Worldwide Success

In the first part of this two series article we talked about several aspects of life and success in Holland and in the UK.  We talked about the economy, taxation, fitness, smoking, social classes and a few other topics of interest that help us compare different aspects of a successful lifestyle from a European perspective.  In this article, we will expand upon the initial discussion and talk about life in Germany and in Spain.  We will also conclude with some general thoughts on how life in Europe differs from the US and how our definition of success is influenced by the culture that we live in.

Let me start by talking about Germany.  This is the country of efficiency, precision and great engineering.  Everything here seems to work the way it is supposed to, and you can tell how well things are planned and thought out just by being here for a few days.  But there is much more to Germany than great engineering.  The food is great and the people are very pleasant.

Munich is a great place for car enthusiasts.  The streets are filled with Mercedes, Audis and BWMs.  If you take a taxi, there is a good chance you will be riding in a very nice car.  The BMW world headquarters is located right here, in a beautiful building that resembles the 4 cylinders of the motor of a car.    There is a large factory in Munich next to the headquarters where they make the 3 series cars.  When you place an order for a 3 series BMW in a US dealership, you choose your options, color, upholstery, etc.  This custom order is sent to Germany where they manufacture your car to your specifications.  You can even check the status of your order in their web site and see where your car is in the manufacturing and shipping process.

There is also a BMW museum next to the headquarters which contains the entire history of this phenomenal company that really started to take off in the 70s.  When the big 3 auto makers in Detroit reached their peak and started their decline, BMW made a key decision not to sell out and to own its destiny.  Today BMW is a great power in the auto industry, with a very powerful brand, and a car that sets the standard for the ultimate driving experience.

The economy is Germany is in good shape, although growth is not as strong as desired.  Unemployment in the Munich area is below 3%.  Other areas of the country, especially the former East Germany region is not doing as well, but we have to look at where they started.  I would not be surprised if in a few years the entire country is in as good a shape as the Munich area.

I can’t talk about Munich without mentioning the airport.  This is one of the most beautiful, clean and efficient airports I have ever been to.  The entire process of checking in, going through security, and boarding the airplane is quick and efficient.  You check your own bags, and board the plane without any human intervention.   US airports could learn a few lessons from the Germans.  It is truly remarkable.

Next on the trip I reached my final destination of Spain.   Arriving in the airport in Barcelona was quite a different experience than what I had just experienced in Germany.  First of all, there was no passport checking.  Anyone could have come into the country.  As I was exiting the terminal, an automatic door, which is supposed to allow only one- way traffic opened in front of me.  Suddenly a woman that was on the other side rushed through the doors, which then closed on her, making the alarms go off.   She squeezed herself through the doors, and got through.  I was waiting for the police to rush in to stop her, but nothing happened.  She reached the terminal, and no one did anything about it.  This did not make me feel very safe.  It looks like Spain is still far behind in their airport security procedures.   Given the recent terrorist attacks you would think they would be more careful with their security procedures.

Just as Munich is the place to find the best cars in the world, Barcelona is the place to find the best players of the most popular sport in the world, soccer, or football as it is called in Europe.  Barcelona Football Club (FCB) is a mega power in the world of soccer.  They are the current European champions and will play for the world inter-club championship title shortly.  Barcelona is also the team of Ronaldinho, the Brazilian soccer player considered to be the best in the world.

The soccer stadium in Barcelona is absolutely fabulous.  It holds 100,000 people, is easy to access by train, and has an excellent infrastructure.  For eleven Euros you can take a tour of the stadium and see where some of the most famous players in the world get ready for the game.  You can access the field from the locker rooms just like the players do, and if you use your imagination you can sense the thrill of coming onto the field where 100,000 fans will cheer you on.  After going through the press-conference area you will finish the tour in the museum.  Here you will find a marvelous display of soccer history, pictures of people playing soccer around the world, and of course all the trophies and memories of the glorious history of FCB.  In the end you can stop at the mega store and buy your favorite soccer memorabilia.  After being mesmerized by the all the beauty and glory of FCB, it is hard to resist not buying an official FCB soccer jersey, despite of the high price.

The Europeans live a much different lifestyle than Americans.  They seem to have achieved a better balance in life, and seem to take the time to enjoy the simple things in life.  For example, a meal is not something that is rushed through so you can get to your next activity.  For the Europeans, a meal is a chance to socialize and savor the food you are eating.  Americans seem to fill their lives with so many activities that there is never enough time to enjoy everyday life.

Europeans also take time away from work, and enjoy a full month of vacation.  In the US, if you take more than 2 weeks away from the office, you start to feel guilty.  And I am not talking about the type of vacation where you carry your laptop and blackberry with you and check emails every other day.  I am talking about a vacation where you fully leave behind anything related to work.  When Europeans do this, they truly recharge their batteries, and come back to work with a fresh, and perhaps more productive attitude.

So much of our lives is defined by the culture that we live in.  The definition of success is a cultural phenomenon, and is driven by our beliefs and attitudes.  To the Europeans, success seems to be more about finding balance in life.  I think this is something we should reflect upon and learn from.

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