The first time I came to Europe at 15, I lived for three weeks with a host family. It was the first time I had come into contact with a shelf toilet (this site, and many others if you google “shelf toilet,” humorously describes the many complications for those unfamiliar with the style). Also, Germans are incredibly, um, anal when it comes to toilet cleanliness. Much embarrassment over toilet etiquette ensued.

Another point of confusion was European vs. American bedding. Europeans have a fitted sheet over the mattress and a covered comforter. Americans have a fitted sheet over the mattress, a flat sheet between you and the blankets, with the comforter (usually uncovered) on top. I wasn’t clear how I was supposed to sleep with the blanket but no flat sheet. Was I supposed to climb into the pocket with the comforter, like a sleep sack? Was I supposed to wrap myself in it like a taco, as that’s how it was folded? Only then did I understand how my host sister (who had stayed with us in the U.S. the previous fall) had never figured out to pull back the flat sheet from the fully-made bed. We had scratched our heads stripping the bed after she left, but she probably thought it was gross that we sleep in direct contact with the blankets!

Recently on my trip to the UK, I was enjoying the subtle yet interesting differences in British and American English. One of my favorites, spotted in a ladies restroom: “adhesive towels” for sale. Doesn’t that sound like a painful way to dry off?