Americans React to Europe vs. USA Culture Shocks

I never understand this argument Americans make that taxes can’t be included in prices because the states have different taxes. What does it matter to a particular store if some other store in another state has a different price? Just write the actual price on the price tag, it’s not witchcraft.

Tax is different in almost all countries in the EU. Austria have 20 Percent, Germany 19, Netherlands 21%. But everywhere the tax is included.

In Greece waiters/waitresses don't expect tips but they can be very chatty and warm. In the end of the day you want recurring customers.

One of the bigger cultural shocks for many in the Netherlands is that free plastic bags are banned. They all cost money and so most people buy a sturdy bag for a few Euro's that they can reuse over and over.

The US has no tipping culture, you have a "the customer pays the wage of the waitress culture".

There are 44 countries in Europe. Although only a little larger than the U.S.A. it has twice as many people, different languages, different cultures and traditions that have been in existence for maybe a thousand years. It's hard to generalise.

It is always difficult to compare Europe and the USA because the countries in Europe can be very different. But in this video, many points were mentioned that are very common. One was only mentioned indirectly. In Europe, people take their time when eating. If they are in a hurry, they go to an American fast food chain.

Many things mentioned in the video do not apply to other European countries such as France, England, or Spain. For example, in France, you can go to a bar to ask for a glass of water and leave without having to spend a single cent.

In Finland if you offer a tip, its considered patronising and disrespectful. They are a businessman, not a servant.

In Britain there's a law (the Water Acts) that if you ask someone for water, and they have some, they must GIVE it to you. That affects restaurants.

I remember in the Netherlands, my father asked for 2 steaks to share between me and my sister instead of asking for 1 to share. So he realized his mistake but the restaurant offered it on the house. Keep in mind this steak is like €60. Obviously we tipped them €100 for the hospitality and for the fact they would’ve allowed us to have a €60 steak for free.

As a German, I will say people think it is strange if you tip waiters or taxi drivers, because they probably earn more than you.

I think the sparkling water thing comes from the following: In Germany - and most parts of europe - we have very good tap water. So many consider paying for bottled (tap-water-like) water just money pouring out the drain, whereas the sparkling water is an almost soda like refreshment, so people don't mind paying for that.

The tipping culture is so creepy to me that I just avoided restaurants altogether when I was visiting :D.

8:10 And here in Finland (Finland is also EU country), you can get free water, from some cafes, restaurants, bars, etc. but in some cafes, restaurants, bars, etc. you have to pay some small price to get water (highest price can be around 1-3 dollars), and the smallest portion you usually get of water here in Finland is a portion of 2 deciliters (and sometimes that amount is free, sometimes not). Restaurant, bar, cafe, etc. owners here in Finland, can choose themself, if they want serve free water or not. And also, here in Finland, taxes are included to prices, even Finland have provinces ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Province ), and somewhere there are differences in taxes between different provinces.

You guys are so polite and nice. This was a really nice watch!

Tap water is free in France if you order or not. And bread 🥖 is free too and unlimited if you order in a restaurant. You only pay if you order a mineral bottle of water.

in europe each country has their own tax system, some even their own currency... yet still everything is priced incl. the local tax. to add the tax should NEVER be an issue, not even the us. if you print the ticket for a certain price in a certain store - this store is not going to move somewhere else, so you know EXACTLY how much this item should cost including the local tax. just price it in and it is way easier to see what you have to pay in the end

I have a cultural shock to see you so calm ! French youtube video makers are so excited when they film together. 😂

In Austria, you always get free tap water (best water directly from the mountains) if you ask for it specifically. You also always get a glass of water with your coffee. People normally don't buy water at restaurants, except for sparkling water.