you could see a lot of the hideous housing units built by the Russian/East Germans. Additionally, there were vacant buildings awaiting the former owners (West Germans) decision as to whether or not to return (I do not recall the details as to the reunification laws, but reclaiming property was allowed, with stipulations). There was also a still noticeable difference between the western section and the Eastern section in terms of cleanliness, upkeep of buildings or houses, as well as streets.
http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2012/dec/06/oscar-niemeyer-life-architecture-pictures?index=24
Poor Hank a very angry Progressive Socialist.
What is a progressive socialist?
A Democrat. I could have added Liberal left wing also.
Wrong, try again.
Nowhere in the U.S. — and that includes New York or the whole Eastern Seaboard for that matter — compares to this: http://www.businessinsider.com/moscow-subway-pictures-2010-10?op=1
Better go and see Grand Central Station, Penn Station in NY and DC. At least in America we have other art to see rather than subway stations. I guess you would like to live in Moscow just to view the subway station. What a great life that would be. Hey I moved to Moscow because of the art in the subway station for sure not for freedom. Stop it Hank you are not looking to good about now.
Here is one of my favorites:
http://archcase.com/transportlab/portfolio/berlin-central-station/