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When Americans make the trek across the pond and visit Europe for the first time, there are plenty of differences they might notice: a wide variety of languages, new foods, accessible public transit, paying to use a public restroom, and being made fun of for using the word ‘restroom’ in the first place.
One Reddit user was curious about what people from the US have observed in Europe, so they recently asked Americans to share the hot takes they think Europeans aren’t ready to hear. Readers did not hold back in the replies, from concerns about smoking to pointing out racist behavior, so we’ve gathered some of the most thought-provoking answers below. Enjoy reading what Americans have to say about Europe, and be sure to upvote the points you agree with, whether you’re from the US, Europe or anywhere else in the world!
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#1
Stop trading insults with us by saying "school shootings" and then dropping the mic. Many of us are also horrified by the gun violence in this country, but using dead children to win an argument about who has better food does you no credit.
Ivan Stojnov 1 year ago
Horrified by the gun violence in the country, but doing nothing about it - is not an insult.
#2
There are actually more states than Texas, New York, and California.
#3
British people mock us for using Imperial measurements and then still order pints at the pub and use “stones” as a measurement of weight.
Ivan Stojnov 1 year ago
But still, UK switched to metric system. Only USA and Libera are using outdated imerial system now.
#4
Depending on the European country: your healthcare system sucks, too. I was shocked to find out that friends of mine were just paying for private insurance on top of the government healthcare they had already paid for, and that some of them were coming to the US for medical procedures because they couldn't get them scheduled because the government had decided that they weren't important enough.
Part of the reason you have access to some of the drugs and procedures that were really expensive to develop is that the US taxpayers and patients are paying high prices. Then, after the company recoups the cost, they also sell them to countries with single-payer healthcare.
Please note: I said "too." Our system is awful. I hate it. Most Americans hate it. Crony capitalism.
#5
Public toilets being free should be a standard
Winnie the Moo 1 year ago
But this is to have clean toilets. Our public restrooms never look like yours…
#6
We are actually pretty smart as a nation. The stupid ones are just the loudest and the most annoying
#7
Our ideas of foreign cuisine are basically products of the immigrant experience.
Laura Lett 1 year ago
I specifically try restaurants ,whom the owners are from the areas they claim. Moroccan,they are immigrants,from Morocco. That's an example..
#8
We don’t actually think about you as much you (apparently) think about us.
#9
Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are yummy.
#10
When I lived in Germany:
German Girl: “I’ve read that Mexicans in Los Angeles experience a lot of racism.”
Me: “Yes, Mexican people in Los Angeles do experience racism. Probably similar to the Turks here in Germany.”
German Girl: “That’s different. The Turks aren’t suitable here. They don’t fit in.”
#11
In the USA there's a ton of people that actually wear pajamas in public.
#12
Tanning to that extent looks horrible stop doing that to yourselves (mainly for the UK)
#14
**A lot** of you are doing the same work and getting a lot less for it than you would in the US.
Not if you're poor or close to it, then you're probably equivalent or better off in Europe. But if you are even moderately successful in your profession then your going to have a significantly lower standard of living in practical terms.
When I lived in Frankfurt my roommate had a computer science degree and a successful consulting firm but still had to share an apartment with me and take the S-Bahn everywhere.
I moved back to the states to make more money, he finally moved to Texas (the scourge of many Europeans ideas of America) and now has a house. Still has everything he had in Europe, just now has more money, space, and independence. Everyone knows the US isn't perfect in this regard, but working hard in Europe doesn't really get you that much. I'm glad I was there when I was young but as I've gotten older I've lost the desire to move back.
Pattie B 1 year ago
I used to work at a company that worked a lot with the UK, Germany, and Belgium, and while this is technically true it's offset by things like public healthcare and a massive amount of vacation days. I actually had an in depth conversation with a British guy about how he could make a better salary in America but still preferred the financial incentives and overall work culture of being in the UK.
#15
As a country of immigrants, people will talk about what ethnicity they are. Don’t get mad at me for saying I am of Irish, polish, French and Italian ancestry because I am not ethnically native to this country, unlike a whole other group of people who are. Also yes, native folks do still exist. It’s not like European Americans are the new natives now.
#16
Your population is getting older on average and there aren't enough young people to keep your economies as large. There will be a long period where the quality of life will be stagnant at best.
#17
The boring chit chat y’all hate is actually pretty great. Just because someone says hi doesn’t mean they want something from you.
#18
Air conditioning, ice, and free potable water are all nice things to have
#19
Americans have big portion sizes in restaurants because we have a big leftovers culture. While some people will eat their whole meal, it’s completely normal if you don’t and you’ll be offered a to-go box to take it home. There isn’t really a big expectation to finish your meal at restaurants.
Izzy Curer 1 year ago (edited)
Actually, less than half of Americans are overweight, so the average American is healthier than most of the world thinks.
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Becky Samuel 1 year ago
Leftovers is fine, but the science is clear. Large portion sizes result in you eating more than you intended to. By nearly a third in most cases. The sight of the food overrides our feelings of satiety (fullness). Considering that restaurant food is generally fattier, saltier and sweeter than everyday home-cooked food, this is a problem.
Kinetics Loves Apples 1 year ago
How dare you say such blasphemy?! I hate cooking and thrive on leftovers lol.
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Firstname Lastname 1 year ago
A lot of my friends say they don't do leftovers, but I'm just like "hooray, I don't have to cook, and I get to eat tasty food!"
Bernd Herbert 1 year ago
This also is one of the reasons the US produces the highest rate of (plastic) waste per capita.
pink_panda 1 year ago
Yeah, unless there's also a reusable takeaway culture, which there isn't, a ton of trash is generated. It's really not sustainable.
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Tenacious Squirrel 1 year ago
That makes no sense. Why would you make huge portions just to have leftovers? What’s the historical nature of this supposed US-specific leftovers culture? Australia has bigger portions than Europe. There’s no “leftovers culture”. You can ask if you can take it with you, like you can in Europe, and they’ll see if they have a box or whatever. It’s not a cultural difference.
David Marchisotto 1 year ago
This is not true. Portions started to grow to their current size for 2 reasons, farmers wanting t increase their profits by selling more and Muricans demanding to "get their money's worth".
Sheila Carty 1 year ago
That is absolutely NOT why restaurant portions are so big and people need to stop using that as an argument.
Weasel Wise 1 year ago
Yeah, this isn't true. We just like food a lot and never learned self control in this area.
Mystery Egg 1 year ago
We have huge portions in the country I live in Souther Europe. Difference is, we eat it all too! I think we are actually one of the fattest European countries haha
blatherskitenoir 1 year ago
It's generally expected that you eat half and then take the other half home for a second meal. If you're really hungry, eating the whole thing is fine, but I'd say that most American restaurant meals are designed with this in mind.
Edward Monks 1 year ago
lol, UK here, you can ask for a box in pretty much any resturant for to take left overs home. your portions are just too big
Josie Jones 1 year ago
Yet so many do finish the plate. I was in New York ordered a half portion of pasta it was huge, then I saw a guy get the full portion it was literally a mountain of spaghetti about 15cm tall. This is why if everyone lived like Americans we'd need an additional 1.5 earths
Richard Hawthorne 1 year ago
Reduce the portion size and use the money saved to pay the servers a proper wage. Tipping culture solved!
Dave Thompson 1 year ago
Another method of charging almost double per person, but who can complain when you get two servings.
Shankshaw Redeemer 1 year ago
I try to be frugal and when I eat out, I order specifically to have enough to make two or even three meals from because then the initial Cost doesn't seem so high when it's divided in half or in thirds. Plus, just about everything on a menu is entirely too much food anyway.
Where’s The Shovel? 1 year ago
Different cultures I suppose, in Britain you were taught that to "clear your plate" was polite and a compliment to the person who cooked it. Probably as well from war years and rationing so it was almost a crime to waste food.
The_tattered_hippie 1 year ago
I'm American. I am female, 5'4, 175lbs, full time professional dancer. I am considered obese. According to medical health chart, I should be between 108lbs -140lbs. Which I haven't been since I had a eating disorder in my teens. Even then, I only got down to 125lbs at my most perilous time. The chart for healthy weight/obesity is severely skewed. It takes nothing except height and weight into account.
Laura Stanciu 1 year ago
But it is quit a lot. And im telling yiu this as a fat person. No matter how muscular you considered yourself. Setimes "body positivity"is toxic.
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Cathelijne Van 1 year ago
I went to the US last year (California & Denver) and I found the portions fairly normal - Dutchie
Gardener of Weeden 1 year ago
One meal at a restaurant can last me 2-3 days ( light eater) A dessert just lasted me 4.
#20
Europe is more racist than the US in many ways, but it’s not politicized like it is in the USA. I have black American friends who have been told they can’t eat inside certain restaurants in Europe which would never happen in the US today. Not to mention the way the Roma/g*psies are discussed by Europeans. I was shocked to hear such casual racism there. Often while criticizing the racism in the USA.
Ivan Stojnov 1 year ago
Really? When was the last time european police killed an unarmed black man in the middle of the day in front of countless witnesses?
#22
When people say "Americans are ______" I feel like they don't realize how huge America is. We span 6 timezones which makes it hard to be consistent in anything and it's really impossible to lump us ALL into a single group.
#23
You’re gonna need air conditioners in your homes pretty soon.
censorshipsucks 1 year ago
Given that USA is the biggest or second biggest carbon emitter, can we say "thanks for nothing" to that?
#25
The way people drive in Italy makes me understand why they're so religious.
#26
You have a drinking problem. It’s not a thing to brag about.
The level of alcoholism in some areas of Europe is troubling. I’m amazed at how often people miss work as a result. The levels of colorectal cancer are also twice the rest of the world in countries with the highest consumption.
#27
Most every European I've met who hasn't been here before has been totally unprepared for the massive size of the US
#29
A very large mixed race country that has guns written into its constitution is a lot harder to govern that any country in Europe. A lot.
censorshipsucks 1 year ago (edited)
Yes, you could also just ban guns. I mean they are called "constitutional amendments" meaning "Changes", not cast in stone dude.
#30
There is genuine isolationist vibe happening in the US which only being held at bay by people who feel we should still stay engaged with the world and of course our military industrial complex. Anti European sentiment is seeping into both sides of the political spectrum and even the center.
The question "why should we get involved in yet another European war?" Is being asked a lot right now.
If the US goes isolationist and leaves the EU to deal with the RU China alliance on their own you won't just have some retirement age issues to worry about.
What do you think ?
BdW 1 year ago
I do not understand and very much dislike the almost hostility in both the European comments and USA posts. USA is amazing, Europe is amazing. We can learn from each other. Let’s be constructive and nice.
Caro Caro 1 year ago
Such a pity that I read a lot of nasty comments on this thread. The USA isn't a horrible country, has it's pros and cons just like any other country. People went into defensive mode and that was not necessary. Let's be nice.
Leo Domitrix 1 year ago
Gobsmacking how some people sneer at Americans while demonstrating the exact qualities they claim they don't have but Americans do. We're all humans. We're all a-hats sometimes, all nationalist/tribalist sometimes, ignorant sometimes, etc. And we're all most concerned with what's nearest our homes. It's bizarre to be accused of being uncultured by someone in Europe who speaks fewer languages fluently than I do, has been to fewer nations than I have (which takes talent, if you live in Europe), and they don't acknowledge that the Americas had cultures .... until European colonialism wiped them out. Yay, Europe? ...??? I'm confused and depressed after this.
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Rae Black 1 year ago
So, Americans post and, as usual, people bash in the comments. I love other countries, we as people all have flaws, our countries all have pros and cons. Can we please stop with the hostility?
Did I say that out loud? 1 year ago
Speaking as a Brit, I couldn't agree with you more. Yes,there are things I find bizarre and confusing, to say the least
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Alecto76 1 year ago (edited)
For one we are not all the sterotypes Europeans make us out to be. There are a lot of us. Each state is like a different country - different laws, culture, accents. I do take issue with criticizing us for saying we are "going to Europe" instead of specifying the country- its really expensive for us to get there. Its usual to visit as many countries as possible as it may be the only chance we have.
Colin 1 year ago
Yes indeed. I felt more comfortable with my North Carolina friends than the ones I had in Michigan, New York and Ohio
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Mama Penguin 1 year ago (edited)
I love how nasty and defensive some of the comments are when people are sometimes just genuinely trying to say, 'Hey it's not bad here all the time and we're not all gun toting, gas guzzling racists.'
Dave Roger 1 year ago
Oh no, you’re absolutely not allowed to say that here. According to people who comment here, we are all disgusting fat slob idiots with no education who have never traveled outside our own towns and refuse to walk more than 5 feet. The stereotypes here are sickening. And I love how Europeans who have never stepped foot in the US pretend to know everything about this country and the people in it. For people claiming Americans are arrogant, it sure comes across as arrogance to me to believe you know everything about a place you’ve never been.
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Alecto76 1 year ago (edited)
One thing that irritates me is the condescension about how amazed we are by traveling so easily, safely and quickly between countries in Europe. At home, we really can't. I live in Chicago, north middle of US. I would have to drive 8 hours to get to Canada. The other direction to Mexico would take me 29 hours. And that is into the border states which are not safe. A couple of weeks ago, 4 US citizens crossed from Texas. They were kidnapped and 2 of them were murdered. While this was considered a possible case of mistaken identity, and sure the controlling cartel handed those responsible over, its not advised to cross the border right now. If I was to keep driving for 47 hours, I would be in Guatemala, Honduras or El Salvador, which are some of the most dangerous countries in the hemisphere. So of course, the fact you can go safely from Belgium to Luxembourg to France in about 6 hours IS amazing to us.
Dan Holden 1 year ago (edited)
I always wonder why the Canada/US border is so tightly controlled when compared to a lot of European counties. It really seems pointless. Open borders would encourage tourism between the two countries. It's not like there's a lot of illegal immigrants going either direction (and the ones that are crossing that border almost entirely consist of people that reside in neither country), and if it's drugs they're worried about, they're pretty much all coming from elsewhere too.
Load More Replies... Weasel Wise 1 year ago
So glad to know it's not just me noticing constant hostility towards the US by a lot of posts here. I can be sensitive but this thread proved it; every single highly rated comment is someone being defensive and bashing.
30_Helens_Agree 1 year ago (edited)
I’m so glad that I’ve never met any Europeans in my travels who are as prone to stereotypes and hatred as many non-US commenters on this site. I’ve found people to be friendly in every country I’ve been to, but judging by how Europeans and people from other countries talk about people from the states, I’m so glad I’ve never encountered anyone in real life as rude as you guys. Truly, some of these comments are despicable. Not every American is the same. Just like not everyone from your country is the same.
happyhippie 1 year ago
I’m trying to figure out why I even come to this site anymore. I’m sick of being bombarded about what a f*****g idiot I am for being born in the country I was.
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Kate Jones 1 year ago
Wow. I could look up on BP right now at least a dozen 'funny things about america' -style posts and we are usually able to be self-effacing or laugh or agree with certain things with occasional defensive comments but... there some seriously defensive posts on this thread that are downright nasty. Americans get knocked by other countries all the time. You are quite a sensitive bunch.
Mama Penguin 1 year ago
Some people here do need to lighten up and broaden their views a bit.
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Christos Arvanitis 1 year ago
Seems like posts like this are created simply to drive a wedge between Americans and Europeans. These posts are mean spirited and the comments aren't kind, productive or conducive to a good conversation. There are great aspects to all of our societies and peoples and not-so-great aspects as well.
Nenya 1 year ago
Thinking out loud here: It’s almost as if Europeans want to be seen as individuals rather than ‘Europeans’, just like Americans want to be seen as individuals too…? (And I’m sorry for yet keep calling people Americans and Europeans, but as a person living in a European country, I’m just not bothered by that myself)
Jacob Emmanuel Corsiga 1 year ago
Ooh, this one struck a chord. People need to realize the countries in Europe and the U.S all have pros and cons.
Matthew Cook 1 year ago
I'm sorry. I love Bored Panda but I'm not a huge fan of poking sticks at hornets nest like I've seen with recent posts/threads. We aren't doing anything but creating discord. I'm an American. I hate guns. I'm a parent. I fear for my two teenage boys at school. But I love everyone. I want us all to enjoy and embrace and celebrate our differences. Love your Pandas! I love mine
TMoxraaar 1 year ago
Disabled people are treated WAAAAAAY better in the US than in Europe. I'm an ASL interpreter and I lived in England for two years (not interpreting - I don't even know the BSL alphabet). My job was seen as kind of - dirty. The casual cruelty of how they discussed people with any disability was pretty disgusting. Yes, there are still systemic problems and loud people who are jerks, but we at least have the ADA and it's not widely accepted in our culture to treat people with disability as if they are bad for having them.
Nikki Sevven 1 year ago
I'm actively questioning why I spend time on this site every day. The hostility, sheer nastiness, and hatred have left me depressed af. Reading the news would be more relaxing. And most of you are talking out your asses, spewing misinformation and stereotypes as fact, judging all Americans by the tiny minority of loud, willfully ignorant jerks. You're doing the equivalent of judging all Germans by Hitler, never seeing the hypocrisy you're spewing from your high horse.
LokisLilButterknife 1 year ago
This site never used to be like this from someone who has been a reader since it first started about 8 years ago. It was a site that celebrated artists from around the world and shared cute and uplifting news. Now it has become a site that censors users and creates drama for traffic. It also has some of the worst trolls I’ve ever seen on a site and we have no way to block them. There are still som fun listicles, but I miss the days when this was a site that focused on artwork and not a mini Buzzfeed.
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LilliVB 1 year ago
And I thought that by complaining that I didn't like them I could suggest to BP staff to stop doing USA bashing articles. They did, and now they are starting doing Europe bashing articles. If I complain about them too, they will start with another country/continent? Because this wasn't exactly my goal...
oddly_informed_raven 1 year ago
all the comments from Europeans saying how stupid these posts are, and i don't recall anything like this on all those articles where it's things Americans aren't ready to hear
Cold Eagle 1 year ago
Whoops, meant to post here silly phone: Seriously what's with the snarky reply to every post. Yet if the positions are reversed the comments are not the same.
Petra Schaap 1 year ago
I have the idea this article isnt going the way you thought it would 😂
Adam Jeff 1 year ago
The article is 'things Europeans aren't ready to hear' and Europeans are up in arms in the comments - I'd say it's going exactly as expected
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Erik Ivan 1 year ago
And we all hear about the worst things in other countries - and not much else if you don't go look for it. I mean, in my country (Sweden) we all hear about the protests over changed reiterment age in France. And that's it. Nothing else, more then that Macron apparently did not have a wrist watch on some interview. I guess the same goes for most countries: you hear about things from other places that makes the headlines, and nothing else.
Brittania Kelli 1 year ago
I strongly encourage people to do the question/survey at the end of the article where it asks whether you liked the article. If enough people feedback that we don't like these types of articles then maybe they'll not do them?
PeridotPlatypus377 1 year ago
Americans and Europeans keep acting like they know everything about how each other experience their lives in their home countries. How is it possible that we all know everything there is about people we’ve never met in a part of the world we’ve never lived in ourselves. Even by moving one European country over to another or one American state over to another the cultural differences are obvious. Even City to City there are cultural differences. Maybe we don’t really know near as much about each other and how they actually experience their lives as we keep telling ourselves. This whole “my country is so much better that yours” argument that everyone seems to love has always been destined to go nowhere. These kinds of arguments are better at making people feel superior about where they live than they are at actually determining which countries really are superior. Winning this argument is impossible for everyone. Why are we all so invested in it.
Erik Ivan 1 year ago
Every country in the world has wonderful people. And every country in the world has a number of horrible people. Sometimes it's even the same person that are both, depending on whats going on. Also, every country in the world has places that are more or less a paradise. An older man from Lebanon told me this, and nothing I have ever seen has even suggested otherwise.
Brittania Kelli 1 year ago
I have gone through and I believe I have found all my comments and have deleted them. I don't actually think posts like this should appear on Bored Panda. BP, for me at least, is lighthearted and interesting articles. Posts like this do nothing but stir up hate, cause arguments and bring out the troll inside a lot of normally nice people, myself included. I'm happy to find a lot of people sharing the same sentiment down here, I just wish I had come to this realisation before getting into heated disagreements. Sorry if I offended anyone.
Wim Cossement 1 year ago
America is in many ways still a backwater shithole and it's getting worse... Please evolve for the better. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/american-exceptionalism_n_4170683
Tony Dadson 1 year ago
If Americans would just quit screaming WERE NO 1! USA! USA! to every situation imaginable, the rest of us might not be so eager to point out your faults!!
LokisLilButterknife 1 year ago (edited)
It is a load of bullocks. Stereotyping in any shape or form is cruel. BoredPanda has constantly posted listicles bashing users from the US. However, when these users from the US spoke up about how cruel and hurtful these posts were they were down-voted or told to be quiet by some users based in the UK and Europe. As someone who has lived in the US, Europe, and UK, stereotypes hurt. I think this thread taught a lot of European and UK readers what some of the US readers might have felt. BoredPanda really needs to stop pitting people against each other.
Load More Replies... Colin 1 year ago
If you're in any establishment with me and claim you're Irish I'm going to ask where you were born. Once you tell me your grandparents were born there then I'm going to call you American after that. Just because you can get a passport due to your grandparents still doesn't make you Irish. As for Turkey, people are still resentful over the Ottomans. Most of Europe doesn't like Turkey.
North45 1 year ago
Right. Europe definitely doesn't have any questionable leaders.
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LokisLilButterknife 1 year ago (edited)
Ah bless. So it’s alright for people on this site to bash users from the US, but nobody can say anything bad about Europe? That’s a wee bit hypocritical, no? Maybe if you stopped believing all these stereotypes and actually talked to someone from the US you would feel differently.
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LokisLilButterknife 1 year ago (edited)
Stereotypes are cruel in any shape or form. However, this site has constantly bashed people from the United States. When readers from the U.S. have complained that these types of threads are harmful they are down-voted and told to shut-up. Now readers from Europe and the UK (I happen to be from the UK) are on the receiving end of these false narratives and are realizing just how truly nasty and cruel stereotypes. So, why is all right for the U.S. to be bashed on this site, but not alright for other countries? Why is alright for some user from other countries to constantly bash users from the U.S but Europe cannot get bashed? NEITHER ARE OK. Stereotyping in any shape or form is wrong-period! We should be learning about and respecting one another's unique cultures instead of spreading hate.
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BdW 1 year ago
I do not understand and very much dislike the almost hostility in both the European comments and USA posts. USA is amazing, Europe is amazing. We can learn from each other. Let’s be constructive and nice.
Caro Caro 1 year ago
Such a pity that I read a lot of nasty comments on this thread. The USA isn't a horrible country, has it's pros and cons just like any other country. People went into defensive mode and that was not necessary. Let's be nice.
Leo Domitrix 1 year ago
Gobsmacking how some people sneer at Americans while demonstrating the exact qualities they claim they don't have but Americans do. We're all humans. We're all a-hats sometimes, all nationalist/tribalist sometimes, ignorant sometimes, etc. And we're all most concerned with what's nearest our homes. It's bizarre to be accused of being uncultured by someone in Europe who speaks fewer languages fluently than I do, has been to fewer nations than I have (which takes talent, if you live in Europe), and they don't acknowledge that the Americas had cultures .... until European colonialism wiped them out. Yay, Europe? ...??? I'm confused and depressed after this.
Load More Replies... Rae Black 1 year ago
So, Americans post and, as usual, people bash in the comments. I love other countries, we as people all have flaws, our countries all have pros and cons. Can we please stop with the hostility?
Did I say that out loud? 1 year ago
Speaking as a Brit, I couldn't agree with you more. Yes,there are things I find bizarre and confusing, to say the least
Load More Replies... Alecto76 1 year ago (edited)
For one we are not all the sterotypes Europeans make us out to be. There are a lot of us. Each state is like a different country - different laws, culture, accents. I do take issue with criticizing us for saying we are "going to Europe" instead of specifying the country- its really expensive for us to get there. Its usual to visit as many countries as possible as it may be the only chance we have.
Colin 1 year ago
Yes indeed. I felt more comfortable with my North Carolina friends than the ones I had in Michigan, New York and Ohio
Load More Replies... Mama Penguin 1 year ago (edited)
I love how nasty and defensive some of the comments are when people are sometimes just genuinely trying to say, 'Hey it's not bad here all the time and we're not all gun toting, gas guzzling racists.'
Dave Roger 1 year ago
Oh no, you’re absolutely not allowed to say that here. According to people who comment here, we are all disgusting fat slob idiots with no education who have never traveled outside our own towns and refuse to walk more than 5 feet. The stereotypes here are sickening. And I love how Europeans who have never stepped foot in the US pretend to know everything about this country and the people in it. For people claiming Americans are arrogant, it sure comes across as arrogance to me to believe you know everything about a place you’ve never been.
Load More Replies... Alecto76 1 year ago (edited)
One thing that irritates me is the condescension about how amazed we are by traveling so easily, safely and quickly between countries in Europe. At home, we really can't. I live in Chicago, north middle of US. I would have to drive 8 hours to get to Canada. The other direction to Mexico would take me 29 hours. And that is into the border states which are not safe. A couple of weeks ago, 4 US citizens crossed from Texas. They were kidnapped and 2 of them were murdered. While this was considered a possible case of mistaken identity, and sure the controlling cartel handed those responsible over, its not advised to cross the border right now. If I was to keep driving for 47 hours, I would be in Guatemala, Honduras or El Salvador, which are some of the most dangerous countries in the hemisphere. So of course, the fact you can go safely from Belgium to Luxembourg to France in about 6 hours IS amazing to us.
Dan Holden 1 year ago (edited)
I always wonder why the Canada/US border is so tightly controlled when compared to a lot of European counties. It really seems pointless. Open borders would encourage tourism between the two countries. It's not like there's a lot of illegal immigrants going either direction (and the ones that are crossing that border almost entirely consist of people that reside in neither country), and if it's drugs they're worried about, they're pretty much all coming from elsewhere too.
Load More Replies... Weasel Wise 1 year ago
So glad to know it's not just me noticing constant hostility towards the US by a lot of posts here. I can be sensitive but this thread proved it; every single highly rated comment is someone being defensive and bashing.
30_Helens_Agree 1 year ago (edited)
I’m so glad that I’ve never met any Europeans in my travels who are as prone to stereotypes and hatred as many non-US commenters on this site. I’ve found people to be friendly in every country I’ve been to, but judging by how Europeans and people from other countries talk about people from the states, I’m so glad I’ve never encountered anyone in real life as rude as you guys. Truly, some of these comments are despicable. Not every American is the same. Just like not everyone from your country is the same.
happyhippie 1 year ago
I’m trying to figure out why I even come to this site anymore. I’m sick of being bombarded about what a f*****g idiot I am for being born in the country I was.
Load More Replies... Kate Jones 1 year ago
Wow. I could look up on BP right now at least a dozen 'funny things about america' -style posts and we are usually able to be self-effacing or laugh or agree with certain things with occasional defensive comments but... there some seriously defensive posts on this thread that are downright nasty. Americans get knocked by other countries all the time. You are quite a sensitive bunch.
Mama Penguin 1 year ago
Some people here do need to lighten up and broaden their views a bit.
Load More Replies... Christos Arvanitis 1 year ago
Seems like posts like this are created simply to drive a wedge between Americans and Europeans. These posts are mean spirited and the comments aren't kind, productive or conducive to a good conversation. There are great aspects to all of our societies and peoples and not-so-great aspects as well.
Nenya 1 year ago
Thinking out loud here: It’s almost as if Europeans want to be seen as individuals rather than ‘Europeans’, just like Americans want to be seen as individuals too…? (And I’m sorry for yet keep calling people Americans and Europeans, but as a person living in a European country, I’m just not bothered by that myself)
Jacob Emmanuel Corsiga 1 year ago
Ooh, this one struck a chord. People need to realize the countries in Europe and the U.S all have pros and cons.
Matthew Cook 1 year ago
I'm sorry. I love Bored Panda but I'm not a huge fan of poking sticks at hornets nest like I've seen with recent posts/threads. We aren't doing anything but creating discord. I'm an American. I hate guns. I'm a parent. I fear for my two teenage boys at school. But I love everyone. I want us all to enjoy and embrace and celebrate our differences. Love your Pandas! I love mine
TMoxraaar 1 year ago
Disabled people are treated WAAAAAAY better in the US than in Europe. I'm an ASL interpreter and I lived in England for two years (not interpreting - I don't even know the BSL alphabet). My job was seen as kind of - dirty. The casual cruelty of how they discussed people with any disability was pretty disgusting. Yes, there are still systemic problems and loud people who are jerks, but we at least have the ADA and it's not widely accepted in our culture to treat people with disability as if they are bad for having them.
Nikki Sevven 1 year ago
I'm actively questioning why I spend time on this site every day. The hostility, sheer nastiness, and hatred have left me depressed af. Reading the news would be more relaxing. And most of you are talking out your asses, spewing misinformation and stereotypes as fact, judging all Americans by the tiny minority of loud, willfully ignorant jerks. You're doing the equivalent of judging all Germans by Hitler, never seeing the hypocrisy you're spewing from your high horse.
LokisLilButterknife 1 year ago
This site never used to be like this from someone who has been a reader since it first started about 8 years ago. It was a site that celebrated artists from around the world and shared cute and uplifting news. Now it has become a site that censors users and creates drama for traffic. It also has some of the worst trolls I’ve ever seen on a site and we have no way to block them. There are still som fun listicles, but I miss the days when this was a site that focused on artwork and not a mini Buzzfeed.
Load More Replies... LilliVB 1 year ago
And I thought that by complaining that I didn't like them I could suggest to BP staff to stop doing USA bashing articles. They did, and now they are starting doing Europe bashing articles. If I complain about them too, they will start with another country/continent? Because this wasn't exactly my goal...
oddly_informed_raven 1 year ago
all the comments from Europeans saying how stupid these posts are, and i don't recall anything like this on all those articles where it's things Americans aren't ready to hear
Cold Eagle 1 year ago
Whoops, meant to post here silly phone: Seriously what's with the snarky reply to every post. Yet if the positions are reversed the comments are not the same.
Petra Schaap 1 year ago
I have the idea this article isnt going the way you thought it would 😂
Adam Jeff 1 year ago
The article is 'things Europeans aren't ready to hear' and Europeans are up in arms in the comments - I'd say it's going exactly as expected
Load More Replies... Erik Ivan 1 year ago
And we all hear about the worst things in other countries - and not much else if you don't go look for it. I mean, in my country (Sweden) we all hear about the protests over changed reiterment age in France. And that's it. Nothing else, more then that Macron apparently did not have a wrist watch on some interview. I guess the same goes for most countries: you hear about things from other places that makes the headlines, and nothing else.
Brittania Kelli 1 year ago
I strongly encourage people to do the question/survey at the end of the article where it asks whether you liked the article. If enough people feedback that we don't like these types of articles then maybe they'll not do them?
PeridotPlatypus377 1 year ago
Americans and Europeans keep acting like they know everything about how each other experience their lives in their home countries. How is it possible that we all know everything there is about people we’ve never met in a part of the world we’ve never lived in ourselves. Even by moving one European country over to another or one American state over to another the cultural differences are obvious. Even City to City there are cultural differences. Maybe we don’t really know near as much about each other and how they actually experience their lives as we keep telling ourselves. This whole “my country is so much better that yours” argument that everyone seems to love has always been destined to go nowhere. These kinds of arguments are better at making people feel superior about where they live than they are at actually determining which countries really are superior. Winning this argument is impossible for everyone. Why are we all so invested in it.
Erik Ivan 1 year ago
Every country in the world has wonderful people. And every country in the world has a number of horrible people. Sometimes it's even the same person that are both, depending on whats going on. Also, every country in the world has places that are more or less a paradise. An older man from Lebanon told me this, and nothing I have ever seen has even suggested otherwise.
Brittania Kelli 1 year ago
I have gone through and I believe I have found all my comments and have deleted them. I don't actually think posts like this should appear on Bored Panda. BP, for me at least, is lighthearted and interesting articles. Posts like this do nothing but stir up hate, cause arguments and bring out the troll inside a lot of normally nice people, myself included. I'm happy to find a lot of people sharing the same sentiment down here, I just wish I had come to this realisation before getting into heated disagreements. Sorry if I offended anyone.
Wim Cossement 1 year ago
America is in many ways still a backwater shithole and it's getting worse... Please evolve for the better. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/american-exceptionalism_n_4170683
Tony Dadson 1 year ago
If Americans would just quit screaming WERE NO 1! USA! USA! to every situation imaginable, the rest of us might not be so eager to point out your faults!!
LokisLilButterknife 1 year ago (edited)
It is a load of bullocks. Stereotyping in any shape or form is cruel. BoredPanda has constantly posted listicles bashing users from the US. However, when these users from the US spoke up about how cruel and hurtful these posts were they were down-voted or told to be quiet by some users based in the UK and Europe. As someone who has lived in the US, Europe, and UK, stereotypes hurt. I think this thread taught a lot of European and UK readers what some of the US readers might have felt. BoredPanda really needs to stop pitting people against each other.
Load More Replies... Colin 1 year ago
If you're in any establishment with me and claim you're Irish I'm going to ask where you were born. Once you tell me your grandparents were born there then I'm going to call you American after that. Just because you can get a passport due to your grandparents still doesn't make you Irish. As for Turkey, people are still resentful over the Ottomans. Most of Europe doesn't like Turkey.
North45 1 year ago
Right. Europe definitely doesn't have any questionable leaders.
Load More Replies... LokisLilButterknife 1 year ago (edited)
Ah bless. So it’s alright for people on this site to bash users from the US, but nobody can say anything bad about Europe? That’s a wee bit hypocritical, no? Maybe if you stopped believing all these stereotypes and actually talked to someone from the US you would feel differently.
Load More Replies... LokisLilButterknife 1 year ago (edited)
Stereotypes are cruel in any shape or form. However, this site has constantly bashed people from the United States. When readers from the U.S. have complained that these types of threads are harmful they are down-voted and told to shut-up. Now readers from Europe and the UK (I happen to be from the UK) are on the receiving end of these false narratives and are realizing just how truly nasty and cruel stereotypes. So, why is all right for the U.S. to be bashed on this site, but not alright for other countries? Why is alright for some user from other countries to constantly bash users from the U.S but Europe cannot get bashed? NEITHER ARE OK. Stereotyping in any shape or form is wrong-period! We should be learning about and respecting one another's unique cultures instead of spreading hate.
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