Sunday Musings: A Great Place To Live And Work

The Labor Day weekend always has a special meaning to me. Tomorrow, it marks the day I arrived in the United States 34 years ago, as a 24-year old with a Masters degree in engineering eager and ready to take on the world.

It took a few years to get acclimated and integrated into a society that is unique in many aspects. No doubt, I had my struggles with language, work and trying to find my own way. I encountered nothing but helpful and encouraging people that assisted me in getting used to a lifestyle far different than what I was used to.

Back then, as a newcomer, I remember a few things that struck me as being very different from the society I grew up in. Here are a few that stuck with me, but there are many more.

One, the lifestyle that many people had by owning their own home at a fairly young age as well as the latest cars that everyone drove. A little later, I learned the secret word to such immediate worldly possessions: Credit. Contrary to my upbringing, the idea here was immediate gratification as opposed to save first and buy later.

Two, the incredible flexibility the job market offers. It allows people at any stage in their lives to change gears and get involved in a different profession if they so chose. Contrast that to Europe, where your professional direction is chiseled in stone the moment you finish an education. Changing gears in mid-life is to this day extremely difficult.

Three, I have encountered people from all walks of life while being involved in my favorite activity, namely tennis. I’ve played in private clubs and on public tennis courts and I’ve noticed a phenomenon that you will not very likely see in Europe: No separation of classes. I have played with multi-millionaires and unemployed construction workers, it did not matter; it was about the game and not your financial net worth.

Four, money does not equal education. This topic comes up at times when I talk with family in Germany. You can rest assured that for the most part a wealthy individual in Europe is also very educated by having a couple PhDs and maybe a doctorate. It’s the way that society works: You have an education and better job opportunities are available. There is no way that you can become the CEO of BMW and not have a doctorate. This is in obvious contrast with the United States where opportunities abound for everyone no matter what the educational background. It’s entrepreneurship at its finest and there is no place like it anywhere else.

Sure, just like any other country, the U.S. has its problems as well. Some will be addressed some won’t; it’s just how it is. However, I am sick and tired or listening to people complaining how bad things are. My standard answer for 34 years has always been “If you don’t like it here, you are free to move someplace else. Try another country. I bet you won’t make it for a year.”

There is a reason that a lot of foreigners want to move to the United States. It’s still the best game in town because there is no place like it anywhere else.