After three weeks in Italy, I would add eat Italian to the list. What we get here is NOT Italian food in most cases.
Why are the best American cars European?
- Thread starter Hokiefyd
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Originally Posted By: javacontour
After three weeks in Italy, I would add eat Italian to the list. What we get here is NOT Italian food in most cases.
What we get here from most every international cuisine is not authentic. Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Mexican, etc. You can sometimes find local establishments (like Greek or Thai or Mexican) that serve fairly authentic dishes, but it seems like everything has to be greased- and salted-up for the American palate.
After three weeks in Italy, I would add eat Italian to the list. What we get here is NOT Italian food in most cases.
What we get here from most every international cuisine is not authentic. Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Mexican, etc. You can sometimes find local establishments (like Greek or Thai or Mexican) that serve fairly authentic dishes, but it seems like everything has to be greased- and salted-up for the American palate.
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Originally Posted By: javacontour
After three weeks in Italy, I would add eat Italian to the list. What we get here is NOT Italian food in most cases.
What we get here from most every international cuisine is not authentic. Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Mexican, etc. You can sometimes find local establishments (like Greek or Thai or Mexican) that serve fairly authentic dishes, but it seems like everything has to be greased- and salted-up for the American palate.
This depends on the kinds of customers they get. For example, on the west coast, there is a big Asian population, so many Asian restaurants cater to them, and you can find a lot of fairly authentic establishments. But not so much in places like Texas or Indiana. I visited recently one of the better Japanese restaurants in my neighborhood in San Antonio, and to my surprise they did not give me chop sticks. The quantity of food on my plate could rival a Texas steak house or a Mexican restaurant. The quality was quite mediocre though.
Originally Posted By: javacontour
After three weeks in Italy, I would add eat Italian to the list. What we get here is NOT Italian food in most cases.
What we get here from most every international cuisine is not authentic. Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Mexican, etc. You can sometimes find local establishments (like Greek or Thai or Mexican) that serve fairly authentic dishes, but it seems like everything has to be greased- and salted-up for the American palate.
This depends on the kinds of customers they get. For example, on the west coast, there is a big Asian population, so many Asian restaurants cater to them, and you can find a lot of fairly authentic establishments. But not so much in places like Texas or Indiana. I visited recently one of the better Japanese restaurants in my neighborhood in San Antonio, and to my surprise they did not give me chop sticks. The quantity of food on my plate could rival a Texas steak house or a Mexican restaurant. The quality was quite mediocre though.
there is no such thing as BEST! how do you know what is BEST if you havent tested all of them? you do the same thing i do. only drive a few , at most, cars/trucks, and if its not junk, you think its a great car/truck.
Originally Posted By: Zako2
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Originally Posted By: javacontour
After three weeks in Italy, I would add eat Italian to the list. What we get here is NOT Italian food in most cases.
What we get here from most every international cuisine is not authentic. Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Mexican, etc. You can sometimes find local establishments (like Greek or Thai or Mexican) that serve fairly authentic dishes, but it seems like everything has to be greased- and salted-up for the American palate.
This depends on the kinds of customers they get. For example, on the west coast, there is a big Asian population, so many Asian restaurants cater to them, and you can find a lot of fairly authentic establishments. But not so much in places like Texas or Indiana. I visited recently one of the better Japanese restaurants in my neighborhood in San Antonio, and to my surprise they did not give me chop sticks. The quantity of food on my plate could rival a Texas steak house or a Mexican restaurant. The quality was quite mediocre though.
You're not in Arlington or Houston.
The difference between the Vietnamese population in San Francisco and Arlington in 2010? 200 people.
Houston has a greater Vietnamese population than Los Angeles.
In Arlington, you can go to Vietnamese restaurants where the menu is only in Vietnamese, the Nuoc Mam is seriously fermented and strong, and there are a group of old men at a table in the back gambling with some dice game that I can't remember the name of.
There is also a huge Chinese restaurant/meeting hall where you won't recognize most of the food items and if you are other than Asian, you tend to stand out.
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Originally Posted By: javacontour
After three weeks in Italy, I would add eat Italian to the list. What we get here is NOT Italian food in most cases.
What we get here from most every international cuisine is not authentic. Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Mexican, etc. You can sometimes find local establishments (like Greek or Thai or Mexican) that serve fairly authentic dishes, but it seems like everything has to be greased- and salted-up for the American palate.
This depends on the kinds of customers they get. For example, on the west coast, there is a big Asian population, so many Asian restaurants cater to them, and you can find a lot of fairly authentic establishments. But not so much in places like Texas or Indiana. I visited recently one of the better Japanese restaurants in my neighborhood in San Antonio, and to my surprise they did not give me chop sticks. The quantity of food on my plate could rival a Texas steak house or a Mexican restaurant. The quality was quite mediocre though.
You're not in Arlington or Houston.
The difference between the Vietnamese population in San Francisco and Arlington in 2010? 200 people.
Houston has a greater Vietnamese population than Los Angeles.
In Arlington, you can go to Vietnamese restaurants where the menu is only in Vietnamese, the Nuoc Mam is seriously fermented and strong, and there are a group of old men at a table in the back gambling with some dice game that I can't remember the name of.
There is also a huge Chinese restaurant/meeting hall where you won't recognize most of the food items and if you are other than Asian, you tend to stand out.
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
The best cars today (of most all brands) tend to be based on European or world models. Cars like the Cruze, cars like the Malibu, cars like Volvo-based or Ford of Europe-based Fords, cars like the ATS/CTS with Holden-rooted chassis, etc.
Are Americans beginning to prefer European-like cars (with better handling and stiffer chassis), and the most cost-effective way for most manufacturers to deliver that is by basing new cars on European models? The "before/after" is usually quite striking. The very global Chevy Cruze blows away the old American Cobalt. The very global Fusion blows away the old American mid-sized Taurus. The very global new Focus blows away the Americanized old Focus. The Mercedes-based Chrysler 300 blows away...well...pretty much ANYTHING Chrysler had before that.
It's a trend that I've noticed and it doesn't seem to be slowing down. Even the truck market is seeing an influx of European design, with the Ram Sprinter and Ford's new Transit Connect (and eventually the larger Transit).
What about traditional American cars didn't work, and why are the European-based models that much more appealing? I have my own ideas, but I'm curious what others think.
My take:
The problem American cars had was entrenched leadership in Michigan that was not product or engineering focused. This was up until about 2004. The new guys like Alan Mulally, Sergio Marchionne ("imported from Detroit") and Bob Lutz absolutely get this. The situation is changed now I think permanently.
There are other things like emission controls, safety requirements like 5 mph bumpers and airbags, that the Europeans never had to worry about until now.
Engineering is being done in Europe or Asia not because they are "better", but because of this Detroit legacy and because that is where the labor pools are. US engineering is focused on heavy equipment, military and aerospace, chemical, and software.
Will more engineering occur in the US now? Quite possibly if resources shift out of military products for instance. Here in Texas we have 85 mph speed limits on some highways. You are increasingly lucky to go that fast in Europe due to congestion.
Also I have lived in Europe and it was always exciting to see a rare Cadillac drive by. There is an American style that has presence. Asian cars look like jelly beans and have no soul IMO. Our SS Camaro is the most exciting car I have ever owned - thank God I didn't buy some status sedan instead. Is it perfect? Almost, and its got soul. It's Australian roots are interesting. They have a similar muscle car style approach to cars. I wish we would get the Ford Falcon, with its 5.4l V-8 and manual transmission.
The best cars today (of most all brands) tend to be based on European or world models. Cars like the Cruze, cars like the Malibu, cars like Volvo-based or Ford of Europe-based Fords, cars like the ATS/CTS with Holden-rooted chassis, etc.
Are Americans beginning to prefer European-like cars (with better handling and stiffer chassis), and the most cost-effective way for most manufacturers to deliver that is by basing new cars on European models? The "before/after" is usually quite striking. The very global Chevy Cruze blows away the old American Cobalt. The very global Fusion blows away the old American mid-sized Taurus. The very global new Focus blows away the Americanized old Focus. The Mercedes-based Chrysler 300 blows away...well...pretty much ANYTHING Chrysler had before that.
It's a trend that I've noticed and it doesn't seem to be slowing down. Even the truck market is seeing an influx of European design, with the Ram Sprinter and Ford's new Transit Connect (and eventually the larger Transit).
What about traditional American cars didn't work, and why are the European-based models that much more appealing? I have my own ideas, but I'm curious what others think.
My take:
The problem American cars had was entrenched leadership in Michigan that was not product or engineering focused. This was up until about 2004. The new guys like Alan Mulally, Sergio Marchionne ("imported from Detroit") and Bob Lutz absolutely get this. The situation is changed now I think permanently.
There are other things like emission controls, safety requirements like 5 mph bumpers and airbags, that the Europeans never had to worry about until now.
Engineering is being done in Europe or Asia not because they are "better", but because of this Detroit legacy and because that is where the labor pools are. US engineering is focused on heavy equipment, military and aerospace, chemical, and software.
Will more engineering occur in the US now? Quite possibly if resources shift out of military products for instance. Here in Texas we have 85 mph speed limits on some highways. You are increasingly lucky to go that fast in Europe due to congestion.
Also I have lived in Europe and it was always exciting to see a rare Cadillac drive by. There is an American style that has presence. Asian cars look like jelly beans and have no soul IMO. Our SS Camaro is the most exciting car I have ever owned - thank God I didn't buy some status sedan instead. Is it perfect? Almost, and its got soul. It's Australian roots are interesting. They have a similar muscle car style approach to cars. I wish we would get the Ford Falcon, with its 5.4l V-8 and manual transmission.
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Because resource went to SUV and pickups for design due to wonderful profits.
Domestic small cars were never profitable here till fuel spiked so why spend the money on engineering. Same thing on midsize where engineering efforts lacked. The models sold well to rental fleets, commercial and certain customers.
Those small/medium car markets highly competitive in Europe/abroad yielded wonderful engineering to import. Starting from scratch made little sense.
Domestic small cars were never profitable here till fuel spiked so why spend the money on engineering. Same thing on midsize where engineering efforts lacked. The models sold well to rental fleets, commercial and certain customers.
Those small/medium car markets highly competitive in Europe/abroad yielded wonderful engineering to import. Starting from scratch made little sense.
Kestas
Staff member
Originally Posted By: Geoff
There are other things like emission controls, safety requirements like 5 mph bumpers and airbags, that the Europeans never had to worry about until now.
I believe the bumper requirements in the US have been taken down a notch. I know it's true for rear bumpers. Maybe someone can verify exactly how much.
There are other things like emission controls, safety requirements like 5 mph bumpers and airbags, that the Europeans never had to worry about until now.
I believe the bumper requirements in the US have been taken down a notch. I know it's true for rear bumpers. Maybe someone can verify exactly how much.
Originally Posted By: Kestas
I believe the bumper requirements in the US have been taken down a notch. I know it's true for rear bumpers. Maybe someone can verify exactly how much.
The old 5 mph standard required no damage(cosmetic or otherwise) after repeated impacts. Since 1983 the impact speed was dropped to 2.5 mph and the only damage requirement is that the government mandated safety equipment(primarily lighting) remain operable.
I believe the bumper requirements in the US have been taken down a notch. I know it's true for rear bumpers. Maybe someone can verify exactly how much.
The old 5 mph standard required no damage(cosmetic or otherwise) after repeated impacts. Since 1983 the impact speed was dropped to 2.5 mph and the only damage requirement is that the government mandated safety equipment(primarily lighting) remain operable.
I wonder why nobody seemed to read my post that also showed that some of the worst American cars also come from Europe.
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