American reacts to what NOT to do in AMERICA

[@WooShell]

What I don't get about the sales tax issue: The shop *knows* which city or state it is in, the shop *knows* what their local sales tax is.. and still they are unable to add it to the price sticker. I do get that sales tax is confusing when shipping stuff across state lines, but for local point of sales it should be a no-brainer to have this added in.

[@justeunfan3364]

Its made to encourage bying. The lower the price on the tag, the more peoples are likely to buy, they'll be disapointed later but it will be too late to put the stuff back. Its the same thing with the .99 prices, just ways to abuse peoples biaises.

[@arnodobler1096]

It´s marketing 🤷‍♂

[@ARetiredPirate]

It's a "cost to make" and "cost out of our control" separation. Not that their profit is not out of your control, but ok..

[@ffotograffydd]

@@justeunfan3364It’s not too late until you’ve actually paid. 😉

[@Jamie_D]

@@justeunfan3364 EXACTLY but in the UK i think most are over the .99 or .49 tricks as often it's raised up almost a quid anyway to get that 99p extra or whatever. Far better to get rid of 1 and 2ps for those who still use change, and just have whole prices.

[@tubiflex27]

"it's no big deal to drive 45 minutes to go to the grocery store and drive back." This statement completely baffles me. This sounds so crazy to me. Great video as always!

[@Rhianalanthula]

I have 3 stores (Aldi, Lidl and a big Tesco) 11, 18 and 15 minutes WALK from my house.

[@Scarletraven87]

That's why they need a caravan sized pickup and a couple of double doors fridges

[@ebbhead20]

All my shops are a 6-12 minute walk from me. 😎 Back in the big city days they where a 30 minute walk.

[@ebbhead20]

@@Scarletraven87 Americans prefer to shop monthly if they can. 2 weeks at least. They find daily shopping strange. It's one of the things i agree with 100%. Why shop for a week if you can avoid it.?

[@Pidalin]

@@ebbhead20 I would say this very depends on where you live. As a Czech, when I still lived in Prague, I was shopping more often because everything is available, fresh and close to me there, but now when I live in village, I also have big freezer, several fridges and I prefer to shop like once in 2 weeks. Like I don't mean I don't go to shops at all, but I mean big purchase once in few weeks, fill freezer and fridges and then shop only some little things if I need something. Here in a small town, it's hard to get something, so when I see they have enough bread, I take 3 of them and put it to the freezer, what else can I do here? In capital city, you don't have to do that becuase you can be sure you will always get fresh bread every day in every hour.

[@Jan_Koopman]

CUSTOMERS SHOULD NOT BE REQUIRED TO PAY THE EMPLOYEE'S WAGES! THAT'S THE EMPLOYER'S JOB! EMPLOYERS SHOULD BE LEGALLY BOUND TO PAY A LIVING WAGE FOR *ANY* JOB! And no, that would not "RuIn ThE eCoNoMy"! That's how it's done *everywhere* else! Clearly, it doesn't damage the economy!

[@TheRealRedAce]

DAMN right!

[@meinnaame6988]

Customers ALWAYS pay for EVERYTHING they consume!! There's only the question about HOW... In Europe, restaurants are much more expensive, since the service is added to the cost of the food and preparing it. Taxes (VAT) is included, too. That's more convenient, but under the line we in Europe pay the same price.

[@Jan_Koopman]

@@meinnaame6988, are you seriously excusing the US restaurant industry for not paying their employees fairly?

[@dwayenway]

​@@meinnaame6988 wohl fdp oder afd wähler

[@SantaMuerte1813]

@@Jan_Koopman Actually, they are both right: While it is true, that wages are business expenses and as such are factored into the prices and ultimately payed by the consumer, the method of payment does matter. Because a wage is a stable income, while voluntary tips will fluctuate.

[@Greksallad]

One thing that this guy seems to be hammering on is that US service is so much better than in Europe. He's made several videos talking about it and every time there are hundreds of comments from Europeans telling him that we don't consider US service good service. We think restaurant staff should be available when we need them but not overly attentive and annoying. They're definitely the latter in the US.

[@carlosrivera3260]

I totally agree with you. Here in Argentina, food is served and then you're left alone to eat in peace. I don't like when staff comes to check on you constantly. I find that annoying.

[@diarmuidkuhle8181]

Yeah I don't want some intrusive waiter constantly hovering over my shoulder and interrupting my meal and conversation every 5 mins with 'everything alright?', 'do you want anything?' etc. I wanna be left the f*ck in peace to enjoy my evening. If I need anything I'll signal to the waiter and ask for it.

[@amisudanton2109]

What I had an issue with every time we went to the states, was that when ever a restaurant is busy and you want service, no other waiters can serve you but your own table assigned waiter! Once we had to wait about 20-30 minutes to just receive the bill, because our waiter was so busy even though we could see other less busy waiters. All you hear is "your waiter will be with you momentarily".

[@missnesi4525]

Agree, imho American waiters are a bit annoying and overwhelming. I prefer to eat and talk to my friends and being able to ask for the check when we’re done, no questions asked in between

[@taserrr]

I go to a restaurant to chat with family and friends and have an experience and a good time. The best waiters are those who are invisible, they simply order what you ask and deliver it without saying anything, maybe a "bon appetit" but that's it.

[@airs1234]

I’d rather pay more for food and not have to tip.

[@Wuppie62]

I'm okay with a non-obligatory tip, as a way to express my (dis)appreciation of the quality of the service.

[@WalterWD]

You never "have to tip". It began as a way to show gratitude. Now it's just dumb.

[@spiritualanarchist8162]

Why ? I rather tip the waiters , not pay more to the owner.

[@airs1234]

@@spiritualanarchist8162 the staff salary should be built into the price. The staff should be paid by the owner not the customer.

[@spiritualanarchist8162]

@@airs1234B Ok I get your point . Yes I agree with you . But paying more for food isn't directly related to better salaries for staff . The expensive restaurants don't pay higher salaries. The owners just make more profit.

[@TELLViSiON]

In Europe too we don't have the same taxes from country to country, I don't understand why this prevent you to add VAT on the price tag ?

[@CzechMirco]

Yea, those inept rationalizations they always try to push on us are sometimes even more ridiculous than the thing itself.

[@WryNose]

@@CzechMirco It's because they'd have to hire a real accountant or pay tax company, rather than having some stupid blonde without education work in Quick.

[@nagranoth_]

or just put both on, that way all your bases are covered.

[@arahas6802]

Its for marketing, people are more likely to buy an item if the number on the price tag is lower, even if they pay more in the end, it’s like how lots of stuff is .99

[@ash-crow]

@@arahas6802 You can have a VAT included price that ends in .99… this is how it is in many countries actually.

[@loicreard2566]

19:14 That is a painting by Vincent Van Gogh (born in the Netherlands, but he lived in Belgium and then in France, where he died by suicide in 1890 in the city of Arles). It was purchased by the Museum of Modern Art in New York (in 1941). So it has nothing in common with American culture

[@MrMudbill]

The first point about "Don't get too close" is funny to me, because as a Scandinavian, we have to tell Americans "Don't get too close" 😂

[@arahas6802]

As a swede that is exactly what i was thinking too 😂

[@JFlekstad91]

Yeah I came to the comments to say this myself 😅😅

[@roblewis226]

Loud mouthed Americans try to dominate any space they're in.

[@nea1854]

Finland here. That was my exact thought. Americans are so touchy-feely that it's horrifying. I know that that guy did live in Finland so he has first hand experience of a "never touch anyone" culture.

[@CeeRoShelter]

Yeah, that was weird

[@helenwood8482]

By over the top service, they mean harassment. It's very rude to interrupt someone's meal, especially if the diner is paying for it.

[@ShizuruNakatsu]

Does the US not also have introverts, and people with social anxiety? I don't want to have to talk to any strangers when I'm out in public. I limit human interaction as much as possible, and even use self-service checkouts and order my food from the machine, so I don't have to talk to people and feel awkward. Imagine everyone talking to you all the time when you feel really awkward and self-conscious.

[@AussieFossil]

I went to what appeared to be a 'chain store' Steak house in L.A, and we were greeted with "Hi! Have you been here to xxxxx before?" We said no. "OK! You'll be back for sure!" Another big beaming smile. I swear this is true, I know when people say that it means they are making it up, but this is true. When I asked for a wine list I was asked what type of wine. I said red, duh, and she said, "Sure!" and hurried off and bought back two glasses of Rosé. We left.

[@crackpot148]

US tipping culture leads to intrusive wait staff. When I go to a restaurant with friends we expect to be left alone, to not have our meals and conversation interrupted by poorly paid (or unpaid) overattentive wait staff. Good service = being left alone by wait staff who nevertheless stay aware of their customers so they can be signalled when they are needed. Of course, by law, wait staff in the UK have to be paid at least the national living wage so are not dependent on tips for their income. If service is good (including no unwanted interruptions) the vast majority of customers do still tip, usually about 20% of the final check. Remember, that's on top of the wait staff's wages.

[@LETMino85]

I feel the same about that.

[@AidanWR]

@@crackpot148 That was your first mistake. California wine is sweet and they don't really have good reds. People that say "California is the wine region of the US," don't know what actual wines are

[@j.vanderson6239]

About tipping: When a waiter thinks he does not earn enough, go to your employer, not your customer

[@SamiJuntunen1]

No unions and lots of poor people = you are wrong. There will always be so poor people in Us that they will t ry it with tips and even more stupid customers that support this! Use places that have proper wages!

[@DenshinIshin]

Sadly, it's not an option in many of the at will states. Complaining to your employer about your income can result in being offered to take your leave, especially if it's for a simple position like a waiter that can easily be replaced. I do agree with the sentiment, it's just not possible over there. Unions, worker rights, etc aren't something particularly developed in the US. It would take every single customers to stop tipping and service workers to be miserable for years and quitting on their own, without being replaceable (because nobody wants to be paid $2.13/h like in a lot of states without tips, or even completed to the federal minimum wage of $7.25/h), for employers to maybe consider tipping not an integral part of the worker salary not at their charge and raising the wage of employment to find workers again.

[@Finsternis..]

@@DenshinIshin Take your leave, work somewhere else. It's people working for these exploiters that perpetuate the problem.

[@DenshinIshin]

@@Finsternis.. You quitting won't change a thing either As I said, for this to change, it'd need every single person to stop tipping and every service worker to quit their job as a result, not being able to live with the minimum wage. That's the only way I could see employers raising the bar past the abysmally low wage of that industry.

[@stanislavbandur7355]

@@DenshinIshin Do you saying that in US is socialism, when you try to convince as to collect money for poor waiters to be able to live?

[@heatherharvey3129]

Our first day in Fairbanks Alaska, our first stop in our 2017 US trip, we were standing waiting for the shuttle bus to pick us up to take us to our hotel, having had lunch at a restaurant in the centre of the city, when we were approached by a man who heard us talking, asking "Where are you from?". When we told him we were from Western Australia HIS first question was, "What do you think of President Trump?". When I replied, "We're on holidays and we don't talk politics.", he immediately became aggressive towards us, yelling at us that we clearly were anti-Trump because we wouldn't talk to him about it, we shouldn't be here, etc., etc., forcing us to quickly walk away from the bus stop, with him following us as we started walked away. We had to wait over 5 minutes, some distance from the bus stop, until we saw the shuttle bus coming and then run back to the stop to climb aboard immediately. We had no idea if he was concealed carrying, whether he would attack us as we came back to the bus stop, etc., and made us wary to even speak to anyone, apart from the usual "business" conversations with service staff, etc. We won't be going back to the US.

[@Lysandra-8]

Insane 🤯

[@BioniclesaurKing4t2]

Americans wouldn't like meeting that guy, either.

[@Backsoon35]

Yeah fair enough, there can be some weird people, idk what to say other than ignore them if possible.

[@TheRevan1337]

Only way to change this is for ameeicans to vote Blue and turn the entire education system federal so everyone gets the same information from the same factual sources

[@reindeer7752]

When I was in Australia or New Zealand, I honestly can't remember which, as soon as the shopkeeper heard my American accent he asked me who I was voting for. This was in the Bush era. When I replied, he became very angry and implied I was a baby killer (because Democrats are for women having the right to choose what to do with their own bodies). When I told him Republicans are war mongers and if Bush was elected he would have us in a war within a year and wars kill pregnant women, actual babies and children, he was red faced. So America isn't unique in having assholes for citizens.

[@mats7492]

No idea where Mark gets the idea from that eating out in the US is cheap.. its already SUPER expensive.. im from germany and restaurant prices are AT LEAST 50% more expensive in the US, not including the tip!

[@TheSuperappelflap]

The video is from 6 years ago

[@mats7492]

@@TheSuperappelflapFood was already more expensive in the US 6 years ago or 10 years ago.. Always was, always will..

[@Ekitchi0]

Food including restaurants use to be cheaper in IN USA than in France but it's not the case anymore.

[@Ekitchi0]

@@mats7492 definitely wasn't the case in 2001 ;)

[@mats7492]

@@Ekitchi0 First time i visited the US was in 2003 (im from germany) and even then i noticed how expensive everything was in the US..

[@YeahNo]

5:25 Don’t try that crap in Australia. Driver fatigue is a major killer of motorists. Anyone who thinks otherwise shouldn’t be getting behind the wheel in the first place

[@Jan_Koopman]

Europe also has sales tax. We're just open about it and include it in the price tag, so you won't be surprized when your groceries are significantly more expensove than shown, like they are in the US.

[@lanamack1558]

Free stuff? Oh come on, no such thing. The "free stuff" is already accounted for in the price. Free refills? Lol, your actual drink might be a tenth of the glass, the rest is ice diluting your drink.

[@eisikater1584]

That's why we Germans don't want ice in our drinks because, you know, we have fridges.

[@rosemarygodley8628]

Definetly avoid politics.... Americans were posting Trump stuff on South Africas election live chats... It was very random!!!

[@rosemarygodley8628]

I thougt it was 52 states??? ... I think the schools in the rest of the world has failed us.

[@rosemarygodley8628]

DONT BE TOO FRIENDLY I WAS TOLD.... SOUTH AFRICANS ARE VERY FRIENDLY

[@someguy3508]

@@eisikater1584 Same in Cyprus and we are in a very hot place. Just freeze it and drink it before it gets warm

[@tkg__]

20:20, in many parts of Europe (Central-Eastern Europe) if you ask "how are you?", you'll hear it. You're actually gonna get a couple of sentences of an answer. Probably more than you wished for. :D

[@Randomdentandthebowlofpetunias]

It’s the same in Northern Europe/Scandinavia

[@scelluna]

The over the top service I find annoying as hell. Being readily available when needed I find is great service. Asking if everything is fine 8 times during a meal is just an annoyance. Which happened at a diner. After the 6th time i very politely said that i just wanted to eat and everything is fine. The waitress got offended and got the manager that came and asked if everyhting was ok! And I again said politely that everything fine and that I just want to eat. Then another waitress came and asked if everything is fine because the first waitress went on break.

[@naadi2000nr1]

That would result in no tip! Such an annoyance

[@t.fidler5895]

😂 it was the same for me, they are so fake and enoying

[@joshuasutton7451]

At a certain point, it's not as much about trying to be helpful as trying to get you to hurry up so they can get to the next paying customer. We don't like it either.

[@giftofthewild6665]

I think I'd lose my patience and ask them to fuck off

[@dfuher968]

Honestly, at the 3rd interruption I would gently inform the server, that we're obviously not Americans. That in our country and, frankly, in Europe good service is considered to be, as the OP described, being allowed to eat ur meal without interruptions and the server being available, if we need them, in which case we will summon them. And if they actually called their manager on us (which I havent tried), I probably would explain the same, but add that the quickest way to get little or no tip from Europeans in generel would be to constantly interrupt our meal and conversation, coz we find that to be very intrusive, bordering on harassment. But then Im Scandinavian, we do tend to be very direct.

[@MonicaMaria2175]

I’m Scandinavian, so I’m far away from Canada and not a neighbour to the country, but still know that Canada has a prime minister and not a president. Americans really are in their own bubble😊

[@annaesposito541]

They are not in a Bubbles,they are ignoranti.

[@philipmccarthy6175]

Can't buy a drink or cigarettes but until you're 21 but you're good to go if you want to buy a gun. What a fucked up country.

[@chronic2023]

😂 Guns for CHILDREN really are a thing in the US!!! Back in the day when a lot of people lived on farms in the US and hunting rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, etc for meat actually was a thing (still was when I was a kid in the 1950s), then a kid having a 22 rifle for hunting was no big deal. Times have changed, though.

[@martaledbetter2911]

@@chronic2023 People outside the US seem to forget that we have a lot of dangerous wildlife, even in non-rural parts of the USA. I've lived in several major cities and encounters with poisonous snakes, coyote packs, mountain lions, and even bears are not unheard of. Other areas of the country have even more dangers.

[@Nicolas-ui4lo]

​@@martaledbetter2911 you're right, only small USA has a wildlife on Earth.

[@martaledbetter2911]

@@Nicolas-ui4lo That's not what I said. What I said is that we have a lot of dangerous wildlife, something that people who don't live here don't always realize. Not every country has that situation or massive rural areas as the US does. I am a first generation American and have family overseas in a country that has much stricter gun laws, and yet, even in that country, my family who owned a dairy farm had guns to protect their herd. There are a lot of arguments that can be made about the topic of guns both as a positive and a negative, but I believe that guns to protect farms and keep people safe in areas where dangerous wildlife is a danger to your family makes sense.

[@user-nightmared]

​@@martaledbetter2911there are very, very few places with dangerous wildlife, looking at you Alaska. More likely to die from a cop. US wildlife is mild. Cops are out of control.

[@1978RSH]

I once "shocked" an american waiter, I ordered a Burger and there was some parsley on the plate, which I ate with the burger. The waiter was like "wait, you've ate the parsley? It was only meant as decoration". My simple respond was "well, it is food" 😁

[@rb9580]

Lol, to the "don't discuss politics"! Tell that to your fellow Americans! It seems to me (as a Brit) that the first thing every US person you meet does, is tell you their politics! Literally it is "Hi, my name is xxx and I'm a Republican" or "...a Democrat" or "...we're big Trump supporters" or whatever. It seems to me that there is zero chance of meeting any American and not being made crystal clear on their political stance within the first couple of minutes of conversation!

[@gregor2436]

And most of them (even most democrats) are pretty far right on European standards xD.

[@veronicajensen7690]

@@gregor2436 maybe 30 years ago but certainly not anymore, I would say there are very progressive far left Americans as well as right and I would say on some issues like migration we have political parties who are way more far right

[@VirginiaPeden-Harrington-qd5zu]

Trump and those who worship him have changed our political landscape. Honestly, it was not like this before. I am 80 yrs old and have seen many elections. Now it is embarrassing.

[@gregor2436]

@@veronicajensen7690 I said most of them. I would put the democrats in line with parties like the CDU, quite conservative, a bit on the right side. Yeah, there are progressive people within the democrats, but they are the minority. And especially now, biden is starting to do some far right stuff on the borders to win the vote. And yes, we have our own right-wing problem here as well. But if you would suggest stuff, which is pretty common in the EU in the us, they would call you communist even today :D.

[@bubsy3861]

Once a talk with one American guy in some game lobby. First thing he ask me it's... It's I'm republican or democrat. He know that I'm not American. I joke answer that I'm communist and he blacklist me. Such a nice guy.

[@warrenturner397]

The biggest con ever is that people think they get stuff free at restaurants!

[@andremattsson]

Yeah if they can include bread in the price why can't they include enough money to pay their employees.

[@mmr2334]

In fact, the Fench "ça va" and the portuguese "tudo bem" are not like "how are you". Because they both mean the question and the answer with the same expression. It's more like "everything OK ?" - "everything OK !"

[@OrangeOVL]

"How are you?" "Good. How are you?" "Good" Don't tell me there is a difference. I speak french myself. It is used pretty much the same. You can answer with "ça va". But you also could say "ça va bien, et toi?" even if it is not as common. And I know for a fact that in Paris and the suisse romande, it is just as superficial of a question as it is anywhere on earth. It is mostly used as a stepping stone into conversations. One could argue it is even more superficial, since in French it is common to not even give a full answer anymore.

[@mmr2334]

@@OrangeOVL Yes there is a difference, because "how are you" and "good" are not the same words 🤷‍♂️ Yes, what you say is perfectly French and grammatically correct, but "ça va" means both question and answer. With same words. Same expression. So that's not the same as two different sentences meaning in one hand the question and in another the answer.

[@witty2u]

Exactly... It is a way to checking on you, whether you are OK or not, whether you need any assistance with something...

[@witty2u]

​@@OrangeOVL😂oh my gosh... How arrogant! - So you really believe a neighbor country is too stupid to know how it is used, and to tell the difference? Does it need a French to tell you NO, IT'S NOT?...Probably even then you'd insist to be right.

[@diablo.the.cheater]

"Good?" "Good!"

[@qualitytraders5333]

1. Sales tax. That's something between the business and the tax authority and, as a consumer, I shouldn't have to bother with it. 2. Tipping. Again, it is something between the employer and the employee. As a customer I don't want to be involved. Don't tip and don't go back there? Excellent business model.

[@sharonmartin4036]

Remember that in USA if you don't tip, that poor server gets nothing for being at your beck and call all through your meal. They are lucky to make minimum wage, and their tips are often the difference between being homeless or not. If they gave good service give them a good tip. If their service was below par, give a below par tip, but always give something.

[@Herzschreiber]

@@sharonmartin4036 I understand your approach. But if I feel sorry for everyone who is not paid properly by their employer, then the situation will never change. On the other hand, if all US Americans were to say “nowhere in the world do restaurant owners rely on their customers to pay their employees' wages, but only here. Let's stop playing the game from now on!" -- then, and ONLY then, will things change for the better! So why should I feel sorry for them?

[@sharonmartin4036]

@@Herzschreiber I just shudder to think how many minimum wage employees and their families will have to suffer during the 'period of adjustment' that would be required to make employers change their pay structures. If there was a way to legislate this with a defined cut-off date it would be different.

[@wessexdruid7598]

@@sharonmartin4036 Then - legislate it. It's not hard. You already have a minimum wage - just make employers pay it, to wait staff, like the rest of the world.

[@sharonmartin4036]

@@wessexdruid7598 I'm not American and I don't live in USA. Sorry if I gave the wrong impression. I just happen to know the situation for wait staff in USA. However I do agree with you.

[@Hoelzchen]

In Germany, it's illegal to put the net price on the price tag. The price on the price tag has to be the gross price, so that the customers know exactly what the item would cost them.

[@hbandz1834]

“Don’t get sick while in the us” luckily I’m from the Netherlands and can pay €20 to be insured the whole trip🤣

[@lindyasimus]

The waitress you have to PAY is bringing you "Free Stuff". Ahaaah. Sure, that's what it is.

[@40hup]

It's funny to show a van Gough ("Starry Night") in a Museum as an example for US culture...

[@EdDueim]

First time I was in NY I was doing the tourist stuff. Looking for Radio City so I asked a cop who was just standing there, which is what you do in Europe. He actually snarled at me.

[@TheSuperappelflap]

Yeah if that happened to me in my country I would call the police office and file a complaint. Which I sadly have had to do several times. They are always very polite when they call back to apologize.

[@rogerk6180]

Police are civil servants.....

[@unconventionalideas5683]

You might get different reactions elsewhere in the country; police are different in each city, town or county.

[@EdDueim]

@@unconventionalideas5683 Oh, aye. I know NY isn't America. It was just literally my first encounter with an American cop. Even French cops just shrug.

[@MISSYGful]

Ditto!!

[@MartinWebNatures]

Historic culture...19:29 looking at painting in museum from Vincent van Gogh 😂

[@scottneil1187]

Yeah, they have culture, the same as everyone else cause it's all imported.

[@JeroenJA]

yeah, starry starry night :-) , funny. american culture are mainly local coctail mixes of european culture ? :) , i think it would be interesting to visit several places with clearly different culture in the usa.. marketing culture is for a big part usa born! and coca cola can be considered a real cultural drink.. it's also already way over a centure old! having 'like the invention of sliced bread' as a only possitive saying is VERY USA specific culturally! expressed a real culture history of really believing in progress! a culture that helps explain the more risk prepareness and the attractiveness for startups to go toward the states. Also the general better prepereness from investors to take on some real investment risks ..

[@jacquelinej143]

Yeah i thought that was kind of weird because there are a lot of famous American paintings so to use a Dutch one was an odd choice

[@diablo.the.cheater]

@@JeroenJA The only culture in the US would be to visit one of those Native Americans reserves or something

[@dfuher968]

Yeah, he kinda whines about, how insulting it is for Europeans to claim, American (as in the US) has no culture. As with so much else he clearly misunderstands. We mean, they have no real culture of their own, as in not imported! Only native American culture would be considered American culture for us, everything else is just variations of our own cultures, that they imported. And yeah, I really lol'd at that painting. Their museums are as notorious as the British Museum for being filled with other countries' art and culture. Maybe they bought more of than the British Museum and stole a bit less, but still. Its got nothing to do with US culture!

[@ferchrissakes]

It’s weird, ain’t it? If I don’t tip but suggest the establishment simply raise their prices to, y’know, _pay its employees better wages,_ the wait staff knows it won’t go to them, the manager won’t want to anyway, and that would reflect poorly on… me?

[@Thurgosh_OG]

That's the US way of thinking, unfortunately.

[@nichfra]

Is it weird? Because your suggestion now doesn't pay the waiters bills. Even if the establishment says "hmm true" and changes that won't happen that day but the waiter needs money that day. Or more realistically you campaign to change the laws so that wait staff has to be paid minimum wage. In the long term that might be better but it doesn't pay bills today, so not tipping today reflects badly on you no matter what else you do.

[@TheSuperappelflap]

Well they did try that in California with a higher minimum wage and all the fast food chains are now installing robots to prepare and serve the food. They just dont have the common sense of community to pay each other a decent price for services. Those corporations dont understand, if you dont pay anyone a living wage, no one will have money to spend at your store. There isnt the idea of looking out for your local community and small businesses as much as in other countries.

[@laurencefraser]

​@@nichfra as is, in Much of the USA, the wait staff Are required to be paid minimum wage, but in some places, the employer is only on the hook for the difference between the tips and the minimum: your tips aren't paying the Worker, they're paying the Owner. Other places the minimum for jobs where tips are the norm is Lower with the presumption that tips on top of that make up the difference. And in some places the employers are required to pay the staff properly and tips are a bonus on top.

[@bubsy3861]

tips in us it's a joke name to live. One of my friends visit us last year and... self-service checkout terminal ask for tips and it starts from 10 bucks. It's just fubar on so many levels.

[@Yewchoobarkontz]

DONT'S 1 Don't get sued (you can't afford it) 2 Don't get sick (you can't afford it) 3 Don't get shot (this is absolutely free of charge)

[@BlackHoleSpain]

In Spain we hardly sue anybody because our judicial system is so broken that cases last 7 years to reach court

[@philiprice7875]

@@BlackHoleSpain why so fast?

[@mollie3244]

getting shot could be expensive. Gawd what if someone called an ambulance for you. $2,000 is it?

[@mollie3244]

@@BlackHoleSpain Why would you sue? I love Spain, love the food, the people, the weather, the drinks, the accent. No need to ruin anybody's day there.

[@_alifeallmine_]

When you’re subsidising the Wages of the Staff with 15-20% Tips, it’s cute that you think “Free” Stuff is free.

[@kikiv1993]

When an example of American culture is a painting by a Dutch painter who never even set foot in the US

[@LiiMuRi]

A couple of friends and I (Europeans) drove from Seattle to New York, stopping along the way in various cities and national parks. We had one month to do it, and still some days were pretty much just driving (especially in the mid west). It takes time, but it's also a cool trip.

[@helenwood8482]

Eat the food but don't get sick is a difficult instruction to follow.

[@ChristopherJewels]

I don't think they're referring to an upset tummy. More a serious auto accident, gunshot wound, burns, assault, serious injury in a natural disaster... that kind of thing. Me? I just watched my mouth so I didn't upset anyone.

[@Amghannam]

@@ChristopherJewels So I have to worry about being shot now if I visit the US? xD

[@wolf310ii]

@@Amghannam Not if you stay away from schools, public places and drive ways.

[@Amghannam]

@@wolf310ii Why would I stay away from public places on a visit? Public places is actually what I want to see, and I don't need to be "oh sh*t a school" let's go back, I might get shot.

[@Timbothruster-fh3cw]

The level of ignorance is astounding!🙄

[@jennifergibbard8782]

45 minutes to go grocery shopping?! How well does your frozen stuff fair on the way home? Yes, I live in large town, but we have 7 large grocery shops (2 Aldi, 1 Lidl, 1 Morrisons, 1 Sainsburys, 2 Tesco’s), several smaller versions of some of those stores and hundreds of “corner” shops. They’re named corner shops as they’re located on a street corner or crossroad. These tiny shops will stock the basics like milk, beer, cigarettes, bread, soda, juice, sweets/candy, a minimal variety of canned and pantry goods. Most older homes in a town will be within a few hundred meters of a corner shop.

[@rosemarygodley8628]

My sons friend visiting America, asked for large Mc Donald's coke thinking it's same as our large coke but it was HUGE... He walked around for 3 hrs trying to drink his coke but eventually threw it away with coke left in ti.

[@Thurgosh_OG]

It was probably mostly melted ice by the end but yes, way too big. And from my personal experience when visiting the US, they don't like it when you say 'no ice in my drink please',because that means they actually have to give you a full drink (it was never quite full though always a bit under the level line).

[@Backsoon35]

@@Thurgosh_OG I’m from the USA and I can guarantee you nobody would care if you ask for no ice, also you can just get a free refill at most places so even it’s 80% full it’s probably just to prevent it from flooding over.

[@TheSuperappelflap]

@@Backsoon35 just for reference, a large soda in Eu countries is about 0.45 liter, thats 15 fl. oz. Most people order a medium which is about 10 fl. oz. A large soda in the USA is 30 fl. oz. Twice as big. I dont think Ive ever had that much sugar or caffeine in my life and I drink several cups of strong black coffee a day.

[@jacquelinej143]

Soda is super cheap cost for the restaurants and giving a huge soda seems like a great value so the customer feels a little better about the prices of the other stiff

[@Jimthehumanoid]

Yep. The small coke is bigger than our large. Nuts

[@ShizuruNakatsu]

I live in Ireland and I've never been in a car for over 3 hours. Anything over 30 minutes is far. *BUT* I can easily walk for 1 - 2 hours without feeling tired and it's nothing. Put me in a car for that long and I'll feel like I'm suffocating.

[@e1presidente868]

But that’s an uniquely Irish thing. For me as a german, everything more than a 2 and a half hour drive is far but i sometimes drive for 10 hours straight to visit family or just for fun as a day trip. But still European Cities are much denser than American cities so driving distances there for normal stuff are waaaay longer than here. (Lived in the US for a few years)

[@dfuher968]

Thats the thing. Hes going on about, how we Europeans need to forget about metric and learn imperial, if we want to go to the US. As if any American ever did the opposite. But he totally forgets, when mentioning Americans giving distances in time, that they do in driving time! If an American tells u, it takes 10 min. they mean, it will take u 10 min in a car. If an European tells u, it takes 10 min, we mean, it will take u 10 min to walk there!

[@oldfogey4679]

Shizuru my family went on a week long road trip across the us! I lived 2 half hours away from my mom often driving that distance to see her! I took a night and a half to go from mid ore to southern Calif! I like long walking too but can't now! So long car drives are easy to do!

[@aglaiacassata8675]

Our travel health insurance costs 18.41 Euros per year, for the entire family. We're based in Germany, and this insurance also covers the USA. (It is only for trips, not for longer stays, and only for accidents and new diseases, not for pre-existing conditions.)

[@Phiyedough]

My advice for people with existing health issues would be just to not go there.

[@AussieFossil]

@@Phiyedough I just checked travel Insurance here and it would cost me AUD321 or 5 weeks in the USA. It was AUD125 for 5 weeks in the UK.

[@JeroenJA]

also covers usa? i though that was most often a real extra insurance for when you plan to go? since indeed costs of same probleme are easely times 10 compared to europe?

[@michisauer]

​@JeroenJA If you are member to the adac (German automobile club), you can use their insurance in the US too. And their worldwide travel insurances even bring you back to a German hospital as soon as your health is good enough to be transported. Had a friend of mine getting his leg broken in the us, adac made it possible for him to be transported to a good hospital in San Francisco to get primary repairs done, so he would not have open wounds and such things and after the first operation they send him to German trauma specialists in koblenz via air transport, so his injuries could be treated not to get any permanent damage. All that in about 3 days and all by air transport.

[@KBinturong]

I checked it was between 30 and 80€ but it would cover up to millions. And of course bringing you back if you can.

[@ingegerdandersson6963]

For lunch most restaurants in Sweden have a salad buffé and free bread, and you get coffee after the meal for free. In the evening its still common with free bread but you get to pay for coffee

[@giftofthewild6665]

Wow! Free coffee?? I went to restaurants in Sweden and wasn't offered this? 😢

[@seriouslydon_t]

One little detail about "ça va?" "ça va!" in France: depending on how you end your sentence it will be either a question or an affirmation, so it's kinda wrong in saying nobody expects an answer!

[@dfuher968]

In Denmark we may nod and/or slightly smile at each other, if we catch each others eyes, its just polite, but still reserved, if its a stranger. In smaller towns we might even say "Dav!" (pronounced "dau"), which is a shortened version of "Goddag" (literally translated to Good Day, a standard greeting), but its nothing more than a polite greeting, its not an invitation to a conversation or anything. We would only add a version of "how are u", if its some1, we already know or at least have met on severel occasions. Otherwise it would be considered impolite and intrusive to ask such a personal question. We actually do respect each others personal space and not just physically, like hes talking about - which was also funny, coz we will often have to tell Americans to keep their distance! Honestly, the guy was trying, but he clearly misunderstood so many things about Europe and Europeans as a whole, and then he overgeneralized the entire continent, as if we're all the same. Then went on to tell us not to think, that all Americans are the same! 🤣🤣

[@mollie3244]

He clearly thinks we Europeans are as dense as Americans. We wouldn't be able to cope with such a complicated social interaction. We'd fall apart and spew our life story to the first person who stands next to us. 🤣🤣

[@t.a.k.palfrey3882]

There are two other things which are common to do in many or even most countries, but would be illegal or even fatal to do in the US. One is to cross a street wherever one wants. In cities, crossing other than at intersections is illegal. More seriously, if one's stopped by a police car while driving, don't get out of your car and walk towards the patrol car - something done out of courtesy in many countries.

[@Thurgosh_OG]

These are better tips, than those in Wolters video.

[@heatherharvey3129]

YES! Drivers often get out of their cars here in Australia when stopped by police but then the police here know that is highly unlikely the driver will be armed.

[@TheSuperappelflap]

You can get out of the car, just put your hands out the door first and then lock them behind your head and lie down.

[@rogerk6180]

​@@TheSuperappelflap lol.

[@unconventionalideas5683]

It's not illegal to cross away from intersections, increasingly. California got rid of those laws, Maine doesn't have them, and a lot of other places are eliminating such laws, too.

[@gestiongmcg3717]

In France, bread will always be included freely in a meal at a restaurant. Most of the time, baguette. And Water (from the tap) have to be free and with no minimum of purchase (you can just ask water and nothing else).

[@BjallaundBrana]

The craziest thing I saw in the US regarding alcohol was when I was about 15 and on vacation there with my parents (we are from Central Europe) and my dad bought two bottles of beer at a gas station. The cashier put them in the typical brown paper bag. I was raised to help where I can so I went to grab the bag for my parents to carry it to the car, and the cashier went "No you can't carry this. It has alcohol in it!" It's crazy to me that I was not even allowed to have a bag containing bottles of alcohol in my hand, even if it was just to carry it to the car!

[@aleksanderdomanski222]

LOL, in Poland, in 80`s i was taught to walk on left side of the road (if rhere was no sidewalk ofc). Why? So incoming cars were in front of you not closing at your back. You know - better awarness.

[@rogerk6180]

Isn't that standard practice. I was tought that in netherlands as well.

[@aleksanderdomanski222]

@@rogerk6180 this routine seems reasonable.

[@LeSarthois]

It's also taught in France, and I'm sure pretty much everywhere in Europe. Not that people follow the advice (at least here), but I heave heard it and follow it when possible.

[@Legolas936]

No one teaches that in Austria, but I always assumed its normal to be on the right side, since everything else is right-based…. But with that explanation it makes perfect sense

[@Graaskaegg]

No sidewalks => walk on left side. Sweden.

[@FastDriver91]

tipping in restaurants is such a strange concept that my European brain cant comprehend

[@annafrolova7891]

I also don't understand, why everyone have to tip a waiter who just bring plates, but not a cook who prepared these dishes? If food was great I'd rather tip a cook, but that's not an option!

[@Kenzi0815]

@@annafrolova7891 Most places will share all tips and then divide by waiting and kitchen staff (atleast in germany)

[@giftofthewild6665]

Tips are common in Europe but it's usually the leftover change from whatever bills you paid in (usually a few euros). Its not something ridiculous like 15 or 20% of the price of the meal like it is in US.

[@redragon9588]

@@giftofthewild6665 yeah it is normal to leave like 2euros even if you spent like 50euros.

[@maythesciencebewithyou]

I wish it stayed a strange concept. Here in Germany I feel like most people still tip something like 10%, even though the same people say tipping isn't required.

[@Badgersj]

On a long drive today with someone who'd worked with Americans for a long time said he was shocked at how frightened they were - particularly fightened of speaking up in case they lost their job and lost their healthcare. Forelock tugging, addressing people by their titles if their titles were impressive enough, frightened to go outside. Of course a lot of it is a matter of perspective - they no doubt noticed things he took for granted, but it was far from "the land of the free".

[@rogerk6180]

The biggest culture in the usa is fear.

[@decakjeisaozasuncem8843]

Ryan might be the most nature and normal usa guy we saw, he has so much of that 80's vibe when people in usa were the actual human beings

[@vincentterraneo263]

This is why I can't take Europeans seriously when they call us ignorant.

[@AlexLyng]

In lots of parts of spain in a traditional bar if you order a beer and they will bring you a couples of plates of food! There called Tapas

[@giftofthewild6665]

Nah that only happens in Granada now and most bars are stopping this unfortunately after covid as inflation has really hit Spain hard. You can still order tapas though, they're usually 1.5 - 2 euros a plate and if you get 2 or 3 it's a decent light meal.

[@mffmoniz2948]

In the "tascas" in Portugal you will usually get something with your beer: peanuts, "tremoços", sometimes small bites of meat.

[@diablo.the.cheater]

@@giftofthewild6665 No, en Valencia aun se hace. no es que sea la cosa mas alucinante del mundo pero al menos unos panes o unos cacaos si que traen, si tienes suerte unas olivitas. Tampoco es raro que los chupitos o hasta el cafe lo page la casa, depende del local.

[@cindz4618]

Tapas - pinchos in the North - usually paid for, although not always.

[@helenwood8482]

Nothing is free. You pay for it. Americsns may fall for that, but Brits won't.

[@tilla20000]

That's the exact same sentence Americans say when they hear the words European Free and Public Universal Healthcare

[@ffotograffydd]

@@tilla20000Except with healthcare it is ‘free at the point of need’, which is what Europeans mean by free. We know we’re paying towards it via taxes. Americans on the other hand actually think they’re getting free bread at restaurants when it’s already been factored in, and most Americans don’t realise they pay more in taxes for healthcare than most Europeans, but still have to pay for separate insurance on top of that if they want more than the basic minimum.

[@barrysteven5964]

@@ffotograffydd This is something Americans don't alway realise. Their healthcare is so much more expensive to run than ours. For example, an appendicectomy costs about three to four thousand pounds to perform in a UK hospital but upwards of forty thousand dollars in an American hospital. I presume it's because in the UK it's just the cost of equipment, drugs and staff paid for by the state etc whereas in the USA there is a string of people who need to make a profit. I don't know. But because of this the parts of the American health care system covered by taxes like Medicaid and Medicare actually take a bigger chunk of the government budget that ours does to run the entire system. So Americans pay three times. Once with their insurance policies, once again for the bills they still get because insurance doesn't pay 100% and once again through their taxes. They are being scammed.

[@ffotograffydd]

@@barrysteven5964 Indeed.

[@JordiVanderwaal]

Brits won't fall for it? They've fallen for pretty ridiculous stuff in the past decade alone lol

[@marlls1989]

8:21 thing is, prices are not even cheaper, I have eaten a full meal for cheaper in the UK or in continental Europe for less then 20 pounds or euros and didn’t have to tip.

[@perryrhodan2009]

As a German, I'm not afraid of getting sick in the States. I have a Auslandskrankenversicherung .😂

[@Djaenzee]

23:45 International insurance isn't even that expensive... It is basically an "extension" of your existing insurance, usually valid for a year and can be from 20€ to somewhere around 50€ (afaik, and for a single person insurance)

[@DenUitvreter]

Learning about the distances and actually wrapping your head around it seem two different things. I'm Dutch, I already have it with countries like Germany and France that are on a different scale. I know those countries are bigger, I just keep underestimating how much bigger if I don't force myself to calculate.

[@amyloriley]

To wrap your head around it, if you're in the east part of the Netherlands and you feel a bit crazy, go do it. Make a trip from Eindhoven, Bosch, Apeldoorn, Zwolle, ... or anywhere east of that to the German border and do some shopping in a German supermarket. It's often cheaper, and you can get some unique German products you don't find in the Netherlands. That distance is roughly the same as Ryan drives to his supermarket 45 minutes away. Then optionally eat a schnitzel at a nearby restaurant before returning home; prices are often for cheaper than you expect restaurant prices to be. If you're from Randstad or Zeeland, tough luck. You'll be wrapping your head around it, and as you made the drive, you normalize it. At least for me when I drive such distances, for a short while after I do, these distances feel close-by. When I then not drive that far for a month, it suddenly starts feeling far away again. For reference, Germany's biggest chain supermarkets are: ALDI Nord, ALDI Süd, LIDL, REWE, Kaufland, Netto Marken-Discount, Edeka, Penny Markt, Norma.

[@gillfox9899]

​@@amyloriley agree. Just spent 5 weeks in Northern Europe and we only travelled 3350 miles. The same as we would normally drive in 2 weeks.

[@joshuasutton7451]

Just figure in your head that for quick math, Germany and Texas are roughly equivalent for distance. Not drive times, though. Texans drive fast by our standards, but Germans are built different

[@jacquelinej143]

​@@amylorileymy dutch boyfriend lived in Eindhoven and he and his brother used to occasionally ride their bikes to Belgium to a monastery brewery for a beer. I'm from Vermont usa and we used to drive a couple hours sometimes to go to the Aldi in upstate New York. I've also known people that would drive an hour or more each day to work and the same to return home.

[@helmuthschultes9243]

Free handcuffs too in many places in US, if you consume alcohol out in the street. If you come from for example Germany, and likely most of Western Europe, you can buy your beer/wine at the hot dog stand in the park or street side Kebab shop and consume while you walk or sit nearby.

[@LeSarthois]

Yeah, very surprised he didn't mentionned that rule when talking about buying alcohol, as that one could be a real issue for European travelers. And apparently it's also illegal in State parks as well. No beer with your picnic.

[@crafter7jake874]

He said you don’t tip in a macdonalds bcs you need to grab the food yourself, here in the netherlands the food gets brought to you, even at mac donalds, and we don’t tip

[@1983simi]

One Don't that ties a bit into the 'Don't disrespect people's personal space' is 'Don't disrespect people's property'. I (German) will never forget the look of utter horror on my Texan friend's face when our German friend driving the car ahead of us full-on drove onto someone's front yard/driveway to take a u-turn. doing that kind of stuff unannounced can get you killed in some states, Texas certainly being one of them. It's always worthwhile to look up the gun laws (open carry vs. concealed carry) and property defense laws (does the state have 'stand your ground') for the state you're visiting. Depending on you want to be extra careful about not seeking arguments with random strangers, not engaging 'crazies' and not stepping on private property. Where I come from at least in more rural parts it's not strange at all to walk up to someone's house or onto someone's land to ask for directions (eg while hiking), just as it is normal to sometimes exchange choice words with random people who, say, bump their shopping cart into your heels. Not a good idea in the US and in some states even less than others. Just avoid confrontations, would be my advice... and take private property very very seriously.

[@TheSuperappelflap]

Idk there are definitely rural parts in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium or France, where I feel unsafe stepping onto private property. Not just because of the dogs. People have shotguns here too. Of course, many farms have a small farm shop or signs out front listing that they sell cheese or fruit or vegetables, something like that, then its safe. But if not, I dont walk on to their land.

[@Dornan77802]

Yeah, that’s the crazy thing. From what my older family members say, it used to be that in a lot of communities here in the US, there wasn’t as much concern about many things (unless you lived in one of the obviously bad off areas of the cities). It shifted around the 90s to where parents had become much more protective of their kids and people much more protective of their property because of the seeming rise in various crimes such as kidnapping, robbery, and so forth. Hell, people didn’t lock their doors at times but now that level of trust and security has been lost.

[@m420-nd1if]

​​@@TheSuperappelflap There is not a single place in Switzerland, especially rural, where you need to worry to get sh*t. Unless you put on a deer costume and walk around known hunting grounds 😂 Idk how you came up with tha.t

[@TheSuperappelflap]

@@m420-nd1if Well I wouldn't try that with cranky old farmers in France if I were you.

[@rogerk6180]

Driving for 7 hours straight is dangerous. Same as driving drunk.

[@christiansonnenberg6306]

yeah, you should do a lane change once in a while...

[@olenilsen4660]

23:24 - Funny thing - I´ve got travel insurance that covers medical treatment anywhere in the world. It costs $40 a year. How much is health care insurance in the US?

[@paulewen387]

I don’t consider eating out to be that cheap in the U.S. not from my experience.

[@rammium]

The travel insurance (tourism) from Romania to US would be around 13 USD for 10 days, for a 50k EUR coverage.

[@Scarletraven87]

Trespassing. You pull up at the wrong address, and if the homeowner is a bit nutty you'll get shot. Over here I can ALMOST trespass to walk my dog on their land if it's a piece that goes by the acre.

[@frufruJ]

In Europe we have freedom to roam.

[@Cheezsoup]

Scotland has a 'Freedom to Roam' clause that means as long as you do no damage or anything malicious you can basically go anywhere even on private property . Mind you most of Scotland is MAMBA terain so such a thing is workable.

[@mynameisroman]

8:00 i still regret not tipping a guy enough 12 years ago on a sightseeing tour in Vegas. the guy was so nice and we were the only two passengers. but it didn't know about how tipping worked there. never made that mistake again. but as a german i would prefer if americans payed their employees better so their won't have to rely on tipping.

[@Mx-Alba]

24:45 there are 27 countries in the European Union. As for the number of countries in Europe, that's 45 if you include Russia and Turkey which are partially in Europe. Though technically the United Kingdom, which is counted as one country, consists of four countries: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. There are also three independent territories: the Isle of Man, Gibraltar and the Faroe Islands. If you count all those, the total becomes 51.

[@mollie3244]

Yes, its a nation or a country thing, NI aside, that's a bit more complicated.

[@nooboard]

4:50 Europe is the same. One week is not even enough for one country. Not even for the Netherlands. I want to travel around europe one day and I have planed 3 month for that. And that's just around, not cross europe. This summer I did a roadtrip from south germany to northern germany. That's a streight 9+ hours drive. It took ~4 days per direction for me because I visited some places and didn't took the direct route.

[@johanvanaelst8976]

Belgian here and never been taught 52 states, I wonder where they went to school. I do understand how there could be confusion since there have been talks of adding 2 states, Puerto Rico and Washington DC I believe, so maybe some people think they went ahead and did that.

[@Liggliluff]

It's probably 50 states + Alaska + Hawaii

[@tagadaki]

@@Liggliluff In France they count the 50 states including Hawaii and Alaska + 2 which are the district of Columbia and outside territories (counted as 1) in the antilles and pacific ocean (like Wake, Guam, ...)

[@sharonmartin4036]

I don't know where Walter gets his idea that people from other countries think USA has 52 states. We are taught in our schools about the world and it's history and geography, so even our kids know there are 50 states, and 50 stars on the US flag to represent them, plus 13 stripes which represent the original 13 states in existence when independence from Britain was achieved. Also BTW, the no smoking thing is pretty much worldwide now, so we're used to not smoking in public spaces, restaurants, etc.

[@TheSuperappelflap]

To be honest before watching a bunch of youtube videos I had no idea how many states the US had, but I dont think most people know how many Bundesstaten Germany has either. Its not that important because they are basically just semi-autonomous provinces in one country.

[@anthonyj7989]

Where the 52 state thing comes from is from Americans. I have heard it from many American tv shows over the years.

[@andreatomassini5521]

Many years ago I remember someone saying the states were 50 but became 52 later....so probably somebody told him some similar shit. In Italy and France we still smoke quite a lot.

[@sharonmartin4036]

​@@andreatomassini5521 But you are not allowed to smoke in restaurants and cinemas, etc., in either of those countries.

[@sharonmartin4036]

@@anthonyj7989 Yes, so have I - in fact only on American shows. Prior to WWII there were only 48 states. Once Alaska and Hawaii were added, the flag had to be redone to include the extra 2 stars.

[@stevenvanhulle7242]

"US has culture!" Shows Van Gogh painting. (And no, he was not USAmerican)

[@Pawel_Mrozek]

Funny about this greeting. How are you is not a question. In Poland, it happens that Good morning is a question. You enter the office and say Good Morning and you hear in response "We will find out"

[@dodiko1d]

Currently in US, to be honest taboo on politics - cringe. It is how it started in Russia, most of people just stopped talking about politicians.

[@heatherharvey3129]

And in Germany prior to WW2.

[@natsukiilluna6324]

My mum had a teeth problem and needed root canal treatment when she visited the US for a stretch of time in the 70s or 80s... Let's just say... she fled to Mexico and got the rest done there before her last appointment in the US. (She had worked night shifts for a long time before resigning to be able to travel for however long her savings would last and the cost for that treatment would have cost her basically more than half of her savings)

[@Yogoniogi]

tipping at a bar is insane

[@Thurgosh_OG]

Bar staff already get an actual wage, unlike wait staff in many states.

[@TheSuperappelflap]

Idk in Netherlands wait staff get paid somewhat decently but its still customary to round up at the end of the night or tip a few euro when ordering a round. I worked at a bar one summer, mostly for fun, and comparing my after tax wages with the tips I got, it was about 50/50. I wouldnt have done it for the money. Small tips definitely help. If someone is serving 20 people and you all tip 1 euro, thats 20 extra euro for a night of hard work. Dont forget, we have to clean the toilets afterward as well, its not just fun tapping beer and talking to people.

[@rogerk6180]

​@@TheSuperappelflap tipping a few euros on a bill is normal and does add up indeed. Not the same as having to tip a euro for every single drink you order. That's just insane.

[@Cheezsoup]

"Have one yourself" is fairly common in Scotland but that is more in a pub than one of these gastro joints were you actualy get a bill. Was really freaked by my brother telling me in Germany (Soltua, he was in the British army and I was visiting) that I had to watch what I was doing in a pub as it was easy to drink too much as you didn't pay as you went along you got a bill at the end of an evening.

[@bastyaya]

I think there is a slight difference if you say "you (US-) Americans" or "you Europeans". I would even argue that there is a greater diversity of culture and people etc. in relatively (compared to the US) small countries such as Italy, Germany, France etc. than in the US.

[@Potatwielder]

Didn't the uk have the most accents of any country or something like that? And the uk is tiny.

[@zagrizena]

Considering the age of the country and the language that wouldn't surprise me. I come from a fairly small country with a population of two million and we have around 55 distinct dialects that in reality differ from village to village. Nowadays it's less pronounced, but bout two generations back people legit sometimes couldn't even understand each other if speaking different dialects.

[@Potatwielder]

Heck even in sweden there are basically different languages. Funny thing, in eurovision, a non swede thought a "skåning"(person from the southernmost part) was speaking french. I have to agree. In the north they speak basically finnish, in the south danish, in älvdalen they speak ancient norse??? And all of those are the same language. Except maybe the norse shit.

[@LeSarthois]

Also, and both Wolter and Ryann should know that some things are typically American and typically european. Heck, it's even the reason that video exists... Yes, people from both sides should not abuse it and slack any difference n "oh you're a typical American/European". On the European side, it reminds me of that Czech guy who does excellent video but keep saying "Europe" for things that are exclusively Czech or just localized to Central Europe, or German video that keep insisting that sparkling water is common in Europe when it's a (for me) typical German thing (I'm not saying there's no sparkling water in other countries, but Germany is the only country where I have to pay attention to NOT get sparkling water instead of regular water in restaurants or vending machines).

[@jacquelinej143]

​@@PotatwielderI'm from northern Vermont in the US, and I've had people in the Boston area of Massachusetts think i was from England or not even understand me. Vermont borders Massachusetts and Boston is only a 5 hour drive from my home city.

[@crackpot148]

Personal space is important to Europeans, too. The idea that we are touchy feely with strangers is absolute nonsense.

[@DemiCape]

Yeah I am guessing what he is talking about is people that knows each other that is touchy in some european countries. But complete strangers I doubt want to get close…

[@MsEngelby]

it's not just don't talk gun policy or politics. Religion is also up there on the do not discuss topic with Americans. The holy trinity of forbidden topics.

[@Ray-pt5bi]

I (non us) immediatly thought about native american culture when you said we have no old culture. We all come from somewhere. America is now an established country of past immigranti, but there was population before that!❤

[@adpop750]

15:38 "I think people should know how long a meter is". I think so too, but the real question is: how long is a meter? Answer: a meter.

[@napsiuslebelche5846]

With the units stuff, as a European I only know that 60 miles is roughly 100km, thanks to one thing : cars. In the US you measure the time a car takes to go from 0 to 60, in Europe it's from 0 to 100, so you can only assume it's roughly the same speed

[@roblewis226]

I hate it when waiters interrupt you to ask 'Is everything ok?' but when you want something they are blind and deaf. Keep your eyes open and your mouth shut.

[@frankhooper7871]

LOL - got to laugh at Walter talking about American culture, then showing a picture of the Dutch painter, Vincent van Gogh. I think most Europeans know there are 50 states...but from other videos I've seen, it seems a lot of Americans don't know that!

[@Alsacienne_d_Alsace]

20:42 Well, in France « ça va? » IS a question. We are expecting an answer, sure a stander one the most part of the time. But still.

[@8bloppy8]

In America you have to keep Eggs in the fridge or they go bad(chemical cleaning removes the protective layer on the outside of the shell). American eggs are illegal in EU and vice versa.

[@Kris1964]

It depends on the country and time of day. A lot of bars in Italy give you some pretty nice sandwiches, chips amd olives for free at happy hour, so that people stay and dont travel home to the subusrbs because they are hungry. Wonderful food at some places

[@nooboard]

24:50 It's a difference if you ask for countries in Europe, or in the EU ;-) Part of Russia for example is also in Europe. If comparing the US with the EU then don't say Europe, and instead say European Union or short EU. Like (North) America also is not only the USA what some people outside of America may get wrong too. ;-) EU States: 27 States in Europe: 49 (debateable)

[@tantuce]

I enjoyed your video for your quick wit and concise comments. And that you pause the video when saying something. Usually, Americans go on and on and on using 100 filler words in one sentente or keep reading a lecture on their vague opinions. You kept it short and witty. Very refreshing. Obviously the original story teller was amazing too.

[@Liggliluff]

(6:00) In Sweden, the law is written that every non-optional fee that is directly tied to the product must be included in the price of the product and can't be separated. Shipping that is the same regardless of products is fine, but if you have an additional service fee of 10 € for every product of X you get, not listed in the product's price, that's illegal. Because tax is non-optional and the exact sum is directly tied to each individual product you get, then it must therefore be included in the price from the start. This is very convenient because I've many times paid the same price for flights and hotels as they offered from the start. While I've seen the horrors from other countries adding more and more fees at the end. Sure the price is higher from the start for me, but it's the true price.

[@alsatian1266]

Exactly that. Over in Germany We even got a Price per g/kg on the Supermarkt labels, so that it is easier to compare goods with different weights. Love that!

[@Liggliluff]

@@alsatian1266 That's also required here. The law doesn't specify unit and also is using vague wording like "when it makes sense". But for the vast majority of the time, food is per kg by standard. Very convenient.

[@Alby_Torino]

To summarize the US tipping culture: living on charity (US) or on a regular salary (EU)

[@dorisschneider-coutandin9965]

I wholeheartedly disagree with Mark (Wolter's World) on the subject of tipping 20 % just to make the wait staff earn decent money. No! It is solely upon the employer to pay them enough. I will tip a small amount for good food and good service (I don't mean exaggerated and constant waiting on us; I hate that!), and this is what I do in every place I go to eat (restaurant type), no matter what country, except those countries where wait staff would take offense when being tipped. Decent wages are not my responsibility and I refuse to wear that cap because it doesn't fit my head anyway! A health insurance for travelling to foreign countries might cost you as little as 20 Euro per year, and that might in many cases include special transportation back home (by air ambulance flight, or the likes). Oh yes, it's that cheap!

[@cygnusx-3217]

Waiters and food servers are poor and working class people trying to pay their rent so they don't end up homeless. You may not like the custom. I do not like the custom. By stiffing them, you're making them work for nothing. Don't do that.

[@karlgeorgzinn5438]

​​@@cygnusx-3217 food server/waiter is in germany not a low wage job, but also a 3 year apprantinceship called "Restaurantfachmann/frau" so nobody see them here as a nearly homless person...

[@elinmoftedal]

You are a guest in a country, you follow the norms and laws of people there

[@dorisschneider-coutandin9965]

@@cygnusx-3217 I know that, and I am sorry for these people. But I do not support a sick system like this. It is not within my responsibility, and it should be replaced entirely anyway.

[@dorisschneider-coutandin9965]

@@elinmoftedal I absolutely refuse to be forced to pay staff on the employer's stead. Sorry. It is a bad custom, if this could be called a custom at all.

[@D32L14N]

1:40 I'm spanish, we get really close always, we touch each other, literally, when we speak. In fact in Japan they are more similar to USA in that regard, yes they have to be packed on the trains, same as NYC; but when speaking to each other, they keep their distance

[@andreatomassini5521]

As an Italian, I second this.

[@geetee4459]

He is a very clever guy ("Don't say 'All Americans are stupid' lol"). I used to say "How's Life" and one guy would always say "Preferable to the alternative" ;) US sales tax used to confuse me. I remember reading an award-winning children's book when I was in primary school and was sooooo confused when a girl went Christmas shopping and got tricked by sales tax & had no money left to get her home (and had to get rescued by the boy in the story).

[@mattbentley9270]

I went to Vegas in 2008 when I was 32, never been ID'd in my life in the UK, I was not able to buy a single drink in Vegas without ID

[@Lysandra-8]

What a compliment for a 32y old😂

[@rickconstant6106]

I've never been asked for ID in the UK, either. When I started going into pubs, as a 6' 2" 15 year old, they weren't as bothered as they are now. By the time I went into a bar in the US, I was well into my 50s and, sadly, well beyond being challenged.

[@mattbentley9270]

@@rickconstant6106 Oh no mate that is devastating ! not even once, gutted mate sending hugs fella I was ID'd in Sainsburys in Camberley, Surrey for Cigs once at 34, wearing.a cut and a beard, and a blood donors sticker ...pay a visit she might just work there she was about 102 ... oh they all look thee same, yeah 15 year old wear suits and give blood !!

[@LuDa-lf1xd]

😆 I'm used to buying groceries since i was a teenager. Wine and some beers included. Some cashiers even joked if i was gonna drink it all. I guess we are more lax here in Spain.

[@philiprice7875]

legal age in the UK to buy is 18 real age 1st bought is looking 18+ dad said he was proud of me buying him a pint in the pub with my 1st wages i was 15yo

[@onehandcowboy]

Have you ever thought about the fact that the sales tax may also be more than the actual percentage? Let's take an example; If the tax would be 6% and the store charges you 8%. With the larger amount of products you have, you don't even notice that you are being "robbed". Especially if you don't even know what percentage the sales tax is.

[@karlgeorgzinn5438]

Have you ever thougt abot a fixed sales Taxi acroas your country without local sales taxes from City to City? And also the fact that the Story Haß to Mark the paid taxes on the reciept so the couldn't Rob you with more taxes?

[@AmberZak83]

We pay sales tax too. It’s just that the price given is included. If you look at your receipt from a supermarket, you can see what you payed VAT for.

[@edorlas]

I get it that the sales tax is different wherever you go, but that still shouldn't stop you to include it in the price mentioned on the product (unless it's pre-printed by the producer) or on the shelf!

[@MaryRaine929]

😲I was just baffled looking up what a traveller‘s health insurance for the US would cost me: It was just 14,90€ per year for as many trips up to 60 days as I want. That is much cheaper as I expected!

[@KeesBoons]

Probably because the insurance companies outside the US know the prices are negotiable. Don't think any insurance is going to pay the price being asked for.

[@starstencahl8985]

Insurance companies know how to calculate risks really well. The vast majority of people won’t have multiple 60 day trips a years and injury is generally pretty rare. So a few weeks a year of risk of injury which people generally try to avoid. There may even be years where they’re not on vacation at all, so no risk of payment for the insurance. So statistically the price is a bit more than what they’ll spend on the average person per year. And it’s definitely 100% worth it for us as travelers

[@MaryRaine929]

@@starstencahl8985 Absolutely. And your name really made me laugh.😂

[@johnmcaleer7099]

That sounds wrong I'm a travel agent and it cost more than that twenty-thirty years ago!

[@dorisschneider-coutandin9965]

@@johnmcaleer7099 No, it is a current price.

[@thetattooeddocent]

OK, guy said it's CHEAP to eat in the US? My husband and I went to visit friends and family in Atlanta two years ago and we discovered that food in supermarkets and in restaurants is often double if not three times more expensive than food prices anywhere here in Germany. Needles to say, we were happy to be able to return to Germany.

[@theskyling]

This video is from years ago, so prices have gone up a lot since then, especially with post-COVID inflation.

[@bam-skater]

The US has VAT built into the prices too, it's just called 'Corporate Income Tax' instead. Sales tax is over and above this

[@Thor3661]

It is still inexplicable to me why the USA prefers to use the “worse” number system and, moreover, the metric system is also easier And i just looked up the statistics and there are more fat People then slim 😅

[@Thor3661]

But to be fair it is Not only a Problem in the US, the UK has the same problem and Chile is on top of the List

[@BioniclesaurKing4t2]

So I don't believe even Americans understand the volume or weight unit conversions we use (1 gallon is a jug of milk, 20 pounds is our goal to lose for the year that never happens, etc.), but 1 foot is about one torso length across, the distance between hands held at ones' sides, which is a convenient unit for short and medium distances without having to regularly talk about multiple decimals places, and which can be double-checked in a moment with the above description (plus, being 5-6 of something tall sounds more impressive than being 1-2 of something, and saying you're 100-200 tall just sounds like you're still counting your age in months instead of years). And then for temperature, in Fahrenheit, below 0 and above 100 are too cold/hot to be outside for more than a few minutes without being specifically prepared for it, so those are easy numbers to use as references to judge what the weather report will feel like, easier than trying to remember a good reason why ~35-40 Celsius is a special number. For the life-sized measurements used every day, I'd say that sounds like a fairly useful and convenient system to have, and the rigid "technical system" can be left to the professional scientists inside their labs, so goes the traditional mindset.

[@moderatelysavage4071]

​@@BioniclesaurKing4t2 Confirmation bias is on full display here

[@BioniclesaurKing4t2]

@@moderatelysavage4071 Not saying it isn't, but the system still works well enough to not die too easily.

[@jacquelinej143]

We actually use both metric and American standard and we learn both in school

[@AnnatheRockingIBnerd]

As a Swede, I think the personal space one is kinda funny. To me, Americans are a lot more hugging etc than "most people", but that's by my Scandinavian standards, haha!