An American tourist traveling in Europe has questioned the vast difference he saw between the United States and Europe in a TikTok video.
Ben Pike of Massachusetts visited several cities on the continent during his travels, including Amsterdam and Copenhagen. When he was in Paris, he made a phrase that caught his attention as an American: nothing is open when everything is going on at home.
“There’s literally nothing open until like 8 or 9,” Pike told Newsweek. “In America, there is always going to be coffee places or breakfast places.”
In a viral video that has been viewed more than 769,000 times since it was first posted on December 16, Pike checks in early in the morning in Paris and explains that there are no shops or cafes open.
“I’m sorry I have to say this, Europe is not a place for morning people. I thought it was just Spain, now it’s France,” he says. “Nothing is open before 7 a.m. No coffee shops, no places to get breakfast. Everything is closed before 7 a.m. and a lot of stuff until 8 a.m.”
Speaking about the situation in the United States, Pike told Newsweek: “There is a place to eat that opens at five in the morning. Starbucks and other coffee shops, many of them open at five-thirty in the morning. They usually open at 6 in the morning. “
Although he personally finds the later opening times inconvenient, Pike sees an up side.
“In Europe, there’s respect for workers,” he told Newsweek. “Here, it’s not right to expect workers to get up at 4.30 a.m. They have a very good point. In America you don’t even really think about it. If you work in a coffee place, you have to be up early like that.
“These are cultural differences that I hadn’t even considered before coming here. “
Pike is one of many Americans who vacation in Europe. Southern and Mediterranean Europe, which includes destinations like Spain, France, Greece and Italy, prove to be the most popular with Americans, attracting roughly 8.3 million arrivals in 2022, according to Statista.
Pike’s video garnered thousands of comments from others who shared their thoughts on this cultural difference between the United States and Europe.
“Wait, cafes, etc. , open at 7 a. m. in the United States? These are crazy hours for service workers,” CC said.
“Because many European countries don’t have a bad work-life balance and don’t charge a price for free time,” @melasol_tattoo said.
AVAseries wrote: “Before 7:00, it’s not morning, it’s night.”
“It’s dark, even the sun sleeps, why are you up? »Casio and Glitter said.
Nissy shared: “As a Spaniard living in France, I get up early to go paint and you know how I drink my coffee?I prepare it at home!”
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Brian Dillon is a Newsweek journalist based in London, United Kingdom. It focuses on the home. He has extensively covered destinations and trends. Brian joined Newsweek in 2024 from the Irish Star US. He graduated from Dublin City University. You can contact Brian by emailing b. dillon@newsweek. com. Languages: English.