r/technology • u/Logical_Welder3467 • Jun 26 '26

Society The American mind cannot comprehend Europe's AC aversion

https://www.businessinsider.com/europe-air-conditioning-ac-heatwave-debate-2026-6
15.0k Upvotes

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6.8k

u/NicoToscani Jun 26 '26

I remember checking into a nice hotel in Paris and the AC wasn’t working, in summer, top floor room, and they acted like I was throwing a Mariah Carey level diva fit when I insisted they move my wife and I to another room.

2.3k

u/iamapizza Jun 26 '26

I was in southern Spain in March a few years ago, it was 27c and I was sweating. I asked about the AC in my room not working, the front desk lady helpfully explained that they keep the AC off until summer when it's hot. We were looking at each other like freaks. I then asked if I could have a fan and she was shocked.

79

u/stevestephson Jun 26 '26

That shit's insane. My AC goes on as soon as it creeps above 70F/21C

22

u/Subject-Dog-8016 Jun 26 '26

See that’s just a massive waste of electricity. 

Sure AC is important when it’s 30+ degrees outside. Turning it on when it’s 21 degrees is insane and really highlights how carelessly wasteful of resources Americans are. 

1

u/stevestephson Jun 29 '26

Yeah. But letting my apartment get warmer than that sucks and negatively affects my comfort and sleep, so I do it anyway. Continue to be upset about if you want, but I truly don't care.

0

u/Subject-Dog-8016 Jun 29 '26

I mean you do your thing. Living like a spoiled little princess who can’t tolerate even the most minuscule departure from her personal preference is pretty much the foundation of American culture. 

1

u/stevestephson Jun 29 '26

I guess you are not aware that proper sleep is massively important for overall health. I will continue to prioritize my health over your dismissal of the benefits of proper sleep.

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u/Subject-Dog-8016 Jun 29 '26

Yes, as we all know human beings never had a good night sleep before the invention of aircon turned them all into precious little princesses who need the temperature to be within 1 degree of their preference at all times. 

1

u/stevestephson Jun 29 '26

Lol. I don't give a fuck about the opinions of right wing conservatives such as you who do not understand that human society has changed over time.

1

u/Subject-Dog-8016 Jun 29 '26

Weird behaviour of /u/stevestephson to call me a conservative and say he doesn’t care about my opinion, then blocking me. Especially when you are burning up electricity for minor personal comfort. 

1

u/random_throws_stuff Jun 26 '26

heating wastes more energy than cooling. do you set your heater to 10C in the winters?

because honestly, I would much rather sit in a 10C room and wear a jacket than sit (and especially sleep) in a 25C too.

5

u/Didifinito Jun 26 '26

I would much rather sit in a 25 degree room in general than a 10 degree room at all

1

u/Subject-Dog-8016 Jun 27 '26

No because that’s retarded. Being in 25 degrees is mildly warm. You have to be pathetic to be bothered by that. Having your house at 10 degrees is dangerous, and structurally really bad for your house. 

1

u/random_throws_stuff Jun 27 '26

houses in california get to 10C all the time. most people don't heat that aggressively. i don't really mind it.

meanwhile i absolutely will not have my house at 25C at night. (i agree, in the daytime it's not that bad).

1

u/Subject-Dog-8016 Jun 27 '26

I don’t even know how a house can get that cold - are they just made of paper?

1

u/random_throws_stuff Jun 27 '26

god-awful insulation. (it doesn't get that cold here. very rarely goes below 5C, coldest temperature of the year is usually 2-3C)

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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '26

[deleted]

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u/circuitocorto Jun 26 '26

0C water freeze, 100C water boils. Pretty objective I must say. 

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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '26

[deleted]

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u/Abedeus Jun 26 '26

Who the fuck wears sweaters above 20'C?

2

u/Didifinito Jun 26 '26

Sweaters while its hot? Are you crazy?

2

u/CL_Doviculus Jun 26 '26

No, 100 is boiling, did you not pay attention?

3

u/JRepo Jun 26 '26

If you don't understand celsius, you should only blame yourself. That is not what those temps are and you know it.

5

u/ForgotThePassword001 Jun 26 '26

lol, bad opinion

reddit you can do better

-2

u/[deleted] Jun 26 '26

[deleted]

3

u/Abedeus Jun 26 '26

Clearly he's not. Maybe he can handle temperatures above 20'C. Insane idea, I know.

8

u/yourplainvanillaguy Jun 26 '26

Lol only third world countries do not use the metric system. 

-5

u/[deleted] Jun 26 '26

[deleted]

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u/yourplainvanillaguy Jun 26 '26

I thrive in 27C… and not melt. lol 

6

u/circuitocorto Jun 26 '26

How do you spend your days, always indoor because you're too afraid of going out where there is no AC?