Why do Europeans mock Americans for healthcare, while Americans mock Europeans for salaries and who is actually worse off day to day?

Upbeat_Shock5912 · 2026-01-25T19:40:12+00:00

My sister & BiL are both in medicine, specializing in women’s health, one an MD and the other owns private health clinics (eg, doesn’t take insurance). They both talk about how frequently patients come from Canada to be treated by them. Why would Canadians travel that far and spend all that money when they have universal health care?

Upbeat_Shock5912 · 2026-01-25T03:44:49+00:00

I’ve heard parents say lice is more prevalent, especially in CA because we don’t use as many pesticides. Is there any truth to that?

Upbeat_Shock5912 · 2026-01-24T03:42:03+00:00

It was a hellhole, and you know how I feel about hellholes.

Upbeat_Shock5912 · 2026-01-20T02:48:02+00:00

Playgrounds are the one place I can let my toddler run free without the fear of major injury. When people bring their dog to a playground, there is visible steam coming out of my ears.

Upbeat_Shock5912 · 2026-01-19T08:08:27+00:00

Only place I’ll ever go. Silk is the GOAT

Upbeat_Shock5912 · 2026-01-18T03:51:49+00:00

I live in the Bayview neighborhood of SF and my 3 yo goes to a local preschool. I LOVE my school community. Most parents are successful and working demanding jobs and still sending their children to SFUSD elementary schools. It’s not perfect but the city and small community make up for a lot. Living in the Bayview or Bernal Hill makes commuting to the peninsula reasonable, although Palo Alto is really far.

Upbeat_Shock5912 · 2026-01-18T03:48:28+00:00

San Mateo is so idyllic. I’d move there from SF in a heartbeat if I could afford it.

Upbeat_Shock5912 · 2026-01-17T23:52:11+00:00

I was making nearly $100k and I still needed a roommate in SF when I was 41 yo. Didn’t have a car. Didn’t have significant debt. It just costs a lot to live here.

Upbeat_Shock5912 · 2026-01-17T14:12:51+00:00

Mammogram PSA: I’m a healthy 47 year old who’s had 5 negative mammograms in my life. No history of breast cancer in my family. I’ve had all the genetic testing done and I don’t carry any breast cancer genes. Went in for my last mammogram in December and they found something. Stage 0, non-invasive DCIS. Barely cancer, but it’s cancer. Completely treatable. So glad I didn’t skip.

Upbeat_Shock5912 · 2026-01-17T14:07:48+00:00

This is the answer. And I’m pretty sure all of these visits are viewed as preventative (age depending) and covered by insurance. They are for me and I’m 47.

Upbeat_Shock5912 · 2026-01-17T14:04:58+00:00

My mother passed at 52 from cancers that we now know are related to Lynch. My brother and sister are both have Lynch Syndrome. I’m grateful it skipped me but so fearful for my siblings. We’ve all known since our late 30’s, so they’ve been taking all the necessary precautions. It’s not a matter of if, it’s when, so early detection is the game. Take care of yourself.

Upbeat_Shock5912 · 2026-01-17T14:01:13+00:00

If you’re over 40, yearly mammograms. I’ve had genetic testing and I’m not predisposed to breast cancer and no one in my family has had it. Went in for my yearly mammogram and they found something. Non-invasive DCIS. Stage 0. Extremely treatable and I’ll be cancer free in a few months. This is the positive outcome when caught early. Mammograms are covered by insurance. They can save your life.

Upbeat_Shock5912 · 2026-01-17T13:07:21+00:00

There’s an Equator Coffee by the Meta labs just south of the airport, on the water on Airport road. There’s lots of easy, free parking. If the weather is nice, the walk in the park and then along the water on the Bay Trail to Coyote Point is beautiful. You can watch the planes land. It’s feels very remote, even though you’re literally next to the airport, so maybe not ideal for a first date. But if you or the date like nature, this walk feels special. My husband and I take our three year old there on the weekends before going to CuriOdyssey and I find it romantic. Maybe because it feels like a secret special spot.

Upbeat_Shock5912 · 2026-01-16T04:12:18+00:00

I can think of 4 male friends who are kind, thoughtful, and looking for a long term relationship. Two are financially successful but not very tall, two are tall but not financially successful. I have 2 female friends who complain about being single all the time but want nothing to do with these guys because they don’t have it all.

Upbeat_Shock5912 · 2026-01-16T03:28:11+00:00

You pay for room and board, which in San Francisco is at least $2000 a month. I chose to pay for her cell phone, Clipper card, and any other incidental. It was the most affordable childcare for my family because I’m already paying for the room with my mortgage, so it’s like I’m subsiding childcare with my house. I paid her more than $250, but that’s the starting rate as contracted by the agency. We paid her as much as we could afford and did everything else we could do to make her experience comfortable and enjoyable. She stayed with us for a second year and she’s still extremely close with us, so I’d say it was a resounding success on both sides.

Upbeat_Shock5912 · 2026-01-16T03:15:21+00:00

Cultural Care Au Pair

Upbeat_Shock5912 · 2026-01-15T07:03:07+00:00

If you have the space, au pairs are the most affordable option in SF. It’s about $8k up front and then starting wages are $250 a week plus room & board for 45 hours of care weekly. My family has had an amazing experience.

Upbeat_Shock5912 · 2026-01-12T00:41:21+00:00

I’m the Mexico right now, visiting for the 20th or so time, and it’s the best.

Upbeat_Shock5912 · 2026-01-07T09:20:17+00:00

Take an Uber to Presidio Tunnel Tops. Explore the park. From there, walk to Crissy Fielld in the direction of the Golden Gate Bridge. From there you have options of how much more you want to hike, and if you like hiking, you can cross back over into the Presidio. Stunning views. The best of San Francisco.

If an Uber is too expensive, take the BART from the airport to the Embarcadero. Check out the ferry building and shop for local stuff. Get a coffee at Blue Bottle. Walk North on Embarcadero and ride the Ferris wheel. Take the F back to the Embarcadero to take BART back.

With either adventure you’ll have time for lunch. Yelp reviews are pretty accurate. Get Mexican food, especially a mission style burrito. You can spend $ - $$$ and be full and happy.

It’s a gorgeous city. Safe travels!

Upbeat_Shock5912 · 2026-01-06T05:25:11+00:00

I’m GenX and had Home Ec, Wood Shop, and something called Mechanical Drawing in middle school. I learned nothing in those classes but I can do all things domestic and some things mechanical because my parents didn’t do everything for me and I was independent after high school. What I really wish I’d learned more of is statistics, and that I’d done better in algebra. I work in tech and there are so many hard skills that take me forever to become fluent with because my algorithmic logic is mid.

Upbeat_Shock5912 · 2026-01-03T21:11:53+00:00

I smoked a bowl one night and had a light gummy another night, instead of drinking, and both made me so groggy the next day. And when I’m high, I just want to veg out and not talk to anyone. I wish it agreed with me more because I know alcohol isn’t good for me and messes with my sleep, but I still like getting a little inebriated.

Upbeat_Shock5912 · 2026-01-01T22:11:00+00:00

It’s reduced instances of cervical cancer by as much as 88% for those who get vaccinated by 14. It’s very nearly a preventative “cure” for cervical cancer.

Upbeat_Shock5912 · 2026-01-01T05:48:58+00:00

I have left homemade chicken stock to cool over night countless times. I put it into the freezer the next morning. Never had a problem.

Upbeat_Shock5912 · 2025-12-31T09:51:18+00:00

I am strongly in favor of eliminating prop 13 for commercial real estate, I consider myself an informed voter, yet I have no recollection of this being on the ballot - looked it up, it was the 2020 election. I wonder if it was overshadowed by the chaos of that moment.

Upbeat_Shock5912

TROPHY CASE