It's nary concealed that Europeans and Americans person very different lifestyles. From shopping habits to sports preferences to work culture, we often autumn onto different ends of the spectrum.
I knowledgeable these differences firsthand arsenic an American walking astir Europe for six months, spending clip successful places for illustration the UK, Czech Republic, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.
Here are the 5 European manner choices I'll beryllium integrating into my life successful the States.
I'll nary longer fto the upwind ruin my plans.
I'm fortunate to person sunshine astir of the twelvemonth successful my location authorities of Colorado. Because of this, though, I thin to talk myself into staying location erstwhile the upwind is rainy, windy, aliases moreover overcast.
When I was successful the UK, however, rainy days were a normal portion of life. I didn't want to discarded clip pursuing my "nice upwind aliases bust" mindset, truthful I started watching the locals.
For example, they had quality rainfall jackets and carried waterproof casings to spell complete their backpacks aliases bags to support them dry.
I followed their lead and invested successful a much heavy-duty raincoat, and I quickly learned that pinch due preparation, the acold and rainfall aren't bad astatine all. The moody upwind often added to the wide ambiance of the day.
I'm going to make an effort to find much adventures adjacent my hometown.
When I travel, I actively effort to accumulate the astir experiences successful an area, from museums and landmarks to section events. However, I consciousness blameworthy astir not ever doing this astatine home.
It's akin to the cliché that immoderate born-and-bred New Yorkers person ne'er toured the Statue of Liberty.
Some of my favourite experiences successful Europe weren't the grand, celebrated monuments, but the quirky things I encountered successful mini towns. I loved seeing a statue of a goat king successful Kerry, Ireland, and stumbling upon an older mates giving an alphorn performance successful a Swiss village.
I'm definite location are akin gems adjacent to my hometown, and now I'm wished to find them.
Using 2 duvets alternatively of 1 comforter is simply a crippled changer.
In my marriage, I'm known arsenic the "blanket hog" — though this is still hotly debated connected my end. So, erstwhile my hubby and I walked into an alpine compartment and saw 2 neatly folded duvets complete the bed, he was ecstatic.
We encountered this respective times passim our journey, and I must admit, having my ain fluffy broad to cuddle into was beautiful nice. The duvet covers are besides measurement easier to lavation than a comforter.
I'll beryllium embracing the thought that little is more.
Many of the Europeans I met were awesome astatine having a "less is more" mindset. They owned less things, for illustration apparel and decor items, and bought little nutrient astatine erstwhile than I did successful the US.
They seemed to person a different cognition astir buying things successful general. Part of this is apt because European apartments are mostly smaller than American homes.
After shopping little while abroad, I'm going to effort to support that wont stateside.
I'm excited to proceed pursuing soccer.
In my experience, Americans still haven't embraced shot the measurement different countries have. Though I'll ever beryllium a diehard American shot fan, being successful Europe for the UEFA European Championship opened my eyes to conscionable really electrifying shot tin be.
From the squad chants and bitter rivalries to the epic watch parties, I'll beryllium mounting my siren to watch immoderate awesome games from crossed the pond.
This communicative was primitively published connected November 7, 2024, and astir precocious updated connected August 20, 2026.
Read next
Emily Pogue is simply a recreation and wellness writer who seeks retired once-in-a-lifetime experiences. From watching lava clang into the water successful Hawaii to way moving successful the Alps, Emily is ever connected the hunt for her adjacent adventure. When she’s not traveling, you tin astir apt find her playing badminton. You tin travel her travel astatine mastwriting.com.
English (US) ·
Indonesian (ID) ·