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“Things In Norway That Are Foreign To Me”: 25 ‘Cultural Shocks’ This American Woman Experienced After Moving To Norway
Interview With Artist
Part of traveling and seeing new places is the thrill and excitement of finding out how people live in other countries. And the more drastic the difference is in culture, the more exciting it is.
Meet Jorie, a Chicago creative who has moved to Norway to live together with her husband, family, and pets, and who has also turned her TikTok channel into a platform to broadcast all of the interesting things she as an American found foreign in Norway.
In her running series of videos, appropriately titled “Things In Norway That Are Foreign To Me”, she points out things like bread cutting machines in grocery stores, leaving baby strollers with babies outside, packing your own groceries, and the like.
This, and other videos on her channel, have drawn in nearly 24,000 followers and almost 800,000 likes.
So, we’ve turned her intriguing points into a curated list that you can vote and comment on below. So, get cracking, and if you’re an international living in another country, why not share your biggest culture shocks in the comment section below!
More info: TikTok
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Dogs Are Allowed On Public Transport
Kookamunga 3 years ago
Dogs should be allowed everywhere. Church, restaurants, theaters, schools, hospitals, nightclubs, prisons, trampolines, TV studios, nuclear substations.....all things better with dogs.
Bored Panda got in touch with the face behind the channel, Jorie, for an interview on her Things In Norway That Are Foreign To Me video series and all things Norway.
In the beginning, Jorie thought of creating these videos for an American-only audience as a way of informing them about the Norwegian culture. But she quickly understood that Norwegians like to see their culture reflected back at them, so the audience grew rapidly.
"Of course, it’s a small country in population and representation is exciting. I also think they enjoy explaining (as much as I enjoy reading it) why these differences are the way they are," elaborated Jorie.
So as my audience arose, I now try to point things out to Norwegian viewers of things here in Norway that are not common in other countries, especially the Americas, that they might not realize (like how much they add canned corn to, its not something they notice until they realize many other places don't have it as a common pizza topping!)."
RELATED:
#2
Grass On Roofs
Trond Hermansen 3 years ago
The turf was traditionally used to hold birch bark in place thus creating a leak proof roof.
#3
Stop Light Buttons That Actually Make Drivers Stop
#4
Double Beds From Single Duvets
Now, it's not all culture shock, as there are also "spot the difference" videos. Sure, some can be a tad bit shocking, like the idea of the government having to agree on a baby's name, but the latter category would involve things like date format differences and, according to Jorie, they are more for the sake of discussion.
And speaking of videos in general, Jorie used to keep a running list of things to discuss in them, but it changed a bit when the audience got involved:
"Now I read heavily through the comments, and just note things as I experience them. Again, there are 2 categories in the series: the ‘culture shock’ which doesn’t have many items left on the list as I’ve been living here a while; and the 'basic-known differences', those I have a few more on the back burner about. I’m also highly sensitive to all the things that will be misinterpreted as 'stupid American' so I try to stay always from those… or at least give a very thorough brainstorm of how to communicate it in a video."
#5
Nothing's Open On Sundays
#6
Leaving Babies In Strollers Outside
#7
Colorful Houses
(T)reacherou(S) 3 years ago
What colours do they use in usa if not blue and red (not trying to be mean, honestly curious)?
#8
Recycling Bottles And Cans
There are, however, videos that Jorie decided not to post, or there are videos that were posted despite it not really being "new" information at this point. She elaborates:
"Like I just mentioned, I hate the 'stupid American' comments. Of course, I know in Europe the dates are D/M/Y vs M/D/Y, or that the power outlets here were different, but I still want to post these small differences for Norwegians and other Europeans that don’t know how America does it."
"I also get a lot of comments telling me how America works (in a negative cliche light) from people who definitely have never been. Mind you, we are made up of SO many states that are SO different culturally than one another. So videos that bring up politics, I’ll stay away from as I don’t like feeling any personal association with those cliches.
"On the other end, I’ll get comments from people who studied abroad in the states telling me I’m wrong about my comparison (roundabouts are not common in the US, period, end of story!)."
#9
Bread Slicers In Grocery Stores
#10
Clean Drinking Water From Faucets
UpQuarkDownQuark 3 years ago
It’s very common for tap water in the US to be perfectly drinkable, but to taste kind of bad. I was always dehydrated as a kid in growing up in California, because I couldn’t stand the taste of the water. It’s soooo good in Portland, though, and I love drinking it.
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Kevin Camp 3 years ago
The majority of America has good to better drinking water too. Most Americans have been brainwashed that bottled water is better however. It's water folks. Just water.
Leodavinci 3 years ago
If people read the labels on most bottled water, they would find it comes from municipal water sources. The tap.
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John Baker 3 years ago
Where did you live in the US that drinkable tap water is a novelty for you? I call BS.
Nathaniel 3 years ago
America does not have tap water that is suitable for drinking? Seriously?
Joel Hopkins 3 years ago
We do. There are just a couple of places where budget cuts and fiscal mismanagement ( I won't say by who ) where the drinking water isn't potable, but it's extremely rare.
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Christopher Elkins 3 years ago
In Texas we save on storage by stocking up on boxed, dehydrated water. It's cheap and easy to make by simply emptying the contents into a pitcher or bottle, then adding plain tap water at the time you wish to drink it.
Anne Edwards 3 years ago
Absolute genius. I expect you to join the billionaire rankings very soon.
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Id row 3 years ago
NY state has amazing tap water, especially up north. The most delicious tasting water I ever had was right out of the tap when I visited Alexandria Bay. But even in Albany where I grew up, the tap water is really good. Where I am now (NJ) the tap water is toxic af.
Fritz Baumeister 3 years ago
NYC has great tap water. It comes straight in from the Catskills.
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Ara 3 years ago
What a strange observation. I’ve drunk US water, and I don’t recall anything ‘unclean’ about their water. I tasted like…. Well, water.
Anne Edwards 3 years ago
Do you mean well water? I have never understood why people buy bottled water or how they managed to convince so many people, so quickly to buy it. I never have and I never will but I do use the Brita and absolutely love the taste of the water.
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aaaggg hhh 3 years ago
Don't know about where you are, but I'm in the US and I can drink water from the tap.
Anne Edwards 3 years ago
In Canada too, but I usually drink it from a glass.
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Courtney Lunsford 3 years ago
Ok... I live in the US... I get fresh clean drinking water from my sink everyday... and water fountains.. How is this a culture shock? Where did she live? Flint?
Nizumi 3 years ago
This is when I had to check where the poster is from: Chicago. That explains it. That region of the States is known for its drinking water, and not in a good way. Flint is still waiting for clean drinking water.
Big Blue Cat 3 years ago
Is there any hope for Flint people to get clean and safe water? I mean I know it's possible but will probably be very expensive in thise conditions, and knowing US politics priorities... well I'm hoping for the best.
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DOMENICO CUTRONE 3 years ago
In Italia l'acqua del rubinetto come anche quella del bagno è perfettamente potabile, sicura, pulita e priva di elementi nocivi
Walter Brameld 3 years ago (edited)
I'm pretty sure this is normal in the US, too. I've drunk tap water my whole life. Never understood the whole bottled water craze here.
Klas Klättermus 3 years ago
Yes but in towns with paper industry, like Hallstavik for instance, the water tastes terrible from the chemicals from the industry
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rumade 3 years ago
Varies massively in taste though. I miss the water I used to drink in Wales. Slough water smells like a swimming pool sometimes
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Sue Mullen Andersen 3 years ago
Did this lady actually live in the US and Chicago? I drank tap water from Chicago without issue.
Meghan Turnis 3 years ago
This might surprise people, but Memphis TN has some of the best water in the USA. We have a deep-water aquifer and work hard to keep it clean. That's why there is so much brewing and distilling in TN - the water is delightful. Sure, you can make pastries and even pharmaceuticals, but beer is more fun.
Fonzie Bulldog 3 years ago
WHAT !?. Dont you have clean drinking water in America from the faucet !?.
Mam cymraeg 3 years ago
It the Welsh valleys where I live the water is lush but when I've been to London it's really bad so I think it's a dependent on where you live
Iseefractals 3 years ago
Wh....why is that water bubbling so much? They're either going to drink soap, or something has become carbonated.
Big Blue Cat 3 years ago
Water saving faucet will do that. Look at the stream, it looks white. There's a lot of air in the water but the bubbles will las only a split second and then it will be perfectly still and crystal clear so you don't usually pay attention to this. Looks bad in the photo though :D
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Jose Zavala 3 years ago
I'm from México and as part of a school project we tested the quality of tap water...i drink my tap water and its nice and clean...only thing is that sometimes you can taste chlorine.
commie pinkofag 3 years ago
As opposed to…? A mud slide? Sewage spewing from tap? A pool of blood filling the sink? Where in the US do you live, anyway?
Taibhse Sealgair 3 years ago
Solved years ago. Only happened because Flint was run by incompetent Democrats.
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Martha Higgins 3 years ago
Flint, Michigan, and a few other places aside, clean water from the tap is standard.
Evelyn Haskins 3 years ago
Except if you have a tank that feeds off the roof. ;-( Then you boil,
Mark Karol-Chik 3 years ago
Colorado, Washington state, Virginia and Oregon have some of the yummiest water
Teresa Taylor 3 years ago
The water in Savannah, GA, tastes like what I imagine river mud tastes like. It also is a dingy color. I was there for a week about 15 years ago. It was truly the most repulsive water I have ever had. I'm from Philadelphia. I've drunk the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers all through my childhood.
featherytoad 3 years ago
I live in the eastern part of the U.S. Even though the drinking water is actually pretty good when it comes to testing for TDS levels, it tastes terrible. I bought a ZeroWater dispenser and it's the best purchase I have made in a long time. I'm going on the 3 months with the same filter and the TDS level is still testing at zero. The crappier you water is the though the shorter life span of the filter. I drink so much water now.
Philenzortia 3 years ago
Bogotá, Colombia (South America) you can drink tap water. It is 100% safe, we a country in development and our water is delicious and safe. However I wouldn't recommed to drink it in other cities of my country lol.
Londo Cotto 3 years ago
i think the op is actually contrasting the trust we place in ALWAYS getting clean water from our taps: there is greater regulatory oversight and control in Norway and a much stronger faith in regulatory institutions that are there to protect consumers. We all ASSUME our water will be safe and clean but we wouldnt know if it wasnt unless it made us sick or was obviously bad: in Norway, things just work because the government is there to make sure it does, contrast that with the trust Americans have with their institutions and government and in acountry with a well known failing infrastructure.
Drea Benoit 3 years ago
My water tastes like shite tho. We use a filter. Not as fresh tasting as well water, but better than tap water.
Thomas Sweda 3 years ago
Again, where the hell did you live here in the states? I can drink the water from my outside tap !
g90814 3 years ago
LA area and Las Vegas have blah tasting water, I used a filter pitcher. MA and NC have great tasting water out of the tap. So it just depends on where you live and the water sources. grew up in Oregon, we had great tasting well water. My friends had a well too, but it had sulfur and their water was horrible.
Twodogsandapicnictable 3 years ago
Drinking water varies dramatically in the US. Where I live its a little calcium heavy but perfectly clear and a ph of 7. I drink it daily but buy distilled for the humidifier in the winter.
Olga Dremina 3 years ago
I was working in a bookstore, and a woman rushed in looking for a French phrasebook. She said: "I already have one, but i can't find how to ask for a drinking water in French! Could you check yours?" I checked, confused, found nothing, poor woman rushed outside... And then it clicked.
Peej Maybe 3 years ago
Wait, so this isn't a thing in the US? You can't drink the water out of the tap? Maaaan, civilisation is great!
Little Phoenix 3 years ago
In Europe, it taste better than bottled water. In the US it tastes like you're drinking out of a swimming pool!
Karis Ravenhill 3 years ago
Did you just come out from under a rock? Were you Fritzled or something? Everyone knows this.
#11
Packing Your Own Groceries At Checkout
#12
Different (Consecutive) Date Format
#13
Smaller Milk Packaging With Shorter Expiration Periods
Trond Hermansen 3 years ago
Norwegian scientists recently clarified that milk can be perfectly good for way longer than what is printed on the carton.
Jorie continued:
"My biggest takeaway on it is that these videos are not 'who’s right and wrong', and no, I personally don't think the world revolves around the US, and many try to declare that. It’s just a fun note on how different countries and cultures can be. Although I find my commenters can be a very literal bunch! So I also try to put out as many disclaimers as I can to avoid all these types of comments."
"Sometimes my videos are dramatizations (I added canned corn to everything I ate that week of shooting, I do know Norwegians don't add it to those specific items). And some of my videos are more based on my experience coming from Chicago, not just the general US. But no matter how hard I try, no one reads captions and they will still find a point of contention. I do have a huge experience I plan to talk about in the very near future that I’ve been eager to share on social. So those will maybe become a sub-series to this series very soon. Stay tuned!"
#14
Smaller Fridges
#15
Gender-Specific Names For Newborns
#16
Standing Rather Than Sitting Next To A Stranger On Public Transport
#17
Paprika Flavored Snacks
#18
Roundabouts
"Norway is a beautiful, safe, and lovely place to be! Posting videos and interacting with so many Norwegians via TikTok has been a great microscope to even more of their culture than I could experience alone. The biggest challenge was trying to explore my new home during Covid times. I hope to keep it up throughout my time living here," concludes Jorie.
Stay tuned for more videos from Jorie, which you can check out on her TikTok channel. But don't leave just yet, as there are more things to see by scrolling below, and why not leave a comment with some of your culture shocks in the comment section!
#19
Flexible Shower Doors
#20
Blinds Outside Windows
#21
Windows Open In Multiple Directions
Olga Dremina 3 years ago
You mean, it is different in the US? I thought, windows are the same everywhere?
#22
More Laid-Back Airport Security
#23
Separating Beer Packs
#24
Canned Corn In Almost Any Dish
#25
Different Electrical Outlets
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Thorfin Wolfsbane 3 years ago (edited)
It would be simpler for all these articles to just have the Headline: "American Surprised Things Are Done Different In Other Parts of the World"
Guy MacGregor 3 years ago
Yep. Still don't understand why they are surprised over International standards. What also puzzle me is why it is posted on Bored Panda. I mean... This website and its whole admin team is from Europe. Why the focus on US stuff like that?
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Guy MacGregor 3 years ago
Especially since Bored Panda and its whole admin team is from Europe... Getting tired of these US focused posts.
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Angelar 3 years ago
Aren't there any Americans moving to the Maldives - it's getting a bit boring? How about Africa?
ZAPanda 3 years ago
yes, there are quite a few who have selected Gambia because it's english-speaking and is the original location of some of the slaves that were taken in the 1700s.
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wowbagger 3 years ago
This person seems to have lived a very sheltered life in the U.S. Lots of these things are common in the U.S.
William Mahoney 3 years ago
Worst article EVER in BP. Love Europe but maybe check out states.
Load More Replies... Tom 3 years ago
Anyone from America wouldn't truly be surprised at things like roundabouts. lol
Dasha Slepenkina 3 years ago
I know these posts get a lot of criticism because they are repetitive, but I actually really like them! I'm Russian-American and have lived in five different countries. Each time you move, things that might be obvious to people in that country or region can be really shocking to you - and it can make you feel less alone to share the oddities of your new home with others. I would definitely like to see more of these from other perspectives, not just American. But I think these are entertaining and sometimes interesting.
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
Same! My mother's familiy is not from the US and to their deaths, my grandparents experienced little bits of culture shocks!
Load More Replies... Eiram 3 years ago
I want to apologize to non-americans. This person is just inexperienced. Most everything on this list IS done in America, just not in the same places that this person is from. I can take pictures of 80% of these in my hometown in Alaska. The last few exist somewhere else im positive.
Clipps / Xaften 3 years ago
WHy is everything on BP american centered? Not everyone is american!
Azure Adams 3 years ago
Many of these are obviously poor research (simple google) by this naive and such American. Look bigger and wider than your scope and quit being a fool, it makes the good travelled Americans look bad!
William Mahoney 3 years ago
Came in handy when we fed and armed England for years before having to stop Hitler. Read books folks, industry from America won war. Just sayn 🤷🏼♀️
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Ozacoter 3 years ago
To all the people calling her "stupid" you have clearly never lived in different countries. Even if you know that the differences exist we all experience more or less cultural shock after emigrating.
Don't Look 3 years ago
I say she's stupid and ignorant. Ignorant of other cultures, sure. Stupid enough not to know about things that are actually available to her in her own home town. Also, she's on tiktok. I put that on the "I want attention for no actual reason" stupid list.
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Erik Olsson 3 years ago
This shows the utter ignorance of life outside of the very insular US of A.
LJ Robinson 3 years ago
I don't think it really does. This girl is either very naive, or never left her house. Lots of these things are the same in the US, and the other things, like the wall plug, she should have learned years ago. I can't imagine going to another country without taking adapters that will work in that country. I really don't quite understand how she didn't know almost all these.
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Segu Rohdes 3 years ago
another chapter o "usa people discovering that other countries do different thing"... this is stupid
Karis Ravenhill 3 years ago
What a needy, attention seeking pile of drivel. BP you should be ashamed for posting this click-bait.
Smilejustbecause 3 years ago
Calm down, it’s just an article for people to read when you are BORED! Don’t like it? Don’t read it, don’t comment, and move on to the next one ;)
Aahzmandus Pervect 3 years ago
Clueless woman surprised by ordinary things. There, I fixed it.
Heather Pobicki 3 years ago
Can bp come up with some sort of focus group to discuss what your readers want to see? Or an American Advisor? So sick of these posts. They are absolutely pathetic. Have an American read these before posting them. 90% of this was false. People actually believe these things to be true.
Briana Kessler 3 years ago
Many of these are done in the USA. Not everyone is an uncultured idiot..thanks BP 🙄
Lylan Daina 3 years ago
Most of these surprising things are common in most of European countries and in the US. Maybe this lady moved from a very remote village? That's why she is surprised
LJ Robinson 3 years ago
I don't know where this woman was living in the US, but most of these are not surprising. She calls her site “Things In Norway That Are Foreign To Me”, so I have to remember that they were surprising to HER. I love the multiple open windows, I've never seen that.
CanadianPanda 3 years ago
My thought is either this lady is not well-travelled, or just being ignorant about the facts there are other Countries that do the same thing but just Americans that are different??? Majority of the listed items are normal where I am in Canada (roundabout traffic definitely isn't Canadian forte lol), as well as Europe.
Summer Mason 3 years ago
SHE LIVED IN A BOX IN THE MOUTAINS. ALL OF THIS WE HAVE BUT .... excuse me. We have most of this stuff here in.... the USA. I'm so sick of people being "shocked". It's not shocking. Move around. Get cultured. Know what your getting into before you move. Would I leave my sleeping baby in a stroller outside? No. We have different outlets and volts here than other countries. Yes. Good God. I kinda want to shake her.
Nikki Sevven 3 years ago
Honestly, she's just plain wrong about a lot of these. Either she led a quite sheltered life, or she's not really American.
Chloe Dakin 3 years ago
90% of these things can be discovered in the majority of Europe too... are roundabouts seriously not a thing in the US?
LJ Robinson 3 years ago
We have them here. I think the OP had never driven on one, or didn't have any near her. Not sure, but yup, we have them!
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Anne High 3 years ago
Most of these I recall from 35 years ago. The thing that really surprised me was when I forgot my purse at a restaurant two hours from home. I couldn't remember the name of it though. A telephone operator narrowed it down, called for me and it was there for pick up. The honesty and helpfulness of the people were a revelation!
Philip Morris 3 years ago
Almost all of these are Europe-wide norms, nothing out of the ordinary here
Don't Look 3 years ago
Facepalm. TikTok is allowing for stupid people to be on ...social media, I guess... and BP is encouraging me to click on TikTok s**t. Also, this woman is yet again an example of a sheltered fool. Part of the reason I refuse to play tour guide anymore.
Mariele Scherzinger 3 years ago
Holy s**t! Things are different in a different country! What a sensational conclusion.
Frannie Kaplan 3 years ago
These "Americans in Europe" posts become more trash everyday. There are Americans already living in Europe for many years, and vice versa, and some of the "shocking" things have been common knowledge for 30 years. Plus it's not even original panda content, it's just a deconstructed tiktok video
Linda Tisue 3 years ago
All these thing are common in northern Europe. Don't move to another continent if you need things to be the same.
Whitney keen 3 years ago
One thing i constantly see said about americans is our complete lack of geography or about other cultures so BP is showing americans being surprised and yall mad. This is helping to educate what is normal everywhere else. Then maybe we we'll finally do something about our shitty healthcare system and will realize we arent the most technologically advanced (cuz so many do think that). And no, we generally dont move to other countries. Americans are only now getting fed up enough to move elsewhere. So calm down. You dont have to read these posts ya know.
Shaun Coleman 3 years ago
I don't understand why many of these things are culture shock. We have most of these things in Canada. Does the US do everything different from normal countries?
Roberto Sommacal 3 years ago
Omg ... uncommon only for US natives who never left their country
Kaila Sterland 3 years ago
Most of these things are actually normal in everyday life in other countries like milk only lasting a week unless it is long life !! And shower doors hahaha
Camilla Koutsos 3 years ago
Many of these are normal in other countries too. The US is pretty unique.
LJ Robinson 3 years ago
I couldn't even finish this. The USA bashing in here is too over the top. I left a bitchy comment and scrolled through. I've always dreamed of traveling overseas, but after reading a few of these articles on BP, not so much anymore. I can spend my money here.
Celeste Grant 3 years ago
A lot of these things are normal not just in Norway but throughout Europe. What surprises me is that Americans have no clue that other people live differently. It's not about one way of living being better than another, just different cultures but I have to say I'm surprised by the things she is surprised about because these are such normal things where I live!
LJ Robinson 3 years ago
Celeste, a lot of these things are quite normal here too. I don't know what was up with the OP, but she must have been very sheltered, or gone anywhere other than her own hometown. I'm not sure the OP was even American at this point. Please don't say "Americans" as if it's all of us. It's careless and untrue.
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Chris Scritchfield 3 years ago
Tik toker really needs to move on with there life. I mean most of this exist across the globe and she is just showcasing American ignorance
John Baker 3 years ago
Dipwad doesn't know the difference between "there" and "their", talks about other people's ignorance.
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LJ Robinson 3 years ago
Jesus H. Christ Mini Muppet, this girl was showing us things she was surprised about. Most of those things are right here, right now, and have been for years. This girl was either very sheltered and never left her hometown, or.. or... I don't know why she wouldn't know these things. "It is your world that is ridiculous". Spoken like someone who has done less research than the girl in the article.
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Olga Dremina 3 years ago
Hey, that's just mean. People are people everywhere, they are not more stupid or more brave, or moral, or vicious because of where were they born.
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Thorfin Wolfsbane 3 years ago (edited)
It would be simpler for all these articles to just have the Headline: "American Surprised Things Are Done Different In Other Parts of the World"
Guy MacGregor 3 years ago
Yep. Still don't understand why they are surprised over International standards. What also puzzle me is why it is posted on Bored Panda. I mean... This website and its whole admin team is from Europe. Why the focus on US stuff like that?
Load More Replies... Guy MacGregor 3 years ago
Especially since Bored Panda and its whole admin team is from Europe... Getting tired of these US focused posts.
Load More Replies... Angelar 3 years ago
Aren't there any Americans moving to the Maldives - it's getting a bit boring? How about Africa?
ZAPanda 3 years ago
yes, there are quite a few who have selected Gambia because it's english-speaking and is the original location of some of the slaves that were taken in the 1700s.
Load More Replies... wowbagger 3 years ago
This person seems to have lived a very sheltered life in the U.S. Lots of these things are common in the U.S.
William Mahoney 3 years ago
Worst article EVER in BP. Love Europe but maybe check out states.
Load More Replies... Tom 3 years ago
Anyone from America wouldn't truly be surprised at things like roundabouts. lol
Dasha Slepenkina 3 years ago
I know these posts get a lot of criticism because they are repetitive, but I actually really like them! I'm Russian-American and have lived in five different countries. Each time you move, things that might be obvious to people in that country or region can be really shocking to you - and it can make you feel less alone to share the oddities of your new home with others. I would definitely like to see more of these from other perspectives, not just American. But I think these are entertaining and sometimes interesting.
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
Same! My mother's familiy is not from the US and to their deaths, my grandparents experienced little bits of culture shocks!
Load More Replies... Eiram 3 years ago
I want to apologize to non-americans. This person is just inexperienced. Most everything on this list IS done in America, just not in the same places that this person is from. I can take pictures of 80% of these in my hometown in Alaska. The last few exist somewhere else im positive.
Clipps / Xaften 3 years ago
WHy is everything on BP american centered? Not everyone is american!
Azure Adams 3 years ago
Many of these are obviously poor research (simple google) by this naive and such American. Look bigger and wider than your scope and quit being a fool, it makes the good travelled Americans look bad!
William Mahoney 3 years ago
Came in handy when we fed and armed England for years before having to stop Hitler. Read books folks, industry from America won war. Just sayn 🤷🏼♀️
Load More Replies... Ozacoter 3 years ago
To all the people calling her "stupid" you have clearly never lived in different countries. Even if you know that the differences exist we all experience more or less cultural shock after emigrating.
Don't Look 3 years ago
I say she's stupid and ignorant. Ignorant of other cultures, sure. Stupid enough not to know about things that are actually available to her in her own home town. Also, she's on tiktok. I put that on the "I want attention for no actual reason" stupid list.
Load More Replies... Erik Olsson 3 years ago
This shows the utter ignorance of life outside of the very insular US of A.
LJ Robinson 3 years ago
I don't think it really does. This girl is either very naive, or never left her house. Lots of these things are the same in the US, and the other things, like the wall plug, she should have learned years ago. I can't imagine going to another country without taking adapters that will work in that country. I really don't quite understand how she didn't know almost all these.
Load More Replies... Segu Rohdes 3 years ago
another chapter o "usa people discovering that other countries do different thing"... this is stupid
Karis Ravenhill 3 years ago
What a needy, attention seeking pile of drivel. BP you should be ashamed for posting this click-bait.
Smilejustbecause 3 years ago
Calm down, it’s just an article for people to read when you are BORED! Don’t like it? Don’t read it, don’t comment, and move on to the next one ;)
Aahzmandus Pervect 3 years ago
Clueless woman surprised by ordinary things. There, I fixed it.
Heather Pobicki 3 years ago
Can bp come up with some sort of focus group to discuss what your readers want to see? Or an American Advisor? So sick of these posts. They are absolutely pathetic. Have an American read these before posting them. 90% of this was false. People actually believe these things to be true.
Briana Kessler 3 years ago
Many of these are done in the USA. Not everyone is an uncultured idiot..thanks BP 🙄
Lylan Daina 3 years ago
Most of these surprising things are common in most of European countries and in the US. Maybe this lady moved from a very remote village? That's why she is surprised
LJ Robinson 3 years ago
I don't know where this woman was living in the US, but most of these are not surprising. She calls her site “Things In Norway That Are Foreign To Me”, so I have to remember that they were surprising to HER. I love the multiple open windows, I've never seen that.
CanadianPanda 3 years ago
My thought is either this lady is not well-travelled, or just being ignorant about the facts there are other Countries that do the same thing but just Americans that are different??? Majority of the listed items are normal where I am in Canada (roundabout traffic definitely isn't Canadian forte lol), as well as Europe.
Summer Mason 3 years ago
SHE LIVED IN A BOX IN THE MOUTAINS. ALL OF THIS WE HAVE BUT .... excuse me. We have most of this stuff here in.... the USA. I'm so sick of people being "shocked". It's not shocking. Move around. Get cultured. Know what your getting into before you move. Would I leave my sleeping baby in a stroller outside? No. We have different outlets and volts here than other countries. Yes. Good God. I kinda want to shake her.
Nikki Sevven 3 years ago
Honestly, she's just plain wrong about a lot of these. Either she led a quite sheltered life, or she's not really American.
Chloe Dakin 3 years ago
90% of these things can be discovered in the majority of Europe too... are roundabouts seriously not a thing in the US?
LJ Robinson 3 years ago
We have them here. I think the OP had never driven on one, or didn't have any near her. Not sure, but yup, we have them!
Load More Replies... Anne High 3 years ago
Most of these I recall from 35 years ago. The thing that really surprised me was when I forgot my purse at a restaurant two hours from home. I couldn't remember the name of it though. A telephone operator narrowed it down, called for me and it was there for pick up. The honesty and helpfulness of the people were a revelation!
Philip Morris 3 years ago
Almost all of these are Europe-wide norms, nothing out of the ordinary here
Don't Look 3 years ago
Facepalm. TikTok is allowing for stupid people to be on ...social media, I guess... and BP is encouraging me to click on TikTok s**t. Also, this woman is yet again an example of a sheltered fool. Part of the reason I refuse to play tour guide anymore.
Mariele Scherzinger 3 years ago
Holy s**t! Things are different in a different country! What a sensational conclusion.
Frannie Kaplan 3 years ago
These "Americans in Europe" posts become more trash everyday. There are Americans already living in Europe for many years, and vice versa, and some of the "shocking" things have been common knowledge for 30 years. Plus it's not even original panda content, it's just a deconstructed tiktok video
Linda Tisue 3 years ago
All these thing are common in northern Europe. Don't move to another continent if you need things to be the same.
Whitney keen 3 years ago
One thing i constantly see said about americans is our complete lack of geography or about other cultures so BP is showing americans being surprised and yall mad. This is helping to educate what is normal everywhere else. Then maybe we we'll finally do something about our shitty healthcare system and will realize we arent the most technologically advanced (cuz so many do think that). And no, we generally dont move to other countries. Americans are only now getting fed up enough to move elsewhere. So calm down. You dont have to read these posts ya know.
Shaun Coleman 3 years ago
I don't understand why many of these things are culture shock. We have most of these things in Canada. Does the US do everything different from normal countries?
Roberto Sommacal 3 years ago
Omg ... uncommon only for US natives who never left their country
Kaila Sterland 3 years ago
Most of these things are actually normal in everyday life in other countries like milk only lasting a week unless it is long life !! And shower doors hahaha
Camilla Koutsos 3 years ago
Many of these are normal in other countries too. The US is pretty unique.
LJ Robinson 3 years ago
I couldn't even finish this. The USA bashing in here is too over the top. I left a bitchy comment and scrolled through. I've always dreamed of traveling overseas, but after reading a few of these articles on BP, not so much anymore. I can spend my money here.
Celeste Grant 3 years ago
A lot of these things are normal not just in Norway but throughout Europe. What surprises me is that Americans have no clue that other people live differently. It's not about one way of living being better than another, just different cultures but I have to say I'm surprised by the things she is surprised about because these are such normal things where I live!
LJ Robinson 3 years ago
Celeste, a lot of these things are quite normal here too. I don't know what was up with the OP, but she must have been very sheltered, or gone anywhere other than her own hometown. I'm not sure the OP was even American at this point. Please don't say "Americans" as if it's all of us. It's careless and untrue.
Load More Replies... Chris Scritchfield 3 years ago
Tik toker really needs to move on with there life. I mean most of this exist across the globe and she is just showcasing American ignorance
John Baker 3 years ago
Dipwad doesn't know the difference between "there" and "their", talks about other people's ignorance.
Load More Replies... LJ Robinson 3 years ago
Jesus H. Christ Mini Muppet, this girl was showing us things she was surprised about. Most of those things are right here, right now, and have been for years. This girl was either very sheltered and never left her hometown, or.. or... I don't know why she wouldn't know these things. "It is your world that is ridiculous". Spoken like someone who has done less research than the girl in the article.
Load More Replies... Olga Dremina 3 years ago
Hey, that's just mean. People are people everywhere, they are not more stupid or more brave, or moral, or vicious because of where were they born.
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