Great writing once again thank you. And please don’t worry, Farage is slimy, and no you’re not whiney. I’m also glad you enjoyed your sense of freedom whilst wandering the streets of Europe, free of guns. The right to bare arms is the wedge that divides Britain and the USA. Every school massacre is followed by the same old empty rhetoric, and nothing changes. My son coaches football (soccer), and spent a summer working on camp in Long Island. He had to have a training day for what to do if a shooter storms the camp. He found that quite disturbing, and I’m not surprised. No such problems over here, no wonder you felt ‘free’.
Just spent a month in Italy and read your page as I was waiting for my plane to depart Milan.
During my time in Italy I visited some friends in Florence, they are a young couple from LA who just purchased a home 40 mins drive Florence. They made a decision not to raise their young family in the USA due to the uptick in school shootings amongst other concerns. They are happy to forego all the pace and convenience of their current US lifestyle in an attempt to show their children an alternative. Bravo.
I moved to Europe in 1995, after three years of managing a project between Chicago, Singapore and Amsterdam. I have to say, I have never regretted moving - but I do miss some things, like school friends and family. But even in a Europe which seems to have more far right politics now than in the past 30 years, I still find it less polarized than the US. And I do think that there is something comforting that here in the Netherlands, we also don’t have guns in homes. You can own a gun, you go to a gun club to shoot it and it stays there, there is training and licensing. And I walk my dogs in our middle-sized town quite happily at midnight without worry of being shot (or knifed, or pickpocketed). I enjoy the fact people don’t drive to go a half-mile to the grocery store, they walk or bike. That we separate or glass, cans, paper and garden rubbish without complaining about it. That no one I know minds that there are deposits on tin cans and plastic bottles, which you can take back to get your deposit. I am still an American, I pay US taxes, and I carry a US passport. But I am quite happy to spend the majority of my time in Europe. I could totally understand your blog - which I did find because it was highlighted by Substack in their newsletter. And I enjoyed it. And I think that the fact so much of social media is about people dumping on other people really does drive me crazy. I am pretty much off Twitter, my Facebook is just my actual friends, and my Instagram is rare - and of my dogs.
Hello! I’m a new subscriber and I’m Italian, I wish the Italy you described was like that, maybe in the south, but come to the north and you’ll see that the easygoing/postponing attitude does not exist, unfortunately 🥹.
I disagree with you about political stuff but you're smart, humane, and hilarious so... Who cares? I wish people were less reactive and crazy, sorry internet pit stains were acting like jerks towards you :(
🌍 I am one of your new subscribers. Your newsletters Iaid a naked contrast between Italy and US. It was real, authentic and hilarious at the same time. Except, in your dairy, you didn't mention when you will visit Africa. Should you need direction, I am here to give you a compus.
I am one of those new subscribers--not yet paid, I’m giving you a try. While I certainly agree with your characterization of Mr. Farage, I didn’t subscribe for the politics. It was, rather, your discussion of how to be happy in a country with terrible politics. My wife and I, Americans, are in the midst of a two-week break in Sicily, and noticing how relaxed we feel. I am hoping we can bring that attitude home with us, and reading your post helps.
Great writing once again thank you. And please don’t worry, Farage is slimy, and no you’re not whiney. I’m also glad you enjoyed your sense of freedom whilst wandering the streets of Europe, free of guns. The right to bare arms is the wedge that divides Britain and the USA. Every school massacre is followed by the same old empty rhetoric, and nothing changes. My son coaches football (soccer), and spent a summer working on camp in Long Island. He had to have a training day for what to do if a shooter storms the camp. He found that quite disturbing, and I’m not surprised. No such problems over here, no wonder you felt ‘free’.
Please keep up the enjoyable posts.
Just spent a month in Italy and read your page as I was waiting for my plane to depart Milan.
During my time in Italy I visited some friends in Florence, they are a young couple from LA who just purchased a home 40 mins drive Florence. They made a decision not to raise their young family in the USA due to the uptick in school shootings amongst other concerns. They are happy to forego all the pace and convenience of their current US lifestyle in an attempt to show their children an alternative. Bravo.
I don’t need your blood but I DO need your writing.
I really like your writing a lot. I am a german who moved to Italy 🇮🇹😃
I'm one of the ones who discovered your blog on the substack home page. If anything, this article makes me like your writing even more!
I moved to Europe in 1995, after three years of managing a project between Chicago, Singapore and Amsterdam. I have to say, I have never regretted moving - but I do miss some things, like school friends and family. But even in a Europe which seems to have more far right politics now than in the past 30 years, I still find it less polarized than the US. And I do think that there is something comforting that here in the Netherlands, we also don’t have guns in homes. You can own a gun, you go to a gun club to shoot it and it stays there, there is training and licensing. And I walk my dogs in our middle-sized town quite happily at midnight without worry of being shot (or knifed, or pickpocketed). I enjoy the fact people don’t drive to go a half-mile to the grocery store, they walk or bike. That we separate or glass, cans, paper and garden rubbish without complaining about it. That no one I know minds that there are deposits on tin cans and plastic bottles, which you can take back to get your deposit. I am still an American, I pay US taxes, and I carry a US passport. But I am quite happy to spend the majority of my time in Europe. I could totally understand your blog - which I did find because it was highlighted by Substack in their newsletter. And I enjoyed it. And I think that the fact so much of social media is about people dumping on other people really does drive me crazy. I am pretty much off Twitter, my Facebook is just my actual friends, and my Instagram is rare - and of my dogs.
More potty mouth pls 🙏
I think you are fucking amazing!
Hello! I’m a new subscriber and I’m Italian, I wish the Italy you described was like that, maybe in the south, but come to the north and you’ll see that the easygoing/postponing attitude does not exist, unfortunately 🥹.
Yes, I've heard although I'm guessing even Milan is a little more chill than comparable American cities. Looking forward to visiting to find out
I disagree with you about political stuff but you're smart, humane, and hilarious so... Who cares? I wish people were less reactive and crazy, sorry internet pit stains were acting like jerks towards you :(
Blocking=Love
Molto amen!
Holy heck Michael - I’m feeling conflicted that you have a great new following vs no! I found him first!
🌍 I am one of your new subscribers. Your newsletters Iaid a naked contrast between Italy and US. It was real, authentic and hilarious at the same time. Except, in your dairy, you didn't mention when you will visit Africa. Should you need direction, I am here to give you a compus.
I am one of those new subscribers--not yet paid, I’m giving you a try. While I certainly agree with your characterization of Mr. Farage, I didn’t subscribe for the politics. It was, rather, your discussion of how to be happy in a country with terrible politics. My wife and I, Americans, are in the midst of a two-week break in Sicily, and noticing how relaxed we feel. I am hoping we can bring that attitude home with us, and reading your post helps.
Hypocrisy not withstanding, you are correct about Mr Smith and his dogshit take on a mass shooting.