ADVERTISEMENT

Want to know how to easily piss people off in their own countries? Then check out this helpful guide by Cale, the artist behind the popular webcomic Things In Squares. Whether you're looking to upset the French, the Germans, the Mexicans or the Japanese, his tongue-in-cheek comics will show you the best way to go about it. Don't like the Italians? Then abuse their beloved spaghetti and watch the tears begin to fall. Want to know what really upsets an American? Give them a normal-sized plate of healthy food and find out for yourself. And if you really want to hurt a Canadian then just assume they're American and you've made an enemy for life. Scroll down to see if you can find your own country in there. Did he get it right? Let us know in the comments below, and don't forget to vote for the best!

More info: Things In Squares (h/t: designyoutrust)

#1

Cultural Torture

Things In Squares Report

Stille20
Community Member
8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We are good with healthy food, but our portion size is OUT OF CONTROL.

View more comments
RELATED:
    #2

    Cultural Torture

    Things In Squares Report

    Kelly
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not true: most Italians break spaghetti. Moreover, "mama" is wrong. Correct word is "mamma".

    View more comments
    #3

    Cultural Torture

    Things In Squares Report

    Sheralyn
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm more curious as to what's on his arm.

    View more comments
    #4

    Cultural Torture

    Things In Squares Report

    Jen
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is a rule in my (non-Japanese) home too. Shoes are dirty people!

    Veronica Kouwenhoven
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Actually, shoes are former cows. Or: they are dirty, people. Grammar matters.

    Load More Replies...
    Layla
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am a from an Arab family. We don't wear shoes in our house either.Outside you step in s**t, why would you want to bring that in your house

    Olli Chilo
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's the same in large parts of Europe, at least the Eastern half. Walking into someone's home with your shoes on is an insult or at least very arrogant.

    Load More Replies...
    Anna Stouvenel
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That goes for every scandinavian country as well.

    June Pixeld
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not japanese, but sticking to that rule. It makes the house dirty

    Emmaline Yuzu
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A true stereotype. I'm Japanese and shoes MUST come off before coming indoors.

    Olli Chilo
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In my country (not Japan), people who invite you to their home might insist "oh, you can keep your shoes on". But, they don't really mean it, and if you indeed keep your shoes on, they get annoyed, which is is something foreigners can't guess in advance.

    Load More Replies...
    La
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Shoes are filthy. Think of everywhere you walk in a day and imagine grinding that throughout your house.

    Paweł Piątek
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What kind of savage wears shoes in a house?

    Olli Chilo
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They do that in Western Europe and the US. Shocking to see the first time, and at least I can't bring myself to do it.

    Load More Replies...
    Jas Derry
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I read about a burglary in Japan. Even the thief took his shoes off...

    Levi Skarphagen
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In Sweden we also take of the shoes right after entering the front door. You don't wear shoes indoors.

    Melissa Boone
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Shoes track in every nasty thing from outside. Leave them at the door.

    Pemberton
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Actually, one of the easiest ways to p**s Japanese people off is to ask them "can I add milk?" to their expensive green tea. My Japanese friend called it abomination.

    Irina Varivonchik
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In East Europe people don't wear shoes at home also

    Ratko Ristic
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Shoes are dirty....you should never wear shoes in the house

    Nela Reciever
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    we do not wear shoes in the house and I am not japanese...

    Emily Johnston
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Canadians take shoes off at the entrance. Unless it's a party.

    Renea17
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm American and we don't allow shoes past the front entrance.

    Anna Fjellborg
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This also true for a Swedish (I'm Swedish) household. It's viewed as being disrespectful af, which it is.

    Trudie Akin
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Same for Turkish homes. It makes me laugh when a removals guy or similar will carry a sofa or fridge freezer up five flights and at the apartment door will slip out of his shoes and carry on in.

    Peter Udbjørg
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We don’t wear shoes inside the house in Norway either. It’s soooo American to insist on showing off your footwear where it’s utterly improper… ;)

    Jilltdcatlady
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As a kid growing up in Appalachia, with very rural homes, taking my shoes Off was rude. As well as sitting in the floor. I think it was related to how often the homeowner would being going in and out for chores (hanging laundry, fetching spring water, outhouses, picking beans or some such) Stopping at the doorway to change shoes while going in and out wasn't productive. It was also common for adults to wear shoes up until bedtime.

    Shirin Kamer
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am an Indian, we take off our shoes at the door.

    Darrell Augustine
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You should take your shoes off when you enter a home, unless you are the one who cleans the floors, it's called respect!!

    Yoko Rizzo
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    lol also a mistranslation. we only say "iie" to mean "no" in direct response to a question. for this context she should be saying "yamete" or "please stop" right now what she's saying is closer to "no that's not true" ..which makes no sense

    Brandi Walker
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm not Japanese nor is anyone in my family, but we prefer shoes to be removed at the door as well. And I know several families who prefer the same. :)

    Allana Rose
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I lived in Hawaii for 10 yrs which predominately Asian so I learned this nifty custom too and I still dont allow shoes in my house. It's very sensible when you think about it. Leave dirt out save on carpets wear and tear.

    Janet Martin
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    THIS HAS MORE COMMENTS THAN DONALD TRUMP'S TWEETS! Love the cultural insight.

    Lynne Darroch
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That sort of works in Canada too.

    John Nathan Neil Dion
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Most of us in Asia will require guests to take off their shoes before entering their homes or religious places. The fact that the British walked into Buddhist Temples with their shoes on in Ancient Burma offended the Burmese and was one of the casus belli for the Anglo-Burmese Wars. We need to understand and adapt to the culture of the host country.

    Sakura
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm a Japanese, and it is so true. We really feel offended by this not simply because it makes your house floor dirty. We even have a word "土足で上がる" to mean rudeness, lack of delicacy, and lack of common sense.

    Krista Mikkonen
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Finland too and many scandi homes as well. You walk with the shoes outside and might step on dog poo etc and then you bring all that ahit inside. Can't understand, specially when you go to someone else's home. So rude..

    Roly Hodgkinson
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Isn't it customary for them to take their shoes off before the housr?

    Katie Smith
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We do not wear shoes in our house. It spreads dirt and germs. Ick!

    Sylvia Matusikova
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not welcomed in SLovakia, too..I cant understand how USAricans can walk whole house in shoes for outside...even BEDROOM. :O

    Tuula Hannola
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Also in Finland, we always take shoes off before going in.

    Cihah Xtinggi
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mostly Asian house not allowed shoes in the house. ;)

    Polfsky Pol
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not just Japanese but most Asian homes!

    Polfsky Pol
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not just Japanese but most Asian homes.

    Charlie Wood
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is a rule in houses in Turkey too. We really give importance to hygiene

    Magic Josie
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm not Japanese but I hate dirty carpets!

    AngiShy
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    only idiots wear shoes at home...in my family we only allow home flippers that cant be worn outside instead

    Miley Troy
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why is everyone in the comic handcuffed 🤔🤔😀

    Jerry Mathers
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The name of the piece is Cultural Torture. Hence the restraints.

    Load More Replies...
    Brandon Paltoo
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This one makes me so mad take off your shoes pig

    Brandon Collinsworth
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    I could never visit Japan, I don't take my shoes off for anyone

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #5

    Cultural Torture

    Things In Squares Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #7

    Cultural Torture

    Things In Squares Report

    Lara B.
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am German and all i am capable of are imperfect circles :'D

    View more comments
    #8

    Cultural Torture

    Things In Squares Report

    sunnyrei82
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Do you want to know how to REALLY annoy a mexican? Tell us how much you like mexican food followed by "... at Taco Bell".

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #9

    Cultural Torture

    Things In Squares Report

    Prashant Chaudhary
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Most of us would not be able to eat with just our left hand.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #10

    Cultural Torture

    Things In Squares Report

    Brenda Olano
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Lol I'm peruvian and I know many of us would react like that xD I'd be willing to try and be polite though.

    View more comments