The US is world famous, and people from every country you can name dream about moving there. Europeans are no exception; they love to visit our country, especially because of the following 17 Americans things they just cannot get enough of.
Hollywood
Hollywood is still the most dominant entertainment industry in Europe, despite Britain, France, and Italy having thriving film markets of their own. In fact, the Wall Street Journal reported Hollywood to have held 78% of the European market in 1998, and this number still stands at above 69% today.
American Homes Interiors
Europeans find American houses amazing, and it’s all about the amount of space we have. While the average home in Europe’s top countries is 1,001 to 1,270 square feet, American homes have an average of 2,014 square feet. This probably has something to do with the immense vastness of our country’s land.
Large Yards
The love for large American homes extends to the exteriors, too! In Europe, having a garden can be hard to come by, particularly in urban areas. They are mindblown that in the US, we often have huge front and back yards, even in the cities.
Free Public Bathrooms
If you need to use a public bathroom in Europe, you’ll usually have to part with some money, something that Europeans love to complain about. Thankfully, it’s usually only a few cents, but what if you don’t have coins? Naturally, when they come to the US, they’re thrilled to find free public bathrooms.
Cultural Diversity
The New York Times claims that while Europe is diverse in culture, the US is far better at integrating its immigrants. There are clear reasons for this, such as our inviting small talk culture, which makes it easier to build relationships with strangers. Whatever the reason, Europeans find it a breath of fresh air.
Free Refills
German restaurants charge for refills of even water, while free soda refills have been completely banned in France. There’s always an excuse; many say it’s culture, and others, like France, say it’s to fight obesity. Nonetheless, it’s always a nice treat for Europeans when they discover the US has free refills.
American Schools
American schools might be more expensive than in Europe, but you have to remember that there are a whole lot of facilities in them that Europeans miss out on! American schools, with gymnasiums and sports fields, catch the fancy of Europeans, who are usually stuck with basic classrooms for learning.
Air Conditioning
Enjoying cool air while at work or at home is one luxury Americans may take for granted. While 90% of American households have air conditioning in the US, this number falls drastically down to 10% in Europe. The higher electricity costs in Europe are the particular culprits in this regard.
Dynamic Climate
There are more weather options in the US that Europeans don’t get to live with. You can choose consistent summer temperatures by living in San Diego and moving to warmer places like the Florida Everglades in the winter. Europeans have to move to another country and learn a new language to enjoy this liberty!
Designs for Disability
Life is so much better for people with disabilities in the US than in Europe. Why? Things like sidewalks, doors, schools, stores, and even software are usually built with accessibility in mind. Thankfully, the Americans with Disabilities Act gives full legal backing to guarantee this, making life much easier for any Europeans with disabilities who visit.
24/7 Stores
Going out to find a late-night snack has always been a struggle for Europeans. Many stores don’t stay open beyond 10 p.m., unlike in the US, where there’s a rotating 24/7 shift. This extends to online customer servicing and businesses in general—it’s super convenient!
Product Variety
Whether it’s restaurants, fruits, soda, or electrical appliances, there’s far more variety of products to choose from in the US than in Europe. Speak to any European who has visited the US, and they’ll all tell you that it was tough for them to decide what to buy, as there’s simply so much choice!
Washing Machines
Yes, Europeans are even jealous of our washing machines, and it’s usually down to one feature—the dryer. Washing machines in Europe are typically smaller without dryers, forcing Europeans to hang their clothes out in the open. The larger counterparts in the US offer so much more speed and ease.
American Music
Alongside the movie industry, Europeans can’t get enough of American music, too. Research shows that local music accounts for only 20% of what is streamed in Europe, with American content representing the most popular music on European charts and streaming platforms by a long shot.
Big Fridge Freezers
Another minute detail that fascinates Europeans is how huge US refrigerators are. Europeans have fridge freezers, but they’re usually designed to be small enough to fit into their homes’ compact kitchens. Americans, on the other hand, have the luxury of using wider fridge freezers with more space for food.
Original Mexican Cuisine
Mexican dishes are gaining popularity in Europe for their unique, savory chili recipes. The problem, however, is that, since there are barely any Mexican immigrants, there aren’t authentic-owned restaurants, and many places serve more Tex-Mex recipes. It’s in the US that Europeans finally get to enjoy what Mexican dishes really taste like.
Fast Food Portion Sizes
Finally, you’ll never hear of a European who wasn’t astounded by fast food portion sizes in the US. The sizes of meals are just insane compared to Europe. To give you a perspective, Business Insider compared McDonald’s portion sizes and found that US drinks are 89% larger, with fries and sides being 100% larger. Wowzsers!
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