“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.
Or why I would want to spend any amount of money on it. Thankfully I don't live in a war zone.
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Why would we want this in Europe or any other part of the world?
Even if i'm french and i have never touched a gun and just saw some on police officers ; i can understand that you may want a gun, i don't want it but i can get it. But an automatic military rifle ? Why in the hell would you want a war weapon, and why would you make it so easy to get. I guess all the massive shooting included automatic war s**t like the ones on the left page... A gun is already bad but theses ones...
They aren't "automatic" nor "military". You'll note that it says "Sporter" That means they've been turned from a military weapon into a civilian weapon. Yes, they are semi-auto, but they are not assault rifles any more. They just look like it.
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Well, at one time Argos did sell air rifles and harpoon guns.
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Hear hear! That really says something about the whole "sanctity of life" argument.
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I'm pretty sure you can still buy military-style assault weapons at gun shows in the US without age or background checks through some weird loophole, but I'm not about to type that into my browser to check. I witnessed a real sketchy AR exchange recently in the parking lot of a Cracker Barrel.
If a person is a dealer, they need to have the FFL licenses. Private dealers, lets say I sell a rifle to a friend; it depends on the laws of the state. Some are very loose and only require confirmation; in other states you must go through an FFL along with ocassion showing the gun owner card (New Jersey). For a gun show, if a person wants to sell a rifle and is not a dealer, it is the laws of the state.
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I can comprehend it: I just think it's crazy and the source of a lot of problems.
Yeah, that's an American thing. If I were to guess, I would say this dates to about 1994. That's the year the assault weapons ban passed. It expired in 2004 when GWB was running for re-election. So he needed the NRA vote and he got it by letting it lapse.
What does he mean "there was a time" you could do this? Can still do this today.
I am American and cannot comprehend why the hell the president, after shootings, is like ”boo hoo anyways back to my speech” and doesn’t f*****g ban guns.
If I lived in America, the fact that it's so easy to buy a gun, means I would have ended my life long ago. It's the quickest most effective way, and being someone who acts on impulse, the easy access mixed with BDP anxiety and depression I probably would have tried. I am glad I live in Europe where this is not an option for me.
Lee Harvey Oswald bought the rifle he used to kill Kennedy by mail order
No one should be able to comprehend how this is allowed or possible
I am just happy that I don't live in a country that is so dangerous that you need to go around armed.
That's because "right to bear arms" should have been updated 100 years ago. Gotta love the trigger happy.
And just wait till you see the C&R section where the firearms don’t require a background check or FFL…
Wait till you see the C&R section where the firearms don’t need a background check or FFL to get….
... the other day i was literally thinking "i wonder how expensive guns really are in America". Thank you for the answer
only 350 bucks? I always thought guns would cost at least four figures...
this? neh. Walking in Walmart in rural Pennsylvania and see assault riffles for sale in a SUPERMARKET? yep.
Walmart does not sell AR-15 style rifles. They have not for years
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As an American, please don't try to justify this. The US is absolutely MASSIVE and while there are areas that may be unsafe, this is not uncommon and there is no need for civilians to have relatively access to assault rifles.
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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.
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).
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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"
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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.
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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)
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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)
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