Britons 'spoil their kids'

[Liebling:-)))]

Look Liebling

before I came to Canada over 20 years ago I have been living in Poland for 25 years and in Germany for 10 months
I also have been to Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and even if those countries at the time (with exception of West Germany of course) were communist - trust me when I say the geographical lay-out was the same more or less- the distances, the architecture, the streets, the shops, the way of commuting - all the same.

I can understand where you come from. Where you grew up is in communist country which different from West Germany. Yes I know alot of people come from Poland, East German, bulgaria, Hungary etc. to West Germany. It´s long time you live in America as I in Germany, too. You & I didn´t know what kind of life they have now in England & Poland because you & I left our homeland at 20 years ago. There´re alot of change since we left our homeland. I´m sure you know that.

While I was living in Poland, I had a tiny local growers market right under my nose. Even the dairy farmers from a farms located half an hr by bus from us came by to this tiny informal marketplace and I could see them from my window selling fresh cream, veggies, fruits, cheese etc. It was less than 2 min away from my home. The butcher, the baker and general grocery, all separate were 5 min away from my place.

You didn´t say anything what you know about Poland in your previous post but

In Europe, you can walk 5 min to the nearest farm market, try it here if the closest one is 30km away! even 15, even 10.. oh please, walk by all means, why not everyday, sure

Now you are talking about Poland.. I can understand but I did not live in Poland but Germany. If I want to go farmer market then I has to go town twice a week (Wednesday & Saturday).

I don´t have anything in village where I live but new baker/small foods store -(build for a first time last summer). I shop there rarely. If I want something then use bicycle, car, bus or walk to town.

In Frankfurt/Main, I happened to live also 5 min. away from local fresh produce market. There´re good bus/metro/train etc connection in EVERY cities, and SOME of towns... the town where I live only have train & bus connection, no metro.

Logical, Frankfurt/Main is a large city, that´s not where I live. There´re many nearest shopping/market in cities than in town or countryside. There´re EVERY good trains, metros, buses connection in EVERY cities, SOME town... I only have train & bus connection in town where I live.

So, while I was certainly NOT correct saying EVERYBODY in Europe lives 5 min away from a market, please do not tell me I am wrong.
I know what I am talking about.

You said "In Europe, you can walk 5 min to the nearest farm market, try it here if the closest one is 30km away! even 15, even 10.. oh please, walk by all means, why not everyday, sure" which it mean that ALL... You should pick which area where you know, instead of just "Europe" which I thought you mean is ALL... that´s why I say WRONG, which it mean is NOT ALL but some.

I live here and I CAN compare. Have you ever been to America?

I think I already mentioned in my previous post that I never been to America. I has nothing to compare but British & Germany, other countries where I visit to.

That's just showing how little you know of American way. Sweetie it does not work exactly like that here. Sometimes there is not such store to drop by on the way home.
I do however drop by once in a while to some places a little on the way to buy meat and groceries, but these are more like delicatessen, not everyday shopping.

Okay, I understand. All what I know from my American co-workers... If I want something then stop at one store, not every stores before go to home from work.

Actually here in BC, Canada we have pretty good transit system but simply it is not convenient to use it anytime, if you have to travel so much. It's not only work you have to drive to go shopping, you have to drive to take your kids places, heck you often have to drive your dogs for a walk in a park..

Sure, it´s not just work... correct... but anything. If we want to go town then do with bicycle or walk to leave car alone - take train to make outing trip... If there´re a big shopping then take a car.

Now would you kindly tell me what is wrong. First of all I wrote OUR HOURS, not yours.
For us, this is not this simple.

Yes, you wrote about your work hours from 9.00 am to ....... pm make sound that America is the worst... I only convince you that it´s not because most of Europeans work between 7.00 am and 7.30 am (sometimes from 6.00 am), not 9.00 am... I would LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE to start 9.00 am, not 7.30 am but I didnt complaint about this... (I used to work in London which it was started 8.30 am)...

London & Paris are large city which opposite to Germany and other Euro countries. It´s easier for them to get bus, metro, etc. etc. etc. There´re more and more transport building in Germany every year..... that´s great that we have good transport connections to leave our cars alone if we make our outing trips. We drive to town to park our car to get train to make our trip outing...

lololol..

Well Liebling tell you what, I need to go once in a while to this particular doctor who is practicing in Vancouver, nowhere else.
Do you know how long it takes me to get there and then back home?

if I have an appmnt at 4 o'clock, I have to leave my home a quarter to three, It takes me sometimes more than one hr to get there, then 5 min (if I am lucky) to find a parking space on the parking lot, then 5 min walk to his office,
Average speed is 50-60km/hr in the city, on the freeway 80-100km/hr

Then I see a dr. takes anywhere from 15 min to 45 min, Then I go home.
So, 2:45- leave home, 5:45 I am back home, and being fast. Over two hrs of just driving.
My family dr who also practices in Vancouver is closer, takes only 40 min of average 70km/hr drive.

How long it takes you??

I would understand if you go to doctor everyday... but how often you visit to doctor?
I didnt complaint that I took my eldest son to therapy EVERY WEEK for over 2 years.

Doctor appointments are not in village where I live but in town... It took me 15 to 20 minutes (depend on traffic due working people) drive to doctor´s house - therapy at 25 minutes - dentist - 10 - 15 minutes... one small store with reasonable price - 5 to 7 minutes. We park our car at free park place mostly at town and then walk 10 to 15 minute to doctors........ They have car park there but we rather to have our "execise"... If doctor appointment at 5 pm which it mean that I has to drive to home first because my hubby want my car for go to his evening work. Make sure that my children are at friends then I took bicycle to arrive town for my appointment... It took me around 25 to 35 minutes to different doctors (dentist, etc. etc. ) then go back home... it could be around 2 hours together. I didnt complaint about this because I WANT execrise. I use tabletime... If I want to go doctor then make an appointment on the same time as my children go to sport club... they come home by 7.30 pm which it´s good... then why I pick date... where my children are on their way to sports, friends... or whatever...

Yes, I can understand when the people has to travel long way to doctor appointment EVERYDAY but how often we visit to doctors?

I hope this will give some ideas about what is like to commute in America.

Fuzzy

Yes, I know that America is a large country but some of Americans are complaint that the Government should build more transports for their people...

 

[Liebling:-)))]

If for example you'll start eating lots of grapes, bananas, avocadoes which is quite sweet and fatty then chances are, you are in trouble.

Not really, these are natural food. They have fibre,

I am afraid you are only partially right. If the fiber was an answer to obesity, then we would certainly fixed the problem by now, don't you think??

You probably forgot about this very important yet simple rule. It all comes down basically to the amount of calories we consume. If you eat more than you burn, you gain weight.
Grapes, bananas contain lots of sugar which eventually equate high calorie content. Avocado is high in fat, in fact I am not sure there is more fatty veggie out there than avocado. Also very caloric.

Correct, but the natural sugar is in grapes, banana, etc.... still natural which different to to add real sugar. Yes, Avocado is high fat but they are still natural.

So if you eat a lot of these, never mind the fiber- you are getting a lot of calories along the way, too, mostly additional calories since we often eat fruits and veggies as snacks in between, but even if you would only consume large amount of these, chances are you would gain weight.

Well, you would not lose your weight if you eat vegetables/fruits and plenty of fiber without drink plenty of water...

It would help if you drink alot of water...

 

[Liebling:-)))]

>>>Look what happened in United Kingdom years ago with the Mad Cow disease. There's also the foot and mouth disease that resulted in burning many animals to death to stop it from spreading.<<<

Yeah, I know... German refused to accept British meat and of course also US meat, too because of Hormones. We have mad cow in Germany - it scared us off and eat porks, chicken & turkey more. They found out why mad cow comes from... That´s why we have more and more orgainc meats to sell in Germany now since mad cow scandal and less worry now...

yeah, and we had Avian Flu started by chickens illegaly imported from China...

Yeah I know, because they keep hens indoor with unhealthy atmopshere...

One more thing I would like to point out - all of these unfortunate problems came form EUROPE and ASIA, not America. well this time at least..

I would like to remind you about Hormones meats are legal in America, not in Europe.

Despite what many may think, Europe does NOT have so very strickter rules in EVERY department. For example, certain drugs, namely Lyrica invented in America are tested on population first in Europe - because they allow it, then are approved by FDA in USA, usually just then Canada after gathering the studies approves or not it here.

There´re kind of drugs what Germany accept or not... Therer´re different countries who accept or not...
Example:
US accept Latex (sp) pill (non-depression pill) but German ban them... Theré´re many different what they can accept or not... Remember that every countries in the world have different opinions for accept them or not...

As for walking more, Banjo - have you ever thought how much you walk at the mall? I have been last week to the mall wiht my daughter. Arrived at 4 pm went back home after the stores closed at 9PM. Just count how many hrs I had to... WALK !!

Now, consider that this particular mall is from where I live 30 min drive away. Would that be sensible for me to go home in mid-shopping, cook a meal and get back (add 30 min back, back to the mall and back home again) to continue shopping? 'course not, so I choosed to eat fairly healthy Nando's chicken ceasar salad.

Yes, it´s great that we limit with healthy foods...

walking probably did burn some calories.

Very true... that´s why I choose to walk alot and use bicyle alot... Greek foods are my lover.... mmmhhh

 

[Audiofuzzy]

>>>Where you grew up is in communist country which different from West Germany.<<

the differences were political, but the fact remains these countries were/are all the same this way:

~small compared to USA and Canada
~ the built of the city was about the same- small downtown, little suburbs with local shops everywhere
~ shops have more or less the same kind of produce , same quality and similar prices.
~ you could walk practically everywhere

There´re alot of change since we left our homeland. I´m sure you know that.

yes there are but geography stays about the same. For example, in Breslau they beautifully restored Old Town but all the old buildings remained in the same spaces, just the businesses might have changed for example former bakery may be Estee Lader beauty shop now..

What I am trying to make you see is American cities are built differently and cover huge distances. That's what counts.

Also we rather don't built little shops here and there- - we mostly build shopping centres or plazas where you have a group of businesses put together so you don't have to drive like headless chicken trying to do your shopping

Shopping center is usually a huge centre with one or two big Hertz -type store, one Kaufhalla (cheaper), huge supermarket, and in between a vast amount of little shops like fashion butiques, fashion accessories, shoes, specialty stores, music stores, perfumes, jewellers, accessories, services big fast food area, washrooms, bookstore and other.


Plaza is:
Usually it's medium grocery store, drugstore, two or more fast food outlets like pizza, sometimes a hair salon, sometimes a dental or medical office, a fashion store or a dollar store with cheap knicknacks. could be a postal outlet.
something that you might like to have at hand for emergencies.

>>In Europe, you can walk 5 min to the nearest farm market<<

I am sorry I didn't realise I wasn't clear- I said CAN which means it's just possible, not a given. It mean that you can have it as close as 5 min away, but I didn't mean everybody and everywhere, Sorry!!

>>which it mean is NOT ALL but some.<<

But vast majority of European cities are just like that.
Liebling. it doesn't really matter the fact is anywhere in Europe is closer that here in America..


>>Yes, you wrote about your work hours from 9.00 am to ....... pm <,

yeah well but again if you have to work 8 hrs so if you start at 9 am you finish 9+8hrs= 17 hrs which is 5 pm.
If your boss insist lunch doesn't count you stay up to 6 pm . then add 30 min drive back home if you don't go anywhere on the way and traffic is not a murder you're home at 6;30pm - 18:30. remember you had to leave at least half an hr before you came to work. You are practically all day out.
Most pple have to come earlier and stay longer.
For example I used to work as an esthetician, I had to be at work at 9am and the shop was closed at 18:00 but if a customer wanted early appoinment I had to come at 8 am and sometimes stayed til' 8pm (20:00hrs) - 12 hrs, paid only for 8hrs from 9 to 5. (plus tips, if any)

That's very common for us Americans to work like that.

Liebling it's very hard to explain something that need to be experienced..
perhaps one day you'll coem here and you'll see for yourself.


I would understand if you go to doctor everyday... but how often you visit to doctor?

This particular dr I will be seeying every three months, probably. But I have a denstist who is working 5 min further down the road from the neuro so sometimes I have to go there once or twice a week there for a time. If my teeth are fine, it's once every six months or so. Last year I tried to find something closer but you probably know yourself how hard is to find a really good professional.. I'd rather drive for one hr than pay for shoddy job somewhere close up.
I usually try to have at least two teeth done at one sitting.

My family dr, it depends. When you are sick you are sick, you go anytime but for my regular prescription I have a system that allows me to see her also every three months. I just ask for Rx refill so I can use it for three months. But if have not had this option I would have come probably every month, at least, for the Rx alone..
if my kid gets sick it's more often of course.


>>I didnt complaint that I took my eldest son to therapy EVERY WEEK for over 2 years.<<<

I don't complaing either Liebling I am just trying to explain life in America is different you can't measure it by your standards..
I too take my daughter to piano and gym twice a week the piano is soon after school and it lasts one hr,
I could of course go home meantime but I would have to leave again after half an hr to pick her up so what's the point- I just stay there and read or go to the near shopping mall to buy some occassional stuff. Mostly I just enjoy reading.
In the Mall however there is this good chinese meat store with good fresh meat a bit more costly but worth the price so of course I do use this one hr opportunity to once in a while buy there ..

>>some of Americans are complaint that the Government should build more transports for their people...<<<

now that is something I have no clue about so I can not comment.. maybe some of our American friends will want to comment.
I can say for our BC transit that while I feel it is pretty good we do could use improvements for example more trains like Ubahn or what was it called- above -bahn??

Fuzzy

 

[Reba]

lololol..

Well Liebling tell you what, I need to go once in a while to this particular doctor who is practicing in Vancouver, nowhere else.
Do you know how long it takes me to get there and then back home?

if I have an appmnt at 4 o'clock, I have to leave my home a quarter to three, It takes me sometimes more than one hr to get there, then 5 min (if I am lucky) to find a parking space on the parking lot, then 5 min walk to his office,
Average speed is 50-60km/hr in the city, on the freeway 80-100km/hr

Then I see a dr. takes anywhere from 15 min to 45 min, Then I go home.
So, 2:45- leave home, 5:45 I am back home, and being fast. Over two hrs of just driving.
My family dr who also practices in Vancouver is closer, takes only 40 min of average 70km/hr drive.

I know what you mean. I need to leave at least one hour before my doctor appointment, and that's driving 65 mph on the interstate highway. Then circle around the parking lots and parking garages downtown like the Flying Dutchman, just to find a parking space. After a long stressful day at the hospital, I don't feel like shopping for groceries.

 

[Reba]

Doctor appointments are not in village where I live but in town... It took me 15 to 20 minutes (depend on traffic due working people) drive to doctor´s house ...

Wow, I wish our hospital was that close--it takes at least 45 minutes to drive to our doctor, if traffic is perfect.

... We park our car at free park place mostly at town...

There is NO free parking in our downtown area, except at VA hospital (for military only).

... If doctor appointment at 5 pm...

We can't get regular appointments after 4 p.m. Only emergency rooms are open after that time.

 

[Liebling:-)))]

Yes, I try to understand you, Fuzzy & Reba. I can´t say anything more because I havent tried America to see what it alike...

Fuzzy Bahn (train), U-Bahn or S-Bahn (metro or underground).
My hubby & I talk about con/pros after read your post over work time. He said that he rather to work an earlier than 8.00 am because he can come home an earlier to be free to do something at garden, etc... I told him that start work by 9 pm to 4.30 pm would be great because I have plenty of time to do something in my house after my children left home for school by 7.30 am. Clean house - doctor appointment etc. - small shopping before start to work by 9.00 am.

Reba:
There is NO free parking in our downtown area, except at VA hospital (for military only).

Yes, there´re no free parking IN middle of town. Some of free parking up to 1 or 2 hour limit at outside of middle town which it mean that it take us 10 to 15 minutes to walk to middle of town. I do is put parking hour card in car screen for the police to see how long my car stay... if over 1 hour limit then get park ticket. If I want go to doctor then I has to look for free parking area with no time limit. It´s not easy because of full cars. I often get luck to have free space to park in outside of town then walk to middle of town where there´re alot of shoppings, doctors, etc. I use bicycle mostly during good weather.

>>some of Americans are complaint that the Government should build more transports for their people...<<<

now that is something I have no clue about so I can not comment.. maybe some of our American friends will want to comment.
I can say for our BC transit that while I feel it is pretty good we do could use improvements for example more trains like Ubahn or what was it called- above -bahn??

Fuzzy

I´m afraid yes, some of Americans mentioned about this in some threads here but I know they are not only one but my American co-workers, too.

>>In Europe, you can walk 5 min to the nearest farm market<<

I am sorry I didn't realise I wasn't clear- I said CAN which means it's just possible, not a given. It mean that you can have it as close as 5 min away, but I didn't mean everybody and everywhere, Sorry!!

Sorry, I misunderstand you... I thought you mean ALL... I realized that you mentioned "can".

 

[Reba]

Liebling,
As an example of the size of our town that you can compare to your town in Germany, I will use high schools. Here is a quote about our local public high school:
"Currently Summerville High School is the largest high school in the state of South Carolina with the student population of approximately 3,100."
For comparison, how many students attend the local high school in your community?

(High school is for students ages 14-18.)

 

[VamPyroX]

I think that these kids are spoiled brats and not only is it these kids fault, it's their parents fault.

Why do parents get the clothes for their kids? Because their kids want it.

Why do those kids want those clothes? Because other kids at school have them.

Why do the other kids have those clothes? Because their parents got it for them.

Overall, it becomes an ongoing problem that is difficult to keep under control.

It's like having kids who are constantly sick. Many parents are working parents so they don't call anyone to babysit their kids. They just send their sick kids to school. At school, the sickness is passed on to another kid. Now, this kid is better. After a few weeks of the sickness being passed around, it goes back to this kid again. I've got a friend whose son is sick at least once a month. They do keep him home, but unfortunately... the other parents don't do the same for their kids at the same school. :roll:

 

[rjr2006]

I think that these kids are spoiled brats and not only is it these kids fault, it's their parents fault.

Why do parents get the clothes for their kids? Because their kids want it.

Why do those kids want those clothes? Because other kids at school have them.

Why do the other kids have those clothes? Because their parents got it for them.

Overall, it becomes an ongoing problem that is difficult to keep under control.

It's like having kids who are constantly sick. Many parents are working parents so they don't call anyone to babysit their kids. They just send their sick kids to school. At school, the sickness is passed on to another kid. Now, this kid is better. After a few weeks of the sickness being passed around, it goes back to this kid again. I've got a friend whose son is sick at least once a month. They do keep him home, but unfortunately... the other parents don't do the same for their kids at the same school. :roll:

yup and I blame high school for giving me coughs

 

[Audiofuzzy]

If you can afford why not.

Not only Britons spoil their kids, here in USA and Canada we too have Xmas frenzy and people get themselves into a huge debts over Xmas presents, too.

But this is not just by buying expensive (or not) stuff that you spoil your kid. It's by not teaching to be thankful for everything, think of others and give in return..



Fuzzy

 

[Liebling:-)))]

I think that these kids are spoiled brats and not only is it these kids fault, it's their parents fault.

Correct, it will be okay if the parents fix their limit on their children in firm way.

Why do parents get the clothes for their kids? Because their kids want it.

Well, I beleive to fulfilling my children's wish like birthday, easter & christmas. All what I do is buy something with special offer around the year & hide them, not do what the children wants but fulfilling their wish... This is a difference between "fulfilling children's wish and do what the children wants".

How would you feel if your parents buy something what you don't like?

Why do those kids want those clothes? Because other kids at school have them.

Yeah, I know it's not easy because there're kind of bullies around school... They will reject you if they see you with no designer clothes. I already explain my children that I can't buy designer clothes for them all the time unless there're special offer or go to Republic Czech. to buy cheap designer clothes. They understand with no problem. They knows that I only buy designer clothes on birthday, christmas & easter for them.

Why do the other kids have those clothes? Because their parents got it for them.

Yes, I know. It's not easy for the parents when their children see other children where they get expensive one from their parents... I remind my children that they can't compare us with other parents because I'm different than other parents. It work great when you explain your children in the positive way why they can't have etc. etc. than just say NO to make the children mad.......

Overall, it becomes an ongoing problem that is difficult to keep under control.

Depend on kind of displincie what/how lead the children's behavior.

It's like having kids who are constantly sick. Many parents are working parents so they don't call anyone to babysit their kids. They just send their sick kids to school. At school, the sickness is passed on to another kid. Now, this kid is better. After a few weeks of the sickness being passed around, it goes back to this kid again. I've got a friend whose son is sick at least once a month. They do keep him home, but unfortunately... the other parents don't do the same for their kids at the same school. :roll:

Interesting, I would ask you question.

Did Heathly Insurance cover parent's income for watch their sick kids in your country?

Here in Germany, Healthy Insurance company accord German law to pay me or my hubby to watch my sick kids due doctor's request until my kids are 12 years old. After 12 years old, I has to take leave annual or unpaid leave to watch them.

 

[Liebling:-)))]

Liebling,
As an example of the size of our town that you can compare to your town in Germany, I will use high schools. Here is a quote about our local public high school:
"Currently Summerville High School is the largest high school in the state of South Carolina with the student population of approximately 3,100."
For comparison, how many students attend the local high school in your community?

(High school is for students ages 14-18.)

I can't answer on your question yet because I didn't know how many students attend school in the area where I live. There're 4 different group of public school (primary school, secondary school, grammar school & Economny of Business school). You pick "high school" so I pick grammar school... I search to find out how many students attend to grammar school but I can't find. I will post here when I find out. okay.

 

[Liebling:-)))]

If you can afford why not.

Not only Britons spoil their kids, here in USA and Canada we too have Xmas frenzy and people get themselves into a huge debts over Xmas presents, too.

But this is not just by buying expensive (or not) stuff that you spoil your kid. It's by not teaching to be thankful for everything, think of others and give in return..



Fuzzy

Very True.

 

[Liebling:-)))]

yup and I blame high school for giving me coughs

Why?

 

[Audiofuzzy]

>>>yup and I blame high school for giving me coughs<<<

probably needed to cough everytime when did not know the answer and tried to cover it up


>>Well, I beleive to fulfilling my children's wish like birthday, easter & christmas<<

I am with you Liebling. What special would be about these times if the gifts were like everyday stuff?

besides, as I say if you teach your children that there are poeple who can't afford to buy designer clothes and there is nothing funny about it, and sometimes it happens that people who wear Tommy Hilfiger or Aritzia jeans go bankrupt and then there is hand-me down time. So don't put down those mass -produce people, you never know when you can become one.. knock knock.

Also, buy yourself these expensive jeans, but give away your older stuff for those who would be happy to wear them used. let your kids do some charity work. Explain clothes, stuff does not make one better person, just looking better, nothing else.

There is plenty of extremely rich people in the world, like billionares and I don't see them clothing and feeding every one who's destitue.


There is nothing wrong with having a bit more than your neigbhour as long as you don't sneer at him.


I believe most of kids nowadays are level headed and understand personality is what counts, and anyway putting a lot of importance on how we look is mostly a phase in our teens..

Oh, of course there always are some airheads and artificial snobs.. but majority is good peeps with good kids.. even those spoiled at Xmas

Fuzzy