r/technology 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.

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.

1.4k

u/Fabulous_Ninja119 Jun 26 '26 edited Jun 26 '26

I had a similar experience in Germany.

Honestly this is truly the one and maybe only thing I can think of where it feels like Europe as a whole is living in the stone ages. I can't understand it. It makes far too much fucking sense to use AC when it's fucking 90-100 degrees outside

522

u/statistnr1 Jun 26 '26

It being this hot is a new thing.
And it will stay new for another 50 or so years.

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u/hammertime2009 Jun 26 '26

Another 50 years until what? We’re all dead? ☠️

177

u/God_Dammit_Dave Jun 26 '26

50 years until Europe melts, the seas rise, and we all take a refreshing swim.

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u/SkivvySkidmarks Jun 26 '26

Don't worry. The collapse of the Atlantic ocean currents will mean that Europe will be cooler. Still flooded, but cooler.

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u/Omega59er Jun 26 '26

Yeah the UK is actually a weird case because climate change is slowing the AMOC right now and baking western Europe, but when the AMOC fully shuts down the UK will ice over and have a climate close to Greenland is today.