Eurobonds and Euromaxxing. What do Americans envy us?

Krytyka Polityczna
Eurobonds and Euromaxxing. What do Americans envy us?

Euromaxxing is becoming almost a resistance movement against the anti-human ideology offensive, which leaves no room for unproductive ways of spending time. The post Eurobiedacy and euromaxxing. What do Americans envy us? first appeared on Krytyka Polityczna.

Getting up without an alarm clock, going for coffee with friends, then having lunch with them, starting daydrinking, and doing nothing more that day – this lifestyle is promoted by the popular internet culture of recent times. The authors do not see it so much as a praise of hedonism, but as an appreciation of European culture.

It is rooted in respect for leisure time, manifested among other things in a range of workers' rights that allow for the development of the art of relaxation. From paid holidays, through protecting work-life balance, to the relatively low hourly work hours on a global scale. According to some, this prioritization also has negative consequences, eagerly pointed out by commentators from across the ocean.

Who is the poor one here?

Those who say that Europe is poor, backward, and in a state of general decay like to be politicians from Donald Trump’s circle, pointing out all the (real or presumed) imperfections of the Old Continent. Similarly, internet users who are not fond of Europe often use the term europoors, which has become popular in this context. Americans boast, among other things, that even in the poorest state (Mississippi) GDP per capita is higher than in France or Italy, clearly surpassing the EU average. Although Spaniards, associated with siesta, have better indicators than the well-known workaholics Korea or Japan, which by the way is a popular meme theme promoting euromaxxing, the USA indeed seem to have a reason to be proud. But is that really so?

Drawing far-reaching conclusions based on just one statistic inevitably distorts reality – considering other data, we can derive diametrically different conclusions. It turns out that such US advantage largely results from greater social inequalities and the overestimation of multimillionaires and billionaires. If we compare median wealth, the average Italian or Spaniard is wealthier than the average American. Also, the recently proposed by economist Olivier Sterck average poverty index places the USA far behind countries like Germany or France.

Additionally, access to public services, which in Europe operate at a much higher level, means that for example, an ambulance arriving will not cause financial ruin. An average salary slightly lower might seem an acceptable price for various social protections, but supporters of the theory of Europe's non-competitiveness, which attributes this to the existence of welfare states, would disagree.

The difference in GDP per capita, often highlighted in tirades about euro-poverty, also results from the fact that US citizens simply work much more. Unlike American workers, their European counterparts are guaranteed at least four weeks of paid vacation (more in some countries), and the right to sick leave, parental leave, etc., is more widely respected. According to some, these are signs of laziness that lead to worse economic results and Europe losing in the competition with the USA. But is it really worth participating in this race?

Sorry, I’m out of the office, I’ll reply in two months

When Americans post memes about poor Europeans and mock the alleged economic backwardness of the EU, the standard response from euromaxxing supporters is to promise they will address these accusations after a few weeks, after enjoying their holidays in Ibiza, the French Riviera, or the Alps. Sometimes even European leaders seem to follow a similar logic. Once, the sluggish response of the EU to the outbreak of war in Iran was amusing – escalation happened on a Saturday morning, so Ursula von der Leyen announced she would deal with it on Monday. It was joked that even the outbreak of World War III wouldn’t disturb Europe’s sacred right to a weekend off.

International crises, economic problems, criticism of foreign countries – true Europeans do not care about these; they just sip Campari on the balcony, swaying to Italo disco. Just like the Italian duo Mind Enterprises, often used to mock complainers, whose music videos reflect the carefree atmosphere of the sunny south of the continent. European chill is not only reserved for the Mediterranean, even if it is most often associated with it. In fact, you don’t even need an EU passport to get into this vibe.

A somewhat ironic symbol of euromaxx-ing has become American chef and writer Anthony Bourdain. All because of a photo where he sits with a baguette and coffee at a Parisian café table, calmly soaking up the sun’s rays. He has a pack of cigarettes nearby, and in this respect, euromaxxing generally does not promote a healthy lifestyle – bans on smoking in public spaces are seen as an attack on European traditions. Daydrinking is also often praised, and even saving pubs would fit well with this trend. Another embodiment of euromaxx-ing on the internet is actor Mads Mikkelsen, also associated (at least in memes) with a rather relaxed approach to substances.

The aforementioned Bourdain once said that the body is not a temple but an amusement park, so you should enjoy the ride. Faithful to this idea, euromaxxing rejects asceticism and encourages enjoying life, but that does not mean it does not carry positive political values.

Euromaxxing to the rescue of workers’ rights and social gains?

Modern civilization is permeated with a cult not so much of work as of hard work – career is supposed to take precedence over private life, working several hours a day is a source of pride, and sitting in a café over a laptop is a better activity than socializing or calmly drinking coffee. In short: we are meant to live to work, not the other way around. In this context, euromaxxing becomes almost a movement of resistance against the anti-human offensive ideology, which leaves no room for unproductive ways of spending time.

The popularization of this trend is probably largely due to the fact that the promoted lifestyle model is becoming increasingly threatened. Currently, European politicians tend to set standards more like American ones than their own. When describing the fight against Labour Day, I mentioned, among other things, the French liberals’ belief that their compatriots should work longer and harder, which is a common view among EU elites. No more long lunches, siestas, or generously granted holidays.

Of course, it is not that euromaxxing describes the everyday life of an average European – few can afford such idleness. However, European culture does provide space for developing the art of relaxation, savoring simple pleasures, and enjoying the workers’ rights fought for over the last century. Even if this is not to the liking of elites, who would prefer to be the only ones enjoying free time.

Therefore, we will hear much more about euro-poverty, the non-competitiveness of the EU, and losing in the race with countries where people have it worse. In such situations, instead of leveling down, it is better to follow the euromaxx approach: not to worry about it, turn on some Italo disco, and enjoy a well-deserved holiday with a drink in hand.

The post Euro-poverty and euromaxxing. What do Americans envy us? first appeared on Krytyka Polityczna.