I'm typically not a big EU defender but it's one of the thing that is really oh-so-much better in the EU: every time I go to the US having to plug stuff into electrical outlet feels like I've been beamed back to the 1950s or something. Plugs don't fit properly: they simply feel loose. Or you need to use super bulky, non-sensical, plugs.
That and switches (like light switches): not only we've got way more variety in the EU but they also all feel of better quality.
Both electrical outlets and switches in the US do also look old and dated. Just like they feel when using them: old and outdated.
It's just all really weird, nearly anachronistic.
ButlerianJihad•1d ago
I am unsure if this is a common mindset for Americans, but I personally perceived Europe as rather backward and out-of-date, technologically. I don't know why I got that idea, other than "Europe is more ancient than us" and believing that USA is the nexus and origin of all innovation.
So, when I arrived in Barcelona and Catalonia, I was pleasantly, mildly surprised that not only had Europe kept pace with us techno-mages in America, but they had some kind of parallel evolution going on, in terms of connectors, interfaces, protocols, etc.
My fiancée was sort of mystified, because my favorite subject of photography was not landmarks or her pretty face, but the circuit breaker box, the rear of her television set, the A/C unit, and any other cool, distinctly Euro-tech instances I could identify around there.
I tried helping her adjust/fix her aerial TV antenna, got zapped a few times; discovered that Catalonian TV antennas are energized with a few volts for whatever reason; decided that Euro-tech is beyond my expertise to tinker with on someone else's behalf, especially a native family.
Thankfully, I didn't have any portable electronics or appliances in my luggage that needed adapters or plugs, but the experience was truly humbling, and eye-opening, and I returned to the United States with a better calibrated worldview.
brudgers•7h ago
feels like I've been beamed back to the 1950s or something
That might because the US was largely electrified by 1950 with the major push before The War during the 1930's via the Rural Electrification Administration.
By The War the TVA was up and running and that's where nuclear materials were manufactured for The Bomb.
morsch•9m ago
The European plug design is also ancient, going back to 1929
4dregress•20m ago
Our plugs in the UK are by far the best design.
palmotea•12m ago
> I'm typically not a big EU defender but it's one of the thing that is really oh-so-much better in the EU: every time I go to the US having to plug stuff into electrical outlet feels like I've been beamed back to the 1950s or something. Plugs don't fit properly: they simply feel loose.
IIRC, the US electrified first. So a lot of its standards are kinda the first attempt, but they've stuck because the switching costs are too great. Other countries had the benefit of being able to improve on an existing system.
But I'm not sure if that really applies to plugs (IIRC British [giant] and Japanese [no grounding] ones are worse). But my understanding is the US 110v thing is kinda limiting, and 220v is way better.
> Plugs don't fit properly: they simply feel loose.
Let me guess: it was in a hotel? Hotel plugs are shit and worn out, because they get used far more heavily than pretty much anywhere else.
> Or you need to use super bulky, non-sensical, plugs.
For what? The only bulky US plugs are for weird things like dryers and electric ovens.
TacticalCoder•1d ago
That and switches (like light switches): not only we've got way more variety in the EU but they also all feel of better quality.
Both electrical outlets and switches in the US do also look old and dated. Just like they feel when using them: old and outdated.
It's just all really weird, nearly anachronistic.
ButlerianJihad•1d ago
So, when I arrived in Barcelona and Catalonia, I was pleasantly, mildly surprised that not only had Europe kept pace with us techno-mages in America, but they had some kind of parallel evolution going on, in terms of connectors, interfaces, protocols, etc.
My fiancée was sort of mystified, because my favorite subject of photography was not landmarks or her pretty face, but the circuit breaker box, the rear of her television set, the A/C unit, and any other cool, distinctly Euro-tech instances I could identify around there.
I tried helping her adjust/fix her aerial TV antenna, got zapped a few times; discovered that Catalonian TV antennas are energized with a few volts for whatever reason; decided that Euro-tech is beyond my expertise to tinker with on someone else's behalf, especially a native family.
Thankfully, I didn't have any portable electronics or appliances in my luggage that needed adapters or plugs, but the experience was truly humbling, and eye-opening, and I returned to the United States with a better calibrated worldview.
brudgers•7h ago
That might because the US was largely electrified by 1950 with the major push before The War during the 1930's via the Rural Electrification Administration. By The War the TVA was up and running and that's where nuclear materials were manufactured for The Bomb.
morsch•9m ago
4dregress•20m ago
palmotea•12m ago
IIRC, the US electrified first. So a lot of its standards are kinda the first attempt, but they've stuck because the switching costs are too great. Other countries had the benefit of being able to improve on an existing system.
But I'm not sure if that really applies to plugs (IIRC British [giant] and Japanese [no grounding] ones are worse). But my understanding is the US 110v thing is kinda limiting, and 220v is way better.
> Plugs don't fit properly: they simply feel loose.
Let me guess: it was in a hotel? Hotel plugs are shit and worn out, because they get used far more heavily than pretty much anywhere else.
> Or you need to use super bulky, non-sensical, plugs.
For what? The only bulky US plugs are for weird things like dryers and electric ovens.