When Americans make the trek across the pond and visit Europe for the first time, there are plenty of differences they might notice: a wide variety of languages, new foods, accessible public transit, paying to use a public restroom, and being made fun of for using the word ‘restroom’ in the first place.
One Reddit user was curious about what people from the US have observed in Europe, so they recently asked Americans to share the hot takes they think Europeans aren’t ready to hear. Readers did not hold back in the replies, from concerns about smoking to pointing out racist behavior, so we’ve gathered some of the most thought-provoking answers below. Enjoy reading what Americans have to say about Europe, and be sure to upvote the points you agree with, whether you’re from the US, Europe or anywhere else in the world!
#1
We are actually pretty smart as a nation. The stupid ones are just the loudest and the most annoying
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183points
#2
When I lived in Germany:
German Girl: “I’ve read that Mexicans in Los Angeles experience a lot of racism.”
Me: “Yes, Mexican people in Los Angeles do experience racism. Probably similar to the Turks here in Germany.”
German Girl: “That’s different. The Turks aren’t suitable here. They don’t fit in.”
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158points
#4
The way people drive in Italy makes me understand why they're so religious.
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139points
#6
When people say "Americans are ______" I feel like they don't realize how huge America is. We span 6 timezones which makes it hard to be consistent in anything and it's really impossible to lump us ALL into a single group.
130points
#7
Stop trading insults with us by saying "school shootings" and then dropping the mic. Many of us are also horrified by the gun violence in this country, but using dead children to win an argument about who has better food does you no credit.
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127points
#9
Most every European I've met who hasn't been here before has been totally unprepared for the massive size of the US
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115points
#10
British people mock us for using Imperial measurements and then still order pints at the pub and use “stones” as a measurement of weight.
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107points
#12
Americans have big portion sizes in restaurants because we have a big leftovers culture. While some people will eat their whole meal, it’s completely normal if you don’t and you’ll be offered a to-go box to take it home. There isn’t really a big expectation to finish your meal at restaurants.
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89points
#13
You’re gonna need air conditioners in your homes pretty soon.
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84points
#14
We know other countries do it differently. I am sick of how everytime an American explains their problems, someone pipes in with "well in my country we do it this way". We know. We know our healthcare, politics, and media are f****d, there are a lot complicated reasons for why and simply saying that your country doesn't do it that way isn't helping anything.
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79points
#16
Our ideas of foreign cuisine are basically products of the immigrant experience.
72points
#17
Europe is more racist than the US in many ways, but it’s not politicized like it is in the USA. I have black American friends who have been told they can’t eat inside certain restaurants in Europe which would never happen in the US today. Not to mention the way the Roma/g*psies are discussed by Europeans. I was shocked to hear such casual racism there. Often while criticizing the racism in the USA.
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66points
#18
The boring chit chat y’all hate is actually pretty great. Just because someone says hi doesn’t mean they want something from you.
66points
#19
You have a drinking problem. It’s not a thing to brag about.
The level of alcoholism in some areas of Europe is troubling. I’m amazed at how often people miss work as a result. The levels of colorectal cancer are also twice the rest of the world in countries with the highest consumption.
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65points
#20
There are actually more states than Texas, New York, and California.
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63points