Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
27submissions
1week left
27 Examples Of Non-American Things That Might Be A Culture Shock For Americans
Every country on the globe is different, so it’s only natural that the people, culture, or lifestyle will be different as well. Some things, however, can be so starkly distinct that they can come off as a cultural shock for foreigners.
When Reddit user DreamyBabyh asked non-Americans to share such things that are normal for them, but would shock most Americans, folks replied with gusto. From absolutely hilarious to simply wild, the answers will totally entertain you. We have compiled some of the best ones for your perusal, so just scroll down to check them out!
More info: Reddit
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Hospitality staff don’t have to rely on tips in order to receive a survivable wage each month.
RELATED:
#3
If you get sick on your vacation, you go to the Dr and the company has to give you your days back.
#4
When people die, we put up little posters - printed obituaries - on the walls of buildings all around town and close to places the person liked to frequent. They have a little picture of the person, their date of birth and death, and a message of mourning from the family.
Edit: I’m from Bulgaria.
#5
Boyfriends and girlfriends (or partners) sleeping together at each others houses from about age 14-15 yrs old. (Denmark here 🇩🇰). Parents would rather have this than kids sneaking around and getting into bad situations.
#6
Here in Germany our pharmacies only sell medicine no snacks makeup or random stuff. First time I visited the US I thought I was in the wrong store.
#10
9 months of paid paternity leave, free preschool (including all meals), free healthcare, living wages (no matter what you do).
Edit for that one person: “free” means funded from taxes.
#12
No vaccines for the first two months of life.
Not because we’re anti-vax, but because we expect moms and newborns will just stay in their homes for that time period.
Also, it’s illegal for daycares to take babies under 56 days of age because mothers cannot legally work until then.
#13
Japan.
"Shock" might be a bit too strong of a word but here are a few that tend to surprise Americans in my experience:
- Kids and parents bathing together until the kids are in their teens (also includes hot springs).
- Kids and parents all sleeping together in the same room/bed until the kids are in their teens.
- School is technically only compulsory until 9th grade (although almost everyone completes high school).
- No "carding" anywhere, ever, to buy alcohol (unless you look like a literal child).
- Staff at restaurants will NEVER stop by to ask you how things are going or if you need anything. You MUST flag them down or ring the bell at the table (but this is not considered rude at all - on the contrary it's considered rude for the staff to bother you if you haven't specifically asked them to).
- Women AND men (yes, you read that correctly) can take an entire YEAR of maternity/paternity leave.
- Japanese prisoners make food, furniture, and other goods that you can buy at "prison festivals" they hold outside the prisons themselves. These festivals have a variety of attractions and are popular with families and children.
- When you buy land/property you usually pay your down payment in person, in cash, in a sort of ritualised transaction with a lawyer and real estate agents present. It often takes place at the bank that is facilitating the overall sale.
- Much of what Americans refer to as "beer" is technically and legally not even considered beer in Japan because it's so diluted with additives and substitutes like corn, rice etc. (think the kind of watery beers you'd use for beer pong). They instead call these "happoshu" and they are considered second rate but also are cheaper and taxed less than "real" beer (ie. made with full wheat and hops).
Lots more but those are just a few fun ones :).
#18
My family is from Ecuador, specifically Guayaquil, so I visit often. On Saturday nights, there is a rollercoaster cart that drives around town, drifting, doing donuts, going super fast while playing music. It’s the shape of a worm so they call it “El gusanito”. It picks people up like every other block and it costs 25 cents to ride. There are no limits to how many people get on per cart. I even saw a stray dog catch a ride once. It’s so unsafe but super fun. That would never happen in the states.
#19
The maternity leave is f*****g bonkers, to the point where I've had colleagues that I didn't even meet due to them being out on maternity for like 3-4 years. Plus you accrue paid leave during this time at a rate of 1 month per year so you can extend it by almost half a year off.
Gun violence is very rare, I'd go as far as to say non-existent for the average civvie. I've handled guns because I ran with shady crowds, but for a normal person if they don't go to a gun range the only time they'll see a gun is on a police officer or arny personnel.
#20
Euthanasia.
Not that it's incredibly common, but it's very much supported and uncontroversial that it's legal.
#21
I lived in Spain for a few years as an American. One of the biggest differences was the fact that their whole family lives together indefinitely.
In a home the size that would fit a starter family in America, they have their grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. and they all take care of each other.
As someone who was forced to move out at 18, that fascinated me.
#23
Walking around in public in bare feet. Very common to see supermarket shoppers and such with no shoes on, and no it’s not a class thing, all kinds of people do it. Not beating the hobbit allegations I guess.
#24
This really only occurs in Ontario and Quebec, but the whole bagged milk thing seems to really f***k them out.
#26
A man walking along a street with a massive machete is no cause for alarm and wouldn't even get an eye raise...
#27
American in the UK here. I was shocked to find DIY tooth repair and filling kits in drugstores. The waiting lists to see a dentist are so long that people have to take matters into their own hands.
You might also like: 50 ‘Weird Facts’ About The World That Might Give You A Fresh Perspective
Add Your Answer! This post is a community curated
Add Your Answer!
You May Like 30 Of The Most Irksome Things Annoying People Often Say 73 Of The Toughest People In History As Shared In This Online Thread Someone Asked, "What Type Of People Are You Scared Of?", Here's What People Had To Say (48 Responses)
Neilas Šurkus
Neilas Šurkus
Aivaras Kaziukonis
Related on Bored Panda
