If you have been to Europe or ever met a European, you would have quickly learned that there are stark differences between Americans and Europeans.

Even though I have just started my study abroad adventure, I am quickly being faced with cultural shock as the the European way of life differs so vastly from American culture.

While it may be obvious that European and Americans lead very different lives, it is literally shocking at times just how different those lives can be. I think this is especially exacerbated by the fact that Europe is conveniently close to many other countries and continents while the USA and North America are geographically isolated which translates into cultural isolation.

Here are some ways that Europeans differ from Americans:

1. They spend forever when going out to eat.

While this is a little more true for the Spanish, Europeans in general spend way longer out to eat than Americans do. Now, I know Northeastern America is different from the rest of the country, but honestly, the absolute longest you will spend out to dinner in America (where I'm from in Philly) is an hour an fifteen minutes. When I usually only go out to eat, it's only for half an hour to forty-five minutes.

However, in Europe, it is typical to spend literally hours out to eat, mostly because you're not really just eating, but rather going to out to a social event. You sit and drink and eat and talk and just enjoy the company of other people. This brings me to the next difference.

2. Europeans sit and talk to each other more than Americans do.

This is something in particular I've noticed a lot. Whether you're going out to eat, getting coffee, getting a drink, or just walking around, Europeans actually are having face-to-face conversations with each other. I have been looking around every time I go out to eat or get coffee and not a single person has their phone out. Meanwhile, I have mine face-up next to my arm on the table.

Americans honestly do not have as many face-to-face conversations as Europeans do. I remember I was hanging out with co-workers this past summer, and it was dead silent in the room. I remember looking up and seeing at least 10 of my peers with their heads down into their phones scrolling and texting away.

Like Charlie Puth and Selena Gomez sang, we don't talk (in person) anymore.

3. Europeans are genuinely friendly and helpful people.

Europeans are honestly among some of the nicest and most helpful people I have ever met. I was on a train from Madrid to Sevilla, and there were some older abuelas who couldn't get their luggage up on top of the railings above the seats. At least five people jumped up right away to help them, and honestly, I don't think that would happen as frequently or as quickly in the States.

I was riding the Metro in D.C. once, and this older woman was struggling to get on and then stay standing on the shaky car. No one offered to get up or help her. I don't know if this is because of American individualism, but honestly my fellow Americans, we're kind of a**holes compared to Europeans.

4. They don't expect you to speak their language even when you're in their country.

This one is huge. I personally only speak English and Spanish, but I of course would not let a language barrier stop me from visiting other places. I was in Budapest and while I did try to learn some basic Hungarian, I obviously could not communicate or understand anyone. The thing is, they weren't rude about it. They were patient and responsive when I tried to speak to them in their native tongue, but they by no means expected me to be fluent in Hungarian and they were more than willing to speak to me in English.

That would never fly in America. Could you imagine a Hungarian coming to New York City trying to speak Hungarian? They would be told, "This is America. Speak English." How would you feel if you went to Hungary and you tried to speak English and they said, "This is Hungary, speak Hungarian."?

Also, it's so hypocritical because everyone gets mad at the French because they are "snooty" if you don't speak to them in French. First off, that's a false stereotype. Everyone in France, Paris included, were so kind to me even though I didn't speak French, and second of all, how can we say that they are being rude for wanting people to speak their language in their own country when we do and expect the exact same thing?

5. Europeans start late and end late.

Unlike Americans, Europeans do not really start their day until 10, sometimes 11. Many countries, not just Spain, also do take a "siesta" or a break in the middle of the day. Shops usually close and they retire to their families for a few hours. Then, around 5 or so the shops start opening up again, however people do not really start to eat dinner until 9 or even 10. Europeans will typically call it a night at 1 or 2 am even on a weekday.

This is completely different from America where most jobs start at 8 or 9 however people are typically up and about around 7. We only take a half an hour, sometimes an hour break for lunch, but this does not mean going home. This means going to grab food at a local shop or sitting in the break room with your packed lunch. Then, the workday typically ends at 5 and the average time for Americans to eat dinner is around 6 or 7. Then bedtime for real people (this excludes college students) is around 10 or 11. Then repeat.

These are just a few of the many differences between Americans and Europeans that I have come to realize. If you ever go abroad to Europe, observe the culture, compare it to ours. You really will be shocked.