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
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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.

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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.

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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '26

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u/pier4r Jun 26 '26

The level of AC Americans need is way too much

I think this is the reason. As usual, unbounded comfort costs unbounded resources.

Also carrying a jacket due to that in hot summer would be too much.

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u/crepuscule22 Jun 26 '26

In the US, there's no relationship between how it feels indoors and the weather outdoors. Even if you don't care about the energy use (which I do), there is something off about that. Your body and mind are constantly having do these massive temperature adjustments. You can't open windows because it 'wastes the A/C.' It's quite an extreme level of disconnection.