That's Not A Thing. 5 Things that aren't as important to Poles that Americans are obsessed with.

Disclaimer I'm not Polish nor American so that gives me full authorization to write my opinion piece based on my own observations.

I've lived in Warsaw now for 2 and a half years. At first, I imagined it would be somewhat similar to the United States. I watched a lot of American TV, lived in New York for a short while, and traveled back and forth over the years to see family in Florida. So, what could be so different? My naivety and lack of experience with European culture soon revealed there are vast differences between the two countries.

#1 you won't find a single person in Poland who's obsessed with Pumpkin Spice lattes.

No good café, except Starbucks ( there aren't that many Starbucks here), would serve pumpkin-spiced lattes. So if you happen to visit in the Autumn and you just gotta have a pumpkin-spiced latte then, good luck with that. Also, most Europeans like to sit at the cafe and have their coffee. It's not often that you'll see someone going for a coffee run with their coffee cups in hand as if it were a trophy.

#2 When it comes to transportation, Americans love their cars, and it's not uncommon to see a garage full of them and are often used as symbols of status.

In Eastern Europe, however, cars are seen as a necessity, not a luxury. You'll see more people riding bikes or taking public transportation than cruising around in a fancy sports car. Don't get me wrong there are several luxury cars you can pick from. But since I've moved here I tend to be admiring Dutch Bicycles with wicker baskets. This cultural difference is also reflected in the urban planning and infrastructure of cities. Cities are often more compact and walkable compared to sprawling American cities. with bike lanes and sidewalks built with pedestrians in mind.

#3 Absolutely No One Would be fighting over A Popeyes Chicken Sandwich.

Some history for context...Circa 2019 Popeyes, an American fast food chain launched a new menu item. Sounds simple enough but what I saw played out in the media, was reminiscent of the Storming of the US capital in 2021, except, they stormed Popeyes chains for a chicken sandwich. Fast food culture in Poland has grown in popularity in recent years, but it is not as deeply ingrained in the culture as it is in the United States. However, the fast food industry has been expanding rapidly in the region, and fast food chains such as McDonald's, and KFC, have become increasingly popular.

Traditional cuisine continues to be more popular and has a stronger cultural significance in the region.

The food scene in Warsaw is diverse and dynamic, reflecting the city's history and multicultural influences. There are also a variety of international options, including Italian, Chinese, and Indian. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in farm-to-table and locally sourced ingredients, and a number of new restaurants and food markets have opened up to cater to this trend. Additionally, there are also a number of vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Warsaw.

#5 Baby Got Back

It's quite often that my Instagram feed is filled with women resembling Fashion Nova models. Whether their hourglass figures are natural or post BBLS (Brazilian Butt Lifts).

There has been a steady increase in women undergoing the surgery in the pursuit of the perfect derriere, despite the procedure being called the most dangerous cosmetic procedure in the world and mounting death tolls.

While beauty standards can vary widely among different cultures and countries, in general, European culture tends to place a high value on natural beauty, good grooming, and healthy, toned bodies. There is a range of physical attributes that are considered attractive in Europe, and these can differ depending on the country and culture. For instance, In Italy, Spain, and Greece, tanned skin is considered attractive and healthy, while in Scandinavian countries, paler skin is more popular. In France, fashion and style are highly valued and a sense of elegance and sophistication is considered attractive. In Eastern Europe, a curvier figure is considered more desirable, while in Western Europe, a slimmer and more athletic figure is more popular. It's worth noting that these are generalizations and there are many variations within each country and culture. Additionally, beauty standards are constantly evolving and are influenced by a variety of factors such as media, celebrities, and social media.