As a European, I’m Baffled by How Different American Life Is!

[@tmeredyk]

Unwashed eggs have a coating that seals them. washed eggs need to be refrigerated

[@mattzukowski1207]

That's the bottom line here. In America we use hot water and detergent which does sterilize the egg BUT removes the cuticle. As a result we have extended shelf life WITH REFRIGERATION in contrast to reduced shelf life WITHOUT REFRIGERATION.

[@Angi_Mathochist]

Also, in the US chickens are not typically vaccinated, whereas in Europe they are. Between the lack of vaccination and the washing of the eggs, you need to refrigerate American eggs. In Europe, they come from vaccinated chickens and are not washed, so they have that protective coating. So you don't need to refrigerate them.

[@bedinor]

That's just untrue, you can wash eggs and keep them out, that barrier doesnt do anything. It's just that the health department requires washed eggs to be refrigerated because it lasts longer.

[@americanppls]

​@@bedinor wrong. if your eggs are bought from an American store, then they MUST be put in the fridge. unless you have your own chickens laying personal eggs, then in America you must put them in the fridge if you want to eat them without bacteria.

[@atlanticantiquesltd7372]

Yes, well said.

[@ifionlyhadaboat]

It's not about preference. Milk that is stable at room temperature has been UHT (Ultra High Temperature) Pasteurized. This kills all the bacteria (good & bad) but also changes the taste. Americans wouldn't be accustomed to the flavor. US eggs are refrigerated because they've been washed in a diluted bleach solution to remove dirt. This also removes a protective layer called the cuticle that makes the eggs shelf stable at room temperature

[@kerrylake4751]

We do have UHT milk in the US, but it’s called “ultra pasteurized”. And it is still put in the fridge because the assumption is that Americans won’t buy milk that isn’t refrigerated. However, you can identify ultra pasteurized milk by the best by date: if it’s a week or so away, it’s regular pasteurized milk, if it’s WEEKS away, it’s UHT milk. And UHT milk tastes horrible.

[@davidcosta2244]

​@@kerrylake4751People seem to accept coffee creamers without refrigeration, though. Most are ultra pasteurized.

[@garycamara9955]

Sterylized milk is gross. I couldn't even use it on my coffee when I was in the Navy. You don't have 50 different systems plus county. We do. Kambucha sucks.

[@biggs7109]

@@kerrylake4751 only time i ever drank that milk was when i used to have to go to the food pantry at the church. It tasted just fine but i definitely put it in the fridge before. i don't think warm milk translates in my brain.

[@DrawinskyMoon]

I for one prefer my milk raw or close to it. So that 100% needs to go into a fridge.

[@randyseay4855]

Some commenters here are saying sales tax varies from state to state. It’s beyond that even. It varies from city to city and/or county to county as well. Both state and local governments set sales tax rates based on referendums.

[@Desertflower725]

It still seems super possible for stores to account for their own local tax before checkout. I’ve been thinking about it (probably way too much) and have come up with the theory that it’s a hold over from when more items came with prices on the packaging. I’m not quite old enough to remember if all stores actually charged that price. Now there can be a pre printed price on the package but you need to look at the tag in the shelf to see what that store is charging but back in the day was it different? Anyone else have thoughts? Cause this is just what I’ve come up with

[@JustMe-dc6ks]

Yes. The sales tax varies on a much finer geographical scale than mass media markets. Advertising in broadcast media or regional print outlets or even city newspapers can’t necessarily know what the total rate of sales tax will be for everyone in the area they serve.

[@PaulsWanderings]

Live in NH and you don't have to worry about sales or income tax.

[@christinezehnle7552]

Referendum fulfills the representation requirement to be taxed.

[@christinezehnle7552]

​@PaulsWanderings that's because NH voters ended. Good job

[@richardmartin9565]

The refrigerator preserves perishable food for shipping and storage. Remember, its a big country.

[@MudderToad]

Exactly. Big country, big fridges... less trips to the grocery stores.

[@richardmartin9565]

European eggs are different too.

[@bobbiejojackson9448]

It's not just that. In Russia, Europe, the UK and other countries, they drink Ultra Pasturized Milk (UHT) that is pasturized at much higher temperatures than our standard refrigerated milk. It actually makes the milk shelf-stable, so that it doesn't require regrigeration until after it's been opened. Even after opening, it will stay good for up to 90 days in the fridge. One popular brand is called Parmalat.

[@Songfugel]

Not true. It has been proven that refrigerated eggs that have been washed (US way) carry a far higher health risk than those that have not been, and do not require refrigeration. There are multiple reasons, but the main ones are the facts that washing the eggs removes their protective film covering the egg, that protects it not only from the heat, but also from bacteria and moisture. Washed eggs that have lost this film, are pourous and allow moisture and contaminants to pass through Refrigerated products become extrenely vulnerable to even smallest breaks in the cold chain during storage, transport, loading/unloading and display. Even a short break in cooling can heat the eggs too much, and make them unsafe for consumption, a risk that is not present with normal eggs In 42 years, I have never seen or smelt a spoiled egg in Europe or heard of anyone getting sick from them

[@Songfugel]

​@@bobbiejojackson9448UHT is only one special type of milk separate from normal milk sold in many European countries. Especially the Nordic countries differ to the rest of Europe when it comes to dairy products, since lactose intolerance is so rare there

[@alexanderboukal5332]

In every grocery store in America I've been to, dairy milk is stored in the refrigerated section. Meanwhile, other kinds of milk, like soy milk and almond milk, can be found either in the refrigerated section or on the shelves. In Minnesota, we don't pay sales tax on grocery foods.

Nor do Californians, only non-foods, alcoholic beverages, candy, soft drinks, tobacco products, and heated foods are taxable in CA.

[@charlesyoung2530]

Same in Massachusetts

[@kathrynlarsen3683]

Same in Minnesota, except not only heated foods, but all ready to eat prepared foods. So deli made sandwiches or salads are taxed. Drinks are also taxed.

[@The_One_In_Black]

In my experience, depends on the groceries. Raw ingredients are always untaxed, but prepared foods and non-food groceries are sometimes taxed.

[@jenniferpearce1052]

I think that's true in most states

[@jimbro5223]

How milk is processed in Europe and the US is different. In Europe milk is pasteurized at a high temperature for a period of time that is much longer then in the US. This results in milk that can be stored at room temp. The downside of this is many of the nutrients in the milk break down in this process.

[@garycamara9955]

We call that sterylized milk. Yuck, horrible stuff.

[@alhslm]

I have my own chickens and keep my eggs on the counter. The ones at the store are refrigerated because they have been washed and lost their natural protective coating.

[@d.wayneharbison8691]

Eggs in the US are washed before they're sold. This removes the coating on them that lets them survive outside the fridge for a longer period of time. St. Petersburg was built on a swamp. Even back in the 80s when I was studying Russian history, I was told not to drink the water in St. Petersburg. With very few exceptions, the tap water in America is very clean- especially compared to the rest of the world.

[@teenystudioflicks1635]

Most fruits and veggies have stickers on them already. They scan bar codes or enter the produce number and the scale is built into the checkout as it is identified. No customer has to provide info on their purchases. Scales are provided only to allow customers to choose the amount they want.

[@johnglue1744]

Well the scanners in the counter has a scale in it too.

[@filanfyretracker]

in fact the scales in the produce aisles at least where I live in the USA even have printed on the dial that they are not suitable for sales. That is unlike the scale integrated into the cash register they are not verified by the state for accuracy.

[@yvonnezolna1453]

The stickers are also edible because some people forget to take them off. It's just easier that way.

[@SalyLuz-hc6he]

@@yvonnezolna1453 If you want to look at it this way, many things are technically "edible" Including fuzzy kiwi fruit skin, stems of apples and thick naval orange peels. But most of us don't eat these, And neither do most of us eat stickers!! When we hand wash the fruit, most civilized people remove any sticker that might sadly still be attached!

[@SalyLuz-hc6he]

PS, I grew up on a Fruit Farm.

[@Roanoak]

I live in the dairy State and even unpasteurized milk goes in the fridge... It extends the longevity of the milk by quite a bit, especially seeing as how most of us buy milk by the gallon. If you keep milk at room temperature, it's only good for a few days and then it starts turning into well cottage cheese or yogurt or sour milk which is great for baking or making cheese, but not so much for having a nice cold glass of milk over your cereal

[@garycamara9955]

Warm milk is not aa good as cold milk to drink. It's ataste thing.

[@caseycu]

Milk isn’t refrigerated in many other countries because they pasteurize with ultra-high temperature (UHT), making the milk shelf stable until opened. We don’t typically do that in the US because it changes the milk’s flavor too much.

[@Ohbah53]

I envy anyone who gets to drink whole unpasteurized milk.

[@krazycatz]

She is wrong when she says there are no homeless cats in the USA. Of course here in the USA we would call homeless cats feral cats rather than homeless cats but it would mean the same thing cats who are living with no or limited interaction with humans. In some areas you will find people who care for feral cats in a limited manner. They will ensure that all of the cats in the area have some sort of safe shelter from the elements, along with food and water. They will also humanely trap each cat one at a time and take the cat to a veterinary to ensure that the cat is spayed or neutered and has been given all of their shots etc. The tip of one of the cats ears is usually marked in some way to indicate that the cat had already been taken to the vet.

[@8_six7_five3_09]

Sooo many homeless pets in the US 😢

[@crazymom8316]

We have four cats who used to homeless/feral. They were adopted as kittens. We also feed a number of other feral cats. I wish we could neuter and spay them. We live in Georgia and even though the climate is quite mild, especially compared to Russia, many of them live only a few years, some from sickness and mostly due to vehicles. It is very sad.

[@jeandiatasmith4512]

@@crazymom8316 To help ease your heart a bit. Though the feral cats don't live as long as a pampered house cat - most of them do live a perfect cat life. We only feel bad for them - because we're used to house cats being our beloved pets. But they really don't need us. It's nice that humans put out food and make shelters - but for the cats, it's just a life bonus, not a requirement. They can do fine without it. I wish they could evolve to understand to stay out of the streets - same goes for other wildlife. I hate seeing any animal killed by a car - but unless we go back to horses....it's just what it is.

[@christopherconard2831]

I have a couple bum kitties that have learned to coexist with my dog. I keep them fairly well fed, as do the neighbors. Of course we are also keeping the local raccoon, possum, fox, and other wildlife well fed too

[@cq8822]

In America we called him stray cats. All stray cats are not feral.

[@ericdaniel74]

yes. Milk and eggs are in the fridge in the USA. Sometimes you can find "shelf stable" milk out of the fridge, like Parmalat. but usually a little more expensive.

[@judyparks5016]

Dollar Tree carrys a cartoon of milk that will last a long, long time unopened.

[@westernbitterfish]

In the military we had shelf stable milk. I think it was UHT pasteurized. Once it was cold it had to remain cold, regardless of if it was open or not, they told us. The things you learn mess cranking.

[@Girtuczi]

All real milk is kept in fridge. Only milk that has been made from a powder is kept on shelf. That's how it is in Europe.

[@rods6741]

Tried that shelf stable milk once. Yuck.

[@jontastic]

Shelf stable milk is not as natural as fresh refrigerated. Shelf stable is fine in an emergency, but why use it weekly? It’s a way for poor countries to store food.

[@bamalady7314]

In the US it is safe to drink tap water in all 50 states. Restaurants are required to provide free tap water on request. I can remember as a child when traveling, my parents asking for water (tap water) with our cheeseburgers to save money. This was before bottled water was a thing.

[@felyciti]

Flint, MI?

[@cassieberringer7427]

Not all US cities would agree with you.

[@davonknight86]

​@@felycitiMany US towns have water worse than Flint. It just doesn't make the news.

[@ultrasquid]

There are many areas in the USA with undrinkable tap water, but they are local issues and the local people will tell you if the water is bad. San Francisco draws its water from the Hetch Hetchy aqueduct, which originates from snow melt in Yosemite national park. It is among the best water available, and apart from a particular building having old faulty pipes, it is safe to drink from the tap.

[@MontgomeryWenis]

​@@felyciti Michigander here. The crisis in Flint has been sensationalized. It's not that bad.

[@robertgarrard8868]

I’m a former truck driver who has hauled milk, eggs, and bread in the US. The biggest difference in the US and Canada from almost every other place in the world is the distance these items often travel to get to market. Having refrigeration available 24/7 allows these items to last much longer in transit. In turn, this allows for economy in location, production, and scale. It’s cheaper and more efficient to locate the factories near the animals, build them larger, produce more goods at a time, and use refrigerated trucks and trains to move them over longer distances. This, in turn, means Americans owe a lot to the Interstate Highway system and similar investments in rail infrastructure. This infrastructure leads directly to very high food quality priced lower than it should be. The trade off is the use of trucks in America as rolling warehouses leads to greater highway traffic density than in Europe. Refrigeration isn’t the only preservative used. The higher concentrations of added sugar in American bread are done, in part, because the sugar acts as a preservative. Citric acid is a common additive in egg and dairy products for its preservative qualities. The US can produce it domestically in huge quantities from the citrus industry. Finally, US egg and dairy products require extra processing, in part, because of US health laws, but also because, unlike Europe, the US never extirpated animals capable of transferring pathogens through egg and dairy products from its territory. US health laws make it illegal to force someone to accept medical treatment against their will. Since science can’t prove beyond all reasonable doubt that antibiotics given to animals can’t be transmitted to humans, the FDA has banned giving antibiotics to animals meant for human consumption. The opposite is true in Europe, where antibiotic treatments for livestock are prescribed by law, and it is illegal for untreated animals to be fed to humans. The net result of US policy is heavy processing of US dairy, meat, and eggs. Much of this processing would have been necessary in the US anyway to prevent onward transmission of rabies, which only became treatable in the last few years, and even then, only in the first 16 hours of transmission. The disease is otherwise 100% fatal.

[@caseycu]

lmao the FDA has not banned giving animals antibiotics, and most meats in the US come from antibiotic treated animals, unless sold as organic. Dairy, meat and eggs aren’t more “heavily processed” than in other countries except our eggs are washed. Most milk in the US is less processed than the UHT milk common elsewhere. Processing meat to prevent rabies?! wtf are you talking about? Rabies transmission through meat has always been incredibly rare since the virus resides in the brain, spinal cord and salivary glands, which aren’t typically eaten in North America, and cooking, drying and/or salting meat kills any rabies virus contamination. People out here just making stuff up lmao 😂

[@revgurley]

Yes, we put all dairy in the fridge. I think the egg thing was explained before (how they're washed, so must stay refrigerated). I'm guessing pasteurization of dairy means it must remain refrigerated. Update, just looked it up: in Europe, y'all ultra pasteurize at a higher temperature, meaning all bacteria is killed, and is shelf stable. In the US, we heat it less, so some bacteria remain. It must stay below 40F/4C to keep the bacteria in check. But it can, and does, go "bad" in a week or two. 5

[@BionicMilkaholic]

And ultra pasteurized milk has a different, almost burnt, taste to it.

[@creinicke1000]

Milk and almost all dairy will spoil if not refrigerated. Eggs too.

[@wandapease-gi8yo]

I do not refrigerate my eggs but keep them in a cool area. I have tested eggs which were stored this way after 6 weeks. They had dried through the shell, but the bacteria count was not worse than some I bought fresh that day. It is good to have a friend in a food laboratory!

[@duncreg]

@@BionicMilkaholic I'm starting to realize EVERYTHING tastes bad outside America. :-) If I ever journey abroad, I'm going to have to lug a suitcase along with me filled with canned soup and Hot Pockets.

[@gabecollins5585]

@@duncreg There’s plenty of good food outside the US. Many cultures have amazing foods. Not sure what you’re on about. I’m saying this as an American.

[@WhatDayIsItTrumpDay]

In 2017/2018, I had a Filipino girlfriend online and the thing that blew her mind about America was Frozen Food. She could not fathom why we would need to freeze our food. For one, freezing food preserves the food forever. As you know, the US is a very large country and compared to the Phillipines, which is roughly the size of California, and freezing food allows it to be shipped all over the country without spoiling. I imagine most food in the Philippines is acquired locally, so no need to keep it refrigerated or frozen between the source and the consumer.

[@devinchandler3352]

My wife is from the Philippines and we spent the month of August there visiting. Their fridge and freezers are smalller and not used for too much, mostly leftovers or ice cream, small things. You are right that most food is more fresh and not frozen like here in USA since they get it at local stores or markets

[@lordmortarius538]

Well, not FOREVER, it'll eventually succumb to freezer burn, but it does last a very long time.

[@knightwolf3511]

@@devinchandler3352 birds eye the owner Clarence Birdseye who created the double belt freezer. before him they used Ice cellars: preserve food during the winter. Compressed snow: cellars filled with compressed snow

[@barryfletcher7136]

In Europe you pay VAT, which is included in the price tag. However, VAT is 20% and sometimes more. Sales tax in the USA is usually about 8%.

[@marydavis5234]

Here in Vermont, all 14 counties have a different tax rate and some have an added tax

[@VikingJack-il4hw]

6%

[@OceanluvOC]

7.75% in Orange County California

[@JustinMullally]

My theory on sales tax vs VAT is that a sales tax is more business friendly since it can make consumers spend slightly more than intended. More consumption means higher GDP, which means better economic outlook, which means there’s little motivation to change.

[@crazymom8316]

In America, the tax added at the register results in the purchaser knowing how much tax they are paying vs. In Europe, you don't realize how much the government is gouging you. I prefer the U.S. way.

[@mildredpierce4506]

As someone who bakes cakes, I found out that cold eggs makes a moister cake. I don’t know why, but it does. So instead of setting my eggs on the counter to let them get room temperature, I don’t take them out of the refrigerator until I need them.

[@sarahbritt1234]

That's good to know. Thanks for the tip!

[@Catherine.Dorian.]

Wow that’s incredible, I wouldn’t think it would make a difference..

[@Julieb615]

@@Catherine.Dorian. Room temperature eggs will incorporate more air when whipped, making a lighter cake. Cold eggs will make it more dense especially if minimally whipped.

[@Catherine.Dorian.]

@@Julieb615 How interesting, thank you for that!

[@LythaWausW]

Perfect timing, I'm baking right now. For perfectly soft cookies you put the dough in the fridge as long as possible (or put it out in the snow in Winter). This is the step that Nestle Toll House left off the chocolate chip cookie recipe.

[@JulsMWK1995]

I’m American. I went to Russia in the 90’s and I remember I was so surprised to see so many homeless dogs roaming around. Definitely we do not see that in America. If you ever see a dog without an owner (very rare) you are trying to find the owner.

[@OkiePeg411]

Out in the county, we have people who let their dogs literally roam free!!! Like, they don't have a fenced yard, and the dogs are free roaming!!! It's awful!!!

[@burrichgrrl57]

I suspect the homeless dogs have something to do with the shoe booties requirement. :-/

[@norwegianblue2017]

We just have homeless humans roaming around in the US.

[@revgurley]

I visited in '95, and was shocked at the feral cats all over St. P.

[@pamelag7553]

@@revgurley that's so sad!

[@kimharding2246]

In the US, all tap water is treated and cleaned. In Russia, tap water is not. In fact, drinking the water is how Tchaikovsky died. He asked for a glass of water before the restaurant was able to boil it.

[@shyryTsr2k]

lol I doubt that’s the case for LA. Also Flint Michigan would disagree with this statement where the water quality was so horrible people died

[@Labelwhore6040]

It really depends on where you are in the country. CO tap water is pretty damn good. In AZ it has a lot of sediment.

[@saratemp790]

In the US all tap water is supposed to be well treated. However in a few poor areas in the US, there is fraud at the local water company and it's not as good as it should be.

[@lancekirkwood7922]

​@@shyryTsr2k Flint water was on the Detroit system, with a water line coming from Port Huron Michigan, out of Lake Huron. The republican governor at the time had Flint water switched to the Flint River which was toxic. Then the governors appointed city manager, wanting to cut cost ceased having a chemical added to the water that sealed the lines. Only to save a couple hundred dollars which then allowed lead seap into the water. Those cost cutting moves cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars.

[@saratemp790]

​​@@lancekirkwood7922figures a Republican did it.

[@lisahinkle2499]

milk and eggs are perishable items. They last longer when refrigerated.

[@angelikac6767]

With eggs that is false, unwashed eggs last 4 to 6 month on the shelf

[@kristins9633]

In general, Americans can drink tap water and it’s totally safe and fine. We have issues with older lead pipes in some cities (which are being updated) or after storms, sometimes your city will have a “boil water notice”. This is usually only when there is flooding or hurricanes or something that floods the water treatment facility. I’ve never had to filter or boil my water for those reasons. We do filter water for taste sometimes. In certain areas there is sulfur in the rocks or a lot of iron, so the water smells a bit like eggs or metal. But most American fridges have a water dispenser and filter, so it’s easy.

[@carieannern]

In America they treat our water with Chlorine and add Floyride which is a carcinogen. I would never drink our tap water. We have a filter that we run our water through.

[@robbyrob0723]

Sales tax depends on the State. Some do not charge sales tax

[@JesPulido]

Most Americans only go grocery shopping a couple times a month. People don’t go to the market once a day to get fresh bread, fresh milk, fresh vegetables.

[@whatbroicanhave50character35]

For context for readers, some of us live in very rural areas where going to the grocery store is an actual trip. An hour (or more, for some) of driving round trip, and it's sometimes impossible to make that trip safely for many days to weeks at a time due to weather.

[@garycamara9955]

Yeah like weekly! However I do stop frequently at the little store at the bottom of the hill.

[@garycamara9955]

There are usually small stores in a neighborhood.

[@mikeb.7068]

That's only true if you're eating processed food, frozen food and minimal fruit and vegetables. It is possible to eat like an Italian in the US and eat only fresh whole foods.

[@jaelynn7575]

@@mikeb.7068 If you can afford them. Super expensive for veggies where I live.

[@GEM11-j4b]

USDA-graded eggs are washed and sanitized, which removes their outer coating and exposes the shell's pores. This makes them more susceptible to contamination. Eggs are kept in the fridge to prevent bacterial growth and to maintain their quality and shelf life.

[@leifcatt]

UHT Pasteurized milk is shelf stable. It's just not popular. Most eggs in America are washed to the point of losing the "bloom". A hen's body deposits a protective coating, known as the “bloom” to the outside of the egg. This protective coating in essence seals the eggshell, preventing the transfer of bacteria. This is why eggs are in the fridge in the U.S.A.

[@ariesinspace6703]

We have shelf stable milks, it’s just not in the dairy section it’s down the baking aisle. Whole, low fat, almond, and other nut milks.. I just don’t think she looked for them, because every grocery store I go to carries them.

[@starbrand3726]

The milk you are used to has been scaled (treated with very high heat) and vacuumed sealed, so therefore it doesn't need refrigeration. We do have some room temperature milk, in the can or in a box.

[@joshuacoldwater]

There is a difference between “Shelf-Stable (aseptic) Milk” and “Refrigerated Milk” they are pasteurized in two completely different ways. Here in the US most brands only sell “Refrigerated Milk”. There are a few that do still sell “Shelf-Stable”, it is still in the cooler of the grocery store and you’d have to know the brands.

[@sherryjoiner396]

Water is safe to drink in all states, some tastes better than others.

[@42Ccastro]

No all states and counties.

[@HBC423]

@@42Ccastroeverywhere besides Flint

[@storminight]

I love well water. It tastes so good. I guess depends on where the well is! 😂

[@harrymaciolek9629]

@@HBC423The water actually was never bad. The problem was the supply lines from the street to the houses. And building built after the mid-fifties was fine.

[@sherryjoiner396]

@@storminight The part of Texas I live in has really good water. There's an Ozarka water bottling plant in my county.

[@greatestcait]

Eggs are in the fridge here because they're washed. This is supposed to make them "cleaner" but it comes at the downside of making them spoil really fast when not refrigerated. It's mindblowing to me though that you don't put milk in the fridge, though. My gut reaction was like "holy crap! It's gonna spoil!" But it turns out, thats down to pasteurization techniques too. America (and Canada) uses a technique that's not as thorough as Europe, so we have to refrigerate it to keep it fresh.

[@lightningcat82]

5 That explain that. Because fresh milk goes bad very quickly if not refrigerated.

[@rmkarros]

more because of salmonella risk, in the US we don't vaccinate our chickens in the UE thay do vaccinate there chickens for it so it a much lower risk.

[@kenyonmoon3272]

I was surprised, most smokers in the US were pretty accepting of the indoor smoking bans. Even most apartments have now discouraged smoking indoors. Buying and posessing tobacco is perfectly legal once you are an adult, and most people who smoke just shifted to smoking outside. It's a bit of a ritual, even, it sets the mood to walk outside and relax, people watch for a few minutes, look at a bird or two, etc. And it didn't take long, most states did it fairly quickly in the late 90s and early 00s.

[@TexasRose50]

I am a smoker, bur I don't even smoke in my house. I gave a covered patio with tables and chairs. I can sir comfortably and smoke. Of a morning I bring my cup of coffee our here too and read the morning newspaper. I call it my outdoor living room. I also feed some feral cats outside too. I love being outdoors! Our town is a bird sanctuary. So I always have a bird bath and keep clean water in it for the birds. I also have rescued stray dogs, bur have managed to either find the owners, or found them good homes.

[@kenyonmoon3272]

@@TexasRose50 I love it. If all the world were this way I think our biggest disagreements would be what color flowers to plant next spring.

[@TexasRose50]

@kenyonmoon3272 Thank you for your kind words. I'm just an old lady who lives a very simple life. I don't have any financial burdens on my shoulders. The house and vehicles are paid for. My very humble little house. I may not be rich, but I feel I am so much better off than a lot of people. I'm happy with what I've got. BTW, to end any argument about the flowers, we'll just plant all colors! :) Thank you a p much for the chat. You seem like a very nice young man. I appreciate the time you've taken to read and respond. Hope you have a wonderful life. Take care, be safe and well. And hugs from the great state of Texas!

[@broncobra]

@@TexasRose50 God Bless TX! Lived in Houston for 12 years. 30 some years ago...

[@TexasRose50]

@broncobra I LOVE Texas! Been here almost 48 years. I hope I never have to live anywhere else. Take care, and thanks for your reply. Nice hearing from other people that appreciate our wonderful state.

[@JIMBEARRI]

In the big cities on the East Coast most tap water comes from protected reservoirs and is carefully treated.The NYC water system, for example, operates the world's longest tunnel, the Delaware Aqueduct, 85 miles [137 km] long, that carries water from the Delaware River Valley in the Catskill Mountains far north of the city. In the Midwest, things can be VERY different. Not having mountains and forests to tap for pure water, they often draw their water from lakes and rivers. Sometimes that can be disastrous. Look up : Flint Michigan Water Crisis.

[@lilyz2156]

Thank goodness FL has it's own deep aquifers, lakes, rivers, etc. We depend on no one for fresh water.

[@garycamara9955]

I live on the Russian River in Northern California. We get our water from wells next to the River. The water is filtered by the sand and rock in the ground. It is of course treated before going into the storage tanks in the water system.

[@Julieb615]

@@lilyz2156 No longer true. Florida buys water from GA, and GA buys water from SC. There are no longer any major fresh water wells south of Orlando. They've either been pumped dry or so low that salt water has encroached and it's no longer drinkable.

[@Sissy907]

In Alaska the water is very clean. Buuut every once in a while a beaver will get in someone's water and oooh boooy you don't wanna drink that water. If you think the flu is bad....OOOF! Literally called "Beaver Fever" and its AWFUL.

[@Anon21486]

In Massachusetts, a majority of Eastern Mass get's their water from the Quabbin Reservoir, which is located in Central Mass.

[@chiprbob]

Eggs are refrigerated because they are washed when processed for sale and that removes a protective coating from them. We do have shelf stable milk that is sold outside of the refrigerators and, while there are nut milks in the refrigerators, it is also sold outside of the refrigerators in the same stores. I have been feeding stray cats for years and have even taken a couple of them in. I just took in 4 stray kittens that my 2 cats don't like. Our tap water is filtered and treated before we get it but it's better to filter it again at home than to just drink it.

[@nathanpadilla213]

Scales for weighing fruit and vegetables are incorporated into the price scanners.

[@MontgomeryWenis]

The I-75 route through Atlanta, Georgia is the worst driving experience I've ever dealt with. Eight lanes both ways, with the HOV lanes on the far left and nearly every exit on the far right, and steady traffic going 85+ mph until it's a solid standstill and merging is nearly impossible.

[@dawnmiller6899]

I hate driving through Atlanta, the worst

[@Sissy907]

@@dawnmiller6899 Lol I loved it, but Chicago, PASS! And I was just the passenger in Chicago!

[@Mark-id8ff]

As far as I know, generally tap water in the US is safe.

[@OkiePeg411]

I grew up on well water, and it always tasted great. My cousins lived in Houston and when we went to their house, their city water smelled and tasted terrible!!! My grandparents lived near Galveston, and their water was not drinkable... it also smelled like the Houston ship channel!!! 🤮 The best water I ever tasted was from a windmill!!!

[@Mark-id8ff]

@@OkiePeg411 Interesting...

[@knightwolf3511]

@@Mark-id8ff you have to test your water almost any place you go

[@causticchameleon7861]

We do have some shelf stable milk in the grocery stores. I keep some of it in my pantry for emergencies like power outages. It tastes weird and I don’t really care for it at all. We also have powdered milk that can be kept on the shelf and I keep some of that around too for emergencies along with a camp stove that can be used for cooking during power outages. Powdered milk taste a bit better than the shelf stable liquid milk but both are not as good as refrigerated milk.

[@mbh2743]

I was told when I lived in Germany that they can have their milk out at room temperature because of the vacuum seal and the milk is irradiated for any contaminants. Once opened it has to be for refrigerated. Weed here in the USA do not irradiate our milk. I see you already have the answer to the eggs

[@INTPMann1957]

When I weigh my produce here in the U.S., I always look for the "PLU" (Price Look Up) number to type into the scale. It's either a 4 or 6 digit number (6 digit numbers for organic, 4 for non-organic). Usually the PLU will be displayed right next to the price, and sometimes also on little stickers on the produce itself.

[@cincyjohn69]

It’s why I watch the channel when you see the reaction on your face and you can tell you’re genuinely shocked

[@Stephanie.Hudson]

Weighing produce has been done at the register since the 90s at least. It’s built into the registers in my area. Haven’t seen weighing stations in the produce area in so long.

[@krm1959]

Depending in what State you are in, some States have no tax on groceries.

[@easybreezy4559]

here in NY it can vary county to county. I didn't know this until I moved to the county I am in and was confused why so many people would shop in my area and one of my coworkers was like, you guys don't have sales tax

[@JesseLJohnson]

There is a few states with no sales tax at all

[@jryan9547]

Here in Ohio, no food sales tax. If you pick up food or drive thru, no tax but if you dine in…tax

[@oldfogey4679]

Krm my state has no sales tax only 6 states have no sales taxes we have high property taxes instead!

[@oldfogey4679]

​@@JesseLJohnson6 states my state has no sales taxes we have high property taxes instead!

[@erickaufman6840]

Almond milk is sometimes refrigerated when sold, but usually you can buy it either way - refrigerated or unrefrigerated - unrefrigerated can last a long time (needs to be refrigerated and used in a short time after opening).

[@phunkydroid]

I don't see stray dogs around here (just outside NYC) but we have lots of stray cats.

[@talmadgecerezo9665]

The main reason is that in the USA normally is only pasteurized and that makes it necessary for it to be refrigerated. Also plain pasteurization allows it to be used for other products like cheese and jogurt. In the case of milt stored out side of a refrigerador is because is UHP ultra pasteurized and that does not required refrigeration until such time that the container is open and then it is recomen to refrigerate. Also UHP does not (normally that is) be used to make other products like cheese and jogurt.

[@Capohanf1]

In MANY places in America raw fruits or veggies, unprepared/uncooked food or ingredients are NOT taxed.

[@itt2055]

The cheapest milk in Australia is uht (ultra heat treated) it has a shelf life of around 3 months and doesn't need refrigeration until opened. The seed milks like soy and almond generally don't need refrigeration until opened but that does depend on the country they are made in.

[@gotham61]

Driving in the USA is generally much more relaxed and laid back than driving in Europe. Of course there are some crazy aggressive people, but overall people are pretty polite. The roads are much bigger, parking spaces are bigger, and it's easy to get around.

[@earthscorcher]

The cashier registers generally have scales in them to weigh produce. We do have regular scales in the produce section to put the sticker on them, but you dont have to. Also, bananas have the same produce code almost everywhere - 4011 (and if you've worked as a cashier, you never forget lol).

[@WhodatLucy]

Each state has an agency that randomly tests water, Fed Gov has set standards that public water systems must abide by.. Flint, Michigan: In 2014, Flint switched its water supply from Lake Huron to the Flint River, which caused pipes to corrode and contaminate the drinking water with lead and other contaminants.fed gov shut them down - they poisoned quite a few with lead .. lawsuits etc .. water is now safe there

[@lancekirkwood7922]

Flint went back on the Detroit system, which comes from Lake Huron.

[@DavidWilsonsays]

Rural Iowa (USA) back in the 60's the local feed store would get a couple of pallets of eggs in and they just sat in their warehouse with the feed. You would stop by and candle your eggs (hold each one up to a light) to check they were OK, we washed them off when we got home and put them in the fridge. We milked cows by hand and only pasteurized milk for the babies, the rest of us drank raw whole milk that we refrigerated. 60 years later things have changed.

[@teenystudioflicks1635]

The US has a very good animal rescue culture (not just domestic animals). People will foster rescue animals when shelters are full and if they are turned into shelters they are automatically spade or neutered to prevent more offspring. People who foster will find good forever homes or if wild will find services who can return them to the wild. We are a country full of animals of many species and our culture is to preserve them for future generations. The economy is a strain on services who protect animals. We need more voluntary assistance these days.

[@SalyLuz-hc6he]

Spay/spayed is the correct term. A spade is a small shovel with a specifically shaped, narrower blade.

[@jaelynn7575]

The economy is a strain on services that protect people.

[@adventureridergirl]

You can get milk both at room temperature (as long as it's shelf stable) or refrigerated. Eggs can be gotten at room temp in the States, but it's extremely rare because most commercially produced eggs in the States are washed prior to shipping to the store. Once they're washed the eggs must be refrigerated or they'll spoil as washing them removes the protective coating and allows bacteria to enter the egg.

[@dianajemison105]

I've seen some of her videos about the US, and she's wrong, or misinformed a lot. One thing she said in this video is that we don't have stray/homeless cats. We, unfortunately have many, many stray cats and dogs. Don't believe everything she says. She may have see, or experienced something in one place, once, and assumes the the whole of the US is exactly the same.

[@Alphasnowbordergirl]

I think I get what she means. I've lived in America my whole life, but I don't see many strays on a daily basis. Japan, different story. You see cats quite often outside. And in her defense. She said she only lived her for 8 months. Lawrence from Lost in the Pond, has lived her for over 10 years and still occasionally gets things wrong.

[@Sissy907]

I think what she was saying is, as compared to Russia. I have lived all over the world, and many other countries have an over whelming amount of stray animals, literally, heart wrenchingly, bad issue. The US does have an issue, but not as bad as some countries.

[@veronica978]

Most of our milk is refrigerated however, we do have shelf stable milk as well. Our eggs are washed meaning the no longer have the protective layer.

[@patriciastuart8079]

Rules of the road. There are laws that provide guidelines for driving etiquette.

[@bonniesherman4749]

Eggs are washed before sale and no longer have their protective " bloom", so are refrigerated. Our dairy is heat pasteurized and this is probably why it needs refrig

[@johnstewart150]

Longer shelf life in stores = more profit, less waste

[@lindadianesmith6013]

I’ve traveled a lot. Each city has a different driving personality. Some are polite, some are ruthless, some follow rules, others don’t. In some, all the cars start moving when the lights turn green. In others, they wait for the car ahead of them to move first.

[@tomhalla426]

Ultra pasteurized milk is rare in the US. Eggs are washed on the basis of assuming there is chicken shit on the eggs, so therefore salmonella. As almost all Americans have refrigerators, no real issue. Europeans had lower rates of refrigeration, so they went for trying to make sure flocks were not contaminated. Both approaches work if done rigorously.

[@Steve-hq4fm]

My mom was from Germany, and she was so scared to drive here, she didn't get her license until she was 28! But she never got into an accident, never got a ticket, and never had a fender bender her entire life.

[@cattuslavandula]

According to Google: In the U.S., we typically heat the raw milk to a temperature around 160 degrees for 15 seconds. That's enough to kill dangerous bacteria like salmonella and E. coli. But because some bacteria may survive the pasteurization, it can cause the milk to spoil if it isn't refrigerated. Many European countries use Ultra-High Temperature (UHT) pasteurization, which heats milk to around 280 degrees Fahrenheit for merely two seconds. This method sterilizes the milk more thoroughly, enabling it to be stored at room temperature for several months before being opened.

[@garycamara9955]

I have had sterylized milk in the Navy. It tastes disgusting.

[@truckertami]

We definitely have issues with stray animals in most places, she was in an area where the “dog catcher” patrol often and take them to shelters

[@richardmartin9565]

Water quality is as different as the geography. I drink tap water here, but i might not in a neighboring town. All you have to do is taste it. What did people do before bottled water? Die of thirst??? No! They drank water. They might have had to boil it first but there was no filtered water. They still somehow survived.

[@richardmartin9565]

Пажалста!

[@jenniferbriski567]

In the USA the grocery stores are only allowed to sell pasteurized milk and washed eggs - which both need to be refrigerated, if you get them raw and unwashed they don't need to go into the refrigerator.

[@slgibbs1]

I have bought the milk in the paper cartons that is ultra pasteurized. It does keep a long time, but it tastes "cooked" to me. Which is fine for cooking, but not for just drinking/. And the eggs, like others have said, we wash the protective layer off...which is stupid

[@ss9749]

Yeah, European milk tastes horrible. American milk tastes fresher. In some stores you can also buy unpasteurized milk.

[@randyparker2134]

It's not stupid because US poultry farms are filthy to keep costs down and they have to wash/bleach the eggs to keep you from getting diseases. Farmers would revolt if you tried to regulate more cleanliness and consumers would revolt if prices doubled or more to afford the regulations.

[@TerryMcKennaFineArt]

in Europe they use ultra pasteurization but in the US we do not. Though we do sell ultra pasturized milk, stored at room temperature. We also get eggs ready for market differently from Europeans. In the USA all dairy is stored in a refrigerator - with some exceptions for processed cheese.

[@Dreamstar1666]

we have self stable milks and fridge milks

Gamma radiation is used to make some things shelf stable.

[@DonnaMcCoy-h3d]

I watch your videos..i could listen to you talk all day long...lovebyour accent..thank you so much

[@Angi_Mathochist]

Milk: In the US, soy and other nut milks typically are NOT in the fridge in the grocery store. They are in the asceptic packages and you put them in the fridge only after opening. But there are a few brands that are not asceptic and those are in the fridge. Cow milk, however, is not in those packages, and needs to be refrigerated. The asceptic packaging for cow milk does exist here, I am told, but it's rare. I haven't seen it in my area (Seattle) at all. Chicken eggs: in the US chickens are not typically vaccinated, whereas in Europe they are. Between the lack of vaccination and the washing of the eggs, you need to refrigerate American eggs. In Europe, they come from vaccinated chickens and are not washed, so they have that protective coating. So you don't need to refrigerate them.

[@rebeccarittenhouse2203]

I don’t know where you live but here soy and nut milks are always in the fridge same as the dairy milk.

[@Angi_Mathochist]

@@rebeccarittenhouse2203 Like I said, I live in Seattle. It would be silly for stores to put the nut milks that come in the asceptic packages in the fridge and waste fridge space and electricity on them, when they don't need refrigeration. Only certain brands that don't come in that packaging, like Silk, are in the fridge at the store. But I understand that in certain other countries, cow milk is also most often packaged in the asceptic containers -- probably because refrigeration is less universal in those areas. In those places, you don't find cow milk in the refrigerator at the store, either.

[@glendabuklis7611]

We do have shelf milk. It is packaged at high temp and stable for shelf storage, until opened. Most milk is refrigerated. This is perishable and needs refrigeration. Our eggs are washed. That’s why they must be refrigerated.

[@garycamara9955]

We used to use canned milk in coffee, but not to drink. There were dairies everywhere when I was a kid. Now they are vineyards. Our milk was processed in the town where I lived. It is processed in most local towns here. We generally have fresh milk. It's in little stores and grocery stores, even in gas stations.

[@OkiePeg411]

You can weigh your fruit... but the cashier will always weigh it to calculate the cost. There's a sticker on the bananas that has a number the cashier puts that number into the register and weighs them and the price is calculated automatically. Same for the self checkout line.

[@WoodgemanX]

The unrefrigerated milk on the shelf is high temperature pasteurized, but once opened it has to be refrigerated. It is available in the US and is slowly gaining in popularity. The milk processing plants have to modify their equipment to ultra pasteurize the milk.

[@WhodatLucy]

Used to smoke everywhere in America but no longer

[@VikingJack-il4hw]

Even on planes in the 1970s

[@jeannerogers7085]

Yes, I often reflect that the immaculate, perfectly kept houses of 195’s housefraus ALL smelled like old ashtrays, as virtually every American adult smoked cigarettes back then. The smoking craze came with both World Wars, and began to fade in the 1980’s when the health hazards were fully exposed.

[@SuperBigblue19]

As an American, I can't imagine pouring warm milk over my breakfast cereal. Eggs are transported unrefrigerated to the processing plant where they are cleaned. I recall the first time I was dispatched to pu eggs with a dry box trailer; I thought it was a mistake because I was unaware, they didn't require refrigeration until the protective coating was removed.

[@babyfry4775]

We have pasteurization so that’s why our milk and eggs are refrigerated. Too bad she was in SF. It’s a very expensive American city. It’s not hard to drive here just crowded in cities. I drink tap water everyday. Ours in Colorado is great.

[@garycamara9955]

The water in Sonoma County is good . We have wells, lakes and rivers. Most water is from a well.

[@sarahcleary110]

We do have a lot of feral cats here in the U.S., depending on the area. There are organizations that do what's known as TNR (trap, neuter, release) so they can't breed. Generally adult ferals can't be domesticated and are released, kittens are taken into foster care to socialize them to be adopted if possible. There are so many cats & dogs in shelters looking for homes, don't buy please adopt! Regarding the tap water, again it depends on where you live. Many places the water is safe, but just look at Flint Michigan where the tap water was contaminated by the old lead pipes and poisoned thousands of people. There are also many areas where there is no or little access to clean water or sewage.

[@hdcordes6299]

The fresh milk in the fridge is WAY better. You would never want to go back to that boxed stuff. As for eggs, ours are washed and apparently, it takes the protective bloom off them and they will then go bad faster on the shelf.

[@michaelshelton5488]

Milk will spoil in the heat. Why would you NOT refrigerate it? That makes no sense

[@AutoReport1]

@@michaelshelton5488 European milk is usually ultra heat treated and sealed. Once the seal is broken it will spoil and has to be refrigerated if you don't drink it right away. Since it doesn't need cold storage or transport it can be cheaper. Plus European foods are heavily subsidized so transport costs are a much bigger price component than in the US and other countries, so the cost of UHT treatment and the smaller containers is worth the effort. But many people do find it tastes horrible unless heavily flavoured (chocolate, strawberry etc).

[@Lynds77]

I'm from Canada, our milk is sold in bags not jugs and is sold in the supermarket in the fridge as after more than 1 day our milk spoils

[@michinwaygook3684]

Depends where you live in Canada. Don't start that milk in bag stuff again. Most places in Canada don't sell it in a bag. Here in Alberta it is sold in 4L plastic jugs.

[@lauradetjen1573]

We wash eggs in the US, so they need to be refrigerated. If they will be used in less than a week, they can be left on the counter.

[@cliff5240]

On my trips to Russia, we were told very clearly don't drink the tap water. Generally you can drink tap water anywhere in the US but there have been some places where there have been some issues.

[@robandnikki1]

Even the water that goes in the toilet is from potable drinking water pipes. In America, we literally (not figuratively), poop In potable drinking water. That doesn’t happen anywhere else on the planet.

[@datadivanet]

Yes it does. It takes a lot more infrastructure to build 2 sets of pipes and water systems for potable and non-potable water than to just clean all the water.

[@kevincamp2913]

There are several reasons, but chief among them we are much, much warmer and much more humid than most of Europe. Even in our northern states our summers can be up to several months longer than in many countries in northern Europe and our humidity encourages food to spoil much faster and mold develops much quicker. Our eggs are washed and this removes the protective membrane that comes naturally and they will spoil quite quickly, but the washing drastically reduces the chances of food born sicknesses. You will find that most people who raise their own eggs and milk their own cows do keep eggs and milk outside the refrigerator (except that room temperature milk sounds disgusting!)

[@pd-ou1tg]

I always buy shelf-stable milk right before a hurricane is projected to impact my area in case the power goes out. I just prefer the taste of refrigerated milk, so I have no reason to buy the shelf-stable milk when the weather is normal.

[@MyLove-s6r]

It gets hot in many parts of USA. This Sumner we got up to 118° , Where I use to live in California was 127° one sumner things rot among mold in heat. Butter melts to a liquid in summer. In winter I leave butter out. Even with house cooled with a/c it stays 79°. 80°.in summer, late fall to early winter.

[@robandnikki1]

In America, taxes are not hidden in the price of goods. Taxes, AKA “Burden, is separated so the tax payer can feel the tax and vote accordingly.

[@BeakyFloof]

That "burden" is why we have roads, police and fire departments, public libraries, street lights on city streets, sheriff departments, public parks, public health department, public schools, and public transportation, etc. It's how communities and societies exist, by working together. It's how we live together as "we the people", instead of survival of the richest and/or most self-serving and ruthless.

[@gabecollins5585]

@@BeakyFloof Yes but there are taxes on many unnecessary things and the taxes on most things are too expensive.

[@OkiePeg411]

The government WILL get your money one way or another!!! If they lower or eliminate tax on food, they will raise property and/or income taxes!!!

[@fermisparadox01]

​@BeakyFloof And retirement packages keep getting more and more generous for the employees of those communities to the point that they now draw great pensions while still young. We Are over taxxed.

[@allengator1914]

@@gabecollins5585 That's a generalization that proves nothing except your opinion on the subject and has no proof of what you're saying included. Tax revenue is at it's lowest level since 1950, a fact, educate yourself before regurgitating propaganda.

[@jamesblossom-y1u]

Thanks!

[@JulsMWK1995]

What? You mean you don’t store milk in the fridge in Europe?!😮

[@SuperSushidog]

In the US, if you forget to put your milk in the fridge at night it will spoil by morning. Do bacteria not grow in Russian milk? Or is it just so cold there in your homes that you don't need refrigeration? We like to keep our homes around 70 degrees here in the US year-round.

[@judywood4530]

Homless animals are much more common in the south, partially because it is warmer in the south and they can hve more litters.

[@calme-dx2dp]

The USAMERICA does have several kinds of milk that are NOT stored in the fridge.

[@grisall]

Kind of nice to know how much the govt is taking from you instead of hiding it in the food cost

[@neilis2405]

Tap water is generally safe to drink everywhere in the US. Now particularly if you're getting your water from a well + electric pump, sometimes it can taste pretty bad. My brother's house for example the water smells like rotten eggs (cause by hydrogen sulfide gas in it). As a result while his tap water is safe to drink, he doesn't do it and buys bottled water. My parents have well water but don't have this issue. Thankfully I have "city water" from the water service.

[@harneydragon5862]

Dude I am never going to Europe. The moment milk hits room temperature something changes in it. Nobody else in my family can taste it but I f'ing hate it.

[@VikingJack-il4hw]

My father used to put ice cubes in his milk😊

[@jeffb6786]

Yeah, it doesn't taste the same. Well, and I like my milk very cold. No ice cubes, but very cold, and why have to cool it off when I get it home from the store. More electricity to run my fridge longer to bring the temp down. Makes no sense.

[@michinwaygook3684]

In South Korea you actually have to take off your shoes when you get to the floor the residents stay on. This was a hospital / care home that my Korean mother-in-law was staying at. I love it. It is so clean.

[@suzonlommel3737]

Most tap water is safe, but in places like Flint, Michigan, it is definitely not OK to drink.

[@crystalchapman8920]

If you look at the receipt for your groceries, there are taxable and untaxable items (each item gets a code so the cash register can calculate the tax). Generally, necessities like food are not taxed; while items that are considered unnecessary are taxed, this would include sodas, candy, pet foods, and food consumed on the premises. At least this is what I found in New York and Pennsylvania. So, when I do my weekly grocery shopping, I may only pay 1 or 2 dollars more since I'm buying mostly food items.

[@am74343]

In America we put everything in the refrigerator because we still have an innate old-fashioned mentality that it's very far from our homes to the shopping areas, so we want to keep all of our foods from spoiling as long as we can. And in many places such as rural counties of Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Kansas, etc... it can still be 1-2 hours to get from your home to a town to go to the grocery store. So having proper refrigeration and food storage is crucial to make sure that food lasts as long as possible.

[@patstokes7040]

Why would we waste are time going shopping if we can refrigerate. That isn't old fashion in fact we have only had the luxury of refrigeration for just 100 years. Without refrigeration truck and train cars we wouldn't begetting the fresh head of lettuce in the middle of summer . I'm always surprised how people think things have always been as they are.

[@davidheiser2225]

Or it could simply be that cold milk is much more palatable than room-temperature milk.