30 Everyday European Things That Would Be Considered Lavish In The US

It’s not only customs that differ from one part of the world to the other; things people consider mundane often do, too. So it’s no secret that certain habits or items in the US might not be as common in Europe, for example; and vice versa.

That’s what netizens in the ‘No Stupid Questions’ subreddit recently discussed. User ‘meryse' addressed the American members asking what everyday things Europeans have they would consider a luxury in the States. Their answers covered everything, from food, to healthcare, hygiene habits, and even windows; so scroll down to find them on the list below and see how they compare to your own home.

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30 Everyday European Things That Would Be Considered Lavish In The US I'm just going to assume "Really good cheese" is a legitimate answer.

November_Riot , Waldemar Report

Final score:

196points

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Kat Hoth 1 year ago

Healthcare

59points

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30 Everyday European Things That Would Be Considered Lavish In The US 4-6 weeks of vacation at time of hire.

KoRaZee , S'well Report

Final score:

189points

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Bernd Herbert 1 year ago

In my company you get 5 weeks. And that's for everyone.

21points

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30 Everyday European Things That Would Be Considered Lavish In The US Fresh baked bread for reasonable prices that you can get in walking distance of your home, and aren't full of preservatives.

Also, affordable health care.

Stu_Prek , Geraud pfeiffer Report

Final score:

183points

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Marcia Konings Goedegebuure 1 year ago

The healthcare in Holland is getting more and more non affordable..

23points

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30 Everyday European Things That Would Be Considered Lavish In The US Peace of mind that we won't receive a medical bill that might bankrupt us.

slickshoes_ , sandro porfirio Report

Final score:

161points

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Bernd Herbert 1 year ago

On BP I learned that some US Americans won't call an Ambulance because of the price tag. What a frightening thought that is!

94points

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30 Everyday European Things That Would Be Considered Lavish In The US Decent quality chocolate available in almost any random corner shop.

onetruelord72 , Tetiana Bykovets Report

Final score:

158points

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Apachebathmat 1 year ago

Part of my walk to school was through… yes through the Cadbury factory in bournville, my school was built by George Cadbury, this was back in the day when everything was black and white, I’m old

40points

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30 Everyday European Things That Would Be Considered Lavish In The US Schools that are not used as target practice

workout_mt , Kobe - Report

Final score:

156points

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Gustav Gallifrey 1 year ago

American tourists mistake Edinburgh Castle for a high school, because there's gunfire there every day.

28points

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30 Everyday European Things That Would Be Considered Lavish In The US Food that doesn’t have a ton of artificial additives and non-food ingredients that makes you sick. I never realized that was what was causing my stomach problems until I went on vacation in Europe and within a day had no problems at all. And it came back a day after I returned. They can make great food, even packaged junk food, with just real food ingredients. Why can’t we?

LakeCoffee , Wallace Chuck Report

Final score:

147points

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Donkeywheel 1 year ago

Profits. The US truly are a land of opportunities but mainly the opportunity to exploit people or make profit by all means.

63points

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30 Everyday European Things That Would Be Considered Lavish In The US Time. Time to eat in a restaurant without being shoved out. Time to sip coffee at a cafe. Time to spend with new children. Time to go on vacation. Seems like an unattainable luxury to this American.

Kindly-Risk2949 , Life Of Pix Report

Final score:

130points

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Bernd Herbert 1 year ago

One of my favorite examples: In Europe you ASK for the check.

50points

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30 Everyday European Things That Would Be Considered Lavish In The US Maternity leave and healthcare come to mind.

Affordable healthcare and maternity leave equally available to everyone. I know some people have healthcare and some companies offer paid maternity leave, but it's not the standard.

I know someone who works 50+ hours a week,, makes just enough to support his small family (child with special needs) and he can't afford to treat his hepatitis C because of the treatment (12 weeks of pills) costing more than he earns in 18 months. He can't afford to pay for health insurance.. (before a-holes start judging, he was born with it).

greencoffeemonster , Aditya Romansa Report

Final score:

127points

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Apachebathmat 1 year ago

This just makes zero sense, it’s unimaginable people not getting the healthcare they need because it costs too much, it’s really sad that the land of the free is also subject to such draconian healthcare measures, I’m grateful for the NHS even if it is a bit slow at times

40points

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#10

30 Everyday European Things That Would Be Considered Lavish In The US Can't speak for all of Europe, but workers rights. Wtf is "getting fired on the day"? Or quitting, for that matter? You get 3 months here

TheKobraSnake , Life Of Pix Report

Final score:

123points

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Bernd Herbert 1 year ago

Or more. I've been with my company for 15+ years now. I'd get 6 months. Have colleagues in the US. Sometimes people get laid off and have like 20minutes to pack their things and say goodbye.

26points

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#11

30 Everyday European Things That Would Be Considered Lavish In The US No high fructose corn syrup in everything!!!!

Like you don't even need to check the label for it.

gatzdon , Aleksandar Pasaric Report

Final score:

120points

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sturmwesen 1 year ago

I only know of it thanks to BP, documentaries and Supernatural :-)

23points

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#12

30 Everyday European Things That Would Be Considered Lavish In The US Unlimited sick days. Or just sick days, because it's just not a concept. If your are sick, you are sick and stay at home with full pay until you aren't anymore. Can't get fired for it too.

Jackman1337 , Polina Tankilevitch Report

Final score:

107points

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Alexandra 1 year ago

Just to add. If you've been sick for longer than 2 years, your employer does have the right to fire you. You will then have the right to apply for benefits.

29points

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#13

30 Everyday European Things That Would Be Considered Lavish In The US Not having to hand over your credit card to a server who then disappears with it. In Europe, the machine comes to you and you just tap it with your card/phone/watch.

hallofmontezuma , energepic.com Report

Final score:

106points

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Alexandra 1 year ago

I would never, ever, give my credit card so someone else.

34points

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#14

30 Everyday European Things That Would Be Considered Lavish In The US No gaps in bathroom stall doors. Not the bottom gap, that’s fine, they could be lower for sure, but I mean the ones between the door.

plan_with_stan , Phoreus Report

Final score:

102points

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Groundcontroltomajortom 1 year ago (edited)

Yeah this one is just weird, I was so self conscious when I went over the pond! Do not make eye contact!!!! Lol

18points

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#15

30 Everyday European Things That Would Be Considered Lavish In The US Ability to not require a personal motorised vehicle for literally every single thing in ones life.

Cakeminator , Emma Harrisova Report

Final score:

100points

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Antonia 1 year ago

This picture confuses me. Is this car driving the wrong way?

58points

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#16

30 Everyday European Things That Would Be Considered Lavish In The US Those towel warmer racks, and heated bathroom floors.

peeparty69 , nctonz Report

Final score:

100points

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James016 1 year ago

We have one of these but it is tied into the central heating so it does not operate independently

16points

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#17

30 Everyday European Things That Would Be Considered Lavish In The US Solid walls in their house.

TheRealPedram , Lübna Abdullah Report

Final score:

99points

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Zoey Bear 1 year ago

Ironically, the tornado capital in the U.S. is also the capital of tent quality houses. :(

33points

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#18

30 Everyday European Things That Would Be Considered Lavish In The US Work-Life balance. Paid time off. The ability to receive healthcare without going bankrupt. The ability to seek higher education if desired without going into life-altering debt. Public transportation. Maternal and paternal rights. Kindness.

Temporary-Dot4952 , Marc Mueller Report

Final score:

95points

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Tamra 1 year ago

I agree with everything up until "kindness". Come on.

22points

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#19

30 Everyday European Things That Would Be Considered Lavish In The US A safety net. It is incredibly stressful to work in America as an American. You bust your a*s for decades and could still lose everything you’ve worked to maintain at the drop of a hat. One slip, one positive test result, one broken bone, one genetic disorder, one sudden chronic pain… that’s it. No more job. No more paycheck. Savings gone in under a year. House (if you could afford one at all) gone. Suddenly you’re homeless.

It doesn’t even take a medical issue. Anything that could get you fired (because employers can fire you for any reason without any waiting period) can ruin your life forever. Maybe you missed some court date and you went to jail for two days. Maybe your kid is sick and you had to stay home. Your car broke down. You went to the hospital. Your loved one died.

Fired. Now you have no healthcare. You dip into your savings (if you have them). You keep dipping until there is nothing left. The only place hiring is a grocery store that offers $7.5 an hour. You can’t even rent a 1bd apartment in your city. You rent outside the city. Now your commute is 1.5 hours. You can’t pick up your kids from school anymore so you have to hire a babysitter. How do you get ahead? How can you get out of this hole?

F**k the American system. It’s s**t. Most people never get a chance at a good life and those that have one could lose it all through no fault of their own.

And we are all too terrified to fight back because our survival is directly tied to employment.

And to make matters worse, capitalism had completely decimated our built in support systems, like family and community, but that’s a bigger conversation.

LVII , Laura James Report

Final score:

91points

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Moë 1 year ago

Why do we let corporations get away with all this c**p?

23points

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#20

30 Everyday European Things That Would Be Considered Lavish In The US Good public transport outside of main cities. Germans in particular love to complain about Deutsche Bahn (and rightfully so) but compared to USA it's just so much more versatile.

OrciEMT , Luca Nardone Report

Final score:

82points

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Rob 1 year ago

When the gods are in a benevolent mood, and the wind is blowing in the right direction, and you chant the correct prayer to our Lord Satan, British trains can be amazing, lovely scenery on a lot of routes, our main stations are amazing. The rest of the time, enjoy sitting somewhere on a non moving train admiring nothing.

2points

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#21

30 Everyday European Things That Would Be Considered Lavish In The US This might seem a little weird, but I really liked the windows when I was in Germany. Turn the handle up and it tilted back, turn it to the side and it opened like a door, turn it down and it was locked. I've never seen windows like that installed in the US. I've googled and they're available but just not in common use it seems. At least not in the parts of the US I've been to.

Zaphod71952 , suinp Report

Final score:

82points

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Jaaawn 1 year ago

Virtually every window in the UK.

14points

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#22

30 Everyday European Things That Would Be Considered Lavish In The US A wide range of parties you can vote for

hundehandler , Marco Oriolesi Report

Final score:

80points

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ί𝔫ＣίŦᵃт𝐔𝐬 1 year ago

Oh, we have a "wide" range of parties, but your vote goes nowhere if you support them.

50points

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#23

30 Everyday European Things That Would Be Considered Lavish In The US Universal healthcare (in most countries). A family member in Italy needed an MRI of the brain. if she waited a few weeks it would be free. She didn’t want to wait so she paid out of pocket: $120. That would be a few thousand dollars in the US.

Practically free higher education. They pay fees, not tuition. Minor costs.

StuartGotz , RF._.studio Report

Final score:

75points

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michael Chock 1 year ago

Health care costs in America are high but affordable if you have health insurance. If you don't have insurance it is unaffordable (half a million for routine sinus surgery). I swear it is designed this way to force Americans into employment for corporations and discourage independent business.

15points

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#24

30 Everyday European Things That Would Be Considered Lavish In The US You might enjoy the documentary Where to Invade Next by Michael Moore. It's about how just as Europe has looked to America, America should look to Europe.

He covers these topics. Summarized with chat gpt.

Education system in Finland.
Workers' rights and work-life balance in Italy.
Healthcare system in France.
Drug policy in Portugal.
Prison reform in Norway.
Gender equality in Iceland.
School meals in Slovenia.

I would put environmental and consumer protection up there e.g. EU banned ingredients in food and consumer goods.

Mindless_Wrap1758 , Sharefaith Report

Final score:

70points

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Milady Blue 1 year ago

Another thing the French have that is a good idea - 6 weeks of political campaigning for high office. That's it. Rather than the YEARS of manure flinging we have to endure here in the US.

57points

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#25

30 Everyday European Things That Would Be Considered Lavish In The US Chocolate that doesn't taste like splenda infused vomit.

Soft drinks that don't taste like windex with a drop of food colouring mixed in.

Legitimate castles that aren't mock ups built by people that missed having a history that goes back further than a middle aged greenland shark

Quarkly95 , Nathana Rebouças Report

Final score:

63points

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Bernd Herbert 1 year ago

I don't usually drink soft drinks. But there are some excellent examples, like Pellegrino from Italy, or Almdudler from Austria. Anything from CocaCola doesn't even come close.

9points

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#26

30 Everyday European Things That Would Be Considered Lavish In The US Quieter cities because there are fewer cars. And along the same lines, smaller cars. And, continuing on those lines, obviously, better/more convenient public transportation - even non-major cities.

jambr380 , Roman Kraft Report

Final score:

63points

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Saint Thomas 1 year ago

Mmmh... it's the first one on the list I kind of disagree with (about quieter cities with fewer cars). There's a few notable exceptions, and it depends from one country to the next. But big cities are still overcrowded with cars. I live in Brussels, and traffic jams are a daily occurence.

12points

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#27

30 Everyday European Things That Would Be Considered Lavish In The US No tipping.

A11U45 , Sam Dan Truong Report

Final score:

61points

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Jihana 1 year ago

There is, but it's not mandatory.

31points

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#28

30 Everyday European Things That Would Be Considered Lavish In The US Can’t believe it’s not more prominent, but the right to privacy, and recently digital privacy.

GDPR was an excellent piece of legislation.

Gregor_the_headless Report

Final score:

58points

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Christos Arvanitis 1 year ago

Funny that they show a camera. Pretty sure e.g. London has more cameras than anywhere in the US. It might be changing but the Brits (and others) are way ahead of the US with regard to cameras being everywhere run by a government entity. Ring and other cameras are everywhere here though.

15points

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#29

A sense of community that isn’t based on the color of some old loser’s tie.

Bazyli_Kajetan Report

Final score:

47points

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Donkeywheel 1 year ago

«A sense of community» is very very American in essence. Europeans do not refer to their «community», whatever that means, all the time.

24points

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#30

30 Everyday European Things That Would Be Considered Lavish In The US Tomatoes that are actually red, flavorful and delicious.

THIR13EN , Marc Mueller Report

Final score:

43points

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Boreddd(she/her) 1 year ago

It kinda depends on where you buy them from, I think. And what country you're in. Here in romania, if you buy from a bigger brand (kaufland, lidl) they're not all that good, but the ones from a local shop are way better. When I went to Austria for like a week or so,in Vienna, the tomatoes from a random grocery store(billa I think) were pretty damn awesome

18points

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Note: this post originally had 50 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

A writer here at Bored Panda, I am a lover of good music, good food, and good company, which makes food-related topics and feel-good stories my favorite ones to cover. Passionate about traveling and concerts, I constantly seek occasions to visit places yet personally unexplored. I also enjoy spending free time outdoors, trying out different sports—even if I don’t look too graceful at it—or socializing over a cup of coffee.

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I'm the Visual Editor at Bored Panda, responsible for ensuring that everything our audience sees is top-notch and well-researched. What I love most about my job? Discovering new things about the world and immersing myself in exceptional photography and art.

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What do you think ?

POST

Liam Walsh 1 year ago

BOYCOTT these posts. At the very least downvote the whole article and then move on. I know I'm commenting, but I've not read anything (assume it's the same old, same old) and only come here to say this. Ignore these posts the next time (in about 36 hours) one comes up! BP knows these stir people up - don't let it.

24points

Kristal 1 year ago

Naw, people in the US needs to read about all the things they need to fight for to change the train wreck the country has become.

-1point

30 Everyday European Things That Would Be Considered Lavish In The US

Miglė Miliūtė

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