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40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused In Denmark our way of caring for our children baffles a lot of foreginers.
i.e. we find it natural to leave them unattended, they are left in their prams to nap basically everywhere, usually outside no matter what time of the year it is.

Zrina94 , Josh Withers Report

Final score:

176points

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Carla Campbell 1 year ago

We can't even send our kids to school without worrying they'll be shot. (USA)

21points

To learn more about the cultural differences visitors find when traveling internationally, we reached out to Australian travel expert Alyse, also known as The Invisible Tourist. Alyse was kind enough to share a list of things that are perfectly normal in the Land Down Under that might be surprising or confusing for tourists.

“There are quite a few!” she told Bored Panda. “Having Christmas in summer is awesome. We have our extended holiday period over Christmas and New Year's to relax, enjoy beaches and to catch up with family and friends. School kids call erasers rubbers, thongs are what you would call flip-flops, and a slippery-dip is a slide at the local park.”

“We always welcome visitors from abroad with a warning about our Drop Bears,” Alyse added. “These are vicious koalas that jump from trees onto unsuspecting tourists, and the only way to soothe them is with Vegemite (spoiler alert, only visitors believe Drop Bears are real).”

40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused Throwing cheese down a hill then running after it

Seeyouyeah , Dave Farrance Report

Final score:

165points

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Charlie the Cat 1 year ago

The Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake is an annual event that takes place in Gloucestershire, England. The event involves rolling a 7lb (3kg) Double Gloucester cheese wheel down the almost-vertical Cooper’s Hill, near Gloucester. Competitors chase the cheese wheel down the hill, and the first person to cross the finish line is crowned the winner.

71points

40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused Thanking the bus driver.

Madra_ruax , Csongor Kemény Report

Final score:

163points

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Downunderdude 1 year ago

I rarely take the bus, but thanking the driver doesn't seem at all odd to me. Like thanking your waiter. Or the checkout person. Or the taxi driver. Isn't it just common courtesy?

185points

The travel expert also noted that Australian slang can be confusing for foreigners. “To get by in Australia, it's essential to shorten words then add an O or IE to the end - arvo (afternoon), barbie (barbeque), mozzie (mosquito), cozzie (swimming costume/bathers), servo (service station/petrol station). An exception to this ends with an A - Macca's, our word or McDonald's.”

“If you're wanting to purchase alcohol for a party, you won't find it in our supermarkets,” Alyse continued. “We have separate stores that sell alcohol only that we call Bottle-o's."

You also probably don't need to worry about snakes if you're taking a trip to Australia. "Visitors are surprised that there aren't snakes everywhere, like social media would otherwise have you believe," Alyse says. "I've maybe seen a real snake in the wild once or twice in my entire life.”

In the UK, its definitely how we treat our friends. At uni quite a few people, especially Americans got pissed at me for insulting them. That's just how we act. Only worry when we're being polite

anon Report

Final score:

155points

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Emma S 1 year ago

The word c**t is a term of endearment in the UK. It's not uncommon to hear people calling their best friends it.

57points

40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused Thirty days of confinement to a room in your house after having a baby and only leaving to go to the doctor.
Not sleeping by your significant other when they are going hunting the next day because you "have power" that will affect the kill.
Not stepping over things while pregnant to prevent the soul from leaving the baby.
Also, never touching meat while on "your time" because the "power" will spoil the meat.
Dancing for four days without water or food in the early summer to help the people...
I am on a reservation in the United States. The US has some 500+ tribes but many have the same beliefs and traditions.
So, there US you have something totally bizarre to you that is completely normal to us

nativehoneybaby , JÉSHOOTS Report

Final score:

152points

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Lama 1 year ago

I know it's culture, and an endangered one for that, so it feels almost forbidden to judge, but some of this feels a little unfriendly to women..

149points

There are some food names that might confuse visitors in Australia as well. “Cilantro is called coriander here, peppers are called capsicums, aubergines are called eggplants and courgettes are called zucchinis,” Alyse explained. (As an American, I have to say that sounds like a hybrid of British and American terminology…)

“All Aussie kids grow up eating Fairy Bread (bread with butter and sprinkles), Sausage Rolls (meaty pastry), mini Meat Pies and Tim Tams (choccie bikkies) for snacks at parties,” the Invisible Tourist shared.

40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused We let cheese melt, throw some schnaps in there and eat it with bread cubes on a long fork.

Oh and if your bread falls off the fork you'll have to do some silly stuff like sing a song or jump naked in the snow...

Skinnj , Juliano Mendes Report

Final score:

148points

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Downunderdude 1 year ago

I remember when fondue parties were all the rage.

73points

40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused The friendlier the language the closer you are to a beating, the dirtier the language the more we like you.

anon , Kampus Production Report

Final score:

143points

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Rob 1 year ago

Got to be UK.

63points

Alyse also shared some of her most memorable moments from traveling abroad when she noticed local customs that were different from what she's used to. “Ordering food from a vending machine rather than a waiter in Japan, then sitting down inside and having it brought to the table,” she noted. “Paying for a chair on the beach is weird for us in Europe. We just throw a towel down anywhere on the sand at home.”

“Getting drinks/food from a waiter rather than the bar in continental Europe (ordering it all from a bar must come from our British ancestors),” the travel expert continued. “Having to tip for everything in the USA. We understand why now, but it adds so much extra on top. Not having the taxes included on price tickets in the USA, and having to fumble for change at the register to pay the difference. Paying to use the toilet in the UK and Europe, as we don't need to do that.”

40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused Apparently white gravy is a thing that's not very common outside of southern America...

kawaiimoesugoidesu , WallyBooger Report

Final score:

136points

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Nash Nopper 1 year ago

It is common in Germany for many dishes, too!

39points

#10

40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused The fact gum is illegal here in Singapore may be odd to foreigners, but there's a reason for that. The reason being people constantly spitting gum onto the ground, sticking it on cars and elevator buttons, making everywhere you went covered in gum. And when the gum dried up, it would become very hard to remove.

Im_Tsuikyit , Quinn Dombrowski Report

Final score:

135points

POST

BluEyedSeoulite 1 year ago

I totally get this. I hate gum!

76points

We were also curious if there were any customs from other nations that Alyse wished Australians would adopt. “Australia can be a great place to live, but being an island continent has its challenges,” she noted. “Many of us would love to adopt European high-speed or Japanese-style bullet trains to travel between our capital cities. Most visitors don't realize how far away everything is here, for example Sydney to Melbourne is 9 hours drive (870kms), and Melbourne to Brisbane is 18 hours drive (1776km). Heck, even flying from Sydney to Perth or Darwin is 5 hours.”

“The other would be not tolerating drugs and other crimes,” the traveler added. “Countries in Asia have very strict consequences for such things, and therefore crime and delinquency is much lower than major cities in Australia. We tend to go a bit easy here, in my opinion.”

If you’d like to learn more about Alyse’s travels, get some tips for your upcoming trips or learn more about Australia, be sure to visit The Invisible Tourist!

#11

We have like a whole years worth of child leave here in Sweden and are encouraged to split between the parents, so there is lots of dads at the park with their kids.

Heard an American ask what was up with all the 'mannys'? -_-

ZaMiLoD Report

Final score:

134points

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Cjo 1 year ago (edited)

In America they ask why the mother isn't back to work the next week. :-( No federal law on any paid time off. Currently struggling to try to pass a federal 12-week paid leave. Only about 12 states have any kind of maternity leave law.

13points

#12

In Bulgaria we nod for No and shake for Yes. This doesn't make us an impression but foreigners get really, really confused.

Tip: Listen to what we say, not how we move our head. :)

EasyDeezy Report

Final score:

134points

POST

$copper-fractions avatar$

Tiny Dynamine 1 year ago

It's the only country in the world that does this and no-one is sure why.

49points

We also reached out to travel experts Dave and Deb of The Planet D to hear a Canadian perspective on this topic. "There are so many things that Canadians find perfectly normal that may seem strange to foreigners," the travelers shared.

"The first thought that comes to our head is that we call our one-dollar coins a Loonie. When Canada changed from dollar bills to coins, the new coin had an engraving of a loon on it. A loon is an aquatic bird that is very common in Canada. So instead of calling it a dollar, Canadians called it a Loonie," Dave and Deb explained.

"When the two-dollar coin came out a few years later, it had a polar bear on it. Instead of making a nickname to do with the polar bear, Canadians ended up calling it a Toonie. It rhymes with Loonie and totally makes sense to us."

#13

40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused We call flip-flops 'thongs' and erasers 'rubbers'.

imnotavegan , betsy Report

Final score:

129points

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Braineating Spleen 1 year ago

Straya!

56points

Angela B 1 year ago

None of that "duvet" nonsense either. It's a doona Mate.

21points

Jill Rhodry 1 year ago

Bloody oath!

6points

Anna Drever 1 year ago

Rubbers in Kiwi land too, but flip-flops are jandals instead. No idea why. Perhaps a brand name that stuck???

2points

Phoenix 1 year ago

Flip flops were called thongs in the US too, until the underwear became a thing in the mid/late 90's

18points

Skinny Pig 1 year ago

yeah I grew up using that word for the footwear

6points

sbj 1 year ago

It's also rubbers here in the UK

13points

Robert T 1 year ago

And speedos 'budgie smuglers'. ;-)

11points

CrunChewy McSandybutt 1 year ago

Americans used to call flip flops "thongs" until some guy invented butt floss.

7points

The Scout 1 year ago

Both words would create an entirely different context elsehwere...

7points

Booker 1 year ago

I grew up calling them thongs. Haven't heard them called that in 50 years.

6points

Cat Furr 1 year ago

I once killed a spider on my wall with my thong and then had to answer MANY questions when I told the story :)

4points

Data1001 1 year ago

When I was a kid, we had black rubber coverings we'd put over our normal shoes when it was rainy/muddy outside, and we always called those "rubbers".

3points

Kayjunmoon 1 year ago

Jandals

3points

EJF 1 year ago

Slippahs in Hawaii.

3points

Mycroft1967 1 year ago

In Wisconsin they are not drinking fountains but "bubblers" and it is not everyone calls it soda- some people call it "pop". Confused a few people when travelling.

2points

Did I say that out loud? (he/him)cis/het 1 year ago

Generally called pop in the UK.

1point

Der Kommissar 1 year ago

also "soda pop" or sodee pop

0points

Data1001 1 year ago

Only in certain parts of Wisconsin, though. I lived in the central part of the state for a number of years and never heard anyone say "bubbler".

-1point

Catie Marie 1 year ago

Flippies. And lord help you if you're smacked with one

2points

KombatBunni 1 year ago

And sneakers used to be called sandshoes..but that was maaany years ago..

1point

Never Snarky 1 year ago

As a kid, sneakers were called gym shoes

0points

◦•●◉ 𝒮𝒽𝓎 𝒟𝓇𝒶𝑔𝑜𝓃 (𝓈𝒽𝑒/𝒽𝑒𝓇) ◉● 1 year ago

I call flip flops flip flops but I call erasers rubbers. never eraser. never.

1point

Dee Lee 1 year ago

That's not the only thing we call 'rubbers'!

0points

Leesa DeAndrea 1 year ago

When I was a child growing up in New Mexico & Arizona, USA, we called flip flops thongs too. They were cheap shoes you wore in summer. But look out if stepped on a sticker. It would stab you right through the sole of the thong. We wore them everywhere for every activity.

0points

Annita Stephanou 1 year ago

Ah, an Aussie

0points

L Smith 1 year ago

Growing up in the US we called them thongs too.

0points

Jan Moore 1 year ago

Does that name only apply to the rubber flip troops or to all thong sandles?

0points

Bleau 1 year ago

I call them guaranteed to sprain my ankle

0points

Nikki Sevven 1 year ago

I wouldn't in the US. Thongs are panties where the string goes up your crack, and rubbers are condoms.

0points

Abby Rexroth 1 year ago

In the US we used to call the shoes thongs too until those weird panties came into fashion and stole the name.

0points

Kelly F 1 year ago

When I was a kid in Illinois in the 70's we called flip flops thongs.

0points

Lene 1 year ago

🎵 let me see that thooooooooong. Baby. That thong-thong-thong-thong-thoooong🎵

0points

Tracy Wallick 1 year ago

In the US, a thong is a skimpy piece of women's lingerie, and a rubber is a condom XD

0points

Jennifer Ness 1 year ago

This true now but in the US flip flops were called thongs until the 1990s. Rubbers were the rubber shoes you put over regular shoes when it rained until the 1970s

1point

Jon E 1 year ago

Come here Yank,ask for these here in the UK you're gonna be very very surprised & uncomfortable using them..

0points

H M 1 year ago

We call them jandals. From JApanese saNDALS.

0points

Stannous Flouride 1 year ago

The word rubber actually comes from its use to erase things, to rub things out. It was one of the first uses for latex outside of Central & South America.

0points

§• Råinbow Påndå •§ 1 year ago

Dude I just moved here and got so confused. Like bro- what is “lollies” (sweets/candy) or “thongs” or “togs” (swimming costume/suit) ALSO, does “supper” not exist???

0points

§• Råinbow Påndå •§ 1 year ago

Also, I find it weird that, no matter your age, if a friends parent or smth talks to u, u can call them by their first name. Where I’m from it’s a sign of disrespect. SO weird to just hear my friend refer to my dad has “Mr. Steven” (Not actual name)

0points

Chirp 1 year ago

In our family they were always "shower shoes"

0points

Huddo's sister 1 year ago

Except when you teach teenagers, then you consciously avoid saying rubbers in that context!

0points

Hugh Crawford 1 year ago

thongs and rubbers, not the party you were expecting...

0points

David 1 year ago

Philippines? You people should name the place you are talking about. But I think I encountered the thongs part in PI because here in the US thong is usually about the underwear.

0points

Huddo's sister 1 year ago

Australia, but you are right, they should be labelled

1point

Spittnimage 1 year ago

America used to call them thongs until underwear came along and stole the word.

0points

David 1 year ago

I feel like that might be in part a regional thing. I'm an older American and can recall hearing the footwear called by both names long before I'd ever heard of the thong underwear. But I agree that these days most folks would probably use a different word for the footwear to avoid confusion with the underwear. "I blew out my thong" takes on new meaning. LOL

0points

SolitaryIntrovert 1 year ago

Gives new meaning to "The Thong Song"

0points

AlienBarbu 1 year ago

we call em gougounes in Québec french

0points

Timbob 1 year ago

Therefore, MANY of you are called PARENTS !

0points

jmdirks 1 year ago

Flip flops were thongs until thongs became something that got lost in a buttcrack.

0points

Elchinero 1 year ago

condoms

0points

Anne Jones 1 year ago

UK we say flip flops and rubbers.

0points

Tee Rat 1 year ago

They're slippers in Hawaii

0points

EJF 1 year ago

"Slippahs"

0points

#14

40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused In the U.S. we have dry counties where stores cannot sell alcohol, but if you drive 4 miles up the road you can buy all the booze you want. Like just sell me my damn booze.

nightcrawler_5 , Paul Sableman Report

Final score:

120points

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BrookeBT 1 year ago

But what about all the "freedom"

67points

Dave and Deb also shared their thoughts on customs they've observed in other countries. "Something I find really weird about our neighbors to the south is that they wear their shoes indoors," they told Bored Panda. "Most Canadians don't walk into their houses with shoes on, and when we visit our friends and neighbors, we always take our shoes off. In America, it is common to leave their shoes on. To us it is weird. There is a lot of gross stuff on the streets and sidewalks, why would we want to bring that into our house?"

#15

40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused In Iran it is common to say no out of politeness when offered something. Only if the other person asks again will you say yes. Actually, you might even say no multiple times.

Cab drivers will do this too for instance. You ask how much you owe them and they'll say something along the lines of "oh don't worry it's worth nothing" to which you then reply by insisting on paying. Only then will they tell you the price and bla bla bla.

sunchild21 , cottonbro studio Report

Final score:

112points

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Downunderdude 1 year ago

'Thirty shekels, you must be mad' Ring any bells, anyone?

46points

#16

40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused We burn a Viking galley in January with a +-1000 men with burning torches walking around town all dressed up in anything you can imagine with one main squad dressed up in handmade Viking armour with weapons (diffrent each year), then we burn the boat in the town centre. Then we go to lots of town halls drink and dance for the whole night only to get home in the early hours usually worse for wear.

alex_sl92 , Vicky Brock Report

Final score:

112points

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Leekun 1 year ago

Good ole Up Helly Aa!

30points

Dave and Deb also admitted that they wish Canada would get on board with the heated toilets you can find in Japan. "We loved the Toto toilets that washed and dried our private parts, and that warm seat was so welcoming. They even had Toto toilets in the park's pavilion at Nikko National Park during our hike," they noted. "It was heavenly. Canada should adopt that, and we'd also never have to deal with the 'Great Toilet Paper Shortage' again."

#17

Eating fries covered with cheese curd and gravy.

binaryblade Report

Final score:

110points

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Yili Lai 1 year ago

Canadian here, its delicious eh?

62points

#18

40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused Colombia: Putting cheese in our hot chocolate. You put in a bit of cheese in the cup, it melts and you take it out with a spoon and eat it with bread. No, it doesn't make your chocolate taste cheesy, it just melts in a nice way.

The first time I did this with foreigners they were completely beside themselves.

molecularpoet , Quinn Comendant Report

Final score:

108points

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Zedrapazia 1 year ago

I am Swiss, we have the famous chocolate and the cheese, and I still want to poke everyone who wants to eat this in the nose. How can you?!

33points

"Canada has a lot of quirkiness," the travelers shared. "I sometimes think we are quirkier than other countries, and we all seem to like it that way. It is a huge country, and there are many quirks in different regions. For example, when visiting Dawson City, Yukon, it is customary to drink the Sour Toe Cocktail that contains an actual dead human toe. When visiting Newfoundland, visitors (Come from Aways) can become honorary Newfoundlanders when they drink Screech rum and kiss a cod fish."

If you'd like to hear more about Dave and Deb's travels or learn fun facts about the great nation of Canada, be sure to visit their blog The Planet D!

#19

In the UK we don't have one tap spout in a sink that you control the temperature of. We have two separate spouts: one hot that strips the flesh from your bones and one cold that gives you frost bite.

MajestyA Report

Final score:

97points

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Hodmi 1 year ago

Comes from back in the day when the hot water wasn't potable. The separate spout keeps it separate from the cold water.

49points

#20

40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused Sitting naked and silently in a hot and sweaty room with other people

Aapelus , Ron Lach Report

Final score:

96points

POST

Marco Richter 1 year ago

That's Sauna cuture, not country-specific

60points

#21

* Need some groceries? Get on your bike and stuff everything in your *fietstas*.

* Kids need to go to school? Bring them in your *bakfiets* (freight bicycle).

* Trying your best to talk Dutch to someone? Get an answer in English.

Roland0180 Report

Final score:

89points

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The Scout 1 year ago

I think there is no country in Europe where you don't get an answer in English if someone notices you are not fluent in the local language. Well, except in France, maybe - most people there will know English but never speak it out of disdain.

50points

#22

Saying sorry to random people if they bump into you, even if it wasn't your fault.

Frostedchunks Report

Final score:

89points

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Sue Lynn Chan 1 year ago

A small habit of mine. I can be a little too polite.

36points

#23

40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused In Singapore, when I go to a foodcourt/coffeeshop/foodhall, I can reserve a table or a seat by placing a packet of tissue/my handkerchief on the spot. No need to leave my bag or bottle or anything else to reserve the spot before I walk over to a food stall to buy food. I come back and my 20cents packet of tissue is still there. Basically, no one will dare steal your spot/tissue or move it away. Pretty convenient eh.

bluezebra1990 , Sergiy Galyonkin Report

Final score:

88points

POST

I heart Boo-BI-es 1 year ago

Love the name of this restaurant in the stock photo, Dank burrito 🌯. Perfect spot when you get the munchies!

20points

#24

40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused Shabbat elevator service. In Israel, in a lot of places, the elevators are programmed to stop at every floor going up and down, so that the religious people don't have to push buttons and therefore "operate machinery" on Shabbat. So, if you wanna get to your floor on time, just take the stairs.

anon , Jason Dent Report

Final score:

87points

POST

$copper-fractions avatar$

Tiny Dynamine 1 year ago

Ah, religion. Such a common sense thing.

119points

#25

40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused Celebrating the attempted terrorist attack by Guy Fawkes.

Explained it to my friends girlfriends from Portland and she thought it was the most bizarre thing ever.

BobletOfFire , Pierre-Selim Report

Final score:

82points

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Duvet Woman 1 year ago

The way that's worded sounds like we celebrate that Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament. The celebration is that he didn't manage it. Hence putting the " guy " on the bonfire.

72points

#26

40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused Here in England we get totally drunk because the sun is shining. It's reason enough to finish work and go straight to the nearest pub with a beer garden then drink until closing.

I imagine in some countries you'd never be sober if that happened.

anon , ELEVATE Report

Final score:

78points

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Emma S 1 year ago

The sun shines so rarely in the UK that it's a cause for celebration when it does.

45points

Team_Rocket_Landed , Andrea Piacquadio Report

#27

40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused In England it's pretty common to greet someone by saying something along the lines of "you alright?". I said this to my American friend and she responded by asking what I wanted?..

Final score:

77points

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sbj 1 year ago

And we aren't asking you if you are alright we just mean Hello

31points

#28

Groundhogs Day must seem incredibly strange to non-Americans.

gabgruz14 Report

Final score:

77points

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Rebelliousslug 1 year ago

It is strange to Americans as well

105points

#29

40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused In Belgium we have neighborhoods where 90% of the people living there speak French yet they are forced to speak Dutch in all official capacities unless they specifically ask for French after the fact. Call the police, they speak Dutch first, then you have to ask them to speak French to you. Receive official documents from the community? In Dutch first, then you have to ask for them in French.

And that's really just the tip of the iceberg.

viktor72 , Jérôme Report

Final score:

73points

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Hawkmoon 1 year ago

Living in a totally French-speaking area, I rarely encounter this kind of problem, but I remember, the very first time I went to "Mons" (name of the city), I asked myself questions when I no longer saw the signs " Mons" on the highway, but signs for "Bergen", which is the name of the city in Dutch. I wondered if I hadn't taken the wrong direction somewhere.

19points

#30

At the longest day of the year, everyone has to gather in a large field and jam a large wooden p***s covered in flowers into the ground. Then we dance around it. Historically this was to ensure a plentiful harvest but nowadays it's just an excuse to get drunk.

TommyTbone Report

Final score:

70points

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Emma S 1 year ago

Is that Midsummer in Sweden?

28points

#31

Calling your mates c**t, and c***s mate.

kewday96 Report

Final score:

68points

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Rob 1 year ago

UK, we are great at confusing people.

30points

#32

40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused Sitting in circles on birtdays and putting sprinkles on bread as breakfast or lunch.

Freefight , Pavel Danilyuk Report

Final score:

63points

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Rod 1 year ago

Netherlands? Hagelslag?

32points

#33

There are beaches where you should be naked (do not have to but you should be, besides maybe little kids or what ever)

No pixeling / blackening titts in TV, beer and wine for 16 year olds.
And I guess the most important on parts of our "highways" you can drive as fast as you want (which is actually pretty touristy here).

Luwi00 Report

Final score:

63points

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David A Paterson 1 year ago

Germany?

41points

#34

40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused Kissing people on the cheek (even the one you don't know personally) to say hello.
Welcome to France guys o/

Kamiyee , Ketut Subiyanto Report

Final score:

62points

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Caro Caro 1 year ago

Nah, they don't do that if they don't know you. Total BS

27points

#35

Something I noticed is that students (perticulary Greek, Italian, French) that come to the UK find our drinking culture strange. As where maybe they would go out and have a few drinks then go home we will go home once we are dragged back vomiting at out door.
P.s. not really something I'm proud of just something I noticed

dhrisher Report

Final score:

60points

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Ample Aardvark 1 year ago

Drinking just to get drunk (instead of enjoying a nice drink or just to get a bit buzzed) was always weird for me

45points

#36

40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused We call the clear water as "sky juice"

butterpopkorn , Uber Turist Report

Final score:

59points

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Wolfik 1 year ago

It’s really poetic.

21points

#37

Climbing up a super oily tree trunk along with a bunch of bare chested men with the goal of grabbing a bunch of s****y prizes tied at the top.
EDIT: It's called Panjat Pinang.

SAINT_OF_SHIT Report

Final score:

58points

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Brocken Blue 1 year ago

That sounds like an excellent spectator sport, to be honest. I’d watch

26points

#38

We eat the inwards of sheep and they are delicious! We call it "κοκορέτσι". It's the greatest greek dish. It's like 4 x gyros!

geoponos Report

Final score:

47points

POST

Hans Georg 1 year ago

I am fairly sure it is innards and not inwards, but we have something similar in Germany too.

28points

#39

Brunost (goat cheese)

It's pretty normal in Norway, Denmark & Sweden

Edit: Should've said that it's a type of brown colored goat cheese, which contains from whey as one of the main ingredients.

SavageCake Report

Final score:

47points

POST

arthbach 1 year ago

It is delicious! The whey is boiled to reduce it, and cream is added. This produces a hard cheese that taste a bit of caramel, and is a little nutty too.

27points

i_am_just_a_number Report

#40

Calling some random dude "your man". Equal in meaning to "that guy".

Final score:

46points

POST

Penguin Panda Pop 1 year ago

Ireland. I love this for some reason.

27points

Dutch Swimmer Goes Viral For Super Revealing Trunks During 2024 Olympics: “Is This Legal?”

See Also on Bored Panda

Thrill-Seeking Diver Jumps Down Extreme Waterslide, Ignoring The Strict Ban For Women

#41

40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused Car - guards.

If you park in any public place, 9/10 times a homeless person will approach your car and it's understood that they will "protect" it until you return. You're automatically a d**k if you don't pay them some change when you leave.

anon , MART PRODUCTION Report

Final score:

20points

POST

Caro Caro 1 year ago

Nice, gives them some cash, your car is safe. Win win....

9points

#42

40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused In India,
1. you could just eat a whole bag of crackers or chew a gum and toss away the trash wrappers on the street, and no one even looks at you funny. Heck, people even spit their chewy "pan" residues by rolling down their car windows.
2. you find a lot of stray dogs/ cows and sometimes even horses and elephants while you're on the road. (the latter are for commercial purposes)
3. on bikes/ scooters, we could fit in atleast 4 people. easy.
4. there's a play school here with the name, "tiny tits".
5. arranged marriage.

vvhatson , cottonbro studio Report

Final score:

19points

POST

$copper-fractions avatar$

Tiny Dynamine 1 year ago

6. Women are openly treated like second class citizens. I've lived there, it's true.

19points

#43

Sunday trading law. In ~~the UK~~ England, By law, all large shops close ~~at 4pm~~ earlier than they do most days

Bozzaholic Report

Final score:

18points

POST

Rob 1 year ago

We emigrated to Scotland a few years ago and this idiocy doesn't happen, "Open 24 Hours" usually means "stay open all year except Christmas Day". In England most shops are not allowed to open at all on Easter Sunday. Northern Ireland is even more restrictive.

3points

Woman Put A Water Fountain With A Camera In Her Yard, Here Are 24 Photos Of Regular Visitors (New Pics)

See Also on Bored Panda

“Ma’am I Live Here”: Woman Refuses To Back Out Of Driveway, Learns A Lesson The Hard Way

#44

Legally walking around with a gun on your person. ( In Most States)

allvoltrey Report

Final score:

18points

POST

LillieMean 1 year ago

In Finland, even scissors are classified as a bladed weapon, so you must have a good reason to carry them with you. So the fact that you keep a real gun with you seems completely incomprehensible.

5points

#45

Here in Belgium, we don't really have fraternities/sororities, but each field of study has it's own student organisation. For example, Medicine, Linguistics, Engineering, Chemistry, etc. They organize a lot of events during the year, usually free or at least extremely cheap.

One of the traditions we have is that you can let yourself be sold as a freshman to members of the organisation you're with. Which kind of goes down like however slaves used to be sold, without the whips and chains though. The selling happens like an auction, and afterwards, depending on the rules of the organisation, you'll be the property of the people that bought you for whatever time period they traditionally use (usually 1-3 weeks).

Mostly it's a nice way to learn a bit about student life and make some new friends along the way. The nasty bits are usually limited to cleaning some rooms and doing some dishes, along with drinking heavily. Some people are obviously d***s about it and can go on quite a powertrip, but they're a minority, and obviously, you can refuse anything they make you do if you feel it's unreasonable.

**TL;DR, we sell freshman university students in auctions as slaves**

Brightt Report

Final score:

17points

POST

Rebelliousslug 1 year ago

I’m just imagining the train wreck this would be in the states

6points

50 Of The Most Incredible Shots That Were Submitted To The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

See Also on Bored Panda

French Diver’s “Jewels” In Tight Swimming Trunks Become Talk Of The Town At Olympics

#46

Three kiss greeting. Man this has made things akward over the years.

NL_Rutger Report

Final score:

16points

POST

Dave Horder 1 year ago

In the Netherlands I think. Right cheek first then left then right again if I remember correctly.

5points

#47

Milk in one-litre bags. If you don't have a bag holder, that must be confounding.

taon4r5 Report

Final score:

16points

POST

Sian Edwards 1 year ago

Oh, Canada!

8points

#48

On Sunday's all shop's are closed except for gas station's. Switzerland.

brucefranco Report

Final score:

16points

POST

Downunderdude 1 year ago

But it look's like there's no shortage's of comma's

4points

#49

Turning right on a redlight...

nickerboker22 Report

Final score:

16points

POST

Kitty1019 1 year ago

In the U.S., that's common to keep traffic flowing, unless stated otherwise. Right on red after you stop first, of course, to make sure it's safe.

6points

#50

In places (some quite close to cities) sheep are free to go wherever they like - including roads.

dangantitan Report

Final score:

16points

POST

Rob 1 year ago

Quite normal in The Scottish Highlands, regularly have to wait for sheep to get out of the way on B and C class roads. Plus, watch out for the Kamikaze Pheasants.

7points

#51

Incurring thousands of dollars in debt as a result of illness or needing acute medical care.

FoofaFighters Report

Final score:

15points

POST

Dee Lee 1 year ago

Yeah - we're #1 (in medical debt)

0points

Woman Moves Out Of Parents' Home After They Asked Her To Give Her Space To Brother, They Freak Out

See Also on Bored Panda

Mom Leaves $250k Inheritance To Son, Throws A Fit When Daughter Stops Looking After Her

#52

Most drivers have a dashcam.

arson_cat Report

Final score:

15points

POST

François Bouzigues 1 year ago

I think the rest of the world will catch up.

6points

#53

Women being second class citizens or not being allowed to drive.

fearonis Report

Final score:

15points

POST

David A Paterson 1 year ago

Saudi Arabia?

7points

#54

Maple Syrup.

On everything.

insightfortune Report

Final score:

15points

POST

Me. 1 year ago

Canada.

4points

#55

In our country all shops open at 7 am. And then closes 5 times everyday for 1 hour everytime and would close at 10pm. No shops or restaurants will be open after 10pm.
TL;Dr: somebody save me!

munko1 Report

Final score:

15points

POST

Annik Perrot 1 year ago

Muslim country? Closing for prayers?

7points

#56

40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused People here in Brazil are **very** friendly.

Kisses on the cheek first time we see you; Women calling you cute names within 5 minutes of conversation; We will hug you at the ends of conversation, even though it's the first time we've met.

hank_moo_d , Leeloo Thefirst Report

Final score:

14points

POST

Marco Richter 1 year ago

Don't even think about trying that here

11points

Woman Refuses To Chip In For Babysitting Because She Doesn’t Even Have Kids, Asks If She’s A Jerk

See Also on Bored Panda

“This Breaks My Heart”: People Stunned—And Angry—After Woman Buys Lost Luggage From Airport

#57

I'm American, and one of my best friends lives in Puerto Rico.

They were really surprised by the idea of veterinarians. Like? I explained to them how we have a checkup schedule for our pets, have them vaccinated regularly, etc. I also told them how vets are a very important part of most rural areas and how we usually have a vet in every town.

This just was not a part of their daily life.

BeeftheDwarf Report

Final score:

14points

POST

BrookeBT 1 year ago

Uh....Puerto Rico is part of the United States.... you know that, right?

10points

#58

No one signs for their credit card here, we all use pin numbers.

Also going to the counter to pay.

BBQKlNG Report

Final score:

14points

POST

The Scout 1 year ago

Signing fo credit cards is about twenty years out of date. I am baffled every time why a country that is so advanced technologically still relies so much on deprecated technology for everyday life.

5points

#59

Only a small thing, but it's normal to call a woman handsome here, usually followed by "maid".

anon Report

Final score:

14points

POST

Kathryn Baylis 1 year ago

In what century?

4points

#60

Clamato juice (clam juice and tomato juice) mixed into a beer. Not exactly super common, but enough that I've seen it a lot over the years

Negative_Clank Report

Final score:

13points

POST

Booker 1 year ago

I've seen this in Massachusetts, USA.

2points

"I Didn't Start The Dryer": Karen Gets Taught A Lesson After Throwing Out Neighbor's Wet Clothes

See Also on Bored Panda

College Student Does Exactly As Told After Roommates Demand They Keep Their Stuff In Their Room

#61

Saying the pledge everymorning

Do-stars-fart Report

Final score:

13points

POST

The Scout 1 year ago

Well, there are actuallly two countries that do require saying a pledge before the beginning of the school day. The other one is North Korea.

15points

#62

USA here, I think the obvious answer is using the Imperial system of measurement. Even I think it's silly.

Molonel_Custard Report

Final score:

13points

POST

General Anaesthesia 1 year ago

It'll be a cold day in hell before cowboys give up their 10-gallon hats in favor of 37.85412-liter hats.

15points

#63

To do engineering (4 years), then PG Diploma in Management (2 years), sometimes even a global MBA with the end goal of becoming a civil servant that requires none of above qualifications. All that just for the social status it brings.

ajAX0910 Report

Final score:

12points

POST

Kathryn Baylis 1 year ago

Most likely not just social status, but chances for promotion as well.

2points

#64

40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused In the UK, people hold doors for each other and smile when you make eye contact with them. I never seen that in any other country I've been to.

xPlicitMike , RDNE Stock project Report

Final score:

12points

POST

Downunderdude 1 year ago

Well, mate, you obviously haven't been to Australia.

19points

#65

Drinking a 12-32 oz soda (~1/3-1 L) with a meal and going back for a free refill.

(Country: USA! USA! USA!)

Valdrax Report

Final score:

12points

POST

Emma S 1 year ago

Free refills of drinks but you can go bankrupt if you get ill. Go figure.

7points

Guy Divorced 3 Years Ago Drops Off 3 Y.O. With His Ex-Wife Completely Out Of The Blue

See Also on Bored Panda

“All Three Shot Out Pink”: Triplets' Baby Shower Turns Sour, Pregnant Wife Wants A Divorce

#66

40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused Kids clasp their hands together with the index fingers pointing out like a gun and stab each other with that in their buttholes.

YounomsayinMawfk , RDNE Stock project Report

Final score:

12points

POST

Hphizzle 1 year ago (edited)

Japan!! Kancho is what it’s called. Yes, it’s a common prank type thing that kids do to each other. Generally outgrow it by Junior High School. As a preschool and elementary school teacher, I’ve had to dodge my fair share of getting “Kancho”-ed by the kiddos. The above description is a little graphic, more so finger guns to the butt crack.

5points

onebelligerentbeagle Report

#67

Ordering a Double-Double.

Final score:

11points

POST

phanmo 1 year ago

Could also be Canada, it's the name for a 2 cream 2 sugars coffee, usually ordered from Tim Hortons

1point

brandonmcgritle , Maurício Mascaro Report

#68

40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused Twerking..... Also grinding. In the U.S. it's pretty normal to dance like that. But i notice when i go to Europe, it's generally not socially acceptable to dance up on a girl. In fact, they hate it :|

Final score:

11points

POST

JuJu 1 year ago

Who doesn't love an unknown guy rubbing his groin on your a*s? /s

29points

#69

Getting all exited to play a game called "Cornhole".

anon Report

Final score:

11points

POST

Kel_how 1 year ago

It's just bean bag toss, and who doesn't love throwing the odd bean bag?

1point

#70

The off licence being shut at 10pm as we cannot 'control' ourselves

Imachemistree Report

Final score:

11points

POST

Rob 1 year ago

Got to be Scotland? No booze from 10pm to 10am from shops.

4points

#71

Drive through ATM(automated teller machines) machines machinimas are apparently the craziest things ever

WTXRed Report

Final score:

9points

POST

$copper-fractions avatar$

Tiny Dynamine 1 year ago

What just happened here? I hope the OP is okay!

6points

#72

Easy gun ownership. Especially in certain states.

ZimeaglaZ Report

Final score:

8points

POST

#73

Watching Fox News

jurassicbond Report

Final score:

8points

POST

David A Paterson 1 year ago

Oh, I don't think that's any country is it?

2points

#74

Roundabouts

minsterley Report

Final score:

7points

POST

Hans Georg 1 year ago

That is fairly common in almost every european country. So not very strange.

5points

#75

Our most popular TV broadcast during the year by far is a gridiron football game, though I suspect most people tuning in care more about the commercials and the halftime show than the actual game.

brigidthebold Report

Final score:

6points

POST

Howdy, I'm Adelaide! I'm originally from Texas, but after graduating from university with an acting degree, I relocated to sunny Los Angeles for a while. I then got a serious bite from the travel bug and found myself moving to Sweden and England before settling in Lithuania about two years ago. I'm passionate about animal welfare, sustainability and eating delicious food. But as you can see, I cover a wide range of topics including drama, internet trends and hilarious memes. I can easily be won over with a Seinfeld reference, vegan pastry or glass of fresh cold brew. And during my free time, I can usually be seen strolling through a park, playing tennis or baking something tasty.

Read less »

I'm a Visual Editor for Bored Panda. I’m also an analog collage artist. My love for images and experience in layering goes well with both creating collages by hand and working with digital images as an Editor. When I’m not using my kitchen area as an art studio I also do various experiments making my own cosmetics or brewing kombucha. When I’m not at home you would most definitely find me attending a concert or walking my dog.

Read less »

What do you think ?

POST

Druklet 1 year ago

Would have enjoyed this more if the post stated which country they were talking about.

16points

David A Paterson 1 year ago

Good guessing game.

11points

Emie N. 1 year ago

I wish the countries were named.

3points

Stardust she/her 1 year ago

Why has this website decided to stop including the “read more” button and hidden all the comments and posts that got cut?

3points

Stardust she/her 1 year ago

According to some people eating with hands is weird?

3points

Mike Fitzpatrick 1 year ago

Eating a taco with utensils would be worthy of it's own TV show, lol.

1point

Pille P 1 year ago

Estonia - midsommer festival is famous for people jumping over a bonfire. Usually a really big one is made (think 3 meters tall) but for jumping a few smaller ones are lit. We have funny sports too - sauna marathon - in February people run from sauna to sauna in the hopes of visiting them all, kiiking - for security tied to a swing with stiff poles holding the seat and then try to do a full circle (winner has the longest poles), wife carrying obstacle course

3points

Emma S 1 year ago

We have something called bank holiday Mondays in the UK. Generally the first Monday in January, the day after Easter Sunday, the first and last Mondays in May and the last Monday in August. The banks are closed, and most shops are either closed or only open for a few hours. Children won't be at school and most people won't be at work. Scotland and NI have some extras. Then we sometimes have extra ones throughout the year if there is something going on for Royal Family. The Queen's funeral and the King's Coronation were also marked by a bank holiday Monday.

2points

madbakes 1 year ago

This is quite normal in the US and Canada

3points

Emma S 1 year ago

Sticking up two fingers is not a sign of peace in the UK.

2points

Tempest 1 year ago

In China it’s not normal to tip waiters. If you attempt to they will look offended and reject it. I’m not Chinese but have been living in China for a while. First time my friends and tried tipping a waiter we thought we did something wrong by how offended he looked. Also usually if a local invites you for a meal, that means it’s usually on them. But I think this is a common practice among older generations.

2points

Greenmantle 1 year ago

It's not normal to tip waiters in many countries.

2points

Sue Lynn Chan 1 year ago (edited)

Whenever we eat at restaurants or other eateries, we would often argue about paying the bills for everyone.

2points

Jessie 11 months ago

In the Netherlands (in my region at least, there are many farms here) each year we have an ‘Easter Fire’. The organization collects all the wooden waste from the area (bushes, branches, trees, pallets etcetera). Everything gets thrown onto one massive pile which can be up to 5 meters tall, then at 22:00 they set it on fire and people party around it all throughout the night. I once saw it burning 2 days later. It was traditionally for celebrating the end of winter and quite literally clearing the fields to get ready for spring and summer, now it’s just for fun.

1point

Vilma 1 year ago

Men beat women with braided willow twigs once a year so women will stay young and healthy. And women offer them painted eggs/sweets/alcohol for it. :D

1point

Jessie 11 months ago

On one particular island in the Netherlands (Ameland) there is also ‘Sunneklaas’. Men dress up in self-made costumes and walk through the streets at night, the women have to stay inside. If any women go outside during the night they will be (gently) chased and have to find some house to get into. At the end of the night everyone comes together and the women have to guess who is in the costumes, then they party all night. During this time anyone who tries to visit when they are not from the island will be chased away because the people do not want ‘outsiders’ to know the specifics of the tradition. It’s all pretty mysterious, this year a filming crew was attacked when they tried to film Sunneklaas so the islanders are very serious about it.

0points

SomePeopleCallMeMaurice 1 year ago

As an American, I haven’t felt we learn much about other countries’ societies or traditions, so I particularly find this fascinating. I’ve always felt I live in a…more…self interested country…? I’m trying to be polite because haters.

0points

Sara Wilson 1 year ago

I wish people gave the countries with the stories

0points

B.Nelson 1 year ago

Country songs by a male are about them loving a girl. Country songs by a female are about them wanting to kill a guy.

0points

sofacushionfort 1 year ago

I was watching YouTube on traditional English breakfast. They showed the egg-frying method of plopping it into a vat of molten lard, then retrieving it with a slotted spoon. So are self-unalived Britons still barred from burial in consecrated cemeteries, and this is a patient work-around?

0points

Someone_from_the_Netherlands 1 year ago

Celebrating 'Sinterklaas'. It's a typical Dutch thing (together with Belgium) to celebrate this on the 5th of December each year. More info can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinterklaas We are celebrating this for years! Please note: Zwarte Piet =/= Blackface. No (political) discussion about that, because it's a celebration for children that has nothing to do with that...

0points

Petra Schaap 1 year ago

for all the foreigners reading this: Zwarte Piet has been the subject of the most hate fueled discussion ever in the Netherlands because there are so many ways to explain this tradition. Its getting completely out of hand. Saying "its just an celebration for children" is an opinion, not a fact. I will get downvotes for saying this :-D

5points

POST

Druklet 1 year ago

Would have enjoyed this more if the post stated which country they were talking about.

16points

David A Paterson 1 year ago

Good guessing game.

11points

Emie N. 1 year ago

I wish the countries were named.

3points

Stardust she/her 1 year ago

Why has this website decided to stop including the “read more” button and hidden all the comments and posts that got cut?

3points

Stardust she/her 1 year ago

According to some people eating with hands is weird?

3points

Mike Fitzpatrick 1 year ago

Eating a taco with utensils would be worthy of it's own TV show, lol.

1point

Pille P 1 year ago

3points

Emma S 1 year ago

2points

madbakes 1 year ago

This is quite normal in the US and Canada

3points

Emma S 1 year ago

Sticking up two fingers is not a sign of peace in the UK.

2points

Tempest 1 year ago

2points

Greenmantle 1 year ago

It's not normal to tip waiters in many countries.

2points