While both the US and Europe are mostly considered Western cultures, and they are deemed neighbors from across the pond, there are still some substantial differences between the two that people just can’t stop pointing out because they are curious and they want to partake in this cultural learning experience.
Reddit user u/Dependent-End5909 turned to r/AskReddit with the question what is something Americans have which Europeans don't have? Over 21,000 comments later, the post went viral with nearly 22,000 upvotes and over 60 Reddit awards.
110-volt outlets, huge refrigerators and garbage disposals were just some of the many great things Reddit pointed out, so strap up and start scrolling to see the best answers found in the post. And while you’re at it, vote, comment and give us some examples of things.
More Info: Reddit
#1 Crippling Medical Debt
Crippling debt due to medical care
Image credits: crazyaxe_murderer
#2 The Grand Canyon
Ulf67 said:The Grand Canyon
dimacq replied:
Oh yes!!!! And I’d say the whole system of National Parks is just amazing! Open 24/7 (unless some weather or gov’t shutdown), maps available, trails laid out, camping spots designated… It’s the most treasured and inderappreciated thing in the US, IMO.
Image credits: Ulf67
#3 Drinking Age Is 21
zephyr1004 said:We have a high drinking age at 21.
UnilateralWithdrawal replied:
Europe is definitely more laid back. I’ve been to manufacturing plants in Germany where beer is sold out of vending machines.
Image credits: zephyr1004
#4 Colossal Refrigerators
"Refrigerators the size of my flat." - every European who has seen my moderately-sized refrigerator
Image credits: PantsPile
#5 Good Mexican Food
Trek1973 said:Good Mexican food
burningfirelily replied:
Man so im a Mexican who wants to move to a European country but my biggest fear is losing access to ingredients to make my food and also having to endure whatever the heck people in those countries believe is "authentic" Mexican food.
Image credits: Trek1973
#6 Space
Space. I love spending time in Europe, but man, it is amazing to come home and have hundreds of thousands of square miles of just open country to explore, hike, ride, camp, etc...A lot of it isn't even in national or state parks (which are also amazing).
Image credits: minuteman_d
#7 "Florida Man"
No-Dark-9414 said:Florida Man
Ilmara said:
Europe has Polish Man and Russian Man.
Image credits: No-Dark-9414
#8 Legal Right Turn On Red
Legal right turn on red, I don't always agree with Jeremy Clarkson but in this instance he's correct that's it's one of the US's greatest contributions to society.
Image credits: zerbey
#9 Root Beer
Root beer is a popular beverage in the United States. Visitors from Europe frequently comment on how "strange" it tastes.The road splits in two. It's a beloved American ritual that foreigners are unfamiliar with. Imgur
Image credits: Fickle-Tea-7912
#10 Automatic Ice Dispensers
Automatic ice dispensers in your fridges. It's such an American thing you only find it on fridges that are labelled "American style"
Image credits: Elementus94
#11 Garbage Disposals
Garbage disposal units are installed beneath the kitchen sink.
Image credits: Strict-Promotion3250
#12 Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds!!!
Image credits: thorsbane
#13 Cheaper Goods Online
I always find myself finding everything cheaper in america online stores than in european stores. Especially with hardware, woodworking, light machinery.As many pointed out, USA don't include sales tax in the price. But then again as others pointed out, its only 6% whilst mine is 25% on all goods at home. So USA prices are still comparatively low even when included American 6% tax. It would only be worth to order tho if I actually lived in USA tho because of import duties.
Image credits: Adventuredepot
#14 A Flag On The Moon
A flag on the moon
Image credits: rock374
#15 Free Refills
Free drink refills at restaurants
Image credits: chevmonte76
#16 Drive-In Everythings
Drive in EVERYTHING! Drive in Starbucks, I’ve head Drive in Banks, that’s so crazy to me
Image credits: dollyss**tshow
#17 College Sports
PixieBaronicsi said:College sports
Oneinchwalrus replied:
This one I'll give you. Universities play each other in sports, but nowhere to the scale in America. For football (soccer), most players can be in clubs' academies from the age of 5/6, finish school at 16 and then just go straight into reserve/first team squads, whereas in America they play sports in school, university, then get picked up by clubs
Image credits: PixieBaronicsi
#18 Bigger Homes And Wider Streets
Bigger homes and wider streets
Image credits: D**klessdaddy
#19 ACs
AC. Been back a forth a lot, AC.
Image credits: BoyPerson
#20 Ranch Dressing
Ranch.Like why is it so good, why don’t we have it. And can we please exchange boris Johnston for a bottle. He’s be good in your circus
Image credits: MasterpieceNo6993
#21 Use Of The Word 'Fortnight'
I worked for a US firm (I’m From the UK). There are many differences, but the one that used to cause so many problems was the term “Fortnight” - not commonly used in that part of the US, so they used “Bi Weekly” for the same thing. Except in the UK that means twice a week
Image credits: Yorkie-Talkie
#22 110-Volt Outlets
AioliEnvironmental58 said:Outlets with 110 volts
-Reddit_Account- replied:
We have 220v outlets as well, but they’re usually reserved for applications that actually need it like dishwashers and washing machines.
Next time you clean behind your washing machine, look at the plug - it’s a much different one from the one you usually see on walls. That’s a 220v plug.
On your breaker box you’ll also notice that the breaker switches for those appliances are twice as thick.
either 220 or 240, I forget the exact number. Point is, you have plugs that have twice the potential of normal US wall plugs.
Image credits: AioliEnvironmental58
#23 Mourning Doves
Mourning doves. They're cute and chubby, and their boo-hoo-hoo songs sound like wooden flutes.
Image credits: BuddhistNudist987
#24 PB&J
Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
Image credits: Nice_Entertainment91
#25 Pancakes With Maple Syrup
Pancakes with maple syrup....date German, and she is super confused why there is so much sugar in the American breakfast. Go to the U.K. and there is none...go to Amsterdam where pancakes are practically the national specialty, and they are mostly savory!
Image credits: squirtloaf
#26 Personal Graves
Just found this out on another post: our own graves. Apparently graves are often dug up and reused in Europe and Australia. They’re owned by the government and will not always be yours. The only reason why we don’t do the same is because we are a younger country and we haven’t run out of room to bury people yet.
Image credits: EmilyGram12
#27 Window Screens
OkAnteater9569 said:At home or somewhere else, they have screens on their windows.
blackwe11_ninja replied:
You mean mosquito screens? We have them too. In my city you would have to be insane not to have one.
Image credits: OkAnteater9569
#28 Bigger Food Portions
Bigger portions/sizes. As an example I think a small or regular pb jar is probably considered large in European countries.
Image credits: __karmapolice
#29 Perfect Conditions For Road Trips
Perfect conditions for road trips. Nice roads, no border control, gas stations, sights, motels. Its perfect.#30 Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular activities at school.Playing a specific sport or being part of a team isn't something schools offer here. My cousins live in Texas and the fact that their school has tennis courts and a pool blows my mind.
Some schools here have small clubs like theater or choir but those absolutely don't compare to those in the States. Your high school theater plays look like professional productions sometimes it's insane.
Image credits: biancastolemyname
#31 Boozy Sunday Brunches
Boozy Sunday brunches.The only other country I saw have these is England. Most countries are rather closed on Sundays. Not the US. Unlimited mimosas and football.
Image credits: soonerguy11
#32 High Fructose Corn Syrup
High fructose corn syrup...Cheaper gas, cheap v8 cars and trucks.
Land is cheaper.
Image credits: Patriots_Fan1989
#33 Amazing Candy Selection
As a middle (or east?) European who was in the US 16 years ago, amazing sweets selection! Please send Twizzlers to Slovakia!
Image credits: ExodusDei
#34 Most Sunshine Hours Per Year
The most sunshine hours per year (thanks to Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Cali…).#35 Massive Peanut Butter Tubs
Massive tubs of cheap peanut butter. Its rare and expensive in most of Europe, sold only in small 4-8oz containers.
Image credits: Ok_Mortgage3754
#36 Hot Pockets And Pizza Rolls
Hot pockets and pizza rollsfrom Bored Panda https://bit.ly/30uE6hC
via Boredpanda
