10 SHOCKING Cultural Differences for Americans in Europe

[@awaytogether]

These are quirky differences but that doesn’t make one way right or wrong! If you want to be a respectful traveler, be sure to check out this next video, where I discuss mistakes and cultural faux pas Americans should avoid in Europe: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJuXg3eVZs57ars

[@evaeori5968]

As a Dutch person I was kind of surprised that these things were the other way around when I visited the USA. "Why doesn't this window open?", "Why do I have to hide my body on the beach?", "Why does a store need to be open 24/7?", "Why isn't there any decent public transport in this city?" etc.

[@midei]

Exactly! That was really shocking to me. And very inconvenient, specially the lack of public transportation.

[@tonys1636]

Why can people see me when sitting on the toilet with the door shut. Those gaps serve no obvious purpose.

[@atconnys8786]

@@tonys1636 Yeah, why they even bother to hang doors between the gaps, is a riddle to me

[@Missydee-72]

Why did three drivers stop to check we were ok when we decided to walk the short distance to the supermarket?

[@cree8vision]

Yeah, it's a shame public transport isn't more developed in N. America but it must have to do with the worship of the car.

[@TukikoTroy]

Here's an essential tip for Americans visiting Europe. Don't expect it to be like the US. In fact, don't even expect every country in Europe to be the same.

[@AnnabelleJARankin]

You won't find Europeans doing 'shock' videos about America - we don't care enough about differences to be shocked.

[@kkemp221]

Europe is not A country but consists of many different ones with their own language and habits

[@thany3]

Same as the USA in many aspects.

[@AlistairKiwi]

Not only totally different countries, but also distinctly different regions within the country, each with their own accents, food, traditions, history, & politics.

[@baramuth71]

@@thany3 Not really, the USA is a country with one language and that is English, there are also hardly any major differences when it comes to food. You have that in Europe, many countries with different languages, their own culture, food and landscapes. But that is very different from the USA.

[@robertarisz8464]

@@baramuth71 Have you checked the globe to see the size of the USA? There is a huge variety of landscapes. Dialects, cuisine and culture also differs - not as much as in Europe but it is clearly noticeable when you get around a bit.

[@baramuth71]

@@robertarisz8464 Well Europe is a bit bigger than the USA (I don't mean the EU) but the whole of Europe. In the USA you only hear English, but you also hear French, Danish and the other Nordic languages, all the Slavic languages, Italian, Turkish, Greek, Spanish (ok through Mexico, and only a certain part) but the linguistic diversity of cultures is much greater in Europe. In Europe there is food, and the USA doesn't even have an idea of that.

[@triquepersonalwork6369]

I am an American that has been living in Europe since early 2019, and I can say without a doubt that the lifestyle is better here than in the USA. Here, prople work to live, and in the USA, they work to live which is by far the biggest difference. There is a great work/life balance that is deeply imbedded within European consciousness

[@to.ha.8153]

did you maybe want to say that in the US, people "live to work"? Or the other way around?

[@michaelmelamed9103]

That’s right you are repeating yourself. By the way, it’s best not to generalize about either the Europeans or the Americans. I’ve lived in Europe for 30 years and in the USA for 47 years. Would not have it any other way. I’ve lived my life-American dream. Never looked back but visited different countries a few times

[@brythonicman3267]

@@triquepersonalwork6369 So in both Europe and America people work to live? Is that what you mean? 🤔 or is the difference between people and prople?

[@GuyWets-zy5yt]

I agree, I tried to stay in USA but after 7 travels in the country, I decided to stay here and I m glad of it

[@berndhofmann752]

It's good that Americans remark cultural differences. I'm a German management consultant travelling all over the 🌎 and there are a lot of differences. I lived in Africa, Asia and in Europe. Just adapt to the variety in the world. You will have a lot of fun! ❤❤❤❤

[@nixcails]

Americans can't adapt that's the trouble. They don't even understand English (written or spoken) when they come to English speaking countries like GB, Ireland and the smaller islands. As you know Germany isn't all the same. Saarland, Holstein and Bayern are individual in their own way.

[@unconventionalideas5683]

@@nixcails In America we have said for many decades "(w)hen in Rome, do as the Romans do." The problem is that the people who could afford to leave were not traditionally mainstream. People talk about how they see only older Americans in Europe, or at least people from various European Countries say that. Younger Americans are actually more likely to travel to Europe, but they are so much better at adapting that nobody really seems to notice them for the most part.

[@nixcails]

@@unconventionalideas5683 not from my experience they are just loud mouth spoilt Jewish kids usually

[@ganymeade5151]

@@nixcails There are different dialects in many countries. Therefore, leaning one dialect of German or other languages like Chinese won't be understood in many provinces.

[@TheDanishMaleNurse]

As a European, I'm often surprised by Americans and how they don't expect things to be different in Europe. That's the joy of traveling, in my opinion, to see how different things are. 🌍✈️ #CultureShock #TravelGram

[@wanneske1969]

They think Usa is the best and the rest of the world follows their example. Most Americans are not educated, don't know a lot about history or geography.

[@enjoystraveling]

I’m an American and I’m glad things are different in other places

[@bearcubdaycare]

Actually, as an American, I was surprised to find parts of Scandinavia more familiar than parts of America, traveling in my youth several decades ago.

[@choro3d191]

another thing about Americans abroad: if you ask them where they are from, they name not the country but the state... Dear Americans, you are from USA. Not everyone in the World is supposed to know what means LA or Utah. 😅

[@nixcails]

Americans have no concept of other languages or things that aren't fast food, Strip malls or done in your car. Miami, Los Angeles and Detroit are basically the same city

[@JonasReichert1992]

I find it intriguing that Sunday isn’t off at the US since you guys often are so much more religious.

[@KMarik]

Pretend religious.

[@Tootsie806]

The U.S. is a very diverse country. Not everyone is Christian or even religious. Should people who don’t observe Sunday as the Sabbath be required to close?

[@JonasReichert1992]

@@Tootsie806 they are because at one point the Government was Religious enough to make it a law. There are few exceptions.

[@Tootsie806]

@@JonasReichert1992 Some states may restrict certain types of sales, but no state forces all businesses to close. We have become so secular, there are businesses open on Christmas and Easter.

[@JonasReichert1992]

@@Tootsie806 Christmas usually everything is open- just closes a little early. The two days after that are closed. For easter it’s different in each Bundesland

[@nordishbynature268]

I'm german and I am shocked by the fact that so many us americans are shocked that shops are closed on sundays. I thought christianity is a big thing in the US and isn't it written somewhere in the bible "... and on the seventh day he rested..." or something like that? That's the reason why shops are closed on holy sunday. Well over the centuries it weakened a bit... I am not very religious, but calming down a day per week is a good thing for families and the society. 😉

[@henrischutte1968]

In the US there is one thing that trumps everything, even religion: the almighty dollar!

[@bearcubdaycare]

Growing up in Massachusetts decades ago, most shops were closed on Sundays. A few shops were open for buying a newspaper, but most of the store would be cordoned off. The "Blue Laws" that restricted shops on Sunday, changed due to competition from ships in neighboring New Hampshire, originally just for stores within several miles of the border, and just for several weeks before Christmas, but eventually the whole state, the whole year.

[@adamp6320]

The thing is, women work now they aren't home Monday to Friday to go shopping, so that leaves Saturday and Sunday to go shop. IF you close stores on Sunday that leaves..Saturday only. Sunday shopping makes sense.

[@nordishbynature268]

@@adamp6320 Not true. If you work 9 to 5 and shops are open til 10 p.m. Why is there time to shop only at sundays? How long are you shopping groceries???

[@jokervienna6433]

I completely agree, but as a Swede now living in Vienna, it took me some years to get used to (in Sweden, the grocery shops are open on Sundays, albeit shorter). Now I plan my shopping and take a break on Sundays. Meet some friends, go for a walk, lay on the sofa reading a book or something else non-demanding. I get a break and the workers in the grocery stores get a break too - THEY truly deserve it! 😘

[@FMA-e2o]

Hello, I'm french and I have a tip for you when you asked for water in restaurant. Don't asked for a bottle of water, but for a water pitcher ("carafe d'eau " in french). It's free.

[@Sturmisch]

In Belgium, they pretend they don't have carafes d'eau...

[@barrysteven5964]

In the UK as for tap water. It's nearly always free.

[@nigelsheppard625]

​@@barrysteven5964It should ALWAYS be free in Pubs, restaurants and cafés. There is an ancient law in English Common Law regarding never refusing water in such places.

[@ushiefreebird7470]

I just wanted to say the same. Or a glass of water. I think in France it is law to give free water if people ask for it. If you just order water, they ask sparkling or still, which automatically is bottled water. That's the trick.

[@choro3d191]

​@@nigelsheppard625What a beautiful ancient (I would even say imperial) custom! It reminded me of a law in the empire of Genghis Khan: death for refusing to help a traveler...

[@rvallenduuk]

You ask for water, you pay for water, no big deal. What's sneakier is the little bread basket they sometimes put on your table, or some olives, mostly in southern Europe. If you don't touch it, they take it away again. If you do, you pay for it. Oh, and dear Americans, do yourself a favour: forget about Starbucks while you're in Europe. Coffee is better pretty much everywhere else. They may not have all the crazy flavoured syrups to add, or the silly names, but if you like coffee, no Starbucks.

[@adrianbriggs7028]

Starbucks is quite possibly the worst coffee in the world.. now italy... there is coffee..

[@tytn9978]

Why would anyone go to Starbucks in Europe when there are so many wonderful coffee houses! I recall being in Utrecht and having the most delicious coffee ever; and the coffee in Venice was delightful as well!

[@tapestry6455]

I like Scooters ;-)

[@stevecarter8810]

Think of Starbucks as coffee themed milkshakes and all is in balance

[@queen452010]

Starbucks is disgusting and I would go for a real cup of coffee without all the s-it they put on everything here in the States.

[@annepoitrineau5650]

Most Germanic people have no issue with nudity. In France, topless is ok. IN these countries, people are also more accepting and less critical of bodyshapes in general. as you said. Nude and sex are not the same.

[@Ilske]

In the netherlands it isn't even alowed to wear swimwear in a spa or sauna. There is a special bathingsuite day, but on the other days, you have to go naked. A barhrobe or towel is alowed btw

[@svennoren9047]

And the towel is for sitting on, not _wearing._

[@userxyz64]

​@@svennoren9047I wouldn't go!

[@queen452010]

Eww

[@noname4u2see]

​@@userxyz64then dont go, nobody likes prudes

[@Ilske]

@@queen452010 why? Everybody has a naked body. Nothing eww about it.

[@marcelw6827]

American tap water is chlorinated. Even the icecube taste awful. Then I rather pay for water.

[@unconventionalideas5683]

Many Americans just buy a charcoal filter, because it is seen as less financially/environmentally wasteful than bottled water. It comes out the same because it is the same process. Also, a lot of American Tap Water is no longer chlorinated. Each local system is different as to whether it is chlorinated or not. Buy a charcoal filter system and some kind of reusable cup/bottle and you will be fine. A lot of people will think you're crazy to ask for bottled water, and in many restaurants they may not even _have_ bottled water (don't use your bottled water or water filter there; it's considered very rude).

[@barlow2976]

Worse than that a lot of American water is just not drinkable, the groundwater having been contaminated.What a shit country.

[@johng4093]

@@barlow2976 Not true. Other than 1 or 2 places most people will never visit, public water is safe and has to be tested meet strict national standards. In ground water you are more likely to taste the natural minerals than reservoir water, but it's not least bit dangerous. And you never have to boil water to make it safe as you do in some foreign countries, so ice is also safe.

[@arunphillips6977]

@@barlow2976 The USA is the best country on the planet, no backward feuding EU or UK, or anywhere else nation comes close!

[@leonidakhoury9907]

@@barlow2976you speak what you don’t know pure you

[@martin1042]

Also, be prepared for huge differences between European countries. In Germany many restaurants are open almost all day, and you could easily have an early dinner at 5 pm. In Spain many restaurants are open maybe 12 to 3 pm, then they close and only reopen around 8 pm.

[@jfrancobelge]

Dinner time varies a lot according to the country you're at, from late afternoon to late evening. Generally the more you go south the later people dine. In France, which is kind of "in between" northern and southern Europe (culturally and geographically) most restaurants open for dinner at 07:00 PM.

[@ganymeade5151]

In France many places are closed after 2 pm and reopen in the early evening. So, if you want lunch, get it before 2 pm.

[@petermarshall7775]

Monday is a universal day off for museums

[@maslina4567]

Spot on! My husband and I are Canadians who live in Croatia 75% of the time (and travel within Europe) and find so, so many quirky cultural differences which sometimes make us giggle like inverted light switches and pull chains on toilets, other times not so much (smoking). Differences can be hard to get accustomed to (nudity). But differences are also what makes the world fascinating and enlightening! Having an open mind is crucial, yet one needn't compromise beliefs or standards, either. Travel is the best form of education there is. Thank you!

[@awaytogether]

Amen!!!

[@CommonSense9eleven]

it isn't cultural difference. it is culture vs no idea what culture is

[@berndhofmann752]

Beautiful! Greetings from 🇩🇪

[@gizmo9290]

So you say that if smoking is bothering me as hell I should move to Canada or USA? I really should think about that...

[@maslina4567]

@@gizmo9290 In spite of smoking prevalence, my preference is living in Croatia over Canada for a multitude of reasons, a very long list.

[@michelrail]

Big tip: Do not arrive on a Sunday. Some smaller family ran hotel may be closed. Yes, the hotel is closed. This means, if you are not a guest, you may have to wait until 17:00 to check in. Only if you have a door key can you open the door. So when you left home the night before and didn't sleep on the airplane, 17:00 is a long time to wait to check in. There should be some restaurants open. Between the restaurants, they overlap their days off. Yes, days off. They are entitled to have 2 days off in a row. It's not so bad when you come prepared. They usually publish their schedule on their website. You will find good food pretty much in every restaurant. Stay away from steak and fries or hamburger. You're in Europe now. Embrace local cuisine. Ask the waiter what they would eat. Ask the pretty lady at the souvenir shop where she would like her boyfriend to take her for lunch or for dinner. I have discovered great restaurants at affordable price this way. The locals know.

[@awaytogether]

Amazing point about the family run hotels and arrival times - we encountered this last year. Agree wholeheartedly about the menu - although I'll say, I see fries on the menu at more places in Europe than I do in the USA. Most don't do Mayo with our fries here and I've got to say, we're doing it wrong haha.

[@gizmo9290]

I think you should just check you check-in time when you book the room. Or even before. I do, especially when I have a late flight, to be sure I CAN check-in when I get there. I always choose places where I know I have enough time to get before check-in time is over.

[@SeverityOne]

To be fair, we Europeans did invent fries (or chips in British English). 🙂

[@Patrick-yu1hu]

Hope my comment comes across as intended -- positive and not condescending. I'm much older than Nik and Allie -- I'll turn 69 in a few months, and have been travelling to Europe regularly since 1976. I've made 100+ trips, and lived/worked in 4 German cities, 1987-1999, married a German woman, son born Berlin, etc. I can vouch for all the points so accurately raised in this video. Regarding the sauna experience, I frequented saunas in Hamburg and Berlin. It's simply not allowed to have anything on when in the sauna itself, and you need a large towel to lay on, as it's not allowed for your body to touch the wooden parts of the sauna while inside. Sex has absolutely nothing to do with the experience, including the often available nude swimming in the adjoining pools. Regarding smoking, it may seem to younger US people that there is still a lot of smoking in Europe, but it is dramatically less than in the 1970s and 1980s. One thing not mentioned is Europeans bringing dogs into restaurants. That's particularly common in Germany. Unlike in the USA, the process to acquire and train a dog is heavily regulated, with all dog owners going through an intensive training program with their dogs, so the dogs are well behaved in public.

[@vic9543]

In Germany, the rules regarding dogs vary, depending on the state (Bundesland) you live in. In Bavaria, for example, except from potentionally dangerous dogs, there are no regulations at all. And in Northrhine-Westphalia there are only regulations for large/ heavy and (potentially) dangerous dogs. Regarding large dogs, there' only a theoretical test without the dogs being involved. So, "all dog owners going through an intensive training program with their dogs" may be true for some places, but not for Germany in general.

[@tovep9573]

Yes, If you don't want to be nude in the sauna just stay wrapped in your towel. Bringing swimsuits into the sauna is unhygienic.

[@Patrick-yu1hu]

@@tovep9573 Being wrapped in the towel in the actual sauna is never done in Europe. You're naked, period, laying on a towel, with your body fully visible (but no one stares at you).

[@tovep9573]

@@Patrick-yu1hu It is quite common in Sweden where I live. Some people are less comfortable with nudity. But you might have another experience from wherever you live in Europe.

[@lynnebattaglia-triggs1042]

In the US, I never wore anything in the women’s sauna or steam room, and the other women always looked shocked. Please get over it.

[@12freddyscoming4you]

Another one is that in Europe prices include taxes and tipping is optional. Tips are not a part of basic salary and it’s optional to give tips for good service.

[@olenickel6013]

Do be aware, in many places not giving a tip is still akin to saying "your service sucked" however.

[@12freddyscoming4you]

@@olenickel6013 true but thankfully not mandatory 😊 Why should you tip for crappy service 🧐

[@iallso1]

​@@12freddyscoming4youthe service is often OK, but usually the food is average. I resent leaving a tip when I have received a meal that had I been served it in Europe I would have sent back.

[@brythonicman3267]

I've been to many countries in Europe, Africa, Australia and America and I think the US is the only country I've been to where tipping is so prolific! It's just not a big deal anywhere else!

[@12freddyscoming4you]

@@brythonicman3267 perhaps it’s also the corporate system in the US. The companies want to make as much profit as possible without spending to much on staff. Easy way is to add service charge/mandatory tip to bills and make the customer pay extra towards staff salary. How is this then still a tip? It’s just a contribution to salaries so companies don’t have to pay a decent wage.

[@petragrevstad2714]

I loved this 💜. It’s always interesting to hear the experience of people from different parts of the world visiting other countries and regions. Things that are everyday life for me, potentially surprise or sometimes frustrating someone not used to it. Thank you for sharing 🙏🏻🌸! Much love from Sweden 🇸🇪 .

[@HaraldSeiwert]

Indeed a huge cultural shock for US Americans - less elevators, more bikes and walking, less junk food = less obesitas :-D

[@chrysalis4126]

Stairs are one of the reasons Europeans are less fat than Americans. In the UK If you order a jug of water you will get tap water and its free.

[@lisalu910]

Stairs and cigs. Let's just be real here. Europeans smoke a lot more than Americans do.

[@dontsaycant2448]

The first time I encountered those windows was in a hotel in Florence. I nearly shit myself because I thought we broke the window at this nice hotel. Then after a deep breath and a minute I realized how amazing to was to be able to open them in varying ways. After that trip I swore I would have windows like those in my home one day.

[@MartinBeerbom]

Even as a German, the lack of street signs in some German cities annoy me. In once drove through Frankfurt/Main, and got thoroughly lost and frustrated because of it.

[@dzonikg]

In my country before GPS thing there was streetname sign on every corner usually on wall off building and every house had big visible number .But since GPS thing no one puts it any more and actually people removed it so with out smartphone you have 0 idea which street you are

[@ganymeade5151]

It is that way also on some highways. The sign to exit was after the exit requiring having to turn around.

[@davidowen2396]

In the UK, restaurants are legally obliged to provide free tap water if a customer requests it. Some places will not be upfront about this but will usually be agreeable if a request for this is made.

[@rogernichols1124]

As a UK citizen who has been to most European countries, your observations are, by and large, accurate. Maybe you noticed in Germany that cash is preferred to credit cards, shoos are mostly closed on Sundays and there's no speed limit on the Autobahn (freeway). In Spain, shops regularly close most afternoons and reopen early evening - which can make sightseeing difficult. Tipping / leaving a gratuity is a variable practice throughout Europe. Sometimes, a gratuity is automatically added to the bill but frequently, you leave a tip for good or exceptional service - usually 10% of the total. Only tip if the service has been above the ordinary. In most European countries, queueing (standing on line) isn't a built-in national habit, unlike in Britain or the US. Sometimes, it's best to manôuvre yourself into the most advantageous spot, eg waiting for a bus or going into a museum. No-one will take offence because they're all doing the same as you! On entering a shop in France, it's customary to offer a greeting ( eg Bonjour/Bonsoir, monsieur/madame) even if no-one's listening. Above all, don't assume everyone speaks English and, anyway, it's only good manners to make an effort to learn some basic phrases in the language of the country you're visiting; it goes s long way and your hosts will be flattered and charmed.😊

[@ganymeade5151]

Some people are kind and would rather speak English than watch you struggle and butcher their language. LOL.

[@cindym.1618]

We're considering some motor coach tours of Europe. In reading reviews, many (older) Americans are appalled at the lack of air conditioning in some of the hotels. If you want all the American amenities, stay in America.

[@barbaramuller5049]

Or just don't come in summer 😊

[@tytn9978]

I recall being appalled by an American couple on a bus trip in the Netherlands who complained for the entire journey about how Holland did not do things the American way. As a Canadian, i thought THAT was what made my trip to Holland great! In Vienna, I had the misfortune of being on a City Bus tour where the "guide" spoke in a Texas dialect, just to amuse American tourists. I found it appalling and got off at the first site, and did the rest of my sight-seeing on my own!

[@SeverityOne]

Thing is, though, that Europe is heating up, like the rest of the world. I grew up in the Netherlands, and when I emigrated at the end of 2000, to be with my girlfriend (now wife), basically nobody had air conditioning in the Netherlands. Fast forward 20+ years, and the thermometer actually exceeded 40 degrees Celsius in the Netherlands. In Fahrenheit, that's 104. For a country in the northern part of Western Europe, on the North Sea coast, that temperature is absurd. OK, so this happened once, and summer this year has been pretty dismal. But we've been there, with the temperature over 30 C (86 F) and in a restaurant, they didn't even put a fan. Or a hotel, where they switched off the airco at night. Here in southern Europe, you need air conditioning in summer. It's unbearably hot otherwise. Just don't expect the air to be so cold that penguins would feel uncomfortable; from what I gather, aircos in the USA tend to be colder than in Europe. And don't leave on your air conditioner when you're away: energy costs can be quite steep, and it's unfair on your hosts if you're in a small, family-run place. But if you book a proper hotel in Western Europe, I'd be highly surprised if it came without air conditioning.

[@barlow2976]

Yes, please stay in America.

[@didier75012]

Europe is so diverse that any European is surprised when abroad. For instance, a French person is often surprised to have no choice but to pay for water and bread. In all countries in Europe, we have very different ways of life, and in each country, people do not have the same habits. I am living in a place in France where all toilets are clean and free, and where we do not have any public transportation. What a shock Paris was!

[@avitalsheva]

Kind of... but Europe is very similar within EU if we compare to US or Japan or China

[@HelenaMikas]

Well said ..I've lived years in Germany and been all over Europe .The diversity is delight fun and oh so delicious .Europe is a wonderful patchwork quilt .. food / languages / culture / oh yes and very civilised .

[@ganymeade5151]

Absolutely. In some places in Europe, you need a car or motor bike.

[@AquinoFamily99]

Really helpful video and being better prepared makes it more exciting to visit Europe.

[@squirrelwood8008]

The charge for using the toilet is used to keep them clean and well maintained. Also, paying for water is not paying for the actual water but for the service of having it brought to you and the cleaning of the glass(es).

[@HenryLoenwind]

Also, in most parts of Europe, restaurants earn all their profits from drinks and food is just an incentive to get customers, so it's served at or near cost. Which has the nice side effect that restaurants will not chase you out the moment you put down your fork.

[@robinharwood5044]

Cheaper than US tipping.

[@Stopnaziruzzia]

Good points. I grew up in Sweden and have lived in a few western european countries before ending up in the US. Many things here are true. But nudity in parks. Only in Germany really. And the smoking thing? Swedes smoke very little. One thing that is VERY different is the availability of alcohol. In most european countries you can buy beer when you are like 16 years old. You can even buy alcohol in subway station kiosks. But europeans have can't buy guns. Here in the States guns are ok and beer is not. I have never heard of school kids being murdered by someone attacking the school with beer bottles. Oh, and most things are open in Sweden on Sundays. In Denmark, Germany and Austria it is way different. One super important thing for americans to read up on is tipping. In Europe they don't expect tips. Sure, in some places it is appreciated, but NEVER to the extent or sums that you pay here. Servers earn living wages. Prices over there are also always including tax. BUT, the european windows are indeed much better than the ones we have here in the States and that you can almost never open as they are stuck.

[@robinharwood5044]

But in Sweden you have to buy alcohol from the Systembolaget. Yes, you can buy mellanöl in other places, but that hardly counts as alcohol. (It hardly counts as anything, actually.)

[@Stopnaziruzzia]

@@robinharwood5044 I left Sweden young. That is why I said most european countries, DE, FR, BE, NL. Super easy. With Germany even having subway stop kiosks selling beer, wine and hard liquor very cheap. But, the average attitude of swedes is that if a young man has too much beer, it is less of a concern than if he has a gun. I am still pretty sure that this sentiment is still valid in Sweden as well. Here in the States, alcohol is the real problem. Guns not so much. There are states here with alcohol sale monopoly as well, like Systembolaget. But no state has a monopoly on the sales of guns and ammunition.

[@jfrancobelge]

"Let's say Belgium, they may only need AC like a few weeks a year"... you mean, "like a few days a year"? 😉😁

[@ringrun9872]

Like we say in Hamburg -> lets hope for a great warm and sunny summer and that i may fall on a weekend

[@ritasonck]

@@ringrun9872😂

[@ganymeade5151]

The Belgians were stand offish from our experience. Only America tourists helped us.

[@CommonSense9eleven]

don't use airbnb, use hotels

[@Terra_Incognita201]

I would‘t say that in general

[@ZForce5496]

Agreed. Airbnb drives up the cost of housing and ruin the local economy.

[@wrldtrvlr4vr]

Why

[@gizmo9290]

@@wrldtrvlr4vr Because airbnbs make appartments much more expensive for locals. If you care about locals, you don't use airbnb if there is another possibility.

[@tonys1636]

@@panuntukan That's just a normal old fashioned b&b with the owners living there and providing breakfast not a house divided into apartments and the owner living elsewhere.

[@PatNeedhamUSA]

4:58 "and their windows tend to be a little bit different" - i was in Vienna Austria a couple weeks ago and the AirBnB i stayed at had those exact same kind of windows. They are awesome!

[@CCB249]

We have those windows in our condo in Seattle! Love them. Tilt and turn windows. Many countries in Europe are not allowed to build a house an install American made windows because they are such poor quality.

[@gizmo9290]

Unfortunately this kind of windows is not common all over Europe. I live in the Netherlands and here most windows just open one way... and it's usually opening out, not in. Cleaning windows upstairs from outside requires a long ladder or some specialistic cleaning stuff. And installing a moskito net... Yeah, I really don't like the windows.

[@adrianbriggs7028]

​@gizmo9290 they are very common in NL, just not on much older properties that may have very tight building regulations in them.my House has them...

[@DON666]

Here in Germany, that's just standard. There are (older) homes where you can only open the windows fully, but that's pretty rare.

[@Orwellian-Purple-Grapes-1984]

​@@gizmo9290Depends on where you live in the Netherlands. My parents' house has those fancy windows because it was renovated relatively recently. My apartment does not have those fancy windows, it only has one way opening out.

[@HeatherTravels]

Excellent list! All of these things can really surprise Americans, and even for those of us who have lived there in the past, it's good to be reminded.

[@sunkisses74]

Here in Germany you are probably considered a creep if you go to the sauna in an bathing suit and anyone else is naked.... As you mentioned, nudity doens´t necessarily equal se*uality for us.

[@user-mrfrog]

What I am realizing is how Montréal is really a mix of European ways and North American! For example, some buildings go by "rez de chaussée" (ground floor), first floor, second floor... like in Europe, while other buildings behave like they do in the States! Vive la différence !

[@crustyrash]

In France be aware of ´la grève which I am convinced is the national pastime. La grève means strike which can mean a partial shutdown of the metro for a few hours to no electricity.

[@barrysteven5964]

The first bit reminded me of something that might not be obvious to Americans. If you are trying to find a location in the UK use the postcode. This is our equivalent of the zip code but it is much more precise. It will take you to the street and probably the right part of the street. All you need apart from the post code is the building number. So just put the post code into googlemaps or whatever you are using and it will come up with the street you need. You'll find all post codes at the very end of an address. Even Buckingham Palace has a post code. SW1A 1AA

[@gizmo9290]

The Netherlands have similar system, if you know the postcode and the house number, you can find your full address. It's very important to know your postcode here, some Dutch Internet shops don't even ask you about your street name, but about the postcode and house and flat number only.

[@meikahidenori]

As An Australian I thought this was standard practice 😅 it's the same deal here!

[@adiuntesserande6893]

@@meikahidenori Nope. In the US, ZIP codes (US postal codes) could cover a territory as large as an entire city of over 100,000 people.

[@robertsnary472]

When I was in Cologne Dec 06 I had an American ask me if I could help him find his way back to his hotel ( I am from UK) he saw a sign saying “ Einebahn Strasse” and thought it was street sign and was confused ad he saw lots of “Einebahn Strasse”. It means one was street!! I nearly got caught out in Ecuador when I saw a street name Doble Via ( 2 way street. For the record I did help him find his hotel, it was same one I was staying in.

[@winterlinde5395]

Einbahnstraße 😊

[@joyhuebert1219]

Nudity on beaches is gaining ground in Victoria, BC where year round swimming in the ocean is popular and there are no change rooms, as you say, it’s mostly us seniors who are totally okay with public changing

[@Motherhubbard170]

no thank you

[@adiuntesserande6893]

Where have you seen this? I live by Cadboro Bay, and I can't say as I've ever seen any nudity there!

[@joyhuebert1219]

@@adiuntesserande6893 prospect lake, sometimes Banfield park

[@natasamladenovic1765]

In Croatia/ Adriatic coast where i am from everyone has an AC at home. Schools, shops, institutiins...too. although, traditional houses have wooden shutters on windows and that helps a lot. You let the cool air in the house in the morning and close the windows and the shutters. You can keep the house cool that way pretty long even if you do not have an A C. We also have vine pergolas to sit under, or park your car under...one can live comfortably the old way too. Our elders knew how to live in that climate.

[@maslina4567]

Another thing which I'd only read about but hadn't encountered was the squat toilet which I've since seen at least 20 times in Europe. Some are in better...er...condition than others. Travelers must remember they are guests in said country and things are understandably different. Leave expectations at home and learn to adapt to and...gasp...appreciate the differences. Immerse yourself in adventure rather than wish for what may not exist. Attitude and outlook can make or break travel.

[@ringrun9872]

😅 these types are really rare nowadays. U guys are lucky, i now in my fortys, remember being a child and going by car from germany to mediterranian sea in france or spain and havin those holes in the floor with 2 footspots as a toilet at the french motorway restareas

[@maslina4567]

@ringrun9872 They are rare but I still do see them, the very kind you describe. I give them a miss!

[@ringrun9872]

@@maslina4567 we dont have the muscles anymore to get that going and dont fall over and crap ourself

[@gregblair5139]

Another thing is different shape electric sockets (your plugs won't fit), and different voltage and frequency (some appliances would burn out or cause a fire if you could plug them in). Fortunately, you should be able to safely use most appliances that you would travel with, such as phone, laptop, electric shaver, electric toothbrush, or CPAP machine. You will, however, need an adapter for the different shaped electric sockets (and there are multiple standards throughout Europe).

[@aidaovasapyan9951]

Thanks a lot for really great info,it’s helpful,🌎🌎🌎

[@krh007]

Chiming in from Aussie and my wife & i just got back recently from 5 weeks in Europe and we had a blast. Part of that was on a river cruise down the Rhine/Danube from Amsterdam but the best part was our 1st class Europass on the trains where we train hopped everywhere & stayed in hotels etc. The Eurotrains are awesome & they are fast and so smooth & comfy. My wife is a smoker & i like to smoke when having a beer (casual smoker) so we fitted in very well with the locals where smoking is very common & accepted as the norm & part of the way of life. We will be back there again in a few years and this time will be using the rail system exclusively. We hired a car in the UK down in Kent region & it is too risky as roads are very narrow & packed much like all of Europe). The river cruise was more for the oldies (average age group 75-95) and too regimented and very expensive compared to doing your own thing. We were on an APT Travelmarvel (named Capella) boat which was very modern (built 2yrs ago) and we noticed the Americans were all on those Viking Boats which were older & not as well designed. Ours had the bigger rooms with the French balcony window that was electrically operated to become your balcony making the room bigger instead of those stupid skinny balconies on the Viking boats which were full of just American passengers only which is a dumb idea as when travelling you want a mix of people from different countries to mingle with. I did notice Amercians in general (especially in groups) were very loud and certainly lacked manners for sure when amongst the locals & other tourists. I suppose many are not used to travelling outside USA and Europe is perhaps a new thing for them but my best advice is the blend in and be courteous & accept their culture is different to that of US and you are the guest so just chill (we experienced some very brash US travellers when out & about)

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

You may hear Amerivcans from far away, as they seemingly are intend on making everybody avare, that US Citizens are around!! In the Danish walking street system in Center of main town, you are never in doubt if an American Group are around, from the level of their (load)speaking! But today, rich Russians also are intend on making themselve unpopular at any place they are visiting!!!

[@Just_another_Euro_dude]

Smoking is NOT looked like a positive thing or "accepted way of life" in Europe. That's why the percentages of smokers in Europe have declined in a big way since the let's say 60s or 70s. There's gazzillion of places in Europe where the smoking is flat out banned, the smoking commercials have been banned for literally decades. There's photos of lungs and throats ruined by cancer on every pack of cigaretts you buy in Europe. And don't pretend that an addiction you have is not disgusting. Cause it IS. It's very VERY disgusting. One of the worst.

[@tytn9978]

Eurail passes definitely worked for me on my trips to Germany and adjacent countries! I did run into an issue travelling from Frankfurt to West Berlin, back when Germany was divided, and East Germany did not participate in the Eurail card, so I had to pay a hefty fee at the border, and thus learned my lesson and bought a ticket from Berlin back to the border, where my Eurail pass kicked in once again. But with the reconnecting of East & West, that is no longer an issue.

[@SeverityOne]

Smoking is anything but accepted or a way of life. Lots of people do it, but don't pretend that you can smoke anywhere you like.

[@Just_another_Euro_dude]

@@krh007 Smoking is accepted? 😂😂😂😂😂😂 Now i am seriously starting to doubt you ever been in Europe.

[@abushfield71]

When booking a hotel room in Europe the difference in having an actual AC and not is if the hotel says their AC is climate controlled or not. Climate controlled = No thermostat in the room. Air conditioning = yes. Most hotels will also provide you with a standing fan when requested at climate controlled ones.

[@The_Red_Squirrel]

Obviously, the existence or otherwise of air conditioning depends on where you are travelling in Europe. It is not common in Ireland or the United Kingdom where the climate is temperate. Southern Europe is different where air conditioning in summer is needed but don't expect it everywhere as air conditioning was not common in houses up until about 30 years ago.

[@akyhne]

That's weird, because in cars, it's the other way around. And yeah, most cars in Europe have A/C. A/C in a European car is just a dummy slider and can only heat. It has no temperature sensor. Climate control, on the other hand, can set a defined temperature for each seat, and both heats and cools, depending on demand. It's basically a precise HVAC system.

[@adiuntesserande6893]

In the US, climate controlled means that it *has* A/C.

[@eleveneleven572]

Nudity ! Some years ago I was skiing in Kitzbühel, Austria. After one days skiing I decided upon a sauna in the hotel leisure suite. I stripped off and put my Speedos on. I showered and stepped in the sauna and it was full of naked men and women. I felt awkward but decided on a British stiff upper lip so when I went for a cool shower I took my Speedos off. I then found myself in a communal shower with two naked, and gorgeous, blond women. No one batted an eyelid. I returned to the sauna naked and settled in. 👍 Next day I finished skiing early and wanted another sauna. I went into the locker room, stripped naked and walked into the main area towards the sauna. It was full of Americans. There was a kind of mass panic as they grabbed their towels and ran out of the place Result ! 😂

[@DrVVVinK]

I would have told someone who worked at the hotel that they had suits on. They then would have been told to remove them or leave. Many saunas have signs that read "textile free", but many Americans don't know what textiles are.

[@wanneske1969]

Europe is not a country but a continent with lots of different countries with different habits. I've never been to Italy but I can tell you smoking in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany is discouraged a lot since a long time. In Germany you might find pubs where you can smoke inside, but they are very rare. In Belgium, if you smoke outside on a 'terrace' of a pub or restaurant, you might get on some peoples nerves although it's allowed.

[@ivettemartinez-sx9hq]

We have traveled to many, many places in Europe and while we LOVED France, I will say, be prepared for people smoking EVERYWHERE, the worst part being when your having breakfast, lunch or dinner, is the cigarette smoke practically in your face, for me cigarette smoke gives me a headache and even if you were not seated next to a smoker, the wind would blow it towards your face.

[@wanneske1969]

@@ivettemartinez-sx9hq I've never been in Spain or Italy, but I guess in the mediteranean countries it's still allowed, contrary to the northern parts of Europe ?

[@enricofromm4994]

In Italia si può fumare solo all'esterno (aria aperta). Mai nei bar, ristoranti, supermarket, negozi, centri commerciali, musei, cinema, ecc. E questo da molti anni. Quanto al fatto che l'Europa non è uno stato ma un continente con molti stati e culture, agli americani lo puoi ripetere per migliaia di volte ma non lo riusciranno a comprendere mai.

[@gizmo9290]

@@wanneske1969 It's not, if the country is part of EU. But in countries that are not and don't have some special agreements with EU, like Island, Lichtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, you can still smoke in restaurants and other similar places.

[@SeverityOne]

@@wanneske1969 In fact, the Netherlands was one of the last countries to ban smoking in bars and restaurants, when it had been banned for ages in Italy. It's very simple: nowhere in the European Union are you allowed to smoke indoors in bars, restaurants or clubs. Many, if not most, hotels are smoke-free, too. You can still smoke outside on a terrace, but my perception is that this is becoming less accepted as well.

[@BoggWeasel]

As a Brit who has lived here in the USA for over 30 years, I'm still non plussed and astonished at how childishly prudish the attitude is regarding sexuality and the naked body. On TV there are various shows with graphic depictions of body parts being blown apart, shot to death, hacked to bits, stabbed and generally mangled with accompanied gore in some violent act or another. That's entertainment. but show a pair of breasts? OMG!!!! The outrage, how dare they? Morally bankrupt, blah blah blah. It's odd....

[@eleveneleven572]

And they have cornered the world market in porn of the worst kind.

[@BoggWeasel]

@@eleveneleven572 Maybe the ease of access to it, but as far as cornering the market, don't think so. Seems every country has it's own home grown porn industry, each with it's own stars and major players, Japan and Germany are major players that even have "Meet the stars and producers", conventions. Porn is also an entirely different platform of basic human sexuality without the nuances of romance, feelings or loving empathy.

[@johansilwouden3403]

I instantly knew that the Airbnb with the narrow stairs is located in the Netherlands! Around the 4 minute mark you can see a blue envelope. This blue envelope has caused many heartattacks amongst my fellow Dutchmen. It is the famous blue envelope from the "Belastingdienst", or the Dutch National TAX agency....😂😅 Also, free roilets are by many people regarded as COMMUNISM!!! People generally do no want to pay for others using the restroom free if charge, according ti a survey held by the Dutch rail operator NS.

[@choro3d191]

I was also surprised by such narrow and steep stairs in Netherlands. One day, my wife and I spent several hours moving a couch through such a stairwell. We were literally screwing the couch in, and it moved slowly like a cork in a bottle neck.

[@tytn9978]

My significant memory of Amsterdam is watching a grand piano being hoisted to the top floor with the use of the chains anchored on a "hook"at the top of the building, and then being taken into the building through the topmost window into the room. With the narrow, winding interior stairs there was no other way to get it up to that floor!

[@SeverityOne]

Most non-Dutch complain about this. As a Dutchman myself, I don't really see the problem. But once, in a restaurant in Amsterdam near the Dam Square, there were stairs so steep that they were more like a ladder. And because it's a listed building, they're not allowed to change them.

[@ubitennis]

Finally a sensible video. A few things are definitely changing: it's a lot more common to have stores open all the time even in countries that used to be very strict on that. And free tap water at restaurants is becoming more common, although without a bucket of ice

[@sebastianbirch2187]

As a European living in the US , and traveling a lot around both continents, I have to say that is pretty good list, really essential things to know for the beginner travel. Nice video.

[@travelvideos]

Floor numbering is mixed in Europe. Some countries use the American style, while others use the British style. Elevators can be especially confusing, as pressing '0' usually takes you to the basement. You press '0' expecting to go to the reception, but when the door opens, you find yourself in a dark room with lots of piping, as it's the basement. Therefore, hotels often label the elevator buttons with 'reception' because too many people end up in the basement.

[@LeolaGlamour]

As an American I have always thought 0 was a basement? Usually reception is floor 2 sometimes 3.

[@The_Red_Squirrel]

Usually basement floors are -1, -2, etc., ground floors are either G or 0, and upper floors are 1, 2, etc. Also, newer buildings with 4 or more floors above ground level will have a lift. The example given in the video of a narrow, steep and winding stairs only applies in older buildings (100 years and older) and may not always be the case. The example shown is quite extreme and very much the exception.

[@berndf0]

Like where? In the 65 years I've been living in different European countries and visited many more, I've come across maybe a few handful of office buildings or hotels that for some strange reason chose American floor numbering but that's it. Everywhere else "first floor" means "the floor above ground floor".

[@jerry2357]

The floor numbering is spelt out in German: "erste Obergeschoss" = "first higher floor". The numbering comes from the fact that, historically, a floor was something that you actually had to build from wood, whereas when you entered a building you were actually standing on levelled and beaten earth. So the first floor was the floor immediately higher than the ground. (If you go into older houses you might still find one that has a beaten earth floor under the floor covering, a friend of my granny lived in such a house in the 1970s.)

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

@@The_Red_Squirrel Most European towns hardly have houses in the center below a 100 years!

[@Equilibrium29]

I used to live in Hamburg Germany. I know about nudist parks. The entire family is nude and sunbathe at the lake in the park. The only people who gawked were the tourists (and ME, when I just moved there!!! Hahaha)

[@annadawson5325]

It’s a good bet you would be asked to cover up in Canada( unless it is a designated nude beach/ pool), and by law you have to wear proper swimming attire in any public pool ( inside or outside). If you refuse where it is not a designated nude beach/ pool, you might find yourself at least talking to the police about it. There is no telling someone else to “get over it” if someone tries to go nude in a public pool/ beach.

[@Equilibrium29]

@annadawson5325 This was a designated area, even within that park. Also, there are lots of public indoor pools in Germany. They just passed a law recently that women can be topless at the tanning area.

[@enjoystraveling]

If you get desperate for groceries or something to eat and it’s a Sunday just go to the main train station and there’s usually something open there both a small grocery some of them might be quite big and one or more. Restaurants are open there even if it’s just fast food, unless it’s a very small village

[@MrTuxracer]

The only thing I really wish to be the same as in the US, is less smoking. A hint: There are hotels, which usually have elevators, you don't have to book an Airbnb.

[@McGhinch]

There is an information missing: Yes, we most often pay for public toilets. But, in most installations you will receive a voucher that can be redeemed in shops and restaurants of that installation -- or where else the operator is present. Your video shows a Sanifair installations. These vouchers are valid for a year and can be redeemed in everywhere when Sanifair operates the restrooms.

[@coffeecigarettes9422]

Yeah, that's true. However the items you can purchase (at gas stations for example) are heavily overprized so in fact this voucher is just good for you if you really really need a can of soda or an awful tasting coffee regardless the crazy price tag.

[@wanneske1969]

I don't mind paying 1 or 2 € for the 'toilet lady' if it means the toilets are clean.

[@bazoo513]

8:45 - In Croatia restaurants and cafes must, by law, serve free tap water if requested. But restaurants will typically "assume" that you meant bottled water if you only said "water"; cafes will typically bring you a glass of tap water with any order (especially coffee) with _maybe_ one ice cube; so, be sure to ask for "lots of ice". And yes, no free refills, even in places like McDonald's.

[@snakefollower]

I live in the UK and we all have the 2 button flush. Recently stayed Air BnB in Spain but the air con didn't work at all but it was a bit out of season and not particularly hot. I was under the impression maybe it hadn't worked for some time.

[@AbigailGerlach-zt1sh]

European windows? No screens! Sleep with every insect that flies by your window! A lot of European cities often have early closing one day a week. Are we obese because we all quit smoking? Our shock about nudity is because the USA is a puritan country. Hold your purse in front of your body which blocks the view!

[@dzonikg]

We have nude beach in middle off the city like last 60 year witch is like half km long and walking and bicycle path run just next to it ,there are naked people just 1 meter from you waking or biking.Before like 15 years and more it was like crazy becase there were multiply cafes,familtyes would sit there and naked people would just walk around and sit in same caffes and no one gived a f. Was witness so many weird situation when just next to me high school girls recognise their professor from school naked and they were chating with him about school while he was totaly naked . In last 10-15 year they removed that cafes and put on some parts fence so now is more "family friendly" but also now are much older people practicing it then before

[@shelleybergen1232]

I'm so glad I spend months doing research to all the places we plan to visit. Doing no research could seriously ruin your trip. Also read other travelers reviews of things like hotels, tours and restaurants. Love your videos!!

[@framegote5152]

I'm surprised in a spa (sauna) you didn't get told to remove your clothing. There may be - however - special times of day, or day of the week when you can go "dressed". Nudity in a sauna is the norm. Don't be afraid, no-one is watching you for your body, there are only two sexes. They ARE watching you when you come in your swimwear.

[@robinharwood5044]

Ummm … you might get in trouble for radical claims like “there are only two sexes”.

[@framegote5152]

@@robinharwood5044 Well, I had biology lessons and learned that. It is even nicely "recorded" in your DNA, what ever you think you are. It's always good to educate yourself. "Radical claims" seem to me like typical American things, where everybody can get in trouble for saying things.

[@DrVVVinK]

@@robinharwood5044 that is another American thing about more than two sexes. Umm no.

[@robinharwood5044]

@@framegote5152 That's the sort of thing I learned when I studied biology. But that was sixty years ago. Apparently it is now fashionable to ignore old fashioned biology.

[@framegote5152]

@@robinharwood5044 I saw an interview lately where someone said "what you feel you are is of no concern or mine. You may feel like a unicorn but to me you're just a crazy person who thinks you are more important than any rule on earth." Fashion or not, when bones are dug up in 200 years time, no-one will know what the original owner of those was thinking. They will just say "it's a man" or "it's a woman". No-one wil ever say it was a [whatever they call themselves]. And about getting in trouble: people grow far to long toes nowadays and they are getting stepped upon very easily. It's like they want to be mad at everyone. It's very easy: if you don't like what you see or hear ... simply look at something else. You don't have to be offended!

[@Bgmutza]

I would also add that it’s not uncommon to show up at a shop or restaurant and find a note on the door that they’re closed for a few days or a week because they are on holiday. My experience has been that these are often not on their social media or websites, so you don’t find out until you walk up. Be prepared with backups just in case!

[@darlataddeo6376]

The “German toilet” is only somewhat common in Eastern Germany, and it’s original design was not meant to remove splashing, but to examine your gastro “health”.

[@trevordavies5486]

The design was introduced after WW2. The many german cities devastated by bombing and shelling used this shelf to inspect your excreta for possible cases of disease.

[@markusschenkl7943]

Those "poop shelf" toilets were also widespread in West Germany. However, in newer houses (from the 1970's onward) the nowadays more common type was used.

[@klaus2t703]

In our house it was replaced by a modern one in the 1970ies.

[@ganymeade5151]

My husband prefers to stay at hotels near the airport. We use the Hop n Ride that is great for city tours. We take trams or trains to places outside the city. We do train day trips so we only need a backpack. If we have more time, we rent a car to drive to the countryside. A car is essential for travelling to places off the tourist tracks in cities, and to many villages throughout Europe. A train is great for seeing a lot of awesome scenery within a day.

[@gwirgalon3758]

Thanks for the Holafly info...Didn't know of it.

[@lionessm235]

When we used to live in the lower Keys, some coworkers decided to go to Key West one day to a place called “Naked Lunch”. I declined their invitation, stating, “The people you want to SEE naked are not necessarily the people who want to BE naked”. I found out later they were so horrified they nearly sprinted out the door to a restaurant down the street. The next day the first thing I heard was, “How did you know!?!?” 😂

[@felcofb4750]

Happy to see you've been in Milano. In Italia smoking is very restricted quite like in the USA, so it is a pleasure to sit at a restaurant and eat good food without smelling sigarettes in the air

[@deborahmaddry3615]

Your baby is precious! We lived in Germany 4 years. This video brings back memorie of our travels. Your videos are great!

[@josephforest7605]

I am from Canada the drinking age in Canada is 19 years of age . I was in Amsterdam in a coin laundry , there was a young man washing his clothes , he told me he was 19 and visiting from California .I walked over to the vending machine in the coin laundry and I asked him if he wanted a beer out of the vending machine . He went wild with beer in a machine , he was amazed and I thought it was amusing .

[@johng4093]

We typically have to check ID for age (or look obviously much older than minimum age) in US before selling, even at a supermarket self-checkout you cannot buy alcohol since there may be nobody to verify age.

[@veeahr1672]

My train was cancelled five minutes before leaving (thanks Deutsche Bahn). That means I arrived in my hotel at 8 p.m. (four hours later than expected). Turns out the hotel closes at 6 on Sundays and the front desk guy was mad I was late!! They sent me a message to the hotel app, but I had no internet so I had no idea they would leave the key in a locker box by the door. I was lucky to still find him otherwise I'd have spent the night on the street.

[@gizmo9290]

The truth about traveling is you should have an Internet access abroad. You should take care of it even before you start your travel. When I don't have it (in Japan mostly, because I teavel enough through Europe to use international plan for my phone all the time, but it does not work in most of Asian countries), I try to find the nearest chain restaurant like McDonalds, Burger King or Starbucks, where free WiFi is very common. But it's you who should care abou being on time - when you book your hotel, you should check the time range of check-in, and keep it in mind. I'm not suprised that the front desk guy was angry, I'm shocked that he was still there.

[@veeahr1672]

@@gizmo9290 That was my first day in Germany. Good luck trying to find an open store on Sunday evening. After he finally calmed down he told me he was still waiting for other people who hadn't arrived. We eventually learned that day the whole train system collapsed and it was chaos. Still, I'm shocked there's hotels with no front desk people 24/7

[@gizmo9290]

@@veeahr1672 Not an open store, but an open chain restaurant. Usually there is some at the main train station or in the city center. If it's a big city at least. Well, we learn all the time - now you know that not all hotels' front desk is open all day long. It's good experience, especially that you were lucky that first time, you didn't have to sleep outside.

[@SeverityOne]

Let's see: 1) Your train was cancelled. 2) You didn't have internet access. The mistake you made is that you travelled to Germany. 😃 Seriously, though, I don't know what it is with Germans and their infrastructure, but it is really far less efficient or available than in pretty much any of their neighbouring countries. The Dutch have the busiest rail network in Europe, and manage 95% punctuality (where 'punctuality' is defined as 'no more than five minutes late'). The Swiss have a whopping 98% punctuality. The Germans... er... let's just say it's less than that. Black spots in their mobile network is another problem. Most of Europe is covered by 4G or 5G, but Germany has many areas with reception that is patchy at best. You're calling somebody who's on the move, and the connection just goes. Finally, it's impossible to drive for more than a certain distance over the Autobahn without running into a 'Baustelle', where they are working on the road. No other country in Europe has so many spots where they're doing road maintenance. Not in neighbouring Netherlands, which has the best roads in Europe. Many non-Europeans think of Germany as very efficient, but this is not the case. They pride themselves on 'Gründlichkeit', which translates to thoroughness. And I'll give them that. But if you want efficiency, look to their neighbours.

[@JohnResalb]

OK, for all North American viewers - there are very good reasons for all the so-called "quirks" in the video, one important factor being "historical" - often dating from well before the time of George Washington.!!

[@BabzV]

I was a server for many years in the Netherlands and the reason we rather not give free tapwater is that we have to use a glass, use extra space on our serving tray, having to wash the glass after use etc etc all for free whilst it does cost the proprietar time which equals money. If a table of 6 all want free water it takes a lot extra work for zero payment. If a person needs to take their medicine then of course they get a glass of water.

[@ShaunMcLane]

Heads up. In German, the letter that looks like a big B (ß) is actually two ss. So instead of pronouncing it Strab, it's actually Strassa.

[@Patrick-yu1hu]

It's 'Strasse'.

[@lifeisbeautiful7452]

@@Patrick-yu1hukeyword pronouncing

[@babsdaughter58]

We’ve just spent nearly a month in Europe and the duvets in summer without ac, even in 5 star hotels has been the most shocking…and frustrating. We finally learned to ask for either a summer weight duvet or simply remove the duvet and use just the duvet cover.

[@tytn9978]

Oh, the older women in the toilets ... that shocked me when I was a teenager on my first "visit" to Germany! It really is challenging to do what you went in there to do knowing that you are being watched!

[@jhonyermo]

Horse hocky. Those professional women have much more to do that look goofy little you.

[@labtechsuperstar]

I just got back from a trip to Greece. Stores are closed on Sundays (maybe a few in the tourist areas are open, but in general not). And on Monday, they close early. Also, they subscribe to the 'siesta' so stores will be closed between say 12pm and 3 pm, and then re-open for a few hours in the evening. The "siesta" is also common in Italy, Portugal and Spain. Bottled water is de rigueur in Greece and is cheap. Like for the 500mL it's only 0.50 Euro cents.

[@flower-ss2jt]

AC is not needed, even in hot countries if you are in a tradional home with thick walls, small windows and wooden shutters. Keep the wooden shutters closed all the time, alot of the shutters are slatted, and only open the glass window at night.

[@vidright]

Nudity? Calm down. Not all nations are as prudish as the US.

[@DC14352]

England /UK or whatever the heck it's called 💀

[@framegote5152]

@@DC14352 Even here you can be a bit more thoughtful of what you write! Educate yourself before you splash out something.

[@DC14352]

@@framegote5152 got it Pops but ZI am ( 74 )

[@tomaseire]

Prudish? Yeah, we are not all Anglo-Saxons!

[@ganymeade5151]

Unlike America, not all places equate nudity with impropriety, shame, or sex. The Puritan Ethic is still strong in America.

[@tytn9978]

In Venice, the motorboat taxis definitely were ideal, especially since one can purchase a long-term (1 day/3 days/full week) card, and you can get on and off at any of the stops!

[@LaczPro]

Crossing the street in Madrid. I still struggle to understand that cars will stop for me, especially in a red light. You need to cross using the crossing markings though (which makes sense). In my country, even with red lights, the cars and bikes won't stop so you need to be extra sure of when to cross. About nudity: I saw it once in Gran Canaria. I knew it could happen so it didn't shock me as much. However, I'm still trying to understand how the guy could get into the really cold water of the Atlantic like it was nothing. There was barely any direct sunlight (because there were a ton of clouds), and the cold breeze didn't help. And yet, the guy went, swam for a while, and then he left. Probably something about sports (coming from training or something like that). About water: A water bottle/mug is your friend. Madrid was amazing because I could fill the mug at home and since I went in October/November, I didn't need to drink as much because it was cool outside.

[@marcgp6927]

Northern Europeans are crazy, when I see someone bathing on our beaches (Spain) during the Winter, most of the times tend to be Northern Europeans (which I guess makes sense when you see them making a hole in the ice to bathe in their countries).

[@kookarini]

Very informational. thank you. But not really "shocking." sorta click-baity.

[@LeolaGlamour]

Those two option toilets are more common now, I've had a few apartments with them. Also anyone who has ever been to a club or nice resturant has seen a bathroom attendant.

[@russshaber8071]

I lived in Europe as a kid in the 1960's. Coming back to the US was very traumatic for me. The racism and violence I saw was shocking. And then they ramped up the draft and kids I knew were dying in Vietnam. I love my country, but I hate the terrible things we have done.

[@fred6132]

Excellent episode….oh, there is so much to learn!

[@gar6446]

Nobody "Needs" aircon in Europe, and never have.

[@lillic8522]

Smoking: in all of the EU, smoking is prohibited in restaurants, bars and other public spaces too.

[@The_Red_Squirrel]

Nothing really shocking in this video, only different, which is why people should embrace the experience of travelling so as to enjoy and broaden one's mind as to what exists beyond one's prior experiences.

[@denniswlandry]

In many European cities where supermarkets are closed on Sunday, the supermarket in the main train station will be open and usually very crowded.

[@rubberyowen1469]

When you eat out in Europe there is few if any cafe's or restaurants that you have to pay that American tax you call tips. Tips are not included in your bill either. Giving a tip is up to you but we do if we are totally pleased with their service and meal.

[@LU-jo2jz]

Tax and tips are different

[@rubberyowen1469]

@@LU-jo2jz Oh really, well who would of thought that. It was a sarcasm as Americans pay tips as if it was a tax. Read the comment properly. 👍

[@erikiskandermeon9999]

"We don't serve tap water" is for Americans exclusively.

[@pierredufresne996]

About windows; I'm beginning to wonder if the U.S. and Canada are the only countries that regularly add mosquito screens. Haven't seen them in France, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Germany, the U.K., the Caribbean...

[@Peleski]

I know LOL. It drives me nuts. Most cities in Europe have a mosquito problem. I can't sleep if I know there's a mosquito in the room.

[@hannawolters875]

If you travel to Germany notic that smoking is allow if you 18 and outside. But normally not inside of cafés, restaurants and public buldings. Or only in speziell areas that says " smoking allowed", like in many train stations. In Germany is normal, that you ask other peoples around you, it's okay for them if you smoke now.

[@laylayalda9465]

Same here! I love how they honor Sunday. I wish it was the same here in the U.S

[@enjoystraveling]

Yes, even if you aren’t religious, it still is important for the workers to have a rest day And mind the rest of us to take a rest day of relaxation

[@marcgp6927]

It has long lose any religious significance, everything closes on Sunday (and most business also close on Saturdays) to share common rest days that families and friends can enjoy togeather. Remember that Europe is about work balance and quality of life.

[@jhonyermo]

Why? Saturday is the goGDam sabbath. Check your Buy-Bull

[@adiuntesserande6893]

I am *SO* glad it isn't. I don't follow your religion; I see no reason why I should be forced to do so as a business owner.

[@isaacredondela4886]

nudism is healthy and should be natural everywhere!

[@meindepp1938]

The waiters salaries are include in the price this is why you have to pay for water