10 Things That SHOCK Americans Visiting Europe

These 10 Things SHOCK Americans (and most first time travelers in general) when they visit Europe.
Discover the surprising cultural differences and quirks that might catch you off guard when traveling to Europe! From paying to use public restrooms to unexpected public nudity, we cover the top 10 things that will shock American travelers.
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⏰ Timecodes ⏰
0:00 10 Things That Shock Travelers in Europe
0:35 SHOCK #1: Toilets
1:23 SHOCK #2: Street Names
2:00 Holafly E-Sim Review
3:12 SHOCK #3: First floor vs Ground Floor
3:39 SHOCK #4: Elevators
4:25 SHOCK #5: Air Conditioning
5:33 SHOCK #6: Public Transportation
6:53 SHOCK #7: Sight and Store Closures
8:19 SHOCK #8: Ordering Water
9:12 SHOCK #9: Thank You for Smoking
9:54 SHOCK #10: Nudity

[@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

[@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?

[@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

[@kkemp221]

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

[@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

[@user-pc2cp7go1g]

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...

[@robertnl83]

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.

[@robertnl83]

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

[@iallso1]

​@@robertnl83the 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!

[@robertnl83]

@@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.

[@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

[@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

[@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

[@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).

[@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).

[@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.

[@panuntukan]

I would make a difference btw touristic cities, in which - it's true - less and less locals can find a place to live (Venice, Dubrovnik, Prague are the most famous) and countryside villages, in which Airbnb can be a good mini business for families with a house with empty rooms (because their children are now adults) transformed in nice accomodations for tourists.

[@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.

[@barrylenihan8032]

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]

@@barrylenihan8032 Most European towns hardly have houses in the center below a 100 years!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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! 😘

[@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...

[@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.

[@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

[@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). 🙂

[@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

[@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.

[@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😂

[@petermarshall7775]

Monday is a universal day off for museums

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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 🇸🇪 .

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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 !

[@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.

[@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!!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@gwirgalon3758]

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

[@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!

[@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)

[@deborahmaddry3615]

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

[@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

[@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!

[@mushroomsteve]

It's OK. We avoid Starbucks here in the US, too. Want to try some good American coffee? Stumptown cold brews (from Portland, Oregon) are fantastic! And that's just one of many excellent kinds.

[@hurricanekate6839]

Just "discovered" your channel and it's excellent. I just subscribed!

[@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.

[@fred6132]

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

[@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.

[@robertbutlin3708]

When did surprised become shocked?

[@tytn9978]

The logical answer: when misguided expectations do not match reality. Some tourists forget that the whole point of being in another country is to experience something entirely and delightfully different from the familiar life that is "home"!

[@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.

[@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.

[@barrylenihan8032]

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.

[@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.

[@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

[@tomblanks7232]

Great video

[@wl8938]

Thank you for thinking of us.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@larsberggard4644]

there is a glitch in the sound speaking of toilets. There comes a loud beep in the middle of the speakers voice.

[@ChristophersMum]

Here in Scotland...there is no smoking in public spaces...and it is such a relief from the fug...

[@cindywilkinson1610]

Nik and Allie -- you are spot on with this post!! 😂❤

[@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.

[@bearcubdaycare]

The other thing as steep as those stairs? The ramp down to the parking in the basement, with a 90 degree turn halfway down. (Bumps in the surface give enough grip.) Well, much, much steeper than American parking garage ramps, sometimes, with tighter turns, anyway.

[@NickBarnhiser]

Just got back yesterday from 2 weeks in Europe and we ran across almost all of these. One other small thing we thought was strange is that wash cloths don’t seem to be a thing there.

[@lauradalenberg3755]

So true, I went to Italy and brought my own, having experienced this a few times.

[@fanvonvielem773]

Oh, they are. I'm from Germany and we have loads of them at home - but barely use them. We use them if we don't have time (and we usually do) or the possibility of taking a shower. But other than that, there's simply no need for them.

[@nixcails]

Shops being closed at certain days especially public holidays which mostly follow strong religious high days and holy days are often enshrined in law to ensure workers aren't exploited. In France you can always buy bread as that's a legal requirement to be available in every village or Arrondissement. As for lifts (assenceurs) you cannot always install them in historical building. I lived in a ground floor 1 bed flat converted from a 1647 coaching inn in South Devon it was difficult to get plumbing installed.

[@nixcails]

Eau du Robinet. Water is charged because municipal water boards charge through local tax whilst cafe and restaurants are on meters. Because you also have to wash carafes and glasses that's why there is a charge for water. In France many restaurants include this in the TTC (Toute Tax et service) in set menus. As for nudity it's a legacy in Germany and the Eastern block. And FKK FreiKorpKultur free body culture is just that warts and all. Remember that all that pious nude equals against God prevails in the USA through Jewish and Presbyterian rules in hick Republican states rather than progressive socialist or Cooperative democracies. Plus be careful judging Europe as one what nations like Breizh and Kernow find normal are different in Poland, Macedonia 🇲🇰 and Portugal. Just like nudity is common in San Francisco but not Texas!

[@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.

[@barrylenihan8032]

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.

[@elnamayberry]

Thanks for these tips. The dual flush toilets are getting more common here in Canada. Toilets had a fee in London in the 80's - probably still do? And in the 60's, there were "blue laws" in Virginia which allowed stores to be open on Sundays but certain items couldn't be sold (one I remember was balloons)!

[@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!?!?” 😂

[@enjoystraveling]

At least in Southwest Germany when I was visiting last year, I didn’t see many people smoking, except for younger people that some were vaping. The middle age and older people have mostly given up smoking for health reasons and most restaurants don’t allow smoking. It used to be that they had a small section for smokers, but most of them have done away with that, at least I haven’t seen it lately

[@gizmo9290]

Smoking is forbidden in restaurants, bars, caffes, cinemas and so on in all countries being part of EU. There can be a room for smokers there, but if there is not, smoking is forbidden. The same with train stations, bus and tram stops, and so on. But sometimes people smoke there nontheless. My aunt once got a ticket for smoking on a bus stop😅.

[@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.

[@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. 👍

[@BetterNDTravel]

I’m visiting Croatia for a month and I’m still getting used to weighing my fruit and veg to get the price and the residential rubbish and recycling bins in the street that only open by reading special card!

[@ranak5990]

Hi, where is your map from in your filming studio?

[@grnnmatportal615]

Here in Norway, smoking is frowned upon, luckily. It is illegal to smoke inside of ANY building, sometimes also outside (they sometimes have smoke zones outside public buildings, but not so often anymore). Some political parties are now voting for forbidding smoking on beaches and other public places. :)

[@enjoystraveling]

I wish the United States had better public transport like in Europe and the UK. We are vastly behind !! I noticed even in the crosswalks if you are crossing with the green light as a walker, in most places in the United States, the cars can still turn right on red, which opposes a big danger to the walkers. !!

[@enjoystraveling]

I’ve meant to write it poses a big danger to walkers when cars can turn right on red and the walker has a green sign.

[@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.

[@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.

[@user-dm1zi1en9i]

Wo finden unsere gerngesehenen Gäste aus aller Welt nur immer die Flachspüler-Toiletten? Ich glaube, ich habe seit 30 Jahren keine mehr gesehen 😂

[@minookalantari]

Thank you

[@Humpelstilzchen]

The poop shelf isn't very common anymore. Our last one we had was till 2000 maybe 😅

[@fanvonvielem773]

I'm surprised by so many outer-continentals mentioning them as well. I'm German, have grown up here and can't remember a single toilet I've sat on over the last decade that fits that describtion. They're definitely not normal... Where do they find these? lol

[@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.

[@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

[@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

[@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).

[@anderswiik7432]

Never wear bath suit in a sauna........that's just weird,js LOL

[@groenekever]

Most spa,s bathingsuits are not allowed

[@annamaria-pv1fw]

thx

[@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!

[@gordonirving24]

Tap water free in UK restaurants.

[@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

[@lilivanv1794]

My sister lives in France and she says even new buildings (theatres, schools) won’t have enough toilets!!! Naked grandmas, spot on!! 😂😂

[@Kate-qq3ez]

I do. Or know where she lives but I never see any problem with the number of toilets in new buildings are there are very strict building rules about this, based on the surface, the use of the building, etc…

[@chipdale490]

I'm a 57 year old Dutch guy and have zero people in my group of friends, family and coworkers who smoke. None. Must be the exception then.. 😅

[@volkswagen4866]

I am American but was raised mainly in Europe. Like you I love the windows in Europe. The only problem while in southern Italy one hot summer (with no AC) was weather I like having a hot room at night or sharing my room with mosquitoes and flies. NO Window Screens in Europe for the most part.

[@martin1042]

I really don't get why hotels/apartments don't bother to put screens on windows, especially if there's mosquitoes. I live in Germany and I'd never wanna be without my screens.

[@ursulasmith6402]

They keep them clean.

[@loraontheroad]

About the nudity…might be “allowed”/tolerated in Germany on public places, doesn’t make it allowed in places like South-Eastern and Eastern Europe (.not counting being topless in this). 1st floor is the same as in the USA in South-Eastern Europe, while in Northern and Western Europe it is as you mentioned in your video.

[@surlespasdondine]

Some of these things surprised me as a European - didn't know America did not have some of these.

[@fredrichenning1367]

A couple of things that Americans always complain about -- 1. Toilets you have to pay to use ARE NOT the only ones around. Shops, bars, and hotels are often free. 2. Water you gotta pay for. This must be a southern European thing, 'cuz I've never run across it in Scandinavia. And, who the hell drinks water in Europe, anyway, with all that great beer, geez! 3. Smoking! Was this video made 20-30 years ago? Or is it only Scandinavia that is "smoke free" nowadays. Doubt this one.