American woman orders shrimp in Europe is mortified when it arrives

A pair of American women were left stunned after ordering shrimp while on holiday in Europe. The tourists expected something very different than what they requested – but people think it was their own mistake.

Lelie and Ivis, who are based in Miami, seemed to think they would get a plate of de-shelled prawns delivered to their table. However, they were in stunned silence when the seafood arrived with its shells on. On TikTok, the pair captioned the clip: "POV: You order shrimp in Europe. Sir, why the head?"

After the duo posted their reaction to TikTok, many were left wondering what the problem was. But some have observed the Americans did not expect to see the head of the shrimp still attached.

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In the comments section, people pointed out that the seafood was likely to be much better quality.

One wrote: "The reason is to show you the fish is fresh. When the fish is not fresh there is no head, because the head decays fast. Hope this helps."

Another responder joked: "I fear people in the USA don't know the word 'fresh'." And a third added: "I've been living in Japan too long to understand what the problem is here."

Meanwhile, others have written it does not take long to take off the head of the shrimp.

One user wrote: "In Europe, we peel off the whole shrimp starting from the head. It takes like a second to remove it. Seriously, how do you people eat seafood?"

Another added: "I am amazed everyone gets so weird when seeing the whole shrimp. It's very normal not only in Europe but other countries. You just pull it apart and eat the part you're used to eating. It ain't that deep."

Not everyone was mocking the TikTok post though – as some say they had ordered shrimp before and never had it served with the head still attached.

One user wrote: "I've never had my shrimp served this way either. It doesn't make her weird. She's just experiencing something different."

Another added: "Do NOT order shrimp in Europe." And a third shared: "Shrimps are smaller, and they are served with the heads in Europe! I was as surprised as her the first time I ordered them!"

Some have also pointed out you can get shrimp with the heads still attached in the United States. One foodie wrote: "I mean, you can get shrimp with heads in America too. Seafood boils, Mexican restaurants."

Another added: "I've lived on both coasts and in the Midwest, travelled to many states, and haven't seen it served this way. It's not to say they don't but it wouldn't be weird for her to have never seen it before."