re: Visiting Europe and noticing little differences between Europe and the US

How many all you can eat buffets did you see?

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How many all you can eat buffets did you see?

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I never thought about it at the time but now that you mention it I don't remember ever seeing a buffet. Not even a Chinese buffet.

People eat better, because they distrust anything unnatural.

It's cultural.

You have US like people on the the left side of the Atlantic, they're called English and German.

Ah, and some Dutch.

Typically, Europeans of no cuisine history and culture.

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Each country makes its own policies.

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Not in Europe! The EU makes the policies because the people of Europe are a bunch of cowards and not willing to be a sovereign nation.

Things I noticed after 2 weeks in Norway and England. They are not fat. People have some fashion sense. I didn't see any thongs or boxers or pants at the knees. Girls were dressed like ladies, not hookers. Grocery stores were smaller. Everybody walks or bikes. Even minorities had jobs.

Those are very accurate observations, OP.

I would add that while they eat cheese and bread, ice cream, etc. each serving is not like here. Portion sizes have grown there too, but waddling up to a 3,000 calorie buffet is much less common than here.

Another thing I noticed was less folks with their face in their smartphone all the time.

What's odd is that while I studied abroad, I hardly ever saw anyone exercising in public. In America, you'll see people jogging in the neighborhoods and public parks. I rarely saw that while in Europe.

I spent 14 days in Italy and France last year. The smoking thing was annoying. I developed a headache from all the 2nd hand smoke. And there were panhandlers everywhere in Paris, Rome, Florence. If you look like an American you will be approached all the time and they usually say “Excuse me, do you speak English?” Just keep walking. I was in a train station in Rome and trying to figure out which train to get on to go to Sorrento. A local guy stopped on his own and showed me I need to get on the train to go to Capri. They only put in bold letters the big stops. I said thanks and he stuck his hand out and said “Tip.” I said no tip and he was stunned.

Paris was disappointing because there were not many French people around. Way too many foreigners living there. They have an immigration problem which leads to a crime problem, sketchy areas, and it shows. Restaurants in Italy were about the same price as fast food here. You have to ask for ice water or they will just bring a tiny class of room temperature water to your table. French food was surprisingly very good. Good tip is don’t go to a restaurant that has menus written in English. Tourist food is bland. Small hole in the wall type restaurants in Paris were outstanding.