Even though both Europe and the USA belong to the Western World and agree on most fundamental democratic principles, they don’t see eye-to-eye on everything. According to a recent study, Americans and Europeans often have different perspectives on the way of life – individualism, the role of government, free expression, religion, and morality.
However, Reddit user IBringTheGinger wanted to know how these differences manifest themselves in everyday life. So they created a post, asking Europeans to list the funny problems that are too American for them to understand. It immediately blew up, and, as of this article, has nearly 64K upvotes and 57,5K comments. Scroll down to read some of the most popular first world problems and let us know if you agree with them!
#1
Here is one I can’t understand:
Strong violence on tv: No one bats an eye…
Nipple slip: Everybody loses their minds.
Image source: Boundish91
#2
Why doesn’t the guy with the most votes just win the election?
Image source: NurseTaric
#3
MM/DD/YYYY.
Image source: Rookeh
#4
Why tipping is considered part of someone’s paycheck.
Image source: _Everyday_Hero
#5
You Americans eat like you’ve got free health care.
Image source: _sabbracadabra
#6
Why the big amount of flat-earth and antivax people?? Is your education system not doing well??
Image source: MiguelRc1
#7
Kim Kardashian
Image source: DrHitshot
#8
21 Drinking age like whaaaat you can vote , go join the army , get married , have children and drive but you’re too immature to drink ???!!???!
Image source: captainsincers
#9
The idolization of politicians. They are public servants, similar to a courthouse clerk or a city hall coordinator. They are not rock stars. You don’t need to scream their name, buy their merch, fully commit your life to them and believe everything they say. Just… treat them like public servants. Sure, they get power and position but hold them accountable when they abuse it. Don’t let corporations and politicians take over, the political system is created by the people, FOR the people. It just… boggles the mind.
Image source: Koenigseggalicious
#10
Not being able to afford to study
Not being able to afford to pay medical bills
Not being able to afford school lunch
Not being able to have schools without security guards
Not being able to drink water straight from the tap
Not being able to walk because you are morbidly obese
toddlers involved in politics
Image source: Ghosttalker96
#11
Their obsession with celebrities, media and “perfect” looks. How often do I read comments from Americans saying:”Bad European teeth“ while in reality they are totally healthy, just aren’t bleached.
Image source: Aleriic
#12
People going bankrupt for getting sick. Stupidly expensive “education”. Gun control. No repercussion for police brutality.
Why are you paying taxes for?
Image source: Joseluki
#13
I’m too European to understand how swearing and curse words are such a big deal in movies and songs, but violence and guns are taken with a grain of salt
Image source: SimonFoss
#14
You have $4.50 in your pocket. The fancy drink is advertised at $3.99. Do you have enough money to buy it? Dunno!
Image source: 2059FF
#15
The lack of maternity rights and maternity leave.
Image source: calmstresscalm
#16
The American Dream. Basically every other developed county is living the ‘American Dream’ while Americans really just think they are, but if you describe the way their country works to someone it sounds like you’re describing a third world country.
Image source: username18379
#17
The confusing Imperial measurements system and US customary units.
Image source: akunke5yanglaindiban
#18
I don’t understand the concept of punching holes in the wall. If you tried that here in Ireland, you’d just break your hand.
Image source: spikyhandjob
#19
Double standards. E.g. being prude but having the largest porn industry in the world, praising religion but disregarding Christian values IRL.
Image source: humphrey_b52
#20
The fact that Americans refer to a 24h clock as “military time” you mean just regular time?
Also, suing culture. Got injured? Sue! Fell down some stairs? Sue! Fight with neighbour? Sue!
Image source: bouchandre
#21
Paying for an ambulance. Seriously, like wtf?
Image source: TakeNoExcuses
#22
I will NEVER understand why you guys allow children to not be guaranteed free health care and dental care! Why aren’t you up in arms over this, protesting in the streets? They’re CHILDREN, why on earth would a rich country not guarantee free health care to all children?! I don’t get it.
Image source: Enfors
#23
Having to take out a second mortage because you twisted your ankle in the wrong state.
Image source: EHainesReddit
#24
Not having taxes already put into the prices of items at stores
Image source: erickm17
#25
Why Americans are so proud of being American and their obsession with military. Like what did they do other than being born American? What good does military do other than wasting money they could use for e.g. health care.
Image source: Aleriic
#26
European here, why are all your houses made from cardboard if you have a problem with hurricanes? My country has no natural problems and our houses are made from reinforced cement.
Image source: 0w0whatisthis
#27
Not using the metric system. Counting in football fields/moon landings instead… I don’t get it.
Image source: ligvigfui
#28
Why do you guys wear shoes in the house??
Image source: PLXSHI
#29
While watching Chelsea vs Manchester United yesterday on NBCSN, during halftime there was a Good Rx commercial where the guy is asking a woman if she would like to fill her prescription, he pulled up the phone and showed her that the same pill can cost from $10 to $90 depending on the area. And that Good Rx can help her fill the prescription with the cheapest prices. Now someone please explain to me how in the ever-loving f**k is it possible for a drug to cost 10x more depending on your location !? Don’t they have constant prices like in the rest of the civilized world !?
Image source: TheMexicanJuan
#30
Joining the army for college money and free healthcare. Also how religious they are
Image source: WKH1970
#31
Expensive required textbooks that you HAVE to buy to take a university class
Image source: Serialdan
#32
How much do I tip? 10%? 15%? Do I tip everywhere? Why isn’t the tax included? Why does the tip vary? Why are the waiters so underpaid?
Also, why do you have to do your tax bill? You could literally go to prison but it’s like a guessing game from what I heard?
Image source: XxJiniyasxX
#33
Being scared of the police.
Image source: Legalise_Gay_Weed
#34
How strongly Americans feel about the flag. I saw a photographer get torn to pieces online because someone was standing on the tiniest bit of the flag and people went fuc**ng ape s*it. In the UK most people probably couldn’t spot if the Union Flag was round the wrong way.
Image source: the_heff
#35
Nipples, or in general the hyper-sexualization of nudity.
Image source: C42MCPE
#36
Don’t know if it’s already mentioned but your delivery drivers just leaving packages outside your front door. I can’t wrap my mind around this, how did this ever came acceptable?
Here you sign for deliveries. If you’re not there they’ll leave a note when they’ll come again. If still not delivered you can pick it up yourself. Also if you didn’t sign for delivery it’s marked as not delivered.
Image source: td888
#37
Student debt. I pay €20/Semester tuition in Austria.
Image source: TheLadderGuy
#38
Many people do not vote because they cannot get time off work to do so.
Image source: Ofvlad
#39
Why people censor swears that are totally obvious
Image source: Mr_magggots
#40
30 degrees fahrenheit
Image source: NDB05_
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