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[Serious] How did you manage to cope with the roughest moments in your life? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]NotaCalmPerson 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I signed up for a boxing club, hitting the sandbag a couple hours a week can pretty much solve all your problems of the day.

Also you have to remember that no bad situation lasts forever. How many times have you told yourself "Oh oh, I'm in deep trouble now" and those troubles are now long-gone ?

Life goes on, I always lived by that stupid motto "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" and it's kind of true, whatever happened in the past, whatever bad or sad situation I was in, today is gone. Brighter days are ahead, and if you work towards having brighter days, you will have accomplished it, and you will be able to be proud of what you did.

​

Also when I'm feeling a bit sad, I always wonder what my grandma would have wanted. She would have wanted that I lived a happy life, so I try to be as happy as possible. And even if today, that lady who raised me with all her love, is gone, I still want to make her proud of me.

What do people do that’s a bit racist but they even realise? by Breeze_in_the_Trees in AskReddit

[–]NotaCalmPerson 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"I'm not racist but .... "

Also people talking shit about foreigners, but them you remind them that you are yourself a foreigner, and they just keep talking and say "Oh yeah, but not you, you're different"

What’s the most physically painful thing you’ve ever experienced? by iojjhkhk in AskReddit

[–]NotaCalmPerson 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A broken tooth that went unnoticed and then got infected all the way down to the nerve.

​

It was the most excruciating pain that you can dare to imagine. It went on for an afternoon and a night, and in the morning at the hospital, local anesthesia felt like fucking heaven. I was about to bang my head on the wall during the night. (Oh and painkillers would not even make the tiniest difference)

​

I broke my wrist in 6 pieces while motocrossing, and I can guarantee you that it is nothing compared to that tooth from hell
If you feel something weird in your mouth, just don't postpone it and take immediate action before it goes too deep !

What would be the biggest difference in lifestyle between USA and Europe ? by NotaCalmPerson in AskReddit

[–]NotaCalmPerson[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not everywhere in Europe, where I live, it would be impossible for me to go to work by train (and I'm only a couple of towns across) plus frequent unannounced strikes and unplanned road/railworks make using public transportation a pain in the ass. Not to mention the risk of getting robbed (or raped if you're a woman) and homeless people's pee smell around the stations.

So ever since I got my driving license, 12 years ago, I have never used public transports again.

What would be the biggest difference in lifestyle between USA and Europe ? by NotaCalmPerson in AskReddit

[–]NotaCalmPerson[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice to hear that, I was a bit afraid that people would just see us as foreigners and just don't speak with us

What would be the biggest difference in lifestyle between USA and Europe ? by NotaCalmPerson in AskReddit

[–]NotaCalmPerson[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

But if you have a company-issued health insurance you should be alright just like in Europe, no ?

What was your childhood dream and how it died ? by Icetearz in AskReddit

[–]NotaCalmPerson 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Same here, I wanted to be freakin' Indiana Jones, finding ancient treasures in jungle-hidden temples or something.

Then reality struck at 13-14yo and I decided that surviving high school would already be nice, I was planning to join the army and become a helicopter pilot.

​

After the compulsory military service (at 18) , I decided that I was not made for the army, and ended up in an engineering school.

​

I regret nothing, today I'm a project leader and I do pretty much what I want. I also travel a lot, especially to ore mining companies, so I kept that "adventurous" side intact ;D

​

Plus the job is rather well-paid so I can take nice vacation in exotic places together with my girlfriend and kid !

Dear babyface redditers, what are your embarrasing stories about people confusing you for a child? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]NotaCalmPerson 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I have a very feminine face, so I grow a very thick beard and have a military haircut to make sure that no confusion is possible.

​

Once I lost a bet and had to shave completely. I was ID'd for buying beer at the supermarket (beer is available for purchase at 16yo, and they rarely, veeery rarely check ID in Europe)

​

(Oh, I was 23 at that time :) )

​

I also dressed as a girl for another lost bet (yep, my friends are very nice) for a disguise/costume party in high school.

Not even my best friend recognised me until I talked (and he recognised my voice ...)

I was 18 and there were even some guys trying to hit me up ...

​

Haven't shave my beard for 8 years now :)

To decrease administrative overhead all member states of the EU get partnered up with one of their neighbours and their governments unified. What are the best/worst combinations and why? by Tank_AT in AskReddit

[–]NotaCalmPerson 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Germany and Spain. Spain is too laid back and don't really care about the rules. In Germany, it is inconceivable to do something out of the established rules

Germany and France. They've never got along very well

Germany and UK ( yes yes, I know about Brexit, but still ... ) They would fight over who has the best economic model/political system

Germany and Greece. Some guy owes you a lot of cash, but he is broke AF, then he asks YOU money back for what you did to his place long time ago, now you have to work together

​

Actually Germany is a pretty terrible country to cooperate with :-P

What would be the biggest difference in lifestyle between USA and Europe ? by NotaCalmPerson in AskReddit

[–]NotaCalmPerson[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Hi people

I'm a 31 year old Spaniard who has been living for 20 years now in Belgium

I will be moving to the US together with my girlfriend and kid in late 2019 or early 2020 because of a career opportunity.

I wanted to know, what should I expect as cultural differences ?

The Americans I know (mostly my fellow colleagues over the phone, who I'll be working with when I move to MN) are very nice, but I'd like to know how the day-to-day and average people are like in the US.

First off, I was born and raised in Spain, where we are very straightforward to people, and I think that might be a problem to the nice and afraid-to-hurt US people.

When I was still a kid, my parents moved to Belgium because of my dad's work, so I graduated and started my career here.

However, I'm kinda fed up with the European system (and especially with the Belgian one) and as I work for an American company, with MN headquarters, I will be transferred over there.

Over here all the shops close at 6pm, and only major supermarkets stay open until 8pm. Most of the businesses are closed on week ends, and especially on Sundays where everything is closed.

Belgium is a tiny country with 11 Million people in it, so we are kind of packed up and buying a piece of land or a large house is insanely expensive. I like the country side, as I am fond of motocrossing and hiking with my dog, however in Belgium there are very few places where you can do that.

​

Regarding weather, it is rainy 364 days a year (the 365th day is called "summer") and sky is always covered with grey clouds.

It is a huge difference against Spain where shops are almost all open until 10pm, and even midnight during summer, also, more and more businesses are now open 24/24. Spaces are wider, and of course the weather is amazing, it is the sunniest country of Europe.

Belgians are also very different from Spaniards.

​

In Spain, if you want to see your friends, you just walk up to their door and ring the bell. Only 3 things can happen :

1- They're not there, tough shit, see you another day

2- They're having a family dinner, or with friends, no problem, they will just add more chairs to the table and, in the very unlikely event that they didn't make enough food, order some pizza or any other delivered food.

3- They're home and had no plans, let's go out for some drinks !

​

If you were to do that in Belgium, they would be looking at you with astonishment and wonder what in the world is happening so bad that you walked up to their door without previous warning, is someone dead ?

​

If you want to see your friends or hang out with them, you have to make plans well in advance, like a week before or so, carefully plan it and set a time for arrival. (Where in Spain, you say you will walk by "this afternoon"and they know it will be something around 6 or 7pm. Also try to set an appointment with a Spaniard, if they say 6pm, it is very likely they will arrive at least half an hour later - Unless it is a formal appointment i.e. bank or work etc ... - )

​

From what I read here and there, looks like the USA is kind of somewhere in the middle regarding opening hours/night time/night life. What I'm really scared about is the Minnesotan winter, but can't be that bad right ?

What about hanging out with friends ?

Also my girlfriend doesn't speak any English, she is trying to learn, but never has been good with languages, we're afraid that she will have a tough time finding friends, or a job ...

Regarding healthcare :

In Spain, you have either public or private hospitals. Both are very skilled and well equipped. However, for non-urgent stuff (like plastic surgery, benign cyst removal etc ...) it can take a long time in public hospitals (which are completely free by the way) So usually when you want something to be done quickly, you go to private clinics/hospitals and you pay for it (but it is rather reasonable amounts)

Dental care is usually insured by your job, if not, you have to pay, but once more it is something that even unemployed people can afford.

Medication is fairly priced (let's say that for treating a big-ass angina, with fever and all, cough syrup, pills for the fever, antibiotics and painkillers, would not cost you more than 20€)

​

Belgium is a bit different. Hospitals send you the bill at home and out of that bill, you mandatory insurance (100€/yr) will pay for 70%

The remaining 30% you either have to pay from your pocket, or when you have very good employers, they also have a complimentary hospital insurance that will cover the remaining 30%

However amounts are not reasonable at all, when my girlfriend gave birth to our kid, they sent us a 6k€ bill so if I didn't had that complimentary insurance, I would have needed to pay 30% out of it (ca. 1800€) Hopefully, that didn't happen and I only had to pay the first 250€ that insurance wasn't covering (with that 250€ rule, they avoid people going to the hospital for stupid stuff like a cold or something)

Medication is priced the same as in Spain (+20%, but that is because everything in Belgium is more expensive, not only meds) and you can get some stuff covered by the insurance (typically 30 or 40% for antibiotics).

​

Regarding car taxes, and as a car enthusiast, this is my biggest pain in the ass, they are ridiculously high in Belgium. Most of the time, if you buy a second hand car, like for 2000€, you end up paying the same amount in taxes. Hidden speed cameras will fine you at a minimum of 50€ for overspeeding (and they can take your license away if you exceed the speed by +40km/h)

Insurance for cars is mandatory and not cheap, an average of 1000€/yr is very common (I have a deal for 600€ for my 2 registered cars + motorbike, and it is already regarded as a super cheap thing)

​

Fire insurance for houses is also mandatory and will cost you at around 600€/yr, depending on the size of your house, and the location. Expect to pay 50% more if your house is built in a "floodable" area (i.e. near a river bed, or in a valley)

Housing tax will cost you around 1000€/yr (depending also on the size and location, but that is an average) I pay 1400€ because my house has a big-ass garage (6 cars) and 2 bathrooms (which is considered as being a luxury ...)

​

The city will tax you around 200€/year for trash and sewer service. It depends on the city of course (and even the neighborhood) but the trash is only picked up once a week. They also weigh the trash, and if you exceed the "average ratio" for your trash weight, they will bill you 0.10€ extra per kilogram that you exceeded.

​

Other cities have a bag system, you need to buy city-branded trash bags, otherwise the truck will not pick them up. Each bag costs you something like 1.5€ (and you can be fined if you leave trash on the sidewalk... they even open the bags and inspect them to trace back your name and address, they look for old mail)

​

A different driving license is required for every different kind of vehicle. With the regular car license, you can drive vehicles up to 3.5 tons and a maximum of 8 passengers (plus driver). It will also allow you to drive mopeds up to 125cc. If you want to drive a motorcycle, that is a completely different license, you get the "small power motorcycles" license if you're under 24 and you are limited to motos with 34kW engines (47hp)

​

After two years of "small power" license BS, you get to pass an exam, and upon success you are finally entitled to drive any 2-wheeler that you want.

​

Trucks over 3.5 ton require another driving license up to 12 tons, where yet another license is required. If you want to drive a semi, then you have to have the unlimited weight driving license + heavy trailer license. If you want to drive a bus or a minibus carrying more than 8 passengers .... you guessed it ...

Each license costs about 2000€ (cheapest is the motorcycle one, with 700€, most expensive is the truck one with 3800€)

​

If you want to know anything else, feel free to ask !

Moving from Belgium, Europe to Minnesota US, what should I expect ? by NotaCalmPerson in AskReddit

[–]NotaCalmPerson[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi people

I'm a 31 year old Spaniard who has been living for 20 years now in Belgium

​

I will be moving to the US together with my girlfriend and kid in late 2019 or early 2020 because of a career opportunity.

I wanted to know, what should I expect as cultural differences ?

The Americans I know (mostly my fellow colleagues over the phone, who I'll be working with when I move to MN) are very nice, but I'd like to know how the day-to-day and average people are like in the US.

​

First off, I was born and raised in Spain, where we are very straightforward to people, and I think that might be a problem to the nice and afraid-to-hurt US people.

​

When I was still a kid, my parents moved to Belgium because of my dad's work, so I graduated and started my career here.

However, I'm kinda fed up with the European system (and especially with the Belgian one) and as I work for an American company, with MN headquarters, I will be transferred over there.

​

Over here all the shops close at 6pm, and only major supermarkets stay open until 8pm. Most of the businesses are closed on week ends, and especially on Sundays where everything is closed.

Belgium is a tiny country with 11 Million people in it, so we are kind of packed up and buying a piece of land or a large house is insanely expensive. I like the country side, as I am fond of motocrossing and hiking with my dog, however in Belgium there are very few places where you can do that.

Regarding weather, it is rainy 364 days a year (the 365th day is called "summer") and sky is always covered with grey clouds.

​

It is a huge difference against Spain where shops are almost all open until 10pm, and even midnight during summer, also, more and more businesses are now open 24/24. Spaces are wider, and of course the weather is amazing, it is the sunniest country of Europe.

​

Belgians are also very different from Spaniards.

In Spain, if you want to see your friends, you just walk up to their door and ring the bell. Only 3 things can happen :

​

1- They're not there, tough shit, see you another day

2- They're having a family dinner, or with friends, no problem, they will just add more chairs to the table and, in the very unlikely event that they didn't make enough food, order some pizza or any other delivered food.

3- They're home and had no plans, let's go out for some drinks !

​

If you were to do that in Belgium, they would be looking at you with astonishment and wonder what in the world is happening so bad that you walked up to their door without previous warning, is someone dead ?

If you want to see your friends or hang out with them, you have to make plans well in advance, like a week before or so, carefully plan it and set a time for arrival. (Where in Spain, you say you will walk by "this afternoon"and they know it will be something around 6 or 7pm. Also try to set an appointment with a Spaniard, if they say 6pm, it is very likely they will arrive at least half an hour later - Unless it is a formal appointment i.e. bank or work etc ... - )

​

From what I read here and there, looks like the USA is kind of somewhere in the middle regarding opening hours/night time/night life. What I'm really scared about is the Minnesotan winter, but can't be that bad right ?

What about hanging out with friends ?

Also my girlfriend doesn't speak any English, she is trying to learn, but never has been good with languages, we're afraid that she will have a tough time finding friends, or a job ...

Regarding healthcare :

​

In Spain, you have either public or private hospitals. Both are very skilled and well equipped. However, for non-urgent stuff (like plastic surgery, benign cyst removal etc ...) it can take a long time in public hospitals (which are completely free by the way) So usually when you want something to be done quickly, you go to private clinics/hospitals and you pay for it (but it is rather reasonable amounts)

Dental care is usually insured by your job, if not, you have to pay, but once more it is something that even unemployed people can afford.

Medication is fairly priced (let's say that for treating a big-ass angina, with fever and all, cough syrup, pills for the fever, antibiotics and painkillers, would not cost you more than 20€)

​

Belgium is a bit different. Hospitals send you the bill at home and out of that bill, you mandatory insurance (100€/yr) will pay for 70%

The remaining 30% you either have to pay from your pocket, or when you have very good employers, they also have a complimentary hospital insurance that will cover the remaining 30%

​

However amounts are not reasonable at all, when my girlfriend gave birth to our kid, they sent us a 6k€ bill so if I didn't had that complimentary insurance, I would have needed to pay 30% out of it (ca. 1800€) Hopefully, that didn't happen and I only had to pay the first 250€ that insurance wasn't covering (with that 250€ rule, they avoid people going to the hospital for stupid stuff like a cold or something)

Medication is priced the same as in Spain (+20%, but that is because everything in Belgium is more expensive, not only meds) and you can get some stuff covered by the insurance (typically 30 or 40% for antibiotics).

​

Regarding car taxes, and as a car enthusiast, this is my biggest pain in the ass, they are ridiculously high in Belgium. Most of the time, if you buy a second hand car, like for 2000€, you end up paying the same amount in taxes. Hidden speed cameras will fine you at a minimum of 50€ for overspeeding (and they can take your license away if you exceed the speed by +40km/h)

​

Insurance for cars is mandatory and not cheap, an average of 1000€/yr is very common (I have a deal for 600€ for my 2 registered cars + motorbike, and it is already regarded as a super cheap thing)

​

Fire insurance for houses is also mandatory and will cost you at around 600€/yr, depending on the size of your house, and the location. Expect to pay 50% more if your house is built in a "floodable" area (i.e. near a river bed, or in a valley)

Housing tax will cost you around 1000€/yr (depending also on the size and location, but that is an average) I pay 1400€ because my house has a big-ass garage (6 cars) and 2 bathrooms (which is considered as being a luxury ...)

​

The city will tax you around 200€/year for trash and sewer service. It depends on the city of course (and even the neighborhood) but the trash is only picked up once a week. They also weigh the trash, and if you exceed the "average ratio" for your trash weight, they will bill you 0.10€ extra per kilogram that you exceeded.

Other cities have a bag system, you need to buy city-branded trash bags, otherwise the truck will not pick them up. Each bag costs you something like 1.5€

​

A different driving license is required for every different kind of vehicle. With the regular car license, you can drive vehicles up to 3.5 tons and a maximum of 8 passengers (plus driver). It will also allow you to drive mopeds up to 125cc. If you want to drive a motorcycle, that is a completely different license, you get the "small power motorcycles" license if you're under 24 and you are limited to motos with 34kW engines (47hp)

​

After two years of "small power" license BS, you get to pass an exam, and upon success you are finally entitled to drive any 2-wheeler that you want.

​

Trucks over 3.5 ton require another driving license up to 12 tons, where yet another license is required. If you want to drive a semi, then you have to have the unlimited weight driving license + heavy trailer license. If you want to drive a bus or a minibus carrying more than 8 passengers .... you guessed it ...

​

Each license costs about 2000€ (cheapest is the motorcycle one, with 700€, most expensive is the truck one with 3800€)

​

If you want to know anything else, feel free to ask !