(no subject)

[lucifermourning]

last night at the pub i had an intriguing discussion about american v. british attitudes toward living space. americans tend to have much bigger houses, particular middle class americans, than their british equivalants.
it was suggested that this is, in a great part, due to relative population densities, which i believe is probably roughly true. according to wikipedia, the UK has a population density of 243/square km, v. the US 30 /square km, albeit greatly varying by area.
but it also must have something to do with attitudes. those i spoke to may remember my description of the house i grew up--much square footage, large rooms, etc.--and not a particularly big house for my area. such living space are not at all atypical in new jersey--actually, it's quite challenging to find a small house.
but new jersey has a population density of 438/square km.
we just seem to think we need more space to live in.
(not that any of my conclusions are scientific, i'm just intrigued.)

Comments

[blue-cat.livejournal.com]

*Nod* It is also the myth of the wide open spaces, where every man can find a place and a patch of land to call his own. America is seen as a place with space, and so that is what people want.

The UK is not - it is a place of rolling hills and small tightly woven hamlets and towns & cities that are older than the USA and have WALLS for safety against the maruaders.

THis is all Mythic-style thinking rather than real reality but that is often what counts far more than simple facts.

[2eclipse.livejournal.com]

i 100% agree with this. americans have the pioneer independence ideal stuck so far up our asses that we feel cramped easily.