Walk into any American home, and you’ll find a collection of “essentials” that would leave most Europeans scratching their heads. After being on both continents and endless conversations with bewildered European friends about American shopping habits, I’ve discovered it’s not just about different products – it’s about fundamentally different approaches to daily life.
I’ve watched countless friends struggle to find their “essential” items in European stores. It’s not that these products don’t exist – Europeans have simply found different (and often better) solutions to the same daily needs. Here’s what Europeans are skipping, and why their alternatives might actually make more sense.
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Quick Easy Tips
Pack smarter: Don’t bring items abroad that Europeans simply don’t use—you’ll just weigh yourself down.
Adopt minimalism: Travel light and live like a local—less stuff, more experience.
Rethink “essentials”: Ask yourself if it’s truly necessary or just a cultural habit.
Shop locally: When in Europe, buy what locals buy. You’ll fit in and save money.
Don’t expect the same amenities: Europeans don’t value convenience over sustainability—and it shows in what they don’t buy.
Europeans’ refusal to buy certain American “must-haves” isn’t just about taste—it’s cultural philosophy. Many Europeans see overconsumption as both wasteful and unnecessary. From massive fridges to giant pickup trucks, things that signal status or convenience in the U.S. are often viewed in Europe as excess or even environmental irresponsibility.
Take disposable products: Americans may stockpile paper towels, plastic cutlery, or single-use coffee pods, but in Europe, these items are often replaced with reusable alternatives. It’s not just about saving money—it’s about rejecting a throwaway culture. Europeans tend to prioritize longevity, quality, and sustainability over bulk purchases and fast convenience.
Another divisive item? Air conditioning. Americans see it as non-negotiable. Europeans often see it as a luxury—or a nuisance. Many prefer fans, natural ventilation, or simply adapting to seasonal temperatures. What Americans consider basic comfort, Europeans sometimes label as indulgent or even harmful to health and climate. These opposing views highlight deeper differences in values—particularly around consumption, climate, and comfort.
1. Enormous Refrigerators
While Americans can’t imagine life without their massive double-door fridges, Europeans are perfectly content with units half the size. In fact, the typical European family thrives with a fridge that would make most Americans panic about grocery storage.
Why Europeans Skip It:
- Daily market shopping culture
- Emphasis on fresh over frozen
- Smaller living spaces
- Lower energy bills
- Less food waste
What They Do Instead: Compact, efficient fridges combined with daily shopping trips to local markets and specialized food shops. Most Europeans have mastered the art of frequent shopping, turning what Americans might see as an inconvenience into a cherished daily ritual of selecting fresh ingredients and supporting local businesses.
The Reality Check: While Americans stock up for weeks, Europeans’ smaller fridges actually lead to healthier eating habits and reduced food waste. The money saved on energy bills often goes toward higher-quality, fresh ingredients.
2. Dryers
While Americans consider dryers as essential as washing machines, Europeans see them as an unnecessary energy drain that damages clothes. Even luxury apartments in Paris or Munich rarely include them.
Why Europeans Skip It:
- High energy costs make it impractical
- Better for clothing longevity
- Environmental consciousness
- Space-saving mindset
- Natural fresh scent preferred
What They Do Instead: Well-designed drying racks, clever ventilation systems, and retractable clotheslines are standard in European homes. Most apartments come with built-in drying solutions that Americans would never think to look for.
The Reality Check: Europeans’ clothes often last longer, smell fresher, and their energy bills stay lower. What Americans see as a time-saving necessity, Europeans view as an expensive way to wear out clothes faster.
3. Air Conditioning
The American obsession with year-round 72°F (22°C) temperatures makes Europeans shake their heads. Even in Mediterranean heat, most Europeans rarely have AC in their homes.
Why Europeans Skip It:
- Traditional architecture designed for natural cooling
- Cultural adaptation to seasonal temperatures
- Significantly higher electricity costs
- Environmental impact concerns
- Belief in natural air circulation
What They Do Instead: Centuries-old architectural solutions like exterior shutters, thick walls, and cross-ventilation, combined with strategic window management and evening cooling routines.
The Reality Check: While Americans spend thousands on AC installation and bills, Europeans have perfected the art of staying comfortable through smart design and seasonal adaptation.
4. Huge SUVs
While Americans view large SUVs as family necessities, Europeans manage just fine with smaller vehicles – even for families of five. The sight of a typical American-sized SUV in European streets often draws bewildered looks.
Why Europeans Skip It:
- Narrow city streets and limited parking
- High fuel costs and taxes
- Efficient public transportation alternatives
- Environmental consciousness
- Better space utilization
What They Do Instead: Compact cars, station wagons, and smaller SUVs that combine functionality with efficiency. Many families opt for practical minivans when they need extra space.
The Reality Check: European families manage road trips, shopping, and daily life perfectly well with vehicles half the size of American SUVs, saving significantly on fuel and parking costs.
5. Paper Napkins
The American habit of stocking huge packages of paper napkins is practically unheard of in European households. The disposable napkin culture simply doesn’t exist here.
Why Europeans Skip It:
- Waste reduction mindset
- Preference for cloth napkins
- Environmental concerns
- Storage space efficiency
- Cost effectiveness over time
What They Do Instead: Cloth napkins are standard in European homes, often with different sets for daily use and special occasions. They’re washed with regular laundry and reused.
The Reality Check: While Americans go through packs of paper napkins weekly, Europeans’ cloth napkins last for years, creating less waste and actually saving money long-term.
6. Bulk Shopping Supplies
The American Costco run for bulk supplies is a concept that makes Europeans laugh. You won’t find massive packages of toilet paper or year’s worth of cleaning supplies in European homes.
Why Europeans Skip It:
- Limited storage space
- Regular shopping culture
- Fresh over stockpiled mentality
- Different shopping infrastructure
- Waste consciousness
What They Do Instead: Regular purchases of smaller quantities from local shops, buying only what’s needed for the near future. Many Europeans shop for household supplies weekly or biweekly.
The Reality Check: The European approach actually saves money by preventing overbuying and expired products, while keeping homes clutter-free.
7. Ice Makers/Ice Obsession
The American love affair with iced drinks and automatic ice makers baffles most Europeans. The concept of a dedicated ice machine in your fridge is seen as remarkably excessive.
Why Europeans Skip It:
- Preference for room temperature or lightly chilled drinks
- Better taste appreciation without extreme cold
- Energy conservation mindset
- Limited fridge space priorities
- Different beverage culture
What They Do Instead: Small ice trays for occasional use, serving drinks at cellar temperature, and embracing beverages without ice. Wine, water, and even soft drinks are typically served cool, not ice-cold.
The Reality Check: Europeans find that moderately chilled drinks actually taste better and are more digestible than ice-cold ones, while saving on electricity and fridge space.
8. Massive Water Heaters
The American-style 50+ gallon water heaters are rare in Europe, where on-demand and smaller systems are the norm.
Why Europeans Skip It:
- Space efficiency requirements
- Energy consumption concerns
- More advanced heating technology
- Cost-effective solutions
- Environmental awareness
What They Do Instead: Tankless water heaters, point-of-use systems, and solar water heating are common. Many Europeans have mastered the art of efficient hot water use.
The Reality Check: European homes never run out of hot water despite using systems a fraction of the size, proving bigger isn’t always better.
9. Multiple TVs
The American habit of having TVs in every room, including bathrooms and kitchens, seems excessive to Europeans.
Why Europeans Skip It:
- Different entertainment culture
- Space consciousness
- Family gathering priorities
- Energy saving mindset
- Focus on other activities
What They Do Instead: One primary TV in the living room, often smaller than American standards. Many Europeans prefer laptops and tablets for personal viewing.
The Reality Check: Less TV presence often leads to more family interaction and diverse entertainment choices, saving both energy and space.
10. Extensive Kitchen Gadgets
While Americans love single-purpose gadgets like avocado slicers and banana stands, European kitchens maintain a minimalist efficiency that would shock QVC enthusiasts.
Why Europeans Skip It:
- Limited kitchen storage
- Preference for multi-purpose tools
- Quality over quantity mindset
- Cooking skill emphasis
- Less processed food preparation
What They Do Instead: High-quality basic tools that serve multiple purposes. A good knife, a few pans, and basic utensils are all most European kitchens contain.
The Reality Check: European home cooks create amazing meals with a quarter of the gadgets found in American kitchens, proving skill matters more than specialized tools.
11. Bathroom Storage Cabinets
The massive bathroom storage systems common in American homes are rare in Europe, where bathrooms are designed for efficiency rather than product storage.
Why Europeans Skip It:
- Smaller bathroom spaces
- Minimal product use
- Different grooming routines
- Space optimization focus
- Simpler cleaning routines
What They Do Instead: Compact, well-organized storage solutions, often built into walls or under sinks. Many Europeans keep toiletries in bedrooms instead.
The Reality Check: European bathrooms stay cleaner and more functional without becoming product warehouses.
12. Screen Windows
Americans might panic at the lack of window screens in Europe, but locals have never seen the need for them.
Why Europeans Skip It:
- Different insect patterns
- Better window design
- Natural air flow preference
- Architectural aesthetics
- Traditional building methods
What They Do Instead: Strategic window opening times, shutters, and occasional use of mosquito nets when needed. Many European windows are designed to open multiple ways for ventilation control.
The Reality Check: Europeans enjoy fresh air without bugs becoming a major issue, thanks to smarter window usage and different pest control approaches.
13. Giant Washing Machines
The enormous washing machines Americans consider standard would never fit in most European homes – nor do Europeans want them.
Why Europeans Skip It:
- Space constraints
- More frequent washing cycles
- Energy efficiency focus
- Water conservation
- Different laundry habits
What They Do Instead: Compact, efficient machines with superior technology, often washing at higher temperatures and with better results despite their smaller size.
The Reality Check: European-style machines use less water and energy while getting clothes just as clean, proving bigger isn’t always better for laundry either.
The Bottom Line
These differences aren’t just about product choices – they reflect fundamentally different approaches to daily life. While Americans often prioritize convenience and abundance, Europeans tend to favor efficiency and sustainability. Neither approach is inherently better, but understanding these differences can help us all make smarter choices about what we really need versus what we’re just used to having.
When Americans move to or travel around Europe, one of the first lessons they learn is that “essential” is often relative. What’s a daily staple in the U.S. may not even be stocked in European homes. This isn’t about who’s right—it’s about realizing how much our culture shapes our consumer habits.
If you’re open to it, letting go of some American shopping habits while abroad can be liberating. It may even lead to a more efficient, sustainable, and intentional lifestyle—one that prioritizes quality over quantity and experience over accumulation.
So before you pack your favorite gadgets, oversized toiletries, or stack of fast food coupons, ask yourself: do you really need it? Or are you just conditioned to believe you do? The European answer might surprise you.
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues sharing his travel experiences with his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.