40 “The European Mind Can’t Comprehend This” Posts Funny To Americans And Confusing To Europeans
Comparing the United States to Europe isn’t always fair, as Europe is an entire continent with many different countries and cultures. But when it comes to some of the most quintessentially American things, it might be safe to assume that the average person in Europe would be confused or appalled by them.
Below, you’ll find some of the best “The European Mind Can’t Comprehend This” memes that have been shared on X. From massive bulk items sold at Costco to Pillsbury’s seasonal sugar cookies, we hope you enjoy scrolling through these sights that you’re less likely to encounter in Europe than in the good old USA. Be sure to upvote your favorites, and remember to take advantage of that air conditioning and those free refills, Americans!
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Now look at America’s children. This shake is marketed to families. Meanwhile, there are lobbyists fighting for nutrition labels to have less information and to remove country of origin from our food.
Load More Replies........and should also point out the 2600 calories of which 1220 are from fat! 295% Daily value of saturated fat! This entire label just gets worse and worse the more you look at it.
It's not the fat so much as the sugar. But both are way out of line.
Load More Replies...To quote one of my favourite shows, Parks and Recreation: -“How is this a child-sized soda?” -“Well, it’s roughly the size of a two-year old child…if the child was liquified.”
Load More Replies...Yeah no, as an American who loves sugar I also cannot comprehend this.
If they weren't before, they will be. Baskin Robbins should provide a free syringe of insulin.
Load More Replies...For anyone doing the math - that's 9.39 ounces of pure sugar. Even most Americans are not okay with that. When I traveled abroad, that is one of the things I respected about most of the Asian countries I visited. A desert can be subtly sweet and still quite delicious. You can find extremes in every country but I'm talking about what is considered more 'normal' I guess. Also, shout out to French bakeries who spoiled me and made me realize American donuts are basically trash. LOL. But thanks to globalization (or whatever word) - there is a pretty good French pastry shop in a nearby town.
My daughter visited some friends in Washington state 4 yrs ago for three months. When they went some -sorry, English is not my native language, so I don't know the right name of the shop - so when they went to some cake-and cookie dhop, she couldn't eat any of them, they were so sweet. Pure sugar, nothing flavor. Also somr of the chocolates - Milky way, Snickers, Bounty, which we can buy here in our country, are too sweet.
Load More Replies...thats almost a liter! Who can finish a liter of.. this?? I mean not gonna lie id probably like this, but A LITER!!
Tell me you're a piece of s**t without actually telling me you're a piece of s**t. Imagine doing this s**t because other people ride bikes and drive EVs. The Venn diagram of these a*****e and Trump voters is a perfect circle.
"Rolling coal" is stupid IMO. They modify their trucks to make them smoke a lot more. It isn't even about "more power". It's just about "more douchebaggery". From the wiki - "Rolling coal is a form of conspicuous air pollution, used for entertainment or as protest. Some drivers intentionally trigger coal rolling in the presence of hybrid vehicles (a practice nicknamed "Prius repellent") to cause their drivers to lose sight of the road and inhale harmful air pollution. Coal rolling may also be directed at foreign vehicles, bicyclists, protesters, and pedestrians. Practitioners cite "American freedom" and a stand against "rampant environmentalism" as reasons for coal rolling.
That must be one of the most American things ever!
Load More Replies...I don’t have the words to describe the contempt I feel for these man babies.
Morons find it especially satisfying to blow “coal” in the face of a bicyclist or Prius driver on the road.
And we don't want to. We have laws about emissions here and this person is not only producing excessive carbon emissions, but they are also emitting stupidity, vanity and narcissism. Hopefully they will twist their ankle on a regular basis and not be able to reach the door to get in
wht's so hard to comprehend about compensating for a micropenis?
There's another difference. European Fanta has actual orange juice in it, America Fanta does not. "Natural flavors" just means they added SOMETHING plant or animal derived to simulate orange flavor
the color isn't the worst of it. While neither version is 'good for you' the UK version at least has SOME actual juice in it (4%) and less sugar than the US version.
*everything has less sugar than the US version
Load More Replies...Whoever peed in that bottle needs to go see a doctor about their kidneys
Literally because the food coloring we use in the USA is banned in Europe.
The basic idea of the Fanta came from Germany around 80 years ago and the improved (non-US) version on which today's version is based also comes from Italy. So it's more like the US doesn't want drinks that are too natural 😂
Load More Replies...oh yeah my BF had this once. When they handed it over to him he said "thats more orange in one bottle than you'll see the whole day at Queensday in Amsterdam" :-D
European Fanta tastes like gently sparkling sweet orange juice, and American Fanta tastes like some incredibly sweet orange flavored potion.
As an American who’s lived in a few European countries over the past few years, there are plenty of distinctly American things that I miss but have simply accepted I’m not going to find here. An obvious one is great peanut butter. Yes, I’m lucky enough to live in a place where they actually do sell a few varieties of peanut butter, but none of them ever compare to the beauty that is Trader Joe’s Creamy Salted Peanut Butter. Making my own is a great alternative, but unfortunately, I have no room for a food processor in my current place. So store bought has to suffice.
Having a garbage disposal in my kitchen sink would also save me a lot of grief. I never intentionally let food slip down the drain, but it’s impossible to catch every piece and utterly disgusting trying to clean it out. Lemonade in Europe does not necessarily have any lemon in it, and if I were in charge of naming it, I would just call it a fruity soda. Don't even get me started on the impossible task of finding corn tortillas over here...
western Colorado? eastern New Mexico? Idaho? western Oregon? pretty much all of Wyoming? Oklahoma, literally all of it? huge chunks of Nebraska, the Dakotas, and Montana? Nevada? Arizona? look, i live in the West, have lived in 2 of these states, visited all of them, and i can tell you that if you throw a dart at any of these states, i could locate a town nearby that would have a place like this. Sincerely, a person who lives in Colorado, that state that inexplicably sent Lauren Boebert BACK to DC as our representative.
Load More Replies...My American friends tell me a lot of stories about shootings and how unsafe they feel. It sometimes sounds like they are living in a movie. I feel privileged to live in a country where I feel safe and don't have to worry about idiots with guns.
Sadly i look for exits when i go some where like the movies or stores. Its almost second nature now and thats a horrible thing to have to worry about.
Load More Replies......because fucƙ long hair and fucƙ school children too. 'Murica!
There was a time when Walmart sold guns. You could buy some bread, a pair of socks, a new VCR and a freaking GUN in one store.
The first gay speakeasy in my town was called, "Mabel's Beauty Shop & Chainsaw Repair."
Well, they should comprehend it. It's amazing. Sweet and salty. Yummo!!!
Reactions to this image from me and my partner. Me: "That is very American". My partner: "Yup. Can I try this?"
To anyone who knows: What is the recommended bacon and chocolate that could be used to make something of this kind? My partner was absolutely not kidding about trying it so we're going to go make it, but ned to know what would make it more authentic or better flavour wise.
Load More Replies...In fairness the European mind can't comprehend what Americans call bacon.
That’s it. I’m done. I’m moving to Norway. So long America.
This is a good thing! Pay livable wages, employers!
European here, I have a question. I learned by now why you give your service personal tips (even though I still find it bizarre that the employer is unwilling to pay good wages on his own), but why should I tip a machine? It doesn't even have rent to pay!
Load More Replies...I hope I live long enough to see tipping die out in the USA except maybe for exceptional service in some situations where someone goes above and beyond. Servers / workers should go to work knowing they will get a livable wage instead of "I hope I get enough tips this week to cover my rent". I have been to about 24 countries. My home country of USA is the only one I've been to where just about everyone expects a tip and the problem has been getting worse over the years.
People get a tip if the service is good. You don't know that on forehand. If they do a bad job they don't deserve a tip. But in this case you need a decent wage system.
FYI you typically see a screen like this on a tablet at a food truck. It could very well be the owner who is serving you.
Sometimes I tip 100% if I feel like it. My choice.
Load More Replies...There are also definitely a few things on this list that I am fond of or can’t help but laugh at the idea of my European friends encountering. One of which is Buc-ee’s, the beloved gas station and convenience store that’s a must-stop on all Texas road trips. I grew up in Texas, so I’ve been to Buc-ee’s more times than I can count. But there are probably more gasoline pumps at any Buc-ee’s location than the number of times I’ve visited.
If you’re unfamiliar, Buc-ee is the large cartoon beaver depicted in a few photos on this list and the mascot of the convenience store chain. Buc-ee’s is a huge shop with merchandise, fresh kolaches and fudge, a large menu of food, a huge array of snacks and drinks, plenty of clean restroom stalls and the friendliest employees in Texas.
I think everyone in the UK has had one in their cupboard at some point!!!
Load More Replies...I have one of these cups. It's a 64oz. But I fill it halfway with water then freeze it over night, top it off with water in the morning before work and then refill as needed throughout the day. There is usually some ice left by the time I get home. It's only bad if you fill it with soda. They have excellent insulation and will keep ice for a full 8 hour shift in a hot factory (plain injection molding... so like average 90°)
I was actually thinking it would make a great water bottle. May be tempted to get one next time I'm in the US.
Load More Replies...If I can fill it with water or tea this seems like a quite useful drinking container to me.
Load More Replies...Another thing that is not an American norm. This is a gimmick. They exist - my daughter had one from a different brand of gas/mini-store but hers is the only one I have seen in person. Except some on the shelf of the store she got it from. And she didn't use it too often because it is kind of a pain to use - heavy if full.
something similar came up on my american Aldi group a while ago. So many women replied that they had one or something similar. All i could think was "why do you want to cary 2 liters of water around" but then again, I can use tapwater wherever i go so i just bring a flask.
I would say this is good if you are in a situation where you can't fill up a normal-sized cup/bottle regularly. Truck driving comes to mind, or like the one person posted, using it as a giant all-day thermos at a work site. I wouldn't want to fill this thing with soda - even diet soda - because it would get yucky and flat before I could finish it.
I'm american. I live where these types of signs are everywhere. I still don't get it. I just know it turns my stomach. The number of signs telling people they're going to hell, or abortion is murder, or other carrot/stick scenarios is ridiculous. It is distasteful and manipulative and really lays bare the harm that religion does.
Human parent: "Do as I say or I will torture and burn you!" Everyone: "Call CPS!" God, allegedly: "Do as I say or I will torture and burn you!" Too many people: "Let's worship that guy and make laws based what He has supposedly said."
Load More Replies...What are you talking about? Half the planet is still stupidly religious that means they are every f*****g where.
You are wrong. Non-religious people are abt 1.1 billion (16.3%). All the rest are religious. https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/sj14-soc-religmap/world-religions-map/
Load More Replies...Hell is Birmingham, UK. The postcode is B23 6NN. I think it's the one with the skip filled with the used up damned souls out front. On the plus side, there is a Chinese takeaway around the corner
"The best thing about Birmingham is the people. There aren't any. Only trolls." - Simon Munnery
Load More Replies...We have a few of these in the Netherlands, sadly. Newr Zwolle yilou can see it from the highway. It says Jesus saves.
I didn't know the public swimming pool in Zwolle has a Mexican lifeguard
Load More Replies...The act isn’t necessarily American, but that stupid truck is.
Load More Replies...Those tires are begging to be slashed. I don't endorse violence, but picture someone who is mobility impaired trying to navigate around this d-bag.
My granddad would have whacked the brass handle of his walking stick on the headlights.
Load More Replies...I wish that my peers from European countries could have the experience of visiting Costco with their parents, enjoying 10 different samples and a slice of pizza and bringing home the world’s biggest box of crackers. Or showing up to the local abandoned warehouse in September as Spirit Halloween makes its annual appearance. Sometimes I miss being able to find free public restrooms everywhere I go or popping into a one-stop shop like Target. But I know that when I visit my family in Texas, the air conditioning and Tex-Mex will feel even more special, and I’ll get to enjoy a few trips to massive American stores with seemingly unlimited options before returning back to my current home.
What do you mean? Do other places have these all the time? Where I live, they’re only around at Halloween and take some vacant store and then leave
Load More Replies...I work for a Spirit Halloween too many years ago to remember. Good times....
I think it's more that they seem to pop up the second another shop has gone out of business or moved. But that's only what I've gathered from the memes, I'm just a stunned European lol
Load More Replies...We complain about how early they shops put up seasonal stuff here in the UK. Right now they have Halloween and Christmas stuff up! Won't be long now until they stock up and display for Valentine's Day and Easter
I was gonna say an old blockbuster or barnes and noble
Load More Replies...Five guys is so good though! It’s super unhealthy, but it’s tasty! As for the drink refills, drinks are like 90% ice anyway, so not that much of a stretch, and this photo shows the large cup. They do have smaller size cups.
If they’re free refills why would you ever pay for a large cup??? Just buy small and keep refilling it no?
Load More Replies...Looking at the soda logos, I'm fairly certain this is an AI generated image
It's not. We have plenty of these in restaurants and convenience stores.
Load More Replies...Most such machines have a water option here.
Load More Replies...We do have Five Guys in Europe and the refills are there as well. Paradise if you like all different kinds of Fanta.
Can someone explain to me that if you have free refills, why would you ever order something larger than size small? Or is it cheaper to order a larger size?
Many European countries HAVE no student loans. University is often free, and if you can't pay for your other expenses they are often subsidies available that are not loans.
Load More Replies...That student loan that you will be paying until you die as the interest rates are so high the principal never comes down. Like going to a loan shark.
No student loans in Romania. Free University - except for the fact that, before, you'll have to pass a hard exam. In 1986, my exam for the Faculty Of Physics at the University meant 2 big exams in Physics (all the subjects of study from the last four years of high-school) and one in Math (all the subjects from all the years). There were 80 places, some 7 candidates for one place and the last admission note was 8 (from 10). I had a 9.2...
These loans are scams for the government to suck off teat of poor unemployed students. Shameful and should be eliminated.
I defaulted on my student loans 25 years ago until the Department of Education contacted me to issue a new loan. It paid off the original loan and within a few months I was receiving credit card offers. I was able to pay off the second loan during lockdown when it wasn't accruing interest. A government agency that initially issued me a loan offered me a different loan to pay off the first and instantly improved my credit. I took that as a win.
get the ef out of here. My loan is massive. But at least its from the government and not a private bank.
For a previous Bored Panda article discussing cultural differences between the United States and Europe, we reached out to Maria Haase, travel writer, photographer and Editor-in-chief of Europe Up Close. Maria grew up in Germany but took family vacations around the US every year. She shared that while she had seen many places already, she was still curious enough about the US to sign up for an exchange year in Louisiana while she was in high school. “Talk about culture shock! But I also met some of the kindest and friendliest people there that turned this year into an amazing experience for me. And I certainly got what I was looking for: To get to know the 'real America,’” Maria shared.
I'm American and I can't comprehend this. Is this real? It looks CGI.
It’s real, the third-largest pyramid in the world, the former home court for a college basketball team, and it didn’t used to be this ugly. Built for Memphis’s birthday
Load More Replies...Memphis Pyramid, formerly Pyramid Arena 1991-2007 (used for concerts, basketball, including the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies, and ice hockey). The interior is crazy, it even has a river. Bass_Pro_P...b9-png.jpg
ooo do they have a hotel too because you cant see everything in one day
Load More Replies...Ah Memphis. I hung out in that parking lot in the early '90's because a Greatful Dead concert was going on. Didn't get to see the show, but the parking lot was a blast
Sounds like my Dead experience in NY. We hit the parking lot and the first thing we see is a wagon full of Heineken for sale. Skipped the beer, but partook in a few other festivities.
Load More Replies...The unsophisticated mind loves all things related to gasoline engines, guns, and Country Music.
I have a glue gun and love engines, I'm not unfistkated.
Load More Replies...I don't understand it either. For some reason, everything here has to be bigger, flashier, imposing, and all-encompassing to be considered a success. What a lot of Americans don't understand is, it doesn't mean quality or integrity.
I already had stomach ache before due to some GI infection, now I'm close to throwing up again.
Load More Replies...I'm trying to puzzle out what the end product is supposed to be. I can not imagine the end product.
Some kind of Caramel latte. But from where?
Load More Replies...Here sweet coffee consists of coffee, milk and maybe two sugar cubes. This is really something else totally.
A/C is not a strictly american thing. You know what is? Ignorance about the entire rest of the world.
I'm pretty sure there are ignorant people, even people specifically ignorant about the world beyond their borders, everywhere.
Load More Replies...I live in Northern Europe so an AC isn't necessary in the mild climate. But even countries like Greece for example don't have them cuz the architecture of the house prevents it from being hot inside. ACs are creating nearly 10% of the worldwide CO2 emissions... so I'm glad we're not contributing to that.
Agreed. My parents house, that they built themselves 40 years ago, still doesn't need AC and we reached 38 degrees in the north of Italy this past summer.
Load More Replies...Yes. Sadly, though, the more they get used the more it contributes to global warming. Endless cycle.
Load More Replies...They look different here, but I totally comprehend this. I need the ACs in our home, it would be hell during the summen without them!
Nah we need airconditioning now too due to climate change and our houses are not build for heat (if I speak for North-Western Europe) We only use it when temperature is above 30 °C or so (86 °F/ 303 K).
Well they should give it a try then. I’m not giving up my ac in desert hot Sacramento Valley!
Oh boy, please, dear US Citizens, please educate yourself. There is a world outside your north American small horizon. And this world uses AC and heatpumps, we have vents for our below ground garages too, so no matter what anyone thinks this is showing, it will exist outside th US as well.
Try not to lump in all the citizens of the US with something seen in some meme
Load More Replies..."Culture shock between the US and Germany is not as obvious, but it exists and sneaks up on you," Maria previously told Bored Panda. "Americans are much more focused on the individual, while Germans tend to focus on the benefit of the whole community."
"One stereotype that I found to be very true were the various cliques in high school," she added. "Before I moved to the US, I always thought that was a movie cliché, but it turned out to be a reality when I did my senior year in the US."
Buccees is awesome. Their bbq sauce is my favorite. We have one about 20 minutes down the road.
They pay their staff well and offer benefits (medical insurance) even to part-time employees.
Load More Replies...They have the cleanest, nicest bathrooms. That's a godsend when you're traveling!
The point here are the sheer amount of parking lots around the stadium.
Load More Replies...Literally a tree museum where they paved paradise and put up a parking lot
But good luck getting into a Dodgers game for a dollar and a half
Load More Replies...Enough land for 100,000 people's worth of affordable housing and parks, instead a $100,000,000 stadium likely built with public funds. Always baffles me. I live in a major city, a few blocks from a giant football stadium and there's no public parking, and the building was privately funded. You're expected to use the nearby public transit to get there, or walk, and it isn't a problem
Dodger Stadium cost $23M to build in 1962, but yes, it did wipe out a neighborhood of affordable homes. Most of the residents were Mexican-American, so expendable to the city and state governments of the time
Load More Replies...Ummm I don't get this tbh. Soccer stadiums around Europe can get pretty big. Some have retractable roofs and can seat a lot of people. The main difference to my eye is location. They build them with easy access to public transportation and that is what the majority of people use to get there and back. Also I'm not sure they fund their stadiums 100% on taxpayer's expense or threaten to "move the team to LA" LOL
Again: Not soccer. It is played with the feet and is called football.
Load More Replies...I assume that this is just off a big road, which makes complete sense. America is huge and if you're driving a long time you need food and a pee.
Little difference from roadside taverns or caravan stops of the days of yore if you think about it
Load More Replies...We have so called "Autohöfe" along the Autobahn. They look pretty much the same as this.
The Taco Bell in Bakersfield after driving several hours through the desert might as well be named Xanadu. Sorry that Europeans don’t get to experience that.
Nah Del Taco is my Bakersfield oasis.
Load More Replies...Lay-bys on motorways with motorway service stations, trailers on the side of a dual carriageway that do hot drinks and the best bacon butty for miles.
Stop here on your roadtrip and you better hope theres a full service rest area down the road for the after effects.
This picture made me hungry until I read your comment.
Load More Replies...Haven't seen Taco Bell since moving to Belfast, from the US--but they do have McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, Subway, and Pizza Hut.
What I can't comprehend are gun laws, your healthcare, absence of maternity leave, but having to eat and pee on a long trip? We aren't morons, you know...
Load More Replies...We were also curious if there were any myths Maria wanted to bust about the United States. “I think one of the biggest misconceptions about the US is to think of it as one culture," she said. "Yes, they are all Americans, but someone from California versus someone from Louisiana probably has about as much shared culture as someone from Sweden with someone from Italy. There are so many different cultures within the US, it is impossible to think of it as one shared culture."
Um.....Gravelly Hill Interchange, Birmingham, UK spectacula...cb-png.jpg
If you want a maze of traffic signs and intersections, visit the roads in Flanders and I
Nothing quite like the freeway system in Los Angeles. It's on its own level of hëll.
Beijing China. Dallas and the high 5 levels of roadway. CA has a lot people
Load More Replies...the menu is like 20 pages long. seriously, go find it online. it's amazing in a bad way.
Load More Replies...Must admit, I thought that The Cheesecake Factory was made up for TBBT...
fair. you have to study the menu online if you don't know why this one is on the list.
We have cheesecake factory in Australia...no restaurants just selling take home cheesecakes
Ours is The cheesecake shop not factory tho. I think they get everything, entrees mains and desserts at this one
Load More Replies...I just learned these places exist in the past month and I live near one of the most famous cities in the US and also I hate cheesecake ( yes, I said it. Downvote me as much as you want b*tch it won't change my taste buds.)
That's good! None of us should be as barbarian as cutting off a body part of a baby for no damn reason. Neither religious bogus nor some apparently not even real medical cleanliness is worth doing that, just go wash the baby well and teach your sons how to clean themselves.
Load More Replies...I'm an American living in Europe and my mom still can't get over us not circumcision our son, but I don't see the point. It's a unnecessary medical procedure on a baby, WTF?
Foregen- foreskin with its natural Regenerating the benefits and functions
Load More Replies...I think this is more about the fact that American Doctors just default to mutilation.
We also wanted to know if Maria prefers living in Europe or the United States. “When you have experienced multiple countries for long periods of time, you will have a unique perspective on the benefits and drawbacks of both," she told Bored Panda. "As a small business owner, I'm grateful for how easy the US makes it for me to run my business.”
Just digging ourselves into the ground and hydrate with our root feet!
Load More Replies...Gallons amazed me, I didn't know you can buy such amount of milk or juice. It is 3.78 liters, in Bulgaria the usual is 1 liter and there are 2 liters for family shopping 😁 But I also saw that you can refill the gallon, which I think is great.
I think they mean to say that water/drinks are not sold in gallons in Europe. Usually drinks come in 1L bottles here, so the big sizes are the difference ☺️
Water comes straight from the tap. No need to buy bottles.
Load More Replies...Went to Mexico this year and all the Americans had these, it’s smart really as you don’t have to keep refilling it as it holds so much… not going to lie, I really wanted one
But you have to carry it around all day. It doesn't make much sense if you have a reachable source of water. Where I live, Northern Italy, tap water is excellent and there's plenty of fountains in the streets, so
Load More Replies...in colorado, if you AREN'T carrying a jug or some kind of large water bottle, we wonder where the hell you're from. we ALL hydrate up here; we have to. what i don't understand is the giant group of people that feel they must flavor their water with chemicals to make it palatable. I question their palates.
When you are working outside and it's hot and dry, a gallon of liquid is minimum.
A week ago I would’ve agreed, but right now we’re at day 3 with no potable water in our street so we had to switch to portable water too (for now).
This is my local Taco Bell in Pacifica, CA, at Linda Mar State Beach. It was converted into a cantina a few years ago.
I love this location. It's even better in the fog!
Load More Replies...A restaurant on the seafront? Now, where would I see something like that in the UK...
omg! i know that exact taco bell! next to a good surf spot, too
European minds cannot comprehend using two times the same example in one article?
Pretty sure they have sports fanatics in Europe. In fact, European obsess over football (soccer to Americans)
Yeah but not over college sports. Only the highest level gets attention
Load More Replies...From what I’ve been told, College football is a huge money making machine and the players get nothing. I’m glad I “can’t comprehend“ this.
Free education while most of us go into debt. And an athlete's ability to be there and stay there without help is questionable at many institutions.
Load More Replies...I'm assuming the focus here is on the obsession with "college" sports.
It’s not that we can’t comprehend sports or indeed college sports. It’s that we can’t comprehend the mass marketing of college sports and the amount of money that’s invested in it, coaches are often the highest earning staff at the college/ uni, the media coverage is beyond us and the fanaticism from the college students is next level. Each to their own eh?
“On the other hand, I wish the US had more of a social safety net and more progressive politics,” Maria previously shared. “Each country has things they do extremely well, and other things that they could learn from other countries. I love living in San Diego, but I also hope to spend more time in Germany in the next couple of years."
The Isle of Wight (UK) has a poo museum. Want to know if it was any good?
Load More Replies...I mean, we have a sex/prostitution museum. Surely the USA would be too prude for that
There's a sex museum in New York City, a leather fetish museum in Chicago, and a couple of others.
Load More Replies...In this context 'museum' gets used as a place with a collection. We tend to think "old stuff" when we hear the word but the definition is - "a building in which objects of historical, scientific, artistic, or cultural interest are stored and exhibited" ---- SOoooo - many podunk little towns that don't have anything in particular to get you to pull over and spend money have some sort of 'museum'. I think it was in South Dakota where I stopped and toured a "matchstick museum". It was mildly interesting - lot of of objects all made out of match sticks. It wasn't "great" but also the admission price was fairly minimal so it was a fun stop.
it's my never going to happen but I can still dream about visiting the US and spending a year or 2 travelling state to state visiting all the random museums.
Load More Replies...There's a town in Australia with a 15 m tall fiberglass lobster.
I've been to the Salt and Pepper Shaker museum in Tennessee.
It seems to me that some Americans cannot comprehend a buildings purpose without it being turned into a representation of the thing they are selling or promoting.
We have exterminators with a decorative rat on top of the cars or buildings too. At least that's what I think it is, if it's not, I don't know
I moved out of NYC five years ago and I never thought I'd miss Scabby this much
Giant street rats? No good. You don't want to mess with them! I was in NYC the other day and saw one. Must have the size of a large cat...very mangy looking....peeking out from behind a cardboard box in an alleyway. I swear to god it was looking right at me like I was its dinner. I couldn't shake this weird foreboding feeling. As I started to turn around to walk in the opposite direction the thing sprang out of its hiding place and ran at me. I screamed as it jumped up toward my face, then I ducked. As it turns out there was a pizza guy behind me carrying three boxes for delivery. He was the rat's intended target, not me. The rat grabbed all three boxes out of the delivery man's hands, opened one box, took a bite of a slice, winced in disgust, closed the box and threw it at the guy. He opened the second, took a bite of a slice, closed the box, but kept it. He did the same with the third and kept it as well. The rat then tucked the two pizza boxes under his arm, darted up the side
darted up the side- and then over the top- of the building, and disappeared. It was freaking nuts. The delivery guy got up and picked up the discarded Hawaiian pizza and left. I headed home to bed and had nightmares all night long. I just couldn't shake the image of that rat biting into that pineapple and ham pizza. That look of horror haunts me still, to this day. I mean, my god! who the h.ell orders Hawaiian pizza?
Load More Replies...Ice spice (rapper), I have no idea why there is a trend with putting her on the American flag
Load More Replies...They guy in the top left corner looks like a younger version of Trump.
IKR!!! I had to zoom in when I saw this pic. Might want a DNA test on that guy.
Load More Replies...The amount of "patriotic" clothing is what I find crazy
Load More Replies...We can comprehend this, too. We have our own variety of redneck. Different flag, but the same congenital lack of neurones.
You should look up videos on YouTube of the comparisons of football chants between European and American football clubs.
Whether you’re a confused European or an American who’s just seeing photos of your everyday life, we hope you’re enjoying these pics, pandas. Keep upvoting the ones that either perplex you or make you feel at home, and then let us know in the comments what you think the most uniquely American things are. Then, if you’re interested in checking out another Bored Panda article featuring cultural differences, feel free to check out this list next!
First the inflatable one, now a tattoo... What’s the deal with this critter?
He’s the mascot for the gas station/convenience store buccee’s, don’t know why you’d have a tattoo of him, though
Load More Replies...Hey! Grandpa! Why did you not let me or my dad get tatoos?!?! Oh THAT THING?!? EWWW
My european mind did not comprehend why there is a misshaped depressed penguin on the cookies, until somebody mentiond halloween and i figured out it's supposed to be a ghost.
Ahhh, I thought weird sad duck with a blue wig lol
Load More Replies...Am I the only one who doesn't listen to the warning about eating raw cookie dough...?
They have dessert that resembles real food though. When I look at this I have no idea what it is made from.
Load More Replies...Oh, I love these so much! I love when food has characters on them, especially cookies
It can actually be a life saver when running out of fuel and/or food. Rather than forcing exploration after three hours of driving, this shows all the options at this exit. Also brings mom and pop businesses into the mix that might normally be ignored.
Load More Replies...Yea they prob can't comprehend how much more they pay for gas than in the US. They pay approx twice as much.
Oh yeah, petrl prices are way higher than this here.
Load More Replies...We have food/petrol stops like this all over Europe! Why are they saying we can't understand... I don't
Load More Replies...The only thing I can't comprehend is the fuel prices. They are considerably lower than those in Europe.
I think storage capacity in the US is one factor. Recently an article was written about US oil reserves being the lowest since 1984, and it was still 375,000,000 barrels.
Load More Replies...You are absolutely right. In Denmark a gallon of diesel would be about 7.50!
This isn't that weird. All three of those are owned by the same company - Yum Brands. All three of those brands have struggled some financially. So it was a money saving move in some locations to put them together in the same building and let people choose. I don't know how well this strategy is working for them but basically they are not competitors. As long as you spend your money on one of the three you are supporting the same parent company.
Every time we've availed ourselves of this 'triptych', my family found each product surprisingly satisfactory. We once visited a hardware store that a pizza a parlor inside - we were thus prepared... 8-)
Load More Replies...We actually have KFC and Tacobell in the Netherlands so we understand
ok now im sure this whole thing is rage and click bait.......................;;
If I lived next door, I’d sell my car and never leave the area again.
Not sure now but the corporation that owned all three was called "Tricom Conglomerate" back in the '90s. I used to work for them.
A deep fried rat on a stick , Baldrick would love it. (Americans couldn't comprehend this.)
Private Baldrick: Would you like some Rat au Van, Sir? Captain Blackadder: Rat au Van, Baldrick? Private Baldrick: Yes Sir, it's Rat that's been... Captain Blackadder, Private Baldrick: ... Run over by a van.
Load More Replies...So many people saying it looks like a rat. That's not what I first saw...
Not mention this is the big box store Costco. They’re in Europe as well but this is largely an American thing
NOOOO YOU HAVE AIRLINES IN THE STATES NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooo ok im out of here going to do something useful with the rest of my day :-D
Why would Europeans be jealous of having to fly everywhere, when everything is reachable by train, bus, or car? Much more eco friendly!
Load More Replies...Their Starbucks are SO much better. Better drinks, better food, nice atmosphere made for relaxing, with real mugs. American Sbux is junk.
No they're not. Starbucks sucks everywhere. The base coffee Starbucks uses is extremely terrible and you have to put so much milk and or sugar in it to get rid of the taste of burnt beans. Pretty much every other coffee chain at least here is better.
Load More Replies...We have Starbucks in the UK. Not many people are interested in getting the barista to make a coffee cocktail though
67,000,000 pop U.K. 1240 Starbucks 54,032 people per Starbucks. 332,000,000 pop USA 15,873 Starbucks. 20,916 people per Starbucks. That’s not as far apart as I’d hoped! SB is grim, local coffee shops, better coffee, better atmosphere, better.
Load More Replies...Used to work at a Starbucks on a university campus. The kids could mobile order and pay with their meal plan. We wound up having a ton of unclaimed orders. Easily 20+ drinks sitting there melting or congealing on a daily basis. Eventually we just started giving them away. Our working theory was that they didn't view the meal plan as real money and thus didn't care about wasting it. This image is giving me flashbacks.
But usually it's for dinner, not breakfast I guess lol
Load More Replies.... . . I feel like the idea of feeding greasy food to a hangover is pretty universal . . .
The size of the thing or going on trips with a caravan? Because if you make your way south in summer, it seem that every dutch person gets one for free with there driver license. The past couple years some other nations joined them….I’ve never seen an Italian one. Any Italians here with a caravan?
I feel like Italian driving + caravans would just result in the autostrada looking like the aftermath of a demolition derby.
Load More Replies...And emptier. There are no hostels in Yosemite.
Load More Replies...Caravan holidays? Sorry but so common in the UK that Jeremy Clarkson complains about being stuck behind them every summer
When I used to camp with my sons, transportation was a VW beetle and our equipment was 2 pup tents, two double sleeping bags, and a Coleman stove.
Is this just about the size? Having been around a lot of European countries in a camper, anything this size would be daft. You would never get close to the really nice places. It would definitely negate the freedom bonus of a camper and take a lot of planning where to pitch as opposed to just turning up. Even a smallish camper can be too big for a lot of European roads.
That is a wee little one. People should check out the size of some of the fifth wheels.
We have them in Europe. I love everything Cactus but I'd never est bugs. I have a phobia of dead bugs.
Omg, I have a dead bug phobia too! If bugs or spiders are alive, they are welcome to crawl all over me. I actually love them and try to save the ones that find their way into my house. If I accidentally step on one or accidentally touch a dead bug, I start gagging and I can physically feel where the bug was for at least 5 minutes afterwards.
Load More Replies...Hmmm, scorpion in sugar! I'd take that, just because I want to do taxidermy with the scorpion inside
These are souvenirs found in the southwest of the US. Made for tourists.
I really don't get scorpion pops, it seems like a good way to get your tongue stung (has another jalapeño).
Then they see Alaska and realize it is twice the size of Texas...
Load More Replies...Texas 268,596 square miles (695,660 km2) Alaska 663,268 square miles (1,717,856 km2)
Load More Replies...No thanks, on behalf of my European neighbours, I'll politely decline your offer. Even if you paid us, we wouldn't want them we have our weirdos keep yours .
Load More Replies...After going through this list I’m thinking Europeans must be pretty dense, although I know it’s not true. Just like ALL Americans don’t live like all these images, I doubt ALL Europeans even care about any of this nor do they believe it.
It's one of those its ok to visit but wouldn't want to live there type situations
Load More Replies...In fact, we get all of these as store brand varieties, too. Taste the same or sometimes better for half the cost. Cocoa crispies are one of my many weaknesses.
Load More Replies...I saw it once in Tesco's in Glasgow.....many moons ago.
Load More Replies...Kellogg's variety 8-packs have been around for years in the UK.
I saw something like this once. It was all over the front of some guy's shirt.
THAT'S cheese?? I thought it was butter and was a tad confused.
Load More Replies...It's from tiktok. Someone is making mac and cheese with 1kg of cheese. Its disgusting.
"It's from tiktok. It's disgusting" - fixed your sentence there. Fúcking chinese propaganda machine.
Load More Replies...It looks like it's trying to be queso dip with... cut up hot dogs?????
Load More Replies...Many Subways to be precise. The whole damn city is full with them, they are like McDonald's sitting in every building if it's a place a lot of people frequent through
Load More Replies..."How 'bout some onions? That'll make your icewater." Groucho Marx.
Okay now. The further down I scroll, the more bizarre the list gets. It should have ended at 30 or so.
It's so damn cold in the UK that I can assure you no ice is needed for 8/12 months. Comes out the tap very cold indeed!!
Cool, yes. Giving you brain freeze? No! Out of thr frige is cool enough.
Load More Replies...A restaurant???? What is this sorcery? If only we had these in the UK 🇬🇧
Not just a chicken restaurant. A chicken restaurant run but extremist right wing christian loonies who donate to hate groups, don't want LGBTQA+ people, are general hatemongering f*******s who also happen to make chicken.
Load More Replies...What can't they comprehend? Crappy chicken? It's like they just paired random pics with the phrase. Weak sauce
We have Nando's. From what I hear, it is much better than Chick-fil-a
Okay, they have a bad track record for anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination, but hear me out. You get a spicy chicken sandwich, take it home, and add some chopped kimchi onto it? It's delicious.
You can make your own spicy chicken sandwich and Not support bigots and hate groups.
Load More Replies...For this who can't read the sign it says "Chick.fil.A". I think it's a chicken restaurant
Its a restaurant run by right wing bigots who donate massive amounts of money to hate groups
Load More Replies...We Dutch take our peanuts ver seriously. We have all kinds of peanut butter and even hot peanut sauce over our fries.
There are entire shops DEDICATED to peanut butter in the Netherlands. Pindakaas shops rock!
Load More Replies...We have peanut butter. I don't like it, but we have it. The bit I struggle to comprehend is why it is called Skippy, when Skippy is clearly a bush kangaroo. So well known in fact, that when I ordered kangaroo steak in the Netherlands, the waiter said "there you go, one Skippy and chips" when he brought it to my table! LOL
We do have peanut butter but you will have to search for it. It’s not a standard supermarket item like Nutella. So small stores usually don’t have it in stock. Unless it’s “American week” and they have American themed items like peanut butter, cupcakes, popcorn, pancakes and so on
I can get peanut butter at every Aldi, rewe, edeka... all year round
Load More Replies...Erm...I've been to the Costco in Cardiff...and a lot of cash and carrys are massive warehouse shops. Slide along the ones down Purley Way in Croydon, they look exactly like a Costco inside.
Indeed. Cash 'n Carry places have been around in the UK for at least 50 years. Not on the same scale as modern ones, perhaps, and they were never open to individuals. but organisations such as Scout groups would have memberships. My mum was a Girl Guide leader and with 5 kids at home and not much in the way of housekeeping money it was a lifeline,
Load More Replies...It's been in Melbourne for at least 10 years, it's boring
Load More Replies...We have "Metro", that looks similar and you also have to apply for a membership.
We do. We also have/know about 90 procent of the other items on these pics. Guess someone at BP thinks we are still stuxk in the Roman imperium-age...
Load More Replies...We have arcades in Europe. I've been to ones in Italy, Germany, Austria, England and we have them here in the Netherlands
Come to the UK and have a walk down the promenade at Blackpool and see if you can spot an arcade. In fact, try any coastal resort town. Or any bowling alley, town/city centre. It's rare to NOT find an arcade in the UK
Looks like the American mind doesn't comprehend what the word 'comprehend' means.
Try a "sports" bar...20 screens all showing a different game, from multiple sports.
WHAT AMERICANS don't comprehend is that Europe is NOT a country but a continent with 44 different countries and 24 different official languages . visiting 10 different cities in a couple of weeks is NOT knowing all of EUROPE !
You really think this post was supported by travel experiences? I highly doubt that.
Load More Replies...It's the sports we can't comprehend. American football is basically a rip-off of rugby played by guys in motorbike helmets and the game stops every 30 seconds for an advertising break!!!!!
You mean multiscreen? I watch Netflix on my tablet, Amazon Prime on my laptop, Sky on my TV and another program or play a game on the other TV which is connected to my Sky Q expansion box, pc and xbox
We have Diet Coke and also lime/lemon in it, just less ice and sometimes smaller Glases than the size of the can or bottle.
i feel like most of these folk have never even searched European facts let alone travelled there
Load More Replies...Clearly added by a person who had never been to any European country. (BTW: yes, Europe is not one country)
That's pretty much standard in every pub in the UK, to the point that you usually have to say no ice or lemon/lime please
Not really, if you order coke, ice tea or fanta in a restaurant they'll almost always bring the bottle and a glass with ice, then pour from the bottle until the glass is full and leave both there.
Load More Replies...In ice tea you usually get a lemon or orange slice. About coke, no idea
Load More Replies...My Australian mind can't comprehend how stupid and pointless this list is....
Dear God, another "the World versus those pesky Americans" article. I live in France, not interested. How about an article on "How Spain Views Italy"? Of course not, because no one cares - and no one should. Leave the Americans alone. Feels like some inferiority complex happening here. Or maybe just click baiting. I am joining with the others in ignoring these from here on out except for giving the article a negative rating. Come on, BP . . . . . .
This BoredPanda listicle creator is renown for their divisive listicles stereotyping the US and other countries. It’s pure lazy-a**e clickbait.
Load More Replies...The European mind doesn’t want to comprehend half this list as it implies we are idiots.
This American mind hates this stupid list and whatever it's trying and failing to be clever about
Load More Replies...As a Brit who has lived in the US for 26 years I find these articles so very frustrating. Yes, there are some dumb people that live here, but no more so than where you live. These articles focus on a small minority that do not represent the majority at all. Sure. Americans can be all of the negative perceptions but why do we never look at their many positives? Happy to call the US home and the vast majority of the people here have been warm, kind, friendly and welcoming. Give them a break people!
Thanks for verbalizing that in a constructive way. And I hope your experience here continues to be enjoyable. I know it's been three decades but welcome.
Load More Replies...My Scottish mind can’t comprehend how idiotic these listicles are. You’re really scraping the bottom of the barrel, BoredPanda. With all the hateful listicles like this, you should rename yourself as Toxic Pand.
If you all pissed off my homie lokislilbutterknife, you should be ashamed.
Load More Replies...What an absolutely pathetic thread this was. Bored Panda staff, you’re better than this.
My Australian mind can't comprehend how stupid and pointless this list is....
Dear God, another "the World versus those pesky Americans" article. I live in France, not interested. How about an article on "How Spain Views Italy"? Of course not, because no one cares - and no one should. Leave the Americans alone. Feels like some inferiority complex happening here. Or maybe just click baiting. I am joining with the others in ignoring these from here on out except for giving the article a negative rating. Come on, BP . . . . . .
This BoredPanda listicle creator is renown for their divisive listicles stereotyping the US and other countries. It’s pure lazy-a**e clickbait.
Load More Replies...The European mind doesn’t want to comprehend half this list as it implies we are idiots.
This American mind hates this stupid list and whatever it's trying and failing to be clever about
Load More Replies...As a Brit who has lived in the US for 26 years I find these articles so very frustrating. Yes, there are some dumb people that live here, but no more so than where you live. These articles focus on a small minority that do not represent the majority at all. Sure. Americans can be all of the negative perceptions but why do we never look at their many positives? Happy to call the US home and the vast majority of the people here have been warm, kind, friendly and welcoming. Give them a break people!
Thanks for verbalizing that in a constructive way. And I hope your experience here continues to be enjoyable. I know it's been three decades but welcome.
Load More Replies...My Scottish mind can’t comprehend how idiotic these listicles are. You’re really scraping the bottom of the barrel, BoredPanda. With all the hateful listicles like this, you should rename yourself as Toxic Pand.
If you all pissed off my homie lokislilbutterknife, you should be ashamed.
Load More Replies...What an absolutely pathetic thread this was. Bored Panda staff, you’re better than this.
