Europe has a rich cultural history reflected in its music, art, food, and architecture. Because of this heritage, many things are uniquely European and easy to identify. A person on an online travel forum asked other users what they believed were the most European things ever, and some of the responses were surprising.
1. Castles Everywhere
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Having one castle in your town is impressive. Having multiple castles in your village is astounding, yet for Europeans, they’re just a part of the landscape that they see every day. A person on the thread boasted of having a view of two castles from their house, one from their living room window and the other from their kitchen window.
2. Going to the Neighboring Country To Shop
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Thanks to Europe’s open borders policy, residents can take a casual shopping trip to a neighboring country the way Americans visit a mall in the town adjacent to where they live. The freedom to travel between countries without a passport or having to encounter border patrol is second nature to Europeans.
3. Multilingualism
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Thanks to the educational systems in Europe, it’s not unusual for its citizens to speak more than one language, specifically their native language and English. A commenter on the thread jokes, “A person who speaks three languages is called ‘trilingual.’ A person who speaks two languages is called ‘bilingual.’ Someone who only speaks one language is called ‘American.’”
4. Walkable and Bikeable Cities
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The development of European cities occurred centuries before the invention of cars. Their build is in a manner that is very friendly to walkers and bicycle riders. Conversely, many newer American cities were constructed around vehicles, making their streets difficult for walkers and bicyclists to travel safely.
5. Eurovision
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If you’ve never heard of Eurovision, you’re not alone. An international song competition similar to American Idol, Eurovision is a distinctly European phenomenon. Eurovision is a secret guilty pleasure, according to this user, who claims, “It started as a very formal song contest and gradually turned into a festival of politically charged kitschy Europop. Everybody watches it, but nobody wants to admit it.”
6. Cobblestone Streets
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In the United States, seeing a small section of a city with historic cobblestone streets is not unusual. For example, cobblestone streets are present near the Liberty Bell in the Old City section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Because European cities predate the U.S., there are cobblestone streets everywhere.
7. Parental Leave
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European countries provide paid and unpaid leave for mothers and fathers to care for newborns and older children, depending on the country. A contributor to the thread details the parental leave policy in their country: “Here in France, it’s sixteen weeks for moms (six weeks before and ten after the birth), and for dads, it’s twenty-eight days. Sure, after, we can take six months each, but it’s unpaid.”
8. Roundabouts
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While these traffic circles are polarizing in the United States (people either love or loathe them), they are used throughout the European Union to control traffic in small towns and busy metropolitan areas.
9. Ancient Architecture Everywhere
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Europe’s ancient cities have architectural marvels that are hundreds of years old. A person on the thread marvels at the current use of classical buildings: “Having pubs, schools, random post office buildings…older than any construction in America.” Another user writes, “Casually having buildings from millennia ago around you all the time.”
10. Holidays in the Canary Islands
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Vacationing in the Canary Islands is a uniquely European tradition, with people saving their four weeks of paid leave to take an extended holiday at the Spanish island chain every July and August.
A curious traveler on an Ask An American forum wondered what people with foreign families are most shocked about when they come to America. Giant Pizzas, gun culture, and freedom are just some of the biggest culture shocks tourists report experiencing when they touch down in the U S of A.
12 Big Things Other Countries Don’t Understand About America
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America is a vast country comprising 50 states. It is home to many natural wonders and influential talents in the world. Despite political and cultural controversies, many dream about one day visiting the country.
Because of TV and media representation, the dreams people who have never been to America have may be outrageous and far-fetched. For this reason, citizens laugh when they hear what non-citizens think about the country. Americans say these are the top misconceptions and things most folks don’t understand about the U.S.
10 Famous Places People Voted Aren’t Worth the Visit
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Isn’t traveling great? You get to witness various cultures, live new experiences, and see other parts of the world. But with travel comes a reputation for popular destinations, the good, the bad, the overrated, the underrated, etc. Here are a few places tourists in an online travel forum advised against visiting.
Top 10 Countries With the Absolute Worst Cuisine in the World
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Have you encountered a country of terrible foods in your traveling endeavors? You’re not alone. After someone asked travelers, “What country has the worst cuisine overall?” These are the top-voted responses.
15 of the Worst Cities in America To Avoid at All Costs
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The United States is home to many of the most beautiful natural wonders of the world. Unfortunately, it’s also home to cities in steep decline due to increases in poverty, homelessness, and violent and property crimes.
While there are many safe towns and cities in the U.S., some online users from a social media discussion board believe there are some you should avoid.
