14 Things Europeans Do Better

Is it really healthier or is it just vacation?

All Americans romanticize Europe. It’s just a fact of life. The beautifully-storied buildings, baguettes perfectly-placed in wicker baskets, tiny cars you can park anywhere, and cafes flowing into the street—it almost makes me want to pick up smoking (calm down, I’d never).

This photo was taken on Monday, but it feels like a year ago already.

Every time I go, I come home a little snootier—and, since having kids, needing to spend 2 full days alone in a cold dark room with a chiropractor on call. But secondhand smoke aside, many Americans return from Europe reporting fewer stomach issues, less stress, and feeling more “cultured” and “inspired.” So is it really healthier over there or is it just vacation?

My honest read: it’s probably a mix of both. I’m not convinced that everything is better, but after spending the last few weeks eating my way through Italy, sweating in a British heatwave (I know, not Europe anymore), and dodging bikes Amsterdam, here are the things I find truly superior.

1. Airport food

I don’t know why we can’t just have a Pret-a-Manger at every airport terminal in America. It’s really not that much to ask. I have to bring a cooler with me to the airports here and in Europe there’s always a perfect little fast casual spot with hard boiled eggs and a niçoise salad. There might even be a little indoor playground for your kids too. Imagine that!?

I got this lentil salad during a layover at Charles de Gualle and it was 10/10.

2. Kid-friendly restaurants and parent-friendly playgrounds

They seem not to hate children (or parents) in Europe. It’s amazing how many restaurants (good restaurants) have playgrounds, or some sort of entertainment for kids, so parents can actually enjoy their meals. Some playgrounds will even have a little cafe, which makes it infinitely more pleasant for grown ups. If anyone on the Westside of LA wants to bring this concept home, you have a customer.

Freya and her masterpiece from the restaurant’s activity book.

3. Walkable and bike-able cities

What they lack in CrossFit gyms they more than make up for in bike lanes. It’s amazing to me how even in ancient cities that freeze half the year they’re able to have such great infrastructure for being active. Movement after eating can lower your blood sugar response by up to 30%—maybe this is why Europeans can eat bread and pastries without gaining weight.

4. Omelets

Europeans really know how to cook an egg. Not too greasy, not too salty, just perfect.

See, perfect. And don’t get me started on the tableware.

5. The ability to unplug anywhere

I can’t think of anything more American than paying for an expensive retreat to disconnect when you could just…sit outside? I’ve always wanted to be the kind of person that opens up a book on a park bench or sketches at a cafe, but I’m way too type A for that.

6. Simple salad dressings

This might be an unpopular opinion, but I think we overcomplicated salad dressing in the US. I don’t need a processed sauce with 17 ingredients to overpower my lettuce and cucumber. Olive oil and balsamic vinegar or a simple French vinaigrette is my go-to 95% of the time, and I appreciate a restaurant that leaves the salad bare and lets you do the olive oil and vinegar yourself.

7. Beautiful everything

Europeans care about aesthetics—they get dressed, set the table, and don’t throw trash on the street. Moments of casual beauty are good for the soul and make the everyday more enjoyable.

Imagine if this were the view on your morning commute.

8. High-speed trains

I guess when you have a small car, you need a big train. And it’s infinitely easier to take a train than to go to the airport—city center to city center.

9. Hyper-specialized food shopping

You have your butcher, your cheesemonger, your baker, your tomato supplier. I love shopping this way—and it’s why I go to the farmer’s market every weekend.

10. Eating intentionally

People sit down for meals (even coffee!), eat with a fork and knife, and they don’t constantly snack. Your body can handle a more indulgent meal if you’re not grazing all day.

The coffee tastes better in this gorgeous mug.

11. Really good butter

If you’re going to eat butter, it should be really good butter served in a pretty dish. This is a hill I will die on.

12. Fancy china

Speaking of pretty dishes, can we talk about plates? I’m that weirdo who turns over the plates at restaurant to see who makes it. A few years back at a hotel in England I couldn’t stop thinking about the tableware, so I started collecting it. This trip, Ozzie told me I shouldn’t buy the coasters from the Ginori flagship in Florence and I highly regret it (for the record, they were about 1/2 the price there).

The Ginori store in Florence

13. Delightful pharmacies

Instead of CVS, you get a clean, well organized pharmacy with everything you’d ever possibly need, from medicine to diaper cream, at actually reasonable prices. And the pharmacists know their stuff.

14. Scarves

European girls are very good at tying silk scarves. Also a fact. Someone teach me.

As much as I love a trip across the Atlantic, I'm quite happy to be home—back to my AC, my giant car, and a snack bar in my bag like a good American girl.

So what else should we be stealing from Europe? Tell me in the comments. I'm perpetually adding to the list.

FROM THE ARCHIVES