“Those Obnoxious Americans”

It’s no secret that when a group of Americans go to a European country with a lower legal drinking age, they’ll take advantage of it. Obviously some people loved the fact that Europe had a certain type of alcohol available that was not sold in the United States- Absinth. Although I did not get around to trying it, I preferred not to. There is one type of alcohol that the group can definitely agree on- Bofferding is by far our group’s favorite.

  

Some of the best times I have had on this trip were our nights out. No matter where we went though, it was sure to be accompanied by dirty looks from local people as loud group of Americans walked in. Our favorite place to go, Verso, always was the most friendly. The bartenders and staff loved to have us there, and even encouraged certain people to get up on the bar to dance. However, other places were not so accommodating. One of the most rude experiences I encountered was trying to enter a bar restaurant, and having the bouncer deny our group stating that only French speaking people were allowed in.

The nightlife and drinking styles of Europeans are so different compared to the United States’. It is much more laid back, and people expect you to be very in control and responsible. In my opinion, the way they teach the youth about drinking here is much more effective. At home in the US, pre-gaming is very common since most underage kids need to drink before going out because they cannot be served alcohol once at their destination. Here in Europe, it is much less common and I feel that it is much better that way because pre-gaming is basically binge drinking in a short period of time, and it usually does not end well. While talking to some local teenage girls, they told us that the drinking age here is 16 years old, and the age where you get your drivers license is 18. It’s honestly mind-blowing that kids can drink 2 years before they can drive, while it is the opposite back in the States.