Things I'll miss, Things I won't

It's time to make the comparison, things that I wish I could bring back, and things that I'm glad to leave behind......

Welcome back to......
1. Fast and friendly service at restaurants. In the US, waitstaff assumes you want to leave the restaurant when you're done with your meal. In Europe, they assume you want to take up residence. While it's nice not to be pressured to leave, It is more convenient to be able to leave when you're ready.
2. Tasteful music. Somewhat trashy club music plays in clothing stores, supermarkets, cafes, restaurants, buses, churches. I miss jazz or classical music when at a restaurant.
3. Toilet seats, well designed showers, shower curtains, mounted shower heads. I can't recall how many bathroom floors were flooded after I took a shower. Even when there was a shower curtain, it really doesn't serve much purpose if there is no barrier on the floor that keeps water from escaping the shower area. Handheld showerheads save water, but if you wash your armpits, you're spraying the ceiling with water.
4. Manners. The phrases "Excuse me" and "I'm sorry for bumping into you". Gentlemanly conduct. I can't recall how many women's suitcases I had to lift up to train luggage racks and up staircases because men normally won't help out.
5. Smoking bans (sweden excluded). Everyone smokes in places such as Romania. I almost considered taking up smoking as a healthier alternative to second-hand smoke. At least I would have the benefit of the filter.
6. Breakfast. At 8AM, you can get pizza, ice cream and beer on the street, but eggs or cereal or pastry are almost impossible to find. I've seen guys in suits going to work with ice cream cones in their hands...

Things I will miss.......
1. Smaller cars. Better looking smaller cars. where is the Audi A3, 2 door hatchback http://www.car-wallpaper.net/audi/a3/images/srcAudi-A3-3-door-2003-017.jpg or the BMW 116i Sport http://www.carpages.co.uk/guide/bmw/bmw-1-series-116i-sport.asp in America? The executives who made decisions not to sell these cars in the states are the two people who bought the Pontiac Aztec and PT Cruiser.
2. The whole fish, served with skin, bone, head. It took a few tries before I could debone these really quickly, but the flavor is better. The fish doesn't dry out as much, and the natural oils remain in the meat.
3. Eastern Europe Prices. $10 for a 5 hour train ride. $2.00 for a haircut in Romania, $3.00 for a full, fresh trout dinner in Slovakia (with potatoes and veggies and salad). If you drink more than $10 of alcohol in Slovakia or Romania, you will have alcohol poisoning.
4. Towns and cities without sprawl.
5. Realistic drivers. Yes, they drive fast. Some people feel uncomfortable in these cars that zip all over the place. But when they drive, they are focused on driving, and that makes me feel much safer.
6. Gelato... the softer, creamier tasting version ice cream. They pour this into containers in the display case and the ripples and currents and waves that it forms show you just how soft and creamy this stuff is. The best I've had, Malmo, Cafe Siciliano. The flavors of Melon, hazlenut, and fig tasted just like the real foods.