The differences between Americans and Europeans, especially Western Europeans, seem to be endless, no matter where you look. The driving culture is different, the restaurant culture is different, and people carry themselves differently when they’re out and about. Even the smallest things, such as the temperature of drinking water, are things Europeans and Americans are ready to disagree on.
However, if there is one thing both sides can agree on, it's that they love teasing each other about these differences. Americans like to point at European high taxes, paid bathrooms, and awful smoking habits. Europeans, on the other hand, like to bring up the healthcare system, sugary foods, and the unfair tipping arrangements.
So, it’s no surprise that when the recent trend of things that the “European mind can’t comprehend” took off, the Europeans were ready to strike back. They all took it personally and came up with a bunch of things that the “American mind can’t comprehend,” and shared them online. Scroll down to marvel at the funniest of them all.
This post may include affiliate links.
When it comes to the differences between the US and Europe, one has to remember that they both are quite big and have lots of different realities scattered all over. Living in California, for example, is not the same as living in Mississippi, just like living in France is not the same as living in Hungary.
So, when it comes to a lot of these judgements, one always has to keep in mind that they often refer to the generalized portraits of society that reflect a lot of the common stereotypes.
That being said, the differences are still notable. For example, one cannot deny that driving is very different on the opposite sides of the pond. The roads in the US are wider, cars are bigger, and distances are way longer. Cars are also more essential in America, too, as they are often necessary for a person to do essential everyday stuff like getting groceries and commuting to work.
European roads and cars are more compact and the rules are more elaborate. Driving is often a hassle and owning a car can be very expensive. If you live in a city, you can easily get away without driving or getting a license for that matter and not feel any inconvenience.
Meh, this one's weak. I learned both the moronic imperial system AND the metric system in my 1990-2000s US education.
This and many other differences between Europeans and Americans seem to stem from the value gap between the two sides. This means that, fundamentally, we simply have vastly different points of view.
Lol, to be fair I’m a Brit and I once ended up on this unexpectedly…I somehow almost reversed into a ride-on lawnmower. So I’ll forgive the Americans not getting this one either 😝
This begs the question of what on Earth were you doing in reverse on a roundabout? I think this one's on you. The whole point of a roundabout is that if you miss your turnoff you can just go round again. Reversing anywhere near a roundabout is insane.
Load More Replies...
Let's be honest: this was never meant to be comprehensible. It's deliberately fiendish.
I think it is the way that you are actually driving the wrong way (anticlockwise) around the centre circle, whilst traffic on the outside is going the correct way (clockwise).
Load More Replies... The Magic Roundabout in Swindon. I've used it and honestly it isn't as bad from the drivers seat as long as you give way to the right
In Greece there are STOP signs on every road before the roundabout. The cars that are already inside have the priority. Otherwise there would be a jamming.
Load More Replies...
Nobody is taking the Magic Roundsbout at more than about 20mph max. You always go clockwise around a roundabout, and always give way to traffic from your right. All of the exits are well signposted. It's remarkably easy to drive.
Load More Replies...
Nobody can comprehend the diabolical Magic Roundabout of Swindon!
The "Magic Roundabout" in Swindon. To be fair, when you get used to it, it really works very well. You can use the central anti clock-wise section to 'skip' going around the whole outer ring. So it has a much better throughput compared to a conventional 5-way roundabout. It also has the added benefit that a conventional, busy 5-way roundabout would definitely have to be controlled by traffic lights- which would create serious delays at this very busy location.
what are you talking about? Roundabouts are the best. Way better than a traffic light.
Load More Replies...
For the American that don’t know what this is - It isn’t JUST a roundabout, it is FIVE mini roundabouts surrounding ONE mega roundabout.
Sounds like some Europeans don't know about Carmel, Indiana. https://www.builderonline.com/land/this-city-has-more-roundabouts-than-any-other-in-the-u-s_o
This is very simple crossroad, it just connects all hell circles into one special circle.
They are implementing roundabouts where I live in Texas. Definitely not as elaborate as this. And most US drivers can't figure them out.
Yeah, because there are no 73 foot or 22 meter trucks hogging two or 3 lanes.
This is a bowl of spaghetti, but roundabouts have gotten much more popular in the US in the last 30 years
This is the worst example of a roundabout and a great example of stupidity.
There are actually some pretty ridiculous roundabouts in central NJ.
I'm european and I cannot comprehend what I'm seeing neither. XD
Nope, I can´t either. What the f*** is this mess? P.S.: That is a rhetoric question.
Holy canoli, that's a next-level roundabout. Where the dickens is that????
Perhaps it's tricky to figure out this particular roundabout in Swindon, but roundabouts are becoming more common in the US every day. Just saw a report on the local news last night that installing them at some troublesome intersections (as opposed to a traffic light) cuts down on serious T-bone crashes by 90%. Because traffic must slow down to negotiate the roundabout, any crashes that happen are not nearly as serious as before. They also cut down commute times. Not necessarily by a lot, but it's preferable to waiting at traffic lights.
One of the joys of a roundabout is seeing someone go straight through at high speed, hit the center hump and catch major air, then flip over and crash.
We have several of those in my city. I don't see how they are superior though.
A roundabout? Ohhhhhh, never seen or driven on one of....oh, wait, yes I have. As we have tens of dozens in my city (Reno, NV) alone.
live in dc, and they are everywhere...and they are gaining popularity...but, the bigger the roundabout, the scarier...some of the roundabouts in paris are a nightmare!
Yeah, I‘m German and I don‘t drive often in bigger cities. Small ones are everywhere, which is fine, but I do not like the big ones
everybody knows its a roundabout. enough with the "traffic circle" talk.
Load More Replies... Why are the lanes wavy entering the roundabout? Was the person drunk when they designed this?
I believe the wavy lines mean, "slow down, dammit!"
Load More Replies...
Take individualism as an example. Americans tend to prioritize individual freedoms over the role of the state in one’s life. They prefer to pursue their goals without the government’s interference. Europeans feel the opposite. They believe that the state needs to ensure that society as a whole is healthy and taken care of. This comes before one’s personal objectives. Overall, it often means that in America, people tend to build themselves up while in Europe, people are more oriented towards communities.
They exist in America. They're just not the same as they once were. The toy is in one half and the food part in the other half
The difference between the personal and the communal come in play in the same driving example. In the US, the cars are bigger to accommodate the driver’s personal needs. In Europe, the cars are smaller so that the roads can accommodate more drivers.
But but how else are the bloodsucking insurance companies supposed to make their profits??? Who'll think of the billionaires?? 🥺
Americans are also more tolerant of offensive speech as they put freedom above anything else. Having a right to express your opinion, no matter how inflammatory it is, is a big part of American mentality. As much as 77% of them believe that “people should be able to make statements that are offensive to your religion or beliefs publicly.”
Living in Germany these are on every house, dont have A/C but these really help keep the house cool
They used to be common here. It's the original bidet, for washing "down there". Bidet is a deprecating name for "horse", since you had to ride it. It was introduced in the late 19th century... as a preventative for both MSTs and unwanted pregnancies, and was first popular with courtesans. "Honest" women didn't touch ( or wash) " those places".
Europeans, on the other hand, are a bit more cautious about things like that. Many tend to be more conservative and prefer to keep their controversial opinions to themselves.
Best add the mainland European minds to the list since I've yet to meet one who does this ;)
The American dream—the idea that hard work will get you further in life—is also still a big part of the American lifestyle. The majority of them believe that you are the one in charge of your own success and your efforts determine where you will end up. No wonder hustle culture is so popular there.
In Europe, people are a little more wary of such ideas. For example, 69% of Germans agree that success in life is pretty much determined by forces outside of your control. This could be your family, your sex, your race, your orientation, how rich you are, where you were born, etc. Maybe that’s why Europeans tend to shun excessive work and value work-life balance more.
I'm German like that clown and I can't comprehend this either. I hope he just wants to share with 12 buddies
Um yeah, American here. I learned to drive on a stick shift.
It looks like just a pen to me. Is there something special about it?
All in all, we are quite different. The great thing is that we can often see past these differences and get along quite well. Sure, we might tease each other about car transmissions and measurement systems, but it’s all rooted in deep fondness for one another.
Not everywhere though. Come to the Netherlands and you will pay like 3 euros for a small one ( 1/4 liter , which is half the size on te picture)
Note: this post originally had 40 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
I'm pretty sure the American mind can "comprehend" a heck of a lot more than this article claims.
Yep, just like the European mind. This stuff is just insulting!
Load More Replies...
What's it with making reverse articles of things that were unpopular on this site recently? First all the celebrity articles, now girl math and boy math that nobody likes, and now this? We already had the reverse and it was downvoted, learn from it!
They use it for clickbait ads on other website/apps. Sadly, it works. I don't think they even care the regular pandas downvote it, it's already served its purpose by then. Turning the worst of humans into money. It's a twisted world we live in :(
Load More Replies... Good job BP "writers", this is the third anti-American "article " in a week. Way to really spread the stupidity and xenophobia, ya àsswipes! I know this isn't true but, by all the hateful shìt this website puts out, sounds like Europeans can't comprehend how to be kind, civil humans. I'd rather be wrongfully thought as ignorant than so blatantly, undeniably a dìckhead.
.....and, here we go again!! Buy an atlas, there's more than just the US and Europe in this world.....
according to BP, electric kettles and public bathrooms confuse everyone.
Load More Replies... Wow, BoredPanda really loves to pit people against one another and create discord. What the heck is it with this website anymore and the amount of stereotypes, negativity, and censorship. Do better BoredPanda. These clickbait listicles based on stereotypes are plain lazy, cruel, and insulting. This site has just becomes so toxic and hate-filled anymore. Why can't their be a neat listicle like: "Fun and fascinating things people love about other countries they've visited"?
New week, new "Americans are idiots" thread. When are we in Europe gonna stop acting so nasty and superior to the US. Yeah they do some things differently to Europe. I'll tell you what, there's a lot of sh1tty things here in Europe too. Some are better, some are worse. But most Americans look at Europe and see differences and think, hey that's cool. Here in Europe we look at the States, and think, ha, aren't they stupid. Can't figure out if we have an inferiority or superiority complex. Jeez, I'm giving up on BP. Gotta find something better!
Thanks for the kind words, Andrew. This "stupid" American truly appreciates it!
Load More Replies...
A lot of Americans do learn about other cultures. We have brains that can comprehend that other countries are different than ours, just like people in other countries.
YET ANOTHER "Americans can't comprehend..." How long before THE NEXT "Europeans can't comprehend..."? If it's not that, it's the obviously fake Reddit posts.
I thought a site called “Bored Panda” would be friendlier. Who wants to join me in creating a site called “FuzzyDistractedKitten”? We could advertise it as a fun repository of art and community and then just post lists of vague cultural stereotypes that we mined from Reddit which we could then weaponize to capriciously vilify populations of our choosing. After all, every individual from a place is identical. Right? Who’s with me? Come on Fuzzy Distracted Kittens! Activate!
Believe it or not, BoredPanda started as a family-friendly site that posted artwork and feel good articles from around the web. They also used to write a lot of original content. Sadly, they have turned into a site that spreads stereotypes and negativity and practices extreme levels of censorship. I've contacted them about how harmful and nasty these listicles are and am met with crickets.
Load More Replies...
We can downvote posts like this all we want, and we can contact BP staff to complain, but these types of posts will never stop as long as they are getting ad clicks. In order for it to stop, it has to stop bringing them money, which means we all, collectively, need to stop reading and commenting on them. It's a shame that they want to make bank on pitting perfectly good people against each other.
as an european what i can't comprehend it's that some europeans are still at work trying to dissociate american people from european one. like if americans were kind of second zone thinkers. this is getting quite heavy now. if i tell it it's only because i used to love that site back in the days. but now, i'm getting kinda bored without bad words play
The only thing on this list I can't comprehend is why BP is still publishing these "articles"
I'm very disappointed that there's nothing on here about the absurdity of American "health care" bills
Some at BP had a bad experience in the US... Because dayum, they can't let this go...
Considering I'm in Montreal and a lot of this is perfectly commonplace here... Many Americans would be totally lost here, I think.
I'm pretty sure the American mind can "comprehend" a heck of a lot more than this article claims.
Yep, just like the European mind. This stuff is just insulting!
Load More Replies... What's it with making reverse articles of things that were unpopular on this site recently? First all the celebrity articles, now girl math and boy math that nobody likes, and now this? We already had the reverse and it was downvoted, learn from it!
They use it for clickbait ads on other website/apps. Sadly, it works. I don't think they even care the regular pandas downvote it, it's already served its purpose by then. Turning the worst of humans into money. It's a twisted world we live in :(
Load More Replies... Good job BP "writers", this is the third anti-American "article " in a week. Way to really spread the stupidity and xenophobia, ya àsswipes! I know this isn't true but, by all the hateful shìt this website puts out, sounds like Europeans can't comprehend how to be kind, civil humans. I'd rather be wrongfully thought as ignorant than so blatantly, undeniably a dìckhead.
.....and, here we go again!! Buy an atlas, there's more than just the US and Europe in this world.....
according to BP, electric kettles and public bathrooms confuse everyone.
Load More Replies... Wow, BoredPanda really loves to pit people against one another and create discord. What the heck is it with this website anymore and the amount of stereotypes, negativity, and censorship. Do better BoredPanda. These clickbait listicles based on stereotypes are plain lazy, cruel, and insulting. This site has just becomes so toxic and hate-filled anymore. Why can't their be a neat listicle like: "Fun and fascinating things people love about other countries they've visited"?
New week, new "Americans are idiots" thread. When are we in Europe gonna stop acting so nasty and superior to the US. Yeah they do some things differently to Europe. I'll tell you what, there's a lot of sh1tty things here in Europe too. Some are better, some are worse. But most Americans look at Europe and see differences and think, hey that's cool. Here in Europe we look at the States, and think, ha, aren't they stupid. Can't figure out if we have an inferiority or superiority complex. Jeez, I'm giving up on BP. Gotta find something better!
Thanks for the kind words, Andrew. This "stupid" American truly appreciates it!
Load More Replies... A lot of Americans do learn about other cultures. We have brains that can comprehend that other countries are different than ours, just like people in other countries.
YET ANOTHER "Americans can't comprehend..." How long before THE NEXT "Europeans can't comprehend..."? If it's not that, it's the obviously fake Reddit posts.
I thought a site called “Bored Panda” would be friendlier. Who wants to join me in creating a site called “FuzzyDistractedKitten”? We could advertise it as a fun repository of art and community and then just post lists of vague cultural stereotypes that we mined from Reddit which we could then weaponize to capriciously vilify populations of our choosing. After all, every individual from a place is identical. Right? Who’s with me? Come on Fuzzy Distracted Kittens! Activate!
Believe it or not, BoredPanda started as a family-friendly site that posted artwork and feel good articles from around the web. They also used to write a lot of original content. Sadly, they have turned into a site that spreads stereotypes and negativity and practices extreme levels of censorship. I've contacted them about how harmful and nasty these listicles are and am met with crickets.
Load More Replies... We can downvote posts like this all we want, and we can contact BP staff to complain, but these types of posts will never stop as long as they are getting ad clicks. In order for it to stop, it has to stop bringing them money, which means we all, collectively, need to stop reading and commenting on them. It's a shame that they want to make bank on pitting perfectly good people against each other.
as an european what i can't comprehend it's that some europeans are still at work trying to dissociate american people from european one. like if americans were kind of second zone thinkers. this is getting quite heavy now. if i tell it it's only because i used to love that site back in the days. but now, i'm getting kinda bored without bad words play
The only thing on this list I can't comprehend is why BP is still publishing these "articles"
I'm very disappointed that there's nothing on here about the absurdity of American "health care" bills
Some at BP had a bad experience in the US... Because dayum, they can't let this go...
Considering I'm in Montreal and a lot of this is perfectly commonplace here... Many Americans would be totally lost here, I think.
