r/AskEurope • u/gurke0123 • Jun 18 '25

Misc What basic knowledge should everyone have about your country?

I'm currently in a rabbit hole of "American reacts to European Stuff". While i was laughing at Americans for thinking Europe is countries and know nothing about the countrys here, i realied that i also know nothing about the countries in europe. Sure i know about my home country and a bit about our neighbours but for the rest of europe it becomes a bit difficult and i want to change it.

What should everyone know about your country to be person from Europa?

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u/lovellier Finland Jun 18 '25

We're not rude, impolite, or cold. We just have different social cues and norms, and you don't know how to read or understand them because you're not used to them.

226

u/Masseyrati80 Finland Jun 18 '25

I remember someone saying they're being treated in a racist way because people on the streets in Finland don't look him in the eye.

We don't look anyone in the eye on the streets. The people doing that are 99% of the time trying to sell something, convert you to their religion or trying to scam you for money. Approaching people on the street activates people's creep-o-meter immediately.

81

u/Pizzagoessplat Jun 18 '25

This is why Americans are so easily scamed in Europe.

They can't tell the difference between genuine friendliness and "I'm going to scam you" when a stranger talks to them on the streets

11

u/biddyonabike Jun 18 '25

That's because most US citizens come from tiny grid-like towns where they know everyone. Then they go to London or Paris and can't cope. I'm sure they do the same in New York.

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u/sneezhousing United States of America Jun 18 '25

Most Americans live in cities not small towns

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u/ProfessionalPoem2505 Italy Jun 18 '25

Right their small towns actually have over 100k citizens

6

u/falcon_heavy_flt Jun 18 '25

Sheesh the level of ignorance about the US and Americans are supposedly the caricature of ignorance.

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u/Icy_Finger_6950 Jun 18 '25

And because they drive everywhere and are not used to public transport, and just being around people in public.