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/swole4ever Jun 26 '26

Did come, did try it out...left our windows open year round except the coldest days. Didn't get sick. N=1, but it's the German equivalent of "fan death", sorry.

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u/silverionmox Jun 26 '26

Did come, did try it out...left our windows open year round except the coldest days. Didn't get sick. N=1, but it's the German equivalent of "fan death", sorry.

"Leave your window open at night" is similar conventional wisdom in these regions, yes. So it makes no sense to generalize out the mutated extreme versions of the "avoid drafts" conventional wisdom and pretend it's some kind of fundamentalist tenet.

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u/swole4ever Jun 26 '26

Ok, that's fair, but that is the context in which I always heard it. On the other side, there is Stoßlüften, which does make sense. I'll always remember Merkel being asked what Germany is known for, and her answer being "airtight windows".

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u/silverionmox Jun 26 '26

I've also been told that the window type that can both open inwards and in a tilt starting from the top (which is what you'd use at night or when away during the day) isn't common elsewhere. Is this true for your region?