Traveling opens us to new cultures and experiences, which can be eye-opening and shocking for some. Numerous parts of Europe are pretty liberal and encourage freedom of expression, which drastically differs from the United States.
Here are some of the weirdest cultural shocks Americans experience when they visit Europe:
Note: The content of this article does not reflect the writer’s personal beliefs.
Homes without a kitchen
Shifting kitchen appliances when moving is natural, but imagine having to bring your cabinets too. Apartments in European nations like Germany typically don’t contain cabinets and appliances and require residents to move their own.
American flavors
Some European nations brand stereotypical American foods as flavors. These foods are often displayed under an American aisle in grocery stores and include snacks like hamburger-flavored Cheetos, which most Americans don’t know exist.
Personal space
Europeans tend to be more comfortable with close physical proximity than Americans, often not observing the unspoken personal space Americans are accustomed to. This means most Americans might have to stand closer to people in queues and face people who won’t budge even if you ask them.
Vacation months
Most European nations have extended vacations, typically from June to mid-September. Americans rarely get such extended vacations, so they might struggle with slow wait times and closed businesses when visiting Europe.
Paid toilets
American tourists don’t realize how good they have it until they visit Europe and must pay for bathroom visits. Most European public toilets require a usage fee, which naturally can be shocking for first-time visitors.
Open borders
The Schengen area in Europe permits travelers to cross borders without checks. Other European nations have minimal checks in place, so it still comes as a cultural shock for Americans used to vigorous checks at the Canadian and Mexican borders.
Walkable cities
Most European nations have pedestrian-friendly infrastructure and surprisingly reliable public transportation. European nations minimize car traffic, so it’s often surprising for Americans, who aren’t used to walking to long-distance destinations.
Warm drinks
Although European summers can be pretty harsh, most nations don’t drink iced beverages. This can be difficult for Americans to adjust to because most European eateries don’t even offer add-on ice to chill warm drinks.
Lunch breaks
Americans scramble to run errands and eat lunch within an hour, but many European countries offer about two hours of lunch break daily. European lunchtimes extend beyond corporate 9-5s, so they can be a cultural shock for U.S. citizens.
Nudity
European nations have far more liberal attitudes toward nudity than the United States. Public spaces like saunas and beaches typically allow nudity, so Americans might be shocked or even mortified when they visit for the first time.
Universal healthcare
This shouldn't even come as a surprise. Americans have to pay hefty amounts for quality healthcare. So, when they visit Europe, they are surprised at their universal healthcare system, even though they pay for it through taxes.
Smoking culture
Smoking is very common in Europe, especially in countries like Greece and France where even young teens are seen smoking casually. Some countries even have closed glass booths for people who wish to smoke in public.
Speaking multiple languages
Americans are blown away by the fact that people living in Europe can speak at least two languages. This is owing to their rich history and multiculturalism. Learning languages is not something very common in America.
Racism
Racism is everywhere, unfortunately, including in America, but people face a lot of casual racism in some parts of Europe. While nobody admits it, some people in Europe are blatantly racist towards other cultures.
They are obsessed with America
Well, Europeans love talking about Americans; their culture, or goods while openly consuming both. They just seem obsessed with what Americans do, wear, eat and want.
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This article was inspired by Reddit and first appeared on Spatula Desserts.
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