Europeans have characteristics that distinguish them from Americans. Whether in terms of food, attitude or activities, Europeans have a unique and perfect way of life that is admired by many. If you're fascinated by the European way of life, you can become a little more "European" wherever you live by following the steps below.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Travel like a European
Step 1. Ride a bicycle wherever you go
In 2013, more Europeans bought and rode bicycles than cars. There are 3.6 million people who cycle in the UK, almost double the number of motorists there. In Greece, there are five times more people cycling than driving cars. Instead of continuing to depend on your daily routine, it's better to buy a bicycle and ride it to work. You will travel like millions of other Europeans while saving money and improving your health.
Step 2. Use public transportation
Most European countries have extensive bus and rail systems that residents use in their daily lives. Germany has the Bahn train, Italy has the Metropolitane, and Paris has the Metro, which locals use to commute within the city every day. Instead of driving your car to work, it's better to find a bus route from home to work. You can also use the subway. This will make you feel more like a European and also save money.
One of the most versatile transit systems in London, with Transport for London (TfL), an extensive bus network, underground and underground rail, ferries and trams running 24 hours a day. TfL is also connected to an international airline and rail service. British people use these means of public transport every day, wherever they go. The red double-decker bus that fills the streets is known all over the world
Step 3. Buy an eco-friendly car
Lots of Americans drive big, fuel-intensive SUVs, but Europeans prefer tiny little cars that are more fuel efficient. In Italy and France, you'll often find cars like the Fiat 500, Mini Cooper, and Smart rather than the Cadillac Escalade. This usually happens due to narrow European roads, especially in big cities. If you must drive a car, or if you really want to, consider buying a Fiat 500 or Mini Cooper. Besides the car will make you feel like an Italian, it will also be easier to drive around, cost efficient and better for the environment.
Step 4. Walk more
Whether it's shopping or outing with friends, many Europeans take the time and walk to the shop or restaurant they need to go to. The city of Paris is designed for walking, with promenade along the Seine, sidewalk cafes around every corner, tree-lined avenues. Try to walk more in your daily life. Walk to the store to buy something or to a restaurant for dinner.
- Europeans also usually walk at night. There are very few nights when you don't see people walking the streets of Venice or the gardens of France. Add an after-dinner walk with your partner, family, friends, or roommates. This will help you release fatigue and also give you time to be with the people you care about.
- If you don't live in a place conducive to walking, try driving your car to the area around your destination, then walking to the specific location you need to go. This will allow you to walk more and also reduce stress from traffic jams and parking.
Method 2 of 4: Eat like a European
Step 1. Change your ingredients
In Europe, people eat more locally grown food and local restaurants. You can't walk through big European cities like London, Paris, and Florence without finding people selling local produce on the street. Find a farmer's market in your city and buy as much fresh food as possible. Also, start eating at local eateries.
Step 2. Reduce food portions
The average meal portion at an American restaurant is much larger than most restaurants in Europe. Even for home cooking, people in Europe eat smaller portions each time they eat. Try to change the portion of your meal. You can make less meals at home with smaller portions each time you eat. If you're out, try sharing your food with someone or taking your leftovers home for lunch the next day.
In France, people eat smaller portions than Americans. For breakfast, the French just eat a piece of fruit or crescent bread with milk coffee, that's if they have breakfast. The French have a larger lunch portion of pasta, protein, vegetables and fruit, usually in large groups. For dinner, the French usually choose a small meal with their family, filled with fruits, vegetables and protein. Take your time to enjoy smaller portions of the food you really like
Step 3. Try different desserts
European desserts are notoriously decadent and delicious. Look for a pastry shop that specializes in European food. Find some traditional European dessert recipes. You may also be able to find imported options at the grocery store.
- Look for the nearest Italian pastry shop. Italian patisserie is famous for cannoli which comes in a variety of flavors such as traditional ricotta, chocolate, strawberry, limoncello, and even caramelized pecans and pumpkin. Italian patisserie also sell ricotta pies, meringues, florentine cakes, as well as lobster tail cakes, which are pastries that are layered.
- If you can't find these cake shops in your area, then try making some recipes at home. Try making traditional German streusel or black forest cake. Make sure you look for recipes that have the same baking details as those made in Germany. You certainly want the resulting dessert to taste similar to that made by the locals, right?
- Sometimes, you can find a selection of European-style desserts at the grocery store. many American companies sell gelato products, a kind of mixture of soft sorbet and ice cream that is popular throughout Europe, especially Italy.
Step 4. Buy imported food
There are many foods and brands in Europe that are not available in America. Even the food brands available in America have a different taste in Europe. Look for world markets or grocery markets that sell imported foods. If you can't find it, then look for an international online shop that does delivery to your country.
- Look for gourmet cheeses like Italian Asiago, Parmesan, and Mozzarella or French Brie or Cantalet. Serve the food with honey, nuts, or wine. Try to find imported brands like il Giardino or Henri Hutin rather than other brands sold in your country.
- Some of the best types of chocolate you can get come from Belgium. Try Valerie's Gaufre Choco Waffle or the Ambiente White Praline chocolate bar.
- American sweets like Starburst and KitKat offer different flavors in other countries. Starburst comes with a blackcurrant flavor in Ireland. KitKat in Italy comes with a caramel flavor. Try to find a shop that sells imported candies to enjoy the variety of flavors available.
Method 3 of 4: Living like a European
Step 1. Go to the pub
In many European countries, such as Germany, England, and Ireland, there are places to drink called pubs or taverns. Unlike bars in America, pubs are full-service restaurants where people pass the time, play pub quizzes, or take their families with them. Although some pubs serve cocktails as a side dish, their main offerings are beer, wine and cider. You can spend the night in the pub, eating with your friends while watching the entertainment of a local band of musicians. Pubs are very popular, but there are very few pubs in America. Look for pubs in your area. For plans on your next outing with friends, try to avoid the bar crowds and spend your time with friends at the pub.
- If you don't like the pub atmosphere, look for Spanish taverns called taberna bars or tapas. You can find them in big American cities like Boston and San Francisco. The Spanish tavern serves Spanish cuisine and also has an extensive wine and cocktail menu.
- If you can't find any of the drinking establishments above, then try imported alcoholic beverages. France and Italy are famous for their wines, so try a bottle of French or Italian wine. Drink imported beers like Guinness from Ireland, Chimay from Belgium, Carlsberg from Denmark, Nastro Azzurro from Italy or Heineken from the Netherlands.
Step 2. Watch European TV shows
Although many European countries broadcast programs from America, Europe itself has quite a number of TV channels. Whether it's German soap operas like Verbotene Liebe (Forbidden Love) or British crime dramas like Sherlock, try to catch an overseas show. You can find them online from broadcast networks or online viewing companies like Netflix.
- There are many options from all over Europe for you to choose from. Britain has good science-fiction shows, Doctor Who as well as the thriller Luther, Denmark has the political drama Borgen, and France has the horror drama The Returned, these shows are just a few of the many European shows that exist.
- If you don't watch TV, then try foreign movies. In America, there are many international films shown in many arthouses and independent film theaters. You can also look for European film festivals or country-based film festivals in your area such as the Boston French Film Festival in Massachusetts or the Nuovo Cinema Italiano Film Festival in Charleston, South Carolina.
Step 3. Change the way you dress
Even though Europeans and Americans dress similarly, there are things you can do to look more European. The European style was generally neater and more formal than the American style, but European youth began to shift towards a more casual style. Dress classic and simple. Stay away from suits or clothes that are too casual. Check out London and Paris fashion week, both models on the runway and onlookers, for tips on dressing European men and women.
- Try clothing stores like H&M and Urban Outfitters. H&M is a Swedish company that is popular throughout Europe. Urban Outfitters has spread to various parts of the world and most of the clothes they produce cater to the aesthetic tastes of Europeans.
- If you are a man, make sure that your clothes fit. Avoid light-colored and short clothing, unless you're at the beach. Try wearing a polo shirt that fits well and long pants that fit your body. For a night out, try a tan button-up shirt or sweater and dark jeans. You can also wear a scarf to complete your outfit.
- European women, especially French women, are famous for their fashion. Whether they go to the grocery store or when they walk with their children, French women dress impressively, wearing skirts, dresses and high heels. Keep dressing simple but elegant. Wear black or red skinny jeans, a slightly chunky sweater, a scarf or long necklace, and a handbag. Top it off with designer-made high heels or boots, and you'll look like a person walking in Paris.
- Regardless of your gender, avoid wearing sports shoes and clothing unless you're exercising. Don't wear flip-flops unless you're at the beach. Europeans usually do not wear such clothes unless there is a reason to wear them. Wearing sportswear will make you look like a European criminal, so try to avoid it if you can.
Step 4. Watch football
American football is very different from European football. European football is also known as footie, which is known in America as soccer. Find the team you'd like to join. Learn about the competing teams and the teams most likely to enter the World Cup, which is a soccer championship. You can also involve your friends by watching football with them at your home or at a local pub.
- If an English person asks you if you're a fan of the Manchester United or Arsenal team, don't answer. The rivalry between the two teams is legendary.
- Britain, Germany and many other European countries are notorious for their football hooligans, which are football fans who usually cause trouble, break things in stadiums, and get arrested by the police. Although this custom has been on the decline in recent times, Europeans are still very serious about football.
- If you don't like football, then try watching rugby, tennis or cricket. These sports are also popular in Europe.
Step 5. Change the way you measure things
Europeans used a different system of measurement and temperature. Instead of using the British system of measurement in inches, feet and pounds, it is better to use the Metric system, which uses meters, kilometers and grams. You should also start writing down the temperature in Celsius, not Fahrenheit. This will make you sound like a European and also do things like them.
For example, an Austrian would say that the distance between Vienna, Austria and Munich, Germany is 355 kilometers, not 220 miles. They will also say that the temperature in Vienna is 25 degrees Celsius, not 77 degrees Fahrenheit
Method 4 of 4: Act like a European
Step 1. Do things slowly
Americans are usually in such a rush between activities that they forget to set aside time to enjoy life. Europeans set aside time in their day to enjoy many things. Whether it's lunch in France, a midday break in Italy, or a nap in Spain, Europeans know very well how to relax and enjoy the little things. Take 30 minutes to relax and de-stress during the day. Enjoy your lunch hour, instead of rushing to finish your lunch to continue working.
One of the best ways to do this is to take longer vacations. On average Europeans receive and take more days off than Americans. Instead of putting off your vacation until you have more money or less work, you should take a week's vacation and enjoy it. Plan an affordable trip or spend the week with your loved ones. Don't think about work and leave all the stress behind
Step 2. Value community more than comfort
Europeans know the right time to sit down and enjoy time with the people who keep them company. In France, people often spend long periods of time eating lunch, they gather in groups to socialize and eat together. Instead of skipping dinner with your family because you're too busy, you better sit down and eat with them. You can talk about your day and enjoy the people around you without rushing.
Americans are often too kind to one another and can be sensitive when someone tells them they're wrong. Europeans are usually more critical, but in a constructive way. The French are known to be frank and are usually considered too honest. When your friend asks for an opinion about their work, answer honestly, not lie to keep their feelings in check. They will become better people with it and you will have a closer and more honest relationship with them
Step 3. Smile less often
In general, Europeans don't smile at the people they meet on the streets the way Americans do. In Germany and France, you won't see locals walking around and saying Guten Morgen or Bounjour, then smiling at other people. They only smile when they really have to smile, so the smile they give is even more genuine. Instead of smiling at everyone you meet or when you're not really sincere about it, it's better to only smile when you're genuinely happy or impressed by something. This will make your attention more special and make you more European.
