Recently, Americans have been fond of traveling to Europe, but they have encountered a cultural difference: in Europe, regular restaurants do not often offer drinking water, and the drinking habits of the people are also different from those in the United States. This topic has sparked the attention of individuals from both Europe and America.
According to CNN, a tourist from Texas went to a restaurant in Germany and when the server asked her what drinks she would like, the tourist requested water. The server found this request quite strange and eventually gave her a €2 bottle of soda water, which she found hard to accept.
She said, “In the United States, when you enter a restaurant, you are served a large glass of water with ice already on the table.”
Looking around, she noticed that the other customers in the restaurant were all drinking wine and beer—water was nowhere to be seen.
An American living in Florence, Italy, also expressed that Americans seem to have an innate need to constantly drink water. “But in Italy, finding someone carrying a water bottle is like searching for a needle in a haystack.”
Regarding this topic, Stavros A. Kavouras, a nutrition professor at Arizona State University, who is of Greek descent and has lived in the United States for 20 years, was interviewed by CNN. Kavouras pointed out that there are indeed some differences between Europe and America when it comes to drinking water.
He said that if you ask for water in Germany, you are likely to be served soda water. “Because if you give customers regular water in Germany, they would refuse it, so why bother giving it to them?”
Kavouras mentioned that in Europe, it is usual to pay a few extra euros for a liter of bottled water during dinner. While this might surprise Americans, it is considered normal for many Europeans.
Interestingly, there is a difference in the recommended water intake between the United States and Europe. “In the U.S., women are advised to drink 2.7 liters of water per day, while men are advised 3.7 liters. In Europe, the figures are 2.0 liters and 2.5 liters,” Kavouras explained.
However, Kavouras added that data shows that lower socioeconomic status Americans drink less water. Those who can afford to travel to Europe do not represent the majority of Americans, as they are often more educated, wealthier, and of higher socioeconomic status.
When it comes to Americans traveling to Europe, Kavouras suggested not to rely too heavily on viral social media posts. Additionally, due to varying circumstances in each European country, it is advisable to thoroughly research the country you plan to visit and understand the locals’ customs. “You can learn how to express sparkling water and tap water in the local language.”
Kavouras also recommended buying bottled water from supermarkets or grocery stores, as it is cheaper than in restaurants. Furthermore, bringing a water bottle and refilling it throughout the vacation is a good idea. “Most European cities have safe tap water that is drinkable; you can also request a bottle of water to be filled at hotels, cafes, and restaurants.”