• cmbabul@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      I just went through all the things I think Europe does well or is known for, and I can’t think of anything that doesn’t either originate somewhere else or has been made better elsewhere. With the exceptions of cars(which doomed us and is still debatable euro cars are the best), wine(depending on how you categorize Georgia), and olive oil. Someone correct me if I’m missing something

      Edit: does French bread count?

      • Hillock@kbin.social
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        1 year ago

        Watches
        Pizza
        Lots of musical instruments such as piano and violin
        Electronic music
        Gold, while it’s unknown when and where exactly gold started to be mined the oldest artifacts found are from Bulgaria.
        Democracy

        But you will struggle coming up with examples of others countries as well. There are few countries that invented something and are still the best at. So much stuff was just invented so long ago. The only county where this is somewhat easy is the US with some technology.

        • cmbabul@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          Watches is a really big one I missed considering how important the quantification of time is to human history. I didn’t include pizza because like OP said tomatoes ain’t European originally. I’ll take your word on electronic music as I know absolutely nothing about that, gold I don’t know if that counts at all since it’s a mineral. Maybe the best at working it? And yeah the Greeks invented democracy but is anyone in 2023 actually doing democracy well? Or well enough to brag on it, lots of money controlling the wheels of power around the world these days. Not saying you’re wrong I just don’t know if it’s clear cut.

          Besides watches/time pieces you’re spot on there

          And sorry for the edit I locked my phone and it posted before I finished

          Second edit: I’ve had pizza from a bunch of different places and styles and while the best in my opinion is debatable depending on your palette, the absolute worst pizza is in Portugal, specifically at Tarantinos in Porto

          • CallumWells@lemmy.ml
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            1 year ago

            palette

            Just thought I’d point out that I don’t think you meant palette, but palate. If you did in fact mean “palette” I apologize for my intrusion.

            A lot of things are this way in English, if you haven’t read the word in the correct context enough it’s hard to write it the right way, and if you haven’t heard it in the right context it can be hard to pronounce it right.

      • SirShanova@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Depends on you define best or known for when it comes to cars. Sure a BMW is nice but a Lexus will last twice as long for a fifth the price and is good.

        And bread, for invention, depends on whether or not you count leavened and unleavened separately. In terms of best, French bread is definitely S tier though.

        • cmbabul@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          Those were definitely my thoughts on cars, although I give Germany some credit for inventing them. And yeah bread is tough since it’s been done all across humanity, the French do it best I think but i dunno if it should count

          • SirShanova@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            Well, idk who invented sourdough or garlic bread but both of those should be examined as rivals. Baguette stills rocks heated and buttered though

            • cmbabul@lemmy.world
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              1 year ago

              It’s either an Italian or New York Italian that invented garlic bread. Sourdough I think is Colorado but I have know idea where I heard that. But yeah you ain’t wrong

              • Pons_Aelius@kbin.social
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                1 year ago

                Sourdough I think is Colorado

                That may be where it became popular in the USA, but the sourdough method was widespread throughout medieval Europe.