9 American Problems You Don’t Get Because You’re Too European
Certain parts of American life don’t seem unusual until you see them through the lens of someone raised in Europe. These slow-burning confusions build over time and reveal a different relationship with rules, services, and daily systems.
Here’s a look at the parts of U.S. life that Europeans find the most puzzling.
Price Tags Don’t Tell You the Whole Story
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Listed prices of goods in America almost never include sales tax. At checkout, the final total increases and usually catches tourists off guard. The rate depends on the state and sometimes the county, ranging from 0% to over 10%. European countries typically include VAT in displayed prices, which makes budgeting far more straightforward.
Watching Prescription Drug Ads on TV
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Television commercials for prescription drugs appear constantly in the U.S., and mainly follow the same pattern: cheerful visuals, vague promises, and a long list of possible side effects. This form of direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising is only legal in two countries, America and New Zealand.
Cooking With “Cups” Creates Chaos
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European cooks typically use scales and measure ingredients by weight, favoring consistency. Misinterpreting a “cup” as a household mug is a common mistake. People need to buy special tools just to follow American instructions correctly. The switch from weight to volume creates more room for error and requires a learning curve.
Foods Leave Tourists Confused
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First-time visitors are stunned to see dishes like fried chicken with waffles or sweet potatoes topped with marshmallows. Grocery stores also stock cheese in aerosol cans. These meals are part of everyday consumption in several parts of the country.
Losing Packages Left on the Doorstep
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In several European countries, couriers call first or leave items with neighbors or at collection points. The American approach prioritizes speed over security, where couriers leave packages unattended on porches, as well as in busy urban areas. This has created a system where stolen packages have become a regular problem.
Being Legal to Enlist but Not Drink
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Turning 18 as an American citizen allows young adults to vote, sign contracts, and join the military, yet buying certain beverages remains restricted until 21. Europeans raise eyebrows at the mismatch. American lawmakers have defended the policy on public health grounds, citing long-term studies on youth substance use.
Rental Applications Ask for Too Much
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If you are renting an apartment in the States, you will require an application fee, a credit check, and documentation of income. It treats applicants like loan risks. It can be time-consuming, especially for international students or newcomers without local credit histories. Housing remains one of the most bureaucratic parts of settling in.
Overdependence on Tips
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The federal minimum for tipped American workers remains just $2.13 per hour. This structure forces workers to depend on tips to make a living. In response, diners automatically tip around 18–20%, even for average service. Meanwhile, European countries regulate tipping more loosely, with service charges included in the bill.
Paying to Do Laundry
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Having a private washing machine is expected in most European homes, regardless of apartment size or location. Tenants rarely share machines or pay per use. Laundry happens on your schedule, inside your space, without coins, cards, or waiting lists. The idea of planning around a building’s shared machines feels impractical to Europeans.
High Healthcare Bills
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Even insured Americans can receive large medical bills for routine care. Charges include separate fees for the doctor, the facility, and the equipment used during the visit. Confusion about what’s covered and what’s not leads many patients to delay care or avoid seeing a doctor altogether, despite being sick.
Feeling Unsafe When Making a Right on Red
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In most U.S. states, drivers can turn right at a red light after stopping. The rule speeds up traffic, but it surprises drivers who are used to stricter signals. In Europe, right turns on red are rare and require special signs or signals.
No Lane Discipline
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Drivers in European areas expect others to move over after passing, and failure to do so often results in fines or flashing headlights. This structure keeps traffic organized and helps prevent unnecessary congestion. It also encourages smoother lane changes, clearer signaling, and faster response to emergency vehicles.
No Cars with Manual Transmission
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Only a small fraction of new cars in the States come with manual transmissions—less than 2% as of recent auto industry data. Driving schools rarely teach stick, and most young drivers never learn it. In Europe, manual remains the default for many reasons, including fuel efficiency, lower cost, and availability.
Employment Contracts Don’t Always Exist
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Starting a new job in the U.S. often feels surprisingly informal. Most workers don’t sign contracts that outline terms or protect their position. Instead, they’re employed “at will,” which means either side can walk away at any time, without notice or explanation. Offer letters list basic details like salary or vacation, but they aren’t legally binding.
Needing a Car
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Public transportation in various across America remains limited, inconsistent, or entirely absent outside major cities. It is common for suburban or smaller-town residents to drive for every task—commutes, groceries, school drop-offs, even a quick coffee run. For Europeans with daily routines that don’t require a car, dependence on driving feels inefficient and isolating.