I grew up learning the European method. When my stepson moved in with us in 6th grade and had trouble understanding a lot of math concepts, I tried to learn the methods his teachers were teaching but he still wouldn't get it so I gave up, showed him how I was taught math (not just subtraction but other problems too) and he understood them in no time. And I told him ... if your teacher has a problem with it, tell them to CALL ME! Thankfully they never called, but I was ready to defend our methods smile