I am European who lived for 25 years in the United States. I recently moved back to Spain as much as I love Washington, DC, it was a great choice to move back. thanks for the video and yes Europeans we arent as ambitious, Our ambitions are living and happiness.

You're right In the old continent, people have great respect for holidays. We are obliged to take a vacation. We have a proverb in Poland: Work smart, but never hard.

what is happiness? USA: rich and famous. Europe: have friends and fun.

I can totally resonate with you! I lived in Amsterdam for a year and it was my most beautiful memory. My mental health was so much better and much more relaxed. I’m already thinking about move back to Amsterdam!

Basically, Europeans don't run so hard after money and wealth. Here, we have smaller cars and smaller houses, but also we often have so many beautiful moments of life enjoyment. That's luxury for me - simply enjoying every day of my life. Your money can't buy the best things in life, remember that. For all of you in USA who are thinking of moving to Europe, I can tell you for sure that you'll definitely not regret it. Good luck! Greetings from Europe ❤

As a citizen of Spain living in California I can say that it is not only the vacation time. The pressures from the American society to do well in life and not to be labeled a "Loser" are enormous. The culture engraved in the mentality is that you have to "Work till you drop dead" and other way of living it is not considered up to the American standards. And what is really damaging is the fact that families and friends don't have enough time to share social events, meals and quality time together to create a support system to cope better with adversity in life. The mental health of the nation is at stake here and there are daily shootings to prove it.

David, you’re right. I think Americans don’t realize it but, time is limited. And Europeans are more centered on the big picture. When you hit 80, if you’re lucky, you really are on borrowed time. There is an expiration date on each human being.

Life is about balance. “The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.” - Henry David Thoreau

America needs to learn from Europe, live more.

You're right about the differences between Europe and the U.S. mentality re: vacations. I have lived in Spain for 10 years. In August every year and the first two weeks of September, everything basically shuts down. I'm finally used to it. Anything 'official' that I must do, I take care of in June and July. I love the way it is here in Europe.

im dutch and i just get sad when i look at the state of living from the world richest and most powerfull country in the world. people are poor, no healthcare, no sickdays, no paid hollidays, long working hours, really really bad pay. they need 2 jobs just to live, and because of those 2 jobs they can't live... they only work. im a bus driver, last year i was 9 whole months on paid sickleave i had a burnout. my employer called once a week just to ask me how i was doing. i came in once every 2 weeks just to keep in touch. they helped when i needed it and offered more help to get me back on my feet. and now i have been back at work for 4 months. all going well. i even lowerd my working hours because i can. i work 4 days now 32 hours a week... my wife works 36 hours. we have 2 cars and a rv.. aquarium hobby, 2 bunny pets, a dog, a nice garden and enough time to maintain it all. ofcourse we have car insurances a mortgage health insurances, taxes, you name it... AND STILL WE SAFE a nice sum of money each month and also spend a bit on well, dog, bunnie aqaurium our garden wich we just gave a facelift. and then i look at america....... it just makes me sad. you guys deserve so much more. i know your government is all like ''F U EUROPE and murica most freedomn of the world..... that's just dumb we are just as free as you guys''.. im not trying to bash down on america, i have been on vacation to america it was a eye opener. met some really kind americans. but the country itself was, spiritless, lifeless, it has no soul no character, no life in the streets everybody was just at work. it really made me sad. beautifull nature tho. huge difference with nature and climate that we have in europe. for one of our great saviours of the second world war, i really think you guys deserve better. the richest country in the world should be able to trickle the money down to their people. europe seems to manage it? why can't america? america should understand that, if their people have a surplus of money they will spend it. they will buy a bigger television, newer car, refrigerator. all the things. that's what keeps our economy rolling.. take a lesson from the french, when they don't like something and want better results the whole of france goes on a strike... put down work for a week in america and see how fast shit gets changed it does wonders. that's not a joke. in russia you will get killed, but come on it's america we are speaking about. by the people for the people right??

As always, great content. Keep inspiring others!

Amazing video, david!

I am Dutch and recently joined 'the workforce' with a 36h workweek. It is kinda strange and hard for me too plan my own vacation days. Luckily we also have mandatory holidays like easter and christmas ;)

Thanks for the video

I'm 23 and in my first year of a program for computer engineering. My hope since I was a kid was to move to Europe. Just a weird obsession that I always had. I visited for 2 weeks when I was 16 and then again spent a month backpacking Europe at 18. Then covid screwed up future plans. I have always felt disenchanted with how my fellow Americans view life. I don't want my life to revolve around my career and I'd like to have a family and spend a lot of time with them. Any tips on making a career in computer engineering/Software/IT in Europe?

I took a whole 8-hour Friday off so I could go participate in a friend's wedding and my boss knew about it a long time in advance. That morning while I was heading up North he called me on my personal cell phone to make sure I could get on a flight the following Monday. So much for a vacation LOL

Hi David, I like your videos. Can you possibly do one on studying in The Netherlands? Like what you studied, applying to the program, picking a program etc and then transitioning to work after finishing the program. Thanks so much.

Americans just work and work bc if you aren’t working 40+ hours a week and also never want to stop moving and always setting goals after you meet your goals you’re looked at as lazy and of no worth to people. We are supposed to work like this in our most viable years just to have a lot for when we retire at an age that we can’t do near the things we want! We work for no end, contentment is considered settling or giving up. No matter what you achieve you get asked “you don’t want more?” I stopped living like this 5 years ago and I have lost almost all my friends and most of my family doesn’t want me around. Bc I don’t fit the mold and I don’t see the point in working to buy a big house and a fancy car just so the same people I’ve known all my life see how good I’m doing! I chose to spend my money traveling and meeting new people and experiencing new places and just actually experiencing life! I think it’s crazy the way Americans think success is and what we equate to success! But that’s just my humble opinion!

So true because i live for 13 yrs. In Europe and it’s fun had a lot of good memories, that’s why i love Europe.

Thanks so much for this wonderful video! I'm British/Hungarian and I recently gave up my green card after my divorce (was married to an American), to move back here to Europe. I've been a bit regretting my decision but this really brought home the truth - that we may not make more money in Europe, but the quality of life is overall better. :) P.S. I get 28 days vacation a year plus 6 national holidays!

Thank for sharing

Thanks for information... from Malaysia 🇲🇾... Work life balance is very good.

Taking up your holidays each year is mandatory in Belgium. Otherwise they have to pay you those days, which is not interesting as you lose much in taxes and you might even end up in a higher tax bracket. So at the end of each year staff management goes into panic mode urging people to take up left holidays. Or these people could end up with an unexpected vacation of 2 - 3 weeks.

As a Barbadian i am entitled to 28 days vacation annually, PLUS 12 public holidays, several of which fall on varied dates so I may end up having four day weekends twice in one year. This does not happen for everyone, but workers are guaranteed at least three weeks off plus those public holidays.

I love my work, but my work doesn't love me. People do. When my family, my friends or my health need my time, they get it.

I'm with you David. I am working Norway and ahve 6 weeks OFF for holiday compared only 12 days when I worked in Vietnam, my homecountry. I love how balanced work and life in Europe.

Hi David, I have some friends that work in American companies in Beijing. they have 35-45 days of paid leave per year while I only have 7 because I work in a local company. it is quite surprising that America was called a no-vacation nation.

A good thing to also include would be the compensation differences, ease of finding a job and job opportunity, career advancement, etc... I think this comparison will really help illustrate the two different work cultures between the US and Europe. And, I couldn't help but notice that you mentioned you went to China, you could compare / contrast Asian work culture as well.

I don’t think it’s hard to fire employees in The Netherlands, if necessary. But it is hard for an employer to fire employees if it isn’t necessary. Because an employer needs to have a good reason to fire people and that’s how it should be. He/she has to think about why, who and when and has to consult the company’s workers council. People aren’t working for the company to be shoved aside if shareholder value needs to be improved, or if profit needs to be higher or whatever flimsy reason a CEO or CFO comes up with. And this is exactly the reason why I hate the American term Human Resources, that has gone viral all over the world. It sounds like you dig humans up if you need them and throw them away after you out used them. People aren’t resources, or assets for that matter. There is a better way of employership than the American way.

I work for a massive healthcare company even as a first year we accumulate 20 days PTO every year + 8 holidays. Definitely above average time off for a US worker, that said it can always be better :)

Hey David, I think you should use your vacation days traveling? Just a thought! haha

It depends what you value most. Pretty much the entire world enjoys products, services and technologies that were created in the US and which could not have been created anywhere else. Europe offers rich history, more relaxed work environment, more vacation time and such things. I think each of these two is well suited for specific personality types and periods of life. If you’re young, smart, ambitious and want to create the next tech unicorn, go to US. If you are more laid back and prefer a more relaxed work environment, go to Europe.

Where are the visuals, could you please let me know the names of these beautiful locations

Im European and to be honest for me balancing work and life is something that i wouldn't be able to give up. A: Family. Spending some time with family is important. Whenever you are raising your kids and they need to be with you as parent or just being with your woman. B: Me. I just like to go sometimes alone in forest and just be in nature, where are no people, no noise from city just you and your thoughts this means freedom for me and i would never change it for anything even for 30,000 euros monthly.

inspiring

I’m European (Irish) but living in Melbourne Australia. I find Australians to be very laid back in regards to work, similar to Europeans. Holidays 20 days a year and are a complete disconnect from the office also 😁

I totally agree with you. It’s all about quality of life. There are many other things which are more important beside work in life. I realized it as I lived in Europe, America for many years. Ohhh.. If you are curious about how is Work culture in India, it is much horrible than America, and way worse than Europe. Here you are born to work and nothing else matters in life..

I'm American but lucky for me, I work for a French company that has offices in the US so I get 3 weeks of vacation per year which is still puny for european standards but it's pretty generous for US standards.

As an european, this is fun. I work 60+ hours a week and have 2 week vacation per year.

There's so many variables to compare and contrast. That said...my first remote international job I was amazed that we got 6-7 weeks of 'holidays' (or PTO in America). And then the whole cultural aspect of not feeling guilty, everyone taking off all the time without question etc. But culturally, at least at this startup, they got things done even when people were OOO & worked hard consistently. That said...a lot of non-consulting, non-big tech American based companies that are very large enterprise environments w/ over 10K people are inefficient & slow. So nuance being that, sure, Americans at those aforementioned companies might only get 2-3 weeks of PTO, but they actually work realistically 2-3 hours a day (4 hours if really 'busy'). Meaning as a remote worker that you're kind just floating around doing 'not much'. I think for me...long-term I'd prefer to work hard when I work and be productive for the entirety of the work day (mentally stimulating and emotionally satisfying) and get much more time off. Europeans got it right on vacation for sure.

I wouldn’t say it’s a lack of ambition. The salaries here in EU are just not worth it

In Germany is like between 22 and 30 days of vacation, but if you work more then 8 hours a day maybe 10 hours a day and in the end of the month like 20 hours you will be replaced whit 3 days off. But I know alsow people whit 40 days of vacation

Actually MEXICO just approved 12 days for the 1st year! But before that normal employees just get around 6 -10 days 😢

How easy or difficult did you found it to learn the language? I'm from Europe and I plan to visit someday

I live in Miami as an inmigrant , i normally work 60 hours a week and when i am off i feel sooo tired to go out and enjoy my time. I wanna move to Europe but I think that could be difficult without European Passport

Did you learn any new languages when you moved?

Not to mention sick days

I am so sick of being stressed out and burnt out. 1-2 weeks of vacation we get here in the US (if we are lucky) is not enough. I don't have much faith things will change, so I can't wait to go to Europe.

Hi David! I came across your channel because my husband and I are tired of living in CA and want to move in Europe. However, I’m still in school (CSUF) trying to get my Bachelors in Accounting (estimate graduation date May 2024). I’m interested in the Masters Program in Europe and gives a great reason to move to Europe. How did you find that program and how do you apply? Thank you in advance!!

Ha! That's the best way to start the video. Vacations in the US are not part of labor law, unbelievable.

If we talk about vacation and not much money is Europe , if we talk about a lot of money and less vacation it’s the US that’s it. I think Europe is very expensive in comparison with the salaries even if you have a good position but as I said in the comments it depends in what European country and not all countries are like Germany. And this is my only opinion and not talking about the competitiveness we have in Europe which is huge. In the US they speak English and Spanish, in Europe we can speak more than two on average.

I recently moved to Belgium and Im doing my peaper but i realy want to work. Thanks to goverment im studyin the language and Ill do an Integration course. Im 18 and i wannna now where can I found jobs, like websites. thanks.

Welcome to life... ;-)

Imagine if all the immigrants who want to migrate to the US saw this video :) In Asia (south Asia to be precise though I would say from experience can include Japan though not the earnings but long hours), a well-qualified and educated population work six days a week and long hours with hardly earning much, family responsibility, and not vacationing. I imagine Asia, Africa, and probably Latin America (though I am not sure here) do put hefty work weeks. So while Europe maybe not be working much compared to the US, the rest of the globe is working way more than the US. Living in the US, I think it depends on what you do, what company you work for, your position and the flexibility, etc. Cultures differ in how they identify what life goals are. I know coming from Asia, emphasis on responsibility towards your family is more important, so working to ensure that upward socioeconomic mobility is achieved is admired. Due to many cultures, especially an immigrant society, I believe that notion is held in the US.

Hi David i need hep from here Im from Suriname i am a math teacher and gave been teaching for 20 years now and would like to work as a teacher in the Netherland Im speaking dutch fluently Hoe krijg ik mijn verbliifsvergunning? Please help

I noticed in America people are obsessed with making money. Everything revolves around money for some reason. In Europe it is not the case.

I mean 28 days is great but any government job in the USA gives about 25-30 vacation days and the expectations to work till you drop are not as bad. Having been employed through jobs like this for 7 years, this is normal to me. It was a shock to me when I found out what other American workers were getting, nearly nothing. And 10-12 hour work days are common. Having that amount of PTO is great but it still feels like a massive scam to me. I want 100 paid days off a year. Does such a place or thing even exist?? The pursuit of happiness to me revolves around hobbies that cost zero dollars and my family. America is the biggest shit hole on the planet and I hope to escape the clutches of the grind one day

A distant dream

I WOULD LOVE TO LIVE AND WORK IN USA AND BE IN USA AS TOURIST VISA

Work to live, that's what we learn our children to

Airbus USA employees are trained in France and Germany. They will experience living and working in Europe. So they will take that home. I would love to hear their comments.

Live to work n survive for hongkonger.☹️

God I want to work at a company that gives 6 weeks leave 😢

I live at the singel at Amsterdam center, we are Neighbours!

but you still, hear some European like France ppl complain ab long work hours all the time

Europeans have work life balance Americans have work or liver under the bridge balance

We know who kicks more ass. It isn't by accident

As an European you didn't really get right picture of it. I would say the feeling you 've got is actually because of that here in Europe distances for "vacation" are small, you don't need to go by plane to see attractive tourists sides. So you can make nice trips in a day or two. Europeans also, imo live to work. But probably depends where in Europe you live. My opinion on this theme, be good :)'

Just spent 5 weeks in Europe. Noticed right away that no one really tends to work there - at all. I looked around at some jobs in my field - and noticed that my current salary in the US (3 years out of college) was the equivalent of someone who was probably 10 years out of school in Europe. Not to mention taxes. The price differences were even more riveting- since the US’s capitalist structure has us paying much, much more for things like rent, food, healthcare and so on. If you have no other option, you will have the same amount of money in your pocket after all expenses are paid for- without the vacation. However, if you are smart and can maximize the value of the dollars you earn, I still think that there is no better place in the world to work than the US. This video could use a little more explanation in the #’s but I think you did a pretty good job overall

Funny how my boss looked at me when i brought up personal hardship briefly. American mind doesnt compute what life is

And I see that ont only in Europe. Canada, and Mexico to Argentina. It's the same way like in Europe. Even doe that Europe it's countries economy is powerful . Has the same attitude. Towards work . When I went to colombia and ecuador. I seen that . United States could be a super power . But lacks many many things . One of them treat their employees right. Un health care and benefits. United States is way behind , than the rest of the world.

I agree with you David. But as a european I also have to admit that the USA tend to be more productive and are ahead in many ways. Most of the new international companies have started in the USA like Tesla, Apple, Google and they dominate the world. I don't know if that is related to the same mindset your refering to (live to work) but I tend to think so. At least to some degree. By the way, you have made some very interesting posts on youtube. I like the way you reflect on life, relations and work very much as well as your very positive attitude (which I think also is a plus for US mindset generally).

GG

Ever since I went on the Camino I've disliked our American style of life more and more. :[

European companies , to name some, can pay their employees these payed holidays and make profit. Where does the money go in the American companies? Do you dare to ask this question for an American public?

In switzerland you have to take your 4 or 5 weeks vacation per year. If not, the boss will set your vacation days regardless. It's set by the law (workers right). Any overtime working is obligated to compemsate in extended holidays or payment. I always take the extra day added to my holiday. On leap years you can bridge a whole week vacation just by spending 2 days off your holiday credit. ;)

Isn't it not good to not being able to fire people as easily as usa because if the working is slacking off the company won't do well.

I really dislike being in America. Very much. Like deep down dislike it HARD. I want a better life! I want to not have to depend on a car. Take my bike to work, groceries, everything. Trains to other places. Have awesome transit. Know my kids won’t be in crazy ass Debt going to school. If they have kids, they’ll get a dignified maternity leave, have accessible health care, etc etc. I’ll leave and live in a small flat, I just want access to everything without cars taking everything over. I just need to figure this out :(

The pay difference for the same job can be huge when comparing jobs in American cities vs European cities. My job pays almost double what my European counterpart gets paid. Granted, where I live is expensive but not by much especially when compare to major European cities.

You forgot something..... Greece and other balkanik European countries where is worst than US... I loved your video, hope I leave some day to the real European work model.

I feel India has the same problem as US. People here live to work not work to live. And everyone is so caught up in their work that they even attend weddings late night. So that they don't have to take a holiday before and after the occasion. They can comprise on sleep for that. It's so Normal here. And I don't like it.

We only have one life, so we have to work to live, not live for working.

because europeans are awesome ;)

America or Germany?(For to live and to work)Pls answer me😊

Cool video, but please don't generalise us as "Europeans". Every European country has a different set of rules, standard of living and identity.

i will take vecation right now, not that you u mation it 😅

obviously ，europe is better at the aspect of life

You get your bag in the US and you leave

Imagine Living in Latin America is like, living with the working labour exploitation mentality but WITH OUT THE MONEY (DOLLARS)

Europe's ability give generous social programs are due to the fact that American tax payers subsidize their military budgets via the US being the biggest supporter of NATO. Europe's countries all have very weak militaries except maby Poland and France due to the fact that they took defense spending and put it into social programs.

Are you in your 30s? Cause you have a lot of life experience if you are in your 20s

The US was the only country that had a civil war to end slavery, and lost. They created another name for slavery, capitalism. The differences on the surface seem evident but looking deeper, little has changed. Those in power are the same and the rest have to obey without rights or justice.

i must respectfully disagree...living anywhere for a shortwhile will seem better..."grass is greener and so on..."...try living in europe all your life...you will start to see the real truth

Americans always bang on about how great the country is. But they work too many hours, get crap benefits included with jobs like holidays. And have to pay a fortune for medical care. You all get screwed in my opinion

You guys in US confusing Europe for living and vacations...YOU HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCE 800EURO A MONTH HAVING TO PAY RENT FOR 400...You are so spoiled

well said. wouldn't want to live in US, make your money I'm going to spend mine on a holidays

I’m from europe and the first minute was bullshit. We have the same thing when we go to the US. It just depends on your job.

EUR(OPEA ASDONT EXCISNT BASdnla

I do respect everyone for them decisions in their life but personally dont accept and appreciate people that US gave them the chance and the opportunity of having good awarded jobs independently of what they are doing as profession and with these money that maded in US now they are cursing the country that gave them the opportunity and suddenly EU is better bla bla bla...well if you want to justfy yourself come in europe with ZERO money and start again...most probably you will ebd up after 4 or 6 months at the local airport crying to come back