Article created by: Justinas Keturka
When it comes to one’s perspective on individualism, free expression, government, religion, and morality, Europeans and Americans are worlds apart, according to Pew Center. But to really grasp some of these cultural differences, you don’t need to look far.
Think of red Solo cups, free refills, air conditioning, and something as simple as bulk shopping. Now think of Europe, for example, France, where daily trips to local grocers for fresh produce are common, and Italy, where air conditioning is a rare sight unless it’s in hotels meant for tourists.
So when someone put up a question “Europeans who’ve visited the US, what made you go ‘What The Heck’?” on Reddit, people had a lot to share about their experiences. 33.8k comments later, the answers are in right below, and it will surely put some much-loved all-American things into a very different European perspective.
- Read More: Europeans Reveal Their 40 Most Surprising Moments From Visiting America In This Viral Thread
#1
Was staying with the nicest family ever. They worked extremely long hours and lived in the suburbs. I wanted to cook for them as a surprise and set out to the store on foot, with an empty backpack for the groceries. Had to walk along the curb of, and then cross, an 8 lane highway to get to the store. Had to stop a really really old man from bagging the groceries. Then was stopped by police on the way back. They were very friendly, just wanted to know where my car had broken down. Ended up explaining to me that there was basically zero infrastructure for walking out in the burbs. They took me home. On the way, I saw a sign “gas 99 cents a gallon, Bud’s Xmas Gift to the Community”, blew my dad’s mind when I told him later. Got home, thanked the nice officers, made a vegetable casserole. When my wonderful host family came home, they were blown away but also extremely worried. All in all, I would say that no matter how crazy America may be or seem, Americans make up for all of it. They are some of the friendliest, most welcoming people I have ever met.
Image credits: suckcorner4nutrients
#2
The cheerful, smiling faces on a medication TV add while the voice over mentioned that death is a possible side effect.
Image credits: Idilthil
#3
Especially as a bloody introverted Finnish person (stereotypes kicking in) it was terrifying how people had a ton of chitchat and were really talkative. Wished me a good day and asked about useless stuff
DON’T TALK TO ME PLEASE I AM NOT QUALIFIED FOR THIS
Image credits: mizzuus
#4
The political ads on TV that do not promote but instead demonize candidates!
“So and so is a devil from hell that will eat your newborn for breakfast if you vote for them! Don’t do it if you love America!” Scary music and black and white footage included. Weird, very weird.
Image credits: MagsClouds
#5
Was on an exchange. 2 most memorable questions were “Can you see the moon in Europe” and “Do you have Pizza in Europe”. Something else I’ll never forget was the map of Europe in the school I went to which still showed the country of Yugoslavia (which doesnt exist anymore) and all the borders were messed up. A map IN THE SCHOOL.
Image credits: TAS_Snoop
#6
The amount of obese people. Obese people riding electric scooters at shopping places. Being handicapped because you are obese.
Image credits: explision
#7
Went there as a german soldier on a semi work related trip, wearing uniform. The sheer number and the way people thanked me for my service (apparently as a german I qualify for this by extension), gave me discounts or even stuff for free (Starbucks) was astonishing. In germany, the public treats its servicemen with what one federal president called “a friendly non-interest”. The US showed me a different world… But I also gotta admit that it was frightening to a certain degree. It feels like… a bit too much of everything. Too much admiration, too much trust in what the uniform stands for, too much “automatic repetition” of the phrases and as a result too little normality. Still a memorable and enjoyable one-time experience
Image credits: -Z0nK-
#8
Almost all food tastes sweet, including bread.
Image credits: back-in-black
#9
The Heart Attack Grill in Las Vegas absolutely blew my mind. The fact that outside it they have what looks like a scale for use on a farm, but for weighing people, and if they weigh over 350lbs they eat for free, was horrendous and it took me ages to get my English mind around it.
Image credits: 6footbunny
#10
Went to L.A. a week last year for work.
Things like portion sizes, the average weight of people, quality of food and commercials etc. are just what I thought they would be. But the surprises for me:
1. I do know the modeled Los Santos in GTA from L.A. but I didn’t realise how well they did it. People talk and behave basically the same way. The sound, the light, the landscape, the frickin RADIO! I thought a big part of it was just exaggeration. Nope! This was actually kind of fun, driving around looking at things going “oh wow this is where that thing happened in the game”. Awesome!
2. There are a lot of homeless people and you can tell a lot of them are sick and/or have psychological problems. This sure doesn’t remove any of my prejudice about american healthcare and social security…
3. The extreme differences between neighbourhoods that are right next to each other. Sure, I understand why one street might have houses that look nice and are well taken care of and another not so much. But why is there a difference in how well paved the road is? Why is the “poor” street in such decay with lots of potholes and the “rich” street so clean and free from pot holes? Aren’t things like fixing the roads the responsibility of the city? Mind boggling that they care more about rich neighbourhoods and the poor ones. If they did that so blatantly back here there’d be some things and a big fan involved.
Generally the social class differences are of a magnitude I’ve never seen before. Honestly I thought the things I heard before where somewhat exaggerated. I was wrong. And it is right in front of you basically all of the time! Really really sad to see.
Image credits: Pinky9
#11
Tax not included in the price tag. It’s…weird!
Image credits: avlas
#12
It’ a minor thing, but everyone asking “how are you” without wanting to know the answer.
Image credits: Huhlaka
#13
Ads for prescription medicines. Like what the actual hell.
Image credits: qbnaith
#14
Extreme air conditioning — like fridge temperature inside.
Image credits: Grumpy_Yuppie
#15
Portion sizes, vehicle sizes, road sizes, house sizes.
Image credits: UsernameCensored
#16
Seeing an 80 year old woman working behind the register at a supermarket
Image credits: Dominusatrox
#17
The general weirdness surrounding alcohol. Us Brits went for a drink at lunchtime once and our American friends were referring us to AA
Image credits: Jagermeister_UK
#18
The choices of cereal at the breakfast in the hotel all had at least 20% sugar.
Image credits: kwowo
#19
When in Boston someone realised we were British and came over to have a conversation:
“Oh my god, I have a friend in England. She lives in London. Do you know her?”
Hmm, there are 9 million people who live in London, and 65 million in the UK. The chance of me knowing one individual is quite remote!
Image credits: rb357
#20
The amount of homeless people. People straight-up walking past an elderly woman living on the streets to get to the 7-Eleven.
Image credits: bighow
#21
Indoors feels colder than being naked in the winter
Image credits: RefreshingAC
#22
Went to Mc Donalds and ordered what i always order. But it tasted completely different. And fanta was just weird orange juice Syrup.
Image credits: Bugbreach
#23
Jay walking and the lack of pavement/sidewalk on many roads. I found it so hard to just get from one place to another.
Image credits: DaveLakowski
#24
Perfect strangers asking me how I am doing.
- You might also like: 50 ‘Weird Facts’ About The World That Might Give You A Fresh Perspective
Image credits: FakeRealist
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