There’s quite a bit to like about Europe, and possibly loads of issues to be pissed off with, however general: it’s an unimaginable place with a wealthy historical past, tradition, and life. Listed below are a couple of of my favourite cultural habits I discovered from residing in Europe
From earlier than I even visited Europe, I all the time considered myself as European. After all, technically, I wasn’t. However for some cause it was simply an id I felt utilized to my self. A part of that was a mirrored image of my queer id earlier than I ultimately got here out.
Keep in mind these “homosexual or European” Tumblrs? I simply thought I used to be European. Seems, I believe I’m each.
By the point I did go to Europe (first once I was 16—a household journey by way of the UK), I knew it was a spot price exploring. Repeat journeys—solo, with mates, or with household—cemented the continent into my id. I studied European historical past, researched European artwork, discovered European languages, and ultimately discovered a strategy to dwell there.
Quite a lot of Individuals search for methods to dwell in Europe. There’s one thing concerning the stereotypical bits of European tradition which might be universally enticing. Residing in Europe isn’t straightforward and possibly isn’t for everybody, however after seven (SEVEN!) years residing in Europe, there are definitely quite a lot of elements of European tradition and way of life that I’m very keen on. And issues that I positively miss now that I’m residing again in America once more.
Right here’s what I discovered to like whereas residing in Europe… And please, earlier than anybody indignant will get at me, these are issues I noticed and skilled over seven years in Europe.
European Tradition
The very best issues I discovered from residing in Europe
Socialism is okay
Europe’s political methods could seem complicated at first to outsiders, however after years of residing in an setting the place socialist rules are a suitable and respected a part of authorities coverage, there’s no query in my thoughts that it’s a viable answer for a lot of the world. If it really works for the Europe way of life, why not elsewhere?
Many social companies reminiscent of training and healthcare have develop into out-of-reach for too many Individuals, however in quite a lot of Europe, not solely are they offered safely and affordably, they’re merely accessible.
Recycling is important and very important
If there’s one factor I discovered from residing in Germany, it was an absolute and whole respect for the setting. There’s an pressing want to unravel our local weather disaster and recycling (together with the discount of plastic use) are very important to saving our planet.
In Europe, reusable grocery luggage are the norm, as is sorting your recycling by glass sort, plastic, natural, and digital trash. The behavior is ingrained from a younger age that means that recycling is the norm moderately than an impressive act.
The metric system is superior
It simply makes extra sense and nobody goes to persuade me in any other case. Meters and centimeters are a lot extra helpful than inches and toes. It’s extra exact and makes measuring issues extra enjoyable.
Celsius is best than Fahrenheit
I do know this comes down t private choice, however as a result of the whole world besides the USA makes use of celsius for temperature reporting, it simply is smart to make use of celsius. Plus, for me, the numbers simply work higher in my thoughts.
Paper sizing is foolish, however helpful
Sorry America, however one other measurement system you bought unsuitable is with paper sizes. The A-series paper formatting works so significantly better and really suits inside a sensible ratio.
The US Letter paper dimension is clunky and awkward, whereas an A4 paper dimension works completely in mathematical combos (put two A4 items collectively and also you’ve obtained an A3). It appears higher and works higher.
The 24-hour clock needs to be the norm
We referred to as it navy time within the USA, however a 24-hour clock is just about the norm in most of Europe. Once more, it simply makes SO MUCH SENSE! Why do we’ve to specify a.m. and p.m. after we can really use numbers to ensure we present up on the proper time?
WhatsApp is the one messaging app you want
It’s protected, it’s safe, and even when it’s owned by Fb, it’s the one messaging app I belief. I believe as a result of Europeans don’t personal as many iPhones as we do in America (they’re cost-prohibitive in quite a lot of Europe), a lot of the inhabitants makes use of WhatsApp to speak—and in truth, it’s only a higher app than iMessage or texting.
Group chats and safe storage make it infinitely helpful and enjoyable to make use of.
Consuming in public isn’t shameful or odd – the European way of life!
It’s not universally accepted throughout Europe, however due to a decrease consuming age (between 16 and 18 for many European international locations), consuming tradition is vastly totally different than in America.
First off, due to the decrease consuming ages and the overall acceptance of beer and wine within the native meals tradition throughout the continent, it’s simply much less of a difficulty quite a lot of occasions.
In order that’s why it’s usually acceptable to drink in lots of public locations—parks, generally on the subways, out of doors occasions, and so forth. Beer and wine are sometimes de-stigmatized in European tradition which, personally, I discover refreshing.
Prepare journey is straightforward, protected, dependable, and preferable
There have been numerous occasions the place I might select to journey by way of practice moderately than aircraft in Europe. It was quick, protected, and straightforward and made the expertise of journey simply a lot extra pleasing.
A lot of Europe has invested in commuter journey by way of practice and that’s allowed for a much less impression on the setting than planes.
Strolling & biking are one of the simplest ways to maneuver
As a result of quite a lot of European cities are outdated (and plenty of are small), generally one of the simplest ways to get round is by foot—or higher, by bicycle. There’s a robust biking tradition in Europe which makes for higher well being general.
And bonus: so many European cities have these pretty little cobblestoned streets and strolling at night time by way of a European outdated city is simply so lovely and oddly peaceable. There’s a cause all of us romanticize Paris at night time.
Glowing water is scrumptious
Okay, this was a protracted journey for me, however after some time, I did come to actually love sparking water. It’s ubiquitous throughout Europe. In Germany particularly. (Perhaps that’s as a result of Germany doesn’t actually consider in free faucet water a lot to my frustration.)
Airways will be inexpensive
In Europe, trains are a superior strategy to journey as a result of, effectively, they’re higher for the setting and infrequently will take you metropolis heart to metropolis heart, making it quick and handy.
However Europe’s price range airways are additionally extremely inexpensive and dependable. Everybody likes to hate the price range airways, however in truth they’ve opened up quite a lot of the world for tourism and funding just because their routes are sometimes so inexpensive.
Studying a language is straightforward
Nicely, it’s not SUPER straightforward; it does take some arduous work and dedication. However after years residing in Europe and realizing & loving Europeans, I can categorically say that many Individuals’ concern of studying languages is unwarranted.
There are such a lot of helpful (and even low-cost!) instruments to be taught languages on-line, it may be a completely sensible expertise.
Prime sheets are ineffective
There was a time when this subject grew to become a giant concentrate on Twitter with a reasonably intense debate, however right here’s the gist: prime sheets are ineffective.
eds in Europe are totally different than these you’ll discover in America; it was one of many first cultural issues I needed to adapt to shortly after transferring to Europe. First, bedding is comprised virtually universally of a cover cowl and a single fitted bedsheet.
Field spring mattresses are additionally extraordinarily uncommon in Europe, with most beds manufactured from slotted bed-frames (although I additionally slept in loads of beds that simply sat instantly on the ground).
Borders are meaningless
Residing in Europe, you cross borders commonly. They’re ill-defined and infrequently invisible. It was remarkably straightforward to board trains, and even planes, with out ever displaying an ID. Borders are 100% meaningless and I hope ultimately we’ll dwell in a world the place borders don’t matter as a lot as they appear to in the present day.
Artwork needs to be free
This wasn’t universally widespread throughout Europe, however many museums made their everlasting collections accessible to the general public by way of free admission (very true of London’s many free museums).
Artwork is a crucial a part of historical past and our tradition, and entry to it shouldn’t be restricted. Artwork must be free and obtainable for the larger public good. And, fortunately, quite a lot of European cities and trusts consider that as effectively.
Worth added taxes are higher for the buyer
One of many largest cultural shocks for me upon my return to the USA was the ever-present gross sales tax. In Europe, with the VAT added earlier than the ultimate sale to the buyer, purchasing is a lot easier and consumer-friendly.
You recognize what you’re paying earlier than you get to the register and it’s simply simpler to correctly price range.
Tipping needs to be banned
Don’t freak out, however I consider tipping needs to be banned. The American system which requires tipping for service at eating places is damaged. It permits for serves to not be paid a good, residing wage, after which the slack is picked up by us, the buyer.
It permits for an unequal system which places an excessive amount of strain on the buyer and never sufficient on the enterprise proprietor. The European cultural system of tipping makes a lot extra sense.
Employees are paid pretty and there’s no strain to hurry restaurant-goers out the constructing to get the subsequent tip. It’s simply wise and 1,000,000 occasions extra equitable for customers and employees alike.
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For a very long time, I’ve all the time recognized as European even once I’m not, however fortunately these European cultural habits are simply tailored wherever and in every single place. Europe will all the time maintain a particular place in my coronary heart; it’s why I proceed to go to and possibly I’ll even dwell there once more.
There’s much more to like about Europe, and possibly loads of issues to be pissed off with, however general: it’s an unimaginable place with a wealthy historical past, tradition, and life.
