North Americans Most Similar to Europeans

I think two things. You're bored and posts like these on Helpline have nothing to do with travel.

Definitely not Texans! Even here in Austin where we are much more liberal than the rest of the state. For the most part people here just are not as open minded as Europeans. I believe they also don't think as "globally" as Europeans do. Many, many people never travel outside the U.S. - or even the state of Texas. They have never experienced any other culture. I'm thinking maybe San Francisco? Very culturally diverse, and different ethnic groups hold onto the richness of their culture. Open minded, and opinionated. (I lived in the bay area for 13 years:)

Au contraire, it has everything to do with travel. This is no different than Travel and Leisure writing articles about which city has the most/least attractive people...nobody would argue that the magazine shouldn't write such a story because it has nothing to do with travel. And we've had similar questions here before...which US city is most European. This is just a different twist. You see this type of question all over the place...Fodor's, et al. Of course I'm bored...why else would I be here?

Unanswerable, because the question already makes certain assumptions that are probably invalid. And the very idea of "European" is an abstract assumption. How can we even begin to compare any one regional group in North America to some "European" generalization, when the intranational and even intra-regional differences in Europe can be so sharp? Inevitably, because this is a rather Euro-phillic community, people are just going to selectively pick the things they like about their favorite region and project that ideal onto Europe (see above comments about the bay area).

This is a typical trend very prone to overreaching and ultra-stereotyping generalizations. There is no such things as "a Montrealer" or "a Bostonian" or "a New Yorker". People come in all shapes and preferences and allegiances and affiliations. Only the makeup of them in each place might vary. Even more outrageous is the idea of framing 400 million people in a label - "a European". I speak of that because I'm usually caught at the "wrong" end of these generalizations - "oh, but you are not a real xxxxx because you don't do xxxxxxx" and I absolutely hate them.

I tend to agree with Tom and Andre on this one...it's quite true about assumptions and stereotyping. I also agree that there typically is a certain, discernible trend regarding answers for this type of question. I think my own conclusion is that defining European people, culture, or whatever really means different things to different people. It's probably better to understand this than to just shout out that Portland, OR (or wherever) is most European. As for Montreal, it's most similar to France/Europe IMO in terms of language, but Canada did kick de Gaulle out of the country when he called for independence while visiting...very un-French/un-European like to kick-him out. There, I'm not as bored as I was earlier. :)

I find it interesting that a person from Toronto would say that, now the question is, do they consider Vancouverites the most Asian like citizens in North America because of the large Asian population there? And what was said about Texans could also be said about various places in Europe, that is I'm sure there are villages in the Italian hill towns, Poland, Czech Republic to name a few places where many of the residents have never traveled outside of their region or Europe for that matter. For example, the older gentlemen we see sitting and talking or the ladies hanging laundry that Rick likes to use as background in his videos, I just don't see them traveling to North America. The one thing I agree with is it is a huge generalization.

I think it's very hard to generalize as others have said, but I have found that living in the bay area prepared me for living in Europe better than people who are say, from the midwest or south. I was already used to using public transit (actually didn't have a car back home, but I have one here!), going to the store every other day for small trips and going to farmers' markets, parallel parking, narrow streets, living in apartments, strong restaurant culture, and frequent protests. Whereas some of the other Americans here are used to owning cheap, large homes with large yards, have never taken public transit before they got here, never had to learn to park in tight spaces, etc. We're also a little less overtly friendly in the bay area compared to many other parts of the states. People are polite but random strangers aren't really gonna start up a conversation with you. It's the same here in Swabia, too.

I don't even think a Dutch is in anyway similar to a German. They don't even know how to drive a car. So this is quite a huge generalization indeed. Personally I found the people of Toronto to be quite European in values, in liberal thinking but also in setting up parking restrictions. Then again Toronto as a city looks more stereotypical American than Washington, D.C...

In France, especially in northern France in the summer, you will see the Dutch often driving with their campers (Wohnwagen) attached to their cars...so often as to be very obvious.

I grew up in the Midwest including living in Chicago, lived briefly in California, was a student in Germany, and traveled primarily in Greece, Italy, the UK, France and the Netherlands, as well as 48 of the 50 states, and now live in Manhattan. And, I have to say the NYC constantly reminds me of city living in Europe. It's not exactly the same, and maybe what it is happening is that there is a "global chic" that is diminishing the differences, but there are many days when I am walking to work, or picking up breakfast in a deli that I am reminded of times in the big cities of Europe. It's partly the public transit. For me, it's partly the smell of diesel exhaust which will always remind me of Athens due to the buses the poured out diesel exhaust. But it's also the people and the way they walk down the sidewalk. The sense of style that the young people have. The variety of voices that you can hear on the street and in the restaurants at lunch. I had lunch a month ago in O'Neil's on 3rd Avenue and heard more French than English. I was walking down second avenue and ran into an absolute herd of French soldiers! NYC is a unique place, but so is London, Paris, Berlin, Athens, Rome and so on. And all of these places do have things in common and if you keep your mind sense open to them you'll see the overlaps an enjoy them. Pam

Montreal, yeah, I could see that. I don't know about the people but the city does have a certain European feel about it. Same for Quebec City, although it probably has something to do with the language difference. I kind of thought that when I went to New Orleans back in 04, the French Quarter had a European feel to it as well.

Well said, James. Now that I live in one of the biggest tourist cities in the US I've been better able to see Americans visiting within our country. When I first visited Paris I remember wondering what it was like to live and work in Europe where all these people come and take pictures of your home. Now I know! The corner outside my office building offers a perfect view of the Chrysler Building and every day someone is standing on that corner taking a picture when I go out for lunch. Also, BTW on the strike / protest front, there is a big inflatable rat that can show up outside of a building if Unions think that something wrong is going on. There is usually a notice on the rat of the wrong actionunsafe practices or unfair treatment usually. Also, just a week or two ago I saw a protest that seemed to be just made up of orange-turbaned Sikhs! Of course, when the UN is in session this activity increases, but clearly, it's still a long time until September. Another thing about NYC that reminds me of European cities is the cafes. While there aren't as many as in Europe, there are a lot, and if there is an outdoor space, the windows often open onto the street. And, people here walk everywhere or take the subway. I've never known so many people who don't have a car! The last time I drove was in February when I visited Kentucky!

I think Jill may be forgetting the Mexican culture. Most people in Texas see so much Mexican culture, they forget it's not "American" culture. Someone from New Hampshire would feel like they're in a different country when they visit Texas - and vice versa. Like Europe, the culture changes depending on where you are. The beaches in Southern California are different than the central valley, and northern California is different than either. Southerners are different from Northerners and Westerners are different than Easterners. The culture in NYC is different than Chicago, which is different than Minnesota, which is different than Wyoming. I just got back from Spain. It's the same there. Catalons aren't the same as Castillians and Andalusians are different from both.

Brad - I would disagree that Texan Chicano culture isn't "American" culture - given the history of the US Southwest, Mexican influences in that area really predate it being part of the US so it's still American in my book - but in general I agree with you. It's very frustrating, my social circle here involves Europeans from all over, and they are very curious about the US and often ask me things like "In America, do they..." "I heard in America..." etc. A lot of Europeans seem to have a hard time wrapping their minds around the concept that America is a very very large and very very diverse country and there is rarely a "In America.." that fits for all of us. They ask me, "In America you really value your cars, yes?" And I say "I didn't own a car in America because I didn't need to, but most places in America yes, that is true." I still think it's possible to generalize about SOME things about Americans and SOME things about Europeans but in general there is a lot of diversity.