European Tourists Are Obsessed With A Supermarket Souvenir That Symbolizes American College Life

Cultural differences can be frustrating. From a common American hand signal that is considered rude in Japan to remembering to drive on the other side of the road in the U.K., tourists of all backgrounds likely make at least a couple of missteps while traveling. However, plenty of cultural differences are much more lighthearted. Some are even celebrated.

Pursuing higher education in the form of college exists in both Europe and the United States. Partying while in college is something these two places have in common too, but perhaps not with the same list of supplies. Among the imagery that comes to mind when thinking of American college parties are red Solo cups. Whether they are at sports tailgates or fraternity houses, these cups end up scattered across campus after each enthusiastic event. Americans toss these plastic cups into the trash, but Europeans find them quite intriguing. Redditors chimed in to explain the fascination. "Europeans and the rest of the world sees them all the time in American tv shows and movies, so they're seen as this cool American thing," said u/tmahfan117. For some Europeans, a red Solo cup even doubles as a free souvenir.

Despite being props for college party scenes in shows like "Cobra Kai" and movies like "American Pie," it doesn't seem like Americans have made red Solo cups emblematic to their own culture on purpose. Partiers of all kinds began to see the cup's appeal in the 1970s. They are disposable, but they do not break nearly as easily (or as dangerously) as glassware. The late country singer Toby Keith even wrote the song "Red Solo Cup" in homage to these cups and the good times that go along with them. Europeans have expressed their confusion online, wondering if Americans actually use red Solo cups in real life rather than just on screen.

While the most popular type of drink varies from place to place around Europe, they are usually consumed from glass containers whether at home or out and about. Think dainty wine glasses or the iconic pints branded with Guinness logos. Some grocery stores in Europe do sell red Solo cups, and according to folks on social media, Europeans use them when they put on American-themed parties. But instead of throwing them away, Europeans might even wash and reuse these artifacts of Americana.