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What is normal, anyway? Just think about it: in some countries, women are supposed to cover themselves from head to toe. In others, bikinis are pretty sufficient. And baskets? People carry them in their arms or on the head. Very rarely is there one right way to do anything. It's all relative.

Recently, we at Bored Panda stumbled upon two posts on Reddit by u/ojlol2 and u/monitonik that essentially ask the same thing: what's typical and common in your country but is considered weird in others?

To say they went viral would be an understatement. As of this article, the two questions have received a combined total of 53,000 comments, including plenty of eye-opening answers that are bound to expand your understanding of the world. Here are the ones that interested us the most.

#1

30 Peculiar Things That Seem Normal In Some Countries, But Not In The Rest Of The World Everyone rags on the US for using imperial, but can we talk for a second about how weird we are here in the UK for using both inconsistently?

You buy a pint of milk or beer, but a litre of coke and 25ml of whiskey

People know how many miles to the gallon their cars get, but you buy fuel at pence per litre.

You watch the weather forecast and the temperature is in Celsius but the wind speed is in miles per hour

Most people can tell you their weight in kilograms, and their height in feet, and if they can't give you kilograms they can probably give you stone instead, which is even older than pounds, which nobody uses as a unit of measurement, probably because of the confusion between lbs and £...

It's a glorious mess.

Koras , Charlotte May Report

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Roxy Eastland
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is a glorious mess, and I love how well we do it. When I'm buying meat or fruit and veg by weight I ask for the amount that's less words to say. If I want a certain amount I'll ask for 'a pound' because it's less effort to say than 'five hundred grammes' but if I want twice as much I'll ask for 'a kilo' because it's less effort to think about than 'two pounds'.

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One of the people who kick-started this discussion, u/monitonik, is known in real life as Monika Mazunaite, and she got interested in the topic when she was simply sitting in her room, browsing YouTube. "I was looking for something to watch and ended up scrolling through YouTube shorts, finding myself in a r/AskReddit wormhole, listening to different questions and answers," Monika told Bored Panda.

"Eventually, I got inspiration from other Redditors' questions, and the question I posted popped into my head randomly. My brain generated it in an instant and I didn't think it would get as much attention as it did. So I'm very happy with everyone's input!"

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After going through the answers, she learned that people from all over the world have so many different traditions, they often don't even realize how unique their cultures are. "It was all really interesting. I think that countries in Asia and in Oceania have the most unique customs, such as going to the shops barefoot!"

#2

30 Peculiar Things That Seem Normal In Some Countries, But Not In The Rest Of The World Eating with our hands.

In 1969 (the same year the man landed on the moon), Miss Gloria Diaz coveted the Philippines' first Miss Universe Crown. During the preliminary Q&A, she was asked "Is it true that you Filipinos use your hand when you eat?" To which she replied "Why? Do you use your feet?" and went her way to winning the crown.

NorqMarash , Tim Samuel Report

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Roxy Eastland
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I used to lodge with a Bangladeshi family and the elegance with which they could all eat a curry and rice with their hands was inspiring. So neatly done. I make more mess using cutlery (as my jumpers will bear out).

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#3

30 Peculiar Things That Seem Normal In Some Countries, But Not In The Rest Of The World I teach in Japan, but grew up in America. The other day my students asked me wide-eyed if Americans really wear their shoes inside. I told them yes and that sometimes my dad would cross his legs like this while we sat on the sofa and I could touch the bottom of his shoes. They were super grossed out. “Eew, why would you wear shoes inside! That’s so dirty!” These kids are 2nd graders so it starts pretty young.

coffeecatmint , cottonbro Report

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Bobert Robertson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never understood this. It's way more comfortable without them so why wear them when you don't need to?

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However, there are concerns that the efficiency and appeal of wireless communications, electronic commerce, popular culture, and international travel — globalization — have been making the human experience essentially the same wherever you look at it. But although homogenizing influences do exist, this is probably an overstatement and we're far, far away from creating anything akin to a single world culture.

What we do see is the emergence of global subcultures. Arguments have been put forth that a rudimentary version of world culture is taking shape among certain individuals who share similar values, aspirations, or lifestyles. The result, according to these comments, is a collection of elite groups whose unifying ideals transcend geographical limitations.

According to The Clash of Civilizations (1998) by political scientist Samuel Huntington, the "Davos" culture is a perfect example of this phenomenon. It comprises of an elite group of highly educated people who operate in the rarefied domains of international finance, media, and diplomacy, and these insiders share common beliefs about individualism, democracy, and market economics. They are said to follow a recognizable lifestyle, are instantly identifiable anywhere in the world, and feel more comfortable in each other's presence than they are among their less sophisticated compatriots.

But supporters of globalization argue that it has the potential to make this world a better place to live in and solve some of the deep-seated problems like unemployment and poverty. I wonder, can we have the best of both worlds?

#4

30 Peculiar Things That Seem Normal In Some Countries, But Not In The Rest Of The World Scottish here. We deep-fry our pizzas. No even sorry. Tasty wee bastards.

MustardTigerPOW , Wikimedia.Commons Report

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Daria B
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Italian side of my ethnicity feels sorry for that poor tortured pizza. u.u (Jokes aside, it might even taste good, but I don't think my stomach would survive this)

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#5

30 Peculiar Things That Seem Normal In Some Countries, But Not In The Rest Of The World United States.
The cracks that are just wide enough to be able to see in and out of public restroom stalls. I’ve heard it’s thought of as weird since many other countries enjoy the luxury of privacy.

B1yPhon3 , 36021787982 Report

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Bobert Robertson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a Canadian, when these types of lists are published I think everyone forgets we are not part of the United States. 75% of the "weird" stuff about the U.S. exists here too, like these gaps. I just stuff a length of toilet paper in there, not because I have anything to hide, but it's weird to make random eye contact with someone when you're pooping

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#6

30 Peculiar Things That Seem Normal In Some Countries, But Not In The Rest Of The World Norway.
Leaving your baby alone outside for their nap, even if it rains or snows.

e_ph , Marcin Jozwiak Report

#7

30 Peculiar Things That Seem Normal In Some Countries, But Not In The Rest Of The World US.
Taxes. We have this weird system where the government really kind of knows what we should pay, but they offer us an opportunity to guess and maybe pay the right thing, but if we don't pay the right thing, we get penalized. I remember listening to a podcast where people all over the world were super confused about how the US does taxes. Most other places the government sends you a bill, and you pay it, and you're done.

seanzorio , Karolina Grabowska Report

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Q B F T
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I worked in the UK for a time. Tax was automatically taken from the monthly wage payment. Say what you want about that country, but that bit seemed pretty well put together.

roxy_eastland avatar
Roxy Eastland
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

is this not normal in other countries? Our income tax and National Insurance is calculated by our employer and taken out before we get paid, so we don't have to do anything.

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WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

US citizens who moved abroad are still required to file taxes in the US....

jknbt2 avatar
jk nbt
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the US tax game was made to be played... the progressive tax rate on the rich looks high on paper, but that is just to fool the little people. The rich and the upper-middle class (successful small business owners, professional businessmen like successful doctors & lawyers) use the ridiculously overly-complicated tax laws for fun & profit. One guy I knew had kids who wanted a dog. Fine, he said, and then bought an expensive show dog standing at stud. Now they were able to deduct expenses for semi-annual family vacations to resort towns where they staged semi-bogus dog shows. They showed Barney the super-dog for about an hour in the morning, handed out flyers & business cards, and then it was off to the beach, ski slopes, or cruise excursion trip, or whatever. They got away with it since it was all documented. Barney even liked it because he occasionally got laid. Another common tax dodge is the quadruplex condo buy. If you live in one of the apartments and use it for an office, you can deduct just about everything down to the last roll of toilet paper. Then if you buy antique furniture stored in the unused office bedrooms, you can depreciate with straight-line depreciation the whole lot. Once depreciated with a book value of $0.00, perfectly legal to move the paintings or antique Persian rugs to the real main house, since after all, these office furnishings have no value. (and yes, sometimes they are moved "by mistake" to the main house before completely depreciated). The Feds started cracking down on this, so these rich people (bandits, pirates, and thieves, all) started the riskier & more advantageous off-shore investing (also known as money-laundering). The rich pay bonuses to accountants & lawyers for each extra percentage of tax saved.

monicahayes avatar
Monica Hayes
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i just rolled my eyes so hard, i saw my brain.....the rich get richer...screw all of them and their phallic spaceships!

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Hanni
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The problem is that not enough tax evaders get penalized.

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Christopher Kilmer
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

U.S. here... Our income tax is also taken out of our paychecks by our employer... What we do at the end of the year is file a return to see if too much was taken or not enough.

james_fox1984 avatar
Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Australia your taxes get taken out of your wages each week and then at the end of the financial year you have to lodge a tax return. You can either do it yourself or pay an accountant to do it. Once your tax is lodged the tax department will determine if you've paid enough, too much or too little tax. They will then send you a notice of assessment, if you have paid too much tax you will also get a cheque, if you paid too little then you get a debt. But if you paid just the right amount, then nothing happens. An accountant does my hubby's tax coz he is a sub contractor and his taxes are a bit more complicated. I don't need to do taxes coz I don't earn any money.

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Kari Panda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Basically the same in Germany. It’s a bit of a hassle but usually worth it.

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Kona Pake
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s a conspiracy by the 1/10 of 1%’ers to avoid paying taxes.

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Awsomemom52
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

An American once told me that he would never want to live in Germany, because of the high taxes. I then asked him, how much he usually pays for groceries a week. Then I told him what I was paying for ... including fresh organic vegetables, high-quality organic meat and organic dairy products ... all without ingredients that are harmful to health. And above all, I don't have to calculate when shopping ... because I only pay, what is on the price tag! It turns out that in the US you, actually end up paying (more or less) as much taxes as you are in Germany ... and that doesn't even include the cost of medical treatment.

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MorgothBauglir
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"It turns out that in the US you, actually end up paying (more or less) as much taxes as you are in Germany" Source? Which academic came up with this figure? Can you provide a link?

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LiberalDisease
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A small (less than 3%) corrupt elitists can dictate taking a high percentage of money for whatever they want to use, and the 97% have no way to dictate what they do with their hard earned money...sad

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Matheus Oliveira
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Brazil, taxes are deducted from the payroll, and included in every sale or service you pay for. AND there’s the same system of guessing (or paying a rather expensive accountant) how much you own the government.

jknbt2 avatar
jk nbt
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

in the US they break it up into 20 or so separate bills, taxes, or fees... this helps spread out and dull the pain...

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Daniel Marsh
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

On the plus side, at least back when I worked for the I.R.S., 80% of corrections was giving people MORE money than they expected.

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Ivana
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate how we do taxes. Every year I dread doing them.

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Michele Pelkonen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in Finland now and each year I get my tax return all filled out. If I agree with it, that's all there is, I file it away. If I have questions or want to contest or correct something, I just go online and either make the corrections or make an appointment to talk to a human. Haven't had to do that yet, though.

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Richard Willis
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

US taxes on winnings. If you win a car you are taxed on it. If you can’t afford to pay it you have to sell the car and pay the tax out of the proceeds. In the UK winnings and insurance payouts are classed as ‘unearned income’ and are not taxable.

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yellow-power ftw
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

and sometimes you pay what they send to you and you repay it again after some years again. if you didnt keep your old receit, you screwed. greek paradise

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Stacy Kincannon
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don’t forget we pay to files taxes if your afraid to do them wrong😳

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Caroline Edink-Koppelaar
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

where I live you file your taxes online... basically all you need to do is log in with your personal ID number, check whether everything is ok and maybe add those few things you made out as gifts and such... everything else is already there...

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Amanda Hunter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes I hate doing taxes, but it gives people jobs, so I doubt if it'll change any time soon.

backatya7 avatar
backatya
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We don't trust our government to do our taxes and just pay whatever they ask.

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Kirsten Kerkhof
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the Netherlands the tax service fills in all the details of your taxes for you. You just log in, check the numbers, and you're done. It takes me less than 10 minutes to do my taxes. I only needed help after I bought my first home, but after that the tax service adjusted. It's so easy.

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Rosesinmyhair
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Australia here. Australian Govt. take taxes out of our pays if we earn $18000 or over..and then makes us do what the Americans have to do. Bloody stupid.

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Nooberton
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know right. The IRS should automatically calculate the tax returns or take it out of your paycheck right away instead of being stupid.

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Nubis Knight
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tax is automatically taken from monthly wage. But at the end of the year you can do the taxes on your own to proof the government it may have taken to much of your taxes cause they forgot/didn't knew of some tax free boni you get. Always get back between a hundred or 400 Euros, my dad even get back more sometimes.

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Lola
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate doing my taxes. I wish they would just take everything during the year and get rid of this stupid system.

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Paddling Panda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I tried that here once (just signing the forms and stapling all my documents to it before sending it all in), and the CRA wrote me back and told me to calculate my own damn taxes. They review every return that's sent in so I don't know why I have to waste my time doing them myself. But that's just me. I'll show myself out now.

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Kodira
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Various people have tried to fix the American tax system. All have failed. Even those with a good plan. Tax corporations pay billions a year for lobbyists to ensure that every law fails that jeopardizes their business. Even though, even if the tax system was simplified, many Americans would still need to hire tax accountants if they own their own business, have special deductions, or make over a certain amount.

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Don't Look
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The tax system - part of the government - is as convoluted as the bastards who run that government.

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survivalrhino
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We fought a revolution over taxation now we just roll over for it

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kyle hayes
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s because I’m the US the tax filing company’s bribed congress to make it hard and complicated so they can stay in buildings.

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Erik Ivan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Here in Sweden, if you are a regularly employe, have pension, are on benefit because of health - just about anyone that is not sepf employed or running your own business - you just sign with sms or a digital id. Takes less then a minute, and the goverment has done all the work for you beforehand. I know for a fact that this automation is not only easier for most people, but it also saves huge amounts of work and money for the tax authorities.

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Marianne Nielsen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Denmark taxes are payed before you see the money, and the government pays schools, hospitals, University, Roads and most og what you need outside your own home. Works very well.

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Hemlock Tea
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's so the rich can cram as many loopholes as they can to pay as little as possible.

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Rosemary Moreland
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Australia, you can do your own tax if it’s not too complicated. But if you’re anything like me, you go to an accountant who works it out for you. The Medicare was what drove me to an accountant. I’m just no good at maths.

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dev mehta
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So you don't understand the concept of 'filing your taxes' annually?

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Sarah
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a great description of tax season! Made me laugh. :) We do this in Canada too.

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Shashonie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Again, Canada does this nonsense too! So annoying not to just have the government use CRA to say how much they owe us or we owe them.

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aubergine10003
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I do my taxes, i always get a refund. In other words, the government has been overestimating how much I owe them all year. Am I going to do the paperwork to get my money back? Hell yes I am. I don't trust the government to correct calculate how much they should be taking from me (and obviously they are getting it wrong).

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BleeBloo
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this isn't true at all, there is an elaborate system of rules in the U.S. that determines how much tax you pay. a good tax attorney will exploit any loopholes.

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Eric Mac Fadden
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Brazil we have to calculate our IRS. Even with the government knowing how much we own them it's our job

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Miss Frankfurter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Canada our taxes are taken out of our wages, but there's still tax time so you can have a mental breakdown trying to figure out how to fill the forms out. They already have the info. Our taxes are so complicated even if their basic. " I'm sorry, but I didn't go to Oxford to get a PhD in Trigonometry. Have mercy!" I don't know if they still have it, but when I lived in the US they came up with the 1040 EZ tax form for people whose taxes are basic. 15 minutes... maybe.

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NoneYa41
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah...i lived in S.E. Asia for 13 years. Flat tax. Easy as pie. Now that i'm back in the US I have to pay someone to do our taxes correctly. It's a joke

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Dave P
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

well this is the result of a 90,000 page tax code. No one wants to do a top down reform of the code. So each time we just keep tacking on new things, making the code bigger. This is the result.

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Chris Kane
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah always thought that was mad, I imagine it's done on purpose

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#8

30 Peculiar Things That Seem Normal In Some Countries, But Not In The Rest Of The World India.
We have matrimonial ads in newspapers and sites to find grooms and brides which I think don't happen in western countries and they find it strange. The ads are mostly published by parents. It's like tinder supervised by parents.

boss_bj , Roman Kraft Report

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Sapna Sarfare
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They are the best source for amusement. The demands are amazing and quite specific.

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#9

30 Peculiar Things That Seem Normal In Some Countries, But Not In The Rest Of The World Direct democracy in Switzerland. It often baffles me when I read what the government can pull off in other countries without ever involving the population. Like...yea, you get to elect representatives but it often seems to me that those people then elect someone who elects someone who elects someone...is it really still democracy if you're about five steps removed from the actual decisions?

SyrusDrake , Edmond Dantès Report

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jk nbt
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the people who came up with representative government say they don't want "mob rule" since open democratic town hall meetings where everyone has an equal vote tend to turn into a shouting match followed by mob violence and riots. What they are really afraid of is that they will lose control. It is much easier to control a small group of representatives than the people at large. It's a control thing, based on the "Golden Rule". The Golden Rule says he that has the gold makes the rules.

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#10

30 Peculiar Things That Seem Normal In Some Countries, But Not In The Rest Of The World UK.
Whole restaurants cheering when a plate or glass is smashed. Once was in a Canadian bar/restaurant on holiday and a waiter dropped a tray of glasses, the local looked horrified when i was out of my seat screaming “wheyyyyyy”

owen-sksk , cottonbro Report

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Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We yell "Taxi" when that happens. It's a joke insinuating that someone has knocked a glass over coz they have drank too much so they need a taxi to get home.

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#11

30 Peculiar Things That Seem Normal In Some Countries, But Not In The Rest Of The World Poland.
In my friend's country, Easter is when gangs of boys roam the countryside, pouring water over girls and beating them (gently) with sticks. The girls then have to thank them for it.

I thought that was pretty weird.

himit , Wikimedia.Commons Report

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Paweł Wojtaszko
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pole here. It's a tradition that symbolises washing off dirt, diseases and sins at the end of winter time, when spring comes around. Nowadays, the tradition is mostly gone, and instead pouring water on girls, they are sprinkled with perfume.

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#12

30 Peculiar Things That Seem Normal In Some Countries, But Not In The Rest Of The World Moldova.
A short while ago they stopped selling alcohol after 10pm. At some stores you couldn't even get non-alcoholic beer. What's weird tho is that wine is not considered alcoholic drink so you can buy it anytime. Welcome to Moldova

SergiuNegara , Breakingpic Report

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Scagsy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And in Iceland alcohol was banned between 1915 and 1989. Apparently all the elves were getting rowdy and boisterous when they'd had a drink. And that just had to stop.

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#13

30 Peculiar Things That Seem Normal In Some Countries, But Not In The Rest Of The World There's this sport in Finland called eukonkanto, where men participate in running a specific distance, all while carrying their wife or girlfriend. Winner gets their woman's weight in beer.

VenenoG , Steve Jurvetson Report

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Robert T
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

TIL I learnt the correct name for "wife-carrying" as a sport

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#14

30 Peculiar Things That Seem Normal In Some Countries, But Not In The Rest Of The World South Africa.
Being middle-class with a property having a 6' wall, electric fencing linked to an alarm, automated gate and garage doors (with security clamps over the gate motor to prevent theft of the motor), security gates over every door, burglar bars, and a house alarm system with infra-red sensors linked to armed response with a reaction time of under 3-4 minutes.

Claidheamhmor , https://www.pexels.com/photo/silver-security-camera-207574/ Report

#15

30 Peculiar Things That Seem Normal In Some Countries, But Not In The Rest Of The World Germany.
Legal drinking age of beer and wine is 16

Pablomablo1 , BENCE BOROS Report

#16

30 Peculiar Things That Seem Normal In Some Countries, But Not In The Rest Of The World In Japan, there are public toilets in a few places where after urinating, you can opt to view a general health assessment report.

Family-456 , Buchen WANG Report

#17

30 Peculiar Things That Seem Normal In Some Countries, But Not In The Rest Of The World Latin America.
Putting broken glass bottles on the walls around your house so burglars cant jump it and rob you. I moved to Canada and they don't even have walls around the houses!

jvcscasio , shep45612 Report

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Roxy Eastland
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This isn't allowed in the UK anymore. While the right wing press like to whinge about burglars having too many human rights, it's basically because anyone might need to, or actually, vault that wall, such as the emergency services or a passerby being a good Samaritan, and it isn't the luxury of anyone to cause that level of injury.

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#18

30 Peculiar Things That Seem Normal In Some Countries, But Not In The Rest Of The World UK.
A teeny tiny nation with atleast 50 different accents.

sereneskys , mentatdgt Report

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Kira Okah
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Um, England alone has over 100 English dialects and several languages that each have their own way of speaking. 50 accents doesn't even cover half of England let alone Scotland, Wales, and NI (who also have multiple dialects and accents themselves).

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#19

30 Peculiar Things That Seem Normal In Some Countries, But Not In The Rest Of The World NZ, going to the shops without shoes

Taneatua , mhrezaa Report

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Amy Dodds
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My fiancée has been known to go to the shop over the road in just his dressing gown. Once, I even got a cheeky moon.

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#21

30 Peculiar Things That Seem Normal In Some Countries, But Not In The Rest Of The World Canada.
No fences between houses. It's almost considered rude to put up a fence.

tandoori_taco_cat , Snapwire Report

#22

30 Peculiar Things That Seem Normal In Some Countries, But Not In The Rest Of The World Finland.
Strangers sitting totally naked skin to skin in a steamy room heated to +80 to +100C... and us having competitions on who can last the longest in there.

SinisterCheese , HUUM Report

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Roxy Eastland
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I found the sauna culture really healthy for society when I was in Finland. It is very normal for young children to go into the sauna, for example at the swimming pool, and see naked adults of their sex of all ages, shapes and sizes. Amongst family and friends they are going to be comfortable around naked bodies of all sexes and experience everyone treated all shapes and sizes as perfectly normal and not worthy of comment. People don't care that their significant other was naked in a sauna with other people, and so on. Not saying Finland is perfect or there's no problems, but I found that part of the culture admirable.

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#23

US.
Pharmaceutical commercials

Pharmaceutical commercials Report

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Robert T
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a bit vague. If you mean for prescription-only medicines, then USA. If you mean that the TV is full of ads for over-the-counter remedies, then Poland would be very high on that list. And they're not complete without someone in a white coat and a disclaimer that is in such tiny text you can't really read it and usually it is repeated by the world speed-talking champion!

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#24

UK.
Walking all over the countryside along ancient footpaths (as well as bridleways and byways, and a lot of disused railway tracks that have been designated as footpaths). These paths often go across privately owned land; the landowners are required by law to keep the paths clear, and if they put up a fence to provide a gate.

If you're walking with a dog, you're expected to keep it under control around livestock and when the path crosses a road, but otherwise it's just accepted that dogs are going to run around sniffing everything.

BillybobThistleton Report

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Robert T
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know where this is, but wondering if anyone not from there can actually identify it. It is something called "the right to roam".

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#25

30 Peculiar Things That Seem Normal In Some Countries, But Not In The Rest Of The World China.
Boiled Coca Cola with lemon and ginger.

Duraxyll , Robyn Lee Report

#26

30 Peculiar Things That Seem Normal In Some Countries, But Not In The Rest Of The World South America.
Having dinner late.
Usually around 9 pm.

sorude27 , Jason Leung Report

#27

30 Peculiar Things That Seem Normal In Some Countries, But Not In The Rest Of The World In university we thump the tables to "applaud" our professors. Instead of actually applauding. Or doing nothing.

During my exchange semester everyone not from Germany was looking at me confused why I did this.

Toffelhunter , Pixabay Report

#28

30 Peculiar Things That Seem Normal In Some Countries, But Not In The Rest Of The World Saudi Arabia.
Until recently, no women drivers.

eromab , Dids Report

#29

30 Peculiar Things That Seem Normal In Some Countries, But Not In The Rest Of The World Australia.
Putting cable ties, branches, fake eyes etc on helmets, buckets and hats in spring time to scare away the birds. Magpies are vicious bastards

LostBetweenthePages , Wikimedia.Commons Report

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Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Only 10% of Australian Magpies swoop and for about 6 weeks every year during nesting season. They aren't vicious, they are protecting their chicks. They don't do it just to be assholes. It's not that common for people to put deterrents on their helmets/hats. They are extremely intelligent birds and are good at remembering people's faces. They also have beautiful sing song called carolling. And FYI that magpie pictured is NOT an Australian magpie.

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#30

30 Peculiar Things That Seem Normal In Some Countries, But Not In The Rest Of The World Bavaria.
Drinking beer before 12 o‘clock and seeing it as part of the culture

pflanzensindgeil , Hana Mara Report

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Stimpy
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Typical of Bavarians to consider themselves an independent county (the Texas of Germany, folks)!

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