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Date Posted: 14:15:15 08/05/12 Sun
Author: chris k
Subject: apparently I'm not crazy


Mid June a former client of mine invited my daughter, last minute, to fly home with her to Germany and visit for a month. I sent her.

Her bosses said I was crazy she could be sold off in the white slavery market - My daughter and I laughed it off. I traveled in Europe after college and thought it a great opportunity.

Well, she's home. She spent a week in Frankfurt with my client/friend, then a day in Linz Austria, then a week in Serbia, then a week in Corfu Greece, then a week on the German coast and finally back to Frankfurt.

On top of that the woman likes to shop so my daughter came home with new dresses, handbags, and shoes all made in France or Italy.

I am so thankful for this wonderful opportunity - but it made me think of a couple of things -

1. are more things in Europe NOT made in China the way so much IS here?

2. Am I really such an odd parent that i didn't think twice about sending my child (who by the way is 21years old and going into her senior year of college) off to experience Europe?

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Replies:

[> 1. IMO, most goods are made in countries they are sold or from other countries of the EU -- not so much from China -- so far! BUT, clothes, furniture, and probably everything IS still oe expensive than in the US -- but much less of a difference now than, say, 27 years ago. For answer to 2. inside -- mj, 14:41:40 08/05/12 Sun [1]

2. WHAT THE....???!! Who on earth thinks that it is SO crazy in Europe??!! It's actually very very safe in Germany and if you're with someone who has travelled and speaks the languages, p'haps like your client/friend -- it's quite safe and a wonderful experience. And even if one doesn't speak languages, most places have many English speaking people, although it IS lovely for the locals to hear Americans TRYING to speak the language. NOW, having said all that -- in SOME places, yes, there are creepy people around who may see a pretty, white, un-travelled 21 y.o. girl who they would swoop in on in a heart-beat -- certain Eastern European countries and even in parts of western Europe, but this mainly happens when these young ladies go out to places where these types are around -- like in clubs, vacation tourist areas, and often around airports and train stations late at night. However, having said THAT, when we lived in Russia, my 14 y.o. daughter was travelling back from Bucharest with her basketball team and was detained at the airport in Romania because the 'officials' claimed she lacked the proper stamp to re-enter Russia -- often a ploy used to abduct young girls. We couldn't see our daughter for 36 hours until she was returned to us. We had to pay alot of money for her safe return and it was one of the most horific experiences of our lives!


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[> [> well - small town Americans who have never left the state, never mind country think the worst easily. And my daughter is an extremely attractive person for both her looks (blonde and blue eyed) as well as her friendly personality. Erica liked Germany best because most people spoke English and she could converse- serbia and greece was much harder. I too traveled through Europe when I was young - but the world has changed -- chris k -, 18:00:03 08/05/12 Sun [1]


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[> [> I think it's interesting that we seem to be china's main export country- I really wish we had more made in the USA choices - -- chris k, 18:02:43 08/05/12 Sun [1]


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[> No, chris k, I don't think you're an odd parent. When I was just 20, my parents let me go to Europe for three months on a bicycle tour of seven countries. There were a group of 11 of us who met in New York City. Until then, I didn't know anyone with whom I was going to be traveling. We stayed in youth hostels and had the time of our lives. I think that traveling abroad opens a whole new outlook on humanity. -- Lee, 16:11:49 08/05/12 Sun [1]


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[> Actually, we get lots of stuff from China - or Taiwan, that is. Lots of the cheaper clothing is made in Bangladesh. It´s getting worse. You can still find more or less locally produced stuff (or at least EU-produced), but it´s often more expensive. I don´t know how much it is in relation to the US/China market, though. As for travelling- I firmly believe there comes a time when everyone should (if at all possible) leave home for a bit and travel-at 21 she´s old enough to vote, get married and have children, so she´s old enough to travel. -- Jam - you´re definitely not crazy. She managed to enjoy Germany despite the nonexistent summer we´re having this year? Did she go the the North sea or Baltic sea coast?, 11:47:57 08/06/12 Mon [1]


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[> [> It seems like absolutely everything you buy is made in China. I'm thinking 70% china, 20% a combination of places like Mexico or Sri Lanka where labor is cheap and 10% USA - that's guessing. But it was it feels like. Erica stayed in Timendorfer strand - I think - LOL - Near the Baltic according to Wikipedia! She loved it. she loved Frankfurt too. -- chris k, 07:27:56 08/07/12 Tue [1]


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[> [> [> Inside. -- Laurence ( sorry for the long post ), 09:53:40 08/07/12 Tue [1]

In the past I unfortunately bought one ' Le Tanneur ' and a classic ' Longchamp ' handbags ( not at the same time ) in leather when it's after when I was in the car, than I seen inside ' made in China '. Spend big Euros, thought I was buying ' made in France ', and to know than it haven't been produced in France ( my country ). Thought I was helping France's economy and buy french. Now when I'm on flea - market or emmaus I still look for french brands and make sure to look inside if it marked ' made in France '. England, Germany,Italy countries like these ones are ok too for me. So now I look on flea markets and emmaus.Not so long ago I bought for 2 Euros a Gucci with the famous band green and red for 2 Euros at a second hand dealer and a Christian Dior Handbag for 5 euros on a flea market.Both made in Italy.Both vintage.Buy vintage, but for to be sure check if the country where the bag or other has been made is ' ok '.


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[> [> [> [> Add USA too. To clarify my post : If I want a flashlight, I'll buy american ( Mag-Lite ) I think it still produced in USA. Each country has if I may speak like this its ' speciality '. -- Laurence, 10:11:26 08/07/12 Tue [1]


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[> I don't know about today, but 30 years ago my niece MaryJane, backpacked through Europe. She was in her second year of college. She and 2 other girls thought this would be a great idea. They had a wonderful time and experience. She was Blonde and blue eyed. They stayed at youth hostels and sometimes camped out. She said she would let her girls do it. He oldest daughter just finished college, but she is forever taking the train to NYC and staying with friends there. I think I would find NYC more dangerous than Europe. -- Cathy F., 09:15:13 08/07/12 Tue [1]


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[> [> i did europe thirty years ago - and to think the only communication my mother had from me for the most part was post cards- many of which arrived after I did!! lol. At least I was able to talk to erica a few times and follow her occasionally on facebook and got a few emails when they were in hotels with wifi. -- chris k, 11:01:50 08/07/12 Tue [1]


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[> Europeans and Brits consider 21 to be an adult not a child. Of course you are not crazy. What a great experience for your daughter. I think that you are a good parent for not instilling unnecessary fear in her and instead, instilling self confidence and the freedom to grow and mature. I emmigrated to Canada by myself when I was 18, and although I stayed with a married sister, I had to find a job and be independent. When I was 21, I travelled by myself on a Greyhound from Toront to Ft Lauderdale FLA, on Spring Break. (inside) -- Cece, 00:54:01 08/08/12 Wed [1]

That trip turned out to be way more dangerous for me than later, travelling to Europe.

In Ft. Lauderdale, I met some really nice guys and had a lot of fun, but finally, I met a guy who turned inot a crazy, controlling, violent man who forced me to leave town early when I wouldn't do as he wanted. I was scared stiff, but I learnt from the experience. It doesn't matter where you are or how old you are, you have to be prepared to meet life head on and be street smart. You can't be wrapped in cotton wool for ever. Congrats, Chris, on raising a lovely, confident young woman and not a fraidy child. I'm sure she will pass that gift of self reliance onto her own children in the future.


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[> I was 16 when my parents sent my sister (she was 17) off on our first unaccompanied European trip. To this day, we still talk about that trip and what a great learning experience it was for us. I think it's great for young people to travel and explore the world... 21 is plenty old enough - well done to you for encouraging your daughter to do that! -- Dee, 07:05:22 08/08/12 Wed [1]


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[> Not odd at all! Your child is a young adult. What a wonderful trip. -- jan, 18:33:07 08/10/12 Fri [1]


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