Traveling to a new country isn’t just about sightseeing and trying new foods, it also means stepping into a whole new way of life. And sometimes, that step comes with a twist you never saw coming.
Whether it’s realizing tipping just isn’t a thing, being handed dinner at 5 PM sharp, or that awkward moment you learn the toilet paper goes in the bin, not the bowl—culture shock has a hilarious (and humbling) way of shaking up everything you thought was “normal.”
In this post, we’ve rounded up real stories people have shared about the most surprising and eye-opening cultural differences they’ve encountered abroad. Keep reading to find out which of these shocks might catch you off guard, too!
#41
The upper floor apartment I stayed at in Copenhagen had no curtains, including the bedroom. Not sure how I was supposed to get changed, other than with the lights off. Other apartments can see in, but I think the etiquette is that no one looks?
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16points
#42
Italy-it seemed like every toilet has a different flushing mechanism.
15points
#43
Traveling with a male friend ( saw him as brother and wanted to make his last time on earth fun) while being engaged and my fiancé being home, both UK and NL had big problem with this.
The way people view disabled people, like as soon as you are wheelchair it also means you mentally retarded, even if just a broken spine, apparently we need legs to think and should be shown pity or Downs people are seen as children until they die, that as Swede is so weird to me.
The way people view disabled people, like as soon as you are wheelchair it also means you mentally retarded, even if just a broken spine, apparently we need legs to think and should be shown pity or Downs people are seen as children until they die, that as Swede is so weird to me.
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15points
#44
I guess the first time I got to a bicycle-heavy city. Coming from a country that is very low on using a bicycle as a mode of transport, especially back then, I was shocked at how fast they were moving, how I had to get out of their way. Needless to say I got honked at a lot before I got my bearings.
14points
#45
Drive through banks in America.
14points
#46
France: alcohol served during lunch at work, they took the half full bottles of wine back to their desk
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14points
#47
For me it was a reverse culture shock.
Getting off a bus in Istanbul after being in India for a while and having to remember that the cars were not expecting me to step off the pavement.
Getting off a bus in Istanbul after being in India for a while and having to remember that the cars were not expecting me to step off the pavement.
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12points
#48
No time to pack groceries in german supermarket also beer being cheaper than water.
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12points
#49
Alcoholic beverages are sold in special state-owned stores in Scandinavia. In supermarkets you’ll find only weak versions of beer and wine. Also, in Norway, even those weak beverages are not sold after 8 o’clock weekdays and even earlier during weekends.
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12points
#50
How many people can fit inside of a van or microbus. I usually use the same public transport locals do and each time it takes a few moments to remember how cramped it can be. People sitting on top of you, hanging on to the sides, etc.
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11points
