We tend to glide through life doing countless little things every day without any second thought. But the truth is that our lifestyle, views, and values are strongly influenced by the culture we’re exposed to. And if there’s one thing we can all agree on, customs and traditions vary widely around the globe. It’s a part of what makes our beloved planet such a diverse and charming place to live, isn’t it?
Traveling is a great way to learn about the similarities and differences people share with others across borders. After all, a thing that seems ordinary to us may look totally bizarre to people elsewhere. Thankfully, with the internet at our fingertips, those of us confined to our countries can expand our perspectives from the comfort of our own homes. So one Redditor, kerris2508, decided to delve deeper into the facts about other parts of the globe.
Recently, they reached out to the 'Ask Reddit' community with a very fine question: "What is something that in your culture is normal, but in another place is a weird thing?" People jumped to type out their honestly fascinating examples, and the thread immediately became a hit. We’ve hand-picked some of our favorite responses to share with you, so check them out down below. Be sure to upvote the ones you have not heard about before, and if you know any odd quirks about your home country, let us know about them in the comments!
Psst! If you’re keen to broaden your cultural awareness even more, take a look at Bored Panda’s earlier piece right here.
#21 Indonesia
Uuh lets see
- living with your parents in your 20s, and when you get married it's still commonplace for the husband and wife to live with the wife's parents for the first couple of years of marriage.
- living with your parents in your 20s, and when you get married it's still commonplace for the husband and wife to live with the wife's parents for the first couple of years of marriage.
- Alcohol is strictly frowned upon but smoking (even from a young age) is a societally acceptable act.
- Eating rice with every meal.
- Being late (up to around half an hour to 45 minutes) is societally acceptable nd is sometimes expected so invitees would often push the meeting time a bit earlier.
- Absolutely stuffing your guests with food.
- Eating chocolate with cheese
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95points
Kate pointed out that arming yourself with knowledge and being prepared can absolutely save money and time, and make sure you enjoy your trip stress-free. If you consider traveling to unexplored destinations or countries where there can be potential risks for tourists, see if your friends or family members would come along. “Together is better than alone,” Kate said.
#22 Central/ Western European Countries
Giving two kisses, one on each cheek, when meeting someone of the opposite sex.
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94points
#23 Australia
Saying "Hey, how you going?" as a greeting. Extremely common in Australia, but apparently it isn't used anywhere else in the English-speaking world.
Was extremely surprised when I said it to an American one day while talking online and they were confused. "What do you mean how am I going...? By car...?".
It's interesting, because it's like the perfect amalgamation of "How's it going?" and "How you doing?", but for some reason it doesn't seem to register that way for non-Aussies!
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93points
#24 Austria
Dressing up as scary goat demons that wield whips made from weeping willow branches and then visiting school and hunting down children who misbehave them and whip them all the while a few girls dressed like angels and a dude dressed up as saint nic stand and watch.
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88points
The blogger told us that even if you face difficulties on your trips, traveling is worth it. “You can have some great adventures and find loads of new friends.” She said there’s even a saying in Europe that states, “You are as many times a human as many languages you speak”. But she would only add that the more you know, the more you grow.
“Also, I would recommend to every single person to spend at least one year abroad before you start your life somewhere in your 20s. Anyone who can afford to live or work abroad or travel will definitely be a different person after that experience,” Kate concluded.
#26 France
Let’s see… In no particular order:
- Giving your boss a kiss when you arrive at the office,
- Drinking one big glass of alcohol whenever we’ll you eat something, even the 6pm snacks,
- Getting mad at people who arrive early at your parties or even on time because who the f**k shows up without being at least 5 minutes late,
- Giving a nod to the fully-armed military whenever you go out in the city center,
- Preparing about three different glasses, four plates of different sizes and three sets of cutlery **per person** whenever you invite them to eat at home.
- Drinking one big glass of alcohol whenever we’ll you eat something, even the 6pm snacks,
- Getting mad at people who arrive early at your parties or even on time because who the f**k shows up without being at least 5 minutes late,
- Giving a nod to the fully-armed military whenever you go out in the city center,
- Preparing about three different glasses, four plates of different sizes and three sets of cutlery **per person** whenever you invite them to eat at home.
Guess where I’m from?
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83points
#27 Africa Or India
Calling elder people aunt and uncle, even if you're not related to them.
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83points
#28 Ireland Or Scotland
Saying all sorts of vulgar words to each other, including wishing they were dead, telling then to drop dead etc supposed to be some kinda endearment among best buddies.
So it's like Bro A gonna go away from a long trip.
Bro B : good, finally you're gone. Don't come back, and better die somewhere else.
Bro A : I don't wanna see your face either, don't ever call me.
Bro A : I don't wanna see your face either, don't ever call me.
After parting.
Both A and B thought to themselves "that is a good friend indeed ".
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81points
#29 Israel
In Israel, yelling and cursing is normal, even between bank managers and customers or people of different rank in a hierarchy. There's no politeness or etiquette. We're extremely informal. Obviously, moving to Germany with that socialization earned me several police reports for insults.
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79points
#30 Scandinavia
Putting parents in care homes, I've been in some cultures where that's unbelievable.
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78points
#32 Spain
Calling someone a monkey isn't racist here it just means they are being cheeky or hyper if its a kid
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67points
#33 India
You could just start talking with random kids and start playing with them. It isn't considered a offence in India.
Also head nods and bobble.
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66points
#34 Germany
We build huge crosses out of straw which then are set on fire to burn the winter. I guess seeing burning crosses could make the one or other person feel uneasy not understanding the tradition
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63points
#35 Singapore
Using a small packet of tissue paper, name card, office access card with lanyard, heck even laptops to reserve a seat at an public eatery.
Once you place those items down on an empty table, it’s known to be occupied and you can then make your way to the food stall to place your food order and come back to the table you’ve reserved.
When foreigners come, some may not understand this local practice and take the seats anyway, or assume that the packet of tissue left there as a form of reservation is for their use, or trash left behind by the previous user.
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61points
#36 Iran
Some casual Iranian sayings of endearment:
“I want to eat your liver”
“I will sacrifice my life for you”
“My stomach is tight for you”
“Wishing your breath to be warm”
Not endearing, but “dirt on your head” if you are upset with someone, essentially meaning that you should be buried.
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59points
#37 Kenya And India
I wouldn't say this is part of my culture, but in both Kenya and India, when you go to the movies they play the national anthem on screen before the trailers and everyone has to stand up. I'd been away for so long that I'd completely forgotten this craziness and was visiting my mum, went to watch a movie, everyone stood up and I was so confused until the memories were unlocked.
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59points
#38 Germany
eating raw pork
Mettbrötchen (seasoned, raw minched pork on a bun, optional onions, salt, and pepper) is a pretty cheap and delicious snack or meal in Germany and some surrounding countries. Shouldn't be attempted elsewhere since raw pork isn't safe to eat unless you know it's fresh.
Mett is made specifically to be eaten raw and has to be made fresh on the day and either eaten, cooked or frozen (to cook later) on the same day. If your country doesn't have this kind of standard you shouldn't try it unless you trust your butcher with your life.
Edit: a lot of people pointing out Trichinosis as the main issue, and after into looking into it for a bit it seems that testing samples of every piece of meat meant for Mett production has to be done by a vet to verify that it’s free of parasites. I’m assuming this is what’s not being done in places where it’s not normal to eat raw pork, because if you’re gonna cook it anyway, you’re also killing the parasites.
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59points
#39 India
Here are some famous ones!
1. Touching someone's foot as to give them respect (Usually Young children touch elder's foot, which symbolizes them giving respect to the elderly) (only people who are lower can touch a person's foot who is higher, in whatever be the circumstance). I can touch my father's foot, as he is older than me. If I teach my friend something, who's technically older than me, he can touch my foot, because im his teacher...
2. Pointing(objects close to you) with your middle finger (Ive done this many times unknowingly)
3. Touch NOTHING with your foot. All objects have 'god' inside them, so touching god(higher power than you) with your foot is like showing disrespect. So whenever you need to pickup that fallen book/pencil, you bend down and pick it up with your hand
2. Pointing(objects close to you) with your middle finger (Ive done this many times unknowingly)
3. Touch NOTHING with your foot. All objects have 'god' inside them, so touching god(higher power than you) with your foot is like showing disrespect. So whenever you need to pickup that fallen book/pencil, you bend down and pick it up with your hand
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52points
#40 India
Eating with the hands, but only the right hand because you clean your a*s with the left hand
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50points
