“American Problems” That Europeans Don’t Understand 

"In America, people just drive everywhere." Me an Indian: laughs while driving on sidewalk

Watching this whilst in a public hospital waiting for covid results. Me, a usually healthy person who only went to the hospital like 2 times in my life: -"Hey mr nurse, I'm kinda hungry and there are no vending machines." -"Oh, wait a second" - comes back with two small packs of sweet biscuits, a juice pack and a bottle of water" me: -"Oh, thx. How much is it?" nurse, laughing: "man, this is the public health service. what do you think we pay taxes for?" x-ray, full blood runs, IV drugs, covid test, and I inquired and will leave here without paying a cent. Things aren't perfect and waiting times are a bit high.. But boy I'm glad my country doesn't think caring for its citizens and having social policies is comunism. Thats the main thing I don't get about the USA. They care so much about individual freedom, but then they shackle people to the most unfair inequality: monetary access to good health. It doesnt even make me angry, just makes me really sad :c

In Hungary, you don't even need to be employed to rent an apartment. There is no background check of any sort.

65mph or as we germans call it "Time to shift in fourth.."

having walls that are made out of wood and paper as well as owning and using a dryer always confused me

The renting issue is unique to very large cities. Most of America only requires a few references, quality apartments require credit checks, but those are apartments operated by landlords that care about their property.

"we require a sample of your kidney" I'm pushin' up daisies XD

Preslatka si Barbara!! Pozdrav iz Srbije.

Hi Barbara, I am kind of like you, a European in Merica. However from Sweden. Just some feedback. 1. Shopping, it did come as a surprice first time that the tax is added on top. I do however see the benefit. In Merica we see the real price of the product, in europe the price for the huge 20-25% VAT is hidden in the price just so that we citizens dont pay attention to how we are anal raped by our governments..... Yes, that is exactly what they are doing. I really like it in some states they also dont put tax on food because they cant tax a life necessity, however some foods are considered luxury food and then taxed. 2. I dont agree on amazon packages. They are sooo much better than USPS, UPS, FeDex. It might be because you live in a big city and I am in the countryside (I am literally surounded by tobacco fields). 3. I know, sweet potato and marshmallows is yucky, why do they put ketchup on meatloaf, what about that thing mimosa (champagne, no sorry, white sparkling wine + orange juice) - I rather have red wine topped up with Fanta. And they dont understand why we like ketchup on our spagetti and meatsauce or on our macaronis. 4. Getting a place to rent can be a f-ing hassle, I was lucky, out of more than 160 applicants I was the only one that they accepted and that without a slightest credit score. Then again, I am in the country, and in the south - I guess it can vary hugely from LA. 5. I agree with tipping, it is very confusing as I travel around a bit. In some states the tip is as low as minimum 10%, where I live it is minimum 15% but 18% is really the way to go while in Florida its more common with 20%. I do not agree with establishments that auto charge your the gratuity. Not at all and they will get the lowest score on trip-advisor. 6. Washing machines and dryers. Well we are used to in europe that if your in a apartment there will be a washing room in the basement, or the apartment has the appliances one need, this is common in Scandinavia and East Europe, however if you go to the meditiranian countries you basically have to buy all appliances yourself, including stove and oven. About dryers, the european ones are different, they are condeser dryers and wear a lot on the clothes while in Merica the dryers exhaust the warm air through a tube to the outside of the house. It is a very different drying process. 7. Traffic, Right on red is in all 50 states plus a lot of territories - I do wish we had it in Europe, Same in Sweden as in Poland, only with right turn green arrow is lit. I also have a problem with the pass in every lane.... Its scary for us Europeans. I agree with that highway speed limits can be a bit slow. In some places here in NC its 75 and the State patrol usually give 9-10 mpg tolerance so if your just under 85 your fine. I do think the speeds in the countryside is a bit high. Its common with 45 or even 55 pass a school. I absolutly do not have the same traffic situation as you do, my main traffic issue can be if I am late to work and I get a school bus in front of me or the truck emptying garbage - other than that, no problem. Wow, you pay over 3 dollars for a gallon, here its 2.31. I love pickup trucks, its the way to go, 4x4, large so one is safer than in a small car, my Laramei is like a cadilac in comfort. We should have more of that in Europe.

That's why they call it "practicing medicine". Doctors are allowed to bury their mistakes other service people have to warranty them.

I'm on medi-cal and I don't have to pay anything whenever I go to the doctors. I went to the ER a few weeks ago; they took my blood and did tests on me and I didn't have to pay them a thing. Medical care is only affordable/free if you're rich or homeless (like me). Middle class Americans (the majority) have it the hardest when it comes to medical care.

Due to the ludicrous medical costs even with insurance, i have been to the doctors about 10 times in my 60 years. I have learned how to suture myself using dots of superglue and how to painlessly lance dental abscesses. Usually, antibiotics remedy most situations that you can get in "alternative forms" for a fraction of the cost.

It's always been allowed to turn right on a red in the U.S. after you stop. Lights vary; sometimes a turn signal is there but signs usually are there to inform you. But so many foreigners have come into the U.S. lately that driving has become very bad and even dangerous in many areas. When I lived in Slovenia, there were a lot of bad accidents because people were buying cars for the first time. Many country roads in Slovenia are one large and a half wide but people would drive so fast that there was no chance if they would meet someone, and cutting into oncoming lanes is common in Slovenia and all over Southern Europe. One Slovenian friend of mine once told me, "In Slovenia, democracy means buying a new car and driving very fast." While I was living in Slovenia I saw some very dumb but tragic accidents happen. In one case, two guys went diving in an iced-over lake but did not take a guide rope with them, so they drowned. In another horrible case, some government personnel took a raft ride down a river and ended up going into the turbines of the dam. In Slovenia and the U.S., I have treated many Slavs. For some reason, they are very bad about safety planning.

But if the parcel deliverer just drops your parcel at the door or the fence, they don't have your signature, so how can they prove delivery?

THANK YOU FOR THE LETTERKENNY REFERENCE! Love, Canada

Your list and awe stuckedness about this list is so palpable as a Dutch guy like me living within spitting distance of both Germany and Belgium.. Even the rest of Europe is less quaint than the not-so-united states..

Advice: Return to Slovenia. I would.

Why can't you put the taxes on prices included? Also that tipping culture is so weird. Service providers, how you values your employees or wtf? I don't get it.

1800 $ for 12 months ? at least they have that going for them.. over here that will barely get you 2 months in a city..

What do you eat in England, Ireland that is so much better?

You are very brave to try cooking via American recipe!!!!!

"In America every lane is a fast lane" Germany: *laughs in Autobahn*

Ok yeah seriously, America....WHY are the taxes not added up on the price tag before hand! what

From Dave Barry, a humor writer: Pharmacy commercial: Take this medicine, or you will die Warning: This medicine will kill you

Cheese in a can?? Ok, this is the last straw. Prepare to get recolonized.

Ahhhh, the Vintage Barbara is back, with her sarcasm!! About time.

Born and raised American and don't understand most of these things myself.

American problems europeans don't understand: Going into crippling debt after a hospital visit.

How the f*ck they don't have washing machines at their homes??? That's like not having a fridge

Prescribing the wrong medication in Europe is usually called, and I don't want to get overly technical "medical malpractice."

Sorry im from Germany, what ist this Speed limit thing you where talking about?

I always hear from Brits that visit the USA, "how can you stand to watch the tele with so many bloody commercials?".

Yes, I want the "What Americans find weird about Europe" video.

Technically, that orange stuff in the can is not "cheese". It is considered by the FDA to be a "cheese flavored product". It has many uses. Such as: window caulk, catfish bait, denture adhesive, and fix-a-flat. OOh, and you can use it to glue Ritz crackers together!

normally in Italy if the person who delivers can't find someone to deliver to, then he'll put a piece of paper saying that he didn't find anyone, so the person who wants the delivery comes to the postal office and grabs the package, this is normally done with the "Poste Italiane"

I’m an American, and slow drivers in the left lane piss me off to no end.

She definitely has a proper view of America lol 😂

Europe: come back in a couple of days we don’t want to unnecessarily prescribe the wrong medicine. Usa: ah i feel a little dizzy, time to overdose on antibiotics

And so now the gas price in Texas is as low as $1.25. Last time it was this low was around 1980, and then $1.25 was high... so was I.

You forgot about the size of the food portions😂 (They are scary😶!)

I'm from Croatia. I had knee surgery, I got two screws. I was in the hospital for 8 days and then at home for 4.5 months. Watching movies and playing games hh. Once again, I came to a small operation to remove the screws. I paid 0 (zero) euros. I have been working for 9 years and paying taxes. And even if I was unemployed I would still pay nothing!

When you are born into the world, you get a ticket to the freak-show. If you are born in America, it's a front row seat. If you are born in Florida, you are the freak-show!

Ah yes, America. The richest third-world country.

The apartment I am in now, I actually got even though I was unemployed at that time and my total income was a complete zero. By the landlord words, I was "the best applicant". Viva Czech Republic :D

I’m from Europe,too.Oh so that is why the american recipes i have tried turned out horrible...I also thought cups are mugs...🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

"100$ to fill the tank" Me, a Slav with average 250 euros payment: 🙃

"they pass you through your rooftop"🤣

The extra cost of medicine in the US is absurd and expensive

Thank you for calling out the insane pharmaceutical ads. My wife and I always joke that we might be dead from the medication, but hey, our psoriasis is gone. Also, the medical system is a gouging business, 100%, only a business, and they couldn't care less about your health. Thank you for the laugh. And the cry. Welcome to America. Subscribed.

Oh, I know you didn't just insult chicken and waffles! I'LL FIGHT ANYONE WHO INSULTS MY CHI... *has a heart attack*

Yes, I want the "What Americans find weird about Europe" video.

Actually here in the U.S. we are supposed to pass on left also. We just quit caring when a slow driver is in the passing/fast lane.

These are sum things Americans don't get about America

That's why doctors call it a "practice" cause they don't know what they're doing, they're just practicing. And we're called patients because it really does take patience when dealing with doctors lol

Not just Europeans, literally the whole world

Keep in mind Barbera, you have not actually been to the United States yet, most of us don't count California, it's like a different country.

Cheers! I just wanted to add a few things which were a huge culture shock to me while I was in the USA, don't know if anyone has experienced the same things. I was an exchange student in CO back in 2012. So, here are a few things: 1. High school curriculum - 4 classes per semester, much longer than in my home country. In my home country, I had 15 classes per year, lasting 45 minutes, while in the US I only had 8. 2. High school curriculum - choosing your own classes. In my home country, they were all fixed classes, no electives, while in the USA you are free to choose from one of the 'groups' to get the necessary points for your college application. 3. High school spirit and clubs - they don't exist in my home country xD 4. SHOWERS - This was a huge shock to me... All the showers in the US were fixed overhead showers, non-detachable. At home, I could detach the showerhead and move it around while showering xD 5. The mix of cultures - as mentioned in the video, the USA is a bit of an oddball when it comes to food. I was extremely surprised to see what an actual melting pot of cultures it was, not only in the aspect of cuisine. 6. Community service - volunteering in my home country is an optional thing not many do. In the USA a certain number of hours are essentially demanded by either your college or your high school. 7. The community - maybe not a thing in big cities like LA, but in smaller ones, the community can really be very close-knit. I was honestly surprised by the culture of going to church and being a part of the community in many ways. 8. Everything is big - the sky seems bigger, all the events are 'big', every tragedy is big. In Europe, it seems to me, not many people make a big deal out of everything. in the USA, everything is big. For example: Christmas - I'm talking about house decorations, lawn decorations, presents, the family comes together - it's a huge deal. Conclusion: I liked most of the culture shocks and enjoyed widening my horizons. However, I'm not sure if I'll ever be comfortable with that non-detachable showerhead....

I don't usually say "Welcome to America"... I usually say, "Welcome to Walmart". But it means the same thing.

Only americans need the warning "Coffee may be hot..."

After reading the title, I was prepared to be angry. Then, you screamed like an eagle, and all was well.

"Welcome to America!" is what I'll say when you return again.

I worked in Europe as an assistant in a veterinary practice. When we took X-rays and we know the people were poor/it was going to be an expensive operation, we gave a discount or sometimes it was (almost) free, we often even didn't tell it. It's a sort of solidarity. We had also some fractions of medicines/medicines that were (almost) expired but still good (if we were sure there weren't any dangers), to give them for (almost) free, only to poor people (and if they wanted). Sometimes I'm still a volunteer, but I do also studies, so it's difficult to combine.

Only 3 countries in the world use imperial. The US, Liberia and Myanmar. The rest of the world uses metric as official standard.

you need to get out of the state of California. California does it represent the United States of America.

I’m American born and bred living in Germany and I totally agree with her. Our measurement system is the most ridiculous.

"screeches in freedom" I can confirm that every true red blooded American screeches in freedom at least three times a day.

why the hell would somebody move from Slovenia to US

Europeans who think they can visit San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York in a week.

you nailed the part about the privatized American "healthcare" system!

In most places, passing lanes are supposed to follow the same rules as Europe's, people just don't follow the rules.

People passing on whatever lane they want has a simple explanation: people are idiots. Or at least, there are enough idiots on the road that they're why we can't have nice things. Traffic laws say that we need to stay in the rightmost lanes except to pass (some highways have signage that reminds you), and we're taught that in Drivers' Ed classes. But people forget or just don't care, and highway patrol don't bother enforcing it, so here we are. I'd say an ad campaign to teach people *why* staying to the right would help, but at least here in the Seattle area there are idiots who think zipper-merging is the Devil's Maneuver and traffic circles are a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure.

During Vietnam, there was so much outrage over the fact you could fight and die before 21 that most of the country changed the drinking age to 18. Then the war was over and the holy rollers and MADD raised hell until it was changed back to 21. It’s probably more fun now knowing you are drinking before 21 and getting away with it. I remember what a letdown it was buying my first six pack when I turned 18. It just wasn’t as much fun as using a fake ID or giving someone a sob story to buy it for you when I was 16.

Renting a room in Russia is even easier. You pay - you live, no questions asked, just don't litter in the stairwell and don't be too noisy.

The drinking age is imposed by federal law. Technically, it says the minimum possible drinking age is 18, but then any state that sets the drinking age at below 21 will lose its federal funding for interstate highways

Dovri vecer, Slovenia.... I'm spanish and I'm also freaking out when I hear some guy saying "I'm doing the chores". Then my mind is like ( ohhh, this guy is involved in a Gospel chorus or what !? )... hahahaha.

I'd add one thing: not taking your shoes off when you come home..

Not using the metric system shows how far the US really got in 250 years.

Oh, Barb, I own three cars, a 1990 5.0L Mustang, an '04 Nissan 350Z and a 2014 Infiniti Q60S. All three are manual shift. I absolutely hate automatic transmissions. It always amuses me at the expressions on people's faces here when they see that my cars are all manual shift.

In the US, the right-hand lane is for those wishing to do the speed limit, with each succeeding lane to the left going up by 5mph.

The "people just drive everywhere" had me rolling. That is so true! When I came to the US I was just as surprised. But here I am today, I got used to and now I drive everywhere, I even challenge planes when I see one haha

I am sorry. I find your list of requirements to rent an apartment in the US to be unbelievable. The list was far too short and simple.

I'm from Portugal and in the other day I went to a friend's house and I discovered that they use a dryer machine. I honestly was kinda shocked with that 😂 and that was my first time knowing that there are people in Portugal that use a dryer instead of hanging it in a clothesline 😅

As an American, many of these things that have confused me as well.

I like how the price already has the tax in it in Europe. Also the sales taxes vary by state and district.

Here in South Africa, the couriers call ahead to let you know that they are on the way. You can even set the ideal time for the delivery, in some cases, depending on the courier.

I agree 90% with you & I am American born

It's cute that she thinks that canned "cheese" is actual cheese lol

I'm from the US but my family came from Czecoslovakia and I lived in Czechia (and married and had my first two children there) and I can agree with you on all of this. I don't remember the turning right on red because we never had a car there but it's probably the same as the rest of Europe. Also, here in the US the cops usually let you go between 5-10 mph before they pull you over but in Czechia if you go 1-2 mph over they'll pull you over. Great video. Hvala vam!

Renting an apartment in the USA is like doing business with Ferengi. You're absolutely correct about Americans' lack of lane discipline. Along with lack of speed limits, it is one of the few things we could learn from the Germans.

Literally hope the 1st thing she says is why don't they have free health care?!

Thank you for mentioning the drinking age... I was in the military and I couldn't buy beer until I was out of the military 🤣👌 now if you're in the military and under 21 you can't even buy cigarettes like wtf?!? I can die for my country but I can't relax in my own home with a beer or cigarettes?!? (I can because I'm 25) but you know what I mean lol

Europe: "Why can't you be normal like everyone else?" America: "So who are you again?"

It was fun watching this video. :) There are just too many camera effects, though... :)

"cheese" a creamy abomonation sprayed out of a can claiming the label of cheese ^^ try to convince a frenchmen or dutch or swiss that this ... stuff .. you just vomited on his cracker or plate is "cheese" ^^

The americans: Have bus stops The bus: ... Inexistent

I live in Montana USA and quite a few years ago (late 1990's I think) there was NO speed limit on interstates. I think they said the limit was "reasonable and prudent." That can be VASTLY different between drivers! Especially when you have 3 feet of snow and the road is covered with an inch of ice. That only lasted about 4 or 5 years. Not that most people follow that speed "limit" now, but.....hee hee

I am a Slav living in the US, and I approve this message! 🤣

you forgot the sugar-in-about-every-kind-of-food thing

You misunderstand the term "Welcome to America" when you express a negative experience. It is intended to let you know that we accept your criticism as valid, and it sucks to us also.

Interesting video, but it’s a bit odd to compare a single country to an entire continent. That’s kind of like comparing France to all of North America.