Chloe Madison and Colin Pinello found themselves in Positano, Italy, a chic town overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, during a scorching June day on the Amalfi Coast. As they enjoyed their refreshing caprese pasta plates and Aperol spritzes, they couldn’t help but long for ice water, even though they knew it wasn’t the norm in Europe. While the Europeans around them seemed unaffected by the heat, Chloe mentioned feeling parched and having to consistently request water. When they did manage to ask for ice, they would only receive a few cubes. Seizing the opportunity for humor, Chloe posted a TikTok video of her and Colin fanning themselves with a caption highlighting the American urge to ask for ice water in Europe. This trend of Americans wanting cold drinks in tourist hotspots has sparked conversations on social media about the differences in cooling preferences between Americans and Europeans.
As U.S. tourists flock back to Europe this summer and heatwaves break records, American customs clash with European etiquette. While these differences in how to stay cool may seem trivial amidst the broader climate change crisis, they are distinct. Savvy travelers looking to blend in with the locals have turned to social media platforms like TikTok for advice and shared experiences. Much of the guidance offered on these platforms will sound familiar to seasoned travelers, such as being mindful of small talk and personal questions, being aware of the prevalence of smoking in cafes and public places, and conducting research on local customs and basic conversational phrases in the local language. Moreover, the recurring advice for Americans is to tone down their volume.
With the rising temperatures in Europe, a new theme in online travel advice has emerged—the contrasting ways Americans and Europeans handle heatwaves. Chloe Madison observed this contrast and noted that Europeans seemed less reliant on things that Americans consider essential in dealing with the heat. Experts agree with her observation. For example, it is uncommon to receive a large pitcher of ice water when dining at a European restaurant. Tap water may be obligatory to serve, but establishments often charge for it due to the need to wash the bottle and glass. The American trend of cold brew coffee has not permeated Europe either. If you order iced coffee at a local establishment, it may resemble a Greek frappé or a caffé freddo, and American coffee chains may be the only places where it is readily available. Europeans also differ from Americans in their approach to air-conditioning and power consumption. Energy shortages and concerns about climate change have led to limits on power usage, and air-conditioning and clothes dryers are not as common in European homes as they are in American ones. Europeans typically rely on architectural features or open and close shutters to regulate indoor temperatures. Even when air-conditioning is present, it is not used as extensively as in the United States. Europeans maintain a more modest indoor temperature, as exemplified by Amanda Rollins’ experience at a Parisian movie theater where the audience fanned themselves instead of seeking a chilly escape. The issue of what to wear also arises. It might not be advisable to wear casual attire like shorts, T-shirts, and sandals in Europe, even during hot weather. Europeans tend to dress up, even for seemingly mundane tasks like taking out the garbage, and wearing beachwear or overly casual clothing to upscale restaurants or bars can lead to denial of service. Dress codes are also enforced in places like churches, with restrictions on short shorts and crop tops. Athletic wear and sneakers may also stand out in certain areas. Contrary to American fashion during hot summers when people dress as minimally as possible, Parisians, for example, opt for long sleeves, dresses, or coats.
In conclusion, the clash between American and European customs in dealing with heatwaves and cooling preferences has become a topic of discussion among travelers. Social media platforms, especially TikTok, have become valuable resources for advice and shared experiences. Travelers are advised to be aware of the cultural differences, such as refraining from asking personal questions, understanding that ice water may not be readily available, and adjusting attire to match local norms. By embracing these differences and adapting to local customs, travelers can better blend in with the locals and have a more immersive experience while exploring Europe.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
