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21/01/2024

S*x at 14 - do you think that's ok?

Germany, for example, is one of the countries where consensual s*x is allowed at the age of 14. Even with significantly older people!

👉 However, s*x with adults who educate, train or look after young people (14-18-year-olds), is not permitted. This includes teachers or employees in youth centres.

🛑 It is also a criminal offence to pay young people for s*xual acts or to show or provide them with pornographic content.

❗ S*x WITHOUT consent is always a criminal offence! No means no - so make sure that the person you want to have s*x with also wants to.

*xEducation

13/01/2024

How many times have you 'repaired' your parents' mobile phone?

🇪🇺 Almost half of everyone in the EU lacked basic digital skills in 2021. People in Finland 🇫🇮 and the 🇳🇱 Netherlands had the best ratings.

🤓 The study looked at the following skills:

➡️ Information and data literacy, e.g. looking for information online
➡️ Communication, e.g. sending e-mails
➡️ Digital content creation, e.g. writing programming code
➡️ Safety, e.g. protecting personal data
➡️ Problem solving, e.g. installing software

Tag someone with skills you'd rate at 💯 👇

30/12/2023

How good works public transport where you live? 🚊

In 2023, Germany 🇩🇪 and Austria 🇦🇹 have taken care of cheaper local transport. People in Spain 🇪🇸 were also able to use many trains for free this year.

When you're a fan of night trains, the good news keep coming in 2024: Further routes have been announced for next year, including a night train from Paris to Berlin.

25/12/2023

Should we abolish these traditional Christmas dinners everywhere? 🍽 ❌  
  
In 🇵🇱 Poland, there is currently a heated debate about whether the tradition of buying live carp for Christmas Eve dinner and killing it yourself should be abolished by law. Particularly many young Poles are in favour of this.   
  
We asked around to find out which traditional Christmas dinners are regarded as controversial in our ENTR teams. In 🇫🇷 France in particular, there is the annual discussion about foie gras. Because its production violates national animal welfare laws, it is banned in some countries, such as 🇩🇪 Germany, but its import and sale are generally permitted.   
  
Do you think tradition takes precedence or should we avoid it for animal welfare reasons?   

24/12/2023

🤯🧑‍🎄 Did you know there are some countries where Christmas is celebrated in January?

🎄In most European countries, presents are opened on December 24, especially in Central Europe, the Baltic region and Scandinavia. But there are also countries where Christmas is celebrated at the beginning of December, on New Year's Day and even later... in January!

In some countries, this date varies according to family or regional traditions, for example in 🇮🇹.

🧐 So why don't we all open our presents at the same time? Well, for both cultural and religious reasons 👇

⛪ In fact, Catholic and Orthodox Christians don't really agree on calendars, so holidays sometimes fall on different dates.

🗓️ Catholic communities are big fans of the Gregorian calendar. They represent the majority in 15 European countries, and mostly open their Christmas presents on December 25.

The Greeks and Macedonians do things completely differently. They open their presents on New Year's Day, a week before they celebrate Christmas, on January 7.

🎁 Christmas is also celebrated in Muslim-majority countries like Kosovo (95% of the population) or Albania (57%)!

👑 Finally, the Spanish are the most patient, as they exchange gifts on January 6. In this predominantly Catholic country, presents are only opened when the Three Wise Men arrive.

When do you open your Christmas presents?

Source: ENTR, Toute l'Europe, National Geographic editorial offices

10/12/2023

Do you enjoy going to Christmas markets?

🎅 It's that time of year again: the Christmas market season is here. Traditional Christmas markets usually end shortly before the Christmas holidays, while winter markets are often open until January. There are many winter, light or similarly named markets for example in Germany.

🇧🇪 Many people are calling for the markets to be renamed so that they do not have a religious context. Not everyone is happy about this - both in Germany and in Belgium, for example. Critics fear for the tradition of the Christmas markets.

❓ Do you think Christmas markets should be renamed?

09/12/2023

How good is mental health care in your country?

🇪🇺 An EU survey shows that many young people in Europe are not doing well mentally.😕 Around 60% of 16-24-year-olds and over half of 25-39-year-olds have experienced mental health problems in the last year.

❗️Almost half (44%) of the participants think that mental health issues do not get the same level of care as physical issues. ⏰ The main issues with access to mental health services are long waiting lists and delays (67%).

Source: Flash Eurobarometer 530

26/11/2023

Do you watch the news a lot?

In recent years, the amount of people that avoid the news has been rising across Europe. According to a recent report, especially women and young people are less interested in following the news. In general, the interest is lower in countries that have high levels of political polarisation. In countries with high trust in institutions like Finland, the trend is not as extreme.

However, not all people avoid news in general, some just decide to turn off the radio or the TV when a certain topic comes up. For the people who avoid the news, the most commonly avoided topics are the war in Ukraine, followed by news regarding national politics, issues about social justice, crime, and celebrity news. Especially people living close to Ukraine avoid watching news about the war.

What about you? Do you avoid certain topics?

Source: Digital News Report 2023

16/11/2023

🚘 Is buying a car an issue for you?

A survey revealed that the most popular choice of car among EU citizens would be a hybrid: a combination of battery electric drive with either a petrol or diesel combustion engine. Among the advantages most commonly cited are saving fuel and the superior acceleration. On the other hand: there’s one big factor that puts a lot of people off buying an electric car 💶 …

Source: European Investment Bank, EU-27, ADAC

12/11/2023

Which day of the week would you like to have off?

🇪🇺 There are no EU-wide regulations on working on Sundays, although it has been determined that employees must have at least 24 hours off work every seven days. In total, no one should work more than 48 hours per week and there must be at least an 11-hour break between working days or shifts.

Sources: Your Europe, Federal Statistical Office

05/11/2023

Should cities use DNA profiling to track down dog poo?

🇫🇷 That’s the idea the French city of Béziers will try out for two years. “I can't take it anymore with all this p**p,” Mayor Robert Ménard told a French radio station.

💩 Dog faeces in public places isn’t just unsightly and unpleasant — it can also be harmful to the ecosystem. In forests, for example, certain rarer plants need a very specific mix of nutrients in the soil to grow. Too much dog p**p can disrupt the nutrient balance and harm the local ecosystem.

Sources: franceinfo, British Ecological Society

23/10/2023

Did you notice anything about the elections in Luxembourg?

If not, it’s no wonder: The results were a bit hidden and not so easy to find, even for us: We called Luxembourg to ask about the voter turnout - then we calculated it. Doesn't seem to be such a big thing there.... 😅

But what definitely is a thing is to go and vote! Everyone between 18 and 75 is required to vote. If you don't vote, you have to get an excuse from the prosecutor's office with a reason for not voting. Unexcused non-voting is punishable by law, but in the past, prosecution has been waived - so penalties cannot really be expected.

Would compulsory voting make sense in your country?

15/10/2023

First marriage, then a child? Or does one have nothing to do with the other for you?

Europeans deal with the issue in very different ways: In Greece, only a few children are born out of wedlock, while Germany is in the lower midfield with 32.8%.

🇫🇷 France leads the statistics. The reason could be: In France, there is an alternative to marriage: the pacte civil de solidarité (civil solidarity pact) is a contract that can be signed by two people who want to organize their life together.

👉 These commit to living together and supporting each other - including financially. The precise rights and obligations are set out in the contract.

Sources: Eurostat, German Representation France, German Bundestag, Le Institut nacional de la statistique.

17/09/2023

Do you have a fixed-term contract?

🇪🇺 The reasons why young people in the EU are only employed on a fixed-term contract vary greatly. In Spain, Cyprus and Portugal in particular, it is because they haven’t had any success at all in finding a permanent job. In Sweden and Finland, on the other hand, the most common reason across the EU is that some of the jobs held are only on fixed-term contracts. In the Netherlands, on the other hand, almost a quarter of those who do not have a permanent contract are in a probationary period. In Germany, it is mostly because people are in education or training.

💼 However, most young people would prefer to have a permanent contract: only 1.8 per cent of 15-39 year olds in the EU would not, the highest figure being in Sweden with 7.1 per cent. What about you?

04/09/2023

Which app do you use most? 📱

The Danish seem to be real social media pros – 85% of the population use social networks. In France and Germany it’s only about 45%.

The most popular social network in Europe is Facebook – by far. On second and third place you’ll find Instagram and TikTok.

01/09/2023

What would you like your surname to be?

🇩🇪 The new surname law goes into effect in May 2025. But an adult can only change their surname once! Currently, changing a surname is only allowed in exceptional cases. For example, if it sounds ridiculous or if the pronunciation and spelling are so difficult that it poses a problem.

🇬🇧 In Britain married couples can “mesh” as many names as they like. There is no law that stipulates a maximum length of a surname. But there are practical considerations, such as making sure a name fits on a passport

Sources: Federal Interior Ministry, Federal Justice Ministry, Deed Poll Office UK

25/08/2023

How hot is too hot for you? ☀️

🇮🇹 Europe's hottest ever temperature was recorded in Sicily in 2021. Even though this peak was not reached this year, the summer in Europe is extremely hot overall.

➡ And that is very dangerous: last year alone, more than 60,000 people are said to have died in Europe because of it, many of them in Italy with about 18,000. Older people in particular suffer from the high temperatures and they risk dehydration.

🔴 Red warnings were issued this year in France 🇫🇷, Switzerland 🇨🇭, parts of Italy 🇮🇹, Croatia 🇭🇷, Portugal 🇵🇹 and Spain 🇪🇸, among others. In August this year, the Canary Islands were hit by the most severe forest fires Spain has ever experienced.

🌍 The current heatwave is rather unusual because it has arrived so late in the year. The reason, according to experts, is clearly global warming.

Note: The map data is based on July 2023 data from the World Meteorological Organization.

Source: DW, World Meteorological Organization

24/08/2023

Do trans women have a physical advantage in sports?

🏊🇩🇪 The 2023 World Aquatics Swimming World Cup is taking place in Berlin. Trans women are only allowed to compete in the women's race if they didn’t experience male puberty.

❓According to experts, an outright ban wouldn’t be a good solution. Many say it should be decided on a sport-by-sport basis.

👉 Sports scientist Tommy Lundberg says “We don’t have a simple solution or rule to apply. Basically, one has to prioritize either inclusion or fairness. The two don’t go hand in hand currently.” What do you think about that?

Sources: DPA, DW

20/08/2023

Do you think blasphemy should be a criminal offense? 🤔

🕌⛪🕍 Blasphemy entails supposedly offensive statements about sacred objects, or the public defamation of religious principles. Burning the bible or the Koran, and even playing the movie The Life of Brian are considered blasphemous acts.

🌍 The topic is handled very differently all over the world. While blasphemy laws were repealed in certain European countries as well as Canada and New Zealand, it can be punished with the death penalty in 7 countries including Iran, Pakistan and Nigeria.

🇩🇪 In Germany, blasphemy can lead to fines or jail time. What do you think about that?

👉 Blasphemy is punished differently throughout the UK. While blasphemy laws in England, Wales and Scotland were repealed, it’s still a criminal offense in Northern Ireland.

Sources: bpd, duden, end-blasphemy-laws.org

12/08/2023

Are free taxis for drunk people a good idea?

🇮🇹 The trial in Italy will last until September. So far six nightclubs are taking part. Alcohol tests are given to passengers, and those whose blood alcohol content is beyond a certain threshold can ride for free. The pilot project is also intended to help determine out whether or not the free rides can reduce accidents.

🇩🇪 Brandenburg is not the only part of Germany where taxis rides are subsidized by the state. In Freiburg there are taxis for women that cost a maximum of ten euros. They’re meant to transport women safely home between 11 pm and 5 am.

Sources: RBB, The Times, FrauenNachtTaxi

06/08/2023

❓ Should former colonial powers apologise for past wrongs?

👉 In the colonial era (approx. 1500-1914) a number of European nations conquered and exploited large parts of the world. It involved a legacy of large-scale slave-trading, genocide and other atrocities as well as the plundering of natural resources and cultural treasures.

🇳🇱 But saying sorry for those crimes does not appear to come easy: this year has seen both the Dutch prime minister and king ask for forgiveness.

🇵🇹 In Portugal there’s an ongoing debate over whether and how to issue an apology. 🇧🇪 The Belgian king, meanwhile, has expressed his “deepest regrets” for the past – but does that constitute an apology? 🤔

➡ One of the reasons why countries – including Germany – have yet to say sorry is the issue of reparations. An apology would mean acknowledging and addressing their own past – but with precious few concrete benefits for the populations of subjugated territories. Financial payments have been suggested as a form of compensation. What do you think about reparations?

Sources: BPB, DW

05/08/2023

🤔 Should it be legal to burn the Quran, the Bible or the Tora?

That's exactly what officials in Sweden and Denmark are currently debating. The debate was triggered by various protests in both countries, during which the Quran was kicked and burned in front of the Iraqi embassies in Copenhagen and Stockholm.

➡ As a result, protests erupted in many Muslim countries. There, the desecration of holy scriptures often carries penalties; in Europe, it is not always the case. Diplomatic steps were taken, and ambassadors were summoned.

🇹🇷 🇸🇪 At the beginning of the year, Quran burnings in Sweden hardened fronts with the Turkish government to such an extent that Sweden's NATO accession was on the line for a long time.

Source: DW

31/07/2023

Are you for or against holiday cruises?

It’s an exceedingly popular type of vacation in Europe. In 2019 some 7.4 million people boarded a cruise ship in the EU – a record figure. While passengers numbers fell sharply during the pandemic, they’re now increasing again. In Germany alone around 2.5 million people took a sea cruise in 2022.

But the gigantic ships have attracted a lot of criticism. According to a German conservation group, cruise operators are still not making environmental and climate protection enough of a priority. A lot of the ships run on heavy fuel oil, leading to high emissions of CO₂ and hazardous pollutants such as particulate matter. Plus: the combustion of the oil generates dirty sludge that often ends up in the ocean.

Venice banned cruise liners in 2021, and has seen related air pollutants fall by 80% since then. But demand remains high for new ships – such as the Icon of the Seas. The Finnish-built vessel and world’s biggest cruise ship boasts seven pools, six waterslides and 15 bars. It can accommodate almost 8,000 passengers. Instead of heavy fuel, however, it is powered by liquified natural gas. LNG is considered a cleaner source of energy – but does also lead to considerable methane emissions.

Sources: Eurostat, travel industry, DW, Nabu, Royal Caribbean Cruises

22/07/2023

🤔 Do you have a bank account?

💳 Paying by card has become more and more common in recent years - with cards offering a convenient and easy-to-produce alternative to carrying cash all the time. This payment method has a number of advantages: it’s secure, it's faster, it's an environmentally friendly method and it can be done from anywhere.

🇷🇴 However, some countries seem to be reluctant to embrace card payments. In Romania, over 30% of the adult population doesn’t have a bank account, according to the latest ESBG analysis published by the World Bank .

💵 According to the Romanian Association of Banks, some of the reasons why Romanians don’t want bank accounts are the country’s generally low wages and pensions, and the fear of having their earnings and expenses tracked.

⏭️ Romania is followed in this ranking by Bulgaria 🇧🇬 and Poland, 🇵🇱 where more than 10% of citizens do not have a bank account.

🎉 At the opposite pole is Denmark, 🇩🇰 a country where all citizens who are at least 18 years old have a bank account.

➡️ A map by ENTR Romania

16/07/2023

How much paid vacation do you have?

Within the EU, there are some differences in the number of paid vacations you get as a minimum. In many countries, however, the actual vacation is now much higher than the minimum required by law.

In Germany, for example, only 20 vacation days per year are required by law, but 28 to 30 vacation days are now quite normal.

Do you think paid vacation should be increased throughout Europe?

09/07/2023

What do you do when you feel lonely?

In an EU-wide study, over 20,000 people were asked whether and how often they felt lonely. Loneliness is defined here as an unmet need for social interaction, as distinct from simply being alone.

To measure loneliness, participants answered various questions such as "How often do you feel left out?" They also had to agree or disagree with various statements, such as "I can trust many people."

The loss of a partner or a job are named as risk factors in the study, because this upsets the social environment. Conflicts in the home and serious illnesses can also increase the risk. On the other hand, happy relationships contribute to feeling less lonely - whereas people in unhappy relationships usually feel more lonely than singles. In addition, those who get together with family and friends at least once a week have a lower risk of loneliness.

To feel less lonely, experts advise people to meet frequently with people who are important to them. In addition, some countries, such as the United Kingdom, have already taken measures to help lonely people, for example with telephone counseling.

Source: Joint Research Centre

29/06/2023

What's it like to live in the last divided capital city in ?

Sude and Orestis both live in , . They’re both 22, both medical students with a passion for political science – yet they live under two different governments.

https://youtu.be/KtDVQJyAXEM

Sude and Orestis both live in Nicosia, Cyprus. They’re both 22, both medical students with a passion for political science — yet they live under two differe...

27/06/2023

Do you recycle your trash?

🚮 4.8 tonnes of waste were generated per EU inhabitant in 2020, and about 40 percent of it was recycled. Italy, Belgium, Slovakia and Latvia have the highest recycling rates. But on the other hand, over 30 percent was placed into landfills, most of it in Romania, Bulgaria, Finland, Sweden and Greece.

🇪🇺 The EU Commission wants to reduce packaging waste. It has proposed that all member states must reduce packaging waste by 5 percent by 2030 and by 15 percent by 2040 compared with the 2018 levels. This measure should be taken as otherwise plastic waste could continue to rise, according to the Commission. Emissions would rise and threaten the target of net zero emissions by 2050.

Sources: Eurostat, Reuters

21/06/2023

How much meat do you eat?

🇪🇺 More than two thirds of EU citizens believe that they can contribute to the fight against climate change with their own lifestyle.

🥩🥛 The majority are in favour of limiting the amount of meat and dairy products they are allowed to buy. However, very few are prepared to actually live without them.

🇮🇹 In Italy, most are in favour: more than 60% think a purchase limit is a good idea. What do you think?

Source: European Investment Bank

20/06/2023

❓ Bathing cap - yes or no?

🏊‍️ Bathing caps make everyday life in the swimming pool more hygienic and are therefore required by many public swimming pools in Italy and France. Clean pools are not only nice for visitors, they also save money for the pool operators: in larger quantities, hair and dandruff can clog the filters of swimming pools, which then have to be replaced more frequently.

🩳 Short swimming trunks are said to have a similar effect. They fit closer to the body and can thus catch hair, dirt and dandruff. Those who opt for short swim trunks also carry less water out of the pool when they leave. The more swimming trunks, the greater the effect.

Sources: Bathing regulations, Associazione Italiana Piscine e Wellness