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 
You read about the way the US and Europe treat areas like education and health care, and start to understand that even though both sides of the Atlantic belong to the Western world, life can look pretty different depending on which one you're on.
It's evident without diving into difficult social policies, too. Last week, Redditor Jrusj asked other users: "Americans that visited Europe, what was the biggest shock for you?" and the answers immediately started pouring in.
As of this article, there are already over 14,000 comments under Jrusj's post, many of which reveal that the Old Continent can surprise even its descendants. Below, you will find the most popular answers, so continue scrolling and enjoy.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
I went to Europe I drank all the booze, ate all the food Stayed 2 months and lost 20 pounds
Americans aren't overweight because we're lazy or gluttons or anything else we're overweight because we are being fed s***
#2
The amount of casual nudity on TV. I had to chuckle at all the naked breasts frequently visible. Europeans are just healthier in their views of sexuality and nudity. We Americans are ridiculous prudes by comparison.
Oh and Belgian chocolate is better than sex. Often.
#3
The age of all the buildings. Walked into a pub in the UK with a plaque that read something like “This building was constructed in the year 2 and was used by monks to fend off dinosaurs”. Maybe not the exact words, but you get it.
#4
I was surprised at how much walking I did. I did it because it was easy, not because I had to.
#6
Cashiers in grocery stores sat in chairs as they rang up my yummy non-gmo cheese and bread. They also didn’t feel any job pressure to chat or smile or act like your best friend. They just worked and DGAF. It was amazing!
#7
How much better all the food was. Everything was fresh, made from minimal ingredients, and most of it was grown locally. (Going from US to France) I also lost about 15 pounds even though I stopped exercising in a gym. Also my skin and hair looked better than ever. I think preservatives and high fructose corn syrup might actually be bad for you.
#8
Holidays. Europeans get so much paid time off. I've gotten into arguments with some of my American friends because they legitimately believe tons of Europeans opt out of taking their PTO because there's so much work to do. I don't buy that. People would riot. Anywhere I went in late July-August, there were tons of shops closed cause people were spending the month with their families enjoying their time off.
That and public bathroom stalls going all the way down to the floor. Y'all understand privacy.
MagicalUnicorn 2 years ago
well duh, that's called personal life :D also if you don't book some of your 5 weeks off by april, your boss will remind you about it
#9
That tax was included on the price tag.
troufaki13 2 years ago
Why is it so hard for Americans to include the tax on the price tag? I don't get it
#10
First time in Spain… 22:30… Sun still out… parents sitting, drinking, relaxing while kids run up n down… felt so completely safe and comfortable.
BakedKahuna 2 years ago
It's the time of a year where many happy memories are created, especially when you are young. Mostly involving friends, family, campfire and guitar music. Looking forward to summer again
#11
I was not ready for how many overwhelmingly beautiful ancient buildings and cities I saw in only two weeks. I actually couldn’t fathom what I was looking at. It was a surreal experience like I was really in touch with a completely different era of humanity. There is absolutely nothing like this in America. It blew me away and made me really care much more about European history, urban planning, and architecture!
Martha Meyer 2 years ago
This person seems to have had a good experience but those tours, where people are carted around half the continent within the space of only 2 weeks are really not a good invention. It's all so rushed, half the time, they barely know which country they are in at a time.
#13
I heard a story of a lady who was dumbfounded that there weren't going to be fire works celebrating the 4th of July. Couldn't conceive the idea that other countries don't celebrate America's independence day
#14
Young children were using public transportation (i.e., city bus, subway)—not escorted by adults—to get to and from school rather than a designated yellow bus. Where I am from, public transportation is barely useable by adults much less children.
Ivana Bašić 2 years ago
That's why so many of us don't have cars. We actually don't need them.
#15
History. I followed a tour of American tourists into the church in downtown. Question gets asked: Is this the oldest church in town? Heard reply:
(Chuckle) Oh no, the old church is on the North side of the river. This church was built in 1310.
Just a different perspective on history.
#16
I went to Scotland. Ran across some German tourist who asked us to translate what the scot was saying. We were all three speaking English. They just couldn’t understand each other
Nadine Bamberger 2 years ago
They tend to only teach us Oxford English in school, you do pick up other accents and dialects through movies and stuff but Scottish is a whole different kind of beast lol.
#17
American living in Sweden:
Most people don’t respect Americans until they meet you and confirm that you’re not one of “those” Americans
People drink literally at any chance they get.
Every apartment has an electric bath towel warmer. It’s pretty standard apparently.
Boobs on TV.
The vegetables are exponentially smaller, bc theyre not genetically modified.
Fruit-flavored sodas are required to have fruit juice in it so the Fanta sodas here are more like a spicy Sunny D
They are hardcore about recycling out here.
Tipping culture doesn’t really exist.
The bank is never f*cking open.
Ground floor is not the first floor. Its the 0 floor.
Celcius
#18
I was in Switzerland for a few days. I felt like the fattest person in the country at 6’0”, 210 lb. It was also amazing to me that it felt like two different countries going from Geneva to Zurich. The language went from French to German with the architecture completely different between the two cities. Absolutely beautiful country.
#19
How old a lot of the cities are. People still living in buildings older than the U.S. Walking down some of the old streets feels like you’re time traveling into a medieval fairytale.
julien 2 years ago
buildings ? entire towns are ! this one on the picture is in France and was built in 1285 !! there are hundreds of them in Europe ! just get off the beaten paths, see the real things ! monpazier-...b91f8b.jpg 
#20
The only thing that really surprised me was how much pedestrians trusted cars to not hit them
#21
For me, it was how well I was taken care of as an artist. In America, a musician is treated like help at the bar. You’re paid whatever the minimum amount they can possibly give you is. You might get 2-4 drink tickets. In Europe they respected you, fed you, found you places to sleep. Free drinks. Enough said.
Jill Chambers 2 years ago
We're just so happy to have someone from far away. We aren't that nice to people from the same country.
#22
This may sound weird, but how much they ate. Americans are the fat ones who eat too much so the stereotype goes but I took a semester in rural Germany in middle school— breakfast, morning break snack, lunch, afternoon break snack, snacks in town after school let out, dinner when you got home and occasionally this late night meal when my host parents got home, etc. Don’t get me wrong, all of it was more fresh and 10x better than the literal plastic Americans think is OK to eat on a normal basis, but I was constantly full for like the first week because I was too awkward not to eat the snacks my host mom had packed. Eventually ended up refusing things, and my host sister thought I was sick because I wasn’t eating every time the group was or something. Ironically I actually lost weight during the trip, probably because the food is just generally better for you. We did live on a farm too so it was insanely fresh.
#23
You hear about how big the Roman empire was and all the advanced building tech they had. But it doesn't really sink in until you see it with your own eyes.
DS 2 years ago (edited)
This still blows my mind. I lived in France, next to an old Roman amphitheatre. Moved to Germany, where Roman artefacts kept getting uncovered in the castle grounds in our town. Then moved to London, where I can be walking through the middle of the city and run into a piece of the old Roman wall. Basically have lived in three countries in Europe, which were culturally SO distinct, and have never left the boundaries of the ancient Roman empire.
#25
In France people get two hour lunches. Like some stores will have two separate open and close times cause they’ll just shut down for two hours a day to enjoy themselves. Most people seemed much happier and relaxed as a whole.
Ozacoter 2 years ago
To be fair I dont really like that. It was nice when you worked near home and you could eat there. But nowadays most people work too far away. Having a 1-2h break when you are at the office just makes me more tired.
Ella Blackwood 2 years ago
I would much rather have a shorter lunch, or just eat a little something while I am working and leave early. Now that I have been spoiled by WFH for two years, I want to spend as little time in the office as possible.
Load More Replies...
Twodogsandapicnictable 2 years ago (edited)
Two hours off in the middle of a shift would be horrible. Just let me leave two hours early instead.
Chris Jones 2 years ago
Some people do that. Most places I've worked you have flexi-time and as long as you are there for core hours (10am-noon, 2pm-4pm) and as long as you do the hours you are employed for over a month (and get your work done) you can build up extra days off or have longer lunch breaks, go home early and so on.
Load More Replies...
Nadine Bamberger 2 years ago
It's something that's dying out though I found. When I grew up shop's were closed on Wednesday and Saturday after lunch and between 1 and 3pm, I only find that in small towns and shops nowadays. The only thing that won't change anytime soon is the free Sunday (except for restaurants, cafés and such of course).
Enea 2 years ago
Fully agree to that. I grew up in the 80s opposite a bakery (from a big chain) that would open workdays from 6-12 in the morning and from 4-6 pm. A four hour lunch break! You wouldn't find this any more, however (and as a consumer, I found it rather irritating, to be honest).
Load More Replies...
Seán Baron 2 years ago
It's actually illegal to eat lunch at your desk in France I believe. You have to have lunch elsewhere. And hey, French food!
M O'Connell 2 years ago
It takes me about 7 minutes to eat lunch, so what do you do with the rest of that time?
Dill 2 years ago
For us in the UK anyone employed for 6 hours a day or more is entitled to a 20 minute uninterrupted break away from their workstation during the middle of the working day. Most get an hour. Though if you have flexi time that means you can start later, leave earlier or build up hours over a month and take time off accrued. Though these days I'm self employed and lunch breaks are on the hoof!
Load More Replies...
Valeska Toledo 2 years ago
When I studied in Italy in ‘97, if you didn’t eat by 1pm you wouldn’t eat until after 4pm because everything shut down, then they would open again from 4-7pm.
Susan Egan 2 years ago
Do they paid during that time? Typical work day is 8hrs here does that mean it's that much longer there? I hated it when they wanted us to take 1.5hr lunch. Not enough to go any where to eat and added more time at work. I did my best to skip lunch so I could shorten my day.
eddy edward 2 years ago
Big cities on the continent don't do siesta time, at least in the centre. You can eat, go shopping on your lunch break, etc. Small towns shut down!
Raymond Ewen 2 years ago
I was in Paris in 1976. The country is beautiful. Paris is spotless. The people were horrible. You couldn't pay me to go back.
Miruku_Spilt 2 years ago
My cousins are students in France, and they have 2 hour lunches where they get to go home and eat lunch there. Although, they do have longer schooling hours than other schools.
Nubis Knight 2 years ago
Same for most Shops in Germany: They close at 12:30 and reopen at 14:30... in some cities Wednesday afternoon the Shops keep closed to make up for opening Saturday morning.
Katherine Regnier Casse 2 years ago
I am French, working in a small Town, i can chose how long I need as lunch break, the minimum being 1 hour. Some of my colleagues prefer to take 2 hours, going home and have lunch with the whole family and then kids go back to School and parents back to work.... but of course this is totally different for those who leave out of town : they will prefer a shorter break and stay at work. We have a very Nice lunch Space. But if you live and work in big towns live Lyon or Paris you will stay at work or nearby.
T. D. Bostick 2 years ago
That varies wildly. In Germany you get a half hour. That's not enough time to get anything more than fast food (unless you brown bag it from home).
tirebiter 2 years ago
My cousin was a university professor doing a software project with a French university team of grad students. They came to work late, took a long coffee break at a cafe, took two hour lunches, and left early. Every day. He was not allowed to ask them to put in more effort. The project never got completed and was a total failure.
julien 2 years ago (edited)
life expectancy : List by the World Health Organization (2019) : FRANCE : 11 USA : 40 !!! DUDE ! it's good to be " lazy " ! lol
Load More Replies... #26
I’m Dutch, but I’ll never forget my American girlfriend’s reaction to seeing rows and rows of parked bicycles in front of the train station when she came to visit the Netherlands. “Oh my God look at all those bikes!!”
#28
Not a shock per se, but something of an immediate reorienting of perspective in terms of history and how young the US really is. We have cool historical sites and artifacts, but it’s weird to suddenly be confronted with the reality that for as historical as Ben Franklin and the liberty bell were/are, they’re borderline infantile on a global historical scale.
I especially remember being at a church in Italy, reading about its history and initially felt a bit deflated when a sentence began “this is not the original church, the original burned down and was rebuilt on the same site…” and thinking ah bummer, so this is the knockoff replica, not the real thing— and then getting to the end of the sentence “…in the 12th century.” The “knockoff replica” is 600 years older than the Liberty Bell.
#29
I've lived in Europe for most of the last 20 years...when I first moved here the main things were:
the quality and efficiency of public transportation. Where I am from (Oklahoma City) there is almost no public transportation.
The fact that sometimes when you go to the doctor they basically just tell you, "yeah, you're sick. You need to go home, drink lots of fluids, and rest." In the US it seemed like regardless of what the ailment was you were gonna get a prescription for something.
In my experience, people here communicate much more directly and if you are not used to it, it might seem rude.
The lack of a copay for things like doctor's visits, physical therapy, etc. along with a price cap on prescription drugs.
The attitude toward customer service. "back home" in the US I was a customer service manager at a retail chain in college. The standard practice was that if someone complained, regardless of how ridiculous the complaint was, we just gave them a coupon for 10% off or something. Here, if you are unhappy with the service at a store and ask to speak to the manager, the manager is probably just going to tell you to "go shop somewhere else if you don't like it here."
kathoco 2 years ago
Funny, I’ve lived in France for 20 years and my doctor experience is the opposite. Doctors always load you up with tons of prescriptions, even if it’s just a cold. And people go to the doctor for EVERYTHING. I don’t see the point of going for a cold or stomach virus - just rest and liquids but loads of people will see a doctor for a minor virus that can’t really be treated.
#31
Complete privacy when taking a dump in a public restroom. It was hard to come back home just from that.
#32
The amount of public transportation and in many places people not driving or not even knowing how to drive.
Nadine Bamberger 2 years ago
Unfortunately that only works in larger cities, but there's at least a way for our students to get to or from school with public transportation pretty much everywhere.
#33
How small things were like appliances, paper towels, toilet paper. I really wanted to take that idea home with me. It makes so much sense.
Also, how conveniently close shops were so we only drove when visiting other cities. I love it and I want it!
Nadine Bamberger 2 years ago
I think our cities are planned differently, we don't have those huge suburbian living areas, there's always at least a supermarket and a small business area sprinkled in between lol.
#34
In Italy the shower at one of my hotels had no barriers to keep the water in one general area. It was just a drain in the floor. Luckily it was just that one and it was definitely an older hotel.
Also I was really surprised that the price was exactly what the price tag said. I love that the tax is rolled in, especially while I learned the currency.
Jill Chambers 2 years ago
You mean a wet room. Useful for some disabilities and can be much more luxurious than a small shower.
#35
My grandma took me back to England at the end of my 8th grade year to see my nanna as well as where she grew up. I still remember quite vividly finding out that there's a very big difference between what's allowed on TV in England and what was allowed on TV in the United States regarding nudity. As a young boy this was a very exciting discovery.
Edit: I should also add that my entire experience with British culture had up until this point been through my grandma who was very formal and proper. I played soccer at an incredibly high level in the states so she managed to arrange a time for me to go play with a local academy team in Norwich for the afternoon. I'm still not sure how she managed to do this. I will never forget how foul mouthed everyone was - coaches included. This took me entirely by surprise. I will also never forget how humbling that experience was because I was nowhere near as good as I thought I was. I could hold my own, but my goodness I was certainly in the bottom half of the talent pool that day.
Nadine Bamberger 2 years ago
I will never understand how it's acceptable to walk around with a gun hanging on your belt and showing the most graphic violence on TV but they have to say "heck" and "freaking" on the same show where they've just decapitated a guy. That's such a weird double standard.
#36
How friendly everyone was. I was always told everyone hates Americans. Wasn’t my experience at all.
#37
How polite everyone was. How fresh the food was from restaurants. The simplicity of fruit stands/markets. How easy it was to get around by train (backpacked Europe for a month in 2017: england, France, Italy, Switzerland) edit- I live in South Florida. What is a train?
Karin Jansen 2 years ago
Wait, wait, wait. Did this person just claim the French to be polite? I call b******t 😅
#38
I lived in Europe for 5 years (2011-2016), specifically in Amsterdam. There were a lot of interesting little cultural quirks, of course, but there was only one thing I saw while living there that literally made me slam on my bicycle breaks and go back to see if I saw it right, which was of all things a Sesame Street Live poster.
You see, turns out Big Bird (or his equivalent) in the Netherlands and several other countries is blue. The Dutch will insist that it's actually Big Bird's cousin, Pino, but I wasn't fooled. You know he just escaped to the Netherlands to seek an alternative lifestyle.
So yeah I'm sure OP wanted something more serious and profound, but that was the biggest shock for sure because who expects that?!
#40
I was surprised how many people still smoke cigarettes and how common it was to have people smoking in outdoor restaurants and bars. It has gotten to the point you almost never smell cigarette smoke in those places in most of the USA.
What do you think ?
Janet C 2 years ago
Every country here has its culture, flavor, tone, foods, style, etc. However, taken as a whole, it's all still much older, historically richer, healthier, and has tons more transportation infrastructure than the US.
Load More Replies... Anony Mouse 2 years ago
Thank you for reposting all these. I had almost forgotten about all these points that haven't been raised since... Maybe ten days ago?
Blarrg 2 years ago
This comment makes me happy. The "tell us why America sucks" is one of those threads that pandas seemingly never tire of.
Load More Replies...
Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
We get it. Nothing shocking in Europe is bad. Spend a month or three, you learn. And what I learned is that some people will share their last loaf of bread with you, and some will walk away rolling their eyes at how pathetic you are to need help, same as anywhere I've been in the world so far.
Milan 2 years ago (edited)
Once i’ve got in NY free meal in restaurant, because they were very sorry, but had only the half of portion of food. So they gave it to me for free. I was still stuffed 😀 Left a very generous tip above 20% though ☺️
Neal Patrick 2 years ago
These series are always the same…everywhere outside of the USA is better, thinner, healthier, kinder, cheaper …. If only that were reality. Every occupied location in the world has good things and bad things, sometimes more of the other or less of the other.
Ren Karlej 2 years ago
Yep and I think most ordinary people realise that. Posts like these... aren't generally helpful. Though maybe some people learn (said with huge amounts of optimism!). I mean people who might just make broad assumptions about Americans and then read some of the comments... maybe something clicks. 🤷
Load More Replies...
Anton Kider 2 years ago (edited)
My street is 2000 years old and my apartment is from 1640. I can get the underground round the corner and get off at any European capital without walking in the street.
Wesley Lucas 2 years ago
This article just made me sad. I'd love to flee the US for Europe but we just can't afford to do it. Maybe, MAYBE, in like another decade we could put away enough to do so...The other thing is that so many of these wonderful aspects COULD be a thing here in the US but due to our political dysfunction and the fact that half the country seemingly takes pride in being loud, dumb, and constantly consuming crap, we'll never be able to implement them. Reading about how much more healthy the lifestyles are because of the lack of sugars and food additives really hit hard...
Lucas 2 years ago
I wouldn't come now if I were you anyway... things are getting scarily expensive due to wars and whatnot! We could send food parcels maybe?!! It is a shame about your political dysfunction. Does campaigning for change get you nowhere? Just wondering what could be done to improve the food situation. Nowhere is perfect, no consolation I know. In the UK anyone, theoretically, can be our PM but we do end up with too many clueless posh boys in the Cabinet. Thankfully we do have a great many ordinary people as MPs and a cap on how much can be spent on campaigning so money, or lack, is not a barrier to stand. There is still a lot of dysfunction and money exchanged illegally for favours etc though.
Load More Replies...
Agfox 2 years ago
It continues to surprise me that people don't realise that fruit & vegetables have been genetically modified ever since people realised that selective breeding could produce larger yields of better quality, better-tasting products. The expression "genetically modified" is much wider in meaning than something done in a laboratory by people in white coats https://www.sciencealert.com/fruits-vegetables-before-domestication-photos-genetically-modified-food-natural
Gandalf the Pink 2 years ago
Careful around the ones who also wear gold watches and pinky rings
Load More Replies... Vivian Ashe 2 years ago
Even when I study the language before I travel, I get caught up in awkward situations because the phrase books often don't cover a lot of common things. For example, when you walk into a restaurant in the U.S., they usually assume you're a customer, so they ask whether you're here for dine-in or take-out, and how many people are in your party. Before I went out to a restaurant for the first time in Germany, I studied all I could about what was likely to be on the menu. But when I walked in, all the host said was, "Yes?" And I realized I didn't know how to say I wanted to sit down and order lunch. Tiny cultural differences like that can really throw you.
Ren Karlej 2 years ago
For anyone unsure you'd say 'may I have a table for x (number of people) please.' It IS the little things that often catch you out!
Load More Replies...
JuniorCJ82 2 years ago
The one thing I just will never understand is having to pay to take a piss/dump in a public washroom.
Ren Karlej 2 years ago
Thinking about it, I haven't seen anywhere I needed to pay in a long time. However, if it was a choice between no public loos, dirty public loos or paying a few pence I will happily pay.
Load More Replies...
Mad Mar 2 years ago
My goal is to move to Europe or Britain and just exist like this. Grow fresh food. Paint. Relax until I pass away. Less stress. More history to explore and admire. Right bow I'm growing my own food an cooking but I'm sure it will be 100% better there.
Emmydearest 2 years ago
Uh well, not to break it to you but you're describing the lifestyle of a 1800's rich person or something. Europeans don't just relax all day, we don't all grow our own food, we do have to work you know. It's not like we all live in "A room with a view" Tuscany... (I wish 😅)
Load More Replies...
Amanda Reicha 2 years ago
I went to Germany during college as a transfer student (1999) and years later I took a small tour of a few countries in Europe. I didn't need to worry about my health, it was nice to be able to walk everywhere, the food was better, and the prices were good. So many different cultures so close together we're beautiful.
Monica Pryts 2 years ago (edited)
Yes! I lost weight while visiting Madrid and Rome. Didn't really snack between meals and did a lot of walking. Also they don't make a big deal out of the younger drinking age.
Barbara Vandewalle 2 years ago
A number of times I manage to get lost. Every time someone would make sure I got back to where I needed to be.
DOMENICO CUTRONE 2 years ago
Gli americani dimostrano costantemente arroganza ed ignoranza... Qualunque stato europeo possiede un livello di cultura, civiltà e intelligenza che gli americani non raggiungeranno mai. Basta vedere il loro sistema sanitario. Ridicoli
Berni W. Love 2 years ago (edited)
Please stop calling the United States citizens "Americans". America is a whole continent, with like 35 countries and is not our fault that their country has not a real name... In Spanisch we call them "Estadounidenses" that comes from "Estados Unidos" which is the translation from "United states"... Maybe you can call them "United-statesers" hahaha I don't care, or just USA-citizens.... Whatever, but America is not 1 country and most of the people on this continent don't feel identified with the USA.... I know it take more than a post to change this, but I am just asking you, lovely reader, if you are those which call the USA citizens "Americans", please stop... Is disrespectful with the rest of this rich countinen full of different cultures. Please.... PD: I bet most of the people who complains about my comment are US-citizens....
Bad Mole 2 years ago
What surprised (and pleased) me the most was that people thought about each other and not just themselves like Americans do. In America people are so focused on their individual liberties they completely forget about their social responsibilities.
Vladimíra Matejová 2 years ago
this depends on what kind of ppl are around you. there are ego maniacs in Europe as well as altruists in the US.
Load More Replies...
Bi-Polar Express 2 years ago
Americans who lived in cities are surprised by the buildings still standing in cities occupied by those who destroyed the civilizations of early American civilizations.
Ren Karlej 2 years ago
Looking at stats found: "The European Union’s share (so not all of Europe) in worldwide immigration to the US is quite small. In 2013, 54 356 EU nationals received green card status in the US. This represents only 0.01% of the total EU population in 2013 and 5.5% of all green cards issued by the US in that year and is in decline". Comparing it to Australia I believe the stat is 0.02% (not 100% sure). I don't think that less US citizens going to Europe is something we should assume means anything much. English is taught in European countries but vice versa? Too many different languages so that presents a barrier to some. US is currently a Flawed Democracy so very few see it as the answer to their dreams anymore, sorry. The US isn't in the Top 10 Countries with Highest Human Development Index, 2020 Report by United Nations. Not US bashing but let's be realistic. All the 'benefits' you list exist in Europe.
Load More Replies... Janet C 2 years ago
Every country here has its culture, flavor, tone, foods, style, etc. However, taken as a whole, it's all still much older, historically richer, healthier, and has tons more transportation infrastructure than the US.
Load More Replies... Anony Mouse 2 years ago
Thank you for reposting all these. I had almost forgotten about all these points that haven't been raised since... Maybe ten days ago?
Blarrg 2 years ago
This comment makes me happy. The "tell us why America sucks" is one of those threads that pandas seemingly never tire of.
Load More Replies... Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
We get it. Nothing shocking in Europe is bad. Spend a month or three, you learn. And what I learned is that some people will share their last loaf of bread with you, and some will walk away rolling their eyes at how pathetic you are to need help, same as anywhere I've been in the world so far.
Milan 2 years ago (edited)
Once i’ve got in NY free meal in restaurant, because they were very sorry, but had only the half of portion of food. So they gave it to me for free. I was still stuffed 😀 Left a very generous tip above 20% though ☺️
Neal Patrick 2 years ago
These series are always the same…everywhere outside of the USA is better, thinner, healthier, kinder, cheaper …. If only that were reality. Every occupied location in the world has good things and bad things, sometimes more of the other or less of the other.
Ren Karlej 2 years ago
Yep and I think most ordinary people realise that. Posts like these... aren't generally helpful. Though maybe some people learn (said with huge amounts of optimism!). I mean people who might just make broad assumptions about Americans and then read some of the comments... maybe something clicks. 🤷
Load More Replies... Anton Kider 2 years ago (edited)
My street is 2000 years old and my apartment is from 1640. I can get the underground round the corner and get off at any European capital without walking in the street.
Wesley Lucas 2 years ago
This article just made me sad. I'd love to flee the US for Europe but we just can't afford to do it. Maybe, MAYBE, in like another decade we could put away enough to do so...The other thing is that so many of these wonderful aspects COULD be a thing here in the US but due to our political dysfunction and the fact that half the country seemingly takes pride in being loud, dumb, and constantly consuming crap, we'll never be able to implement them. Reading about how much more healthy the lifestyles are because of the lack of sugars and food additives really hit hard...
Lucas 2 years ago
I wouldn't come now if I were you anyway... things are getting scarily expensive due to wars and whatnot! We could send food parcels maybe?!! It is a shame about your political dysfunction. Does campaigning for change get you nowhere? Just wondering what could be done to improve the food situation. Nowhere is perfect, no consolation I know. In the UK anyone, theoretically, can be our PM but we do end up with too many clueless posh boys in the Cabinet. Thankfully we do have a great many ordinary people as MPs and a cap on how much can be spent on campaigning so money, or lack, is not a barrier to stand. There is still a lot of dysfunction and money exchanged illegally for favours etc though.
Load More Replies... Agfox 2 years ago
It continues to surprise me that people don't realise that fruit & vegetables have been genetically modified ever since people realised that selective breeding could produce larger yields of better quality, better-tasting products. The expression "genetically modified" is much wider in meaning than something done in a laboratory by people in white coats https://www.sciencealert.com/fruits-vegetables-before-domestication-photos-genetically-modified-food-natural
Gandalf the Pink 2 years ago
Careful around the ones who also wear gold watches and pinky rings
Load More Replies... Vivian Ashe 2 years ago
Even when I study the language before I travel, I get caught up in awkward situations because the phrase books often don't cover a lot of common things. For example, when you walk into a restaurant in the U.S., they usually assume you're a customer, so they ask whether you're here for dine-in or take-out, and how many people are in your party. Before I went out to a restaurant for the first time in Germany, I studied all I could about what was likely to be on the menu. But when I walked in, all the host said was, "Yes?" And I realized I didn't know how to say I wanted to sit down and order lunch. Tiny cultural differences like that can really throw you.
Ren Karlej 2 years ago
For anyone unsure you'd say 'may I have a table for x (number of people) please.' It IS the little things that often catch you out!
Load More Replies... JuniorCJ82 2 years ago
The one thing I just will never understand is having to pay to take a piss/dump in a public washroom.
Ren Karlej 2 years ago
Thinking about it, I haven't seen anywhere I needed to pay in a long time. However, if it was a choice between no public loos, dirty public loos or paying a few pence I will happily pay.
Load More Replies... Mad Mar 2 years ago
My goal is to move to Europe or Britain and just exist like this. Grow fresh food. Paint. Relax until I pass away. Less stress. More history to explore and admire. Right bow I'm growing my own food an cooking but I'm sure it will be 100% better there.
Emmydearest 2 years ago
Uh well, not to break it to you but you're describing the lifestyle of a 1800's rich person or something. Europeans don't just relax all day, we don't all grow our own food, we do have to work you know. It's not like we all live in "A room with a view" Tuscany... (I wish 😅)
Load More Replies... Amanda Reicha 2 years ago
I went to Germany during college as a transfer student (1999) and years later I took a small tour of a few countries in Europe. I didn't need to worry about my health, it was nice to be able to walk everywhere, the food was better, and the prices were good. So many different cultures so close together we're beautiful.
Monica Pryts 2 years ago (edited)
Yes! I lost weight while visiting Madrid and Rome. Didn't really snack between meals and did a lot of walking. Also they don't make a big deal out of the younger drinking age.
Barbara Vandewalle 2 years ago
A number of times I manage to get lost. Every time someone would make sure I got back to where I needed to be.
DOMENICO CUTRONE 2 years ago
Gli americani dimostrano costantemente arroganza ed ignoranza... Qualunque stato europeo possiede un livello di cultura, civiltà e intelligenza che gli americani non raggiungeranno mai. Basta vedere il loro sistema sanitario. Ridicoli
Berni W. Love 2 years ago (edited)
Please stop calling the United States citizens "Americans". America is a whole continent, with like 35 countries and is not our fault that their country has not a real name... In Spanisch we call them "Estadounidenses" that comes from "Estados Unidos" which is the translation from "United states"... Maybe you can call them "United-statesers" hahaha I don't care, or just USA-citizens.... Whatever, but America is not 1 country and most of the people on this continent don't feel identified with the USA.... I know it take more than a post to change this, but I am just asking you, lovely reader, if you are those which call the USA citizens "Americans", please stop... Is disrespectful with the rest of this rich countinen full of different cultures. Please.... PD: I bet most of the people who complains about my comment are US-citizens....
Bad Mole 2 years ago
What surprised (and pleased) me the most was that people thought about each other and not just themselves like Americans do. In America people are so focused on their individual liberties they completely forget about their social responsibilities.
Vladimíra Matejová 2 years ago
this depends on what kind of ppl are around you. there are ego maniacs in Europe as well as altruists in the US.
Load More Replies... Bi-Polar Express 2 years ago
Americans who lived in cities are surprised by the buildings still standing in cities occupied by those who destroyed the civilizations of early American civilizations.
Ren Karlej 2 years ago
Looking at stats found: "The European Union’s share (so not all of Europe) in worldwide immigration to the US is quite small. In 2013, 54 356 EU nationals received green card status in the US. This represents only 0.01% of the total EU population in 2013 and 5.5% of all green cards issued by the US in that year and is in decline". Comparing it to Australia I believe the stat is 0.02% (not 100% sure). I don't think that less US citizens going to Europe is something we should assume means anything much. English is taught in European countries but vice versa? Too many different languages so that presents a barrier to some. US is currently a Flawed Democracy so very few see it as the answer to their dreams anymore, sorry. The US isn't in the Top 10 Countries with Highest Human Development Index, 2020 Report by United Nations. Not US bashing but let's be realistic. All the 'benefits' you list exist in Europe.
Load More Replies... You May Like “Commit Some Crimes, Go To Prison”: 40 People Share Where They Would Move To If Given The Chance 99 Places In Europe To Add To Your Travel Bucket List 45 Underrated Cities In The US Of A That Are Worth The Visit
Jonas Zvilius
Viltė Domkutė
Aivaras Kaziukonis
Related on Bored Panda
