Article created by: Ieva Pečiulytė
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
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.
Image credits: KaimeiJay
#2
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.
Image credits: RawRhymes
#3
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.
Image credits: aliael14
#4
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.
Image credits: RockNRollNBluesNJazz
#5
How incredibly inconsequential it is to cross country borders. Cycled through France – Belgium – Netherlands and there is barely even a sign.
Image credits: sicknessandpurgatory
#6
The UK has 30 accents per square mile and if a large man calls you duck in Stoke … that’s okay
Image credits: InItsTeeth
#7
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.
Image credits: HippasusOfMetapontum
#8
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 what ? It’s like selling a jacket but saying you gotta pay extra for the sleeves.
Image credits: Kyrptix
#9
Paying to go to the bathroom. It’s absolutely wild that you have to pay money to use the toilet.
Image credits: anon
#10
No mesh screens in windows in the UK, at least. In canada we have screens in most home windows to keep flies out
Image credits: sdc1978
#11
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 small, and yall drive crazy though an 8 foot wide street with 20 people on the side. Well, most vehicles where I’m from couldn’t fit in there.
Image credits: randomdude4113
#12
Norwegians don’t close their curtains when it gets dark.
Image credits: judochop1
#13
Germans stare a LOT. Like they will just gaze at you unflinchingly. An American will wait until you can’t see them doing it.
Image credits: BarbicideJar
#14
Having the light switch outside the bathroom
Image credits: Final_Bobcat_4767
#15
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.
Image credits: Jesus1396
#16
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.
Image credits: SuperPufff
#17
Why. Does everything close so early
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Image credits: kharmatika
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