20 Things That Are Completely Commonplace In Europe, Yet Nonexistant Or Unusual In The US
If you've traveled to Europe from the US, you've probably noticed some customs, ways of life, and everyday norms that would feel unusual or out of place, or they might even be nonexistent back home. Well, Redditor Phoenix_11111 asked, "What are normal things for Europeans that Americans don’t know or have?" Here are some European norms that either don't exist or aren't popular in the States.
1."The late dinner hour. It's customary in a lot of European countries to eat dinner so late at night. As an American, I can't imagine eating my dinner at 9 p.m."
2."Pubs that are more than 250 years old."
3."Cashiers are permitted to sit down while working. The fact they have to stand in America seems cruel."
4."How leisurely European mealtime is. For example, in most restaurants in Germany, the staff expects you to sit for dinner for an extended period of time. They will actively ignore you (but keep an eye on your drinks) so that you can enjoy your meal without constantly asking how everything's going. The waitstaff actually won't bring your check until you indicate you're ready."
5."The European attitude toward nudity. I worked at a spa, and people from all around the world would come. One thing I noticed was how the Europeans were so comfortable with getting naked in front of others like it's nothing."
6."How much vacation time people get in Europe. When I worked at a large UK-based insurance company and my kid was born, I got six months off, fully paid. I continued collecting my six weeks of annual paid time off during this time as well."
7."Women sunbathing topless. This doesn't seem to be a thing in the US."
8."Veggie Burgers at McDonald’s!"
9."More pedestrian-friendly cities. When I was in Austria and Germany, I walked so much every day because I could. The streets were safe and designed with specific pedestrian areas. I ate tons of food and drank lots of beer, and I still lost weight on my trip because of all the walking I did. I really wish American cities were more pedestrian friendly."
10."Those exterior window shutters that can also serve as blackout curtains! As an American, I'm so jealous."
11."Drinking alcohol in public spaces. In many European cities, it's perfectly acceptable to enjoy a drink in parks or streets, while in the US, it can lead to fines or legal issues."
12."The fact that the price on the sticker at the store is the price you pay at the register."
13."Towel warmers! These were game-changing for me when traveling through central Europe in the wintertime. I could wash my socks in the sink before bed, and they'd be dry in the morning. It also kept the bathroom nice and warm."
14."The way that food is standardized. There is a whole system called DOC and DOP that controls specific foods like Margherita pizza and Parmesan cheese. For instance, if a cheese isn't from Parma, it cannot legally be called Parmesan cheese, even if it tastes nearly identical. It's such a foreign concept in the US."
15."Worker protections. Most European countries guarantee sick pay, annual holidays, and fair living wages by law. Much of that is nonexistent in America and violates the European Convention on Human Rights."
16."A general sense of safety. A lot of Europeans seem to feel safer going out at night, and they don't fear their kids being kidnapped. By contrast, in Canada or the US, parents get arrested for letting their kids walk to school. European kids go outside and play, and bike around by themselves. Canadians and Americans talk about 'the good old days' when kids biked around the neighborhood!"
17."Heated floors everywhere. They're slowly starting to crop up in American luxury bathrooms now, but they are standard and have been forever here. I have floor heating from 1956."
18."The luxury of a work-life balance and the eventual realization that it's not actually a luxury. It's simply a necessity for a happy and fulfilling life."
19."Excellent public transportation. On the flight home from London after our first visit there, my spouse asked me what impressed me the most. My honest answer was the Tube. Since then, almost every European city I've visited has impressed me with how easy it is to get around on public transportation. If only we had the same access to and ease of public transportation where we live."
20."Waitstaff that makes a proper salary at restaurants. As a consequence, you know how much a meal is going to cost you."
What is something you've noticed abroad — a way of life, societal norm, tradition, etc... — that is totally commonplace yet would be strange or unusual back in your home country? Tell us in the comments or in this anonymous form.
