14 “The European Mind Can’t Comprehend This” Posts Funny To Americans And Confusing To Europeans

If you often engage in aimless scrolling through social media feeds or enjoy a good meme once in a while (who doesn’t?), you might have noticed that Europeans and Americans like to tease each other from time to time. All in good fun, of course, mostly regarding their bewildering cultural differences. 

One of the most recent formats through which they poke fun at each other is the ‘European mind can’t comprehend this’ meme. Since its first known sighting in July 2023, it has successfully continued to amuse Americans and confuse Europeans by showcasing something from the US that might leave someone living in Europe in a muddle.

Today we bring you the freshest collection of these memes, from Dr. Pepper-flavored peeps to highways with 26 lanes. All you have to do is scroll down!

While you’re at it, don’t forget to check out a conversation with Elise from Elly Happy Times, a French blogger who traded her life in Burgundy, France, for one in Washington, DC.

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To learn more about cultural differences between the US and Europe, Pictolic reached out to Elise from Elly Happy Times, a French blogger who traded her life in Burgundy, France, for one in Washington, DC, and shares her experience online. 

She tells us that her decision to move to America was largely influenced by her husband, who was transferred there due to his employer.

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This exact reason, surprisingly, isn’t rare, as a survey conducted in 2023 found that employee relocation and love were the second and third leading motivations for people to move abroad.

As a result, 4.7 million Europeans were living in America as of 2022, comprising 10% of the 46.2 million immigrants in the United States.

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Moving abroad is a big challenge, especially when the country has very different norms than they are accustomed to. Getting used to a new country can be fairly intense and may cause feelings of uncertainty, confusion, or anxiety.

Such an adjustment period is called culture shock. Although it has a negative connotation, it’s completely normal, as it’s simply a result of being immersed in a culture that one hasn’t faced before. Those who successfully resolve their feelings often overcome it, further having a favorable experience.

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For Elise, there were quite a lot of things that confused her European mind when she first stepped foot on American soil. 

Tipping culture, portion size, healthcare system, diversity, school system, and driving culture are just a few that she named. “Everything is big and far; there is no sidewalk, and most of the time you can’t walk to go somewhere—and no public transportation!” she adds. 

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