>> Despite its reputation, I find that Europe is far more provincial than the US when it comes to food > That might be an external reputation, but it wouldn't

>> Despite its reputation, I find that Europe is far more provincial than the US when it comes to food > That might be an external reputation, but it wouldn't be one that Europeans would have. People forget that Europe isn't a country, but a collection of different countries, all with long histories, and long histories means a lot of regional differences even _within_ countries. yes and no. You can absolutely notice that here in the south of Germany you simply don't get a few things that are from the north, or from the very close-by Austria, and I mean that in a way that you wouldn't believe North California is different than South California. Like.. whole restaurant chains that are virtually unknown on either side of the imaginary barrier, or stuff you can get in a supermarket or bakery. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's what I can imagine the parent meant - it may just be 500km in the same country and it's completely different.