ADVERTISEMENT

While Europe is huge, flourishing with unique cultures, customs, and history, it's not THAT different from country to country. And even though things like direct staring or no air conditioning are not the status quo in all of Europe, residents from neighboring countries would probably not raise their eyebrows upon hearing about them.

That is not the case for people from other continents. What might be second nature and not worth ever questioning for a European, might sound wild and unique to someone from the US. One Reddit user wanted to learn "What is something weird about Europe that Europeans don't realize is weird?" and over 26k users shared "unwritten rules" and "know-how" that most Europeans seem to share.

These stories and tips that Bored Panda picked out might help anyone who hasn't had the chance to visit any of the 50 sovereign states to avoid the initial shock and be more aware of the "do's and don'ts." And, as Europe is vast and all of the countries have their own quirks, they might surprise and come in handy for some of the estimated 743.5 million Europeans as well.

We also reached out to A & S, a digital creator duo who travel the world to share their experiences and tell their stories. The duo have visited over 100 places in Europe. Scroll down to get their insights and some travel tips for your next trip!

#1

Weird at first but I appreciate and wish for it. It might be just a Germany thing but from what I’ve been told German Walmart failed because the North American style of customer service was very unliked. From the greeter at the door to clerks asking if you need help unprompted. German shoppers just want to shop and go home as undisturbed as possible

UnusualHospital9579 Report

The first country in Europe that A & S visited was Croatia. "It was such an exciting and adventurous first day, or in this case, night. We had been a bit tired from traveling for 24 hours. When we finally arrived in Split, Croatia, our driver wasn't able to drop us off close to our apartment because of its location, which we understood," the creator told Bored Panda. "Most people would feel disheartened getting around on their own the first time they arrive in a new city, but what you must do is shift your mindset to be positive. Think to yourself, what good can come from this?"

RELATED:
    #2

    30 Weird Things About Europe That Europeans Don't Realize Are Weird You drive five hours in the US: you’re basically still in the same place.

    You drive five hours in Europe: everyone’s talking funny and the cheese is different.

    KaimeiJay , anja. Report

    ADVERTISEMENT

    "For us, it was being able to explore Split while trying to find our apartment, which was located inside of the Palace walls in the heart of Old Town. This was something to be happy about! There is such an indescribable feeling from the summer warmth and sea breeze while walking through the alleyways of Old Town at night. We also learned that Split has a bit of everything when it comes to evening entertainment and attractions, from a lively restaurant and bar scene to clubs. Then the next morning we woke up early and explored. It was incredible seeing the beaches and islands! Overall, it was a very special and positive first impression of Europe."

    #3

    30 Weird Things About Europe That Europeans Don't Realize Are Weird Not Europe-specific, but EU-specific. I find it baffling that most of my peers have never thought about how easy it is to just move to a completely different country, with little to no knowledge of the language and culture, and still be welcomed. You're just **allowed** to move to another country, and they can't say no (for the most part). You don't even need to ask them first. You can decide you want to study elsewhere and they'd be like “yeah, sure”. Personally I find this phenomenal, given how the rest of the world works.

    RawRhymes , JESHOOTS.COM Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #4

    My only experiences in Europe so far have been touring there in a punk band. The thing that blew my mind was how often - almost always! - the venues we were playing were literal state-sponsored squats. Like the tire factory or whatever in town would go belly up and a bunch of punks and anarchists would move in and the local government would just be like "hey, they cleaned up all this broken glass and now there's a whole new crop of people keeping this community alive. Tell you what, let's give them free utilities." On more than one occasion we played a free show and got a check from some government office.

    This would never, ever, ever, ever, in a million years, take place in the United States.

    knife_hits Report

    Since the travelers have been to so many countries, we asked which European countries differ the most from each other. "Countries such as France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, England, Netherlands, etc., differ most from countries such as Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Malta, etc. The former countries are much more direct and have a faster-paced lifestyle, whereas the latter countries tend to be more relaxed and have a more laid-back lifestyle. In Spain, we learned the phrase, 'No pasa nada.' The Balkans are also very unique as it was the crossroads between East and West," shared the duo.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #5

    30 Weird Things About Europe That Europeans Don't Realize Are Weird Everything is historical. You could be walking down a street and the wall to your left is older than the USA. You will also find random hills in otherwise flat landscapes that were created from rubble from a previous war.

    aliael14 Report

    #6

    30 Weird Things About Europe That Europeans Don't Realize Are Weird Finnish people are silent, small talk doesn't exist. Their personal space larger than COVID-19 social distancing rules, and it's considered normal. Don't speak unless spoken to, and don't invade other people's personal space - it's seen as a sign of a respect.

    Those Finns, who haven't been to abroad or haven't met too many foreigners, don't often even recognize this behaviour being unusual in the global scale.

    RockNRollNBluesNJazz , the blowup Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    LinkTheHylian
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is this why you're supposed to be the happiest country in the world, Finland? Because this is my kind of vibe.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu

    We also asked if they had any advice for people who are unsure about traveling. "We understand that traveling can be daunting for first-time travelers, especially if traveling solo. Many people feel this way. I spent New Year’s Eve night in a Burger King in Florence. We had a flight to Porto canceled 1 hour before takeoff. But what we have found is that when people put in the effort and research ahead for their travels/holiday, it results in a much better and more pleasant experience," shared the creator.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #7

    I'm an American doing my lil europe tour right now, currently in Paris. I've been staying in major cities with visits to the country side.

    Your trees, especially in your cities, are f*****g massive. It feels like I'm walking through an arboretum sometimes. The trees always get me..the insane architecture too, but the trees man

    watshouldiget4dinner Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    LK
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Trees are so important in cities. They coo., purify the air, and make the place look pretty too. The reason the trees look so big is they were planted a long time ago, some before the USA was a country. Plant trees now. Invest in your present, and in your future.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #8

    30 Weird Things About Europe That Europeans Don't Realize Are Weird How incredibly inconsequential it is to cross country borders. Cycled through France - Belgium - Netherlands and there is barely even a sign.

    sicknessandpurgatory , Ezra Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    30 Weird Things About Europe That Europeans Don't Realize Are Weird The UK has 30 accents per square mile and if a large man calls you duck in Stoke … that’s okay

    InItsTeeth Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    LinkTheHylian
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fun fact: When Marvel released "Ant-Man", the Geordies were asking "Where's Dec-Man?".

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu

    "That's why we create and share travel-related content on social media. It's an empowering way to inspire people to travel. You can create your own memories." They also pointed out that traveling is not as expensive as it seems. "Did you know that accommodation for one month in Springfield, Oregon, is more expensive than in Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Rome, or Venice? Did you know you can find accommodation for under 30€ a night in Vienna, Prague, and Budapest that isn't a hostel? Did you know that in some places in Madrid, a beer is 1.50€ at a restaurant? The point being, traveling is attainable and isn't some lifestyle where you need to be super wealthy."

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #10

    30 Weird Things About Europe That Europeans Don't Realize Are Weird Almost everything in Europe is old, and nobody treats the old buildings as though they're anything special. You go to someone's house, and their house is 700 years old. And all the cottages in the village are that old. You see things like buildings that were ancient Roman colosseums that were turned into medieval palaces that were turned into modern shopping malls or office buildings. Around where I am, it's rare for a building to be more than 100 years old, and most of them are registered, protected historical sites that can't be altered without a permit.

    HippasusOfMetapontum , Fons Heijnsbroek Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ivana Bašić
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    This comment has been deleted.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #11

    30 Weird Things About Europe That Europeans Don't Realize Are Weird In Germany, the idea that you can rent an apartment and you have to BUY the kitchen separately. Otherwise you get an apartment with no kitchen.

    Like wtf. It's like selling a jacket but saying you gotta pay extra for the sleeves.

    Kyrptix , Dmitry Zvolskiy Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Caro
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes, we like to buy our own kitchen. We want to chose the color, the arrangement, the style, the appliances ourselves. And, if possible, we want to take our kitchen with us when moving , because we have bought it and it's ours. Of course we would sell it to the new renter if it doesn't fit into our new flat. And of course we would buy the former renters or accept the owners kitchen, if it is not to old and used or from the high end range. Or if we can't afford to buy our own kitchen. But in general, yes, we are not very much into the second hand or used thing. If we can afford, we prefer to have our own things.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #12

    France's border with the Netherlands is in the Caribbean

    azarbi Report

    We also asked if they think there's anything Europeans could learn from Americans. "We think Europeans can learn from other parts of the world to be more accepting. In the USA, we have a lot of variety in our friend groups. In Europe, most friend groups are the same friend groups from childhood. We just wish there was more of an effort to try to understand other identities and have an open mind to connecting with other cultures."

    #13

    30 Weird Things About Europe That Europeans Don't Realize Are Weird Australian here. Casually just visiting a whole different country with a different language and culture for the weekend.

    RvrTam , Michel Stockman Report

    #14

    A reverse statement: It was in Japan 2018 when I learned that taxes included in price tags is a European thing.

    We wanted to buy something, the first time we asked why we have to pay more than the number on the price tag, they explained taxes aren't included.

    Like... what is this witchery?

    Rudomekato Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    I’ve Seen Things
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Taxes are included in the tag price in Australia/New Zealand too *antipodean quote* “Just tell me what I am effing paying and it better be the damn total”

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #15

    30 Weird Things About Europe That Europeans Don't Realize Are Weird Paying to go to the bathroom. It’s absolutely wild that you have to pay money to use the toilet.

    anon , Abdulla Al Muhairi Report

    A & S also wanted to point out their own privilege as an American and how not everyone has the same opportunities. "We are US citizens, which means we are privileged enough to be able to travel visa-free to 185 countries and territories. Though it's important to note, a few countries require a visa on arrival and typically implement strict requirements such as a certain length of time—30, 60, 90, or 180 days, etc."

    #16

    Europe contains the highest concentration of officially Christian states (nations with official state religion/church) and the lowest per capita percentage of people who actually "practice Christianity" in ‘Christendom' - which is to say, nominally claim to be Christian - probably a lower percentage actually believe.

    anon Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Pixie
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Germany has an official church tax for christians. Only way to not pay it is to be not christian either never have been or officially leave.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #17

    As a Canadian I took a trip to Europe in highschool for a week. 3 days in London England, 3 days in Paris France, 2 days in Madrid Spain and 1 day in Toledo Spain. One thing that really stood out is how different begging for money by the homeless/poor works. Here people will stand in traffic with signs telling a sob story for cash or will come up to your car window or even in person on the street getting in your face trying to get money from you. Almost every beggar I saw in Europe would just sit still on the ground holding a cup out not saying a word to anyone or getting in anyones business. They would just sit there and wait for someone to come to them and toss some money their way. It gave me a lot of respect for them as I was so used to people literally making your life almost feel threatened here when they are begging for money on the streets while these people in Europe just sat or stood in place holding a hand out in silence and just hope for help without any aggression or confrontation

    Dirty_Gurdy Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Pixie
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't know about the other European countries, but in Germany "agressive" begging is illegal

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #18

    30 Weird Things About Europe That Europeans Don't Realize Are Weird No mesh screens in windows in the UK, at least. In canada we have screens in most home windows to keep flies out

    sdc1978 , John.E.Robertson Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Sasy
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    was there an abundance of flies though ? Just because a window is open does not mean you are going to have a swarm come in. In Australia we have a fly issue in summer, but I can have a screen on the balcony door and nothing on the bathroom window, and yet the only fly that will enter will be the one that randomly enters when I open the front door. Flies are just tricky.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #19

    I'm from Finland and one European thing that all Finnish people hate is cheek kisses when greeting. Its mostly southern european thing but still. There is this saying in Finland that goes "Everyone has their own safety coffee cup" meaning the closest distance someone should get to you should not be closer than your coffee cup when you're holding it.

    eelisonparas Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    sofacushionfort
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Japan: “please don’t put your spitty lips on my cheek, your dirty hand in mine, or your dirty shoes on my floor.”

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #20

    30 Weird Things About Europe That Europeans Don't Realize Are Weird As an American who has spent 1 week in Italy, and only 5 weeks outside the Southern U.S., this probably says more about us, but yalls roads are so damn small, and yall drive bats**t crazy though an 8 foot wide street with 20 people on the side. Hell, most vehicles where Im from couldnt fit in there.

    randomdude4113 , Frank Olaya Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Becky Samuel
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, we know how wide and how long our cars are. Your vehicles are ridiculously oversized and killing the planet.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #21

    30 Weird Things About Europe That Europeans Don't Realize Are Weird Norwegians don't close their curtains when it gets dark.

    judochop1 , Arno Senoner Report

    #22

    Eurovision Song Contest 📺

    Affectionate_Gain999 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Trond Øien
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We think it's weird too. It's sort of the whole point of it in a way :D

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #23

    30 Weird Things About Europe That Europeans Don't Realize Are Weird Germans stare a LOT. Like they will just gaze at you unflinchingly. An American will wait until you can’t see them doing it.

    BarbicideJar , Mikail Duran Report

    #24

    30 Weird Things About Europe That Europeans Don't Realize Are Weird the absolute lack of air conditioning even at 40°, german transport gets sticky and stinky quite fast and nobody seems to care, many people even shut the windows to avoid the "annoying breeze"

    ahorasimeaborregue , Blake Burkhart Report

    #25

    Italians will pay for garbage taxes, then throw the garbage on the streets, only to pay other taxes for garbage cleaning and collection. Then the collected garbage gets sold at cost-free to Germans, who burn the garbage and turn it into electricity, which gets sold back to italians (not for free).

    SexyObi Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #26

    30 Weird Things About Europe That Europeans Don't Realize Are Weird Having the light switch outside the bathroom

    Final_Bobcat_4767 , Karim MANJRA Report

    #27

    30 Weird Things About Europe That Europeans Don't Realize Are Weird It’s always baffled me just like how normal it is to just, go to another country. Like for me it’s such a big deal and to go to literally any country but one it’s a long plane flight. Europeans can just drive an hour right into another country for a day trip.

    Also the fact that my country is bigger than all of Europe also baffles me.

    Jesus1396 , Ondrej Bocek Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Gustav Gallifrey
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Australians have to go to another continent if they want to go to another country.

    Joey Marlin
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why does it baffle you? Honestly, it's not that hard a concept to grasp that countries are different sizes. Some are small and some are huge - like Russia.

    blixten1982
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's a gift to be able to look at the world and find ordinary things to be extraordinary. And it's naive to think that something simple can't be paradoxically baffling as well.

    Load More Replies...
    UKGrandad
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Assuming that the writer of this one is American, I have bad news. The USA is 3,796,742sq miles, Europe is 3,930,000sq miles. If the comment is by an Australian; fair point well made.

    Liam Walsh
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I used to go to Nice for the day from the South of England - it's wonderful to be able to have that luxury.

    Load More Replies...
    gerard julien
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    " Also the fact that my country is bigger than all of Europe also baffles me." EUROPE : Area :10,180,000 km2 (3,930,000 sq mi) USA : Area : 3,796,742 sq mi (9,833,520 km2) As usual an american confusing Europe with the European Union ! RUSSIA IS PART OF EUROPE DUDE ! (Europe is divided into about fifty sovereign states, of which Russia is the largest and most populous).

    Hugh Cookson
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The US is not larger than Europe .... more stupid, more desperate to please, less aware of pretty much everything and myriad other stuff, but not larger. Homework is obviously something this poster didn't do too well either. x

    Leo Domitrix
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They're from Canada. Which is larger in landmass than the US. And still absorbs the EU, if not Europe proper.

    Load More Replies...
    VonBlade
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So we're all just ignoring the mark on the windscreen in the photo that I spent ages trying to clean off my phone?

    Noltha
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Strongly depends where exactly you live. I need to drive at least 3-4 hours to cross any border.

    Tye Williams
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fun European fact, Lithuania has a website that hates on Americans. Btw, my lineage is from across the pond. Go Three Lions!

    J Adams
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is it really that much different from going to a neighbouring state if you live in the u.s? The laws will be different, the politics could be different (red or blue states) etc. ie Oregon and California are more different than France and Belgium or Germany and Austria

    Jack Holt
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For one, they don't all pledge allegiance to one fall and country every freaking morning of school. Also, distinct languages, distinct cultures, interwoven history known and documented for over 2000 years. It just... astounds me to hear American's bang on about the difference in the states as though the entire world were encapsulated in their own country. It's arrogant, it's ignorant, and and it's one of the reasons for the jabs at the US. Some of you really think you exist in a bubble and that bubble is the entire world, and refuse to acknowledge the world view of others. It's American exceptionalism at it's core.

    Load More Replies...
    Anjalí Jeter
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Uh, no. According to Google... Europe is 4.066m sq mi. The US is 3.797m sq mi. Canada is 3.855m sq mi.

    Elena Zaharieva
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I live 30 mins away from the border so we usually go to another country after work to have dinner or a drink.

    Petra Schaap
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i cross two country borders if i drive for one hour to the east...

    Fora Nakit
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What hour? It takes me 40 minutes to reach Italy, from Croatia, through Slovenia.

    Disco Hippie
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not if you live in Finland. From here you have to take a plane or a ferry to go abroad, in Lapland you can drive to Sweden or Norway. And nobody wants to drive to Russia these days.

    Kayjunmoon
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Some people live in pone country, work in another and pop for a weekend in another. All without taking a plane.

    Labellesouris
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm from Texas. I can drive 20 hours and still be in Texas. Driving in Europe freaked me out

    gerard julien
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    where did you drive in Europe ? all my friends from the US who drove in Europe just loved it !

    Load More Replies...
    UselessKnowledgeFont
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Once you realize that the landmass of the USA, Canada, and Australia are each around or larger than continental Europe, the different country access makes some sense. That and figuring out that European country size equates to that of states and provinces on the east coasts only.

    Hypoxia Smurf
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    AFAIK each Native American (USA) or First Nations (Canada) reserve is a separate 'nation' but I know that's not the same as EU sovereignty. Visiting family in Central America, we could easily drive through several nations per day.

    Lucas
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The EU is a group of nations, not one in its own right. It is not a nation state, but a union of sovereign states. If there is an identity to be established between nationality and sovereignty, if the two cannot be decoupled, then it follows that the EU cannot possibly be sovereign.

    Load More Replies...
    Russell Bowman
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Seriously, going from one U.S, state to another is like going from one country to another.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #28

    30 Weird Things About Europe That Europeans Don't Realize Are Weird Coins being a useful form of currency.

    I was walking around with a huge quantity of coins clinking about, and had no idea how to organize and carry them on my person. I bought my first *coin pouch*. the Czech Republic and their hefty medieval coins was a wild learning curve.

    SuperPufff , Dana L. Brown Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Sofie Andersson
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That doesn´t sound european to me. We pay with cards mostly and Sweden is a cashless society. Some countries might still use cash a lot though compare to other countries, like germany for example.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #29

    30 Weird Things About Europe That Europeans Don't Realize Are Weird Whenever I visit Europe one thing that stands out is the smoking. It’s wayyyy more popular and accepted there than in the US. And also personal space. AND WTF IS UP WITH THE SHOWERS. Every hotel I’ve stayed at in Europe had some weird a*s shower.

    wowguineapigs , Leonid Mamchenkov Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    UKGrandad
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Americans: Hey, smoking's really dangerous. That sh!t can kill you. Also Americans: God bless the 2nd. Amendment.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #30

    30 Weird Things About Europe That Europeans Don't Realize Are Weird Why the f**k. Does everything close so early

    kharmatika , Mars Infomage Report

    Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
    Unlimited content
    Ad-free browsing
    Dark mode
    #31

    Monarchies. They're creepy, and the reverence is weird.

    Fawqueue Report

    #32

    Nude beaches.

    Fragrant_Garbage_ Report

    #33

    Eggs aren't put in the fridge here in Europe, but we still have the little egg shaped fridge shelves.

    bablakeluke Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Max85
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's because they're not washed before selling. Since the shell is porous, if washed you must keep them at low temperature to avoid bacterial proliferation. But most of the time eggs are kept in the fridge at home.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #34

    Toilets that have what I like to call, "the s**t-shelf." [Here's an example.](https://i0.wp.com/farm9.staticflickr.com/8105/8494975833_cab59f8bdd_n.jpg)

    When you use a toilet like this, everything just kind of *lies there.* Almost like you're intended to carefully *examine* what you just produced before you flush.

    Taman_Should Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Jill Hojnacki
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You are. That’s why they’re made that way. The whole point is so that you can examine the consistency, shape, color, abnormalities, etc. and tell your doctor about changes and abnormalities. Whether or not doctors today are quite as interested in that as they were in times past is, perhaps, debatable, but that’s why there’s a shelf, nonetheless.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #35

    30 Weird Things About Europe That Europeans Don't Realize Are Weird How common pickpockets are there compared to the rest of the world

    egrith , Jake Bellucci Report

    #36

    30 Weird Things About Europe That Europeans Don't Realize Are Weird Paying for water at a restaurant and honestly just the limited amount of water people drink. I always feel so incredibly dehydrated when I come back from Europe.

    jessieo387 , Brendan Church Report

    #37

    Their complacently with obnoxiously public drunks. Here in America we at least hide them in the place they got drunk, or inside a diner, or shove them in a taxi/rideshare and haul their a*s home.

    Brotherbeam Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    LinkTheHylian
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not our problem. You wanna make a fool of yourself? Fine. You want my help? Pay me.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #38

    All four wheels of the shopping carts swivel instead of only the front two. This makes it really difficult to turn it. If you try to turn it, it just keeps going straight but at an angle. To get it to actually turn, you have to use upper body strength to force it around a corner.

    2010_12_24 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Matthew Thompson
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I find them to be much more maneuverable. You can literally turn them in place without having to move forward to turn. I guess the trick is thinking of

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #39

    Europeans! I love you! Please give me some f***ing ICE!

    deleted Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Pixie
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why, oh why do you want to water down your drink so badly? (just ask when ordering, most places will give you as much ice as you like)

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #40

    To an American or Canadian? The idea of becoming a citizen won't make you French, German or Swedish etc. You can live in France your entire life but because you were born in Syria never be seen as French. Being American or Canadian is an idea, anyone who even wants to be American will be considered American.

    creeper321448 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Becky Samuel
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hmmm. I'm not so sure that's how it works. Perfectly legal immigrants to the USA get showered with racist abuse, especially if they look Latine/Hispanic. Meanwhile so many people whose families have lived there for generations label themselves as ****-Americans.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda