When I was about 10 years old, my family moved. And after attending dozens of open houses, it became very clear to me that my parents were extremely particular, especially when it came to their kitchen. Now that I’m an adult though, I completely understand where they were coming from. I would give anything to have a dishwasher, a garbage disposal and a dryer in my current apartment. But it turns out that those items aren’t as ubiquitous in every country as they are in the United States…
Redditors have been discussing features that are typical in American homes that aren’t as common globally, so we’ve gathered their most interesting replies below. From ceiling fans to carpeted bedrooms, enjoy scrolling through these dead giveaways that a house is located in the U.S. And keep reading to find conversations with Victoria Pearce of A Life Away, Diane of Oui in France, and Mike Fortin, Founder and CEO of Artemeco!
#1
If you go by the comments that show up any time construction gets mentioned, apparently wood.I am lead to believe that all houses in europe are constructed from a mixture of concrete, brick, diamond and titanium, built to withstand the mightiest of gales and double as a b**b shelter.
Over here we mostly use wood framing and cladding, with sometimes a brick or stone outer layer, sometimes just vinyl or aluminum (or even more wood) siding, and drywall on the insides. It works well, but apparently terrifies our overseas neighbors.
Image source: omega884, Josh Olalde / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#2
Garbage disposals!
Image source: anon, Stilfehler / Wikimedia (not the actual photo)
#3
His and Her sinks.
Image source: edinspark, Mesut çiçen / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#4
Do Europeans have ice makers in their refrigerators?
We have ice everywhere here but those guys act like its their most precious resource.
Image source: anon, Etan J. Tal / Wikipedia (not the actual photo)
#5
Ive lived in other countries. Everything is bigger as far as appliances. Its like 1.5-2X scale that you would find in like appliances in other countries.
Image source: DRT798, Shot By Joe / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#6
Based on my travels, I’d say clothes dryers, central air conditioning, and firearms.
Image source: jebuswashere, Dan LeFebvre / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#7
From my observation, garages, and garage size. My double wide, double deep garage is insulated, heated and has cooling, my work shop and desktop computer are out there and oh and a couple cars and motorcycles. It’s basically a man cave but called “garage” for tax purposes.
Image source: Eron-the-Relentless, Binyamin Mellish / Pexels (not the actual photo)
#8
A big garage. When I visited family in the UK I was amazed their garage could barely fit their Ford Fiesta in it. My garage fits an F-150 double cab with zero issues and there’s room to spare. Plus you can fit a whole other vehicle next to it.
To go along with that a garage fridge. Not all Americans have them by a long shot but it’s common enough to see a hand-me-down refrigerator in a garage that has beer, pop, and stuff like that in it.
Also a coffee maker. When I was going to university in the UK I wanted a small coffee maker but couldn’t find one for the life of me. There were French presses and kettles, but no coffee makers like a Mr. Coffee.
Image source: Thel_Odan, Logan Meis / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#9
A third and fourth bathroom.
My first house in the UK had one bathroom. My second had two.
My house in the US had FOUR BATHROOMS. Honestly felt a touch excessive.
Image source: LordSn00ty, 99.films / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#10
Based on my experience living in China, Americans keep a lot more food in their home. Most people I know could survive for days, if not weeks, if the grocery stores vanished. Not sure about anywhere else, but an entire room (pantry) full of shelf stable food is tinfoil hat territory to most Chinese people.
Image source: notreallylucy, RossHelen / Envato
#11
A/C.
Image source: anon, Behnam Norouzi / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#12
A giant American flag and a painting of an eagle.
Seriously though, I think in general just larger homes.
Image source: scottwax, Wavebreakmedia / Envato
#13
Giant closets.
Image source: Petitels, pro_creator / envato
#14
A large gun safe.
Image source: MyFace_UrAss_LetsGo, User:IssueLips / Wikipedia (not the actual photo)
#15
When I was in Australia I learned that dryers, while not hard to find, were not as common as in the US. I also learned that while a common first appliance for a university student here might be a microwave, a kettle is preferred in other places.
Image source: Antitenant, Yevhenii Deshko / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#16
I may be wrong in this, but we usually have dedicated laundry rooms or at least laundry closets. I’ve read a lot of comments here and elsewhere that many places, especially Europe, just have a washing machine in the kitchen.
Image source: Chubby_Comic, RDNE Stock project / Pexels (not the actual photo)
#17
Window screens.
Image source: NSNick, Maniago / Wikipedia (not the actual photo)
#18
Box fans. I miss them.
Image source: eustaciasgarden, Arbitrarily0 / Wikimedia (not the actual photo)
#19
Having lived in upper middle class homes here and in other parts of the world: The theater room is the thing that always fascinates people. Other cultures also have things like pools, jacuzzis, billiards rooms, wine cellars, saunas, libraries, etc. but you rarely see a room dedicated to the theater. Three+ car garages are also not as common.
Image source: msondo, Yevhenii Deshko / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#20
Super comfortable sofas that you just sink into. Maybe I just had bad luck renting Airbnb’s in Europe, but my god was the furniture uncomfortable.
Also affordable computers and smart phones.
Image source: SomeDudeOnRedit, Karolina Grabowska / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#21
No bidets.
Image source: AllSoulsNight, Max Vakhtbovycn / Pexels (not the actual photo)
#22
Crunchy Peanut Butter
One spout on a sink so you can get warm water, not freezing cold and super hot separate spouts
Tea Kettle on the stove.
Image source: 1table, Monika Grabkowska / IUnsplash (not the actual photo)
#23
A dryer!
Garbage disposals.
Screens on our windows.
Ceiling fans. (These exist in many countries, but are not common.)
A large garage for two cars.
Image source: DogsAreTheBest36, RDNE Stock project / Pexels (not the actual photo)
#24
The raw amount of space, always available air conditioning and ice, open floor plans and kitchen islands. I stayed at a friend’s place in china once and although the home was many multiple mine by value, the kitchen was essentially a separate room. They didn’t do much cooking themselves versus we like our kitchens to be the heart of entertaining.
Image source: mt97852, Lotus Design N Print / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#25
An instant hot water faucet.
Image source: Material_Ad6173
#26
I have the fridge that allows you to knock on the door to see what’s inside.
Washer and dryer upstairs in its own room and a basement.
Image source: culps001
#27
Big a*s bag of ice in the freezer.
Image source: Koumadin, Shekart KOOsci / Wikimedia (not the actual photo)
#28
TVs in every room.
Image source: WinterMedical, Erik Mclean / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#29
Dishwashers. Idk about restaurants, but I’m in third world country and its just been a year or two since I know dishwasher exist.
It astounds me, why would you need something to do a chore for you when it takes a few mins to do it? I’m jealous.
Image source: AntarctMaid
#30
A drip coffee maker.
Image source: Squirrel179
#31
Plumbing that actually functions 99% of the time. Showers that access hot or cold without having to flip extra switches. Central heating and air conditioning standard in most homes (not in all areas, but most). A fridge with a built in water and ice dispenser. Large beds.
Image source: BookLuvr7, Yevhenii Deshko / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#32
Walk in closets (most European countries I’ve been to, they use wardrobes and dressers).
Switch in the bathroom that runs a fan, the only purpose of which is to cover up the sound of you doing your business.
Image source: anon, Huy Nguyen / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#33
Most toilets here are 1.28 or 1.6 gallons of water per flush.
The best info I’ve found says German toilets use nearly 2 gallons per flush. My guess is you need to, because of the nasty s**t-shelf your toilets have. In any case I’m not sure where your perception of swimming pool sized toilets comes from.
Image source: rawbface, Giorgio Trovato / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#34
Americans.
Image source: Ben_Dover_1492, Edgar Colomba / Pexels (not the actual photo)
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