Why do we always think that "ELSEWHERE" is better than our own country? (page 12 of 23)

I was also talking about everyday life. Sometimes France is just a "souf-France" (a play on words meaning a suffering France).

Michel

No, but I was actually talking about everyday life! I don’t travel much in France, in the end.

😎

What I meant was that I don’t necessarily feel like a "stranger" in another region, even if that word isn’t quite right.

I don’t quite get it, but we’ll talk about it someday in a PM. 🙂 My relationship with France is complicated, I know that well.

Michel

Hello,

First off, it’s only human, especially since we often decide to travel in reaction to a tough situation we’re going through at home. Plus, we usually go on "vacation," a break to unwind, so of course... it seems better, not to say wonderful.

As a result, we forget that daily life exists everywhere, and for locals or long-term residents, life’s problems are pretty much the same as for the rest of us.

So, is it really better elsewhere? Not necessarily. But depending on our personal needs, it’s possible to find opportunities in one place rather than another—yes. Having experienced this and still living it, I can vouch for that. So, thanks to chance, and thanks to life, simply put. Geli

Good evening,

No, no, that’s not it at all in my case, but I’m short on time tonight to explain. I’ll come back tomorrow...

Michel

Hello,

First of all, it’s only human, I think—especially since we often decide to travel in reaction to a difficult situation we’re experiencing where we are. Plus, we often go on "vacation," a break to relax, so of course... it seems better, not to say wonderful.

As a result, we forget that daily life exists everywhere, and that for local populations or long-term residents, life’s problems remain the same as for the average person.

So, is it really better elsewhere? Not necessarily, but depending on our personal fulfillment needs, it’s possible to find opportunities here rather than there, yes. Having experienced it and continuing to live it, I can attest to that. So, thank you, chance, and thank you, life, quite simply. Geli

Personally, I’ve never thought that everything is rosier elsewhere. In some places, there are things I prefer compared to France, and others I think are not as good. Of course, it depends on the country—I definitely don’t envy very poor or "underdeveloped" countries.

Hello,

I said I’d come back here to clarify what I meant the other day.

So, no—the “grass is always greener” effect isn’t tied to being on vacation for me. In fact, I really like my job, and that actually makes the unease even sharper in a way. Because, to be clear, France is still a country that’s not exactly welcoming to people who value freedom. We’ve lived under deep state influence for centuries, along with a very universalist ideology that seems to justify just about everything. For example, right now, you’re noticeably freer—socially, civically, and culturally—in Germany than in France. Even in daily life, the difference is glaring. You won’t find the same rigidity that enforces a single school calendar, that regulates transportation in an ultra-centralized way with monopolies we all know are cumbersome and penalizing, or that imposes identical rules on situations that aren’t actually comparable. France is a country that’ll enforce a single nationwide speed limit on roads and needs that have nothing in common, where the state intrudes coercively into people’s health. Take tobacco, for instance: instead of imposing a “universal” ban with all its socially and economically harmful effects, Germany bans cigarettes but allows establishments where they’re permitted—or even embraced. Internet freedom is incomparable—but France is the EU’s worst student there. Freedom of movement, plain and simple. Respect for Schengen.

You might think these are minor points, and it’s probably true that living in Brittany, at least 800 km from a border, makes me feel a bit more trapped by this statism than I should... That’s possible. But in any case, France is a *souf-france* for me, as I wrote earlier.

Michel

PS: If you have any thoughts on what France is currently doing well in Europe in terms of freedoms, let me know.

and well, I tell myself "that it's better elsewhere."

In a few words: "It's better elsewhere" => falls under Morality, in short, saying what's good and what's bad, creating dichotomies between these two notions.

=> "It's better..." => is it absolute good, in short, the pursuit of happiness at all costs?

=> If everyone on this forum is searching for absolute happiness, then what is happiness?

=> Is happiness found elsewhere in Switzerland, in Africa, in the USA...?

Oh, and sorry... the little daily hassles like whether you can smoke in restaurants or drive over 90 km/h on national roads—I don’t think that’s part of the quest for existential happiness on an individual level 😏

Hi there,

Back in the '80s or '90s, that might have worked for someone working an hour a week, one and a half weeks a year. I know people who complain about liberalism for even less than that. What really weighs heavy is the sharp decline in freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of movement—compared to the rest of Europe, which feels so much more at ease.

Michel

If you have any ideas about what’s currently good in France at the European level in terms of freedoms, let me know.

Above all, it’s the sharp decline in freedoms—of expression, of movement—that weighs heavily compared to the rest of Europe, which seems so much more serene.

Hey,

You really don’t let up, do you? One freedom I have in France that not all European women do: control over my own body. In France, I have the absolute right to an abortion, while women in Ireland, Poland, Malta, and a few other countries are reduced to waving signs in the street. I’m not gonna rant about it for ages—just responding to your comment that kinda annoyed me.

Happy New Year! Hope you’ve made some good resolutions. 😉

Anyway, back to the original topic... the grass is always greener elsewhere (clearly, they’ve never been to Normandy).

Hello,

You won’t hold it against me for structurally feeling quite unconcerned by the specific topic you’re bringing up, even if I acknowledge its importance. I don’t think the French state has recently distinguished itself in respecting bodily autonomy or medical choices, frankly: rejecting the right to die with dignity, prescriptions unmatched anywhere else in Europe.

Michel

If you have any ideas about what’s currently good in France at the European level in terms of freedoms, let me know.

Above all, it’s the sharp decline in freedoms—of expression, of movement—that weighs heavily compared to the rest of Europe, which seems so much more at ease.

Hi,

You really don’t let go, do you? One freedom I have in France that not all European women share: control over my own body. In France, I have the absolute right to abortion, while Irish, Polish, Maltese women, and others are reduced to waving placards in the streets. I’m not going to ramble on about it—just responding to your comment that annoyed me a bit.

Happy New Year! I hope you’ve made some good resolutions. 😉

Anyway, back to the original topic... the grass is always greener elsewhere (apparently, they’ve never been to Normandy).

Tatra, you're right. It's better elsewhere. Everywhere else is better. No question about it... For example, migrants are rushing to Poland and Hungary, even Austria where they're welcomed with open arms.... As you say, they're so much more at ease there...

We were talking about Europe. I’ve always had a bit of trouble with this French blind spot. And I wasn’t making absolute statements. I was saying that some countries suit certain temperaments better. If you don’t like a strong, centralized state, France isn’t the right country for you.

Michel

We were talking about Europe. I’ve always struggled a bit with this French blindness. And I wasn’t making absolute statements. I was saying that some countries suit certain temperaments better. If you don’t like centralized state power, France isn’t the right country for you.

Michel

I had no idea Austria, Hungary, and Poland weren’t in Europe. My bad...

Just recently, I’ve been picturing myself in Poland, Russia, or the Czech Republic. No, these countries aren’t better economically or socially, but with my personality, I just feel more at home there. Sometimes the heart overrides the head.

Like I said, for me, it’s rotten everywhere—I’m not deluding myself—but there are just places that suit us better than others...

Anyway, in my case, I honestly don’t believe there’s anywhere else out there, but that’s another topic.

Actually, I could see myself in Poland or Russia, or in the Czech Republic. No, these countries aren’t better economically or socially, but with my personality, I just feel better there. Sometimes the heart overrides the head.

Like I said, for me, it’s rotten everywhere—I’m not deluding myself—but there are just places that suit us more than others...

In my case, I don’t even believe in ‘elsewhere’ anymore, but that’s another topic.

What’s stopping you from taking the leap? If it’ll make you feel better, go for it... It’s not a provocation, just a suggestion to avoid regrets. You learn a lot by living abroad.

As always, money’s tight—I don’t have savings, and I’ve got nothing to offer those countries. I can’t see what I’d even do there. I’d love to spend time in Russia to learn the language (I’m starting at home), but I don’t have the cash for it (obviously it costs money—you’ve got to pay for accommodation, etc.).

My health’s another issue, but I don’t want to go into detail.

Like I said, I don’t think it’s automatically better elsewhere in every way. In France, we’ve got a solid healthcare system, so it’s smarter to stay when our own health lets us down. France has its perks—I’m not denying that. But it’s got downsides too, just like anywhere else.

And I wasn’t making absolute statements. I was saying that some countries suit certain temperaments. For those who don’t like centralized state power, France isn’t a well-suited country.

You’re stuck on the concept—we’re starting to know you by now. Very concretely, I don’t think the administrative setup of France would be a dealbreaker for someone motivated to move here. Same goes for those who decide to leave. People expatriate for work, because they want to live under the sun, for love, and so on... rarely because the country they chose to live in is a federal state. We read that you’re not happy where you are, but we still don’t know where you *would* be happy living.

And I wasn’t making absolute statements. I was saying that some countries suit certain temperaments. If you don’t like a centralized state, France isn’t the right country for you.

You’re stuck on the concept—we’re starting to know you by now. Very concretely, I don’t think the administrative setup of France would be a dealbreaker for someone considering moving here. Same for those who decide to leave. People move abroad for work, because they want to live under the sun, for love, and so on... rarely because the country they chose is a federal state. We read that you’re not happy where you are, but we still don’t know where you *would* be happy.

Hi, I actually think that when you decide to move abroad, you don’t necessarily consider all the legal, financial, or administrative aspects... and yet, the risk of disappointment is very real—just the daily grind, the routine, unless you have a job (and ideally one you chose) that truly excites you. Geli

Good evening,

You’re struggling to see things the way I do, and that’s completely understandable. 🙂

Not everyone has to share the same passion for universal equality, the love of the State (which we expect everything from), the administration (which we join like an army), the one and only language that’s supposed to erase all others, or the Human Rights we claim for ourselves but often bend the rules on—France is currently one of the countries that no longer respects the European Convention on Human Rights... We’re allowed to have other views—more liberal, more individualistic, more open on moral and religious questions—without wanting to lecture the world or tie our culture to a single nation.

I don’t see why this would knock you off your chair, honestly.

Michel

And I wasn’t making absolute statements. I was saying that some countries suit certain temperaments better. If you don’t like centralized state power, France isn’t the right country for you.

You’re stuck on the concept—we’re starting to know you by now. Very concretely, I don’t think France’s administrative setup is a dealbreaker for someone considering moving here. Same goes for those who decide to leave. People expatriate for work, because they want to live somewhere sunny, for love, and so on... rarely because the country they’ve chosen is a federal state. We read that you’re not happy where you are, but we still don’t know where you *would* be happy.

Hello, I actually think that when someone decides to expatriate, they don’t necessarily consider all the legal, financial, or even practical aspects... and yet, the risk of disappointment is real, if only in the day-to-day routine—unless you have a job (ideally one you’re passionate about) that keeps you engaged. Geli