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Travel broadens the mind, and it’s a ton of fun, too. Probably one of the first things that you’ll notice during your trips abroad is just how different life can be elsewhere. And when you jump continents, that difference can be even bigger.
American internet users took to an online thread to share all of the things that people living in the United States have that Europeans don’t. Yellow school buses, cowboys, and free refills are just the tip of the iceberg. Check out their thoughts below.
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#1
Redwood forest.
Jerseygirl2468:
One of the best experiences of my life was going to Muir Woods. I truly had no idea until I stood there and experienced it for myself.
RELATED:
#2
Yosemite.
ThrustersToFull:
I thought I was prepared for Yosemite. I looked at photos, I watched documentaries. But NOTHING prepares you for seeing it for the first time in person. It was winter when I went for the first time - 1 January 2022 to be exact - and I was simply blown away by the scale and beauty of it.
#3
The National Parks in the US are spectacular.
Ace_of_Clubs:
Not just national parks, but national forests, national monuments, and state parks deserve a shout out as well!
Im an avid backpacker and have been lucky enough to explore some really beautiful and remote places.
aribobari1313:
The coolest part is that our National Parks system was the first and inspired other countries to do the same! My Spanish girlfriend even learned about that in her tourism degree.
The top way to make the most of any trip is to set your ego, expectations, and assumptions aside and embrace open-mindedness. The entire point of travel is to experience new things. And you’ll miss out on the awesome experience if you constantly complain that things abroad are different from what you have back home. Instead, it’s best to be as flexible and respectful as you can. That’ll help you meet new people, be liked by the locals, and get to grips with your destination on a deeper level.
GoAbroad suggests that every tourist should do some research before visiting a new place. “This will help you pack appropriate clothes, find out about the regional laws or entry requirements, and know what to expect.”
What’s more, you’ll get to grips with the local culture and customs and how to respect them.
#4
Land. A lot of it.
TiresOnFire:
Japanese citizens who visited the US in the early days of WWII tried to warn the government of how much land we had to sustain ourselves. Also our industrial abilities were quite impressive at the time.
Wrathchilde:
In Europe, 100 miles is far. In America, 100 years is old.
#5
The Grand Canyon. It really is that grand.
valthonis_surion:
Similarly the Great Lakes are pretty great.
Linda Paulson 1 week ago
It's that grand because it's huge. It's like a community there . I went there and there were travel trailers and motor homes all around it.
#6
The largest prison population per capita of any first world nation.
Multa Nocte (she/her/8647) 1 week ago
Hideously depressing. It is so wrong. And that fact that it is privatised and for profit now makes it too depressing for words.
In the meantime, you may want to consider eating, shopping, and staying locally. Top-tier hotels and chain restaurants are great, sure, but you might not get the full experience there. And if you want truly authentic food, you have to be willing to eat as the locals do.
You should embrace that same adventurous mindset not just when it comes to food, but day trips, too. Don’t just visit the same touristy sites that everyone floods to. Explore a bit further. Go off the beaten path. Ask the locals for some non-obvious recommendations.
And naturally, as a tourist, you shouldn’t be littering or damaging anything on your trip. Leave every place you visit the way you found it, or better.
#7
Giant Redwoods. The Redwoods National Forest in northern California is one of the most mystical, beautiful, majestic, ancient places I've ever visited. It felt SACRED like there really were forest elves and tree ents protecting that place.
Breathtaking. I simply wanted to walk until I got lost, then just stay lost forever. It transformed me to a time of innocence, wonder, open to curiosity about the world. Around every bend in the trail, we'd buzz with anticipation. Because any grand adventure could waiting ..even a fairy tea party.
#8
Tipping culture
0tter_gaming88:
As a american you don't want it TRUST ME
jakisdebil5:
thank god europe doesn't have that
Multa Nocte (she/her/8647) 1 week ago
Yes, similar to when I go into grocery stores now that I have moved to France, when I am finished, the bill is exactly what the stores prices said it was. There are no added on charges like tax for groceries, and no expected addition to drinks or a meal like a tip.
#9
Forced air hvac systems.
oboshoe:
really?
what do europeans use?
sir_mrej:
Volunteer air
Nicole Weymann 1 week ago (edited)
European Alternatives: 1) Open those windows, let some fresh air in! 2) Shut that dámn window, I'm freezing/ it's draughty, we'll all get pnemonia! 3) Heavy emphasis on good insulation. The worst places to be in the summer are attic/mansard rooms in old-ish houses (say 1920s to 1980s/90s) and those ✨awesome✨ (/S) klutzy concrete, steel, and glass palaces achitects have been inexplicably fond of since the 1970s. Imagine working in a mostly non ventilated greenhouse.
What do you think, Pandas? From your perspective, what are some of the most noticeable things that Americans have that Europeans don’t, and vice versa?
What do you think are the biggest upsides of life in North America and Europe? What countries do you hope to visit this year? Tell us all about it!
#10
Wilderness.
The vast majority of woodland in europe is managed woodland, or not original and grown intentionally. America, however, has vast swarthes of land that have never been touched by human hands.
TheMerryMeatMan:
And it's all thanks to some of our earlier presidents realizing how valuable and important that undeveloped wilderness would be, and pushing for the adoption of the National Park System to make sure that since of our natural wonders could be carefully monitored and protected.
Teddy Roosevelt is a standout figure in that regard, but Yellowstone was passed under Grant's presidency, so he deserves solid credit there too.
#11
The audacity.
Multa Nocte (she/her/8647) 1 week ago (edited)
No shit. And just watch how wound up people are going to get about this article. "Oh, boo hoo! Everyone is so mean to the US - we are so sad," even though the president of the US and Congress are currently working on deals to screw just about everyone in the world who isn't Vladimir Putin.
#12
Garbage disposals, apparently.
An English guy once asked, "Is it true you have a little blender in your sink to chop up the food bits and send them to the sewer because you're too lazy to walk over to the trash bin?".
oldpuzzle:
Tbh that’s what I as a European was most excited about when I lived in the US for a bit! The first time I realised I had a disposal in my sink it was such a “OMG I KNOW THIS FROM TV!” moment.
#13
A huge variety of biodiversity without crossing borders. You could be within driving distance of many just in California alone.
raindorpsonroses:
I am 2.5 hours or less by car from desert, alpine forest and lakes with snow and skiing in the winter, rolling hills with oak trees and sycamore, riparian river/creek habitats, marsh wetlands, beautiful swimming and surfing beaches with the vast Pacific Ocean. At my house it’s only a few days per year that the low temperature is lower than 8C/ 46F or the high temperature is above 30C/ 86F. It’s not terribly dry or humid in my area. It doesn’t surprise me that the cost of living is so high because California is a pretty wonderful place to live, especially if you love the outdoors!
Ripley 1 week ago
Flying from NYC to Dallas Fort Worth for an interconnecting flight back home to Australia I got to watch the landscape unfold below me. It was then that I understood why so many Americans holiday within the US - because you can. A few hours away is a totally different landscape and climate.
#14
Yellow school buses! I've had a lot of European friends ask me if they're real or just something from the movies, apparently a lot of them think they're on in movies or shows. I've had friends from Asia ask the same thing as well haha!
D-Alembert:
I got to ride in one last year. In one of those observations that are "duh" obvious in hindsight but an unexpected surprise at the time: the seats (and legroom) are all child-size!
I was a bit too tall to fit :)
#15
Cowboys lol what makes me say that is because when my husband went to Germany he was at a bar and one of the locals asked him where he was from and he told them he was from Oklahoma and they said oh wow are you a cowboy? and then after conversation ensued, my husband came to realize that Germans seem to really like Cowboys, especially women. lol.
#16
One thing that always stands out to me is how obsessed Americans are with credit scores. It affects everything here, renting, phone plans, even jobs sometimes. In a lot of Europe it’s way more chill and not this giant number hanging over your life.
Also free refills and ice in every drink feels super American once you’ve been away for a bit. You don’t realize how normal that feels until it’s gone.
General Anaesthesia 1 week ago
Something tells me that the free refills are probably included in the price of the first drink.
#17
Florida man.
MohawkElGato:
He’s pretty entertaining that’s for sure
TinKnight1:
trust me, that's one thing humanity has, no matter where you go.
Florida man is only known so well because of the sunshine laws.
Multa Nocte (she/her/8647) 1 week ago
Having lived in Georgia the last 13 years I lived in the US, I do NOT miss Florida man. I equally do not miss the bigoted Georgia MAGAt men that used to frighten me with their anger at anyone who dared step out of line - THEIR line, that is.
#18
Medical debt.
perrygoundhunter:
I can tell you are American
Because most nations with public healthcare do not cover eyes, feet, ears, as well as having public options
Also insulin and crutches, wheel chairs and mobility aids….also dental
I know Canadians who have gone bankrupt
Ace 1 week ago
Correction, most nations with public healthcare do indeed cover medical issues with eyes, feet, ears. Spectacles, hearing aids and pedicures are not covered for everyone (although some illnesses get them covered). Insulin, yeah, required mobility aids? Covered. Dental care is covered in some places, not others.
#19
Football, not that one, but the weird shaped ball one!
#20
Like really good fall of the bones bbq. 🤤.
doyer_bleu:
And Cajun food!
LtDarthWookie:
100% our food is incredible. And BBQ is one of the best. Give me a brisket and I'll be happy.
#21
Ice in their the complimentary water at a restaurant.
BunchaaMalarkey:
I Germany, if you ask for free tap water they deliver 100ml of water in a glass, and seem to hate you for it.
In the US they give you free ice water refills all day without skipping a beat.
The free water situation in the US is way better than what I've had in Europe. At least mainland. I haven't actually been to the UK.
TheStorMan:
You might get a few small cubes in a glass. In America the drink will be 90% ice.
Ace 1 week ago
And nearly always in a jug or a glass bottle filled from the tap, and nearly always, thankfully, without any ice in it.
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Multa Nocte (she/her/8647) 1 week ago
The difference is solely on how you were raised plus the fact that refills for drinks in the US are generally free. If you request no ice in the US they will bring it to you. My experience in France has been that if you ask for ice in a separate glass they will bring it to you, so you don't have to worry that you will get less drink. You just have to know what you like and how to ask for it.
Ace 1 week ago
Indeed, but your ice habit marks you out as a recent immigrant. Once you're truly assimilated you will quite specifically not want ice. Then again, you wouldn't be ordering a sweet fizzy drink in a restaurant in the first place...
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Space Invader 1 week ago
In Viennese cafes it's traditional to get a free glass of water along with your coffee. And no one has ever hated me for asking for water. Maybe because I ask nicely?
Laura Gillette 1 week ago
I always have to ask for no ice in my water when I go to restaurants. It's too cold! They even put ice in when it's winter!
Sven Horlemann 1 week ago
Depends were in Germany, I guess. I do not have that problem. And I live in Germany.
Kim Karlotta 1 week ago
Might be more of a northern thing? Since it's definitely common in the southern countries of Europe to get free water with your meal. Though I always thought it was pretty much along the butter vs. oil divide.
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Blackmoon The Dragon 1 week ago
I like ice, but not that much... also ice is also more economically friendly for the restaurants, as they can give you more stuff in your glass for less money (since freezing ice gives you less actual water than just a glass of actual water)
#22
The right to hang a pair of bear arms in our homes. Its written very clearly in our constitution.
Seabass_87:
I accidentally lobbied for the right to bare feet, now our state doesn't allow shoes.
Beak Hookage 1 week ago
Guns make me feel incredibly unsafe unless it's one being carried by a police officer (our cops rarely shoot people).
#23
I've learned from this post that to many people think Europe is north western Europe and nothing else.
MasterHallmark:
To be fair, I've seen posts from Western Europeans who think that, too.
Years ago an Italian from Northern Italy asked why Americans put garlic on their food because "garlic is considered to strong by the rest of the world"
They got pissy when given examples of international dishes (including Southern Italian ones) that used garlic.
#24
AC.
Fallenangel152:
The thought of having AC in houses as standard is a dream in the UK. If you see a house with proper AC you assume they're a millionaire.
We have a small portable unit for summer. It's noisy, pretty ineffective, and running it for more than a few hours gives me an electricity bill as big as my mortgage.
Amber123454321:
Most of the supermarkets and shopping centres have it. It's just the weather is cold or mild for most of the year. In Ireland, summer tends to be so short, it's like blink and you'll miss it. So no one really bothers with AC, because the rest of the year you don't need it.
#25
Screens on our windows so we can open them without letting the bugs in.
Abrakafkingdabra:
Genuinely can't comprehend how lots of places in Europe both don't have AC and don't have window screens. You'd think not having the former would logically lead to having the latter
Multa Nocte (she/her/8647) 1 week ago
It's a mix where I live, and you can always just go to Gamme Vert (hardware store) and buy screens if you need/want them.
#26
Don't have to pay to use restroom.
HeyItsLers:
I didn't have to pay in Iceland. And, as an American, I was very happy with the privacy! American bathroom stalls leave so much space between the door and the wall, the door and the floor, etc. The "stalls" in Iceland were like all small, private rooms. So different than what I was used to.
Multa Nocte (she/her/8647) 1 week ago (edited)
There are free bathrooms in southwest France and lots of them. Every small town you go to has one to three public bathrooms on the outskirts of town that are kept quite clean. The problem for Americans is that these bathrooms are generally for both genders, so Americans may be a bit squeamish. The irony is that the US, with all its strictly gender separated bathrooms, has 4 times the rate of rape than France, so make of that what you will.
#27
Free refills.
The_Truth_Believe_Me:
32 ounce soda cups at restaurants
GaylicBread:
Some restaurants have this but it isn't very common. Nandos and TGIFridays come to mind.
#28
Full size clothes dryers.
Jakeandellwood:
I live in sweden and have a full size tumble dryer, plus a drying cupboard. The majority of people i know have both.
Liliana Spiro 1 week ago (edited)
The communal laundry rooms for apartment buildings are equipped with not only tumble dryers but oftentimes with mechanical (run on electricity) equipment- a dryer'cupboard'- where hot air is propelled and cycles through and thus dries the laundry. Shirts/sheets/dresses, or any item of clothing larger than undergarments can be dried hung up rather than getting crumpled up in a tumble dryer. So hanging the laundry rather than tumbling which is an indoors equivalent to outdoor clotheslines. Much less tear and wear on fabric, is a more energy-efficient method to tumbling, and is an excellent option for those living in apartment complexes w/o a private yard/garden. Takes about one hour to dry the load. BTW, I do live in Sweden, and felt I wanted to comment and clarify what OP was referencing.
#29
ADA cities.
brownlab319:
The ADA is truly a wonderful evolution of the America system. We aren’t often great, but when we are, we really are.
#30
The Americans with Disabilities Act.
1peatfor7:
Oddly enough I first noticed this while on vacation in Las Vegas. I had a broken foot and was able to rent an "old people scooter" from the hotel. It made my trip much more bearable. I drove it down the strip sidewalk and all around the hotel lobbies.
#31
Space and possibility. The US is not a place that's particularly densely populated. There's lots of space and lots of technical opportunity. Compared to Europe, there is still plenty of room and opportunity to be in the US. I can admire this about their culture. An optimistic (and from a European perspective, naive or stupid) attitude to get things done. Europe is far less experimental and willing to take risks, for better and worse.
Nicole Weymann 1 week ago
Yepp, for better *and worse*. Many things in Europe are highly regulated as a result of mistakes made over the centuries. We often prefer to err on the side of caution and restraint rather than letting high fliers with a "Whyever not?" attitude FAFO.
#32
A robust general aviation culture and system. Ok I know it’s a bit niche, but there it is. It’s live in the middle of nowhere east Texas and there about 3 places within an hour where I can take flying lessons or just rent a small airplane if I want to go fly and have a pilots license and we have hundreds, maybe even thousands, of public and private airports.
#33
The Pacific Ocean 😎.
Kiki Likes Sweets 1 week ago (edited)
Really? South America, south East Asia, East Asia, Australia, new Zealand, Oceania would like a word /s. But seriously, I wish BP would buy a map, getting tired of the 2 continent world view around here. Not everything revolves around Europe and the US.
#34
Their flag on the moon 😎.
Bored Jellyfish 1 week ago
Pretty sure the flags that were left there have long since been bleached out by the sun’s UV rays and have disintegrated. I believe they were only made of nylon. It’s believed that the first two flags left there probably didn’t survive the gases from the lunar liftoffs. Buzz Aldrin reported that Apollo 11’s flag fell over during their liftoff.
#35
Mexican food.
Upbeat-Conquest-654:
Let's say authentic Mexican food. We do have Mexican restaurants here, but they are often run by people who most likely have never actually been to Mexico.
That doesn't automatically mean it's bad, but it's definitely not the same.
BoromiriVoyna:
One of the unexpected things I really missed while living in Europe. Americans take it for granted, but most places I went in Europe either had no Mexican food, or what they had made Taco Bell seem authentic and gourmet.
What do you think ?
Beak Hookage 1 week ago (edited)
When I visited America - and most of the trip I spent on the road, visiting places like the Grand Canyon (absolutely breathtaking!) I assumed I'd be offline for most of it because that's how it is in Australia when you go into the countryside. Au contraire - there was free WiFi, and really GOOD free WiFi everywhere I went, no matter how remote. Freaking Tropic, Utah had it. Fast and free. Australian internet is pathetic. Even here at home in the middle of a major city my connection keeps crapping out. So annoying.
nm 1 week ago
Every country has different priorities. Do you prefer free WiFi everywhere or free Healthcare for everyone?
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Pferdchen 1 week ago
It's certainly not unique to America, but since our cities are so young the streets are mostly grid patterns, making them easy to navigate. DC shook things up a bit by overlaying a wagon wheel pattern for the avenues. Some of the older European cities were a bit more challenging to navigate.
nottheactualphoto 1 week ago
Manhattan Island has both types of layouts in close proximity.
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Corwin 02 1 week ago
An oompa loompa for president, No idea there is a world outside the US, Blatant racism, Blatant fascism, Blatant ignorance about socialism while living on government handouts, Blatant misogynism, 425 school shootings in 2025 and already 26 in 2026, I can continue. And to think I loved living there
Anony Mouse 1 week ago
Typical repetitive article. It started nice and the comments were mostly “we have that too!” Then devolved into the same old “Durr USA bad. Here are unsolicited political comments.”
Papa 1 week ago
To be fair, there were many positive posts (and I was happy to see them).
Load More Replies... WubiDubi 1 week ago
This is a ridiculous, copy and paste, not fact checked, propaganda. It's only purpose is to balance US bashing on BP, but it's all fiction.
Anony Mouse 1 week ago
What? This article was at least 75% USA bashing - the same repetitive garbage BP spews three times a week. Bathroom stalls! Tipping culture! Guns! I’m sick of reading the same cr@p over and over.
Load More Replies...
Min 1 week ago
After the tragedy in Canada yesterday, not a great day to say that's US only. 💔
Load More Replies... Beak Hookage 1 week ago (edited)
When I visited America - and most of the trip I spent on the road, visiting places like the Grand Canyon (absolutely breathtaking!) I assumed I'd be offline for most of it because that's how it is in Australia when you go into the countryside. Au contraire - there was free WiFi, and really GOOD free WiFi everywhere I went, no matter how remote. Freaking Tropic, Utah had it. Fast and free. Australian internet is pathetic. Even here at home in the middle of a major city my connection keeps crapping out. So annoying.
nm 1 week ago
Every country has different priorities. Do you prefer free WiFi everywhere or free Healthcare for everyone?
Load More Replies... Pferdchen 1 week ago
It's certainly not unique to America, but since our cities are so young the streets are mostly grid patterns, making them easy to navigate. DC shook things up a bit by overlaying a wagon wheel pattern for the avenues. Some of the older European cities were a bit more challenging to navigate.
nottheactualphoto 1 week ago
Manhattan Island has both types of layouts in close proximity.
Load More Replies... Corwin 02 1 week ago
An oompa loompa for president, No idea there is a world outside the US, Blatant racism, Blatant fascism, Blatant ignorance about socialism while living on government handouts, Blatant misogynism, 425 school shootings in 2025 and already 26 in 2026, I can continue. And to think I loved living there
Anony Mouse 1 week ago
Typical repetitive article. It started nice and the comments were mostly “we have that too!” Then devolved into the same old “Durr USA bad. Here are unsolicited political comments.”
Papa 1 week ago
To be fair, there were many positive posts (and I was happy to see them).
Load More Replies... WubiDubi 1 week ago
This is a ridiculous, copy and paste, not fact checked, propaganda. It's only purpose is to balance US bashing on BP, but it's all fiction.
Anony Mouse 1 week ago
What? This article was at least 75% USA bashing - the same repetitive garbage BP spews three times a week. Bathroom stalls! Tipping culture! Guns! I’m sick of reading the same cr@p over and over.
Load More Replies... Min 1 week ago
After the tragedy in Canada yesterday, not a great day to say that's US only. 💔
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