Stress Vs. Opportunity

[shiner]

It is generally accepted that the lower the standard of living in a country the less the job related stress. This is the result of a weaker economy which gives you very limited opportunities anyway. Even if you are poor everyone else around you is also, so most are in the same situation. This leads to a very communal environment, where you feel less lonely. You are more likely to find happiness in simple things and grow closer to those around you.

 

In a country with a higher standard of living the economy is stronger, job related stress is much higher, opportunities are greater, you can develop more as an individual, but people are more isolated as a result of the privacy and independence you can afford. The luxury (or comfort) of living is greater also. The diversity is greater. It is harder to find people you have a lot in common with, etc.

 

There are advantages and disanvantages to both situations, but most (including myself) would ultimately prefer the second scenario because I have the opportunities to fully develop as an individual and reach my optimum level of productivity.

 

You do the best with what you have, and since I find myself in the second scenario I might as well make the most out of its advantages as opposed to complaining about its disadvantages. If I was in the first scenario I would take advantage of the ability to take it easier and enjoy the lack of stress, as opposed to worrying about what I'm missing out on (as far as opportunities etc.)

 

But the grass is always greener on the other side.

 

What do ya'll think?

[gevo27]

I think thats the very same reason all my relatives always say,, life was easier in armenia, less stress etc.. lol..

 

but ofcourse, they must also remember poverty.. and corrupt economy and blah blah blah..

 

so yes, i would actually rather be in the second scenerio myself.. and try to make it as stress free as i can.. and take advantage of what it as to offer..

[Anonymouse]

Well, I believe we can look into Marx' critique in Kapital when he describes the fetishism of commodities under a capitalist mode of production, in how even social relations are all based on this, from which it flows, that there is increased stress, because of increased competition of commodities.

[Stormig]

I don't get it - then why are Europeans more chilled out than the relative work-aholics that call themselves the Amerikanskis? Europeans are known to highly value their free time, make it quality time. But then it might also be a cultural thing - Europeans look greatly into the quality of what they eat as well, unlike Americans who seem to not know how to make preferential choices, going for cheap down to the pennies even if their vegetables are crap. Same with stress - I'd think a European would be more likely to say, what do I do with all that money for overtime if I can't have the time to spend it?

In fact, looking at the way things are going, with German firms preferring to hire foreign engineers so they can work them all they want rather than afford a German engineer who will not stay a minute longer than his weekly 40 hours, there's no going back there. Is that the epitome of developed-ness? And in no way shape or form can anyone tell me that standards in Western Europe are poorer than those in the U.S.

[Boghos]

Dear Stormig,

 

I think you are oversimplifying many issue. Just one of them: Europe, or most of it, believes that all the so called social benefits are an integral part of their lives and cannot possible be taken away. I am afraid that is the wrong way of looking at things and the price to pay as time goes by will simply be lower standards of living for everyone.

 

As to diet, I think you have a point. In Europe people tend to have a healthier relationship with food than in America. But obesity is exploding everywhere, so it is not just quality.

[Stormig]

Boghos, I'm not sure I follow - what is it in the thinking that is "wrong"? Just today there was a brief mention of lowered birth rates and who was going to take care of everyone when they all retired, very much related to what's going to happen when all the profs in our department retire and there is no young blood to back it up, so I think I am being biased in the way I read things and can't quite relate.

As for obesity - obesity in Europe is attributed to picking up fast food habits (not is it only decline in quality but also the decline of civilization, IMHO ) and abandoning traditional ones. I understand this is to be best studied in Greece.

[shiner]

I don't get it - then why are Europeans more chilled out than the relative work-aholics that call themselves the Amerikanskis? Europeans are known to highly value their free time, make it quality time. But then it might also be a cultural thing - Europeans look greatly into the quality of what they eat as well, unlike Americans who seem to not know how to make preferential choices, going for cheap down to the pennies even if their vegetables are crap. Same with stress - I'd think a European would be more likely to say, what do I do with all that money for overtime if I can't have the time to spend it?

In fact, looking at the way things are going, with German firms preferring to hire foreign engineers so they can work them all they want rather than afford a German engineer who will not stay a minute longer than his weekly 40 hours, there's no going back there. Is that the epitome of developed-ness? And in no way shape or form can anyone tell me that standards in Western Europe are poorer than those in the U.S.

I really can't speak from experience because I've never been to Western Europe. But I'm guessing that even though it is very developed, it is still not quite as strong economically as the US.

 

Like is it possible for most there to afford and live in their own apartment from a very young age? Does every single person own a car (I realize you don't need to as much because distances are shorter but still)? I also think living space there is not nearly as big, because most architecture is much older. I imagine streets are more narrow and everything is more cramped. I imagine things are somewhat more expensive relative to income. And from a purely economical point of view I don't know if opportunities are quite as extensive, as well as GDP per capita etc.

 

As far as food is concerned in places like France it is much more expensive because everything is considered more gourmet I think.

 

Now that I think about it Western Europe might not be a bad combination of stress and opportunity because you would be living in a very developed country while at the same time having more limited stress and workaholic syndrome.

[Stormig]

Shiner, I think you have to realise that you are somewhat straying from where you started off when talking about opportunities, as in opportunities that help you in self-actualisation (or at least I see it as so). (You will realise that all of a sudden I have become self-aware and have been turning the z's into s's. ) Owning one's own flat, one's own car, hardly provide that. Sure, a great deal can happen with one moving out of home, but even a cheap flat will be shared between many because it's still even cheaper. Monitored flea markets where second-hand goods are sold for ridiculous prices abound. I'm not going to say that the money saved off the flats and clothes is used to go on vacation with (as more Europeans are to be seen to travel out of their continent and all across it to explore than do Americans out of/across their godforsaken New World ), but you see where I'm getting? I don't claim to know it all myself, either, because I don't know what it is like in Holland or Spain, for example.

All that said, with the way a European will listen, the way a European will discuss, etc., all that intellectuality gives more evidence of self-actualisation. If you imagined you were Asian for a bit and observed a bunch of Europeans (in whatever national combination) and Americans together, you'd see the difference. Of course, on the part of Europeans that also comes with greater potential for being a SUP (stuck-up pig), which in fact is not that bad considering Americans think the U.S. is glob's gift to the world.

Edited March 4, 2004 by Stormig