American Things Europeans Can't Understand (2023)

Introduction

There are lots of strange cultural differences between america and europe, but some of the differences are so strange, even europeans can't understand american customs.
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Content

- [Narrator] While, the culture of the United States, is exported all over the world in films and on TV.

It also abides by some laws and practices that many consider unusual.

Europeans in particular, seem to have a hard time wrapping their heads around some of them.

From child beauty, pageants to gun laws.

Let's take a look at some American things that Europeans can't understand.

(upbeat music) Sick of Commercials.

If you're, a European enjoying a cozy night in on the couch in America, some of the stuff on TV may shock and surprise you., And no, I'm, not talking about 'keeping Up with the Kardashians'.

I'm talking about commercials, which arrive so frequently.

It makes watching TV feel almost unbearable to anyone unaccustomed to it.

- Seals leaks, instantly. - [Narrator] Especially pharmaceutical commercials, which usually show grumpy men and women turned into smiling.

Happy people by the product being sold.

These are usually followed by an almost comically-long list of potential side.

Effects, spoken at double speed., Like, Ambien, ad: - [Announcer] As well as abnormal behavior, such as being more outgoing or aggressive than normal, confusion, agitation and hallucinations may occur.

Don't.

Take it with alcohol as it may increase these behaviors.

Allergic reactions such as shortness of breath, swelling of your tongue or throat may occur and in rare cases, may be fatal.

Side effects may include next day, drowsiness, dizziness and headache, impatience, with depression, worsening of depression, including risk of suicide.

May occur.

- [Narrator] These types of direct-to-consumer commercials peddle prescription drugs, which is an advertising standard that was rejected by the European Commission back in 2002., The commission stated that pharmaceutical companies were unable to provide impartial information on their medicines.

If.

That's the case.

Why is it practiced in America?? To? Put it simply, there's simply never been a federal law passed to outlaw the practice.

This is in no small part thanks to the fact that direct-to-consumer drugs and their accompanying ads are a huge business.

And in America, whether it's right or wrong.

The rules tend to follow.

The money.

Europeans might actually need a pill for the headache.

All those ads give them.

'may cause drowsiness, loss of limbs, telepathic powers and a violent hatred of cheese.' No Place, Like, Home.

Let's, say you're a European who's just moved over to America.

You've found a house in a nice residential neighborhood, and you're, going through your bills.

Rent, water, gas, electric all seems in order, but wait a second.

What's a Homeowners Association Fee? To a native, that's a pretty obvious question.

But for Europeans.

It's an unwelcome, surprise.

These fees contributes to the local Homeowners Association, which is somewhat like a neighborhood watch, but managing funds to be reinvested into the community.

It goes towards things like residential maintenance and common spaces, which keeps residents happy and property values.

Up.

With around 24% of all Americans living under a Homeowner's Association.

They pay 200 to $300 dollars on average per month in fees to these entities.

Now.

Whilst some Europeans might struggle with this concept, it was a form of governance that was actually invented by France back in 1804.

The Condominium Law was exported to the US, where it became incredibly popular.

So, for any European.

That wants to complain about homeowner regulations and fees, feel free to blame.

The French.

Vacant Vacation Days.

The USA has one of the largest economies in the world.

A 'tremendous' economy, in the president's words.

But Europeans looking to get into the American world of work are often shocked when it comes to vacation.

Time.

US workers are not entitled to mandatory paid vacation at all.

Usually.

The issue of paid leave is left at the discretion of employers, and yes, that does include national holidays.

According to research from the US bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2017, only 77% of American workers had access to paid vacation.

Now.

The reason that might leave Europeans slack-jawed is because mandatory paid vacation time in Europe starts at four weeks.

In fact, America is one of the only western countries where law doesn't enforce companies to give its employees mandatory, paid vacation, time.

Don't believe me? Take.

A look at this map breaking down mandatory paid vacation time by country.

Only the gray countries are known not to give paid time.

Off.

It's a working culture that undoubtedly favors employers over employees.

Americans, might wanna think about learning.

Chinese instead.

As employers in China must legally offer five days of holiday.

Although, that is, after one continuous year of work., Win some, lose some, I guess.

Florida, Man.

If, the American States could be looked at as a dysfunctional family.

Then Florida would be the weird uncle who once ran away with the circus and wrestled a tiger.

The Sunshine state is the third most populous state in the USA, and receives over 100 million visitors year on year.

With.

So many people living between Miami, Beach, Disneyland and Pensacola, a little crazy, is bound to be found on the fringes of society.

But.

What Europeans aren't prepared for are the crazy antics of Floridians that make daily headlines.

From 'florida man believed that he was Half.

Man, Half Dog' in March 2019, to 'florida man robs bank, strips naked, then runs down the street.

Throwing stolen money everywhere' in July 2017.

You can search the internet for almost any day of the year and find a headline announcing.

'florida Man' has committed an utterly baffling.

Crime.

There doesn't seem to be an equivalent for any European countries.

Although the UK comes close with some of its questionable journalism, topics, like 'britain's, Fattest, Woman, Ate, Fridge and Died'.

Let me know the funniest local headlines, you've ever seen at stories@beamazed.com., VAT Trouble., In Europe, like most of the world, tax, is built into the price of items in store and online; so.

What you see on the tag is what you pay.

But Europeans visiting an American store, might be left doing a double take at their bill when they reach the register.

There is no national sales tax or value added tax in America., Instead, American taxes differ by jurisdiction, of which there are around 7,000.

Differences in these local rates, state, taxes, or combined state and local taxes means that final prices for the same item can differ from one street to the next.

For first-time shoppers in the US.

This unpleasant surprise is a rite of passage that no one asked for., Tipping Point.

A meal at a restaurant can be a real treat, but Europeans visiting America, sometimes stress about the tip.

Although tipping anywhere up to 20%, seems normal to most Americans, there's no such obligation in Europe.

Indeed.

It's mostly seen as a bonus reward for good service, and in some European countries it's even considered rude and excessive to leave a tip.

The, American federal, government, however, states.

That tips can be used to satisfy the difference between the employee's hourly wage and the standard minimum wage.

This means food.

Servers, valets and in-house staff in certain states can be working for a federal wage of just $2.13 per hour, which is about €1.96.

So.

If you're, a European visitor to the States, get ready to factor in your tip to the overall price of your meal., You might well be contributing to a struggling waiter's.

Rent.

Child, Beauty, Pageants.

If.

You've ever been unfortunate enough to have watched an episode of 'toddlers and Tiaras' on TLC, I.

Think you might side with the Europeans on next matter.

Child Beauty Pageants are common across America, and usually consist of dolled-up little girls being thrust onto a stage to entertain a crowd of screaming moms.

It's, truly bizarre.

But.

What's equally strange, is how the craze got.

Started.

Child pageants originated from American 'better Baby Contests' in the early 20th century.

Babies would be scored on characteristics like weight, quality of skin, and face shape, supposedly in the name of helping to educate mothers on best practices for healthy, babies.

But of course.

It wasn't just for education purposes.

There were also cash rewards and trophies for top ranking.

Toddlers.

This has slowly devolved into the bedazzled tradition of pushing a child on stage in full make-up and styled hair to do a dance routine for prize money.

Although.

Some European countries host similar but smaller events, others like France, have gone as far as to ban all such pageants, claiming they're an unhealthy way to treat young girls.

If.

You ask me.

Their general creepiness alone should be enough to slam the brakes on child beauty, pageants., Honey, Boo, Boo?, No, thanks., Size, Is, Everything.

According to an old saying, 'everything's Bigger in Texas'.

But.

If you're, a European you'll, probably think that about all of America, right down to its people.

It's, no secret.

That America has a little bit of a weight, problem.

Two thirds of American adults, classify as overweight, and it's estimated that almost 40% of adults in the US aged 20 and over are obese.

Contrasted to Europe, where a survey carried out in 2014 labeled, just 15% of adults, obese.

That's, a king-sized difference, with a side of fries.

The American tendency to overeat, might have something to do with portion sizes.

In the States.

A study, comparing portions in Paris and Philadelphia revealed food outlet, portions were 25% larger in Philly.

And, a review of 17 different single-serve foods, like yogurt and candy bars, found that 14 of them were bigger in Philadelphia.

While.

A one-state-to-one-country comparison doesn't necessarily represent the whole, Europeans on social media.

Often comment on how much bigger everything seems.

State-Side.

Have.

You noticed this difference in portion.

Sizes? Let me know in the comments below, bonus points for food puns., Oh, Sugar.

Living in America can really give you a taste for the sweet life, but your teeth won't.

Thank you for it.

Why? Well, some American foods and drinks have been found to contain huge amounts of sugar compared to their European equivalents.

Some common bread brands contain up to six grams of sugar per serving; six times the amount found in European counterparts.

But.

It doesn't end there.

Taking, a look at Pizza Hut's sugar content reveals most of their Stateside.

Pizzas, have close to double the amount of sugar per slice as European versions.

And in Starbucks, a UK 'venti' White Chocolate Mocha will contain 62.4 grams of sugar, but in America that shoots up to 72 grams.

I've heard of sweetening the deal, but any Europeans making the trip across the Atlantic might leave suffering from toothache.

Gaps In.

The Market.

European standards of building a public restroom involve plenty of privacy, mainly in the form of cubicles, with doors that are more door than gap.

Seems obvious.

But it's a standard that Americans just can't seem to adopt.

With, ridiculously large gaps at the top, bottom and sides.

It makes for a truly uncomfortable first visit to an American toilet for unwitting visitors.

On.

Their first time, Europeans are left feeling, especially susceptible to unwelcome visitors and peeping toms.

Some people even resort to tapping up the gap to prevent prying eyes, looking in.

But as strange as the design seems.

There are some theories as to why Americans build their stalls.

This way.

For a start, high floor-gaps, allow for easier cleaning, and they do make it simpler to pass toilet paper from one cubicle to another.

On top of that.

The vertical gaps act as a deterrent for anyone.

Thinking of doing anything, naughty behind closed doors., But, there's always the chance you might accidentally get a real eyeful.

Maybe.

Just close your eyes before entering any American restrooms.

Triggered.

It strikes many Europeans as a bit odd that in America you can pick up your groceries from one aisle of a store, and a gun from another.

Indeed.

You can buy guns over the counter in places like Walmart, and ammo can be found in pharmacies.

But, seeing as guns are still legal in many parts of Europe.

What is it that Europeans find weird about the gun-loving, rifle-wielding, second-amendment-touting American citizen? It might have something to do with America's gun-related death-rates, seeing as, per capita.

There were 12 gun-related deaths for every 100,000 people in America, in 2017.

Very few European countries exceed three gun-related deaths per 100,000 people, and none even come close to America's 12 per 100,000.

The causes of the problem are fiercely debated, but it might have something to do with how easy it is to buy a gun.

Background checks are usually carried out, but a research survey from Harvard in 2015 estimated that a third of Americans gun owners have purchased a firearm without a background.

Check.

In Europe, many countries like Austria and Germany require would-be gun owners to go through a rigorous seven-step procedure before owning a gun.

High-Caliber handguns are outright banned in the UK, and many categories of semi-automatic weapons are illegal to own across Europe.

It's, simply much harder to legally purchase a gun in Europe than it is in the US, which I'm sure is a trigger point for some.

Have.

You noticed any All-American quirks of your own? Let me know in the comments section below.

Thanks for watching.

(upbeat music).