Netflix, swim trunks, pizza delivery, and the US dollar, just to name a few…
Made of Solo Cups. Because this is Amurica.
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1. Convenience Stores
It is nearly impossible to get toiletries, snacks, and ibuprofen at the same place in Europe.
2. Diet Soda
Though you can easily find a lukewarm Coca Light in most food establishments, any other diet drinks are basically unheard-of overseas.
3. Ice
Why is a glass of room temperature water okay over there?
4. Iced Coffee
Naturally, life sans ice means life sans iced coffee. Leisurely sipping on a cold coffee drink isn’t really a thing in Europe. It’s all about the espresso shots.
5. Online Streaming
The lack of a Netflix/Hulu type situation in many countries abroad is unreal. How are you supposed to keep up with your shows?!
6. Driving a Car
As practical and useful as public transportation is, sometimes you just want to roll your windows down and jam out on your way to work in the morning, in the privacy of your own vehicle.
7. Froyo
Sure, they’ve got gelato, and they are all about Magnum ice cream bars over there, but every once in a while you’re craving some low-fat frozen yogurt.
8. Electrical Outlets
Oh, the luxury of blow-drying your hair without an adaptor, converter, and fear of blowing a fuse.
9. Outlet Shopping
Little European boutiques are great, but so are sales and a wide variety of sizes.
10. 24 Hour Drive-Thru
What do Europeans do if they get hungry after 9:00 pm? Or on a Sunday?
11. Wifi and/or 3G
Using 3G overseas is crazy expensive, and Wifi can be scarce.
12. Free Bathrooms
Public bathrooms in Europe are sporadic at best, not to mention rarely free of charge.
13. Peanut Butter
Europe, we thank you for the wonder that is Nutella, but what about a little PB and J action every once in a while?
14. Solo Cups
You might think you know how much you appreciate Solo Cups now, but wait until you spend a few months overseas. Solo Cups are a novelty in Europe.
15. “Big Gulp” Sized Drinks
Don’t Europeans ever get thirsty?
16. Law & Order: SVU Marathons
Admit it, the opening narration is like music to your ears. “In the criminal justice system, sexually based offenses are considered especially heinous…”
17. No Smoking Zones
Especially indoors, it is nice to dine without a cloud of cigarette smoke above your head.
18. The Abundance of Sushi
And of all Asian food, for that matter.
19. Football
From helmets and tailgating to cheerleaders and halftime shows, Europeans miss out on American football and its culture.
20. American Candy Brands
We thank Europe for Lindt, Kinder Bueno, and a wide array of truffles, but what about some Reese’s Pieces?
21. State-to-State Cell Phone Coverage
Even if you buy a European cell phone, it probably won’t work from country to country.
22. Swim Trunks
You thought the Speedo was funny at first, but it’s just not your style.
23. Free Refills
Especially on water, free refills are common in American food establishments but rarely found in European restaurants.
24. American Holidays
The 4th of July and Thanksgiving, for example.
25. Ketchup
The majority of Europeans seem to prefer mayonnaise, even on French fries.
26. Household Appliances
Such as dishwashers and dryers.
27. Separate Checks at Restaurants
Waiters there expect you to divide it up yourselves.
28. Pancakes
From crepes to frixuelos to palacinky, pancakes just aren’t the same abroad.
29. Air Conditioning
Enough said.
30. Drinking Fountains
They’re probably unsanitary anyway, but walking everywhere sure can make you thirsty, and water fountains are rare in Europe, even in museums and monuments.
31. Food Delivery
They never order pizza in Europe! At least you don’t have to tip the delivery guy.
32. Screened Windows
In Europe, when you open your window to let in a nice breeze, you accept that you are letting in whatever else might be out there, bugs and birds included.
33. Store Hours
Stores close early, and most don’t open at all on Sundays.
34. Bagels
Just another example of the deviations of breakfast foods.
35. The USD
It all comes back to the dollar, dollar bill, y’all. The USD/EUR exchange rate is not in our favor. And all that loose change gets heavy! There are eight different euro coins currently in circulation, as opposed to the four we use in the United States (five, if you include the half dollar).
As Blog is My Witness 
Were you living under a rock?
Greg,
Your English is pretty damn good, if you ask me (and this is my blog, so I guess you did!).
If you look at basically any other post on my site, you will see that I am obsessed with all things French (or really relating to any European country). Ergo, I am NOT complaining. I guess a more accurate title for this post would be “35 Little Things I’ve Recently Realized I Like Having Easily Accessible in America That Make Me a Little Less Utterly Devastated About Having Left France.”
Cheers yourself!
Haha, thank you =) That would be a damn too long title. Never mind, seeing now the background of your blog, I just misinterpreted and presumed that your post was like “I just came back from my trip, europe sucks” kind of things. A misleading titles which has embrased a lot of my fellow Europeans on Buzzfeed too as I see.
A la prochaine!
I was going to be harsh and write not so classy words, but it would not be constructive at all.
Too bad you already left France since most of your arguments are not correct on France and other eastern european country as well. Better talk about what you know best so i pickup the french example and la Ville Lumières.
1. Convenience Stores
The reason you can’t find medicines on store is due to our health system care, medication are strictly regulated and needed to be sold in pharmacy only. For the everyday items and food there is choice over supermarket or groceries.
2. Diet Soda
Yes it is not common on here, but there are some English and Around-the-world stores where you can find some originals products like “Yes It’s Here” next to the métro République and “La Grande épicerie de Paris” next to the métro Sèvres Babylone.
3. Ice
It’s healthier to drink water at room-temperature, but if you ask politely the waiters could you give some ice cube to drink with.
4. Iced Coffee
There are several places which does have café frappé. Or simply grab one at a Starbucks or in some supermarket.
5. Online Streaming
Totally agree with this point, it sucks.
6. Driving a Car
Why not rent a car if you want to drive?
7. Froyo
Agree, the concept is not as developed in the U.S. But there are some place you can eat those frozen yogurt “Mylk”, “myberry” and some little store in the quartier du marais (4ème arrondissement)
8. Electrical Outlets
Yes, but we have the same issue when we go to American continent. Also, European standard in electrical and plug is the most used and common worldwide.
9. Outlet Shopping
Did you have the time to visit the shop in Troyes or Serris ?
10. 24-Hour Drive-Thru
Agree, they do exist but are kind of rare. On the other hand there are a lot of restaurants/brasseries which are open 24/24.
11. Wi-Fi and/or 3G
There is free Hotspots almost everywhere, if not, just take a treat in Mc Donalds.
12. Free Bathrooms
Agree, no arguments on that point.
13. Peanut Butter
See statement on the #2, even if you found easily peanut butter in some supermarket.
14. Solo Cups
What the.. ? ! This one does not make any sense…Why do you need this specific brand ? Just buy some plastic cup at the local store, Ikea or BHV.
15. Personal Space
But the skin of your cheeks is so soft… I guess that’s the deal with customs and practice when traveling to other countries. But you could easily avoid face contact by shaking hands.
16. Law & Order: SVU Marathons
Didn’t get this one though…
17. No Smoking Zones
Where did you go ? There’s a law forbidding to smoke in a closed public space, fine could up to 450€.
18. The Abundance of Sushi
Try the 13ème arrondissement, it will be like Ali Baba’s cave out there.
19. Football
True, we have Rugby but it’s not the same.
20. American Candy Brands
Once again back to #2.
21. State-to-State Cell Phone Coverage
Probably, unless you got a good services providing by your network operator.
22. Swim Trunks
This must be banned, but it would just concern 2% of the population, at best.
23. Free Refills
It’s similar to the #3, just ask.
24. American Holidays
That’s cynical.
25. Ketchup
I prefer Mustard but ketchup is available almost everywhere.
26. Household Appliances
We do have these, depending on your income, but they can buy it if they wish. Although everybody does not have one of these, dyers can be found in public laundry room.
27. Separate Checks at Restaurants
Never have thought that way and ask to divide the bill, but, I guess it will be doable as they can make you une note de frais.
28. Pancakes
I guess so, croissant and baguette isn’t the same overseas too. There are some brasseries à l’américaine where you can enjoy a good brunch.
29. Air-Conditioning
Agree.
30. Drinking Fountains
Agree too.
31. Food Delivery
Just google “livraison à domicile paris”.
32. Screened Windows
Yes it is not common in here, but you can easily buy one and install it without problem.
33. Store Hours
The average is about 7-8 pm, I believe it is relative to our weekly 35 hours working times legislation.
34. Bagels
See #28
35. The USD
Agree euros coins are kind of heavy. By the way European Commission is actually thinking about removing the 1 & 2 cents coins.
I plead Guilty about some of mine grammar error, English is not my native language.
So on, why this post about complaint and whining on what you don’t had when you were here? You got the chance to visit and live in another countries, most people don’t have or never had this chance. See the positives sides of this experience and abstract the negatives ones. Hope that if you come to see us again, next time you will find what you search, at least something close to, and do with it.
Enjoy your home back,
Cheers!
bullshit!