“What surprised you the most when you visited Europe for the first time?” asked Alfonso, my new friend in Vienna.
Caught unawares, I did not do justice to his question. “I found Europe to be really clean and safe,” I started and went on to give some examples.
Back in my room, the question got me thinking of the many culture shocks I have faced in Europe. Each time, Europe surprises me with something. I decided to list the top 10 for the benefit of first time travelers to Europe.
1. ‘Watery’ difference
In India, serving water to guest is considered a holy thing. Hence, you are served with free glasses of water in all restaurants. In Europe, I was shocked to find they don’t serve free water in cafes and restaurants. And the second big shock was when I looked at the menu and found beer to be cheaper than water.
I skip water, and instead have a Spritz 🙂
2. Pedestrian privilege
Life of pedestrians is safe and sorted in European cities, quite unlike India. They have planned pedestrian walkways everywhere, motorists stop patiently when pedestrians cross roads and no bike goes up on pedestrian paths and honks at them. Many of the old town centers are only accessible on foot. After my first trip, when I returned to India, the reverse culture-shock of this was a bit too scary for me.
Planned footpaths and crossings for pedestrians
3. Its too clean to be true
Europe (mostly the western Europe) looks unusually clean to most Indians. Everyone takes responsibility of public space cleanness. When I traveled for the first time as an exchange student, I was amazed by the immaculate railway stations, spotless trains and clean toilets, litter-free roads and well-kept public spaces. Unlike India, people pay and use washrooms than pee in public spaces. All the lakes and rivers are clean and pure.
4. Unerring punctuality of transport system
My first trip to Amsterdam from Lille had a train change at Antwerp railway station with the connecting train in 5 mins. I am used to at least 30 mins delay for Indian trains. I was skeptical if I could catch my connecting train. But, I did. Everything runs on time usually, from trains to buses to trams (of course, there are exceptions sometimes). I have caught connecting trains in 2 mins and have been amazed how the city buses are also right on schedule.
Zurich railway station
5. Vegetarian eggs and fish
I have faced it too many times and in so many cities of Europe that when I ask for a vegetarian dish, I inevitably end up with some egg or fish or even chicken. If I have to make sure I get my vegetarian meal right, I list down all things that can’t go in there. This one time, when I think I had listed out everything that is non-vegetarian, I got a soup with scallops.
This time I actually ordered for the fish!
6. Legal red light districts
On my first visit to Amsterdam, as I walked in the red light district looking at the skimpily clad women on display in their windows, I was shocked and amazed at the same time – shocked because it was so out in the open, and amazed as to how it empowered the sex workers and how the locals and the sex workers co-existed together. 8 countries in Europe (The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Greece, Turkey, Hungary, and Latvia) have legalized prostitution.
Amsterdam at night
7. Public display of affection
Public display of affection is still not popular in India and sex is still talked about in hushed tones. So, when one arrives in Europe, it either liberates you or embarrasses you, but its a shock nonetheless. I was impressed by how couples could become oblivious to the world around them, stop in the middle of the road and embark on a passionate kiss and how couples did not have to be careful with their display of affection around their kids.
As close as it gets in a pic 🙂
8. Toilet paper malady
However much I love Europe, there is something that shocks me till today – How it can make peace with toilet paper. Indians need their splash of water and I have many friends who invent some kind of make-do arrangement during their stays in Europe to cope with ‘toilet paper’ malady.
Toilet paper or Water?
9. Friendly strangers
Everyone in Europe, ranging from receptionists to cashiers to customers to bus conductors greet each other, before proceeding with the business. Even strangers smile and greet if your eyes meet. Well, greetings don’t give a culture shock but they surely give a reverse culture shock when you are back in India. On returning to India, I would greet shopkeepers and cab drivers with a ‘hello’ and get surprised stares in return.
Nearly every person I met walking down this road greeted me with a “Buongiorno!”
10. Sun, water and nudity
I have seen Europeans across all countries share a common love for sun and water and swimwear. Come summer, they can be found lounging in their shorts and bikinis in beaches, swimming pools and strange places like parks and college grounds. In winters, with most of the thermal swimming pools operating, people are again back in their shorts and bikinis. In Iceland, I went to a thermal pool and had to shower naked with others before entering the swimming pool. It did shock me a bit, but well, that’s the way it is.
In the middle of nowhereThe list is not exhaustive and I am sure every traveler has some of his/ her unique cultural shocks and experiences. If you have anything to share, please go ahead and post it in the comments 🙂
Travel with Swagatika 