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Culture shock can happen in different ways. Sometimes, you may experience it while visiting another country. Other times, it happens in reverse, when you return from your home country after spending a long time abroad. 

But there’s also the type of culture shock where you think a particular item or practice is universal, only to find out that it is mostly unique to your country. This is what people shared in a recent Reddit thread, with responses ranging from avocado as a sweet treat to having an astrology section on the nightly news. 

Have fun reading through, and feel free to join in on the discussion through the comments!

#1

England

England Christmas pantomime — they're camp, silly plays aimed at children during Christmastime. It's a normal thing that happens every Christmas in the UK and Ireland. They usually have someone in drag, and there's lots of audience participation. You don't realize quite how strange they are until you take someone not from the UK to see one, and they're completely baffled.

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Dee Hampton
Community Member
21 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Visitors to UK: dear friends, despite the fact that you are encouraged to shout out "He's behind you!" at pantomimes, please refrain from doing it if you go to see 'Macbeth' at the Barbican (!)

Roxy222uk
Community Member
20 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And there’s set things you have to shout “on it isn’t!” “oh yes it is!” and “it’s behind you!” Oh, and whenever the baddie comes on you hiss and boo. A really good pantomime baddie that plays up to the audience is a true treasure

Paul C.
Community Member
15 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We went and saw the fabulous Christopher Biggins as Mother Goose in Brighton UK years ago. We went with friends and got a box right next to the stage. Being a bit gobby I entered into the shouting at the actors quite happily. My wife said Paul keep quiet. Biggins heard my name and from that point on he took the pïss out of me relentlessly. It was just the best night out, and to this day whenever he comes on the TV my wife says, Oh look it's your "friend" Biggins.

Onan Hag All
Community Member
17 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always play the Dame in our village panto. The trick is to see how much entendre you can get away with, and how many locals you can insult, without getting caught.

Forrest Hobbs
Community Member
23 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oi! 🤣 Pantomimes are only allegedly aimed at children! 🤨 They always have a man in intentionally unconvincing drag as a 'pantomime dame'. Then there's the obligatory 'principal boy' who's always an attractive young woman in tights. Most of them are written to appeal to the parents too. A very strange minority of pantomimes are intended for audiences without children - I've never seen one, but I've read the reviews. Very odd...

Dee Hampton
Community Member
20 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The historical roots go back to medieval times where, in villages, or at the royal court, during the 12 days of Christmas, a 'Lord of Misrule' would be appointed to conduct the festivities. He would usually be a someone of low social status and he could order everyone about for a day or two. The idea would be that every thing would be upside-down and back-to-front.

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Ivonne Charlotte Marais
Community Member
20 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have them in South Africa. When I was in primary school they would always take us before the December holidays.

Upstaged75
Community Member
22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Washington DC at the British Embassy the British Players do an Old Time Christmas Hall every year. It's super fun. Not like any other theater I've seen.

Ace
Community Member
Premium
21 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not the same thing, I suspect, just a selection of songs and sketches. A pantomime is a complete play, a complete story, most based on well-known folk or fairy tales like Jack and the Beanstalk or Aladdin. High Camp, with the obligatory dame, a badly-executed two-person cow or horse, the leading 'man' played by an attractive female in tights that leave little to the imagination...

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Verena
Community Member
22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thanks to "Father Brown" and other lovely shows of that kind, I learned about them. It seems so common that none of my numerous friends from UK ever mentioned them in conversation. However, here in the Netherlands it is common for those leaving elementary school (age 12, grade 8) to play a musical for the rest of the school. Since decades. No big thing, no frantic parents "but my kid can't sing" - it is so much a non-topic in daily life that it took me years to get to know about it after moving here.

NightOwlPanda
Community Member
23 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've read about these. IIRC, they significantly predate Shakespeare's youth.

Mook The Mediocre
Community Member
1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OK... "Aimed at children." ... But we all know they're really for the dads and mums.

WubiDubi
Community Member
3 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are also jokes for parents that hopefully kids do not get,they announce your birthday if it;s on the day, however old you are - local news about rivals - the other football team, side of the river, tracks or just Suffolk (to be booed)

Huddo's sister
Community Member
4 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I knew about pantomimes, but hadn't realised they were only a Christmas thing. As an Aussie, I watch a lot of British tv, so it's common for me to quote 'it's behind you' at certain moments in life.

sbj
Community Member
Premium
19 hours ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I hate them, they are awful and to a child utterly confusing

David Andrews
Community Member
18 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is confusing to a child about a fairytale on stage, usually with singing and dancing?

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RELATED:
    #2

    Sweden

    Hand squeezing Swedish räkost cheese spread from a tube onto crispbread, a common food in some countries. Sandwich toppings in squeezable tubes. There amour of flavours are vast - ranging from prawn cheese to caviar.

    Cheeseoholics Report

    Verena
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes, a treat on every holiday there. Back then when we were camping, very convenient.

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    #3

    Montenegro

    Woman reading a book outdoors on a blanket under a tree, enjoying peaceful moments common everywhere in nature. I thought every country had an official competition of just lying around under the tree. Turns out it's just us


    Edit: Since everyone's asking for more details. It's held once a year, during the summer and yes, it is outside. The location is always the same. Whoever lasts the longest, wins, so there is no set end date. The winner gets a cash prize of 200€. Everyone can enter, foreigners included. There are no age brackets. You can eat, drink, nap and talk. I'm pretty sure bathroom breaks are allowed (I don't think it would even be legal to not allow them all things considered).

    Montenegirl , Paulina Herpel Report

    Sue Denham
    Community Member
    23 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm happy to give it a try. Sounds all good to me.

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    #4

    Canada

    Canada I dunno how universal it is, but as a kid we used to make cinnamon toast.

    Bread, butter (lots), then cover the butter with a mix of sugar and cinnamon, and toast it.

    I loved it!

    Malthus1 , reddit Report

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    #5

    Czech Republic

    Rustic sourdough bread with a scored crust and airy crumb displayed on a wooden cutting board, showing food common everywhere. Sourdough bread being the norm.

    Here, when someone says "bread", they ALWAYS mean sourdough. It's normal. You can buy it anywhere. Baking one at home isn't big of a deal. It's the toast bread that needs to be differentiated. So imagine my surprise when I found out that the world has flatbreads and toasts instead.

    bored_stoat , reddit Report

    Verena
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A huge part of the many variations of German bread is made with sourdough. I live in the Netherlands since a couple of decades, and always bring several "real" breads with me when visiting family and friends. Dutch bread is fantastic as holuday treat, but not for every day (and buttering it is a nightmare)

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    #6

    United States Of America

    People toasting with red cups at a casual gathering, illustrating things they do and have in their country not common everywhere. Those red solo cups. Apparently y'all think those are movie props. Haha.

    NecessaryJudgment5:

    I remember going to a party with lots of international students in the US. When they saw the red cups, they were all like “wow, it is just like in the movies!”

    RuroniHS , cottonbro studio Report

    StrangeOne
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I always thought it's weird how Americans make a big deal out of them. They're just cups. We get them in Canada. I get there's measurements for different types of alcoholic drinks, like beer, wine, liquor, etc. For some reason, drinks don't taste good when they're in these cups. Your body heat warms up the liquids too quickly. Maybe it's just me, but I need my fancy, adult drinks in a glass.

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    #7

    Belgium

    Hand holding seasoned fries with creamy white sauce on a city street, showing things people have in their country. Apparently a lot of people think mayo with fries is gross. In Belgium it's probably the most popular sauce to have with fries (although I prefer tartar sauce).

    DueAd9005 , Absisvenomous Report

    Jaya
    Community Member
    22 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Netherlands too. We do other sauces too, but mayo is the standard choice. In fact, it's so strongly considered the default that you don't even say "fries with mayo" when you order, but simply "fries with". We also do combinations: mayo and spicy tomato ketchup (which we call curry), or mayo and peanut sauce and raw onions, or all of those together 😄 (although that last one might be regional?)

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    #8

    Vietnam

    Hand holding a uniquely shaped green avocado, showcasing unusual items people think are common everywhere. I thought everyone ate & saw avocado as a sweet dessert (turns out a lot of people think avocado desserts are disgusting). i was genuinely surprised to saw other cultures eat it in savory dishes.

    Significant_Can_5060 , reddit Report

    Sue Denham
    Community Member
    23 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's not what an avocado looks like where I live.

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    #9

    The Netherlands

    The Netherlands Here, homework and test answers are marked with a 'krul' instead of a checkmark. It looks kind of like a cursive letter R, with a big loop. I was surprised to find out other countries don't do this.

    Specialist_Dust2089 Report

    Burned Panda
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And if you’re very creative, you can turn it into a cat by adding the eyes, a little nose, and a mouth.

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    #10

    England

    England Stone & lbs as the main measurement of human weight. I don’t get why we use it either. No other countries outside of the UK & Ireland use stone.

    For literally everything including animals else we use kg.

    Fast_Bee7689 Report

    #11

    UK

    Baked beans on toasted bread garnished with herbs, illustrating things people thought were common everywhere. Beans on toast with a skosh of curry powder. It's the best.

    darkhelmet03 , HibbertUK Report

    Spencer's slave no longer
    Community Member
    23 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Beans on toast with HP, Worcestershire or a smidge of proper Marmite. Watercress in baked beans is delicious too.

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    #12

    Australia

    Group of people enjoying a cultural event indoors, showcasing traditions and activities common in their country. Saying “hip hip - hooray” three times after singing happy birthday to someone. That was a sad day for me.

    sterilepillow , Samuel Lopez Cruz Report

    Jaya
    Community Member
    23 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In the Netherlands we do it too. We say hiep hiep - hoera! Or hieperdepiep - hoera!

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    #13

    USA

    Children boarding a yellow school bus on a suburban street, illustrating things people think are common everywhere. Yellow school buses! I have had so many people from other countries tell me they thought that our yellow school buses were a movie/TV thing only.

    I don’t know if I ever thought they were “universal” necessarily, but I do find it amusing that folks thought they were mere fiction.

    Lexi_November , stevemajor Report

    Mrreoww
    Community Member
    21 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I too thought they were universal, as India has them too.

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    #14

    Iraq

    Iraq Idk how to describe it, but we have a dessert called kaahi, it's basically very very crispy bread eaten with syrup and Qaymar (a type of cream cheese that only made in Iraq), yeah that tastes like heaven and no one eats it other than us.

    action-no-hope Report

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    #15

    Australia

    Hand holding a sausage in bread with sauce outside a warehouse store, showcasing common things across countries. Sausage Sizzle outside of a hardware store. You get a sausage, you get a slice of white bread, you drizzle on some sauce and go into the store to get some cheap plywood or something, and it’s the best.

    3Thirty-Eight8 Report

    #16

    South Korea

    Close-up of homemade garlic bread with herbs and cheese on a wooden board showcasing unique food people have in their country. Sweet garlic bread.

    In fact it’s sweet by default in Korea, so I relatively recently learned that it isn’t in most countries.

    CommercialChart5088 , reddit Report

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    #17

    India

    Chocolate brownie topped with ice cream and nuts, showcasing a popular dessert people thought was common everywhere. "Sizzling brownie (on a hot plate) with vanilla icecream, hot fudge and walnuts". I think this is pretty popular in at least the urban cities in India, and my whole life I assumed it was something we imported from the west (because it is obviously not Indian flavors). Turns out it is an Indian concept and I have only found this specific combination in Indian restaurants in the US.

    Easy_Charge898 Report

    Glen Ellyn
    Community Member
    Premium
    21 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wonder if Indian brownies are different than what you find in the US. Homemade brownies fresh out of the oven are wonderful! Scoop of vanilla ice cream to go with it? Heavenly! 😇😋

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    #18

    Puerto Rico

    Horoscope forecast image showing star ratings and daily advice for Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces signs. Having an astrology section on the nightly news.

    nadcore , reddit Report

    #19

    Finland

    Hand showing a peace sign inside a kitchen cabinet with dishes drying above a stainless steel sink. Dish drying cabinets. These are practically in every house. I think people are starting to use them elsewhere as well, since, well, it's great, but I don't think a lot of countries have them common. Sweden maybe?

    Hashishiva , LetsGoToTheMars Report

    #20

    Italy

    Italy The bars. In Italy, we have 'bars,' which are places where you get a coffee, a beer, a sandwich, or cigarettes, and you always find newspapers on tables. They're a specific kind of place, not like your typical bar in other countries. I was stunned when I discovered that they aren't present in all countries of the world.

    Wise_Tune_2080 Report

    Rosa Montañà
    Community Member
    21 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Bars in Spain are like this too, like a cafe but serving alcohol too.

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    #21

    Canada

    Canada Gravy with your fries. Order fries at any sit down in Canada and they'll ask if ypu want gravy, I tried to order gravy for my fries in the states and they looked at me like I had three heads.
    Edit; I fear I must clarify, I refer not to a poutine, but a side of gravy for which to dip your fries.

    pechymcpeach Report

    Forrest Hobbs
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Chips and gravy is common here in the UK, but you'll generally get it poured over the chips. Fries? Get ahtahere! 😁

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    #22

    Bulgaria

    Traditional garlic and herb soup in a clay bowl, showcasing unique cultural food items not common everywhere. Таратор / Tarator - a cold soup made with yoghurt, water, diced cucumber, fennel, garlic, sometimes crushed walnuts. You usually just add salt, some people might add some oil and/or vinegar.

    Consistent-Shoe-9602 Report

    Roman Arendt
    Community Member
    22 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's delicious, especially on hot summer days and so easy to prepare. And cheap. 👍🙂

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    #23

    Brazil

    Brazil I was pretty shocked as a child to find out people in other countries usually don't have rice and beans for lunch. In my mind, there was no other way of having lunch and blandly having a sandwich, a snack or a fruit seemed really wrong.

    Competitive-Mobile-3 Report

    Starbug
    Community Member
    14 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not just rice and beans usually, mostly is accompanied of some protein (meat, eggs) and salad.

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    #24

    Australia

    Colorful fairy bread slices on a plate, a popular treat many people thought common everywhere worldwide. Fairy bread. First, you spread your butter thickly on a slice of bread, getting it right to the edges. Then, pour some hundreds and thousands — the little multicoloured beady spheres, similar to sprinkles — onto a dish, so you don't make a mess. Finally, press the bread into the hundreds and thousands, buttered side down, and cut into triangles.

    rikusorasephiroth , DerpsAU Report

    Upstaged75
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hate those things! I think I still have some stuck in my teeth from about 30 years ago.

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    #25

    Poland

    Hand holding bowl of pasta with red fruit sauce indoors showing unique food people think is common everywhere. Strawberry pasta. Basically just pasta with strawberry sauce on top. My favourite is with frozen strawberries; you just blend them with sour cream, add some sugar, and pour that on the pasta. It's yummy, especially when it's a hot summer day and the pasta is warm but the sauce is cold.

    ThisOneRedditTem , Sabotenn Report

    Jaya
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The idea of using pasta in a sweet dish is so strange to me, I must try it sometime!

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    #26

    Ireland

    Ireland Having to face a hangover in a different country without the aid of a trusty breakfast roll isn't easy

    AutomaticIdeal6685/ , reddit Report

    Peeka_Mimi
    Community Member
    23 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I usually eat something super greasy, with a Bloody Mary and Tylenol.

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    #27

    Australia

    Chippy flavored salt container with original chicken taste, popular seasoning for hot food in various countries. Chicken Salt. You toss this on your chippies and it just makes it taste so good, and it’s the best.

    3Thirty-Eight8 Report

    #28

    Denmark

    Person holding a slice of bread topped with butter and three large pieces of chocolate showing unique food habits worldwide. In Denmark we have chocolate sheets that we put on bread. It was only a couple of years ago I learned that it was non-existing outside of Scandinavia.

    J_hoff Report

    Roman Arendt
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not only in Scandinavia. Germany/Austria: Eszet-Schnitten. Loved them as a kid.

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    #29

    Canada

    Canada Bagged milk.

    theflesheatingmuffin , reddit Report

    Mrreoww
    Community Member
    21 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    India has them too. They’re so flimsy.

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    #30

    Colombia

    Fried plantain! I love it and it’s such a Colombian side at lunch and more.

    saltytearsss Report

    NJ P
    Community Member
    19 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Plaintains are common thruout the Caribbean and Spanish countries.

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    #31

    Canada

    Canada I didn’t know Clamato was mostly a Canadian thing until I travelled .. guess clams and tomato’s aren’t universally loved as a drink.

    Flimsy_Situation_506 , reddit Report

    NJ P
    Community Member
    19 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In the US too. Makes a great Bloody Mary.

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    #32

    Denmark

    Bowl of creamy homemade sauce on rustic wooden table with spoon, showing things people think are common everywhere. Remoulade - a cold sauce based on mayonnaise, mixed with finely chopped pickles, capers, herbs, and sometimes curry. We put it on everything! Fish, hotdogs, french fries...

    Needy_Sheep Report

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    #33

    Taiwan

    Close-up of a hand holding a spoon with corn soup from a McDonald's cup, showcasing unique food items in different countries. Corn soup at McDonald

    TxJxCh Report

    Tempest
    Community Member
    12 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Also available in McDonalds in China along with corn cob slices. As a vegetarian those were some of the only vegetarian items I could eat at McDonalds, besides fries.

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    #34

    USA

    One of the things that actually surprised me about other countries is that peanut butter and jelly sandwiches aren't more widespread. I figured it was kind of a standard thing in a lot of places, because "nuts and fruit" seems like a universal mix. Turns out it's basically only an American thing, and peanut butter isn't that popular overseas.

    gentlybeepingheart Report

    Spencer's slave no longer
    Community Member
    23 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Peanut butter and jam, jelly is an entirely different food outside of the US.

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    #35

    Germany

    Maybe moreso because i was too young but as a kid when i went abroad i was gobsmacked that they didn't have Spezi (Popular drink in Germany that is basically coke with orange). In the end i just told them to mix Coke with Fanta, which they did, but that just isn't the same.

    EntireDance6131 Report

    Liliana Spiro
    Community Member
    14 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Apparently, in the 80's, The Coca Cola Co. produced 'Fanta Black', which was Fanta mixed with Coca Cola. It's recently made a comeback, but is now sold under the name 'Fanta Mezzo'.

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    #36

    Mexico

    Las Mañanitas is the song people sing on birthdays. It's totally different than 'Happy Birthday,' and it's traditionally sung in the morning, to wake the person up. I thought they did it throughout Latin America, but it turns out it's just a Mexico thing.

    Lindanga Report

    Dee Hampton
    Community Member
    19 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In years gone by, in UK, the birthday boy or girl would get 'the bumps' where high-spirited friends and family would take their victim by the hands and feet, swing them about a bit, then lower them down and raise them up for the number years they have been in the planet, bumping their behind (gently) on the ground. Now I have written it down, it sounds really insane.

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    #37

    South Africa

    A close-up of a tiny flying insect on a person's thumb showcasing unusual things people have in their country. Flying ants. These things are like these massive insects that fly into the house when it rains, and then their wings fall off, and they fall to the ground, and their shredded wings are all over the floor, and you have to clean it up. And then you have these things crawling all over the floor.

    I was trying to explain this to someone from America and I think she thought I was joking.

    Noxolo7 Report

    Roxy222uk
    Community Member
    20 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We have ‘flying ant day’ in the UK. The schedule is not set by humans, it’s set by ants without absolutely any discussion.

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    #38

    Germany

    Toy store aisle filled with various toys and collectibles, showing a common retail setup in many countries. Drogeriemarkt. It translates to drugstore, but that's not quite the same. It's a store for everyday household items. Not a grocery store. There is a bit of organic food and some snacks, but mostly cleaning stuff, hygiene products, makeup, a lot of baby-related products. I was astounded to learn that even our direct neighbours don't have these stores. My best friend moved to Switzerland and misses them a lot. You don't know that you'll need a DM until you've been to one.

    Pnk_sawdust Report

    Bill Swallow
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sounds exactly like any Walgreens, CVS, or Rite-Aid in America.

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    #39

    Sweden

    We have sweets by the kilogram in all grocery stores. We had Americans visit, and they thought it was free samples.

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    quentariel
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In Finland too. It's especially clever way to buy chocolates that are otherwise really expensive nowadays.

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    #40

    Canada

    We eat hotdogs with bread, I'm poor growing up.

    Have you tried Kraft dinner.

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    Rinso The Red
    Community Member
    9 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Northern NE US here - I didn't know hot dog rolls existed until I was like 8 years old.

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    #41

    Portugal

    Christmas crackers, apparently *not a thing* in continental Europe or the US.

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    Kira Okah
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They are mostly in Commonwealth countries due to the UK iirc

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    #42

    Scotland

    The word outwith.

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    Forrest Hobbs
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh yes. The first time I heard 'outwith', I was - erm - slightly bewildered. I was a few hundred miles south of Scotland at the time. The perpetrator seemed to have no idea he was confusing anyone. We were all young. 😉🤣

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    #43

    Canada

    Stack of layered dessert bars with chocolate and creamy filling, illustrating things people think are common everywhere. Nanaimo Bars.

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    Bryn
    Community Member
    12 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You find this in Washington too :) I grew up making them but we called them Canadian Bars because my brother and I couldn't pronounce Nanaimo

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    #44

    USA

    Bottle of Litehouse homestyle ranch dressing and dip with vegetables, highlighting common food items in different countries. Ranch Dressing. Has no one thought to put a bunch of herbs in buttermilk?

    Redbubble89 , reddit Report

    Roman Arendt
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Germany: We did (Buttermilchdressing), but we're not as obsessed with it. And we certainly don't put it on pizza.

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    #45

    Canada

    Butter tarts. I had no idea they were Canadian until a few years ago .

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    Aileen Grist
    Community Member
    Premium
    18 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They're very like custard tarts that you get in the UK only with added raisins

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    #46

    USA

    Well this is definitely a New England thing, (though I have seen other regions of the states that eat it), the good old fluffernutter sandwich. Peanut butter and marshmallow fluff.

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    Upstaged75
    Community Member
    21 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My mom says this was her favorite sandwich growing up. Sounds unappetizing to me.

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    #47

    UK

    Christmas crackers seem to mostly be a British thing, though I wouldn't be surprised if they exist in some other Commonwealth countries.

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    V
    Community Member
    21 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They're popular in Australia and New Zealand anyway.

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    #48

    USA

    Peanut butter cups…. The food of the gods.

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    Dee Hampton
    Community Member
    19 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes, when the lost city of Atlantis is discovered, there will be a sophisticated bloke called Reese in a toga

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    #49

    Canada

    This isn't exclusive to Canada, as it extends to some neighbouring states, but the concept of what a 'cottage' is. To me it's always been a building (of various fanciness or sizes) in a forested area, most often on a lake where you go and do stuff like have campfires, swim, and go boating. In post-Heated Rivalry discussions, I learned that there is not a universal understanding for what a cottage is.

    herolyat Report

    Eastendbird
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just tell someone in the UK that you enjoy "cottaging"...

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    #50

    USA

    Hand dipping seasoned fries in creamy sauce, illustrating things people thought are common everywhere in their country. Fry Sauce. I’ve learned that it is even specific to my state in the U.S. , Utah. It has become a little more widespread over the years.

    It’s mayonnaise mixed with ketchup. Sometimes people add other sauces like mustard or BBQ sauce to it, but usually just mayo and ketchup.

    My uncle went somewhere in Europe and asked for fry sauce. When they didn’t know what he was talking about, he asked for mayonnaise and ketchup. They brought him out a bunch of each, then he proceeded to put them in a bowl and mix them up. They were very offended.

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    Kira Okah
    Community Member
    22 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's usually called burger sauce over here, though some places make marie rose sauce the same way and that could be the same thing depending on the situation, it's not always. Different names.

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    #51

    USA

    Corn bread. I had no idea it was an American thing. Apparently it’s not a thing in Europe.

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    Forrest Hobbs
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I realize the OP will never see this, but here in Europe, all our bread is made out of corn - 'corn' referring to 'the generally most common grain crop', typically wheat. The word 'corn' predates the European discovery of the Americas, and possibly originates prior to the domestication of maize in the Americas.

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    #52

    Germany

    Colorful beach chairs on a sandy beach under cloudy sky showing unique things people thought were common everywhere Strandkörbe

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    Forrest Hobbs
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Apparently, 'Strandkörbe' = 'Beach chairs'. Not unheard of outside of German speaking nations, I think you'll find. Deck chairs is the usual term here in the UK - although they're not like that.

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    #53

    USA

    This is super regional in the US, but in New Mexico, if you order pretty much any kind of Mexican dish the question is always Red or Green (referring to what type of chili sauce you want covering your food). And the answer “Christmas” implies you want both red and green.

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    Sue User
    Community Member
    20 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    God, I remember trying to get salsa Verde for my eggs in Virginia about 15 years ago. No salsa, best they could do was hot sauce.

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    #54

    Canada

    When I was younger I thought everyone used the Imperial system (don't get mad at me I was like 5) but I couldn't be more wrong.

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    Zig Zag Wanderer
    Community Member
    21 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Most countries have evolved to use metric, which is sensible and wasn't designed by drunk mathematicians with a broken abacus....

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    #55

    USA

    A traditional holiday feast with roasted turkey, casseroles, deviled eggs, asparagus, and assorted desserts on a table. I didn't realize that thanksgiving food wasn't international. I understand that we're the only country that celebrates it, but I didn't realize that things like sweet potato casserole were also unique to us too.

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    d b
    Community Member
    23 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Canada clears throat: "Well, actually...."

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    #56

    USA

    Getting ice in your water without specifically asking for it.

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    Jeff White
    Community Member
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think the far more important question is Why would you NOT want ice in your water?" And yes, I am from the U.S.

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    #57

    Canada

    Large bucket of cured beef labeled with weight and regional style, illustrating unique food items from different countries. Not universal, but I definitely thought Jiggs Dinner was at least Canada-wide when I was a kid (from Newfoundland). The looks I got in a Toronto bar in my early 20s, as I was trying to explain the bucket of salt beef my mom used to bring home for Jigg’s 😂

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    #58

    Canada

    All Dressed Flavoured Chips, I was shocked when I found that one out.

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    #59

    Canada

    Do other countries have ketchup chips? i thought it was an everywhere thing but then my cousins moved to the US and said there were no ketchup chips there. maybe that’s changed. they would load up on ketchup chips whenever they came to visit.

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    Fred
    Community Member
    20 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I suspect that means flavoured crisps, not chips with ketchup.

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    #60

    Mexico

    Person holding two plastic bags filled with soft drinks, showcasing common cultural practices in different countries. Soda in plastic bags.

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    Bill Swallow
    Community Member
    21 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mmmm... I think I'll stick with eminently recyclable (and stackable) aluminum cans instead of plastic bags, thanks.

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    #61

    Portugal

    Bottle of Amish Country caramel glaze held above a bowl of caramel popcorn, showing a unique snack from different countries. Sweet popcorn is the default — and it was the only option in cinemas for my entire childhood and teenage years, as far as I knew. It blew my mind when I found out as an adult that most of the world eats salty or mixed popcorn. I eat it mixed sometimes now, because my boyfriend was not raised in Portugal and prefers it, but it's still really bizarre to me.

    rosiedacat , Artistic_Panic_868 Report

    Bill Swallow
    Community Member
    21 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Back on the farm, at Christmas time, Mom would make a kettle of homemade caramel - starting *completely* from scratch. Then pop a couple dishpans of popcorn, add the caramel (still warm enough to be slightly fluid and workable) and a bunch of salted peanuts, mix well, and form into popcorn balls, wrapping them in waxed paper. Oh my God they were good! You can sometimes find popcorn balls in the store, but they mostly use some muck made with high-fructose corn syrup, like white Karo - and no peanuts.

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    #62

    Ukraine

    1. Smetana.

    2. Being able to avoid idiotic paperwork and bureauceacy by registering almost everything online.

    Wojewodaruskyj Report

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    #63

    USA

    Fresh boiled peanuts. It's bangin'!

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    NightOwlPanda
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm fairly sure this is almost exclusively a Southern thing. Like putting a few salted peanuts in a Coke, which a Southern-born friend told me about.

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    #64

    USA

    In Texas, sliced white bread served with your barbecue. If you’re buying enough for a few people, they’ll often give you a half or whole loaf still in the plastic sandwich bread bag. When I lived in Boston, I remember someone telling me about having visited Texas and eating barbecue at “that place that serves it with white Wonderbread.” I was like, “Sir, that is every barbecue establishment in Texas.”.

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    Bill Swallow
    Community Member
    21 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ... and the Texans still haven't caught on to the joke.

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    #65

    UK

    The only thing I can think of is actually pretty specific, even here where I live which is the UK but I’m a big fan of half-and-half for your food.

    It’s a Welsh thing but I didn’t realise it a turkey wasn’t a thing everywhere until I was about 11 years old.

    Basically, say you order a chicken curry at the pub (first example I could think of!) and usually it just comes with rice and sometimes, depending on the pub or restaurant, you can have either rice or chips to go with the curry.

    In Wales though, you can have both and it’s called half-and-half and you don’t have to pay so much more for extras or get way too much food given to you because you want chips and rice with your curry.

    harrietmjones Report

    NapQueen
    Community Member
    14 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't think this is country-specific, I think it's just down to whatever the restaurant wants to offer. I've had this a lot with chinese takeaways, where I couldn't decide between rice and noodles.

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    #66

    USA

    Biscuits and gravy and just biscuits in general. I thought it was just a normal breakfast item and everybody had biscuits with breakfast.

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    Upstaged75
    Community Member
    21 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I like biscuits (yes we know that's what you call cookies in other countries) but that gray gravy grosses me out.

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    #67

    Colombia

    Fried chicken and crispy fries meal from Frisby, showcasing popular fast food items enjoyed in different countries. Putting honey in fried chicken ✊😔

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    #68

    USA

    FREE REFILLS… what the hell, if you get a drink somewhere in the US as long as it’s not alcohol, unlimited free refills, and water brought to you by default when going out to eat.

    It’s so weird to pay for every single refill.

    skibidi99 Report

    Spencer's slave no longer
    Community Member
    22 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Outside of the US, unlimited liquid sugar is not something we want.

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    #69

    USA

    John William’s Olympic theme from the LA Olympics is played for every NBC broadcast, so I just assumed it was the official IOC anthem heard globally… turns out it’s just an us thing.

    Ski4ever5 Report

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    #70

    USA

    IFood, an app for ordering food, I thought it was an international app, but it's Brazilian.

    Bob's is a fast food chain better than McDonald's and Burger King and with the best milkshakes, it's only in Brazil and I thought it was from the USA lol.

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    #71

    USA

    Taylor pork roll and scrapple. Turns out they weren’t even country specific. Outside of south eastern PA and west NJ they’re practically unheard of. Though scrapple is from Germany and apparently popular there.

    deathwotldpancakes Report

    Noyfb noyfb
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Scrapple is a mixture of pork meat, pork organs (varies a lot) and cooked cornmeal (maize meal), cut the loaf into slices and fry it. Substitute oatmeal for the maize, and you get goetta, an Ohio specialty.

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    #72

    USA

    In Philadelphia, the best sausage sandwiches in town are all at Home Depot, we use rolls though.

    Also, when I was a kid we used to butter bread and cover it in sugar.

    Hyper_Applesauce Report

    Verena
    Community Member
    20 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sugar on bread = childhood treat and seen that in many countries.

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    #73

    USA

    Chocolate chip cookies. I really thought that was just the default cookie for everyone.

    acetrainerhaley Report

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    #74

    USA

    Lemonade. Like proper lemon, water, and sugar lemonade. Everywhere else it's a carbonated lemon soda.

    fajitasteve65 Report

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