Travelers visiting Europe often encounter frustrating food and cultural customs. From different drink sizes to expectations regarding ice in drinks, these differences can lead to misunderstandings. Understanding how things work in different countries can help you avoid unpleasant surprises and enhance your experience abroad.
In a TikTok video, @flipafish speaks to his audience, particularly Americans who are frustrated with European customs. The user highlights some common complaints from tourists and explains how cultural expectations can differ greatly from European customs. The video focuses on debunking myths and clearing up misconceptions about how certain customs are handled in Europe.
In the video, the creator addresses some of the criticisms American tourists have about water and drinks in Europe. She explains that contrary to what some tourists might expect, in many European countries, it's not common to carry large amounts of drink everywhere or use giant glasses. Instead, people drink when they're thirsty and don't try to force liquids on others.
The user also touched on the issue of ice in drinks, clarifying that not all drinks in Europe come with ice, and that if you need ice you have to specifically request it. This point was mentioned to avoid unnecessarily frustrating people who are used to having ice in every drink in the US.
reaction
“They're such a nuisance. It's like they've never left town.”
Another feature in the video is some tourists complaining about cafe opening hours, with the user explaining that in Europe, cafes tend to open later than in the US, around 9 or 10 a.m. “To find out when a cafe is open, you can always use Google,” she points out.
The video has caused a stir on the social network, with comments such as: “In Spain, they give you free water in every restaurant, but it comes in glasses, not bottles”, “They're such a nuisance, it's like they've never left town”, and “As a Spaniard, the first thing I learned in German was to ask for sparkling water. Here in Spain, we don't drink as much sparkling water as in Germany, so I looked it up before I went”.
