How American people view Europe after first time visiting. Specially after exploring more than one country in Europe ?
Posted by EdAlex1993@reddit | AskAnAmerican | View on Reddit | 95 comments
Genuinely interested to know people experiences and you guys see us here in Europe.
Ok-Energy-9785@reddit
It's just a place. Europeans think about Americans way more than Americans think about them.
Bright_Ices@reddit
I don’t think that’s a fair statement at all. You’re just on the Anti-America subreddit.
Ok-Energy-9785@reddit
It's not based on this sub. It's all over social media. You always have some weirdo asking random people on the street about the country.
Bright_Ices@reddit
In the US? Are you talking about in videos online? Sorry just not understanding the situation here.
Ok-Energy-9785@reddit
Yeah online. People all over the world ask random people questions about Americans. I seriously have never seen one asking Americans about Europeans. And if they exist please send a link.
Bright_Ices@reddit
Well, this channel did a whole bunch of them in different Asian countries several years ago. This is one example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7l2Iu8IdIM
Beneficial-Pitch-430@reddit
No they don’t.
Ok-Energy-9785@reddit
Yes they do
tetlee@reddit
Would be hard not to right now when we just nearly doubled their gas prices for no reason
Ok-Energy-9785@reddit
So you just proved my point
Beneficial-Pitch-430@reddit
No, it means when big country makes stupid decision that effects everyone, you obviously think ‘for fuck sake’.
Just like if China said ‘no more production for America’ and crashed the economy. ‘For fuck sake’
Just like if Russia starts a war……
Ok-Energy-9785@reddit
Again, you just proved my point that Europeans think about Americans way more than the other way around.
Americans don't ask Chinese or Russian people what they think of us.
Beneficial-Pitch-430@reddit
Because your cultures don’t align in the same way… but plenty of Americans use the askbrits and asktheworld subs.
Ok-Energy-9785@reddit
Idk what that means. Our cultures not aligning should make us more curious. Why would you be more curious towards a culture that is more similar to you?
Beneficial-Pitch-430@reddit
Because generally you have no interest in cultures that are very different. You can visit the UK or even large parts of Europe and know most of them will speak English, it’ll have a lot of similar home comforts, familiar cars and food.
You could visit rural France or Spain and they will likely still speak English and serve you a burger.
Not something that can be said about visiting China or Korea for example.
Ok-Energy-9785@reddit
So you're saying Europeans arent really interested in the world, just countries that are so called similar to them. By your logic the French should be way more interested in African countries since they shared a strong history through colonization and a shared language. The Brits should be much more interested in india and Nigeria because they share the same language are more recently tied to each other through colonization. Plus they make up way more of the immigrant population than Americans do
Beneficial-Pitch-430@reddit
Not in any way. I’m saying if you just want a nice holiday somewhere that is going to be familiar and not put you out of your comfort zone, you’d head to Western Europe, specifically tourist areas.
Your reply makes no sense. By what logic would the French be more interested in Africa? It shares barely any culture, food, comforts etc. Same with Brits in India. Almost like you’ve not even read my reply…
Ok-Energy-9785@reddit
Yet most Americans internationally travel to Mexico and the Caribbean for vacation, not Europe.
As for your question try reading my comment because I explain why they would be.
Beneficial-Pitch-430@reddit
Because it’s close… like most British travel to France, Spain or Greece. It’s a choice between a very expensive holiday and very long flight vs a much cheaper holiday, short flight with the same benefits..
Yes I read your reply. You’ve ignored all the reasoning in my previous reply. You want a nice family holiday, you go somewhere familiar, no stress, easy. Food that you like, people that speak English… a French person visiting Africa or Brit visiting India is not that.
In the same way that an American visiting China would not be that.
Ok-Energy-9785@reddit
Indians do speak English and Africans speak french. Those places are also closer to Europe than America is. My point still stands that Europeans only care about countries that are "close" or similar to them which means they don't actually care about learning the world and ironically do what they bash Americans for doing.
tetlee@reddit
Yes .. because I was agreeing - well done figuring that out lol.
But really politically they are almost entirely focused internally after this week's election. Still pissed at the price of gas though.
Ok-Energy-9785@reddit
We wouldn't be asking them what they think of us or what going to school is like over there because why would be care?
tetlee@reddit
I guess you've never been to r/askbrits
Ok-Energy-9785@reddit
I have. I ask about 007, Harry Potter, raye, Adele, and the spice girls. You know, normal stuff that define British culture.
KeyJunket1175@reddit
Brits absolutely do. More than about their neighbors in their own continent.
Beneficial-Pitch-430@reddit
Americans are far more culturally similar to the British, so it’s not a massive surprise that they would more closely align with them than the French. In the same way that Americans more closely align with the British or Canadians over Mexicans.
That is not to say that each culture constantly thinks about the other.
The only reason America is often mentioned right now is because of trumps unpredictably, which obviously effects everyone, not just Europe.
Before Trump was in the headlines every 10 minutes, America was just America and got on with its own thing. It was just there.
KeyJunket1175@reddit
It is not as much surprising as irrational or even annoying. It is comparing apples to oranges, and most just parrot outdated stereotypes. For example, mention to any Brit how crap NHS is, and see how many will say "Yes but America will bankrupt you if you cough" and conclude everything is ok. Rather than looking at how NHS service and access is at best at the level of the poorest EU nations. Such a counter productive coping mechanism.
Creepy_Wash338@reddit
I am an American living in Spain. That is not true. Every country has their own politics and celebrities and culture. I would say Europeans are less obsessed with the USA than Americans think. However, the US is hugely powerful and when you have an idiot in charge making decisions that directly affect Europe, yes they are forced to think about America.
Ok-Energy-9785@reddit
I mean look on social media. It's all of them asking about America 24/7. You even have Europeans asking weird questions like OP's post all of the time.
Beneficial-Pitch-430@reddit
lol what. No it’s not. This sub is specifically built to ASK AN AMERICAN. It is asking for an Americans view of European countries after visiting.
Just like there are subs called ‘AskBrits’ ‘Asktheworld’.
Absolutely mad to get pissy at people for asking an Americans opinion when the entire point of this sub is to ask an Americans opinion.
Ok-Energy-9785@reddit
Notice I said social media and not askanamerican.
Beneficial-Pitch-430@reddit
Yes, funnily enough we have access to social media and it is absolutely not full of Brits asking about America.
However my YouTube is actually full of Americans who have moved to the UK/Europe and documenting the differences..
Ok-Energy-9785@reddit
That doesn't mean I'm wrong. You have Europeans in this sub right now on this post justifying why they think about Americans more than Americans think about them.
Beneficial-Pitch-430@reddit
Because some of the American views are just ridiculously stereotyped or just plainly false, which is why people comment.
In the same way that in askbrits, Americans ask questions and other Americans come and comment with agreements or stereotypes.
Ok-Energy-9785@reddit
What exactly is stereotyped or false? It's true that Europeans pay more attention to US politics than Americans pay to European politics. It's true that Americans are more insulated than Europeans, which is funny because Europeans get mad at Americans for not thinking about them more often.
Beneficial-Pitch-430@reddit
The way you describe it is as if we purposely want to think about America. This is not true. The only reason we have American politics in our media recently is because of Trump and his utter ridiculousness.
In the same way Chinese politics would be in your news a lot if a five year old took over, slapped you with a million tariffs and then threatened all its neighbours like Japan and Korea.
Literally no one is ‘mad’ at you for not thinking about Europe. This is what I mean. Like.. no one cares. All we want is for Trump to STFU and just have life go back to normal.
Ok-Energy-9785@reddit
You all have been obsessed with US politics before Trump ever took office. I guess he is the reason OP cares so much what Americans think of Europe.
-lousyd@reddit
I traveled across the Netherlands. Man those people are busy. Always coming and going. Got yelled at by someone passing me on a bike, I think just for fun. It wasn't anything I was doing. Lots of trains. So busy.
Standing2Close@reddit
You should use more ice in your drinks.
GrunchWeefer@reddit
Also the whole paying for water thing is obnoxious. I feel like I even got a little attitude for asking for tap water in some places. And the lack of places to fill a water bottle. I couldn't find a single water fountain in the airport in Milan. Are Europeans just in a constant state of severe dehydration? Is that why they die so readily whenever it gets above room temperature outside?
Beneficial-Pitch-430@reddit
That’s a very specific experience. Not something I know.. tap water is a legal requirement in most European countries. When did you visit?
Both_Painter_9186@reddit
Nah. This is defacto in all of Western and Southern Europe. Been to 18 European countries and the UK, countless times. Ready access to water is a chore. Restaurants might only give you one tiny glass for a two hour meal, act like your asking for a blowjob if you want more. Theirs no where to fill up water bottles. You can buy bottles of water but it’s not as common or easy as here and theirs no where to recycle it.
And Euros are always dehydrated. I’ve been hiking all over the place. Could be on a mountain and some Brit will have a single 16ounce water bottle for a 10 mile trek.
GooseyDuckDuck@reddit
Absolutely not the case at all.
Beneficial-Pitch-430@reddit
Literally live in the UK, have been all over.. have never experienced what you’re describing. Water is everywhere.. usually asking for water at a restaurant you’ll be given a jug which is refilled.
Recycling is literally everywhere in the UK.
When abroad we only drink bottled water which is abundant and we usually buy in 5L bottles to refill smaller bottles.
Maybe in the US it’s even more abundant!
GooseyDuckDuck@reddit
You ask, you get.
Antioch666@reddit
This is what many fellow Americans don't get. We go there with an expectation that it'll be the same as hone.
The concept that they cater to the preferences of the people there over what we Americans prefer is so foreign. Then we bitch about it when it could be easily solved by asking.
I have never had any issues getting tap water or ice if I ask during my travels.
mommawolf2@reddit
Yeah as an American in the UK I've never had an issue with ice in my drinks , however I do miss free refills on soft drinks lol
GooseyDuckDuck@reddit
Yeah, free refill is a rarity, I think even Nando’s has stopped it?
BrunesOvrBrauns@reddit
Wow it's like we won the war for nothing
/s
Standing2Close@reddit
Ice ice baby
MolllyPerkinss@reddit
i think we've had enough of ICE lol
John-Dune-Awakening@reddit
Living in Europe currently for the past 5 years, plus another 5 years before that with a few years in the States in between.
Countries lived in: Germany, UK, Poland, Turkey. Visited: Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, France, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands, Finland, Croatia, Montenegro.
It's difficult to make sweeping views considering the vast differences between countries out here. My favorite parts were mostly in Germany with the frequent festivals and its autobahn system. It also has the best drivers.
My least favorite things: everything closes very early and most places are closed on Sundays. Air conditioning is scarce. People park on both sides of what are already very narrow roads. Lack of parking availability.
Leverkaas2516@reddit
A lot depends on whether one visits as a tourist, alone or with a partner/group, or for business, or to visit relatives, etc.
My first time in Europe was with another American and we saw Neuschwanstein, the Louvre, Champs Elyseés, Notre Dame...and never talked to anyone else for longer than 3 minutes. I saw a vibrant culture brimming with history and beauty. But I didn't really experience much.
FunTricky903@reddit
Where in Europe?
EdAlex1993@reddit (OP)
Spain, Italy, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Greece, UK per say :)
Bright_Ices@reddit
Those are all very different places.
I’ve been to parts of Spain, mostly Madrid and Southern Spain. Loved it mostly. Gorgeous cities and fishing towns. I loved seeing the super old buildings that changed hands several times during and after various wars. Loved learning about Muslim art.
I found the eating schedule quite challenging, especially the extra light breakfasts. I never feel good after eating sweet foods for breakfast, and there were so many places that mostly just had coffee and pastries. The toasts that had been whispered at by a garlic bulb and a tomato were okay, but it just was never enough to leave me feeling ready for the day. And then I kept forgetting to eat at the other mealtimes, so everything would be closed by the time I was hungry.
I did enjoy tapas when we made it somewhere for them in time! And it was wonderful to have so much good seafood (compared to my landlocked state that’s 1200 km from the nearest ocean, ie more than the entire width of Spain).
Ended up in Gibraltar one night because of an unexpected transit strike and absolutely hated it there. Had a nice full English breakfast there, though. Don’t think I can really count the UK as somewhere I’ve been just because of that single night and morning. I did experience the overly serious guards in big hats, though. They do not want to be friends.
Snawer_brillant@reddit
Does Spain have a lot of Muslims?
Quirky-Invite7664@reddit
We loved Italy! The food was amazing. We got so addicted to the coffee, it was so good we were drinking 10 cups/day by the end of our vacation. We visited several cities. The Amalfi Coast was incredible.
We didn’t like that people don’t line up in a queue, they just push and shove.
sadthrow104@reddit
Thats interesting. I never noticed queues being an issue anywhere in Italy….
kit-kat315@reddit
I once disappointed someone in the UK by saying it was geographically the same as back home (upstate NY). They both have fields with livestock, rolling hills, rivers and rainy climate.
Many_Pea_9117@reddit
I love Spain. Very pretty, lots of things I wish we had more of in the US like jamon, the beautiful castillos, the late night hours for restaurants being more commonplace.
Italy is gorgeous, but it is sad the state of its economy. My grandfather was born in Italy, and it has changed dramatically in the past century. I am proud of my heritage, but I dont feel much of a personal connection to the country. Of course the food and culture is beautiful.
I have family in Sweden, though I have never been. The Nordic countries have gotten many things right, but they are not so perfect as they may believe. Such is true of many countries and people's.
Polish people seem more cynical, and I agree with their cynicism. They seem the most grounded, if theyre educated, of most Europeans. I did a study abroad in Eastern Europe that was primarily focused on the Balkans, so I spent a few months studyijg and wandering through Croatia, Serbia, Greece, and Turkey. This was in the 2000s, and it also has changed dramatically.
I would say I tend to get along best with my slav friends. Theyre both hospitable and have a darker world view which I also share. I am an American, so I remain hopeful for the future, but I think many Americans, and I suppose many Western Europeans share this, are far too insular and take a lot for granted.
Europeans are good people who share our values, and when theyre educated I get along well with them. The uneducated folk are much like ours, and they hold views I dont agree with. That is similar for the whole world, really.
People who are more educated and have been exposed to other cultures tend to be understanding, and if you really pay attention, then you are grateful for when life is good and you work to prtest your family and can bond with those who share these values.
kit-kat315@reddit
Your old things are older. And you have castles, so that's cool.
People are pretty much the same the world over.
Bright_Ices@reddit
Not true, however, of breakfast options and meal times in general. I’m used to most places being open all day!
kit-kat315@reddit
True! If I want an early breakfast in Europe, I'm usually stuck with an American chain. Or picking up pastries the day before.
Bright_Ices@reddit
It’s the midday closures in Spain that were hard for me. A few places in my area close between, say, 3 and 5pm, but there are probably 200 other options that are open, including 20 within a couple minutes walking or driving. It was hard to adjust to not being able to buy a full meal before 11am, and then everything everywhere shuts down again at 2pm.
One time, between the hours of 11:30pm one day and and 5pm the next, I only had a coffee and a small piece of toast (at the city we left that day), a prepackaged convenience store mini muffin (in the small town where we arrived exhausted and slept through lunch), and half a granola bar my friend had brought from home and was kind enough to share.
I did insist we visit a touristy breakfast place in Madrid, toward the end of our trip because I was just desperate for eggs and potatoes! But then we ended up missing lunch again that day lol.
UnknowableDuck@reddit
This.
Different languages, sometimes Different Holidays and Poltics but ultimately people are the same everywhere. Reading first hand accounts from the past and you'll find a lot of similarities.
Dgp68824402@reddit
I have visited Belgium, Germany and Romania (business travel) and loved every experience.
mtcwby@reddit
There's good and bad like any other place. You roll with the differences and try to take the good back with you. Ours was to embrace the higher fat butter and the joy of a good boulangerie with ham, butter and cheese on a baguette. Thankfully good bakeries have become a thing near home in the last 15 years.
Both_Painter_9186@reddit
Suck it up and get air conditioning already.
Always_Reading_1990@reddit
This is my only major gripe with Europe tbh. I’ve been to Spain, France, Italy, and Greece in the summer, and all of them were way too hot to not need AC.
Both_Painter_9186@reddit
Even the UK dude. I’ve been 3 of the last 5 summers. It gets nearly as hot in June/July as it does in the Mid Atlantic US. The Brits are also visibly miserable too, but try to pretend it’s fine.
Always_Reading_1990@reddit
I’ve only been to the UK in January so I wasn’t sure, but that doesn’t surprise me
sadthrow104@reddit
For some reason public facing toilets in France (including in the hotels) do not have lids 🤮
majortomandjerry@reddit
I love Europe and dream of moving there. But I need a well paying job right now. In most scenarios, Americans can't get local jobs in Europe. Most countries offer retiree visas. Many offer digital nomad visas. But those wouldn't work for me. I also hear the job market kind of sucks in many European countries
intadtraptor@reddit
Visited France and England in 1998, right before the world cup. My takeaways:
Y’all are freaking nuts about soccer/football in a way I never understood.
Y’all’s opposition to cold drinks alone was worth the American Revolution.
Beautiful countryside in both nations.
People were more welcoming of us than I expected. Other than a few Clinton jokes, I didn’t feel much anti American bias. That may have changed in the intervening decades…can’t say I’d blame you.
IrishFlukey@reddit
Soccer is the biggest sport in most, though not all European countries. Hurling and Gaelic Football here in Ireland, being a prime example. If you were there right before the World Cup, then the interest would have been particularly intense. France were hosting and England always goes into hype-overdrive for the World Cup.
West_Guidance2167@reddit
It was nice. Glad to come back home though.
Outlaw_Josie_Snails@reddit
I've visited Spain, Italy, Portugal, France and Greece. All have been wonderful experiences.
ZaphodG@reddit
My first trips to Europe were in the 1960s as a child. I have a lifetime of frequent business and leisure travel.
The Rick Steves group tour middle class first trip to Europe the typical American experiences on their first trip doesn’t take tourists too far out of their comfort zone.
TheLeopardMedium@reddit
Loved it, mainly for the beautiful historic architecture and the density/walkability of cites. People in the places where I went were really welcoming and warm, and the food was great and the beer was cheap. I can't wait to spend more time all throughout Europe.
mommawolf2@reddit
I mean where in Europe? Each country/region is different. We don't see Europeans as all the same?
EdAlex1993@reddit (OP)
It’s more broad question :) you can share your experience from last country you visited !
Many_Pea_9117@reddit
Most recently I spent ten days traveling through England and Scotland and really enjoyed my time there. People loved to have good frank conversations with us about the state of world affairs. It was interesting to hear people ask us about America, many having never been. I enjoyed the curiosity the British had for us, since I had not spent so much time outside London last time I was in the UK. I was mostly in Northumbria and along the east coast, so it was very enlightening. Great fish and chips.
wx_rebel@reddit
There's a lot more variance per country than I expected. In the US you can experience a lot of slightly different cultures that vary by state. You all have greatly different cultures and languages condensed into a much smaller area. Romania is different from Bulgaria which is different from Germany and so on.
The mountains are gorgeous. As are the castles, palaces, and churches.
D-ouble-D-utch@reddit
I lived in Europe for 5 years. Greece, France, Scotland. Visited a lot more. Loved it.
MrLongWalk@reddit
I hate these questions
Trygveseim@reddit
I had a really hard time relaxing. I felt on edge a lot with the amount of scammers and soliciting near all the major tourist traps. And it seemed like nobody liked it but no enforcement around it.
DickFartButt@reddit
Something that got me when I started traveling was the lack of culture shock that I experienced. Maybe because I research the places I'm traveling to as much as I can beforehand, maybe it's because much of Europe has been americanised, idk.
Federal-Membership-1@reddit
We loved every visit so far. We can't wait to get back. We would really like to do an extended stay of 6 months or more once we fully retire.
Internal_Kangaroo570@reddit
The first time I visited Europe was when I took a three month backpacking trip through the Balkans. Found people there very friendly and genuinely curious about meeting an outsider, especially in the smaller towns or less traveled parts. I’d say Greeks, Serbs, Bosnians and Albanians were the friendliest, some even offering me complimentary drinks or food at their establishments just because I was an outsider. Also a lot of youth who wanted to practice English would come and talk to me, which I really enjoyed getting to talk with them. After having been to other parts of Europe, I really think the people in the Balkans were the friendliest.
skilletjlc4@reddit
I loved it and I want to go back. Not sure I could live there because the US has more conveniences.
ChilindriPizza@reddit
It depends a lot on the country.
Northern Europe reminds me of the USA. Southern Europe reminds me of Latin America. France is a transitional zone.
BulkyTiger8706@reddit
A lot of Americans go to Europe and realize it’s not “one place” at all. People arrive thinking Europe is one giant aesthetic Pinterest board then get humbled when Spain, Germany, Italy, Poland, and the UK all feel culturally different enough to be separate planets. Also Americans come back obsessed with trains, bread, and the fact you can casually walk places without playing Frogger across 8 lanes of traffic.
Gavacho123@reddit
I have been a couple of times to Italy and Switzerland , I have also visited the UK. I have a high opinion of Europe and European people . The food is exceptional and the scenery and peace are beautiful, I noticed the absence of grossly obese people which was nice. I would love to spend more time with y’all.
Major_Enthusiasm1099@reddit
Beautiful continent, nice people. But like any country. There are nice people and there are fools. There see good areas and there are bad