"No matter how hard you try not to look like a tourist - whether that's swapping sneakers for loafers or practicing a few phrases in the local language - there's always one thing that gives you away as American. And it has nothing to do with ordering an IPA or an Aperol Spritz. This habit is baked into our everyday lives, so much so that you might not even realize it's uniquely American. Locals can tell because we're constantly drinking water."
"Per CivicScience, American adults drink roughly 57.5 oz of water a day, while European Commission data notes that European adults drink 33.8 oz (via Newsweek), a gap that shows just how differently we think about hydration. Maybe it's the influence of health guidelines on daily water intake, or maybe it's just cultural conditioning - whatever the reason, it's a clear divide between the U.S. and Europe."
"This common observation is actually backed by data: the U.S. ranks as the second-highest consumer of municipal water in the world, right behind China. So what's behind our apparent obsession with H2O? Most of us grew up hearing we need eight glasses a day. According to the U.S. Institute of Medicine's Dietary Reference Intakes, men should drink about 15.6 cups (3.7L) of water per day, while women should aim for 11."
Americans habitually carry and consume more water than many Europeans, often using bottled water or large tumblers and expecting water availability. European attitudes toward tap water differ by country, with some places charging for tap water and others legally required to provide it free, though bottled options are still promoted. Data show American adults consume roughly 57.5 oz of water daily versus 33.8 oz for European adults. The U.S. is the second-highest municipal water consumer globally, and common hydration guidance cites roughly 15.6 cups (3.7L) daily for men and about 11 for women.
Read at Tasting Table
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]