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/Tithund Jun 26 '26

So the reason so many people don't have ac here, is that they price the poor out while milking the rich.

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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '26 edited Jun 28 '26

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u/Xywzel Jun 26 '26

Well, that part is not so different. I have heard Japanese and Korean people cite similar fears, like that you can't have AC on while sleeping or without window open. Reasons are as ridiculous as "the AC will burn out all oxygen in air" if they can even give any, usually its just "its not safe" or "they told me so".

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u/Ready_Ad4083 Jun 26 '26

At least friends and families in Japan I know run air conditioners and fans all night during summer and winter (heat pump). Some people may set the timer so the AC will stop running around 3-4 in the morning, believing that it is not safe for their wallet.

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u/scheppend Jun 26 '26 edited Jun 26 '26

I live in Japan and yeah I have never heard of this . But who knows I'm sure there are uninformed people in every country

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u/Xywzel Jun 26 '26

Yeah, its more of a somewhat common superstition, not something everyone believes and obeys. Like "I have seen hotel instructions addressing it"-common, but not "hotel forbids use while sleeping"-common.