this post was submitted on 14 Aug 2023
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[AskEurope] Fellow Europeans, what is the aspect of USA lifestyle that surprises you the most? (discuss.tchncs.de)
submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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First of all, let's try to avoid American-bashing, and stay respectful to everyone.

I'll start: for me it's the tipping culture. Especially nowadays, with the recent post on [email protected] with the 40% tip, it just seems so weird to me to have to pay extra just so that menu prices can stay low.

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[–] [email protected] 59 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I know it's a clichee but guns. I regularly watch some youtubers from a lot of backgrounds. Science, engineering, music, you name it. And the casual way they talk about guns, even carry them, is deeply disturbing to me.

Yeah I guess it happens that you shoot a gun once or twice in your life. From military service to the plain old "Schützenverein" in Germany. But having them in everyday life is... just... dangerous.

They in-part have open carry in malls. And plazas. I don't get why everyone carrying in a public space isn't classified as a danger.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I understand it in rural regions. There is more wild nature in the US. In Europe most wolves have names. In Germany at least.

I still agree with you in general though. It seems weird that guns are a symbol of freedom for many there.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

If you ask me it must be some sort of escapism. Owning and firing guns is an outlet, makes them think "I could totally overthrow this tyrannical government if I wanted to".

But of course a government that's had an armed population for hundreds of years knows how to deal with it and if anybody ever tried anything remotely resembling an insurrection they'd come down on them like a ton of bricks.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

Guns are like SUVs- 90+% have no need for them but have them anyway and don't use them for their intended purpose.