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A comment on Productivity has grown faster in Western Europe than in America. Parent comment

Re:Productivity has grown faster in Western Europe than in A... by LeanderK on Friday October 06, 2023 @08:39AM (#37789964)
> Middle income America has cheaper housing, food and durables with higher wages than middle income in Western Europe.

Is food really cheaper? That's not what I heard but I don't know.

But that's a weird take. Quality of life is not entirely dominated by your purchase power if you have enough to sustain life. What about having time for culture, friends, family, quality of the environment, safety, access to healthcare etc. The only exception may be housing.

Some cities here have an absolutely incredible quality of life and I would never factor in the price of groceries because it doesn't matter. Everyone in the middle class can afford groceries.

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Re:Productivity has grown faster in Western Europe than in A... by FirmwareBurner on Friday October 06, 2023 @09:12AM (#37790324)
In which country is your friend working?
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Re:Productivity has grown faster in Western Europe than in A... by LeanderK on Friday October 06, 2023 @10:56AM (#37791614)
germany, but in a more mature startup and not an old, big company
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Re:Productivity has grown faster in Western Europe than in A... by FirmwareBurner on Friday October 06, 2023 @02:10PM (#37794102)
Can I ask which city that is where your friend is enjoying life?
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Re:Productivity has grown faster in Western Europe than in A... by tyjen on Friday October 06, 2023 @09:53AM (#37790820)
Speaking from an American food perspective, my family avoids grocery stores and unhealthy processed foods. We receive almost all our food directly from farms and fishermen, the other products we buy wholesale from smaller companies that emphasize quality and lower added costs. For example, a 25 kg bag of oats for $60. We've substantially improved our quality of life and lowered our costs. Like with many areas within American society, the quality is there if you're willing to figure it out.
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Re:Productivity has grown faster in Western Europe than in A... by brnt on Friday October 06, 2023 @11:00AM (#37791680)
That's great but of course the problems is that for Americans that work 2-3 jobs and commute by bus there isnt much time for cooking, let alone scouring their area for good unprocessed foods.

As always, only the rich can afford the cheapest-over-time options.

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Re:Productivity has grown faster in Western Europe than in A... by kwhitefoot on Friday October 06, 2023 @10:47AM (#37791511)
Food worth eating is not much cheaper in the US than in most of Europe and much harder to find. I remember my wife being very disappointed with the quality of the produce in supermarkets like Harris Teeter in Cary NC when we were there for a few months some years ago. And that was the best supermarket in the area. And when it comes to basics like bread it seems that most of what the US eats would qualify as cake in Europe because of the sugar content.
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