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People Online Listed 27 Things Americans Are Familiar With, But Europeans Can’t Relate To
Article created by: Robertas Lisickis
While both the US and Europe are mostly considered Western cultures, and they are deemed neighbors from across the pond, there are still some substantial differences between the two that people just can’t stop pointing out because they are curious and they want to partake in this cultural learning experience.
Reddit user u/Dependent-End5909 turned to r/AskReddit with the question what is something Americans have which Europeans don't have? Over 21,000 comments later, the post went viral with nearly 22,000 upvotes and over 60 Reddit awards.
110-volt outlets, huge refrigerators and garbage disposals were just some of the many great things Reddit pointed out, so strap up and start scrolling to see the best answers found in the post. And while you’re at it, vote, comment and give us some examples of things.
More Info: Reddit
- Read More: People Online Listed 30 Things Americans Are Familiar With, But Europeans Can't Relate To
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#2
Space
Space. I love spending time in Europe, but man, it is amazing to come home and have hundreds of thousands of square miles of just open country to explore, hike, ride, camp, etc...
A lot of it isn't even in national or state parks (which are also amazing).
#3
Colossal Refrigerators
"Refrigerators the size of my flat." - every European who has seen my moderately-sized refrigerator
#4
"Florida Man"
No-Dark-9414 said:
Florida Man
Ilmara said:
Europe has Polish Man and Russian Man.
#5
Mourning Doves
Mourning doves. They're cute and chubby, and their boo-hoo-hoo songs sound like wooden flutes.
#6
Ranch Dressing
Ranch.
Like why is it so good, why don’t we have it. And can we please exchange boris Johnston for a bottle. He’s be good in your circus
#7
Good Mexican Food
Trek1973 said:
Good Mexican food
burningfirelily replied:
Man so im a Mexican who wants to move to a European country but my biggest fear is losing access to ingredients to make my food and also having to endure whatever the heck people in those countries believe is "authentic" Mexican food.
#8
Legal Right Turn On Red
Legal right turn on red, I don't always agree with Jeremy Clarkson but in this instance he's correct that's it's one of the US's greatest contributions to society.
#9
Drive-In Everythings
Drive in EVERYTHING! Drive in Starbucks, I’ve head Drive in Banks, that’s so crazy to me
#11
Drinking Age Is 21
zephyr1004 said:
We have a high drinking age at 21.
UnilateralWithdrawal replied:
Europe is definitely more laid back. I’ve been to manufacturing plants in Germany where beer is sold out of vending machines.
#12
Pancakes With Maple Syrup
Pancakes with maple syrup.
...date German, and she is super confused why there is so much sugar in the American breakfast. Go to the U.K. and there is none...go to Amsterdam where pancakes are practically the national specialty, and they are mostly savory!
#14
Automatic Ice Dispensers
Automatic ice dispensers in your fridges. It's such an American thing you only find it on fridges that are labelled "American style"
#16
Window Screens
OkAnteater9569 said:
At home or somewhere else, they have screens on their windows.
blackwe11_ninja replied:
You mean mosquito screens? We have them too. In my city you would have to be insane not to have one.
#17
Personal Graves
Just found this out on another post: our own graves. Apparently graves are often dug up and reused in Europe and Australia. They’re owned by the government and will not always be yours. The only reason why we don’t do the same is because we are a younger country and we haven’t run out of room to bury people yet.
#19
Use Of The Word 'Fortnight'
I worked for a US firm (I’m From the UK). There are many differences, but the one that used to cause so many problems was the term “Fortnight” - not commonly used in that part of the US, so they used “Bi Weekly” for the same thing. Except in the UK that means twice a week
#20
Cheaper Goods Online
I always find myself finding everything cheaper in america online stores than in european stores. Especially with hardware, woodworking, light machinery.
As many pointed out, USA don't include sales tax in the price. But then again as others pointed out, its only 6% whilst mine is 25% on all goods at home. So USA prices are still comparatively low even when included American 6% tax. It would only be worth to order tho if I actually lived in USA tho because of import duties.
#21
College Sports
PixieBaronicsi said:
College sports
Oneinchwalrus replied:
This one I'll give you. Universities play each other in sports, but nowhere to the scale in America. For football (soccer), most players can be in clubs' academies from the age of 5/6, finish school at 16 and then just go straight into reserve/first team squads, whereas in America they play sports in school, university, then get picked up by clubs
#23
Bigger Food Portions
Bigger portions/sizes. As an example I think a small or regular pb jar is probably considered large in European countries.
#25
Perfect Conditions For Road Trips
Perfect conditions for road trips. Nice roads, no border control, gas stations, sights, motels. Its perfect.
#26
Amazing Candy Selection
As a middle (or east?) European who was in the US 16 years ago, amazing sweets selection! Please send Twizzlers to Slovakia!
#27
110-Volt Outlets
AioliEnvironmental58 said: Outlets with 110 volts -Reddit_Account- replied: We have 220v outlets as well, but they’re usually reserved for applications that actually need it like dishwashers and washing machines. Next time you clean behind your washing machine, look at the plug - it’s a much different one from the one you usually see on walls. That’s a 220v plug. On your breaker box you’ll also notice that the breaker switches for those appliances are twice as thick. either 220 or 240, I forget the exact number. Point is, you have plugs that have twice the potential of normal US wall plugs.
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