Never Complain About US Gas Prices To A European

As gas prices continue to climb here in the US, it's becoming increasingly evident that this trend is not going anywhere soon. We all complain about it amongst our neighbors and fellow citizens, and receive sympathetic "I hear ya" replies.

"Yeah, it won't be long before we'll have to take out a small loan to fill up the gas tank." Laughter ensues.

We Americans tend to be a bit insulated, at times. Just try complaining about gas prices to a European, and you're likely to get a far different response, the most likely candidates being rolling of the eyes, shaking of the head, and decidedly non-sympathetic chortles. I don't dare whine about our current gas pump plight to my Swiss girlfriend, unless I want to invite a tirade of just how good we've had in the US for so long.

One quick look at the prices for petroleum in European countries and you will soon know why. US dollar equivalents range from a little over $6 to over $9 per gallon. As of April 22, 2008, The Netherlands is the most expensive at $9.39 per gallon. Ouch! Europeans pay an extremely heavy tax to fill up their tanks.

As time goes by, we're going to have to adapt the way Europe has to high gas prices. More and more Americans are going to find they can get by without their gas guzzling SUVs, trucks, and Hummers. Who knows, before long you just might be seeing more of those "Smart cars" on our roads. Ok, maybe not. I have to admit those dinky little contraptions look like death traps, to me -- at least on the freeways. They'd be nice for city driving, because you wouldn't even have to worry about parking them. They're so short, the bumpers can be parallel to the curb.

But for now, I think I'll stick with my mid-sized sedan.