“The European Mind Can’t Comprehend”: People Poke At Differences Between The US And Europe (New Pics)
InterviewIf 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.
True, but why would you want to drive to a parking lot to have some food.
Not being able to get from one restaurant to the one immediately next door without a car... But walkable neighbourhoods are Orwellian or something.
More a necessity than a fetish. No real public transportation and nothing is near the houses. We are forced to drive usually a good 30 minutes one way to get anywhere or do anything and if you don't have a car, good luck surviving, hope you have friends or family that do and love you.
Load More Replies...The problem is each eatery/business having its own car park, and you need to drive between each location as there are no pavements or safe walk ways between them. The cars are travelling at too high a speed for people to safely cross the road. This particular image is from Morgantown, WV 26501, USA. In one small area there's about 24 businesses, and each and every one of them has a car park that's bigger than the shop/restaurant.
This is literally like 4 miles from my house! Haha! First of all, not making ANY excuses for the shear awfulness of the suburban sprawl we have here in Morgantown or the states. But I will say that this satellite image does not reveal the steep terrain here. Even if there were sidewalks, which of course, there are NONE. It would be quite a hike to get from Chili's up to Cracker Barrel (which is not even the top). Actually, if you could zoom out, it gets even worse. It's a big sprawling shopping plaza on top of a hill (or 2), complete with strip malls, hotels, car dealerships, a stadium and all the big box stores; (there are definitely more than 24 businesses) and expanding out further every year.
Load More Replies...Da lob' ich mir doch meine gute alte Einkaufsmeile oder Fußgängerzone mit ihren Bars, Restaurants und Imbissen.
Ich lebe in einer Stadt, in der es viele fußläufige Aktivitäten in der Nähe gibt, und bin dankbar. Ich versuche, Deutsch zu lernen. Entschuldigung, wenn das nicht richtig ist.
Load More Replies...They should of made a better restaurant hub to where there's one big parking lot and restaurants are close by (enough distance to prevent fire spread)
We have thousands of outdoor malls with housing, restaurants, bars, and shops all close together. This particular example just isn't one of them.
Load More Replies...I do NOT miss this at all! I'll take the 5 min walk around the block and pick from the multiple local restaurants in my European city any day over this!
My American brain knows places like this and hates them. Look at the size of those parking lots!
thanks God we can't. The automobile lobby did terrible things to the states
There's a junction in Blackpool, England that is colloquially named Fat Man's Corner due to the number of fast-food restaurants there.
And the yanks ignorantly call walkable cities "communism". They swallow car company propaganda deeply as they swallow cop boots.
Yeah, we see this picture and our brain is guesstimating how many pubs and coffee bars we could fit inbetween.
I've walked between restaurants in a similar setup when I was working in Dallas. It was a very long and often difficult walk to get a few "doors" down on foot. In the same time I walked around a good portion of Brussels city centre, with far more places to eat and much more variety.
Hey! That's Morgantown, WV, close to WVU. I live about 40 min from there. That Longhorn Steakhouse has the best brussle sprouts! The others aren't worth visiting.
I think the give-away here is, this is a UNIVERSITY town. Right? Besides, there's lots of room for more fast-food places, if you're worried about getting a bite to eat.
I admit most chain restaurants are trash, but Longhorn's and Cracker Barrel are exceptions. There's even a great song about Cracker Barrel https://youtu.be/VqY6Tzyy-aw?si=XkXNts22dALzrSLZ
It's near a university, some students get tired of the dining room or if off campus tired/can't cook.
If it were just uni kids they wouldn't survive, it's us the regular people and families that keep them in business and always expanding
Load More Replies...To be fair, it resembles many Retail parks in the UK, more shops included in here and it'd look just the same
In the UK, the standard for out of town shopping is to either have a massive shopping mall, housing lots of business, and a massive car park, or to have a communal car park with shops around the edges of the car park. Both are far more efficient in terms of parking spaces and land usage.
Load More Replies...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.
Note: this post originally had 84 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
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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...Once again, a post full of people criticizing others for not being like them. The day we all agree that it's ok for people to be different is the day wars end.
BP made a bad post criticizing a group of people for having a slightly different culture? How shocking!
many of these things originate from europe or other places outside of the US. So why wouldn't we be able to comprehend it?
Some of these could be renamed to "Why do Americans act like they have free healthcare?"
I only read the first 30 or so. This European Panda mind can't comprehend articles like this no more. How about 100 cool things about the US? Or any country. OK, some here were positive, but most weren't. We all have our up and down sides. Let's share the good things...
Yes, because remember the one time we had a post like this featuring African stuff, everyone was actually completely confused and didn’t understand any of it! (Edit: aside from the people living there ofc.)
Load More Replies...A very misleading title. Nothing particularly unusual or special about these.
To be perfectly honest, my American mind “can’t comprehend” most of these
I cannot comprehend how the vast majority of these are just normal stupid stuff you’d get anywhere. Is it the European mind cannot comprehend low level trolling? In that case you win I suppose
This is called a joke or a gag. I believe that most of the posters are aware about what Europeans can comprehend. I'm a European who was mildly amused by these. Judging by the comments the post has served to further alienate Europeans and Americans, which is disappointing. The ongoing BP sponsored U.S - European War will continue it seems.
At the beginning they were kind of good, but as they got lower they just got stupid. I’m also American, so that just tells how bad they were.
Comments (In order of popularity) 1. We have that too! 2. Eww that's gross. 3. Diabetes. 4. Guns. 5. USA sucks. Why is this getting posted again? Do people enjoy these tired and recycled posts?
Bored panda can't go too long between threads bashing the US.
This was such a waste of time. I was not ignoring anything important still this was a waste of time. Didn't even cross 30.
Dumbest list I've ever seen. Most of the things are absolutely comprehensible to Europeans and the rest of the world.
The person that compiled this needs to do some more research as some of the pics do not match the topic
I can't believe no one posted a picture of a $100,000+ hospital bill. That is something Europeans want no part of comprehending. As an American, it's something I want no part of comprehending.
this went from "hmm" to "silly" to "absolutely mind wrecking stupid" very quick. Comeone, BP you can do better.
Subtext seems to be 'proud overconsumers of ultra-processed food and guns'? OK.
So many entries sound so needy. If at least it was really fun stuff: "Americans will never understand this" 0_JS222087...24602a.jpg
I must admit it took quite a while before I got this. These are all a joke, they are all examples of this that the 'European Mind' can very easily understand. Initially I thought it was simply BP baiting us to make us angry (as they often do) but then realised that it just wasn't possible that these weren't a joke..
I have been on BP for I don't know how many years beyond this account. It USED to be mostly artistic and cool things. Now, it's just Reddit and putting down America. The thing is, MOST non US people don't want to realize is we are not all the same. I live in the North and some of these are more Southern US. Most of us want gun control. Most of don't eat meals like these, I have never seen some of these products, this is NOT normal American stuff. One person decides to try a crazy drink they never had before, take a pic, then non Americans steal the pic and generalize it to normal American diet. Bored Panda, do better.
Scrolled through the whole thing and the only thing I learned is that Europeans have real difficulty comprehending things.
More America bashing. I guess Putin's latest check cleared the bank. If I were an American company I would never advertise on this site. I hope they pull their money and go elsewhere, this site is nothing but a propaganda platform for Putin's talking points. Ld8RW1L-2.jpg
You're right! I remember Putin really laying into 7-11 slushies in his last press conference!!!1
Load More Replies...I always find it funny how Americans think Europeans can't comprehend, like, dudes, you stem from Europeans, we invented most of that s**t, you just added sugar or fat and called it yours.....
I'm reasonably confident that "The European Mind" can comprehend all of the examples given. Know what I, as an American, struggled with in Ireland?. No wash cloths. Little 8 x 8 terry cloth . I actually asked a native about it. Apparently what I call a hand towel is a wash cloth.
Another poll fail. They left out inbreeding and white yanks never getting over the end of slavery.
Most of these are because of stupid Americans never leaving their home towns. I'm an American and was cringing for my fellow citizens. Many of these weren't the flex they were expecting.
capitalism (it's more profitable for the seller)
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...Once again, a post full of people criticizing others for not being like them. The day we all agree that it's ok for people to be different is the day wars end.
BP made a bad post criticizing a group of people for having a slightly different culture? How shocking!
many of these things originate from europe or other places outside of the US. So why wouldn't we be able to comprehend it?
Some of these could be renamed to "Why do Americans act like they have free healthcare?"
I only read the first 30 or so. This European Panda mind can't comprehend articles like this no more. How about 100 cool things about the US? Or any country. OK, some here were positive, but most weren't. We all have our up and down sides. Let's share the good things...
Yes, because remember the one time we had a post like this featuring African stuff, everyone was actually completely confused and didn’t understand any of it! (Edit: aside from the people living there ofc.)
Load More Replies...A very misleading title. Nothing particularly unusual or special about these.
To be perfectly honest, my American mind “can’t comprehend” most of these
I cannot comprehend how the vast majority of these are just normal stupid stuff you’d get anywhere. Is it the European mind cannot comprehend low level trolling? In that case you win I suppose
This is called a joke or a gag. I believe that most of the posters are aware about what Europeans can comprehend. I'm a European who was mildly amused by these. Judging by the comments the post has served to further alienate Europeans and Americans, which is disappointing. The ongoing BP sponsored U.S - European War will continue it seems.
At the beginning they were kind of good, but as they got lower they just got stupid. I’m also American, so that just tells how bad they were.
Comments (In order of popularity) 1. We have that too! 2. Eww that's gross. 3. Diabetes. 4. Guns. 5. USA sucks. Why is this getting posted again? Do people enjoy these tired and recycled posts?
Bored panda can't go too long between threads bashing the US.
This was such a waste of time. I was not ignoring anything important still this was a waste of time. Didn't even cross 30.
Dumbest list I've ever seen. Most of the things are absolutely comprehensible to Europeans and the rest of the world.
The person that compiled this needs to do some more research as some of the pics do not match the topic
I can't believe no one posted a picture of a $100,000+ hospital bill. That is something Europeans want no part of comprehending. As an American, it's something I want no part of comprehending.
this went from "hmm" to "silly" to "absolutely mind wrecking stupid" very quick. Comeone, BP you can do better.
Subtext seems to be 'proud overconsumers of ultra-processed food and guns'? OK.
So many entries sound so needy. If at least it was really fun stuff: "Americans will never understand this" 0_JS222087...24602a.jpg
I must admit it took quite a while before I got this. These are all a joke, they are all examples of this that the 'European Mind' can very easily understand. Initially I thought it was simply BP baiting us to make us angry (as they often do) but then realised that it just wasn't possible that these weren't a joke..
I have been on BP for I don't know how many years beyond this account. It USED to be mostly artistic and cool things. Now, it's just Reddit and putting down America. The thing is, MOST non US people don't want to realize is we are not all the same. I live in the North and some of these are more Southern US. Most of us want gun control. Most of don't eat meals like these, I have never seen some of these products, this is NOT normal American stuff. One person decides to try a crazy drink they never had before, take a pic, then non Americans steal the pic and generalize it to normal American diet. Bored Panda, do better.
Scrolled through the whole thing and the only thing I learned is that Europeans have real difficulty comprehending things.
More America bashing. I guess Putin's latest check cleared the bank. If I were an American company I would never advertise on this site. I hope they pull their money and go elsewhere, this site is nothing but a propaganda platform for Putin's talking points. Ld8RW1L-2.jpg
You're right! I remember Putin really laying into 7-11 slushies in his last press conference!!!1
Load More Replies...I always find it funny how Americans think Europeans can't comprehend, like, dudes, you stem from Europeans, we invented most of that s**t, you just added sugar or fat and called it yours.....
I'm reasonably confident that "The European Mind" can comprehend all of the examples given. Know what I, as an American, struggled with in Ireland?. No wash cloths. Little 8 x 8 terry cloth . I actually asked a native about it. Apparently what I call a hand towel is a wash cloth.
Another poll fail. They left out inbreeding and white yanks never getting over the end of slavery.
Most of these are because of stupid Americans never leaving their home towns. I'm an American and was cringing for my fellow citizens. Many of these weren't the flex they were expecting.
capitalism (it's more profitable for the seller)
Load More Replies...