Europeans also do it all the time. For example, when I still lived in Finland, going to Europe meant traveling to the continental Europe south of the Baltic Se

Europeans also do it all the time. For example, when I still lived in Finland, going to Europe meant traveling to the continental Europe south of the Baltic Sea. Finland was not in Europe, Sweden was not in Europe, the UK was not in Europe, and Denmark was a borderline case. Poland was the northern and eastern limit of Europe. Mediterranean beach resorts were also not in Europe, but nearby cities were again borderline cases. And when I read Finnish news, the EU is usually referred to either as "EU" or "Eurooppa". The actual name "Euroopan unioni" is too long, and it takes a lot of effort to write it and even more effort to say it.