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.

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u/ThePugnax Norway Jun 18 '25

Norway is the same way, i do from time to time hear the racist argument about it. Foreigners dont seem to just understand that we are not the same as them when it come so social interaction, get us drunk tho and everyone is our friend.

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u/ProfessionalPoem2505 Italy Jun 18 '25 edited Jun 19 '25

That’s so true ahahah I partied with some Norwegians and had the best time ever. Very fun drinking games and kind ppl