Hey Pandas, What Did You Learn About The Culture Of Another Country, Not From A Book? (Closed)

Australians refer to people from the US as "Seppos"
It's a shortened version of Septic Tank, which rhymes with Yank.

Tipping in Japan is an insult. It’s considered to be paying for service you didn’t receive, like the host or wait staff did not meet your needs. Of course near the military base they got used to and welcomed it.

In the Phillipines, it doesn’t matter how poor you are, if you have guests you provide the best that you can provide. Respect.

Around the island Kawai, Hawaii, there is an island in which tourists aren't allowed to go. The reason for this is because there are people who are native to that island and they don't appreciate tourists. Just a little fun fact I learned on my trip there. (My tour guide also taught us a couple of magic tricks!!)

I learned that in some places in Europe the driving age is 18 and you have to pay 2,000€ for your license most places in the US you get your licence at 16 and it is maybe $50.
In the US you get you licence early but can't drink till 21🤷🏼‍♂️

I learned how friendly and generous Costa Ricans are. Always willing to help and share their culture with you. Love visiting over coffee (or sometimes beers) and learning about the history of the local neighbourhoods and country.

Had a friend from the uk online come here for vacation in Florida. She said Americans are creepily friendly. Turns out where she lived people hardly talk to strangers and they don't do the little "hellos" or brief smiles to each other like we do here.

I've learned about various Tokyo districts like Shibuya and Kabukicho, which is sort of a Red Light District through Yakuza games. I also learned that Pachinko is really popular down there.

My parents were missionaries to Alaska (before I was born/adopted) and the Turkish kids would come work at the fish canary during the summer.

When ever the church held a dinner for them, they couldn't drink root beer because the Turkish kids thought it was alcohol.

What I learned from my trip to Spain is that everything is later than in Germany. They get up later, eat later. There were literally no restaurants open when we wanted to have lunch at our usual time. That and the afternoon nap, everything just shuts down. But I also realised that Spanish people are more religious.They actually go to the church. Like, in northern Germany, where I come from, barely anyone goes. I'm muslim and I liked that, it reminded me of our Friday prayer.

not sure if this fits here. a very long time ago, i was a facility manager which oversaw all the physical aspects of the building. we had hired an older man who was from one of the asian nations (sorry, can't remember which) for custodial services. he didn't speak english very well but during his interview he had shared that he had been a farmer but moved to u.s. to be w/his children/grandchildren. the shift was a night one and he didn't have any issue with that so hired! after several months, he started to asking if i and my son (who was around 5 yrs old then) would come to his house for dinner. since i didn't think that was appropriate i politely refused but at least once a month he would ask. finally, i gave in. at the time of the planned dinner my mom came up fora visit. the night of the dinner i did not feel well. i knew from one of the other staff members who shared his language that his wife was excited and had planned an extensive menu. so, the idea of not showing up because of what i was suspecting was a stomach bug was making me upset. at the last moment, i sent my mom and son to their home with a note saying that i was feeling ill but i hoped that they would understand and allow my mom to come in my place. the following monday (dinner was on saturday) came to work like normal and he greeted with such a grin and spoke so fast that i really didn't understand much of what he said and then he left for home. i asked his same language coworker what he had said and she told me that he was so honored to have been allowed to serve my mom and my son in his home. i explained to her what had happened and that was when she explained that in their culture when i sent my mom and my only son into their home it was the tantamount expression of how much trust i had for him since parents and male children (as she put it "in the old land" are revered). i always wished i could have understood his language and culture more as he was such a sweet man and his wife was just as kind.

Russians don’t have middle names

I went to England and was surprised the hotel asked me to turn in my key when I would leave for the day. It was so the cleaning staff could turn over my room while I was out. I found it odd I had to do that. Didn't they have a master key?

People in Berlin are very friendly and willing to help.

I'm American, and I learned that in Korea there are not different foods designated to different meals. My ex gf is from Korea and cooked the most amazing food all the time, and I never thought about what she cooked when, I just ate it all with a whole lot of gratitude, but one day I mentioned how much I love cooking breakfast specifically, because while I'm good at cooking most types of food, I've got the most energy and focus in the early mornings before anyone is awake, so I got better at breakfast foods. She told me that it was one of the things she found interesting about the US, there being different foods designated for different meals, because in Korea that wasn't really a thing.
I learned a lot from her about Korean culture, and we're still close friends now, (it's in the international lesbian contract that we remain friends), and I still learn more pretty much everytime we talk, particularly since she moved back to Korea recently. I learned about other cultures from her too since she traveled the world and is a polyglot. Coolest person ever.

Almost everything, LOL. Mom's fam is from another culture, and the rituals of greetings, respectful treatment/courtesy, food, hospitality, attitudes... It's insane how different it is when I stop to think about it, and compare it to my dad's fam.

China only has one time zone

Canada eats the most Mac and cheese in the world

Learnt from a neighbour that doing the thumbs up doesn't always mean well done. In some cultures it means F**K you

When my husband and I went to China for the first time (him to work, me to visit), at the first supper the host - the president of the U. - gave a speech and got me to stand up, which was translated for me to understand. Then everybody else got up and started clapping. Apparently, I got a standing ovation for following my husband to China and support him in his work. For them, that's precious.