The refreshing no-nonsense way of European countries

A lovely street in Spain

After spending some time in North America, I returned to European countries to experience a refreshing reverse culture shock. Sure, the best customer service is in the US. And there are endless shopping options for anything from food to clothes.

But returning to any European country is packed with familiarity and nostalgia.

These are the things I appreciate more each time I travel East across the Atlantic Ocean, in no nonsense European countries.

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Public Transport

Many big cities have a good and reliable public transport system in the US and Canada. But in Europe, there's so much more. Buses go from town to town, trains are available for crossing countries, and subways move you across town in 20 minutes.

North America is generally more spread out. You need a car to have anything done. Unless you're in a big city, you need to drive 30 minutes to see a dentist. Or to run errands and buy groceries. It is set up intentionally for cars to be the main transportation, often to the detriment of citizen's wellbeing. If you don't have a working car, then you cannot go to work or the hospital.

I like being able to walk to a pharmacy when I need something. I like not depending on a car or my ability to drive to get stuff done.

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It's easy to walk every day

Unless you're in a rural setting, you can most likely leave your accommodation, walk for 10 minutes, and encounter a mini-market or restaurant. Any neighborhood or village is set up to have everything you need within walking distance. Fresh food markets are always close by.

I love being able to walk a few minutes to a corner shop for an ice cream or a missing ingredient for dinner. This is how most Europeans stay healthy, too. If something is 30 minutes away or less, we walk. Especially for office workers, an evening walk after work is relaxing.

On weekends, we like to walk in parks or around the city, discovering cool shops and old bookstores.

Aside from a few large cities, the US and Canada set up areas disconnected from one another. Walkability is close to zero. Shopping areas and restaurants that are 10 minutes walk away, will require a car because a highway is cutting off access.

I was often the only one walking around Houston or Orlando, for example. If it was within a 30-minute walk, why not stretch my legs? Apparently, suspicious people are usually the ones who walk everywhere, it is seen as an odd thing to do.

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No tipping culture

Some countries, especially in Eastern Europe, follow the American model of underpaying their staff and relying on tips. But in the West, a good salary is already accounted for in the price of the meals. It's nice to know how much you need to pay in the end. Some places don't have the option for tips on the card machine. It's even better not to be guilted into supporting the livelihood of the workers.

Tips are not expected, everyone is doing their job. And you don't get an attitude for not tipping someone.

Once, I got an eye roll for not tipping when being handed an overpriced pretzel in Florida. I really hate going out and having the tip already a mandatory part of the bill. Of course, if you have a large group or the server goes the extra mile to accommodate you, you should show your appreciation.

I know this is an ongoing controversy and argument between servers or food deliverers and patrons. They are between "Don't eat out if you can't afford to tip" and "Why am I expected to contribute to the salary of this employee when the company is paying them 2$ an hour". I strongly believe that a business should pay a good living wage. If a bussiness cannot afford to pay its employees a good living wage, they should not be operating.

I'm not even starting on ordering food, with apps adding fees on top of fees and then not paying the driver. Workers and customers are keeping the business alive, but are turned against each other. Meanwhile, the owners are whistling on their way to the bank.

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The tax is already in the price on the shelf

I really hope the popularity of credit cards does not take off in Europe. Nobody should sink into debt on a daily basis because of how easy it is to use credit cards on a low wage.

Banks and businesses are eager to offer them, so you don't think about how much you actually have to spend. Banks love debt, overdraft fees, and comissions.

The first few times I shopped in Canada, I kept forgetting about the sales tax. So things seemed to be at a great price, until I arrived at the register. Then the total would be 15 dollars more. If you pay in cash, it's easy to keep track of your spending.

In European countries, you go shopping and you already know exactly how much you'll be paying for the items you need. When on a budget, you already know how to split your money because you know the price of each item. Prices are usually easy to remember because they're rounded up.

Marketing the use of credit cards is not citizen-oriented, but the base of corporate triumph- debt and over-consumption.

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No-nonsense service

It is a huge part of the great customer service you receive in most places in the US.

It's funny, but for a European, it seems so drawn out. You walk in for a coffee, you are greeted with a smile and a long introduction. Something like "Hello, welcome to Coffee Coffee House, I'm Jessica, what can I get started for you today?".

It is very different from entering a venue in Eastern Europe, for example, and being greeted by a resting b*tch face. Usually, a hello and a smile disarm the resting face. But you are not expected to make small talk, you ask, pay, and go.

The opossite happens when you sit down to eat. In Europe, even having coffee could mean a few hours at a table. You have to ask for the check.

In the US, service is fast, and when you say no to dessert, the server already pulls out your bill.

I do feel for the staff needing to smile until their mouths hurt, I've been there. And sometimes, you just want to buy water and leave. That said, after a long time in Europe, I miss the warm American service.

You may be surprised that not liking what you order in a European country means nothing, you carry the blame as you're the one who ordered it. The menus have a detailed list of ingredients and even the weight of the meal in grams. So the decision is on you, even if the food is awful.

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Fresh food

I noticed that some American restaurants have a law that requires them to use several gallons of mayo per week. All sandwiches must have mayo oozing out with each bite. The same is true with heavy cream, it finds its way into all the dishes.

Food in European countries is not always the healthiest. There are still pesticides used on crops, for example. But ready-to-eat meals and super-processed things are only now becoming more popular. Permanent farmer's markets are in each neighborhood. Many still grow their own food. Villages across countries are self-sustainable. People enjoy fresh foods, vegetables, and fruit, and know where their food came from.

I like that the EU is involved in making things better. Like banning bleached flour. There is no need for peroxide in our flour. Wheat flour is naturally grayish and that's ok. Also, many food colorings and other harmful ingredients are banned. If you compare labels, the European ones are simpler and less sugary.

One issue I have with North America is the bread. It's hard to find fresh, light, crusty bread. And I don't know why anyone needs sugar in hot dog buns.

The next generations are groomed into sugar over-consumption, as with kids menu and processed foods marketed towards children. I don't think plain yogurt is considered as something kids can or should eat.

I find it difficult to find the right place to be. European countries and North American countries have their differences, but each side of the Atlantic is great. I feel like we can all learn from each other and better all departments of our lives.