As another person who lives in europe I want to add that it’s incredibly obnoxious that they all seem to think “Europe” is one big magic country where Italy, Poland, Netherlands are ‘states’ or whatever. The weather, economic situation, and culture is different all over europe because we’re NOT a country. But all USAers can do is compare us to them.
AC is great. But in my own european country it doesn’t come pre-installed in any houses or apartments. It’s also expensive, there’s waiting lists to have it installed, and you won’t use it for 95% of the year. People often have AC at work anyway, and frequently spend time outside at restaurants and bars here. The cost of electric is also way higher in most countries in the magical land of europe. In my own country middle class makes 55k converted to dollars yearly on average, and that’s pre the 40-60% tax.
ln some countries within europe, average pay is way below that. So wow why don’t all of the dumb europeans just spend a huge amount of money to have AC installed? Why don’t USAers just get a better job to have better healthcare coverage? Why not just buy a house if your NYC apartment is crowded by rats? We can all use hyperboles.
Or my favourite "that's just a normal summer in Texas" WE DON'T LIVE IN FUCKING TEXAS!! And it's not just heat! It's hot then incredibly humid then we have thunderstorms and it gets cold then hot again.. not great for plant life...
I had some argue with me on the average pay is higher in most European countries (tho they said Europe but talked about France and Germany specifically) so we should all be able to afford an AC (still debatable) but they didn't take anything else into consideration. (Like how car gas is about twice the price as it is in America, on average, in those countries..)
MAYBE someone with a good job and good luck gets a home AC but it's those most vulnerable that don't have access. My retired 85 yo Grandmother barely has enough to make it through the month as is, she CANNOT afford the AC or the electricity that comes with it. Especially as they've recently upped the taxes on it. And some who CAN afford it, don't have the space for it like you mentioned (you mentioned installation but I don't even think they're legal everywhere, or those you put up during the heat waves and to store the rest of the year.)
Until *very* recently it was inconceivable for the average person to own a private AC for us. I don't know where you live but here even fans are sold out, never mind actual ACs and when they do get new inventory people are physically fighting for it or even breaking down doors.
Mutliple people dead ass told me it's our own fault that so many people died because we refuse the AC and don't have them in most hospitals ?? First off, how fucking cruel of a thing to say, Second, we are critically understaffed so AC is not a priority. Third, citizens getting fucked over by their gouvernement ? What a concept !! Comming from the country were people die because they can't afford insulin or an ambulance ride.. you'd think they'd have a little more compassion.
We hear from them all year round between natural disasters, and their disasters of a gouvernement but god forbid someone else experiences *symptoms* and it's "these primitive idiots from the country of Europe deserve to die because they don't understand they should bow and pray to the could air pollution machine" instead of focusing on the real life implications...
It's so annoying they present getting an AC is magical quick, fix all solution for an entire continent. It doesn't fix shit.
I fully get your frustration.
