Korina Marion Montenid
What sets cultures apart are the people and customs. Some practices apply to one country and not to another, and some do not seem to make sense at all. Check out some customs in Europe that Americans find baffling.
1. Kitchen-Less New Apartments
In German custom, it is normal for apartments to be turned over without kitchens. Usually, kitchen areas are left bare. Kitchens in apartments are so rare that when a woman from Germany once bought a house with its nice little kitchen still intact, she was ecstatic about a great deal.
2. No A/C and Window Screens
While American homes usually have air conditioning units and window screens installed, some houses in Europe don’t. This odd difference usually leaves Americans complaining. First, they have to open the windows for some ventilation but end up fighting off bugs because they all just fly right in.
3. Staring Contest
Being stared at can make people feel uncomfortable, and Germans and Dutch can win staring contests because they stare so intently.
However, some people say this is a cultural thing, which is Europeans’ way of showing you have their full attention. Others say they find it flattering because staring can mean that they appreciate your beauty.
4. Carpeted Bathrooms
Some Americans have confessed to freaking out after seeing carpets in European bathrooms. Of course, molds instantly come to mind.
But, a carpeted bathroom really is normal in the UK, especially in the mid-70s. Some even stretch out and cover the whole bathroom floor.
5. Drinking Carbonated Water
Carbonated water is the default beverage in some European countries. Someone explained that this is because people used to drink tap, which is usually sparkling. And this type of water is found to have health benefits.
Eventually, companies started manufacturing and selling sparkling
6. Plastic Tubs in Sinks
Jack once saw his grandmother put a tub in the sink to wash the dishes. He found it weird and funny. It puzzled him why someone would need a sink in a sink. One explanation is that the extra “sink” is used for dishes that need soaking. With that extra tub, washing can still be done in the other sink.
7. Tilt and Turn Windows
Germans admittedly love good ventilation. Actually, tilt-and-turn windows can leave people in awe. The genius design allows the windows to be tilted up and turned inward after some switching or unhinging. Some are so amazed that they say these windows work under some magic trick.
8. Buying Groceries Every Day
People often go to the supermarket to buy things they need for the week. But in France, grocery shopping is an everyday thing.
Someone explained that it is usually because they like getting something hot or fresh. It is like a baguette that tastes good when freshly baked but becomes hard after a few hours.
9. Poop Shelves in Belgian or Dutch Toilets
If you haven’t seen or used a Dutch or Belgian toilet, you probably wouldn’t think that poop shelves exist. Locals describe this as a balcony, referring to the space inside the toilet bowl where poop lands.
These shelves are believed to help minimize splashing when something drops into the water. They are also said to be there so the waste can be examined for any signs of disease or checked for anything smuggled (e.g., diamonds) before flushing.
10. 30 Minutes is a Long Drive
For people who are used to traffic, 30 minutes in the car is not an issue.
But in Europe, 30 minutes is actually considered a long time to be driving. Someone reacted and said that with this time, he’d barely be out of his local area.
11. Faucets for Hot and Cold
A welcome facility in bathrooms is having hot and cold water. But 2 separate faucets? People want to get the right temperature by mixing hot and cold. How do you moderate water from 2 different sources? Some say this is a common installation in older European bathrooms or hotels.
12. Light Switch Outside Bathroom
Having the light switch within arm’s reach is logical. That is why Mavrik did not think having the bathroom light switch outside was right.
Europeans explained that it actually has something to do with strict electrical regulations in the UK. For safety purposes, switches must be positioned at a distance away from sources of water.
13. Charging for Bathroom Use and Water
Being charged for using the bathroom or asking for water at restaurants is also a thing in Europe. Although someone said he expected this to be done in America, it is actually practiced in Italy and other European countries. After someone uses the toilet, an attendant receives the payment and cleans the stall.
The next time you visit other countries, you know there is always a reason why things are as they are. And even if you find it unusual, it is always nice to practice some cultural appreciation and learn to love and even adapt to other people’s customs.
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Korina is a licensed English and Journalism teacher. After leaving the academe, she decided to pursue what she loved most – writing. Travel, health and wellness, spirituality, lifestyle, and science and technology are some of the niches she is passionate about. When not working on freelance tasks, she spends her time deciphering the magical journey of being an introvert mom to an extrovert child.