“The European Mind Can’t Comprehend”: People Poke At Differences Between The US And Europe (New Pics)
Interview
If you often engage in aimless scrolling through social media feeds or enjoy a good meme once in a while (who doesn’t?), you might have noticed that Europeans and Americans like to tease each other from time to time. All in good fun, of course, mostly regarding their bewildering cultural differences.
One of the most recent formats through which they poke fun at each other is the ‘European mind can’t comprehend this’ meme. Since its first known sighting in July 2023, it has successfully continued to amuse Americans and confuse Europeans by showcasing something from the US that might leave someone living in Europe in a muddle.
Today we bring you the freshest collection of these memes, from Dr. Pepper-flavored peeps to highways with 26 lanes. All you have to do is scroll down!
While you’re at it, don’t forget to check out a conversation with Elise from Elly Happy Times, a French blogger who traded her life in Burgundy, France, for one in Washington, DC.
This post may include affiliate links.
I've actually tried the Twix and Ding Dong ones. There's also a Twinkie version. The Twix one tastes like a REALLY sweet caramel latte
To learn more about cultural differences between the US and Europe, Bored Panda reached out to Elise from Elly Happy Times, a French blogger who traded her life in Burgundy, France, for one in Washington, DC, and shares her experience online.
She tells us that her decision to move to America was largely influenced by her husband, who was transferred there due to his employer.
This exact reason, surprisingly, isn’t rare, as a survey conducted in 2023 found that employee relocation and love were the second and third leading motivations for people to move abroad.
As a result, 4.7 million Europeans were living in America as of 2022, comprising 10% of the 46.2 million immigrants in the United States.
Someone has never heard of the Gravelly Hill interchange. Aka,Spaghetti Junction.
Moving abroad is a big challenge, especially when the country has very different norms than they are accustomed to. Getting used to a new country can be fairly intense and may cause feelings of uncertainty, confusion, or anxiety.
Such an adjustment period is called culture shock. Although it has a negative connotation, it’s completely normal, as it’s simply a result of being immersed in a culture that one hasn’t faced before. Those who successfully resolve their feelings often overcome it, further having a favorable experience.
We don't want to comprehend this in Europe or any other part of the world.
My American mind would rather be playing video games and watching YouTube. I have no interest in games I'm not playing.
For Elise, there were quite a lot of things that confused her European mind when she first stepped foot on American soil.
Tipping culture, portion size, healthcare system, diversity, school system, and driving culture are just a few that she named. “Everything is big and far; there is no sidewalk, and most of the time you can’t walk to go somewhere—and no public transportation!” she adds.
Elise believes that the teasing between Europeans and Americans about their differences helps them discover new things they don’t see in their own culture and understand certain ways of thinking. “Personally, I don’t mock American culture; I simply make comparisons between what I know from my European culture and this American culture that I am discovering from the inside since I now live here.
It seems to me that what people enjoy is curiosity, and discovering things they don’t see in their own culture. This can help understand certain things, certain ways of thinking.”
It's like a three year old makes up some daft food combination and the Yanks then put it on the menu.
She illustrates this point with an example. “As a European, it seems completely mind-boggling to see these huge cars in the USA. Now that I live in the USA, I understand a bit better why: excluding major cities, people are always in their vehicles because to go anywhere, you need a car; nothing is accessible on foot. They therefore want comfortable cars because they do a lot of driving.
They have very little vacation time, but they often go away on weekends (and they travel long distances), so they need a lot of space in their vehicles to take everything with them. The roads are very wide, allowing them to have large cars. Everything is planned: I have rarely seen parking problems. Everything is planned around cars.”
Indeed, something that can help adjust to different norms abroad is being open-minded, willing to learn about the new surroundings, and understanding the reasons behind the dissimilarities. Preparing beforehand is also great, as you will already have a general idea of what to expect. This can include learning about their customs, cuisine, and transit system.
Additionally, it’s advisable to avoid comparing the new surroundings and home too much, as well as trying to be more active and socializing. But don’t forget that it’s normal to feel disoriented and confused. Asking for advice from others or writing a journal of your experience, including the positives and negatives of the new culture, might help cope with these feelings better.
The uk has biscuit flavoured tea, and jaffa cake tea too ( NOT a biscuit) 🤣
JUST MAKE YOUR OWN! The recipe is so simple I learned it at 6yo.
A medieval peasant would refuse this monstrosity, even if s/he were dying of hunger.
I love cheeseburgers but I wouldn't go near those even if you paid me. Those look disgusting.
I feel like Americans can't comprehend the fact that we actually do stuff similar to us
Pizza, spaghetti, prawns? Jelly, octopus with cheese? What the hell is this supposed to be?
Actually, rush hour and turn about and s****y traffic allows all of us to do it
If you are going to visit both fast food shops - yeah, we can see how you would need the third
Are you kidding? Every third bloody shop in central Edinburgh is a Scotland shop!
Chorizo is European!!! It's originated from Spain! And on that note, in no way that is Chorizo! A decent Chorizo costs way more than 3 dollars! Not to mention the best ones!
Yeah, but, Nutella....is an Italian product. And, that jug clearly says it's for "food service" (meaning it's sold to restaurants)
Pizza? Do they know pizza is European (Italian)?!?! Or the fact that it's squared?! We don't make home made pizza round, in Europe, as the oven trays are square... so we do, we do get it!
Then why will you find a selection of these in every British supermarket? I love my "real" cheese, but give me this on a burger every time.
People in Europe don't watch 2 screens at once? I call baloney on that
Except...those are almost certainly imported from another country
What? A total eclipse only happens in the US or something?
Knock out tournaments? Yeah this list is just getting stupid now.
Poll Question
Thanks! Check out the results:
Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls
By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy.
Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!
You May Also Like
Woman Refuses To Chip In For Babysitting Because She Doesn’t Even Have Kids, Asks If She’s A Jerk
Do you think childless individuals should be expected to chip in for group babysitting costs during friend gatherings?
“They Saw The Blood Leave My Body”: Woman Refuses To Tip 10% At Bridal Store
How do you feel about the practice of tipping at a bridal store?
17 Y.O. Is Done Sharing Her Birthday With Her Late Twin, Parents Are Not Having It
Do you think the girl should be allowed to celebrate her birthday without the remembrance of her deceased twin?
Maybe its just because I'm literal, but I hate this "so-and-so can't comprend" whatever. It sounds so condescending and obnoxious. Different countries and cultures have different ways of doing things.
The only entries on this list that fit the title are the ones which I can't comprehend why they're apparently *proud* of it (the easy accessibility of guns being the biggest one).
Load More Replies...
I feel like this should be titled "Why do Americans do this?" Nothing to do with Europeans.
Should be titled "Why the US has an obesity crisis"
Load More Replies...
this is too much for me. i think it's the last time i come to BR.(fremch here). God knows i tried hard to 'forgive' these america bashings. but i'm tired now. America did great things, and whatever the s.. they're going through righ now, they deserve better. these posts depicting americans like r******d are just exausting
As someone who lives in America, they absolutely do NOT deserve better.
Load More Replies...
Maybe its just because I'm literal, but I hate this "so-and-so can't comprend" whatever. It sounds so condescending and obnoxious. Different countries and cultures have different ways of doing things.
The only entries on this list that fit the title are the ones which I can't comprehend why they're apparently *proud* of it (the easy accessibility of guns being the biggest one).
Load More Replies... I feel like this should be titled "Why do Americans do this?" Nothing to do with Europeans.
Should be titled "Why the US has an obesity crisis"
Load More Replies... this is too much for me. i think it's the last time i come to BR.(fremch here). God knows i tried hard to 'forgive' these america bashings. but i'm tired now. America did great things, and whatever the s.. they're going through righ now, they deserve better. these posts depicting americans like r******d are just exausting
As someone who lives in America, they absolutely do NOT deserve better.
Load More Replies...