“Discover the 41 Strangest European Customs That Will Leave Americans Astonished!”
Directness in communication.. Europeans specially in places like Germany or Netherlands are often more straightforward in conversation which might come off as blunt or rude to Americans used to more indirect communication.
I know this one.
The size of parking spaces. Parking spaces in the US are 1.5x bigger than those of Europe, almost double at Costco. European vehicles are on average very very small and their parking spaces reflect that. I rented as Mazda 3 and it was a pretty tight squeeze in 99% of parkades.
Consider that before you decide to rent an SUV or bigger.
Having to pay a fairly significant sum of money to become a licensed driver. Getting a regular license in Europe is way more expensive than in the US.
The Socialist Party winning a national election.
A coronation.
A restaurant that served fries smothered in mayonnaise.
A public restroom with squat toilets.
Seeing people under 21 drink alcohol in public. Legally.
Going into McDonald’s and looking at the menu and seeing McFalafel, Croque McDo, and even beer.
I would say is more a mediterranean thing but eat your lunch with a glass of wine or beer. When I do this in the US, I look almost as an alcoholic. Same about smoke on the workplace (not inside the office but on the terrace or outside the office with the colleagues).
Letting kids play outside by themselves, or going to the local playground.
Going out on “THE SESH!”, Americans dont comprehend how much we actually drink as Europeans, and we dont drink water down swill, its proper beer, larger and ale… we go big and then have no idea how we got home, and i think in america they would call that alcoholism but in the UK we call it Saturday night.
Eating dinner at 10 PM! In Europe, it’s just a normal night out but in the U.S., you’d be met with confused looks and a few “Are you planning to party with the vampires?”.
I might be showing my age, but drowning unwanted pups was pretty common in Ireland back in the 80s. Horrible when you think about it.
Blowing your nose at the dinner table, especially when it’s really snotty, and then putting the handkerchief or better yet paper tissue back in your pocket.
