Europe is the second smallest continent but it has a long history of human development and is considered the birthplace of Western Civilization.
Today, its cultural wealth is used to solidify the colorful European community and is exported to the rest of the world as one of the continent's greatest assets.
But Reddit user Doeyy0 wanted to dig deeper. So they made a post on the platform, asking its users, "What is the most European thing ever?" From cobblestone roads to kebab shops, here are the most popular answers they've received.
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Driving through 4 countries to go on vacation, not using your passport, no visa and use the same currency everywhere.
Plus using your cellphone all the way with no extra cost.
Casually having buildings from millennia ago around you all the time
Labor laws that actually mean something
Same in Africa, you can't just fire someone and everyone has a right to join a union. You get fixed number of paid leave days and can claim maternity, paternity, family responsibility, home moving, etc.
The most European thing ever is the quaint and charming cobblestone streets that wind through medieval cities, flanked by towering cathedrals and quaint cafes serving espresso and croissants. It's the picturesque vineyards of Tuscany, the romantic waterways of Venice, and the timeless elegance of Parisian boulevards. It's the sizzling aroma of fresh bratwurst wafting through the air at a bustling German Christmas market, the infectious energy of a Spanish fiesta, and the hauntingly beautiful strains of a traditional Irish ballad. The most European thing ever is the rich tapestry of cultures, cuisines, and landscapes that make up this diverse and endlessly fascinating continent.
Trains. Trains that are clean. Trains that go where you want to go. Trains that are affordable.
Having a castle in your town.
This is the Nornan keep of Cardiff castle. First built by the Romans, added to over the centuries with magnificent interiors by Bruges. Well worth a visit!
knowing more than one language and being fluent in at least two of them
nah, again, Africa. Thousands of languages. I'm fluent in two and can speak about 5.
same in India bro, like there are many languages, I know 4 and I am fluent in 3
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Most Americans aren’t bilingual because 1) we don’t need to be. Only 1 in 3 of us has a passport, and so we only “need” English. And 2) our foreign language classes begin too late in our schools. To have native fluency, you need to start learning a language before puberty. Our foreign language classes usually start either at or after puberty when it’s still possible but much harder to gain fluency. I hope both of those change soon!
unfortunately American's also have the reputation amongst other countries of "SPEAK ENGLISH OR ELSE!11!!1!1" but honestly, besides the asian/eastern european communities in the UK, it's much the same here. I got yelled at for speaking with my Finn wife in Finnish before. :') god forbid i speak Irish or Romanian, too...
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I live in India and am fluent in three languages - English, Hindi, and Bengali. I can read and write in the first two, and am learning to read and write Bengali. My mother is a former NRI raised in Kathmandu, so she can speak,read,and write Nepali in addition to the aforementioned three.
Multilingualism was the norm throughout the human history and it still is in a great chunk of the word. Not only as in "people learning foreign languages at school" but as in "people speaking different mother tongues interacting on a day-to-day basis and knowing at least a little each other's languages". Most European countries are actually quite uniform due to the XIX- and XX-century nationalistic policies -- many people speak "other countries' languages", but the underlying, original multilingualism and multidialectalism has been largely erased... :(
European here who grew up with 3 native languages and now speak a fourth to a high degree of fluency. My mother also grew up with two native languages, Italian and German, plus her regional dialect, before emigrating to Switzerland via the U.K. and becoming fluent in English and then also learning French. Many of my friends and acquaintances have also grown up with multiple languages, so I can attest that multilingualism hasn’t been completely erased, even if it was likely more common at one time.
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In American schools, students get some foreign language education. Motivation to continue is difficult when you know you won't use the language in any meaningful way and you will have little or no opportunity to practice the language.
How about interacting with your very large Spanish speaking population instead of practicing apartheid and isolating into ghettos? That ought to be motivation enough to speak another language. #excuses.
Load More Replies... There is a huge difference between knowing several languages of your home country (official or not) and knowing a foreign language. Think of Indians speaking English and Hindi, Americans speaking English and Spanish or Canadians speaking English and French. Trying to learn and then be fluent in an actual foreign language that is not spoken in your home country is definitely not so common in the world. Even less if you put aside English as it’s the international language and more of a communication tool. Where in the world would you find people being fluent in a foreign language that is not English? Not in many places and Europe is indeed one of them.
Yes , in a lot of schools, the kids are taught Dutch (native) , English, German and French. Higher lever? Then you can learn Spanish, Greek, Latin and even Chinese. That is not just because we may ever need the languages, but standard education aswell
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So basically all of India is European to you? and most of South East Asia as well? Very interesting
The post was what seems very European (to Americans), it does not say what seems EXCLUSIVELY European. I’d go as far as saying speaking only one language is almost exclusively American (and let’s throw in Australia for good measure, they’re pretty culturally isolated too).
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I'll bash Britain again. For many of us shouting in something vaguely "European" is as close as we get to knowing another language.
Yeah, especially in France 🤣 I think that author meant Netherlands...
Not sure that's a boon necessarily. Is it not easier (for everyone, I mean) when a country has a single language? I understand traveler's are going to have to cope, whether learning it or muddling through while on tour; but for the country proper, multiple languages isn't an advantage or anything.
I think it's just a non-American thing... Where I'm from (not Europe), there are 2 official languages so even at pre-school you're taught at least 2 languages,
You are a proper Latvian if you speak three languages, have friends who speak six, and wonder how some people survive with just two.
I can literally see one castle out of my living room and another one out of my kitchen window
Hating the people from the next town over for reasons of medieval politics
Maybe not hating but at least laughing about. I think the English and French still dislike each other over King Richard and King William.
Being able to drink tap water without poisoning
Not what I would think of as most European, given we have this in Australia
Went on a work trip to Texas, got asked what it's like to not have a gun. I don't know, normal I guess?
Felt very European that day... (or most of the world, for that matter)
One big difference is the way from villages to big cities are laid out. They all have numerous squares or public gathering places. You can enjoy a drink....music,people watching. You don’t have to drive everywhere. Local pubs abound. I always wondered how so many Europeans could make do with those tiny fridges. But then I realized they shop fresh all the time. There are so many,butchers or bakers,produce stands,cheese,deli,flower shops within walking distance. They shop local and fresh all the time. Without a car.
My Uncle lived in a big condo or over there row housing area. Every Saturday mobile butchers,bakers,fruit and produce etc.would set up outside for a few hours then move on. Everything fresh and local,and absolutely delicious. And no car needed.
Yes, but some of us do have enormous fridges and have Tesco popping by weekly with the main shop. Village shops bridge most gaps and I bake my own bread (bread machine!).
From an American's perspective; Kebab shops. I've been all over Europe and I've got to say, those thing were *everywhere* and I stopped at way too many of them. I could really go for a durum kebab right about now...
Walking or riding a bike everywhere because who needs a car
So true, especially in larger cities – especially during rush hours. A couple of years ago there was a traffic survey published by the city council. Turned out that at least in the center of town the bicycle was the second quickest way of transport (second only to the subway) to get from one place to another. — I’m an all-year cyclist, and I have never even owned a car.
Eurovision
Living in the same town in the same country your ancestors are from.
This actually helped me and my dad find a relative when we went to Germany! My great-grandfather's family (dad's opa) was from Cologne (idk how to spell) and we found someone in a town called Passau with my oma's maiden name, and his family was from there.
Multilingualism
A (clothes) washing machine in your kitchen
Most people have theirs in the bathroom. Having one in the kitchen is British
Having pubs, schools, random post office buildings… older than any construction in America
Fanta, but not the American kind.
Don't look for the history of Fanta tho. In fact don't look any European company more than 80 y.o.
Note: this post originally had 35 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
Na, most of North America has this too...just not the states.
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It totally is… haven’t even thought about it until now, but your right.
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Good public transportation infrastructure or the ability to walk or bike to work.
Frankly, this article served to show that quite a lot of Europeans are just as provincial as some Americans. This entire article read like someone expecting all Germans to be wearing lederhosen, all French people to be carrying baguettes, etc. It's also interesting how the only comparison ever made was to the US specifically, but none to other continents.
I will probably continue paying my student loans until I'm 50 or so, but the interest on Swedish student loans are very low so that's good.
Load More Replies... Hmm these are not unique to Europe except the cobble streets thing, I think. Most of these features are found in recent EU colonies such as my country.
I'm not sure that's really what the article intended to achieve - just what feels 'most European' to some people. That might mean lack of travel/knowledge in some cases of course! I don't think it should mean that other countries don't have these things or don't have other, better things. Though re-reading the BP opening paragraph... "Today, its cultural wealth is used to solidify the colourful European community and is exported to the rest of the world as one of the continent's greatest assets" what a lot of feckwittery nonsense.
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The healthcare is the biggest thing. Even as an American, on two occasions we received medical care in European hospitals, staying overnight on one occasion. No charge AT ALL. Also, amazing chocolate, and inexpensive, delicious wines. Lack of preservatives in groceries makes a huge difference in taste.
I'm from the us, I'd love to be able to move to anywhere in Europe. I can't claim refugee or asylum status because the us is considered "safe" (it definitely isn't) So I would have to have at the minimum tens of thousands of dollars just laying around to move to Europe, up to hundreds of thousands in some places. You can't come up with that kind of money where I'm from without being born into it.
What would you need that amount of money for? If you have a job (look for an international company with offices in Sweden and look into if it's possible to transfer there later on, for instance). And, you can rent an apartment quite easily if you have a job even if we're short on housing in bigger cities. Might have to hassle a bit with the paperwork getting a work permit, and so on, but that don't cost any huge amounts per se. It will be a struggle, but you don't need hundreds and thousands of dollars.
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How many ways can we bash Americans by Bored Panda and it's readers
Many Europeans don't understand how enormous the US is. You could spend years just seeing the sights and meeting diverse groups of people. I love visiting other states here. The people are very friendly everywhere you go and the scenery is breathtaking.
Surprised it isn't at the top of the list: Colonizing. That is the most European thing ever. Steamrolling over other cultures and taking their wealth and land.
Want to know what else is quintessentially European? Being a snob about how great Europe is. Go ahead, downvote the evil American for calling out Europeans for thinking things they do are quaint but if anyone else does it...
As much as it is American to think the USA are the best country in the world. What's your point, exactly?
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Na, most of North America has this too...just not the states.
Load More Replies... It totally is… haven’t even thought about it until now, but your right.
Load More Replies... Good public transportation infrastructure or the ability to walk or bike to work.
Frankly, this article served to show that quite a lot of Europeans are just as provincial as some Americans. This entire article read like someone expecting all Germans to be wearing lederhosen, all French people to be carrying baguettes, etc. It's also interesting how the only comparison ever made was to the US specifically, but none to other continents.
I will probably continue paying my student loans until I'm 50 or so, but the interest on Swedish student loans are very low so that's good.
Load More Replies... Hmm these are not unique to Europe except the cobble streets thing, I think. Most of these features are found in recent EU colonies such as my country.
I'm not sure that's really what the article intended to achieve - just what feels 'most European' to some people. That might mean lack of travel/knowledge in some cases of course! I don't think it should mean that other countries don't have these things or don't have other, better things. Though re-reading the BP opening paragraph... "Today, its cultural wealth is used to solidify the colourful European community and is exported to the rest of the world as one of the continent's greatest assets" what a lot of feckwittery nonsense.
Load More Replies... The healthcare is the biggest thing. Even as an American, on two occasions we received medical care in European hospitals, staying overnight on one occasion. No charge AT ALL. Also, amazing chocolate, and inexpensive, delicious wines. Lack of preservatives in groceries makes a huge difference in taste.
I'm from the us, I'd love to be able to move to anywhere in Europe. I can't claim refugee or asylum status because the us is considered "safe" (it definitely isn't) So I would have to have at the minimum tens of thousands of dollars just laying around to move to Europe, up to hundreds of thousands in some places. You can't come up with that kind of money where I'm from without being born into it.
What would you need that amount of money for? If you have a job (look for an international company with offices in Sweden and look into if it's possible to transfer there later on, for instance). And, you can rent an apartment quite easily if you have a job even if we're short on housing in bigger cities. Might have to hassle a bit with the paperwork getting a work permit, and so on, but that don't cost any huge amounts per se. It will be a struggle, but you don't need hundreds and thousands of dollars.
Load More Replies... How many ways can we bash Americans by Bored Panda and it's readers
Many Europeans don't understand how enormous the US is. You could spend years just seeing the sights and meeting diverse groups of people. I love visiting other states here. The people are very friendly everywhere you go and the scenery is breathtaking.
Surprised it isn't at the top of the list: Colonizing. That is the most European thing ever. Steamrolling over other cultures and taking their wealth and land.
Want to know what else is quintessentially European? Being a snob about how great Europe is. Go ahead, downvote the evil American for calling out Europeans for thinking things they do are quaint but if anyone else does it...
As much as it is American to think the USA are the best country in the world. What's your point, exactly?
Load More Replies... 