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Originally Posted by Baraka_Guru
Gas in Europe is generally expensive, but also realize that in many European cities, there isn't as much reliance on cars as in some North American cities. Also, Europeans tend to use more fuel-efficient cars....
Also, how many people in America live within their own means? It certainly is cheaper to live in America, but how would you explain the grossly increasing household debt loads
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Well, it's funny you say this, because Iceland really must be a mini-America instead of a corner of Europe. People LOVE to drive here, especially when the weather gets bad... Reykjavik has the highest car-per-capita rate in the WORLD, even with gas between $7 to $8 a gallon. And, the most popular cars these days are SUV's, which people justify because they need them for the winter and rough roads in the interior (true, but I'd be willing to bet that most people never actually leave the city, but just talk about it). My uncle has a Hummer. A HUMMER, in suburban Iceland!!
Depression meds are also highly prescribed here, and drinking Coke 3 meals a day has led to a very noticeable obesity problem with many Icelanders (seen during every trip to the neighborhood pool). And most of the country lives off their credit cards or loans... it's one of the richest countries in the world, but also one of the most consumerist. People love fads here, owning the latest gadget... I see more iPods here than I ever did on a university campus (and that's saying something).
So, I'd have to conclude that while Iceland (officially considered European, within the EEA) is definitely a social democracy (and we pay dearly for that with our taxes) and many things are free and/or more laid-back... it's also a heck of a lot more "American" than many people would like to admit.