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There are tons of things that unite us no matter what corner of the globe we might live in—like forgetting if you locked the door immediately after doing so. At the same time, the closer you look, the more you realize that everyone has their own quirks. All of that individual uniqueness and weirdness adds up with everyone else’s, until you zoom out and you realize that it becomes part of a country’s culture, heritage, and traditions.
This post is all about the small differences that make people’s countries unique, like rolling cheeses down hills for the heck of it, having saunas literally everywhere, and serving hot chocolate with slices of salted cheese, as shared by folks on r/AskReddit in these two delightfully informative threads.
Remember to upvote the posts that you found insightful or that made you laugh as you scroll down, Pandas. And when you’re all done enjoying this list, we’d love to hear about the things that happen only in your country.
Oh, and in case you need something great to read during your next coffee break, check out Bored Panda’s previous post about the peculiar things that seem normal in some countries but not in the rest of the world.
Bored Panda got in touch with author, investor, and mentor Rick Orford, who has traveled extensively around Europe. He told us about what Covid-related regulations look like right now in Italy and how certain inconsistencies have been causing him a lot of stress. After all, it's far harder to enjoy all the unique culture abroad when your travel opportunities are limited and there's a lot of anxiety in the air.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
It's 3:38 AM in the middle of the night. You're driving your car through the middle of nowhere. The last person you saw passed by you 20 minutes ago. You come to a crossroads with traffic lights. No cars to the left and right for miles. The traffic light is red. You stop your car and wait for it to turn green. You're standing there, contemplating the futility of existance in the middle of the night. Nobody is there, nobody would care if you just drove on. At some point during those moments you start to question your own sanity and ability for self-determination. Still you wait for the green light, because this is Germany and in Germany you follow the rules.
JJ 3 years ago
Yep. Exactly. Because if you don't, then miraculously at that very moment the cops see it and fine you 😉
Suzanne Haigh 3 years ago
Oh gosh yes this happened to me. Hospital rang me to say my mother was dying so I grabbed my car keys and set off, 1.00am. In the middle of the town, main road, no traffic except me and 1 car at my side and lights at red for 20 minutes, 20 damn minutes. By the time I got their she was dead. UK
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Fintch 3 years ago (edited)
I was in holidays in Hungary. One night, around 2 am,, I'm heading to my airbnb-place on the streets of Budapest, when suddenly an intersection with lamps, showing red for pedestrians. Not really a single car around.I stop, waiting for green. After a few seconds, the other guy also standing there, turns to me: "Hallo, wie geht's?" And that's how you can meet fellow germans all over the world.
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
i was actually gonna say, Oh, that's the US, then remembered I'm probably the only person who'd do this in th eUS, LOL. And do you know why? Yeah, I don't, either....
Chucky Cheezburger 3 years ago (edited)
And if you did run the red, sure as $h!t, the police would be behind you in a nanosecond.
While many people are celebrating the start of the 'post-pandemic' era, reality isn't as simple. Like Bored Panda mentioned recently, some experts believe that the Covid-19 pandemic is far from over yet. And the fact is that Covid regulations seem to be all over the place, causing a lot of unnecessary stress for travelers and tourists.
Investment specialist Rick opened up to Bored Panda about his experience with Covid-19 regulations in Italy. "Over the past 12 months, we have stayed within Europe," he said that he and his partner have been enjoying the continent very much. However, "there's been some drama" with the travel arrangements: they had planned to sail to Greece on a cruise ship, but the inconsistent rules have caused them quite a headache.
RELATED:
#2
Belgium. We didn't have a government over a year, and it went suprisingly better than when we did.
Jihana 3 years ago
Same happened in Austria. They called it Expertenregierung (experts government), and I was always wondering why we never had experts in the government before.
Isa Car 3 years ago
Probably because experts tend to know better than to go into politics :P
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Lisa Intally 3 years ago
As an American, we did pretty much try this when we had a reality TV star pretending to be in charge. What we got is the worst COVID infection on the planet with the most deaths and the resulting broken supply chains causing the inflation we have now. Anarchy doesn't work for us.
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Adrienne Mcginley 3 years ago
Other countries could learn a LOT from this! (I'm looking at YOU, America!)
Stijn Cornelis 3 years ago
A little side note though: we did have a government during that period, a so called "caretaker government". The only thing we were missing was a new parlement after the elections. Besides, all national, regional and local administrations kept on working as if nothing happend.
#3
United Kingdom. I don't believe any other countries have the annual 'chasing cheese down a hill' competitions.
G R 3 years ago
Remember when Martine McCutcheon died from a giant cheese rolling on Midsummer Murder?
Charl Marx 3 years ago
I really appreciate this niche TV reference, and yes, I had forgotten all about it until now 🤣
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Drea Benoit 3 years ago
I saw a doc on Netflix that included a bit on this. It’s so much more dangerous than it sounds. Bodies were flailing out of control, bones were snapping, people were going down hard and taking everyone around them down too …. it escalated very quickly
Apachebathmat 3 years ago
This sport is really for those that do not want functioning ankles after
Charles Chamiux 3 years ago
There's some show on Netflix that features this "sport" and a few people have died, and broken or dislocated body parts chasing the cheese. I live in France. We have 250+ types of cheese and never chase cheese. Baguette 's and wine barrels, maybe, but boh- why bother? Lol
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Jubum 3 years ago
it may look funny at first, but it's incredibly dangerous. Open fractures aren't even the worst.
Charles Chamiux 3 years ago
On Netflix, there's a series on extreme sports, and people have died chasing the cheese on this hill. I'm French, and honestly, Brit cheeses aren't worth losing your life over. Now, toss out a good barrel of pinot noir, and we might have a real sport !
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Robert T 3 years ago
Also done with eggs as well a cheeses. Unfortunately on the decline due to health and safety. People really do get hurt doing this.
Carrie de Luka 3 years ago (edited)
*Blows a raspberry at health and safety execs* 😜 Though, yep, people do get hurt! Humans are a mad bunch.
Load More Replies...Rick told us that he and his partner both tested positive for Covid last week. "We must have a negative covid test to get on a cruise ship. On a plane, at a hotel, restaurant—[it's] not needed. But on a cruise ship... it's mandatory," he pointed out that it doesn't make much sense that air travel doesn't require a negative test, but traveling by sea does.
He told us that, thankfully, he tested negative for Covid after 3 days. Meanwhile, his partner tested negative only yesterday (i.e. the day before the publication of this article). "So it's really stressful and close," Rick was honest with Bored Panda that the way the rules are structured has brought a lot of stress into their lives.
#4
In New Zealand it is normal to be barefoot in public. In the mall, the supermarket, fast food places etc. It's even normal for kids to go to primary school barefoot. It's recognised this is unusual and has become a point of national pride for some people.
Don't get me wrong, it's not like everyone is doing this, but it's a noticeable minority and would be seen on a daily basis, even in winter.
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
Oh, to move to New Zealand. Barefoot is my natural preferred state...
Roomba Gloom (No/None) 3 years ago
So... is no one gonna say anything about this dude's feet?...
Laura Deckers 3 years ago
They look like two different people's feet. LLAP
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Lsai Aeon 3 years ago
I'm a wheelchair user, I still wear shoes, I don't know why, I honestly don't need them, I'm not walking more than a few steps, it still boggles my mind why we as wheelchair users still wear shoes
Melissa Rodriguez 3 years ago
Added layer of protection from the elements. You could just use socks, but if they get wet that's just uncomfortable
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BasedWang12 3 years ago
I love this. Ironic (I think Im using that right), I am a sneakerhead with over 100 pairs of kicks, yet I am barefoot every chance I get..
the Kat who says ni 3 years ago
Ooo I wish that was done here also.... frowned upon in Belgium... but it is so nice!
Randolph Croft 3 years ago
Damned healthy, too. I'd love to live there. Shoes, no matter how much money they cost, hurt.
#5
A week-long nationwide water fight in Thailand.
Grabthar's screwdriver 3 years ago
Songkran is awesome, it's only a week long in some places, it's mostly only a day.or two but it's a leveller, our hotel manager tried to give us tiny water pistols, I whipped out the super soaker I'd bought the day before and it was on. Everyone was getting everyone, went into the village and people had coolers full of water throwing buckets of water out of their trucks. Absolute madness. The only person who didn't get it was some random German guy who turned a hose on me, I got him back with the soaker so he started throwing rocks, utter d**k.
ColdBlooded 3 years ago
*sharpens knife* where did you say he lives again?
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Michele Lynn 3 years ago
It's amazing! It's to celebrate the new year and every time someone dumps water on you its considered a blessing.
Michele Lynn 3 years ago
Edit its always April 13th to 15th and it goes from sunrise to sunset. I experienced it in Chiang Mai which is the cultural part of Thailand and where most families go to if they have a loved one.
Load More Replies... Claudia Schmid 3 years ago
I once happened to be there for Songkran and it was so much fun!!!!
John Leriel 3 years ago
Neat! :) We have something similar in Hungary. During Easter Monday, it is folk tradition man 'watering' women. Nowadays only on rural villages and countrysides, man splash buckets of water on women (especially who they court), reciting 'watering poems'. If the suitor is welcome, the girl gives him one or more ornately painted egg as a gift. As a young boy/man, it is expected to 'water' as many girls possible. It's increasingly rare and far more modest, a father&son 'trick-or-treat' thing for most. Dads take their young boys around the neighborhood, visiting ladies and girls they are befriended with, citing poems, and giving a spray of perfume on her in return for chocolate or money.
#6
"Medical debt." -Americans
censorshipsucks 3 years ago
we have this here as well in south africa. We do have state hospitals which are free BUT if you are wealthy-ish you won't go to them because they are rather 3rd-world looking.
Mtg Wolfie 3 years ago
Which is how it should be. Instead of the American way of "in too poor for health insurance, so I either need the dig myself into further debt or have the government pay for it via medicaid", offer paid and free hospitals. Regardless of how wealthy or broke you are, you can choose either.
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Rachel W B 3 years ago
England had issues. But all free medical care. My father passed away a year ago from aggressive cancer. He lived 5 years after diagnosis with progressive treatment. All free
PandaPops 3 years ago
Its not free, its paid for with your taxes and national insurance
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BamBoo Mo 3 years ago
USA health care is based in a for- profit ( as opposed to non- profit) biz. Health Insurance providers set both the rates of insurance and the "cost"of care. It's convoluted and messy as a system because it is for PROFIT . If actual people get care it's a bonus- gotta love living in US.
Scotira 3 years ago
Let's be perfectly honest here. This is NOT a problem that only exists in the US. Medical care has to profitable in a lot of countrys. Hospitals have to be in black digits or they need to cut services. Which is why people with "common insurance" are likely to be less well cared for than people with a "private insurance" (at least where I live). And that's the reason why health care providers are payed less, bc hospitals can save most money in cutting salaries. The US just milks this circumstance to the max... 🙈 and let's not talk about private practices... those can cost you an arm and a leg, even in Europe.
Load More Replies... Apachebathmat 3 years ago
It’s so wrong when for less money, Americans can choose a nice European destination for two weeks, get treatment and recover at the beach, have money for meals and drinks instead of unnecessary inflated medical bills! My friend fell ill while visiting here in the UK, had her appendix removed, four days in hospital all the pain relief she needed and all she paid (being non resident) was about £200
Terri Owens 3 years ago
I just had gastric bypass surgery in December in the US and the bill was $40,000+. My insurance paid all but $2300. I feel fortunate to have the insurance but I pay a lot for it too. The whole medical system in the US is a mess. It's terrible that people are getting rich off other people's illness and suffering.
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Marie Andersson 3 years ago (edited)
When I gave birth to my daughter I came in by ambulance and hade to stay a night . My total bill was 20 dollars. 10 for the ambulance ride and 10 for the night. Sweden 🇸🇪
Lisa Intally 3 years ago
You get what you vote for. The Democrats passed Obamacare over the best efforts of the GOP, who STILL want to dismantle it. The Democrats assumed that states would raise their individual Medicare coverages so that EVERYONE would then be covered by Medicare or Obamacare, but, surprise, the Republican-led states refused to do that. And that is why serious medical debt in the US still exists. Vote Democratic or no health care for you.
Stephanie Wittenberg 3 years ago
I live in the U.S. It is common for the elderly and working class to have to choose between food or electricity,etc. and healthcare/
Stephanie Wittenberg 3 years ago
Oh, just by the by, congressmen get 100% of healthcare and mess for free. Also, as long g as they serve one full term, this is a lifelong benefit. Why don't we vote better healthcare for everyone? Because the Powers that Be make sure changes are never offered up for vote.
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Jennifer Steiner 3 years ago
I know some countries have universal coverage. And it works well. So, many don't get why we wait to take care of minor medical things in the states.
"What I find really fascinating is that one can visit a hotel, or a restaurant, or take a train or a plane here in Italy, and nothing is required. Yet, to get on a cruise ship, one needs to prove vaccination, and give a negative Covid test within 48 hours of sailing," he pointed out that it's very important to read up on Covid regulations before traveling anywhere. The rules don't always make sense and can change very quickly.
Rick suggested that if anyone's visiting Italy, Verona is definitely worth going to. The city is full of historical and architectural masterpieces, and even has an arena that is thousands of years old, and "you really get the feeling of being a Roman during the concerts!"
Traveling is one of the best things that you can do. It’s a real eye-opener! Not only do you get to expand your arsenal of awesome experiences, but you also get to see what makes other cultures and countries unique.
What’s more, when you go on a trip, even a small one, you start to become more and more aware of what makes you, well, you. You start picking up on your own cultural quirks. And the moment you get back home? Well, you’ve got a fresh set of eyes to see your home with. Traveling means having an adventure that’s educational through and through, even if you don’t feel that you’re actively learning something new.
#7
Have farms larger than Connecticut (14,357km2)
Australia has 4 of them. The largest is larger than Israel, 44 of them are larger than Delaware, and this is still more than three times the size of the largest Ranch in the US, the Waggoner Ranch in Texas.
Ariom Dahl 3 years ago
Big 'farms' are usually called 'stations' in Australia. (And no, I don't know why!)
Rosesinmyhair 3 years ago
They're called Stations because they are similar to train stations as in meeting points. In vast stretches of land where there are no shops/hospitals etc. Any traveller or neighbour can go to these big farms to receive their mail/food supplys/medical attention etc. They have runways for their farm planes and for the flying Doctor and goods/mail suppliers to land and drop everything off. The neighbours will sometimes drive for days to come and pick up their supplies etc. In the old days they used to use Oxen to pull huge drey carts with the goods from the towns to the stations. The trip would take around 3 months..depending on floods etc you could expect a cart every 3 to 6 months. These stations would also house the workers of which there could be up to 30 or more. So yeah. Stations as in Meeting Place.
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I Liquored On 3 years ago
I worked on a station a couple hundred ks south of Mitchell QLD. I wish I could have stayed forever. No people and hard but honest work. It was like finding home.
Dave Charlesworth 3 years ago
King Ranch is the largest Ranch in the US. It dwarfs Waggoner Ranch by 290,000 acres.
Judes 3 years ago
King Ranch is actually comprised of four different areas, whereas Waggoner Ranch is one area. But even taking King Ranch into consideration, it's not impressive by Australian standards. King Ranch is 825,000 acres which wouldn't even make the top 50 in Australia (#50 in Australia is Mulka cattle station with 1,380,000 acres). Australia's largest 'farm' is Anna Creek cattle station which is 5,850,000 acres.
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Caroline Starr 3 years ago
Daughter went to Australia (from UK) and worked on a cattle station in outback Queensland. A couple of years later I was at a formal dinner and the woman with the gentleman next to me was Australian. You know where this is going. Yep, she asked where and I said the nearest town was Roma in Queensland. Aussie lady says she comes from about a day's drive north. I tell her the name of the cattle station, yes, her neighbours. Same daughter working at a different place was spotted at a horse show in South Australia by an old school friend of mine. Daughter: I go to the other side of the world and my Mum is still keeping an eye on me.
Mozzarella 3 years ago
I need to learn more abt this! I’ve lived here for so long! How could I not know this?
Huddo's sister 3 years ago
There is a great book 'we of the never never' about a woman who goes to live on a cattle station. Also some shows on Abc like Outback Riggers and Muster Dogs set on real stations.
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#8
People count out loud the number of fouettés in the theater at the live performance of Swan Lake.
In Cuba, due to reasons too long to explain but definitely having to do with communism, classical ballet is a popular art form in the sense of "not bourgeois". So the social composition of the crowd that comes to the theater for the classical ballet is not what you would expect in any other country. Mix that with natural latin irreverence and what happens is that people have ended up cheering the ballet dancers as if it was a sport. In particular, in the classical choreography of Swan Lake, there is a point where the black swan does about 30 fouettés or so and the crowd (that has seen the choreography before) goes like "ONE! TWO! .... SIXTEEN! SEVENTEEN! ... THIRTY!!"
Andy Acceber 3 years ago
I kinda love that. A lot of fine arts, like ballet, get incredibly pretentious. I say this as a person who works in a theatre and has worked many ballet shows. There's something incredibly humanizing about audiences cheering on the performers as they do difficult moves.
Dana Ondráčková 3 years ago
Sounds lovely, instradof quiet poloze people you get fans who cheer for your art And mastering of those dances
George washingmashine 3 years ago
I just finished my performance in coppelia (a comedic ballet) and this would get anyone onstage excited. More than clapping.
#9
Canada. When our national hockey team makes the Olympic finals, the government changes liquor laws THE SAME DAY to allow bars to open at 6am.
LagoonaBlueColleen 3 years ago
Now this I didn't even know about. Is this a regional thing? Do some provinces not participate?
Bexx 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦 3 years ago
I’m from BC and I haven’t heard of this! But the last time the olympics were here in Vancouver I was 18 so still a year too young lol
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BasedWang12 3 years ago
I also heard if the Canadian team comes back home with 2nd or third place they are treated like they didn't really do s**t... Can anyone confirm?
Marie Pinel 3 years ago
This law is only made for allowing people to watch the game in live when the winter Olympic is in another country that have another time zone than canada
Marie Pinel 3 years ago
plus, it's depend on the time zone of each province and territory
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As you travel abroad, you realize that there are so many things that everyone on Planet Earth has in common. Like how nearly everyone around the globe enjoys eating fried dough in some shape or form.
At the same time, you also come to the inescapable conclusion that some of the behaviors and perspectives that you might have taken for granted are far from common. In fact, they might just be limited to your home country, county, or even town. Unique? Absolutely!
Professor Christine Vogt, the Director of the Center for Sustainable Tourism at Arizona State University, explained to Bored Panda during an earlier interview that anyone planning on going abroad should take the time to do some research about the country and culture of their destination.
“More than likely that is what draws a person to visit a certain place. The more local knowledge a traveler has, the more a traveler can feel like a local and fit in," she told Bored Panda that the more you embrace other cultures on your trip, the more enjoyable the entire experience tends to be. And locals really do appreciate foreigners putting in the effort to respect their traditions and beliefs. Knowing the local customs can also protect you from a serious headache further down the line.
#10
Wales. Place names like this llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch
NsG 3 years ago (edited)
Wales is beautiful - it was just hiding behind the door when the vowels were handed out and Ireland ended up with their share.
Robert T 3 years ago
Imagine Countdown being on Welsh TV. "I'll have a consonant... and another consonant... and another consonant..." LOL
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Magickmaster 8 3 years ago
What about Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauo tamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronuku pokaiwhenuakitanatahu it’s a place in New Zealand
Tamara Kroonen 3 years ago
Google translate gives: Levels of fun, fun, fun, fun, fun, fun.
Load More Replies... Kira Okah 3 years ago
Llanfair PG was a marketing stunt. Now try Ysbyty Ystwyth, that one is fun.
Babsevs 3 years ago
Uss-butty usst-with is probably closest to an anglophile..... We have beautiful Welsh names here that lose a bit of their gloss when trying to get them phonetically communicated. We like to try tho, much fun is had by getting non Welsh speakers to try pronouncing Welsh words. We, have some wonderful names for animals ;)
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Benjamin Brogan 3 years ago
I apologize for laughing because there are places in America with unpronounceable names!
DoubleHeartDoctor 3 years ago
Bruh, let this place go on Wheel of Fortune and hand some vowels out to the needy. 😂 Dadgum, dude. 😂
#11
Faroe Islands. More sheep than people in my country.
PandaGoPanda 3 years ago
Sorry, but you aren't the only country with more sheep than people ... try again.
Everything is fascinating. 3 years ago
After seeing the barbarity of the whale massacre this year, Faroes are NOT on my favourite people list.
#12
I live in Belgium and I doubt there are many other countries where two people who are both lifelong citizens of the same country cannot speak to each other.
This happened to my friend, a Walloon, who met an old Flemish lady. She didn't speak English or French, he didn't speak Dutch. They legit could not speak to each other, but they were both Belgians through and through.
Mari 3 years ago
Belgium has 3 official languages; French, Dutch and German, most people speak also English.
Saint Thomas 3 years ago
May be true in big cities for English, or merchants in touristic spots, but not everywhere. And more Flemish people know (a bit of) French than the opposite, to be fair. And almost nobody except the 40/50K people living in the "Cantons de l'Est" knows German.
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Chez 3 years ago
South Africa has 11 official languages and it definitely can happen where people meet and cannot understand each other. I'm English speaking and can sort of understand Afrikaans but I 100% cannot understand the other 9 languages, and I'm sure there will be speakers of those languages who cannot understand English. It's sad actually because I took Xhosa in primary school, but all I can remember is how to say hello and ask for someone's name.
Claudia Schmid 3 years ago
Same in Switzerland. The German/French barrier makes every project at work much more complicated
Scotira 3 years ago (edited)
True, but we all learn both languages at school. So... 🤷♀️ Most just don't use the other for a very long time, which makes it more difficult. 🎶 It could be so easy... 🎶 🙈😅😇 (...and not even talking about the Italian speaking part of Switzerland)
Load More Replies... Shelley McKinney 3 years ago
Canada has two official languages. There are many English people who can't speak French and a decent amount of French who can't speak English.
Nikki Sevven 3 years ago
I'm a New Englander who can't understand someone from the Deep South. We both speak English.
Gaming Elementalist 3 years ago
I guess it's because I practice voice acting and different accents a lot, but I've never thought that this might be an actual problem for someone.
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Chaitrali Gupte 3 years ago
India is home to a 100 different languages and this happens here at so many places on a daily basis!!
Manjula Sridhar 3 years ago
Ha ! Piddly 3 languages, in India we have 25 and even more dialects.
"Local customs can include how a traveler dresses, eats, uses a cell phone, etc. When a traveler is out in a community such as walking in a downtown area or eating in a restaurant, these local customs can come into play,” Professor Vogt said.
“For example, in Buddhist countries, a woman who has not covered her shoulders or legs may not be allowed into temples or even a restaurant. Learn as many local customs as you can and a few key words to enhance your experience," she said that it’s important to be aware of local customs and to try and get along with the locals.
#13
Italy here. Road rage is as present here as everywhere else, but all drivers magically get together when a cop is nearby. Seriously, there are so many ways fellow drivers will alert you so you won't get a ticket. Panic headlight flashing, lowkey honks and nudges from bystanders when you park in a risky spot. It's actually pretty dope.
BasedWang12 3 years ago
and as my tour guide told us. "Pedestrians do NOT have the right of way"
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Mtg Wolfie 3 years ago
In my area of America, we give warning flashes for hazard ahead. I used to drive fairly often on a reservation. Quite often, there would be cows in the road. If an oncoming car got to one before I did, they'd signal with 3 flashes. I'd signal back with one that I got the message.
Upstaged75 3 years ago
We do that in the US too. I'll always warn other drivers (by flashing headlights) when I pass a speed trap. Even though it's technically against the law.
Riley Quinn 3 years ago
Had a cop pull me over because I was flashing my headlights to warn oncoming traffic of his speed trap. He was about to write me a ticket when I warned him that he'd lose in court because I was protected under the 1st amendment. Either he didn't know this or thought I was stupid enough to accept the ticket.
Petra Biedermann 3 years ago
I am a woman and was one of the first bus drivers in my town and went to Italy once. Had a total blast....no red lights for me, all the Italian drivers honked at me to go ahead. The soccer guys I drove howled
#14
Its rush hour. I tap someone's bumper while coming to a stop when my shoe gets stuck under the brake for a second too long. He apologizes for 'stopping so abruptly' at the red. I offer to exchange info, he says 'don't worry about it, I think I need a new bumper anyways, this one's wonky'. Then he tells me to have a nice day eh? Canada is a place where everyone is sorry for everything, their fault or not.
Melanie Munroe 3 years ago
This is DEFINITELY not true, everyone in Canada isn't sorry for everything, this person was just super lucky.
Sven Grammersdorf 3 years ago
Canadians apologize so much that they actually had to pass a law that states that saying "sorry" after a car accident isn't an admission of fault
Jon Hodges 3 years ago
Don't know if it's actually codified, but it's definitely a well established legal precedent.
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Kaitlyn Tuff 3 years ago
I’ve had both happen to me in Canada, the man that said “no harm no foul”, and then the woman that screamed at me until I cried. Canada is amazing, but it has D!ckheads just like every other country too. Maybe our nice people are just a little bit nicer :)
LOttawa 3 years ago
Starting from 1986: https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/canadian-residential-schools-a-timeline-of-apologies-1.5700824
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Eli Crompton 3 years ago
they don’t literally mean EVERYONE. Most people are very nice in Canada though. 🍁 🇨🇦
A Miller 3 years ago
I am not Canadian, but too, are sorry for everything that's not my fault.
Deb M.F. 3 years ago
not true.. I had a Canadian driver rear-end me when he was coming down an off-ramp way too fast and never got an apology. Spent 3-4 years fighting with him and his insurance company as I was injured and have lifelong issues relating to it. The driver was an absolute SOB!
Gaming Elementalist 3 years ago
I knew it was Canada as soon as I saw the word "apologizes". People in America suck.
#15
Such cheap olive oil. And eating incredibly late. Lunch is more or less at 1-3 pm, and dinner at 9-10 pm. That is why in Spain we have snacks between foods.
Frances Blades 3 years ago
WICKED!! I'd fit in perfectly then😃. I have a tendency to forget that lunch is supposed to be between 12-1 and dinner between 6-7. I usually remember somewhere between 1-3 and dinner is usually between 830-10. My Mama HATES that we eat late ate my house.
Load More Replies... MagicalUnicorn 3 years ago
as somebody who eats lunch at 11 and likes to go to bed 9ish, that sounds horrible
Trillian 3 years ago
But how do you sleep on a full belly? And when do you sleep, usually I'm in bed or getting ready to by 10 pm. And when do you get some fricking adult time, when the kids are still up till all hours?
SoulSurfer 3 years ago
I live in Spain, no kids and don't go out to restaurants late much but we cook at 21-22, watch some tv, take shower and go to bed. You sleep better when you're not hungry:)
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CH1990 3 years ago
I love the eating culture in Spain so much. I'm from the Netherlands, and dinner is on at 5/5.30pm solid every night, and I grew up with boring food. Even when we went on holiday in Spain we would eat like that. But when I moved out and lived in Spain for a while, it was such a relieving experience not to have those boring, early dinners every day!
Laura M D 3 years ago
Yes. Here I am! We have a name for at least 4 of the "official" meals, that can turn 5 depending on what time you wake up and what's your job: desayuno, comida, merienda, cena. You can have a "second breakfast" or "almuerzo" at about 11am if you woke up early or you have a physical job that requires more energy. But yes, I also have snacks between those meals.
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Fiat Panda 🇮🇹 3 years ago
This is Italy too. Olive oil, coffee, pasta, bread, wine and spirits, amazing fresh fruit and vegetables that are real. The staples are So cheap! We are not hungry before 9pm either 😁 same in France, Greece and Portugal ♥️
Laura M D 3 years ago
I wake up at 6.30 so... that's my time. Usually offices and similar start working at about 8 or so. Clothing stores open later, at 10 more or less.
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#16
Australia. Entering Eurovision as a country from Oceania.
Rachel Adams 3 years ago
Yes, they actually understand our 'game'. They appreciate all that Eurovision has to offer. Whereas I have seen American TV presenters suggest that they could win just by out-glamming or out-weirding us all and they just miss the point. It's not about being the best. It's about singing about giving a wolf a banana so that he doesn't eat your Grandma whilst being dressed as a yellow space wolf, or about singing and washing your hands at the same time whilst towel-whipping priests jump behind and you sing about the outside of the artist body is clean but the insides are bleak AND at the same time there's some actual decent songs being sung, usually by Sweden. Usually the country singing about love or peace wins, especially if they are in the middle of something that needs a whole lotta peace and/or love. And while America might need both of those things, they probably wouldn't be singing about it. They'd probably sing a song called "We are the winners of Eurovision", hoping to win
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Rosie Hamilton 3 years ago
Australia is in Eurovision because Australian broadcaster SBS gets good ratings from the Song Contest and pays the European Broadcasting Union to take part. We love them being part of it though!
Ashlea Saunders 3 years ago
As an Aussie who loves Eurovision and is excited to see our home grown talent competing against the best in the world, we're all so grateful to be included and welcomed. The more the merrier.
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Theo Blackwood 3 years ago
It’s been 7 years since Australia joined and I am really hoping they win some year just to see how that would work logistically.
Helmut Kok 3 years ago (edited)
If they win it will be in a European country they next year. As an Ausie show
Load More Replies... Charl Marx 3 years ago
Israel has been competing in Eurovision since 1973 despite being in the Middle East.
Seán Baron 3 years ago
Actually they're in what is known as the Near East. They take part as they are able to receive broadcasts from Europe (pre satellite broadcasting) Same way as why Morocco once competed. Many of the Arab nations that were broadcasting Eurovision would simply play adverts whilst Israel was singing. If they won, they'd say whomever came second had won. Then not bother showing it the next year as they had to admit that Israel existed.
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Seán Baron 3 years ago
It made their entry more direct, as to get a place in the World Cup, the inner of the Oceania region then has to have a playoff with the country who comes fifth (I think) of the South American region.
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Shelley DuVal 3 years ago
Well Australia is a member of the British Empire, and Britain is a European member.
Suzanne Haigh 3 years ago
Gosh knows why Britain still is entering. If they submitted the best ever song written they would end up last, why? Due to other countries childish behaviour.
Seán Baron 3 years ago
The UK is one of the top contributors to the EBU - European Broadcasting Union so we get a free pass to the Final, along with France, Italy, Germany and Spain.
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Laura Watts 3 years ago
I've got no problem with other countries joining as long as they don't demand a name change
Summer Mason 3 years ago
Here i thought erovision was a movie staring Will Pharoe... (spelling?)
Desirée Zuidhof 3 years ago
How comes it that Australia joins the EUROPEAN!! Songcontest? How how, due to pay a lot of money to join the Eurovision songcontest?
#17
Luxembourg. People who speak 4-5 languages fluently.
Sigrid Johanesdóttir 3 years ago
Welcome to Europe, where we are so close to everyone we speak 3 languages before highschool
Fat Harry 3 years ago
* excluding the UK, sadly, where the "they all speak English anyway" attitude is unfortunately prevalent.
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Chinmayee Kalghatgi 3 years ago
In India there are so many languages that we know 3 or 4 of thrm
censorshipsucks 3 years ago
South Africa. We have 11 official plus sign language and !Xam (Kalahari dialects), not to mention "expat" languages like Greek, Italian, Portuguese, and some German. So... most people here speak at least two, but usually more, 3-4 isn't that uncommon. I personally know someone who can speak all of them plus more. Insane.
Adrian Hare 3 years ago
Also Malaysia, not uncommon for people to speak Malay, English, Mandarin and a couple of Chinese dialects.
Scotira 3 years ago (edited)
🤔 This is only half true... a lot of people in Europe speak more than one language, but a lot of them don't. Most likely Europeans know at least a little basic English (let's say from 30y up) but it's true that most of the younger generation know more than one language.
Johanna Sawalha 3 years ago
Cause basically, when you turn a corner, you're in the next country over - clearly necessary #compactliving
Bart 3 years ago
In Luxemburg the official language would be German so they should at least speak that...
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Quite Contrary 3 years ago
Again, here in the USA, we are lucky of those among us born here are able to string together a coherent sentence!
#18
Finland. Saunas in most apartments or at least apartment buildings, haven’t lived in a building that doesn’t have one.
A lot of great well known (and underground) metal bands.
And a nuclear power plant that is at this point 11 years behind schedule and according to Wikipedia the 3rd most expensive building in the world.
Firstname Lastname 3 years ago
As much as I would love to have a sauna, there are certain parts of my neighbors I'd rather keep buried under layers of clothes...
Iifa A. 3 years ago
That's an interesting point. Why would your neighbors use your sauna in your apartment if they have their own apartment with a sauna? My dad lives in Finland apartment, each has the shower or bath + sauna. Community saunas are available and we are great at doing spa treatments, but generally each family does have access to a private sauna. My own family and extended family in Estonia all have their own saunas some in the private garden, some have it in basement, and some in apartments instead of bathroom. It's especially good if your house has a wood heating, which radiates heat through the house and also sauna. No mould, no tamp, and house is warm. You can keep windows open at winter when outside gets below 20C. I made it to 32 years of age without seeing parts of strangers I didn't want to see, but also nudity isn't a huge deal for us. Everyone has the same body parts, it's weird everything is sexualised, nudity on its own isn't shameful, embarrassing or sexual.
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Jihana 3 years ago
You guys just CANNOT beat Austria when it comes to nuclear power plants. We built one, it was finished, only the fuel rods where not there yet, then there was a referendum where people could vote if they wanted nuclear power in Austria. 50.47% were against it, so it never went operational. So Austria is now the proud owner of a useless nuclear-free nuclear power plant that cost over a billion Euros. On the plus side: it is possible for the general public to visit it, and it's the coolest thing ever. You can actually look straight into the reactor, something that is not possible anywhere else in the world. It's called the Zwentendorf Nuclear Power Plant, in case you want to google it.
SoulSurfer 3 years ago
Maybe you want to Google how much Olkiluoto 3 has costed so far...
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Synsepalum 3 years ago
Finland has the best metal. Australia does as well, though. Reverend Bizarre to Destroyer 666
Terri Owens 3 years ago
Isn't Nightwish from Finland? Or it might be Iceland, I can't remember but they're my favorite band in the world! I live in the US and most of my friends have never heard of them. Such sad people....
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Hannu Luhtasela 3 years ago
The sauna is a big part of the first memory of my life. It was otherwise normal pitch black night in the 80’s. I’m in my mother’s arms watching and wondering what’s going on – this ain’t normal. Blue flashing lights of the emergency vehicles illuminate the surrounding area and the sirens screams. Oh, nd in the background the flames engulf our house. This was the one time the sauna got a little too hot. But yeah, it would weird live without sauna. Also, I think it’s time to turn to sauna on quite soon :)
Sven Grammersdorf 3 years ago
The nuclear plant mentioned at the end, Olkiluoto 3, is actually the 6th most expensive building in the world, and it has also been completed and is now online and generating electricity.
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
Scandi metal bands of yesteryear: Bathory. Hubby even had th econcer t-shirt!
#19
Milk dispensers at school cafeterias (or restaurants but it's not as common). I live in Sweden where food and drinks such as water and milk is provided free for students. Whenever i tell someone outside of Scandinavia that we have milk dispensers they're always very surprised.
Merty Robinson 3 years ago
As a Brit who used to live in Sweden I found the amount of diary products and coffee they consume fairly shocking.
Rosie Hamilton 3 years ago
How much more would you say it was? Genuinely curious - I drink a lot of coffee and love dairy so was wondering if I'd find it shocking or a home-from-home!
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Huddo's sister 3 years ago
My brother would have loved that. We now have to warn him not to drink our milk when he comes over if we know we can't get to the shop the next day, because he will just casually drink half a carton or more :)
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Julia McElroy 3 years ago
No milk dispenses in us public schools but milk does come with lunches. Just in cartons. But dispensers are so much cooler even if costlier both in cost and energy consumption. But, like, space age type of ultra modern cool.
Deep One 3 years ago
In the US it is in reverse. There are milk dispensers in the restaurants (buffet style) buy not in the schools. Heaven forbid a child gets something for free!
Metallicd3ath 3 years ago
It's rarely a dispenser, typically it'll be those little paper cartons, at least around here, same kind as you *would* get at a cafeteria. If there is a dispenser, it's staff-only and you still pay by the glass, no free refills.
Load More Replies... #20
USA. The imperial measurement system.
Kira Okah 3 years ago
Britain has it too, we also invented it. Sorry, it was an attempt at standardising weights and measures.
NsG 3 years ago
It's not (at time of writing, but give it time *sigh*) the official measurement system. We use a weird hybrid. The only official imperial we use is miles, and colloquially - we go for a pint, but we are served 0.568 litres. (Wines and spirits are measured and taxed by the millilitre). Your doctor may give your height in feet and inches, but it's recorded in centimetres, the same with your weight - officially you are so many kilograms, but you can say it in stones and pounds (which is different from the US again, because they give the entire thing in pounds - 146lb instead of 10 1/2 stone for example).
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John Baker 3 years ago
In the US, we use both Imperial and metric, and most of us don't have any problem converting one to the other on the fly. Of course, those who are determined to see Americans as stupid and ignorant don't want to hear that...
Chinmayee Kalghatgi 3 years ago
I’m sure most Americans can do the calculations with ease but those Americans who can’t speak the loudest and the most which is why we think Americans can’t math
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Nikki Sevven 3 years ago
We do use some metric, but only inconsistently. Beer is sold in ounces, but wine and liquor are sold in milliliters. Soda: 12-ounce can, 16-ounce bottle, 1-liter bottle, 2-liter bottle. It's inane, and I really wish we'd switched in the '70s when I was in elementary school.
BamBoo Mo 3 years ago
70s US child here. I remember in school being told that everything would be metric in the future. I'm still waiting.... But seriously most people will use what works, I can convert on the fly to either system. Sadly distance and temperature still don't make it in semi metric Merica. Weight/ Volume most people have a literal grasp of.
Load More Replies... censorshipsucks 3 years ago (edited)
Thank god for the French. They looked at the british imperial measurement system and were all like, "What eez zees? C'est merde!"
Bob Stuart 3 years ago
In Canada, we have to use both systems and do frequent conversions. The US promised to convert to metric if we would, and then welshed on the deal.
BamBoo Mo 3 years ago
Sad but true... US government promoted the conversion in the private sector but did Nothing on a national level. Cost was/is an issue in the case of re-signing of distance/speed for the hiway/street systems.
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Dan Batara 3 years ago (edited)
USA, a country that would measure everything with anything except metric. Swimming pools, open fields, washing machine, iphone, you name it. Just don't use metric. haha
Victor Botha 3 years ago
The USA does not use the imperial measurement system, they use The United States Customary System. Similar to imperial but not the same. Imperial gallon and US gallon are different. Most liquid (gallons, pints etc) and some dry weights (cups, pints etc) are different amounts in US Customary vs Imperial.
#21
National Crate day! In NZ we have Crate day to celebrate the first day summer which is basically celebrated with a crate of local beer, a bbq and sports, usually at a mates flat or the beach.
CH1990 3 years ago
Been in NZ for 3 years now and done 3 crate days, haven't made it past 5 beers yet haha (they're 750ml each)
Karen Jazwiecki 3 years ago
NZ seems to be the bar the rest of the world needs to meet. I need a crate day!!
Ian McLaurin 3 years ago
In Canada it is May 24th long weekend when we celebrate the start of the summer with a case of 24 beer
Apachebathmat 3 years ago
Any pandas here that can accommodate a small Apachenpbathmat on crate day? I will even bring a crate too 😂
#22
South Africa. Scheduled blackouts to reduce pressure on the electrical grid.
Vivek Mhatre 3 years ago
India. Unscheduled blackouts to reduce pressure on the electrical grid.
Aisling Raye 3 years ago
Southern California also has scheduled blackouts and brownouts. I feel really dumb for assuming these things happened everywhere and just now learning that it's not an "everyone problem"
Julia Bothma 3 years ago
Yes but in South Africa the power is turned off daily/ weekly.
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Nika De Beer 3 years ago
Its not to reduce pressure, its because ESKOM hasnt paid there bills!!!
censorshipsucks 3 years ago
noooo. It's because (a) the low income areas can't pay their bills due to the 40% unemployment rate, and (b) the grid and infrastructure was mostly built in the 1990s to supply 5 million people, not 60m, and (c) corruption. See attached image. eskom-frau...11f2ef.jpg 
Nika De Beer 3 years ago
And also its not scheduled, some days you get home and your like cool no electricity
Hutt'nKloas 3 years ago
What I've heard from SA inhabitants it is mainly due to corruption & reserving important/responsible jobs to those that have close ties with those in power, not because they have the right skills for the job.
Kerryn Thomas 3 years ago
Mainly? It’s only due to corruption and nepotism. The skills exist, the money that was meant to maintain the grid has been siphoned off
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Jo Davies 3 years ago
Every day this week from 5 - 10pm. Tonight is the first time we haven't been on the schedule in my town so finally had a hot dinner.
Kerryn Thomas 3 years ago
Where do you live? Come to CT where we at least have a properly functioning local government and protection by one stage 😊
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Ivy Urquhart 3 years ago
Texas just turns off the electricity for 5 days & the government just says see what we did we deregulated energy.
#23
United Kingdom.
Pantomimes at Christmas.
Real ale.
Separate hot and cold taps.
Mint sauce.
Brown sauce.
Thanking the bus driver (with a 'Cheers, drive' in my neck of the woods).
Apologising when someone else steps on your foot.
Dilly Millandry 3 years ago
The tap thing is old though and getting less and less common. New houses aren't built with them and most people replace them when they renovate nowadays. Get quite a few of those instant boiling water taps being installed... eg Quooker Taps. Come with boiling, chilled and sparkling from one tap. So we have come quite a way from separate taps. I work in the building industry and see what gets chosen.
mac 3 years ago
What was the reason for separate taps in the first place?
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Geoff CB 3 years ago
As an Aussie, I love the irreverence of 9 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Would I Lie to You, etc.!
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Laura Watts 3 years ago
Why wouldn't you say thank you to someone doing a service for you it's no different than saying thank you to a waitress/cashier basic manners
Just a girl with a brain 3 years ago
Everyone should be able to experience Christmas pantomimes. There’s just something special about yelling at a stage with people from toddlers to grandparents at Christmas time.
Abigail Coty 3 years ago
I do the last thing as well.. whenever someone runs into me I always apologize, as if I’m apologizing for simply being there.
NsG 3 years ago
To be fair a lot of houses are successfully moving away from the separate taps thing. This one did at least have a sensible reason in its origin. Can anyone explain carpeted bathrooms on the other hand?
Carrie Laughs 3 years ago (edited)
Who has carpeted bathrooms still? Can't remember the last time I saw one and it will probably not have been renovated since the 70s.
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Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
That tap thing is in old buildings in the US in the Northeast, and I always thank bus drivers in the US. But I never say sorry if someone *else* steps on my foot.
Drea Benoit 3 years ago
I just instinctively say “sorry” anytime someone bumps me or whatever. I’m working on it 😭
Load More Replies... Seán Baron 3 years ago
Also, don't forget the apologising when a complete stranger asks if you have a light, and people will reply with "I'm so sorry, I don't smoke".
Huddo's sister 3 years ago
The weirdest time that happened to me was when I was at a bus stop and a car pulled up to ask me for a light! Added level of embarrassment saying no to that, even though there shouldn't have been.
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SoapMonkey76 3 years ago
Then you're obviously doing it wrong my friend:-)
Load More Replies... #24
In Colombia, hot chocolate is served with slices of salted cheese in it.
Anjelika 3 years ago
I'd try it, I sometimes put a little salt in my hot chocolate, cheese won't be bad
Laura Watts 3 years ago
I like it with salt and vinegar crisps on the side tho not in
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Rebekah Krause 3 years ago
I had a former roommate who’s “secret ingredients” For hot cocoa were a big slice of cream cheese and a pinch of salt. It was the best hot cocoa I had ever tried and I’ve begged her for months and months for her secret. Granted the cream cheese is melted into the Cocoa but still, I’d bet that this would be totally awesome and I am very eager to try.
Lady Fos-Boss 3 years ago
Doesn't sound too bad, I do love my self a good mix of sweet and savory
Metallicd3ath 3 years ago
I know cheese and chocolate separately is popular but I never imagined cheese *in* chocolate
#25
South Africa. Calling traffic lights 'robots'. Caught myself doing this with foreign friends and being treated like an idiot.
Mari 3 years ago
In Morocco we use brand names instead of the product: Kelloggs instead of cornflakes, Danone for yoghurt, Pampers for diapers, Lipton for teabags, Iphone for smartphones... It's also weird.
Nikki Sevven 3 years ago
We do this in the US as well: Bandaid (plaster, bandage), Kleenex (tissue), Q-tip (cotton swab), Crockpot (slow cooker), Chapstick (lip balm).
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Rachel Gonzales 3 years ago
In west Texas all soda is Coke. Then the waiter asks what kind, and you say Pepsi. 🤓 The first time I traveled to the east coast and asked for a Coke, she brought me a Coke. I was so insulted. 😳
Chancey 3 years ago
Lol Yes, here on East Coast we call a Coke a Coke and a Pepsi a Pepsi but we call them all soda.
Load More Replies... Laura Watts 3 years ago
Why should you be called weird lots of places have "pet" names for things
censorshipsucks 3 years ago
And now for my favourite piece of south african shitposting: Behold Die Antwoord, who kindly explain what a robot is AND what a prawn is. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIXUgtNC4Kc
#26
In Mexico we experience paranormal stuff very close. Even people like me, who doesn't believe in it, have parents, siblings, children or grandparents who have experienced ghosts or other entities very close.
Not in the "friend of my friend" kind of way. It is really really common to be in the same room, and someone just says: "I saw my great-grandfather coming out from the well" or stuff like that. And nobody makes a fuss about it. We just process it and move on. But really, I don't know anybody who hasn't experienced a close encounter with something paranormal in one way or another.
And again, I'm an atheist and a skeptic. I haven't experienced something at first hand. And that makes me an exception. Not the average.
Amy Pattie 3 years ago
See, in places like Australia we don’t need ghosts, we just have snakes and spiders instead.
Trinity 3 years ago
You got that right. We have all sorts of horrors, both supernatural AND natural. 😂😂😂 Like, I've been to Toowong Cemetery and saw/heard some seriously scary stuff.
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WillemPenn 3 years ago
I have an elderly friend who tells very vivid stories of her young life in Mexico. Her grandmother was a bruja (she used another word, but I cannot remember it). Evil spirits, strange winds, weather inside the house, family enemies in freak accidents. They say she talks about it non-chalantly, I definitely believe she experienced whatever she experienced even though I don’t believe in sorcery or evil spirits.
Mtg Wolfie 3 years ago
Same for my family. One half, we're native. Very spiritual people. The other side of my family are Irish descent white trash. I.e, we don't have the average IQ to discount paranormal happenings. And white im agnostic, I have to say I've seen a few things that were didn't have an obvious explanation.
censorshipsucks 3 years ago
Well... y'all are famous for that dia de los muertes thing, so I guess superstition is rife.
mateo pineda 3 years ago
Dia de Los Muertos is not the summoning of spirits its respect for the dead, even the Catholics in the country celebrate it.
Load More Replies... Julia McElroy 3 years ago
Ghosts will only ever appear to those who believe in them. They are pretty elitist that way. Like gods and Gods. They only send people who believe in them to hell for not believing enough. Seems so exciting and lively! I'll never get to experience any of it, though. They know I don't believe in them. Snotty bastards.
Alicia GriffonLady 3 years ago
Not true. My x didn't believe in ghosts till the only angry ghost i've ever seen showed up in our apartment. It was the only time someone has seen what i see (i've seen a lot of ghosts.) They normaly look like they remember themselves, i think. No blood and gore. The angry one though, it was fuzzy/misty featurless blackness, Like light couldn't escape it. It was shorter than a normal person and wider, and you could feel it's blistering anger.
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Immortal Emperor Paradox 3 years ago
If a ghost kills you, won't you also become a ghost? Then you can bully the ghost who killed you for eternity. Like this, aren't ghosts just asking for trouble by trying to kill people?
Kiryn Silverwing 3 years ago
Maybe they're just lonely, and they want you to be a ghost too so they can talk to you.
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#27
South Africa. Our constitutional court can rule that our president has broken the highest law of the land and stole tax payer money to make upgrades to his private home, and our parliament will still vote not to impeach him.
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
Depressingly like the US, where an obvious con artist might be impeached, but keeps his job b/c the US Senate won't convict...
BamBoo Mo 3 years ago
And why would they? The biggest con is yet to come ; convince people that the system is broken, if someone else wins they cheated and don't trust elections. So.... Why bother voting at all...
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oktopus 3 years ago
Allow me to introduce you to Boris Johnson, alleged Prime Minister of the Untied Kingdom.
Alex Bailey 3 years ago (edited)
Oh, and I like your typo - Untied Kingdom instead of United! We are unravelling..!!
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Panda in the Fake South 3 years ago
US expresident is buddies with Putin. Yet there is still possibility of him running for office again.
Beleszóve Foldlanya 3 years ago
ummmm..... have you heard of the US and Trump? he's made of Teflon
Synsepalum 3 years ago
Same here in the US. one just needs to be born a US citizen and aged 35 or older. Are there educational requirements to be president / prime minister / whatever in other countries?
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#28
Iceland here. We have a music festival held inside a glacier and deep inside a volcano. We also charge $1,000,000 for a ticket too
Bonus fact: This was the same festival where last year Bam Margera was knocked out.
Sigrid Johanesdóttir 3 years ago
I'm Icelandic and I never heard about this, what is the name please? I can also say that we don't pay for water or light as it comes from natural resources, only through taxes and below 1 dollar a year
Stannous Flouride 3 years ago
And the one nation that refused to bail out banks for the money they lost in 2008 from gambling with their depositors' money. And as a result, recovered from that recession faster than any other.
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I was like OMG BUCKET LI.....hold up. And pulled lint outta my pockets
Chucky Cheezburger 3 years ago
Is that a typo or is it a million for a ticket? Cuz if that isn't a typo, dayum. I thought ticket master was bad.
Seabeast 3 years ago
Maybe they mean 1,000,000 króna, which is the local currency. One krona = 0.0096 $CAD, or 0.0074 $USD.
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censorshipsucks 3 years ago
That must be a typo, I can't imagine anyone paying a million dollars to go to a music festival, not matter how cool it is (or hot). Unless you guys are only wanting to see and meet hollywood celebs and tech entrepeneurs. I suppose they'd do it.
Joshua Wampler 3 years ago
There was only one $1M ticket. It came with lots of perks (private jet, private parties, etc ). It was sort of like a prize. For prestige. Only one person can have the honor of buying the million dollar ticket. All of the other regular tickets were significantly cheaper.
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Kayla Onomatopoeia 3 years ago
https://ekm.co/1-million-dollar-ticket-for-icelands-secret-solstice-festival/?amp
Θωμάς Γιόρκης 3 years ago (edited)
Ohhhh I worked there one year. It is not the whole music festival in the glacier or volcano though, just a stage of that fest, that you have to pay apart, with limited places. Impressive though. Secret solstice is the name of the fest and is taking place in a park in Reykjavik.
#29
In India, it's normal for your parents to find your life partner and there's a chance you could get killed if you love someone.
censorshipsucks 3 years ago (edited)
That sucks. Stop voting for Modi because he's taking you even further down the road of theocracy? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YkMUOJx_B4
BigBoi 3 years ago
Modi has helped a lot for Hindus. But however, he does not provide equality for Hindus and Muslims and Christians. I am a Hindu and I realize this point. We should elect someone else, someone who provides equal rights for both Hindus and everyone else.
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Chinmayee Kalghatgi 3 years ago
There are so many arranged marriages here. These days love marriage is becoming more acceptable but if you don’t have a partner by your mid twenties then your family will make an arranged marriage for you
Immortal Emperor Paradox 3 years ago
Majority of the Indians are still stuck onto the old mindset, when you just go through your life as if completing a checklist.
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Sanjana Sharma 3 years ago
It’s honestly not as bad as they make it sound lmao. My sister had a love marriage, she chose her partner. No one was killed. That being said, SOME rural regions do practice honour killing, but people are slowly accepting the idea of finding your own partner.
Evelyn Ann 3 years ago
I read a few books on this and it's fascinating how they find a partner for the child. Astrologists are consulted, the birth times have to be aligned. Not saying i agree with the practice, it's just interesting what goes into it.
Immortal Emperor Paradox 3 years ago
Well, extremism exists in every country. The best we can do is educate the people.
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Saniya Bonde 3 years ago
Though arrange marriage is common but majorly honour killing takes place in rural areas or small towns.
Jus 3 years ago
I feel a huge dislike for a country that does something like that, also has clear division between social groups, and first of all, all those rapes. Makes me so angry. Could women unite, take some big sticks and beat the hell out of the offenders? Is it possible? Can you do something? Another thing about Indian men, are they either rapers or so cheesy romantic you want to throw up? Are there any normal people there? Sorry for that, this is what I see on the Internet and it's unbearable
#30
As far as I know, this only happens in the Philippines. Correct me if I'm wrong. We have a law here called number coding, known casually as color coding, for some reason, which makes vehicles with certain license plates unable to be run on certain hours of certain days. If your plate number ends in a certain number, let's say 1, you can't drive your car (without a fine) on Mondays. 0 and 1 are Monday, 2 and 3 are tuesday, etc. You can only drive it on that day from 10am to 3pm. So, if your license number is ABC 123, then you can't drive on tuesdays from midnight to 9:59am, and 3pm to midnight the next day. If you're caught by the traffic cops, you need to pay a fine. (or bribe the dude, that's fine too, I guess) It was the government's attempted solution to lessen traffic on roads, but what many people ended up doing was buying another car for the off day. So here, if you aren't commuting or carpooling, which you might not want to do, since many areas here are polluted and have some thieves running about, you're going to need to own two vehicles.
Robert T 3 years ago
Various countries have tried this, more commonly with odd and even numbers on different days. People went out and bought a second car to use on the alternate days!
Heavy on My noggin' 3 years ago
People have money there I see. They do that in my country when it's really hot and pollution is too high in summer. No one bought a new car, we just organize and take public transportation or share rides.
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over it already 3 years ago
Not sure if still in place, but has been a thing in Mexico City, too
User# 6 3 years ago
I think they have a similar system in Athens, based on odd and even numbers.
Beate N. 3 years ago
They did in the 80s(?) because of pollution. But people just bought two cars with different ending digits 🙄
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#31
Scotland. Every year, large men gather in various places to throw trees around and girls dance around swords.
#32
India. Cheap Streaming subscriptions. In my country a pack for Disney+, HBO, Showtime, ABC, Live Sports and a lot more, costs less than 2 dollars a month. Yes 2 dollars TOTAL.
Steve Kenney 3 years ago
Meanwhile a very significant portion of your country can barely afford food and housing.
Eric Mac Fadden 3 years ago
In Brazil the most expensive Netflix plan is $11. But R$56,00 is a lot for almost an entire population living from paycheck every month
Rosesinmyhair 3 years ago
Netflix in Australia premium plan has just gone up to $22.95 p/m (from $19.95.)
Paweł Duda 3 years ago (edited)
Well, if you had to pay as much as americans, no matter of currency, about 0,00001% of your country could afford it.
Shalini Pabreja 3 years ago (edited)
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Fat Harry 3 years ago
*facepalm* the OP is clearly Indian as he says "IN MY COUNTRY" while referencing India.
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#33
Israel. Every single building has a safe room in case rockets start falling. I was pretty surprised this wasn't a thing in other countries when I first learned about that.
Andy Acceber 3 years ago
I'm pretty sure that's also a thing in Palestine -- at least it would be if the Palestinians could afford to install them.
BasedWang12 3 years ago
and didn't have all their resources blocked by mazes of cages and checkpoints
Load More Replies... censorshipsucks 3 years ago
Same goes for you and for the States. IF you stop attacking OTHER PEOPLE they will stop attacking you.
Sylvanticx 3 years ago
I would like to inform you that the Israelis didn't attack first. Also now seems to be a good time to inform you that Jews are indigenous to the Eretz Yisrael and to deny our indigeneity is antisemitic and goes beyond acceptable criticism of Israel. You may criticize Israel's individual policies; criticizing Israel's existence is antisemitic.
Load More Replies... Sven Grammersdorf 3 years ago
That's because most other countries have learned to get along much better with their neighbors.
Alex Boyle 3 years ago (edited)
A lot of journalists in Israel could have used something like that.
Nunya Business 3 years ago
Sounds like a good idea for everyone. Could be useful during a weather crisis as well.
The pizza girl is here! 3 years ago
Hey! I'm Israeli too! (Sadly what you said is true) Where are you from and how is your English so good?
The pizza girl is here! 3 years ago
Israel is a small country so we get exited when we see other israelis on a world-wide website
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Fabian Bernard 3 years ago
Aldo, army can kill a journalist, lie about it despite proofs and intimidate her mourning family
#34
Germany. Driving 300km/h and still getting passed.
Ray Heap 3 years ago
Going down the A96 at a laidback 200-odd and got passed by a hearse. That was one stiff in a hurry.
censorshipsucks 3 years ago
This would not work here. In germany people actually have some idea of why laws exist and follow them. We're basically anarchists (South Afirca), so if this was allowed, everyone would do it and we'd have huge car pile-ups.
#35
China. Probably blocking Google, Youtube, Twitter, Facebook and other websites...
#36
Australia, specifically Melbourne. Having 40+ degrees celsius days drop to less than 20 with rain over a period of two hours maximum
youtube viewing only yea 3 years ago
😱 its summer here in Manila where its 32 degrees celsius and it feela like 42. Is it because youre near the south pole or what? O.O
Nikki Sevven 3 years ago
In New England, it's not unusual to experience a 21ºc day with a -1ºc night. We joke that our four seasons are Almost Winter, Winter, Still Winter, and Road Construction.
#37
In Canada tax is not included in advertised price.
Carrie Laughs 3 years ago
It is the justification of it that is weird... can't put the full price on the item or shelf but it is in their computer system and obviously known at the checkout. The shop knows the full price.
Load More Replies... Locked In The Cellar 3 years ago
Except there's no tax on unprepared food items, so that picture of pears is unrelated to the topic
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
Thank you for this. Sometimes people assume it is, and then get a shocker at the checkout. Nope, same as US.
censorshipsucks 3 years ago
we used to have this during apartheid but fortunately stopped doing it, it was super annoying.
Victor Botha 3 years ago
I don't remember this during the apartheid years. When VAT was introduced, the price on the item was the price you paid at the till/checkout
Load More Replies... Victor Botha 3 years ago (edited)
Just cannot get my head around this. How difficult is it to include in the price so that the price you see is the exact price you pay at the checkout. The vast majority of the rest of the world does it and doesn't have a problem getting it right.
#38
Canada. Bagged milk, legal weed and fermented maple syrup.
Steve Kenney 3 years ago
Bagged milk is an Ontario thing, there is no bagged milk as you go more towards the Pacific Ocean.
Bexx 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦 3 years ago
Exactly - I’m from BC and AB and we have no idea what “bagged milk” is
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Rod Egret 3 years ago
You really think Canada is the only country with legal weed?!? Ever heard of the Netherlands?
Trillian 3 years ago
We used to have bagged milk like 15 years ago. Nightmare. Bags would burst in your shopping bag and also in the supermarket, so any bag you picked was always slightly sticky and a smell of milk to it. At home you had to put it in a special container to keep it in the fridge.
Anjelika 3 years ago
Russia has bagged milk too, kept freaking me out, I wasscared that I was going to spill it 🤦♀️
Chinmayee Kalghatgi 3 years ago
We have bagged milk here in India, the neighbourhood cats always manage to steal them
Load More Replies... Fat Harry 3 years ago
We tried it, briefly, in the UK but it didn't catch on and I've not seen it since.
Load More Replies... Victor Botha 3 years ago (edited)
We have bagged milk in SA. I litre plastic bags with special jugs you can buy the fit the bag perfectly. You snip off a corner of the protruding part of the bag and voila, instant spout for pouring milk, toss or recycle the bag when empty.
#39
USA. Screens in your windows.
I didn’t know that wasn’t a thing all over the world until I commented on a post here on reddit.
There was a post showing a person with a personal bug net around their bed to keep the bugs out. I was like “wait why don’t you guys have window screens to prevent bugs getting in your house in the first place”
Apparently a ton of people don’t? I never knew that, thought it was interesting
Mosquitos, black flies, and horse and moose flys here in Maine are super bad during the summer, I can’t imagine somewhere like the tropics.
Dilly Millandry 3 years ago
Glad i live somewhere that doesn't have a lot of flies and bugs tbh.
Manners are free 3 years ago
Pretty much mandatory in Australia. Especially in Queensland where I am as it’s tropical. Plus some of our wildlife can kill us so there’s that too.
#40
Norway. They look like snowballs in size and shape, but they're made of potatoes and boiled, with a piece of meat inside for flavoring. You eat it with sausage, fat'n'bacon and kohlrabi/carrot puree. It's not as common as it used to be because it's mainly grandmas that used to make it. Also known as "komle". In some places they simply refer to them as "potato balls."
Ristina Nielsen 3 years ago
Sounds like a "cousin" to Swedish kroppkaka (literally, body-cake...) or palt. Here they are served with lingonberry jam. (OK, almost everything is served with lingonberry jam)
MortyMouse 3 years ago
Fellow Norwegian here. What is also a bit weird about this dish is that it's prepared, served and named a bit differently depending on which part of the country you live in. #Komlemeddottrulestheland
Suzanne Haigh 3 years ago
Simplified it sounds like sausages, mash potatoes and puree/mashed carrots
#41
USA. Have a "World Series" and only occasionally invite Canada.
Albo alt 3 years ago
Explain the global popularity of basketball. Heck, the past four NBA MVPs are international players, one from Greece and the other from Serbia.
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John Baker 3 years ago
The World Series was named for the New York World, the now defunct newspaper that sponsored the first one. It has nothing to do with anything international.
K 3 years ago
I took history of baseball in college (FWIW I also took history of pop culture :)) and didn't even learn this....
Load More Replies... censorshipsucks 3 years ago
well... you guys are infamous for not knowing about the rest of the planet... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFOpN957p3s /jk
#42
Canada. Poutine. Goddamn are you guys missing out on poutine. Seriously unhealthy, but also good for the soul, so is it really unhealthy? Yes. Yes it is. But you're still missing out.
For those wondering, it's fries topped with gravy and cheese curds.
LagoonaBlueColleen 3 years ago
Although it's good, depending on who makes it. It's highly overhyped and so simple to make anyone in the world with access to potatoes, cheese curds and gravy can make it, and perhaps many places do but call it something else.
Bryan Johnston 3 years ago
Overhyped? Then you've never had good poutine...
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Tom Hanlin 3 years ago
Potatoes: high in potassium and, oddly, vitamin C. Cheese: calcium. I'm not sure what the "unhealthy" part is but, perhaps the gravy is made out of radioactive sugar. Lagoona, "cheese curds" are not to be found in most of the world, so you'll have to make your own.
Chris Jones 3 years ago
The 'unhealthy' part is probably just because it will be fairly high in calories but if it's a treat who cares eh?!! These things aren't meant to be considered a nutritionally balanced meal.
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RoseTheMad 3 years ago
In the north of England "cheesy chips n' gravy" is a fairly popular dish. Not exactly the same as Poutine (since its not curds and is just regular cheese iirc) but still xP
Seán Baron 3 years ago
I now live in London and I still miss chips and gravy after 20+years!
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Flash Henry 3 years ago
In New Jersey it's made with melted mozzarella and called Disco Fries.
Huddo's sister 3 years ago
I tried a little and liked it, but was worried about there being gluten in it so didn't have much. My sister, who had bought it, did not like it at all! She is a fussy eater though.
Dadolwch 3 years ago
Poutine is slowly making its way into some US places. I don't think most Americans have realized how unhealthy it is yet, which is why it hasn't caught on as quickly.
#43
Corpses get dug up, heart gets cut out and burned, then buried with the body again so the dead won't come back to haunt it's people - Romania.
RoseTheMad 3 years ago
I'm half Romanian and I have never heard of this happening. Does it happen in more rural areas where people may be more superstitious? (then again, maybe its all because of Dracula lmao)
Alexandru Bucur 3 years ago
Yeah, that's because it's completely fake and just some idiot's idea of a bad joke based on western "vampire" stereotypes. The other Romanians in the original thread all called him out on it.
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over it already 3 years ago
Why wouldn't you just do that before burying the body? Makes no sense.
#44
Germany. Tiltable windows, apparently.
der sebbl 3 years ago
Most windows are hinged on the side. Tiltable windows are only used in the roof
Chris Jones 3 years ago
That's the type we stick in the roof in the UK as well.
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James Bailey 3 years ago
looking at the comments it seems there is a bit of confusion between the text and the picture. The picture is indeed a Velux window but what i think OP is referring to is a 'tilt and turn' window. I first saw them in Germany and thought I'd broken the window when it started to 'fall' in towards me. I've got them now (UK) as they are more common https://youtu.be/sTAva-0mg6A
Ren Karlej 3 years ago
Well, yes, the photo did make me think exactly as you described. Thanks for the explanation. 👍👍👍 Tilt and turn windows - yes, see those in the UK too.
Load More Replies... Carrie Laughs 3 years ago
Don't know why you were downvoted. We do. In roofs we have velux windows and they are increasingly popular. Get a lot of them in extensions and loft conversions but also on new builds.
Load More Replies... Albo alt 3 years ago
Had these in my apartment in Germany in the early 80s. No screens, either, which wouldn't make it in the US on account of mosquitos and other bugs.
J K 3 years ago
US Here. Our neighbor had them installed in their newly built house.
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#45
Maple Syrup Heists in Canada.
GirlFriday 3 years ago
All Canadians are sticky from the maple syrup. This is a fact.
Load More Replies... Steve Kenney 3 years ago
1 maple syrup heist between 2011 to 2012. It's not like it's common occurrence.
#46
Argentina. Drinking a hot drink from an hollowed pumpkin through a metal straw and sharing it with others all drinking from the same straw.
Ellen Ranks 3 years ago (edited)
In some West African countries it is tradition to all eat from the same plate. With your hand. Sometomes 8 people to a dish. No high levels of Covid deaths though.
Jody Whitmarsh 3 years ago
Arab countries do this as well. But i think the water is so hot, it burns whatever germs might be on the straw. Lol
Eric Mac Fadden 3 years ago
In South Brazil too, it's called chimarrão here and it's only tea. Gauchos is a thing we share with Argentina (even with the stupid cultural brawl we have between us)
#47
The Philippines. The citizens vote an actor as a president who has made it into the list of the World's Most Corrupt after his impeachment. Then proceed to vote him as a Mayor for a major city a decade later...
Jo Davies 3 years ago (edited)
Ukraine and USA did the same. But one is a hero and the other was obsessed with star wars
Metallicd3ath 3 years ago
You know, I thought you were talking about recently until you mentioned star wars. I completely forgot about that for a while.
Load More Replies... Eric Mac Fadden 3 years ago
Oh, in Brazil could be the same for president - people can't even imagine the kind of thug that guy really is - even Mark Hamill seems to support the idea on Twitter... the little he knows... I forgive him for it... not the actual president would be a wonderful guy, but we don't have any choice for real... unfortunately voting is mandatory here and any dumb person must vote
Jody Whitmarsh 3 years ago
Jerry Brown in California. They're all corrupt and in bed with each other
Darla Taylor 3 years ago
Wow, he’s been out of office over a year and the thought of him still triggers you?
Metallicd3ath 3 years ago
There's a lot of people you could be talking about here, but I'm just going to leave it at "If only politicians' mistakes were no longer an issue after a year"
Load More Replies... #48
New Zealand. $26M spent on a flag referendum.
censorshipsucks 3 years ago (edited)
We had one of these as well because we had an awful colonial flag. Our new flag is much more african looking. We saw your flag referendum here in south africa and personally I liked the one with the fern curl on it. Please do get rid of the weird british flag, it's bad enough that you still report to the queen. PPS. Jacinda is perfect. We love her.
Cowws 3 years ago
As an Aussie, I've got no problems with it really. Sure, it would be nice to have a green and gold one (our unofficial national colours), but the queen basically holds no power. Her representative, the governor general can literally be fired by one letter by the prime minister to the queen. If we like all this royal family gossip and whatnot, let us
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Sue Hazlewood 3 years ago
Because we had 5 unlikeable options to choose from.
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#49
The Netherlands. Gouda cheese and windmills
HOUSE 3 years ago (edited)
I used to love gouda cheese before I went vegan where FYI the cheese sucks
Fat Harry 3 years ago
Nice to see an honest vegan! I have nothing against vegans, but I tire of seeing them claim "You can't tell the difference between the real thing and the vegan version!" of foods. Yes, yes, you can.
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Joran Quinten 3 years ago
How about: about a third of my country is below sea level and also most of it borders the sea as well
censorshipsucks 3 years ago
we have Gouda here but we were a dutch colony for a few hundred years so, not suprising.
Caro Caro 3 years ago (edited)
I've never met a person who finds cheese and windmills rare. Windmills, the old fashioned ones, yes. And cheese??? Come on, every country has it's cheese.
Chris Jones 3 years ago
Plenty of old fashioned windmills (one in my village) and lots of cheese in the UK so can't disagree with you on that.
Load More Replies... #50
We love to put fat in our bread and eat it, especially with some red peppers. If the fat is used to fry meat in that before, just tastes better. Hungary
lenka 3 years ago
Yeah.... bread and fat (dripping) was also really common in England and Australia. Less so these days.
Load More Replies... Lynn Morello 3 years ago
Dripping is the Brown Jelly that sets under the fat. That I do miss. But I will not use the fat or Lard.
#51
Singapore; Reserving seats with tissues. Shaming people online for falling sleeping on priority seats on the train instead of waking them up.
censorshipsucks 3 years ago
very polite. I heard you also beat people for chewing gum, is that true?
#52
USA. Pick up some paper towels, toilet paper, new underwear, and shotgun from your local Walmart.
Dadolwch 3 years ago
We have Kinder eggs, they're just dumbed-down because parents here can't be bothered to teach their kids not to eat a plastic toy.
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Arthur W. Arre 3 years ago
Alcohol ,Tobacco ,and Firearms should be a chain of convenience stores ,not a federal department.
Chucky Cheezburger 3 years ago
Don't forget the oil and filter for your car and something for dinner tonight too.
Lynn Morello 3 years ago
And then wonder why there are school shootings and mass shootings. But still defend gun ownership to the hilt. Australia had ONE Mass Shooting, at Port Arthur in Tasmania.. There has been no issue with fewer gun owners, and way less shootings.
Curry on... 3 years ago
Does Walmart still sell guns in some places? I don't see guns in my local Walmart.
FABULOUS1 3 years ago
I dont think they do, I believe they removed them after several mass shootings inside Walmart stores. I think they only had guns in Walmarts in areas like Texas and other gun craze states. I live in between 4 Walmarts and non have ever carried guns
Load More Replies... BasedWang12 3 years ago
My walmart ditched their guns years ago, but when I was young I was like..... Why. why are these here
Tom Hanlin 3 years ago
I know. Toilet paper's gone out of stock a few times since the COVID pandemic. We've had to start cleaning ourselves with a shotgun.
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#53
South Africa. We very regularly use a wood fire to grill meat and call it a braai.
censorshipsucks 3 years ago (edited)
That's not remotely unique dude. Americans and Australians also do barbecues. And they're not obliged to use charcoal either. If you want to say what's remotely unique here it's probably our tendency to speak our mind without softening the blow. But I've heard the dutch do that as well. Actually scratch that. I am going to go with parktown prawns.
#54
Production and enjoyment of Surstromming. (Sweden).
Chucky Cheezburger 3 years ago
Yeah, gonna nope on outa that. Not a fan of seafood, especially fermented seafood.
Liz 3 years ago
Surströmming (pronounced [ˈsʉ̂ːˌʂʈrœmːɪŋ]; Swedish for ''sour herring'') is a lightly-salted fermented Baltic Sea herring traditional to Swedish cuisine since at least the 16th century. And apparently it smells like rotten eggs...
Ristina Nielsen 3 years ago
Rotten fish, not rotten eggs ;) Yes, the smell is potent. The taste though is almost mild.
Load More Replies... 3 years ago
Swedes are not allowed to bring tins of this with them on holiday anymore since a tin exploded on a plane and made the rest of the flight very uncomfortable.
censorshipsucks 3 years ago
I raise you this cambodian delicacy. Skun_spide...loseup.jpg 
censorshipsucks 3 years ago
I have a theory that northern europe has so much pickled food because the amount of snow etc., made it hard to farm and get sustainable reliable year-round food. Hence cheese, wine, pickles, etc.
Lillukka79 3 years ago
Yes, salting, smoking and pickling were the ways to make food stay edible. But beer, not wine. Grapes didn't grow here, but barley did.
Load More Replies... Tigerpacingthecage 3 years ago
Few really eat/like surströmming though. I tasted it once in my lifetime and never again.
#55
Italy. Bidet, apparently.
Also, the fact that every supermarket here has a section with fresh cold cuts, cheeses and bread-like products. Couldn't find a single one in California
Lunch break is an actual break, where you sit at a table and have a 2/3 course meal. People won't likely just eat a sandwich and get back to work.
lenka 3 years ago
I think the lack of fresh cuts, cheeses and bread might be more unique to america than the presence of them being being unique to italy. Almost every european country as well as Australia and New Zealand have a fresh food section.
Karen Clark 3 years ago
We do have this in the U.S. It's the deli section of the supermarket.
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SpookyPanda 3 years ago
Fresh cut meats, gourmet cheeses (brie, feta, gouda, etc) and speciality breads are usually in the deli and/or bakery area in most supermarkets in the US. I have been all over the US, including CA and they're not hard to find. Especially now because charcuterie boards are so "in' right now. There will also be other stuff like a variety of olives, crackers, and jams as well in these sections.
Synsepalum 3 years ago
Really? You couldn't find a section with fresh cold cuts, cheeses and bread-like products in the whole of California? I don't believe you for a single second. I live in Montana, and we have gas stations with a section for fresh cold cuts, cheeses and bread-like products.
Aisling Raye 3 years ago
I live in Southern California and I'm not 100% sure I've ever been to a supermarket that didn't have a butcher, a bakery, and deli section of cold cut meats and cheeses.
Metallicd3ath 3 years ago
Bidets aren't too common here in the us, but some people have them and it feels like everyone I know who has one will swear up and down by it and try to convert everyone they know
#56
Apparently people are unusually friendly in the USA. I thought it was normal to say hello or give a compliment to someone you pass on the sidewalk but I guess not
Se Mai 3 years ago
“Nice t#ts” is not a compliment you should yell, when passing a random girl on the sidewalk.
Tom Hanlin 3 years ago (edited)
Well, of course not. We reserve that for women and the occasional man. Never the children!
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Keller Worthen 3 years ago
I'm in America. One time I was riding my electric scooter to school. Was about to pass a couple with a dog, so I smiled and raised my hand a bit as a wave... right as I hit a patch of ice.
censorshipsucks 3 years ago
can confirm. Went to the states and was confused why everyone wanted to chat. Except the immigration official. He was mean.
Aisling Raye 3 years ago
I'm from the USA and one of my favorite things about traveling was not feeling pressured into weird chats about nothing with strangers.
Load More Replies... Lady Fos-Boss 3 years ago
Really depends on the state, in Colorado, people are rather introverted and don't usually do this, however in Oklahoma, I'll be walking downtown, and someone will say something like "Nice shoes!" I also noticed that if someone has to squeeze past you in OK, they'll grab your shoulders or something like that. I hate it.
Sven Grammersdorf 3 years ago
I'm an American and I only acknowledge other people if we happen to make eye contact. Otherwise, I keep to myself.
#57
South Africa. Biltong, spiced dried meat.
lightbulb 3 years ago
Not really specific to South Africa though. Dried meat is common in loads of countries.
Nikki Sevven 3 years ago
I think most cultures have a version of spiced, dried meat, just like most cultures have a version of the dumpling.
Load More Replies... lenka 3 years ago
Didn't biltong originate with the Dutch? They have always eaten spiced dried meat (drogeworst). They introduced the spices used in biltong and its name originates from the dutch language.
censorshipsucks 3 years ago
correct, because it's afrikaans cuisine, which are descendants of dutch colonists.
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Victor Botha 3 years ago (edited)
No the photo is misleading, that is not biltong. It is dröe wors a dried version of a traditional South African sausage called boerewors. Boerewors literally means Farmers Sausage.
Load More Replies... censorshipsucks 3 years ago (edited)
That's because of expats who moved to your countries. Same as Nando's in the UK. It's not actually portuguese, it's from portuguese emigrés from mozambique who fled to apartheid south africa when mozambique decolonised, and then it started up in south africa.
Load More Replies... Caro Caro 3 years ago
Correct me if I'm wrong, but biltong isn't spiced ... or is it? Just salted.
#58
Root beer. In America this is widely available and basically universally liked, but give it to someone from another country, especially a European country, and they will hate it.
John Baker 3 years ago
Root beer tastes nothing like Listerine or any other mouthwash.
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WillemPenn 3 years ago
Unpopular in Japan too. Supposedly tastes like how Salonpas (medicine) smells. They eat natto so I don’t they have room to judge. :-D
Marco Hub-Dub 3 years ago
I love how all these people who think root beer taste like mint think that their root beer is American root beer. That’s like comparing all European cheese to American sliced, processed singles and saying cheese is gross. I detest mint. Won’t even brush my teeth with minty toothpaste. Real root beer tastes nothing like mint nor Listerine.
Amigo Super 3 years ago
Root beer kept me warm on freezing Midwestern nights returning grocery carts
Huddo's sister 3 years ago
I tried it in Canada, not knowing it is similar to sarsaparilla, which I do not like!
Terry Tobias 3 years ago
Every once in a while I like a good quality root beer.. it makes me feel like a kid again. If you put some vanilla ice cream in it you get a root beer float, although I tend to prefer a Coke/Pepsi float. Either way, they're both delicious!
Metallicd3ath 3 years ago
I'm American and hate root beer, but me and my siblings are among the few. Most people look at me like I'm crazy. I didn't know it was almost universally disliked elsewhere.
#59
USA. Full-size pickup trucks.
Also, full-size lifted pickup trucks.
censorshipsucks 3 years ago
you get those here in africa as well, but they're usually driven by right-wing racists. I'm not saying there's a correlation.
Karen Clark 3 years ago
Well, when your cattle ranch is 433,000 acres (Drummond Ranch), you have a LOT of feed and supplies to haul.......very typical for our country. Our landscapes are huge.
Victor Botha 3 years ago
Censorshipssucks, our pickup or bakkies are not anywhere near as huge as the pick-ups in the Americas. Ours are basically medium-sized pick-ups in comparison.
Huddo's sister 3 years ago
It's not so much the full sized trucks that are a problem, it's them being a common vehicle in places they are not needed. You do not need an truck if you only ever use it to pick up your kids for school or drive yourself to work.
#60
USA. One of the leading causes of death amongst the poor is obesity.
Amy Pattie 3 years ago
Not eating will kill you in 10 days but eating it will kill you in 10 years, it’s the better evil for some
Load More Replies... Rainy Day Wolf 3 years ago
I think it's a lot sadder here because we have so much fresh veggies and fruit at affordable prices in tianguis and still people lack money or time to get them (I was very surprised to learn this is not common in USA where they have a lot of "food deserts")
Load More Replies... Darla Taylor 3 years ago
And most of the food is overly saturated with high fructose corn syrup, not to mention the chemical sugars that are labeled and sold as “ healthy”.
#61
USA. Tipping and gun ownership.
censorshipsucks 3 years ago
we do tipping here for the same reason as the states, there's a large body of unemployed people so it's easy to underpay people to do menial work. Our waiters generally aren't much good and are paid badly, and rely on tips as well. Same as the states. It's called 'extractive capitalism'.
Marco Hub-Dub 3 years ago
More people in America are anti-gun than there are people in the UK. Roughly 120m Americans are opposed to gun ownership. There’s approx 70m folks in the UK. Those Americans who do own guns like to own LOTS of guns.
Karen Clark 3 years ago
It's how we roll....the guns also keep the bear, cougar, and coyotes at bay, 'cause we have a lot of wilderness here....
Amigo Super 3 years ago
According to Adam Ruins everything, tipping started here to let the wealthy get better service than everyone else
Metallicd3ath 3 years ago
And it still works - to an extent. A large tip won't make up for poor behavior for some workers, but I know there's workers paying more attention to people that have come before and tipped well.
Load More Replies... What do you think ?
Chinmayee Kalghatgi 3 years ago
Here in India we have somewhere between 27 to 29 states and each state has its own culture and language. In schools we learn 2 more languages. We have a festival where we throw colors at each other and there is a festival called diwali where you light diyas, kids play with sparklers, sweets are exchanged and the most beautiful (yet loud and irriatating at times)sight of firecrackers in the sky
Vera1 3 years ago (edited)
The Dutch snackbars are a pretty unique thing that I haven't found anywhere else on the globe, although perhaps they exist in Belgium too. Yes, every country has their version of a chip shop, but the Dutch ones are different. Especially the ones where you pull your food out of the wall. In general the Dutch's bittergarnituur (it would be best described as bar food, although snackbars sell them too and people have it for their meals too) is pretty unique and very tasty
Anna M. G. Novák Vanclová 3 years ago (edited)
Czechia: We recently had to have a law put in place ordering establishments to have at least one non-alcoholic drink on the menu be cheaper than beer. There is a classical czech joke about a little Pepíček (Joe) ordering a beer at a kiosk, the bartender asks him: Pepíček, wouldn't you rather have a lemonade? And Pepíček is like: I would, but I'm five crowns short.
LagoonaBlueColleen 3 years ago
Cities making it the property owners responsibility to cut the grassy stretch in front of homes between the road and sidewalk called boulevards. And fining them if the homeowner doesn't. - Canada
Carrie B 3 years ago
Is it a large space? We do that here in the US and it's generally considered part of your front yard. My sister lives in Ontario so that's the only place I've visited. Love Canada 🇨🇦 ♥️
Load More Replies...
Uriel Eduardo Viveros Macip 3 years ago
In Mexico, everything can be spicy. Not only food, but also candy, fruit, and even beer.
Flops [identity V] 3 years ago
In france we have the "apéro" which is basically around 7 pm we just all gather to drink eat and chat together before diner, it's pretty fun and it's always a good time (and it can happen everywhere:work, family, just a random bar...)
Cass Malone 3 years ago
I'm surprised I didn't see anyone on the list say this; The US, where you can get shot at school, church, the mall, getting pulled over for a minor traffic infraction, RUNNING, among many other places.
Deborah Rubin 2 years ago
I'm sure there are many other places. This is not the norm in the US and I wish people would stop acting as if it is.
Load More Replies... Maggie 3 years ago
In Russia, in July, they shut down hot water for the whole country to « clean the pipes ». Sometimes it last WEEKS. Weeks of absolutely freezing icy cold showers. Boiling pots of hot water several times a day to do the dishes/clean. It’s remains of the Soviet era. I swear every year I think I’m gonna get used to it this year and get as frustrated every time. At least we are running water?
Chinmayee Kalghatgi 3 years ago
Here in India we have somewhere between 27 to 29 states and each state has its own culture and language. In schools we learn 2 more languages. We have a festival where we throw colors at each other and there is a festival called diwali where you light diyas, kids play with sparklers, sweets are exchanged and the most beautiful (yet loud and irriatating at times)sight of firecrackers in the sky
Vera1 3 years ago (edited)
The Dutch snackbars are a pretty unique thing that I haven't found anywhere else on the globe, although perhaps they exist in Belgium too. Yes, every country has their version of a chip shop, but the Dutch ones are different. Especially the ones where you pull your food out of the wall. In general the Dutch's bittergarnituur (it would be best described as bar food, although snackbars sell them too and people have it for their meals too) is pretty unique and very tasty
Anna M. G. Novák Vanclová 3 years ago (edited)
Czechia: We recently had to have a law put in place ordering establishments to have at least one non-alcoholic drink on the menu be cheaper than beer. There is a classical czech joke about a little Pepíček (Joe) ordering a beer at a kiosk, the bartender asks him: Pepíček, wouldn't you rather have a lemonade? And Pepíček is like: I would, but I'm five crowns short.
LagoonaBlueColleen 3 years ago
Cities making it the property owners responsibility to cut the grassy stretch in front of homes between the road and sidewalk called boulevards. And fining them if the homeowner doesn't. - Canada
Carrie B 3 years ago
Is it a large space? We do that here in the US and it's generally considered part of your front yard. My sister lives in Ontario so that's the only place I've visited. Love Canada 🇨🇦 ♥️
Load More Replies... Uriel Eduardo Viveros Macip 3 years ago
In Mexico, everything can be spicy. Not only food, but also candy, fruit, and even beer.
Flops [identity V] 3 years ago
In france we have the "apéro" which is basically around 7 pm we just all gather to drink eat and chat together before diner, it's pretty fun and it's always a good time (and it can happen everywhere:work, family, just a random bar...)
Cass Malone 3 years ago
I'm surprised I didn't see anyone on the list say this; The US, where you can get shot at school, church, the mall, getting pulled over for a minor traffic infraction, RUNNING, among many other places.
Deborah Rubin 2 years ago
I'm sure there are many other places. This is not the norm in the US and I wish people would stop acting as if it is.
Load More Replies... Maggie 3 years ago
In Russia, in July, they shut down hot water for the whole country to « clean the pipes ». Sometimes it last WEEKS. Weeks of absolutely freezing icy cold showers. Boiling pots of hot water several times a day to do the dishes/clean. It’s remains of the Soviet era. I swear every year I think I’m gonna get used to it this year and get as frustrated every time. At least we are running water?
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