More on Europeans....

In case you're thinking me "stereotypical" after my recent post, I may as well continue. All of this insight is based on thirty years of experience and observation. Using that as a basis, additional thoughts here:

1. They buy you a present when you visit and stay with them rather than the other way around.
2. They often give another gift, the kind you would never expect, like a song, a trip to visit “special” friends, because they thought about a valuable connection or more.
3. On the gift part, it often involves a “huge” sharing of a piece of literature or music.
4. They want to dance in a dive, in a palace, anywhere.
5. When you share a new purchase (whether it is a pair of boots, a necklace or a dress), they take great interest in the purchase. They will often go a step further and ask about the kind of material, the designer, etc.
6. It takes a little longer for trust to develop, but when it does, you have a sense that they'll be around, they're comitted and not just for a short term conversation, deal or conversation.
7. They have less "junk" and "stuff" around them, but what they do have is often of higher quality.
8. I love the fact that their places, while often much smaller than American flats, are full of bookcases, music and interesting art regardless of how much money they make or their social economic status. It is an integral part of their life and it shows in their everyday conversation, their clothes, their knowledge and interest in literature, art, history, politics, music. And on and on.

And on and on.