American tourists criticize French cafes.

There are some culture shocks that are more surprising than others. For Americans, it would be the coffee drinking habits of Europeans. At least, according to tourists who complained about it on the Tiktok social network. On May 25, American Sarah Tonen, who is vacationing in “Europe” (however elusive), addressed her subscribers denouncing the opening hours of cafes. At dawn (in other words, midnight), while the baristas were still in Morpheus’ arms, the young traveler was surprised to find that no one in his hotel was working the coffee machine; “I was very confused. it’s so weird.” A cultural gap based on drastically different consumption habits is enough to amuse Europeans.

The art of drinking coffee

Showing a sense of naivety, the video immediately sparked a backlash among French netizens. “They like to spend 10 euros a lot in low-end cafes,” says another. It must be said that our morning rituals are very different. For many of us Europeans, the reassuring hum of the coffee machine and its warm smell motivates us to get out of bed each morning. By Americans, followers fast life, it’s a run to Starbucks, Dunkin Donut’s, or a local independent coffee shop that marks their morning before going to work. There is no need to get out of the car, once the order is placed at the terminal, the drinks magically appear from the slot of the concession stand. And this from the first hours of the day. A habit that weighs heavily on the wallet, but from which many find it difficult to break.

“I keep getting told to save money, make your coffee at home,” but I like to get in my car, put on some music, and go get a coffee. It’s an activity, a “festive” that gets me through the long winter months. I can’t get rid of it,” @taylordonoghue defends on TikTok. A habit that some also choose to mock with self-respect on social media. “I’m stressed about money, so I’m going to spend $9 on a smoothie,” quipped one user, who filmed himself sipping his cold drink.

Not the same coffee

The drink that flows into American cups is also very different. Still on Tiktok we find many videos where tourists offer tutorials on how to order “American style” coffee in Europe. Indeed, espresso, long coffee and cafe crema, the great classics of our terraces, will seem too rustic for Americans who likeiced coffee summertime – iced coffee in French. A trend that is becoming more popular in Europe, but not enough to attract establishments with their juice, usually French, Italian or even Spanish. Result? Tourists are served espresso surrounded by ice cubes and have to make it alone, like TikTok user @itsfernandadiaz. “My two neurons are trying to make iced coffee in Europe,” he comments.

It must be said that on the other side of the Atlantic, in the homeland of the giant Starbucks, menus display a large selection of drinks with eccentric names, whipped cream or artificial colors. Like the Starbucks Choco Chip Frappuccino, which consists of “chocolate flavored sauce and Frappuccino chocolate chips combined with coffee-flavored syrup and milk, blended with crushed ice, whipped cream and chocolate-flavored syrup,” according to the chain’s website. .

Creations that come out with the rhythm of the seasons, unleashing trends among young people who share the latest must-have drinks on social media. We remember, for example pumpkin spice latte, which set the Internet on fire in the 2000s, Starbucks’ fall-flavored drink made with coffee, cinnamon, nutmeg, and whipped cream. Enough of not knowing what plain coffee looks like anymore.