Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
A lot of things differ from country to country—not to mention continents—making some people quite confused about the way inhabitants of the lands far far away live. Whether it’s faucets, windows, or shopping habits they find surprising, some things might simply make no sense for those not used to them.
Redditors recently discussed the topic after one of them posed a question to the ‘Ask Reddit’ community. They addressed the American members of the group asking what is something that Europeans have or do that makes no sense to them, and the respondents had plenty to share. Scroll down to find their answers below and see for yourself whether they do or do not make any sense.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
I'm Canadian, but it's always baffled me that some Europeans consider a half hour's worth of driving a long time. That wouldn't even get me out of the area I'd consider local
Gustav Gallifrey 2 years ago
A friend i hadn't seen for a long time moved to a town 100km away. In Australian terms, that's practically just around the corner.
80 Van 2 years ago
Same in the US. If it takes an hour or less to get to you by car, then you are my neighbor.
Load More Replies...
Skinny Pig 2 years ago
In the US people regularly commute up to 4 hours a day. It's awful and I wish it weren't so commonplace and that we had better options.
Sean 2 years ago
I used to commute two hours a day and hated it. My heart goes out to anyone doing four.
Load More Replies...
Vix Spiderthrust 2 years ago
Yeah, it's that old saw "Americans think 100 years is a long time, and Europeans think 100 miles is a long way".
Liam Walsh 2 years ago
Yeah - I don't think that's massively true for most with a brain in either situation. Americans have been building for a good couple of centuries and many Europeans have a long commute into cities for work. Cliches and stereotypes.
Load More Replies...
StumblingThroughLife 2 years ago
The UK is a tiny fraction of Canada/USA, being, in total 209,331 km2 (80,823 sq mi), but saying that, half an hour isn't seen as that long to us. It takes roughly 15 hrs (without breaks) to drive from one end (L) to the other - which will probably seem tiny to Canadians/Americans, lol. Image included. Edit: Had to delete and redo post due to editing removing the image. main-qimg-...b2d13.jpeg 
Michael MacKinnon 2 years ago
Scale matters for knowing how far things are. In the Province of Ontario, where I live, it would be a near-continuous 16 hour banzai drive (stop for bathroom breaks, at most) for me to get from Ottawa, where I went for university, to back home near Thunder Bay. And that *still* doesn't span the entire province (it's another 6 hours to the Manitoba border). That, and back in the day when it was printed maps, you had to know that when you flipped the map for Northern Ontario, they *doubled the scale*.
Load More Replies...
Melissa Gallo 2 years ago
But then I've heard of Americans who consider a 25-minute walk a "hike"... to us Euros it's a stroll around the neighbourhood
Philly Bob Squires 2 years ago
I need 45 minutes to get from my house to the local supermarket! USA here... Pocono mountains of NE PA!
RELATED:
#2
Im from Europe myself (uk) and find it strange some people here have carpet in their bathroom. ITS DISGUSTING
Corvus 2 years ago
Don't you just hate it when people upset the bathroom?
Load More Replies...
Hans Georg 2 years ago
I hope you don't confuse a shower mat with a real carpet. But yes, it is quite similar.
Helena Murphy 2 years ago
Not sure where in the U.K. you are ….. but NO we do NOT have carpets in our bathrooms!
Sans Serif (Sans) 2 years ago (edited)
This became a (US) trend sometime in the 1960s extending into the 1970s, about the same time wall-to-wall carpeting became popular. If you are now carpeting the entire house (likely less kitchen (but, who knows)) why not do the bathroom as well? Lured, I'm sure, on the perceived increased warmth without realizing the biology experiment it would create. It started to fall out of popularity in the 1980s and you rarely see it newly installed (or not laughed at) anymore. We bought a house like this and pulled the carpet before move-in, even though remodeling was probably still a year off...
Load More Replies...
Lise Brouillette 2 years ago
I'm in Québec and the last thing I want in a bathroom is carpet. YUK
#3
Football hooliganism. You'll beat people just for wearing the wrong shirt to the wrong bar. Its a horrendous practice
der sebbl 2 years ago
Don't act like racism is only a problem in the US, we have the same problem here in Europe
Load More Replies...
Lil Miss Hobbit 2 years ago (edited)
Just because it could be worse doesn't mean it isn't bad. Just a thought.
Load More Replies... Shark Lady 2 years ago
Luckily it's nowhere near as bad as it was in the 80s. Anyone who isn't a hooligan sees it as a national disgrace.
Sean 2 years ago (edited)
In fairness, Philly fans also beat each other up. And throw batteries at Santa Claus. And destroy the city after winning the Super Bowl. There was a magistrate’s court built into Veterans Stadium for a good reason.
Load More Replies...
Patrick Linnen 2 years ago
It is not reported as 'hooliganism' in the States when when fans riot. Acts similar to hooliganism are rarely reported at all. The biggest that I remember were the riots after college football Coach Paterno got sacked and his awards were taken away for covering years of SA by Asst. Coach Sandusky. And that got put down the memory hole quicker than the scandal did. Which was a week or so longer than other football scandals that attracted national attention.
liam newton-harding 2 years ago
Umm, riots in American cities? Burnt out cars, smashed windows, when your team wins!?
#4
As an idiot american with 2 parties I only understand left wing and right wing, europeans have a party for everything. It's confusing, but I wish we weren't a 2 party state tbh
Fat Harry 2 years ago
As an American you have no idea about left wing and right wing because, by European standards, both of your parties are right of centre.
Luke Branwen 2 years ago
"Right of centre" is a nice euphemism for the unadultered fascism the Republicans are trying to establish.
Load More Replies...
Jrog 2 years ago
Politics are not only left and right. There are a lot of nuances on social and welfare policies (socialism vs individualism), on where the degree of power conceded to government (authoritarian vs liberal). The chart It's less a straight line and more of a cubic 3D grid. American society decided to ban any nuance that is not "individualism", swap the meaning of "authoritarian" ad "liberal" (the party advocating "freedom" is the same advocating restricting civil rights for minorities and women... TFW?) and call it a day.
Lorraine 2 years ago
Left and right is so outdated, and people just want desperately to fit every party ot politician on one side. This is part of a bigger problem not only on the USA.
Load More Replies... Hans Georg 2 years ago
I may be wrong, but isn't it that the US political system theoretically allows more than those established two parties, but they are just simply blocked? Like the Green Party?
Frank Russell 2 years ago
Not blocked, per se, but the majority parties (Democrats and Republicans) have colluded to make it very difficult for a third party to get any traction. You know your system is screwed up when being thuggish is the only thing the two competing parties can agree on.
Load More Replies... TheAmericanAmerican 2 years ago
As an American political-junkie living in Europe, here's how the 2 US parties compare to Europe's: Democrats=Center-Right and Republicans=FAR-Right(fascist)
Red PANda (she/they) 2 years ago (edited)
Ehh nowadays more of our democrats are starting to become more left-leaning. Or at least a lot of the ones in my generation (Gen Z) are. How our country has handled issues as of late (school shootings, the pandemic, everything that orange guy did, etc.) has sort of made us lose faith in our country, or at least lose our patriotism. My theory on why the US is so screwed up right now is that the true flaw of America is its education system. If the education system were better, people would be smarter and vote better and push better ideas, etc. However I do acknowledge that I am only going off my experiences that I’ve had and it might be different in other parts of the US.
Load More Replies...
Vermonta 2 years ago
There are other parties in America. Nobody votes for them because we need to vote against the worst guy running. Today, America is a multi-party system. "The Democratic Party and the Republican Party are the most powerful. Yet other parties, such as the Reform, Libertarian, Socialist, Natural Law, Constitution, and Green Parties can promote candidates in a presidential election."
General Anaesthesia 2 years ago
And raise more than a billion dollars from altruistic corporations to get them elected.
Load More Replies...
Sina 2 years ago
Europeans have a party for everything, because the people voting have different views and ideas, and they should all be represented in a parliament. The opposition has a vital role to play in a government, even if it's not the governing party. Sometimes governments are formed by coalitions which allows more discourse. It sounds to me way more democratic than what's happening in the US tbh.
Andreas Deml 2 years ago
There are still two blocks. We have more parties, but the choice is like Rep A, B or C and Dem A, B or C.
Matthew Fox 2 years ago
There are more than 2 parties in the US.but the powers tha be have done Avery good job convincing the masses that's Rs and Ds are different and suppressing 3rd party candidates.
#5
It makes sense to me, but it still seems marvelous to me that in France (other places I'm sure, but I learned this in French class) it is common to buy groceries every day. You may wake up and go to the bakery for fresh baked bread, or stop by for fresh produce on the way home to make dinner.
Yes, having walkable grocery stores nearby makes it easier, it seems so much easier to buy 3-4 days or a week's worth of groceries at a time.
Skinny Pig 2 years ago
I did this in Argentina. I loved being able to just get what I needed every day. Food is always fresh, cuts down a lot on waste, you get a little bit extra exercise, and you can make exactly what you're in the mood for that day.
Florian 2 years ago
And you can also get food not stuffed with all kind of additives.
Load More Replies... Sean 2 years ago
Living in a rural area in the US, this one is a foreign concept. The closest grocery store is a 20 minute drive on the highway.
Caro Caro 2 years ago
I live in rural France. Shops are 20 minutes drive so not all of Europe can walk to shops. If I start walking now I'll be back just before midnight LOL
Load More Replies...
cerinamroth 2 years ago
I do this in Germany. The fresh bread here is divine - I buy a half-loaf every other day. Fresh fruit and vegetables every day. I get heavy stuff delivered. Easy if you can walk or have a bike. More exercise and a healthier diet - what's not to like? When I heard that many homes in the US don't even have a greengrocers within walking/cycling distance, I realised why there's such an obesity problem.
Mark Fuller 2 years ago
There are literally loads of local stores and shops on the UK. So handy. Sadly, the privately owned ones have be surpassed by national chains, but being able to walk to three small supermarkets within less than five minutes is great!
Edda Kamphues 2 years ago
How else would you get your warm breakfast bread rolls?? Bakery across the road!
Mimi La Souris 2 years ago
near the big cities, it is the case, in the countryside, many small shops have closed for a long time and you have to go to the supermarket
Will J Dochartaigh 2 years ago
fresh baked bread, fresh produce <~~ key words right there. Fresh is nice
Segu Rohdes 2 years ago
outside out of USA its a common activity. In Mexico as an example, everything taste better with "tortillas calientitas", daily hot tortillas directly from tortilleria
#6
Better chocolate. Why can’t we have nice chocolate?
Jihana 2 years ago
Because since WW2 Americans are used to the taste of butyric acid. It used to be used to keep the milk from spoiling, now it's added because Americans actually prefer it that way.
Jcusack 2 years ago
I mean, I'm American and I'd "prefer" my chocolate without it. Hersey tastes like butt... (I know it's not the only company with it in it, but by far it's the worst tasting)
Load More Replies...
The Scout 2 years ago
Because you deliberately make it worse. In WWII, Americans began to add butyric acid to their chocolate. That was originallly to disguise problems with the raw ingredients, as it allowed to use spoiled and lower quality milk. When the supplies normalized, companies kept the butyric acid, still allowing for lower quality ingredients but also having become an aquired taste for many - only if you are not used to it, it tastes like vomit.
I'mNotARoboat 2 years ago
"According to this 2000 article from Penn State News, the butyric acid comes from not the chocolate, but the milk in the chocolate. As fatty acids in milk decompose, in a process called lipolysis, you’ll end up with that rancid taste. The article says that Hershey’s deliberately puts its chocolate through that process, giving it that signature divisive flavor. This means that even if butyric acid isn’t being added, it’s something that can show up as part of the chocolate making process"
Load More Replies...
Synsepalum 2 years ago
America does have nice chocolate, but it's not as widely available as the Hershey's stuff. It's more boutique chocolate.
Liam Walsh 2 years ago (edited)
Probably the same in most countries I suspect! We all have the cheap and cheapish brands that are widely avaiblable and then small artisan producers making fantastic chocolate. I did try Hershey's in the US and brought some back for my work colleagues (instantly they said it tasted like vomit) but I'm NOT judging all of the US chocolate based on that! I LOVED Reese's peanut butter cups!
Load More Replies... 
I'mNotARoboat 2 years ago
That's not it at all in this case. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/hersheys-chocolate-tastes-like-vomit_l_60479e5fc5b6af8f98bec0cd
Load More Replies... 
Sharkie 2 years ago
Not sure but I presume it's because companies do their best to make the chocolate (or any product) as cheap as possible and in Europe we have many regulations to everything... sometimes it's too much because it's mostly financial or political decision, but many of these rules make our products safe and we can be sure about it :-)
cerinamroth 2 years ago
Because someone decided butyric acid would be a good additive to make it melt at a higher temperature and last longer. Unfortunately, it's the same stuff in human vomit. No wonder Hershey's tastes absolutely rank to Europeans! (Having said that, I know you also have much better chocolate available.)
#7
It's not that it doesn't "make sense," but the first time I saw those windows that can be moved a bunch of different ways, you would have thought I was seeing a rabbit being pulled out of a hat, that's how amazed I looked. Tilt and Turn Windows
teenytabs 2 years ago
We have this in America as well. My house came with them and it was built it 1997.
Liam Walsh 2 years ago
I don't think anyone should be shocked - why wouldn't the US have them?!! OP grew up in a cave? 😁
Load More Replies... 
Pat Quenville 2 years ago
I loved them….,we put them in in our house in spain and it wasamaxing to me
#8
Saw that mostly in the UK, having 2 separate faucets for hot and cold water?? What the hell lol? Washing my hands was the worst.
Phendrena 2 years ago
Long long ago, in a time forgotten.... Hot and cold water are kept separate to prevent contamination, cold water comes into the house directly from the mains supply and is safe to drink. Hot water was provided by an Immersion heater generally located in the loft of a house and as it sits there it is considered unsafe to drink. Water bylaws prevent hot and cold from being mixed - this still applies today, water is NOT allowed to mix until is exits the tap.
Tyke 2 years ago
Any other Brits remember those plastic hose things you had to buy to turn two taps into a mixer tap - would also pop off halfway though trying to wash ;)
Joey Marlin 2 years ago
My parents bought those! You could squirt water just where it didn't belong!! 🤣
Load More Replies...
Sandy Price 2 years ago
We have that in the states too. Most older houses faucets are all like this.
Michael Largey 2 years ago
We live in the US, and we have that. In this, like most things in life, timing is everything.
Shark Lady 2 years ago
For many years the hot water came from a tank rather than the main system and the water wasn't safe to drink. Now that it is being phased out the majority of places have mixer taps.
Tim Fawcett 2 years ago
Hot water in the UK, post-war came from a tank heated by a boiler - there was a header tank in the attic to provide the pressure for the hotwater - it was often left open so it was not unknown for birds or rodents to get in the tank and drown. You really would not want to drink the water. Why it was done this way I don't know but I suspect in the post war building boom, where materials were in short supply it was done to save on copper and the like, same as the UK habit of wiring ring mains for electricity.
#9
The cute sounding police sirens. In America the police sirens seem like an urgent, semi-deranged warning to GTF out of the way, like **S**T'S GOING DOWN AND I'M NOT THERE!!!!! MOOOOOOOOVE!!!!!!!!"**
Meanwhile every European police siren I've heard just kind of politely annoy you out of the way. Like "bee doooo bee doooo, pardon me but a spot of bother has occured and I simply must hasten to it, pardon me as I simply must attend to it, pardon me."
And the police cars themselves are so small. American police cars are big and brawny, like they might need to make their own garage door into building. The European police cars I've seen, where they even put the people they arrest? Granted, I've only seen European police stuff on TV so there's probably a lot I haven't seen.
Swoo 2 years ago
Haha, so I grew up in a town in southern France... the city center dates back a thousand (if not more) years ago, as in many places across Europe. That city is partnered with a big one in kentuky and they gifted a BIG police car to their french cousins. Nice! municipality police was so proud of their shiny BIG AMERICAN car. Butt of the joke : just try and picture that BIG AMERICAN police car manoeuvering in those medieval streets ; the result was hillarious and not efficient at all in cathing wrong doers.
Sina 2 years ago
I almost got stuck in an alley like that in Greece, with a mere Ford Focus...I can't imagine how comical what you're describing must have been XD
Load More Replies...
Jan Rosier 2 years ago
Smaller but faster cars to get somewhere quickly, the arresting vans follow at a slower pace... In general, arrestees are not put in the back of the car but in a van.
Jihana 2 years ago
European sirens are actually objectively better because they can be heard from farther away. Also why do you have to be scared to make way for police cars/l, fire trucks or ambulances?
Nice Beast Ludo 2 years ago
Every time sirens go off behind me, my stomach lurches. And cops are like "WHY ARE YOU NERVOUS?? DO YOU HAVE DRUGS???" And its like no- you are just scary, and should be more wary ofc the people who aren't nervous
Load More Replies...
JJ 2 years ago
When I (German) went to the US for the first time, it was so, so, so weird to hear the police sirens because it sounded like a movie. German tv is full of American TV shows and movies and it wasn't until this moment that I fully realized, it's not just a tv police siren but real. Never gave a thought about it before.
Lady Lava 2 years ago
That's exactly what I thought! I'm from the Netherlands, with the "cute" bee-boo sirens 😁, and the American ones are in my mind very much associated with TV series and movies.
Load More Replies... Susie Elle 2 years ago
Try manouvring an American car over European roads and you'll know why the cars are smaller
Tim Fawcett 2 years ago (edited)
Bill Bailey in the subject - https://youtu.be/oGSNxkCIln0?si=RWmB7uy0mU4onm37
cerinamroth 2 years ago
Watch the Bill Bailey clip on YouTube about police sirens in Europe vs the UK! I highly recommend it!
Octavio Maldonado 2 years ago
Police sirens in Europe are “polite and quaint.” The sound of “wee-woa, wee-woa” makes them nearly classical music. The sirens in the USA signal “imminent nuclear attack,” “run for your dear life,” “a flying house is about to fall on you, seek underground shelter.” This is true for all kinds of sirens here. Every Wednesday at noon during the spring they test our tornado sirens. At the end of every test I’m ready for therapy.
Miss Frankfurter 2 years ago
Gonna get down voted, but I don’t like the European beee-doooo beee-dooo. It just makes me think of the Gestapo sirens in WW2. I like the sirens here in Canada, because heck ya, take really quick notice and pull over. Some drivers are so ignorant about that and if people in the car are blasting music, you need something that loud to even hear the sirens that we already have. Make it loud and get out of the way, quickly. The cop car will be driving at quite a speed. Move it!!
#10
The smoking. I stayed with a host family in France and my 16 year old host sister smoked like a chimney, as did all her friends. Like you're so young. Why?
Zephyr 2 years ago (edited)
You smoke to look cool the first time then the nicotine hits you, you'll never be really relaxed without it
Beatrix Bennet 2 years ago
the bathroom walls at my old house leak nicotine when it gets moist
Load More Replies...
Royal Stray 2 years ago
Depends a lot on the country, in France, England, Bulgaria, Romania and Denmark it's very common, in Sweden, Iceland, Norway and Luxenburg it's looked down upon by a lot of people
LandAhoy 2 years ago
In the UK it's much rarer recently, but vaping is common. Most smokers I know gave up and just vape instead, after the government raised the prices of cigarettes to over £15/$18 a pack, subsidised vapes and said how much healthier vaping is. Now some evidence is coming out saying it might be worse.
Load More Replies... Robert T 2 years ago
My gf was offended when her taxi driver lit up in Poland. She'd got used to almost everywhere being smoke free in the UK.
Melody Wallace 2 years ago
I would be offended too. Secondhand smoke is dangerous to breathe in and makes you smell bad. Wait until customers are out of the car to light up the cancer stick. It’s not like Europeans are some primitive people who are unaware of the risks
Load More Replies... James Huggett 2 years ago
The shooting. I stayed with a host family in America and my 16 year old host sister shot like a gunman as did all her friends. Like you're so young. Why? 😉
Melody Wallace 2 years ago
Teenagers smoking is definitely far more common than them using guns lmao
Load More Replies... Donkeywheel 2 years ago
Why? 50 years of aggressive advertising from anglo american tobacco brands.
Niamh Gallagher 2 years ago
This has changed more in the last 18 years. It is illegal to smoke indoors both in the UK and Ireland. Smoking has become less common mainly due to health and price.
François Bouzigues 2 years ago
It is the way so-called rebels end up being the perfect citizens, paying way more taxes than the others, and not costing society a lot in pension because they die before.
Kjell Sørensen 2 years ago
Here in Norway there are very few smokers. And almost no one is smoking inside
#11
Why you guys like to put bathroom light switches outside the bathroom?
Hawkmoon 2 years ago
This is mandatory as a safety measure: the switch must be placed out of reach of the shower or bath to avoid touching it when you are in the water.
Jrog 2 years ago
Eh, not really. There are minimum mandatory distances from the water sources, but having a switch or a plug in the bathroom is definitely feasible by the rules of most EU countries.
Load More Replies...
Delian Terziev 2 years ago
It is about entering dark room without windows and searching for the switch. We put light switches outside bathrooms, toilets, storeroom etc.
nm 2 years ago
There are wall-mounted switches with a tiny LED, so to be seen in the darkness.
Load More Replies...
ColdSteelRonin 2 years ago
As an American I would hazard a guess that it's something that predates GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupt) as the 220v that is common in Europe is much more hazardous than the 120v that is used in the states
Michael Largey 2 years ago
This should not be a problem with any properly installed switch.
Load More Replies...
Miss Frankfurter 2 years ago
Outside the bathroom? So, your sitting on the toilet and some annoying person (like a sibling) comes along and turns the lights out. Great. Just great.
Hans Georg 2 years ago
Do we? No, at least in my house the light switch of the bathroom is inside. The light switch of the guest toilet is outside. But it also has an indicator lamp that it is being used.
#12
In Germany, apartments don't normally come with a kitchen. It's purchased/installed by the Tennant. Sometimes you luck out but not usually.
Martin Rezac 2 years ago
This is usual when the whole building is brand new and you are BUYING the apartment. So you can decide what kind of kitchen do you like. I can imagine that sometimes this might happen with some long-term rent, like 10+ years. Otherwise no one will rent a flat without kitchen.
Na Schi 2 years ago
Not sure in which region of Germany you are living, but I, as well as my friends, have rented multiple flats without a kitchen. Though sometimes you've got the option to buy the previous kitchen directly from the former tenant - as it fits and as the tenant also will have to buy a new kitchen for their new place.
Load More Replies...
Agfox 2 years ago
If I lived in an apartment in Germany I'd install a large sign in my kitchen that read "Installed by Dr Who" - wait, I may be misreading this post
Cat Chat 2 years ago
Maybe only slightly misread it. It didn't say THE Tennant, so maybe just someone with a similar name 😉
Load More Replies... 
Kimberly Erlinger 2 years ago
Wait. Does the tenant then remove and take the kitchen to the next apartment?
cerinamroth 2 years ago
Often, yes. But that's because there are more long-term rentals in Germany (because tenants have better rights) and homeowning isn't such a major life goal here.
Load More Replies...
Show thyself 2 years ago
I like my kitchen. It's personalized, it grew with me (new Apartment often meant that slight adjustments where in need) and most likely I'll take it with me when I'm moving again.
rorschach-penguin 2 years ago
WTF, and you guys have a problem with the American housing market?
Ritchat 2 years ago
This sounds more severe than it actually is. I'm German and I've never moved into an apartment without a kitchen. Neither has any of my friends. Either the landlord had at least installed an oven, fridge, and sink or I took over the kitchen from the former tenant. Was about 500€ for the kitchen and parquet put in by the tenants in our current flat. I'd never spent 10K € to put a kitchen into a rental property.
Carla Mollica 2 years ago
What is included in term kitchen? My cabinets/bench tops/sink wouldn't fit any other unit here in Sydney Australia. Each unit in each building has such a unique size/layout.
Tee Boyd 2 years ago
I'm in Australia too. As a tenant, the idea of packing up a house/unit plus the kitchen is giving me anxiety. If I think back to all the rental kitchens I've had, none of them would fit in the next property. 😄 No guarantee the next tenant would like the kitchen I chose either and keep it. Imagine the insurance & repairs if a tenant had things incorrectly installed and the removal was a butchered job. Kitchen fitters & Insurers would make good money though.
Load More Replies...
Sylvia Weiss 2 years ago
German here (Hessen). The (empty) room, with the power-current-connection (does thos word exist?), and the water-connection (for a sink) - this is ment for the kitchen. In my experience, it makes a difference if a big rental company (Wohnungbaugesellschaftg) is the landlord or a privat person. Maybe I´m wrong and the difference is the point of time (decades ago or now) - The rental company apartment was with sink and oven.
Raphael Biock 2 years ago
We love our kitchens, so like furniture they come with us when we move.
#13
I’m from the Midwest and my family is from the Netherlands. So the society that wouldn’t dare offend you in any way and the society that has no problem dropping truth bombs on you. It’s rough.
cerinamroth 2 years ago
As a Brit living in Germany, I feel this in the feelies. Absolutely takes some getting used to. But now I like it!
martymcmatrix 2 years ago
Greetings from 🇩🇪 ••• I will now try to explain this by using a scene from »Gran Torino« by Clint Eastwood. In one scene, the Asian protégé of the grumpy white neighbor is supposed to greet the old man's barber just as he demonstrates...they both enter the barber shop and Old Grumpy says something like, »Howdy rowdy, stinky motherfiretrucker. How are things going?« and then he gets a reply in a similar wording......and THAT's exactly what it's all about...
Load More Replies...
Sadie Parkes 2 years ago
My Dutch GP once asked me ''What do you want me to do about it?'' For a few seconds I was taken aback because in the UK that is a passive-aggressive insult, but then it clicked that the GP was actually asking me *what I wanted to do* (eg medication, further exploration, referral to a consultant...) because MY healthcare was MY choice and my GP could not make the decision for me!
Tee Boyd 2 years ago
That's funny. I also agree with why it was said that way. I'm so used to GPs telling me what my healthcare plan should be. I never thought to decide for myself and wait for their response.
Load More Replies...
WhiteClawOfDeath 2 years ago
It's more a difference in communication. Direct or indirect. Nothing to do with politeness.
Oerff On Tour 2 years ago
We remain polite, but we say exactly what we mean. Oh, you got your feelings hurt? Tough luck.
Load More Replies...
Edda Kamphues 2 years ago
Yep, if someone asks you 'how are you?' in Germany, you get exactly what you asked for. After years in Australia, I still find it hard to let go of that (sometimes rather brutal) honesty.
Frank Russell 2 years ago
Sounds like American voters: Vote for the candidate that wouldn't dare insult you and then complain when everything is a sh!t show. But never vote for the candidate that tells you the truth you really need to hear. That might be offensive!
Safy 2 years ago (edited)
I live in the Midwest, and I am baffled. I moved here from the East Coast, so maybe they don't like me because I am not from here. I find the people to be intolerant, rude, self centered, and terrible drivers. I don't find them to be overly polite or friendly in the slightest. lol
CC Boom 2 years ago
I can honestly say if you're not from the South you're not liked. Yankees all around. Depends on where you're at on the east coast. Up north? Probably more direct and what we'd consider rude. As a Southerner, you as a "foreigner" will probably get passive aggressive comments lmao. And yeah they're terrible drivers. Specifically if they're Yankees who moved to FL and came halfway back (colloquially called halfbacks or floridiots). Worst drivers ever.
Load More Replies...
Peter Korsten 2 years ago
It works a bit like this. If a Brit says "oh, we must surely meet up again, it's been ages", it means "we must most definitely not meet up, I've met chartered accountants more interesting than you, and I'd rather be selling LGBTQ+ flags in rural Arkansas then ever see you again. In the Netherlands, if they don't want to see you, they will tell you so. Another example is when you went to have your hair done, and a colleague tells you: "Goodness, your hair looks like c**p." Or they make a joke out of it: "Did you fall down the stairs?" Meaning: "Did they shave your head in hospital because you needed cranial surgery?" We Dutch a a merry bunch. Must be the weather.
Michaela Riedrich 2 years ago
Someone once put it quite well. If you ask an American how he's doing and that person is doing badly, he says, „fine, thank you“. If you ask a Brit, he says „not too bad“, if you ask a German, „I feel like s**t“.
#14
No a/c, sure fine, but then no screens on your windows so all the bugs get in? (Not sure if this is all of Europe, but def the UK).
Also no top sheets?
FeelingFrisky 2 years ago
I just like that you used the word "nary". Make me chuckle. Maybe it's the lack of sleep!
Load More Replies... Ace 2 years ago
Top sheets on the bed? No, the quilt cover is removed and washed whenever you do the bottom sheet.
Kelly Scott 2 years ago
I use a couple light blankets for a top sheet and they get changed and washed every time I change the bottom sheet. They're starting to look a little raggedy though. LOL
Load More Replies... Martin Rezac 2 years ago
We dont have any dangerous bugs and also there are not that many. I am not ruining my window view because of couple flies and tiny spiders
Hiram's Friend 2 years ago
Obviously you don't have mosquitos or horseflies or deer flies.
Load More Replies...
Cynthia Short 2 years ago
Every week? They are so much harder to put back on than a top sheet!
Load More Replies... Tobias Reaper 2 years ago
we really have no need for aircon as it rarely gets that hot as for bugs again its not usually a problem due to the weather
Aline 2 years ago
In Scotland people just accept bugs will get into the house! And then complain about moths and wasps etc. Someone could make millions convincing them screens are a good idea.
Load More Replies... 
StumblingThroughLife 2 years ago
Top sheets? If you mean 2nd sheets on the beds, most of us use duvets with covers that can be washed as regularly as sheets.
Raumpfleger 2 years ago
If I didn't let the bugs in, what would the spiders then be feeding on?
BookFanatic 2 years ago
I asked an Irish friend and he said because there aren't that many bugs in the UK to worry about screens. Somebody please confirm (or deny...).
Ren Karlej 2 years ago
Very true - there's not a great deal and certainly nothing that's going to cause any harm. Have the windows open now (dark outside) and very little comes in. I did no-mow May to try and help the insect populations because they are rapidly declining.
Load More Replies... #15
Was just in southern Italy and it was hot as balls but everybody acted like they hate AC.
We’d go out for the day and when we came back, housekeeping had turned off all the AC units.
Driver wore a full suit but every time we got in the car, AC was off. We’d ask him to turn it on and he would but on low. Ask him to blast it and he would for a minute then sneakily turn it back down.
It’s like they’re reptiles or something.
Jihana 2 years ago
Or maybe running the AC all the time, even if you are not home, is a waste of energy? Also, you get used to the heat a little bit, but only if you actually experience the heat.
Sharkie 2 years ago
Big differences in temperature are not good for health. If it's hot outside and cold inside, many people will have sore throat and they easily catch a flu-like symptoms.
anima vienna 2 years ago
Used to live in NYC for a while. Some neighbours kept the A/C running in WINTER because the apartments were overheated. When I suggested *opening a window* I was told: 'But the baby is used to A/C'! They were heating and cooling at the same time. What a waste of energy and money. So who thinks Europeans are weird :))?
Kayjunmoon 2 years ago
Southern Italians like the heat on the whole. Also there are regulations in municipalities that prohibit the use of heaters/ac in certain months to save energy.
Sina 2 years ago
I would go check the energy consumption by country - which also relates to emissions and environmental impact. #1 is China, which has 1,5bn people, and #2 is the US, that has 330m, #3 is India with 1,5bn people as well. My point being, it's not like people in Europe hate the A/C, rather that we use it when absolutely necessary. Many european countries have a very strong environmental conscience and they're trying to minimize their impact. Personally, I'm from Greece, all the bedrooms in my apartment have A/C. We'd turn them on for a couple of hours when we went to bed, set it to turn off by itself, and it was enough. The rest of the day, we're either out, or at work, or school or whatever. It's not needed. Now I live in Sweden, there's no A/C anywhere because it's not needed. The weeks that it's warm aren't nearly as many as the months that it's cold.
Simona Gauri-Reisch 2 years ago
I'm Italian. AC is little used in Italy, mainly because electricity is very expensive. The average household has 2.5Kw and typically you need to pay attention if you're running your dishwater while passing the vacuum cleaner. AC is just an electricity sucker... For the car is the same reasoning: gas is more expensive than in other European countries due to state taxes, and AC will make your car use more.
#16
Idk if its all Europeans but Germans have a real big problem with staring like I owe them money. Also paying to use the bathroom in public spaces.
cerinamroth 2 years ago
Germans are very curious about other people. It takes a while to get used to the staring! (Speaking as a Brit who is now a Brit/German). It's nothing personal, they are just curious. I like to be considered interesting enough!
Teutonic Disaster 2 years ago
Hopefully I'm not just projecting here, but no, we're not (just) curious, we're (also) judgy.
Load More Replies...
Kariali 2 years ago
I'm Swiss and a lot of times, I was told by US-citizens that at first they thought I was flirting with them, as eye contact is something we do while speaking to each other... I actually find it very confusing not to make eye contact when being talked to.
Terry Tobias 2 years ago
I'm American and I look a person in the eyes when I speak with them. To me it's rude not to.
Load More Replies...
Oskar Hauser 2 years ago
It's not a "problem" it's a cultural difference. Just like the physical distance you keep to strangers is different from culture to culture, so is the length of time you look at someone. Looking directly at someone is seen as open and polite because you acknowledge their existence without bothering them. Looking away too quickly means you've stolen a peek and there's probably something wrong with the way they look. Because otherwise why would you avert your eyes this quickly?
ShadySlytherin 2 years ago
Because there was no reason to be staring at them in the first place?
Load More Replies...
Cooter McCoughlin 2 years ago
They're cleaning your soul with eye contact!
Load More Replies... Sadie Parkes 2 years ago
One has to pay to pee in the Netherlands, but I don't mind that because they use the money to pay for a cleaner and the toilets are often spotlessly clean.
Nikki Sevven 2 years ago
I didn't mind at all paying to use a public bathroom, because they were always clean.
Kim Armand Nielsen 2 years ago
It is not Germans staring its Americans selecting themselves out by being loud!
#17
Charging for bathrooms and charging for water (at restaurants) are both things that I would have expected Americans to do and Europeans be the ones making fun of it.
Jrog 2 years ago (edited)
Not really everywhere, there is usually a small charge for filtered chilled water. It's usually like 2€ top, while a bottle may cost five times as much.
Load More Replies...
Karl 2 years ago
Restaurants in the UK don’t charge for tap water and most public toilets (apart from in railway stations) are free - well, providing you can actually find one!
Robert T 2 years ago
On top of that, all cafes and restaurants above a certain size must provide toilet facilities (for the use of their patrons).
Load More Replies... Fat Harry 2 years ago
We don't charge for bathrooms. We charge for toilets. Why do you call a room with no bath a "bathroom"?
Scott Rackley 2 years ago
Fine Mr. Semantic, you charge to s**t, we don't. We offer free water with your meal, you charge. That clear enough?
Load More Replies...
Ace 2 years ago
The 'paying for tap water' thing is largely a myth. Sure, in many places you need to specify when ordering it otherwise you'll get bottled water by default, and yes there are places where the tap water is not drinkable or has to be transported (like some mountain restaurants) at some cost, but these are exceptions, not the rule.
Shark Lady 2 years ago
Tap water is free but you must specify it. The charge for using public toilets pays for the cleaner and toilet roll etc. This isn't everywhere though.
StumblingThroughLife 2 years ago
Not in shopping centres, restaurants, etc. This is mostly external standalone public toilets, Airports, Train stations.
Jrog 2 years ago (edited)
Once again, the stat is misleading. I am tired to retrieve the data, check my comment history for specifics. Basically, there are more free public access toilets in the part of Europe with less of them (Spain) than there are overall public toilets in the better equipped state of USA. Pay toilets are common in some public spaces to pay for cleaning, and they are generally pretty good. All the places open to public must have mandatory access to a bathroom, contrary to at least part of the USA.
Royal Stray 2 years ago (edited)
Luckily this is disappearing more and more, København Hovedbanegård haven't gotten that memo yet though... As for the water some places do it, some don't it's not even the same in one city but up to the restaurants themselves. Most will give you free tap water if you're in a country where it's drinkable though
#18
Monarchies
Corvus 2 years ago
It's mostly because of tradition. Apart from that, they serve no real purpose, indeed.
censorshipsucks 2 years ago
I always thought they were cute tourist attractions.
Load More Replies... Vix Spiderthrust 2 years ago
And yet America is hastily building its own aristocracies. The Kennedys, the Bushes, the Clintons, the Trumps and the Bidens are all consolidated generational wealth, which is a working definition of an aristocracy.
Load More Replies...
Aldhissla VargTimmen 2 years ago
I have a lot of respect for our monarchs today... it's not like old times anymire where they do as they please. A lot of expectations come with it and I don't think I would be able to withstand the pressure. Also, our monarchs are required to be politically neutral. That's a plus if you have to send a representative to a country that might be the complete political opposite.
Tim Fawcett 2 years ago
It gives the Murdoch press something other than immigrants to whine about
TheAmericanAmerican 2 years ago
Us Americans spend 25% of every tax dollar on our insanely massive military, while the Europeans spend a percentage of their taxes on... monarchies. Not sure which is worse honestly
Becky Samuel 2 years ago
In the UK the monarchy costs each person £1.29 a *year*. The percentage of our taxes is minute.
Load More Replies...
James S 2 years ago
The British Royal Family is a medieval anachronism that serves no purpose in a modern democracy, and it is proven that they cost more than they generate in tourism as well as being excessively secret, hardly do any work, and represent the inheritant classism and nepotism that still infests the UK today. I say as this as a British citizen.
Richienotsorich 2 years ago
Sources please...because everything I read and know says the opposite. Every American tourist I met going to London wants to see Buckingham Palace...and Harry Potter.
Load More Replies... Miss Frankfurter 2 years ago (edited)
Canada officially dropped the monarchy thing when we got our own constitution. They’re just head of state and we have kept some traditions. We kept the Queen around because we really liked her. As far as I’m concerned, Charles and that woman, no. I wanted Parliament to order a skip in generation to William and Catherine. Cold day in h€!! for that to happen. They already do some really great things. I will say, they cost waaaay too much and I don’t understand why the citizens have to pay for them to be there. None of them are exactly poor. They could afford not having the pay check.
Mark Fuller 2 years ago
I'm not a monarchist but have a lot of time for Charles because he speaks up and has a view/opinion, unlike the queen, who was largely symbolic. It's a dangerous game to play but while he doesn't get involved in politics, he's always been a huge environmentalist and I support that agenda entirely.
Load More Replies...
ADHORTATOR 2 years ago
In 1905, there were only three republics in Europe: France, Switzerland and San Marino.
#19
You all give us so much grief for having bathroom stall door gaps, and then have a one foot wide piece of glass to keep water in the shower…
martymcmatrix 2 years ago
Why are there mirrors inside an elevator? The glass door should avoid an impending anxiety but furthermost it lets you take a shower without switching the lights on, when showering at daylight and there are no windows missing.....you're welcome
Load More Replies... Royal Stray 2 years ago
I don't get this, glass doors cover the entire shower area and are usually going all the way to the floor
Santrikea 2 years ago
I don't get it either? Do they mean there's nothing covering 3/4 of the shower area?
Load More Replies... Jrog 2 years ago (edited)
We are supposed to learn not to spray water around when we shower at, like, 6 years old. Aren't you? Glass showers are much cleaner and better looking than curtains.
Patricia Steward 2 years ago
OMG, I was in a US hotel recently that had this -- got the whole damn bathroom wet! I mentioned it when I checked out, and the female employee smirked and said she bet it was designed by a man.
Shark Lady 2 years ago
It works, as long as you angle the shower head properly. It's easily to keep clean as well.
Nice Beast Ludo 2 years ago
I was using a public bathroom and a little girl runs up to every door peeking through the gap. I said "excuse me!!" From my stall and the mother got mad at ME for being rude to her child
Glynn Reid 2 years ago
To be fair, we're not showering in a restaurant or bar. Not in the UK anyway!
#20
Lack of public restrooms
rullyman 2 years ago
Totally agree on this. It's a real problem in parts of England. When I moved back from Japan, where nearly every convenience store has a clean well maintained toilet, it was a struggle for me.
Panda 2 years ago
Even the cafes sometimes do not have toilets! As a person with anxiety when not in the vicinity of a toilet I have often problem going out.
Load More Replies...
Sunshine Lady 2 years ago
Yep, that's hard. Especially with kids. Even most of our supermarkets don't have restrooms for customers.
Tracy Wallick 2 years ago
IIRC the availability of free public restrooms in the US stems from the Americans With Disabilities Act, something which we take pretty seriously.
Carrie de Luka 2 years ago
To be fair, most European countries have very similar laws and take the same issues seriously with The European Accessibility Act with constant work via the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights. I speak as someone who has worked as an advocate for disabled people and is also disabled. Free public lavatories are considered a must and strategies to ensure they remain in place, alongside access to lavatories in high footfall public areas such as public buildings, retail, transport hubs, food outlets and cultural venues.
Load More Replies... Kelly Scott 2 years ago (edited)
In the US, we never let anyone use our bathroom when I worked at a convenience store. Reasons were as follows: druggies shooting up, drunks passing out, c**p and pee all over the floor, someone putting shaving cream all over the toilet seat. One of my coworkers fell for the pleading mother with my-son-needs-to-go-right-now and the kid managed to untwist one of the sink handles and stole it. Then my manager heard about someone using a bathroom in an office building downtown. They fell and hurt themselves and sued every tenant in the building. From then on, only the staff, the cops (and firefighters if they needed to), and our contractors were allowed to use our restroom.
Joey Marlin 2 years ago
In the UK many shops allow people with certain health conditions - Crohns Disease, Colitis (the main inflammatory Bowel Diseases) for instance to use the staff toilets. There is a 'can't wait' card they can show - though trying to get it to be that they can just ask and don't have to explain. I'd be surprised if there wasn't similar accommodation in the US? Though totally understand the reluctance. Some people are grim ☹️
Load More Replies... Raumpfleger 2 years ago
That's why half an hour drive is considered a great distance over here, you wont get back in time to use your toilet if needed. 😂😂
David Frazer Wray 2 years ago
We do have plenty of restrooms, if you mean rooms where people go to rest. We prefer to call them bedrooms, because there's generally a bed in them. So you can rest. Oh! You meant toilets! Sorry. No we haven't had any since the Big Constipation Crisis in 475 BC.
Katri Alavalkama 2 years ago
This is a generalisation if there ever was one. Entirely depends on the country and the area. For instance, in Finland you will easily find a public restroom. Travelled in different parts of Europe and sometimes it is a problem, other times and in other places it is not.
Ivana Bašić 2 years ago
Since we pay 50c for it, we go into almost any café and just use theirs.
#21
Beans on toast.
cerinamroth 2 years ago
On top?! Heathen! According to my hubby (who actually likes baked beans), it must go on the toast with the beans on top! ;-)
Load More Replies...
Robert T 2 years ago
Food of the gods. I'm sure you feel the same way about your disgusting biscuits and gravy! /s
ColdSteelRonin 2 years ago
Actually not a fan of the biscuits and gravy, I find it to be quite bland
Load More Replies... 
Huddo's sister 2 years ago
Spaghetti (actually Spagasaurus is even better!) jaffles, yum!
Load More Replies...
ColdSteelRonin 2 years ago
I did this before I knew it was a Brit/European thing. It is quite good
Red PANda (she/they) 2 years ago
This! I don’t understand it at all; I imagine it’d taste good but the texture is a no for me
StumblingThroughLife 2 years ago
Delicious, also being full of fibre, protein and B vitamins to having pretty low calories (minus added cheese, that is).
#22
My British grandma always had a plastic tub in the sink to soak dishes. It seems so weird to have a sink in a sink basically.
Ace 2 years ago
Also protects the plates and glasses that you're washing in it.
Load More Replies...
CaptainFluffy 2 years ago
Is this not the norm? It’s really handy if you don’t want to immediately do the dishes but need to use the sink for something else as you can just lift the bowl out.
V 2 years ago
We just stack our dishes to the side of the sink until we're ready to wash them.
Load More Replies...
Tyke 2 years ago (edited)
We have a basin in our sink. Otherwise when I let the plug out, tiny bits of food would go down the drain and block the pipes... old UK buildings = old plumbing. And it's bloody expensive getting those fixed. Pls note: we have no dishwasher, so use this for washing the dishes at least 3 times a day.
Skinny Pig 2 years ago
That's how my mom would bathe me so as not to get baby filth on the same sink as you wash dishes lol
ShadySlytherin 2 years ago
WTF is "baby filth" and why did your mother not think that she could clean her damn sink in about 45 seconds?
Load More Replies...
#23
To all you Italians: why can’t I have a cappuccino past noon??
PandaGoPanda 2 years ago
I was identified as a Brit when travelling in Africa by the Italian next to me because I asked for milk in my coffee!
Load More Replies...
ninjaTrashPandaBoom 2 years ago
Cereal is good anytime! I will fight anyone on this!
Load More Replies... The Original Bruno 2 years ago
To all you Washingtonians: Why can't I have a bagel past 10 AM? I know you've got them in the fridge! You ain't getting these POS bagels made fresh daily...
John Barelli 2 years ago
Italian adults tend to be lactose intolerant, and so avoid milk in general, although I little in the beginning of the day doesn't seem to bother them. Because of that, it's become a tradition thing, and Italians take their traditions about food very seriously. Oh, and before you go on about how that's silly, ask yourself when was the last time you had a big bowl of oatmeal for dinner. Yes, you can do it, but people will look at you funny if you do it in a restaurant. But if milk doesn't bother you, then you do you. Just remember that if you do it out in public, you might get a few odd looks.
Michał Osiecki 2 years ago
frothed cappuccino milk has no more lactose as steaming breaks it down
Load More Replies... #24
The poop shelf in Dutch/Belgian toilets.
Alt Beel 2 years ago
Also don't get it. Didn't notice anything strange on their toilets.
Load More Replies... Raumpfleger 2 years ago
Widely used in Austria too. They originally came for the ability to inspect the poo for medical reasons. I personally like them because you don't get your butt splashed with toilet water when the dump dumps into it.
Arnaud 2 years ago
Indeed. I discovered this strange toilets while visiting friends in Austria. We don't have ths in France. When I asked my friends about it they told me it made scooping for analysis easier. I answered that it happens like one every ten years and I' can put toilet paper at the bottom so my poop will stand on it. I really enjoyed flushing the poop with this shelf though. Like setting up a wave for a surfer!
Load More Replies... Jan Rosier 2 years ago
errr... nope, very rarely. In my experience this is very much a German thing, having a shelved toilet.
cerinamroth 2 years ago
In many German toilets, too. Some Germans are a bit poo-obsessed. It's true that poo is an indicator of health, but there's no need for a microbiological analysis every day!
Natalie Bohrteller 2 years ago
You never know when you have to take samples, makes it a lot easier ;) inspection decks are practical!
Load More Replies... Agfox 2 years ago (edited)
OK, I had to look this up, these toilets are more widespread than Belgium. Here's a link to a website with a pic of one in The Netherlands (seeing I'm unable to upload a pic for some reason) https://noplacelikeanywhere.com/destinations/europe/netherlands/bathroomsoftheworld-dutch-toilets-and-the-poop-shelf/
Zull&Panda 2 years ago
YES! I remember this being one of the first things I told my parents when I went to Netherlands as a teenager with the school. At the same time dutch kids were shocked by a Turkish toilet they found in an Italian pub XD they called me saying "there's a hole in the floor!"
Teutonic Disaster 2 years ago
They've gotten very rare in Germany. I guess they're still produced, but if you stumble upon one, odds are, it's been there since way before Y2K.
The Original Bruno 2 years ago
Oh my, the stink must be unbearable! One benefit of pooping into water is that only the exposed poop gives off smell!
martymcmatrix 2 years ago
This shelf is used for »ringing the poop bells«....please don't hesitate to ask me what a poop bell is...🔔💩🔔
#25
It's not that it makes no sense but I've always been curious how carbonated water became the default in many places
Jrog 2 years ago
We don't drink soda or cola with meals, so carbonated water is a healthier alternative when you want some refreshment that is not plain water.
ShadySlytherin 2 years ago
... but it IS plain water. This is so odd to me
Load More Replies...
Raumpfleger 2 years ago
Tap water is of excellent quality in most countries. Carbonated is not the default, but the only bottled water you may see because for still water you just go to the next sink. Also it's widely used to mix drinks. We drink a lot less soda (the sugary type) here, but many people like their juices mixed with water. And last but not least: at least here in Austria, "Gspritzter" (half wine, half carbonated water) is one of the most common alcoholic beverages sold after beer, especially on hot summer days.
ShadySlytherin 2 years ago
Wait did you just tell us that you all are over there watering down JUICE?! Like I do for my 5 year old?
Load More Replies...
Sharon Ingram 2 years ago
Stationed in Naples Italy in 1984. Went to local trattoria and asked for water. Bottled water was 6 Lira, so I asked for tap. Came in a pitcher. Had floaters. Hair, bugs, etc. asked for the bottled, con gas. (with gas; I.e., carbonated). Never got tap after that and I still prefer sparkling/mineral water.
#26
England's fascination with large print flowered wallpaper with various colors that don't go together especially when you stand in the hallway and see where all the rooms converge.
cerinamroth 2 years ago
Haha!! My MIL is a little bit wild and indecisive. She's had a traumatic life, poor love, but she's done good with the cards she was dealt. When I visited, she was trying to choose a wallpaper for the front room - three very different styles, including one hot pink one with black velvet flocking, one with pink roses and another stripy one (I think). Next time I visited, she had simply put all three up in one rather small room because she couldn't decide. I felt a panic attack coming on when I stepped in there, there was so much to look at! :)
Sven Horlemann 2 years ago
God, that killed me as a German, too. But. Once back from visiting friends, our own all white colored house was so... cold. At least we since then have a moderate use of coloured walls. That goes back to the initial visit in the UK.
Janice - Hazeldine 2 years ago
Dont forget the patterned carpeting too. I like it. Everything in America is so darn drab.
Robert T 2 years ago
Which one house are you referring to? The only wallpaper I have in my house is used to line the shelves in the kitchen cupboards.
Evea 2 years ago (edited)
Why on earth do you put wallpaper on your kitchen SHELVES?! LOL! That’s seriously weird! At least to me.. Looking forward to learning why!
Load More Replies... Danish Susanne 2 years ago
I must confess, that I rather like those flowered designs. I have not used any, because they are too expensive for me.
#27
Rent their whole lives. I saw this in Germany. I know it's becoming the norm in the US, too, but it just seemed weird to me the first time I visited 30 years ago that most Germans rented their entire lives and never even thought about buying a house.
The Scout 2 years ago
If you have German renter's rights, there is simply no reason to own a house, as long as you do not really, really need the additional space. It practically is "your" place. You can do as you want as long as you don't damage the building substance, the landlord can hardly make any demands, eviction is next to impossible without very compelling reasons. Also, even though having increased over the last years, rent is comparably cheap compared to the real estate prices. In most cases, it simply makes no sense to buy, regardless of your income. Also, far commuting (more than an hour of way to work) is rare here, so people want to stay flexible to move when changing jobs.
The Scout 2 years ago
They are not allowed to be. Politicians always complain that "it does not pay to be a landlord any more" because renters have massive rights, while the landlord has next to none.
Load More Replies... Corvus 2 years ago
Not in Slavic countries. Buying your own home is like a matter of honor around these parts.
Vermonta 2 years ago
it used to be in USA. Now people go broke owning them
Load More Replies... anima vienna 2 years ago
Austrian here. 'All Eurpeans' rent? Yes, they do in the big cities because we have communal housing which is the cheapest way to rent - those apartments are owned by the city, not privately. On the countryside most of the people own houses.
Na Schi 2 years ago
Mostly agree, but in opposite to Austria there isn't much communal housing left here in Germany. Cities sold them to investors who now leech on the renters while the buildings (often) crumble - or they do a complete make-over so attract a much more wealthy clientèle. Honestly I was pretty jealous watching a documentary about Vienna and how it is handled there 😉
Load More Replies... featherytoad 2 years ago (edited)
I'm so sick of being a home owner. If I had the money, I would gladly rent for life. I would have so much less anxiety if I could just call the landlord and they can deal with everything.
Penny Lunger 2 years ago
Lucky if you can get a landlord to take care of everything these days. Rents went up, service went down. Plus if you are living with loud, smelly or rude neighbors anxiety shoots back up.
Load More Replies... Teutonic Disaster 2 years ago
In contrast, I'm always slightly irked by the phrase "buying one's FIRST house" and I'm not talking about filthy rich people. Like, what do you mean your "first" house? Yes, technically it is your 1st, but saying that implies that there will eventually be a 2nd etc and why would that be the case? Then I remember that life happens and Americans also are comparatively mobile etc.
Richienotsorich 2 years ago
You generally buy what you can afford at first, then when children come along or you're earning more money, you buy something bigger or nearer to work. It's rare in the UK to live your whole life in your '1st home'.
Load More Replies... Ann Si 2 years ago
Well, for buying real estate you need a credit. For getting a credit the bank wants to see enough income. For having enough income you need a proper job. More and more Europeans get higher education, study longer, then only find temporary jobs, found families later in life (like in their 30ties, not 20ties). It got harder to buy real estate for a big group of the society. And some people just don't want to take responsibilities that come with real estate when you could just have a landlord doing all the stuff for you
#28
Do any Europeans have a clothes dryer? Why do I think that’s not standard?
Fat Harry 2 years ago
We do, but we're not massively wasteful like Americans. We'll use the dryer if it's pouring with rain in the middle of winter. We won't use it on a gloriously hot summer's day with a gentle breeze where clothes will dry outside in an hour.
Zakaar Bovus 2 years ago
It's literally against my rental agreement to hang clothes on our balcony. No one likes the holier then thou bs, you just look like a d**k
Load More Replies...
Agfox 2 years ago
Slightly off topic but, as an Australian, one of the odd things I found in most of the places we stayed in the US was home owners not being permitted to hang clothes to dry on clothes hoists/lines in their backyards
cerinamroth 2 years ago
That, the lack of public transport and neighbourhoods not being designed with food shops within walking distance - it's almost like some big petroleum/energy companies wanted it that way... s/
Load More Replies... cerinamroth 2 years ago
I've never had one. We have a balcony that is covered. Solar and wind energy is free and clean, after all!
The Scout 2 years ago
I had one once - nearly never used it. A simple clothesline is much more effective if you are not really in a hurry. Also, when the houses are built solid, you do not have such problems with humidity that you could not hang your laundry in the appartment - many people do. Also, no HOAs that could restrict the use of clotheslines.
Alexandra 2 years ago
Having a clothes dryer adds to your electricity bill and causes more wear on your clothes. Drying your things outside is much more environment friendly and it smells better.
Scotira 2 years ago
Also a lot of clothes don't do well in a dryer. If cotton/ linen hasn't been treatet properly before the sewing it tends to shrink quite a bit. And silk and whool don't appreciate being dried in a tumbler at all.
Load More Replies... Kayjunmoon 2 years ago
Why use a dryer when you have the wind and the sun. Even covered balconies allow the clothes to dry. US people may have been conned by the power companies. Also so many US housing associations ban hanging out clothes.
#29
No top sheets on beds.
The first time I experienced "European Style" bedding, I was so confused. When I asked about the top sheet, I was told they only use a duvet. I'm a hot sleeper, so I didn't use it. Ended up sleeping without a sheet over me, which was uncomfortable. But, when in Rome...
Hannahar 2 years ago
That's what I often do in the summer. Or sometimes just use a big towel.
Load More Replies... Foxinamug 2 years ago
If I'm too hot for a duvet, I just use the cover as a blanket. Gives the feeling of being covered without the warmth. (You could also use the cover like a sleeping bag, but then the button end is where your neck is, so not so comfy lol)
cerinamroth 2 years ago
My mum does the top sheet thing and I hate it! I just get tangled and stressed!
Caroline Nagel 2 years ago
I don't use just a sheet because of the tangling. Just not comfortable.
Load More Replies...
Katey Doll 2 years ago
In the UK we just have different togs (weights) of duvets. Summer duvet is 4.5T and winter duvet is round 13T.
PandaGoPanda 2 years ago
Now I'm wondering about American-style bedding. Does the top sheet go on top of the duvet or under it?
WonderWoman 2 years ago
A question for duvet users - how often are you washing the duvet cover?
Robert T 2 years ago
Washed at the same time as the bottom sheet and pillow cases.
Load More Replies...
Rachel Rockwood 2 years ago
Perhaps I'm secretly European? I do not like top sheets, and always repurpose them. A couple are cat beds, one's for picnics etc
#30
Why the hell don’t you guys just serve tap water (if it’s OK to drink) to tables when they sit down? I’m currently in Europe and a handful of restaurants will not even serve you tap water and you have to buy it. This is in many countries too! Wtf it’s free and right there!!!
R Kramer 2 years ago
Tap water is not free. The restaurant has to pay for it as well, even though it comes out of the faucet. Also, they earn their money mostly by selling drinks, so if you drink free water, you won't order any other drinks. So it does make a lot of sense.
Herringbone 2 years ago
In the UK, restaurants are legally obliged to serve tap water free of charge (unless there is some reason they can't). They may charge for the glass, or for service, but not the water.
Load More Replies...
Rob Steenvoorde 2 years ago
First of all, it's not completely free. Second, the water in my country is fine, tastes good and most of the restaurants serve it if you ask for it, but in other countries it isn't and/or chloride might be added to sterilized the water. It's perfectly safe to drink, but not considered to be tasty so it's not served with the food they make. I don't see the problem, it's usually the cheapest item on the menu. For some reason Americans always want some stuff to be free, free water, free refills, free clean toilets - but there is no such thing as "free stuff", in the end everything costs money, you just pay for it in a different (hidden) way. I think in Europe it's more transparent, you pay what you get. No mandatory tips and the tax is already included in the listed price.
WishIWasAFlapperGirl 2 years ago
Why offer a free drink when you can get the customer to buy bottled?! Fair enough if they ask for tap then by all means (UK don't charge for tap). A business is there to make money, not give it away!!
Raumpfleger 2 years ago
Different economic system in gastronomy! Staff are payed by their employers, not by the customers and that money has to come from somewhere. So you are encouraged to order drinks that sell for money. Same with free refills. See it that way: For what you have to tip you server in the US to keep them from starving, you could also buy that stuff extra, same result.
Andrei Iepure 2 years ago (edited)
Yeah, Europeans don't order half a cow and a quarter field worth of fried potatoes every meal. If we did, they'd for sure throw in the water for free. But free water makes up for your lack of healthcare and housing right?
Netta Nyman 2 years ago
I agree with a few of your observations, but most of them are not accurate for many of the European countries, so maybe you should specify the countries you HAVE visited. It is sad if every american/canadian/ other nationality outside Europe reads this and get suspicious and discouraged to visit us. Europe consists of 44 countries with different languages (no, we don't all understand each other!), culture, traditions, politics, gastronomy, climate etc. etc. Maybe you tried to be funny or sarcastic, and I missed it, but this only made me sad. (and yes, I have visited many of the countries you mention, in case you think I am a mountain goat who has not traveled outside my village).
#31
Open acceptance of BO
Oskar Hauser 2 years ago (edited)
Every place smells different. Tourists notice because to them it's an unusual smell. They don't realize they smell as well because they're used to their own scent.
Jcusack 2 years ago
Exactly. And you might not smell your house, but other people can smell your house. Everyone/everything/everywhere has different odors. Just be respectful
Load More Replies... Royal Stray 2 years ago
I don't get this, if someone smells bad they smell bad and you avoid them, it's not accepted it's just that the standard is that you shower to keep yourself clean, use deodorant, and don't shower in half a bottle of perfume
Stephanie Did It 2 years ago
I lived in a European country for 2 years as a child, and sadly I still remember the odors of the people and the interiors of their homes and buildings.
EEP 2 years ago
What country would that be? And what do you mean by open acceptance? Do you want us to push smelly people out of the bus?
Synsepalum 2 years ago
I'm an American, and I'd much rather smell BO than crazy over-perfumed scents. They make me sneeze like crazy.
Gin 2 years ago
I think most people seem to be between the two - clean and deodorised!
Load More Replies... #32
Leaving the windows wide open in the summer. I get that you might not have A/C, but you need a damn window screen. You’re letting all the bugs in like that.
PandaGoPanda 2 years ago
What bugs? Not once found bugs flying in through windows to be an issue. No mozzies here, no poisonous winged thingies, no cockroaches or cicadas.
Hans Georg 2 years ago
Yes. Also we have spiders. They take care of the bugs.
Load More Replies... Daya Meyer 2 years ago
What is it with this fear of bugs inside the house? They are just little creatures which went the wrong way. Moskito? Kill it. Fly? There are traps to kill them. Bumblebee, wasp, bee? Cover it with a glass and set it free. Done. That is nature and I'd rather live with some bugs that miss that fresh breeze of air inside.
Royal Stray 2 years ago
Just build or buy a window screen, it's not that uncommon to do in Europe, but the bugs usually get in no matter what so no-one can be bothered unless you live in a mosquito heavy area
David A Paterson 2 years ago (edited)
All the bugs are dead. This is Europe, remember. The bugs have had 2,000 years of civilization to cope with.
#33
Europeans seem pretty content with their position in life and seem to accept that people won’t change their class/status. Maybe that’s just who I have met though
Karl 2 years ago
Money and status aren’t everything. Work to live and don’t waste your life chasing expensive stuff that adds nothing to your family, relationships, pastimes (I.e. what really matters). The people I know who define themselves by their job and perceived social status are very lonely people who don’t really know who they are. A classic case of knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing.
Cassidy 2 years ago
You said it perfect. However, as Americans don't have universal health insurance and older age protections, the desire to go up in class simply to afford those things is a genuine force to be dealt with.
Load More Replies... The Scout 2 years ago
As opposed to "I want to grind 120 hours a week for the slim chance that I might once get a 30 cent raise"? The "philosophy of staying hungry" is nothing more than dystopian propaganda. "Everybody can make it" was never more than a myth. Ironcially, the "social barriers" are much more permeable in Europe. You can increase your status, you can change your position in life. Even more: You can get into a good college without having money and without going into debt. It's just that that is not on the forefront of the mind. People just have not succumbed to the American "grindset".
Ace 2 years ago
There are two ways of keeping the working classes happy: The "American Dream" promises them that everyone can get out of poverty and achieve anything if they try hard enough; the European reality is that most people are able to earn a decent living wage and afford their housing, car, two weeks per year in the sun and occasional meals out without breaking the bank. If it ain't broke...
TheAmericanAmerican 2 years ago
It's because most Europeans don't waste their lives chasing the fairytale American Dream. Work to live a good decent comfortable with family, friends, and good food and forget about the ridiculously big house, lawn, car, boat, etc.
Fabian Bernard 2 years ago
That's totally it. I'm a happy middle class gardner, with plenty of free time and hollydays. Having enough
afia kooma 2 years ago
We dont think in terms of class or status because our basic rights are covered equally anyway.
Nice Beast Ludo 2 years ago
Sounds like a relaxing way to live. Maybe if we adapted this attitude more people would take vacations and relax and we wouldnt have so many Karens on A Plane stories
#34
Many still believe superstitions like “don’t go out with wet hair or you’ll catch a cold” or that fans/air conditioning can cause illness. This is especially prevalent in Eastern Europe.
cerinamroth 2 years ago
Draughts are public enemy number 1 in Germany! As a Brit, I just don't get it! It's just a bit of air moving around!
René Sauer 2 years ago
I guess you mean draft, right? A draught is something completely different 😂
Load More Replies... Royal Stray 2 years ago
In cold countries going out with wet hair could cause a lot of damage to the hair (it freezes and breaks off) or it just doesn't dry and you walk around with cold wet hair all day. In summer it's nice to dry it outside though, it gets done faster that way
Jennifer Biness 2 years ago
Ok, so, to be fair, A/C actually CAN cause illness- they can have mold in the system, or bacteria to cause Legionnaire's disease
Hans Georg 2 years ago
I often get sick from ACs. But that is because people here tend to put them on very low temperatures.
PandaGoPanda 2 years ago
It's not a superstition, even if technically you'd catch a chill not a viral cold.
#35
Endless s**t talking over driving an automatic. Yeah, I don't drive a stick shift, I'm not a rally car driver, get over it.
Mat Hall 2 years ago
I think most people's aversion to them stems from the fact that they *used* to suck hard, but a modern automatic is a very different beast to the clunky things of old. Automatics are great; so much less faff than manual, particularly if you have a daily commute that involves a lot of stop/start traffic. Press the go pedal to go, the stop pedal to stop - I think overcomplicating it out of some misguided sense of superiority due to your ability to waggle a stick around needlessly is an odd flex!
Load More Replies... Kerensa Scott 2 years ago
there is way less control in an automatic and on our ancient, narrow winding roads that you think are quaint, we need that control...... trust me
Gin 2 years ago
The majority of electric cars are automatic, as they do not need a clutch or gears to power the vehicle. In fact, most electric cars are single-speed and deliver constant and instant power. Going to have to get used to it!
Load More Replies... Royal Stray 2 years ago
Learn both in case you need it and who cares if you have an automatic or not
Wilf 2 years ago
Until recently automatic transmissions simply couldn't cope with the sort of driving the roads of Europe demand. They were too slow and unresponsive. For a long time they were actually worse for fuel economy too. That's all changed, but old habits die hard. I never really feel truly in control of an automatic car.
Gin 2 years ago
If you have a lot of driving years ahead of you, you may have to get used to it in an electric car.
Load More Replies... WhiteClawOfDeath 2 years ago
Yes I shamelessly pretend to be a rally driver when I go to work and driving manual is soooo much cooler!
nm 2 years ago
Particularly if you are forced to use 1st and 2nd gear in heavy traffic.
Load More Replies...
Miss Frankfurter 2 years ago
I think everyone should know how to drive a stick shift. Say you’ve gone to stay at a cottage with a friend. It’s way out of the way, which is nice. You went there together in their car and they drive a stick shift. Some medical emergency happens that they need a hospital and that’s a fair ways away. No 911 there. You have to drive them there. Oops! It’s a stick shift and you don’t know the first thing about how to drive it. That’s a problem.
Wilf 2 years ago
The manual gearbox is gradually dying in the UK. BMW MINI has just announced that their next generation of MINI won't be available with a manual. As all new cars sold here by 2030 need to be electric, it won't be long until driving a manual car is seen as a novelty for classic car nerds.
Scott Rackley 2 years ago
Sigh, another one I have to defend Euros. Learned on stick, still have one. Much more efficient.
Sina 2 years ago
It's not s**t talking, rather not understanding. If you learn driving with a manual, you can drive both. If you learn driving in an automatic though, you're only allowed to drive an automatic car. You'll say "so what?". Well, I drive mini trucks for a living. My company has both manuals and automatics. If I had an automatic only license, my boss would have to make accomodations for me. Now, I can use whichever truck is available. Also, automatic cars weren't the norm in Europe up until 10 years ago.I think it had to do with the fact that automatic gear boxes were more prone to break down due to not being designed to be driven in high traffic and limited space like in European cities, where you don't get to drive at higher speeds. US cities have traffic too, but the distances are far greater and the car gets the chance to go up to gear 5 :p But technology evolved so we got more automatics nowadays.
#36
Dinner takes 6 hours
Swoo 2 years ago
No it doesn't. Not every dinner is a wedding reception or a Christmas/New year Réveillon!
cerinamroth 2 years ago
6 hours for a wedding reception dinner is nothing! The one we went to in France went on for two days, with people coming and going for naps. The weddings in Poland were also at least 9 hours!
Load More Replies... afia kooma 2 years ago (edited)
If dinner is a nice affair and the mood is good, we just stay at the table. It doesnt mean dinner lasts that long, we just dont want to brake the good wibe. Edited to add: for context, im from Norway. Hei (Hællæ), skål!
Kayjunmoon 2 years ago
Where? Europe is so diverse culturally even within separate countries this makes no sense.
What do you think ?
Ace 2 years ago
Funny how nobody's complaining about 'Euro-bashing' like so many do on similar posts about the US.
Caro Caro 2 years ago
But then, have you read all the buts and ifs. It's still a sh!tty post and the comments end up bashing the USA. Maaaan!!
Load More Replies...
Matthew Zornig 2 years ago
Oh boy, Europeans getting pretty chippy in this post. Don't worry, BP will have at least 10 posts next week talking about how terrible the USA is.
Kayjunmoon 2 years ago
I rather think that is a sweeping overgeneralisation.
Load More Replies...
David A Paterson 2 years ago
No one mentioned buildings 500 years old? With plumbing to match.
cerinamroth 2 years ago
So true - the UK (my homeland) has some of the worst housing stock in Europe. OK, so it's good we won the war and all but some houses should still be knocked down and rebuilt to better standards, and the urban planning submitted to further scrutiny again too!
Load More Replies... 
Carrie Laughs 2 years ago
Okay - I will. I have problems with my hands and wrists (from age 7) and actually find knobs easier. This is due to two things (and is purely personal). 1. The angle that my hand goes into when I push down a handle and 2. I actually need to turn a k**b less than I do a handle! There should be CHOICE as people have different hand/wrist issues and the same won't work for each person. 🤷😁
Load More Replies... Anony Mouse 2 years ago (edited)
Every post here: Someone says something; Every comment: But America sucks somehow related to this!
Ace 2 years ago
Funny how nobody's complaining about 'Euro-bashing' like so many do on similar posts about the US.
Caro Caro 2 years ago
But then, have you read all the buts and ifs. It's still a sh!tty post and the comments end up bashing the USA. Maaaan!!
Load More Replies... Matthew Zornig 2 years ago
Oh boy, Europeans getting pretty chippy in this post. Don't worry, BP will have at least 10 posts next week talking about how terrible the USA is.
Kayjunmoon 2 years ago
I rather think that is a sweeping overgeneralisation.
Load More Replies... David A Paterson 2 years ago
No one mentioned buildings 500 years old? With plumbing to match.
cerinamroth 2 years ago
So true - the UK (my homeland) has some of the worst housing stock in Europe. OK, so it's good we won the war and all but some houses should still be knocked down and rebuilt to better standards, and the urban planning submitted to further scrutiny again too!
Load More Replies... Carrie Laughs 2 years ago
Okay - I will. I have problems with my hands and wrists (from age 7) and actually find knobs easier. This is due to two things (and is purely personal). 1. The angle that my hand goes into when I push down a handle and 2. I actually need to turn a k**b less than I do a handle! There should be CHOICE as people have different hand/wrist issues and the same won't work for each person. 🤷😁
Load More Replies... Anony Mouse 2 years ago (edited)
Every post here: Someone says something; Every comment: But America sucks somehow related to this!
Related on Bored Panda
