When crossing the Atlantic, many Americans have explored various cultures, which are exciting and confusing, too. These practices include the daily routines of the 15 habits that Europeans have but Americans find strange at times.
1. Long Holidays
Many workers in European countries go for a few week's break simultaneously, generally in the summer. This extended period can be as long as six weeks or more annually. They see it as an opportunity to recharge and visit places they have never been before; they consider it very important for their health.
2. Treating Eating Out as an Event
Dining places in Europe are meant for spending time over a meal rather than just eating and leaving as fast as possible. It is common for people to sit at the table talking between courses for hours. The pace of service is intentionally slow so that clients feel comfortable staying longer; there is no pressure put upon them by waiters who need the space outside cleared for new arrivals.
3. Sauna and Beach Attire
In some parts of Europe, public nakedness around strangers while sweating or sunbathing is acceptable behavior. It usually comes up as a surprise among US citizens who tend to be more conservative about revealing too much skin outdoors.
4. The Tradition of Siesta
If you arrive in Spain, you will be surprised to learn that they still have siestas, which are naps or a few hours break taken during the hottest part of the day. Many business establishments and shops are closed in the afternoon for this purpose.
5. Using Bidets
Americans only use toilet paper after visiting the bathroom, but in Europe, especially France, where they can be seen almost everywhere, they use bidets frequently. The practice might seem strange for those unfamiliar with them, such as my friends from back home who were puzzled about their purpose when we came across one in our hotel room.
6. The Accessibility of Public Restrooms
Regarding the availability of public restrooms, Europe can be quite tricky compared to the USA, where it is abundant and free. Cities in Europe have fewer public conveniences, and some charge a fee for usage. It may surprise Americans that parks, shopping malls, or gas stations do not provide accessible toilets.
7. Variation in Electrical Outlets and Voltage
For many travelers from the US going to Europe, the difference in electrical outlets and voltage is something they find hard to understand. Unlike the US, Europe uses a higher voltage system (220-240V), and the plug shapes are also different. American visitors, therefore, need plug adapters and may sometimes require voltage converters for their electronic devices.
8. Sustainable Living
European nations seem to care more for the environment than others. Daily activities are carried out with this in mind. Recycling is taken very seriously, and there are bins specifically meant for different types of waste, making it easier than just having one bin like many other countries do. The use of disposable plastics is highly discouraged; hence, you might notice that grocery stores charge for plastic bags or simply don’t offer them at all.
9. Communal Living and Smaller Living Spaces
In Europe, residences tend to be less spacious and more communal than in the United States. Flats are usually small with compact layouts to maximize space; hence, it is not uncommon to find individuals living closer together in the same building. Shared amenities like laundry rooms or gardens may also be part of communal living arrangements.
10. Paying for Water at Restaurants
When you go out for dinner with friends at an Italian restaurant once, you’ll be surprised when they charge you for water because this would never happen back home in America. Serving tap water automatically isn’t standard practice at European eateries.
11. Smoking in Public Places
Many parts of Europe still have more people smoking and view it more acceptable than in the USA despite increased regulations. When visiting countries like France or Italy, one should expect outdoor cafes, bars, and even some indoor establishments to have customers smoking, which might be shocking for Americans from states with strict bans on smoking.
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12. Public Transportation Etiquette
In Europe, public transportation is widely used and has its own set of unwritten rules. For example, it’s normal for people to stay quiet on buses, trams, or trains. This might be strange for Americans who are used to talking and taking phone calls in public spaces.
13. Frequent Small Grocery Trips
Instead of making big weekly grocery trips like in the US, Europeans buy fresh produce, bread, and other items daily or a few times a week. They do this because they prefer using fresh ingredients and have less storage space due to smaller living areas. This can seem inconvenient for an American who is used to bulk buying with large refrigerators at home.
14. Driving Manual Cars
While automatic transmissions are more prevalent in the United States, Europeans widely use manual transmission vehicles. Many Europeans think learning to drive a stick is part of growing up, but many Americans do not share this sentiment. For someone who has never driven a manual car, renting one in Europe might pose challenges for which they were unprepared.
15. Different Tipping Practices
Tipping cultures in Europe and the USA are quite different. In most European countries, service charges are included in the bill, and additional tips could be very little or unnecessary. It’d confuse American tourists who are used to leaving 15-20% gratuity for different services.
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