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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
Community Member
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
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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.

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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
Community Member
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
Community Member
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

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

Um. Canadian here. Not everyone has fences, but go to any suburb where the lots are 50 feet wide and everyone has a fence. Only in the rural areas where people have an acre plus do people generally not have fences. It is not rude to put up a fence. It's just rude to use the fence as a reason not to get to know your neighbours and help them out when needed.

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

Also Canadian, this idea that it's rude to put up a fence is ridiculous. You do see them more commonly in cities though because let's face it sometimes your neighbour is a jerk.

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

Canadian here. Courtyard fences or front yard fences ? Because if it's courtyard, that's not true at all. Every home I visited, family and friend, has a courtyard fences and even the chalet we rent from a nice family in a rural area has a fence. And NO, it is not considered rude to put up a fence, I don't know where that "fact" is coming from.

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

This is absolutely false. Even rural areas have fences between properties. I have never lived somewhere that does not have a fence, I think someone was pulling this person's leg.

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

I've lived in Canada my entire life and have never not had a fence...I have literally never heard of this before. Everyone has fences unless you live on a farm or something.

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

This is not true. Maybe is some super rural areas, but fences are pretty common.

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

I guess it depends on where you live but I don't think that's accurate. I am Canadian also and all my neighbours have fences. It's only new builds that don't.

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

I'm Canadian and have lived in Canada my entire life. This just isn't true at all.

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

Also, I love how many Canadians there are in the comments also saying "this isn't true". LOL

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

This is BS. I have lived in BC and Alberta and stayed in houses in Sask, Ontario, and Quebec. We definitely have fences between houses, and surrounding the whole back yard. I'd definitely say it is less common to have no fence than to have a fence. Maybe this is different in the east coast or the territories, but to say all of Canada has no fences between houses is BS. It is definitely not seen as rude.

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

I agree, Canadian here and almost everyone has a fence in my city. In SK, both you and your neighbour are actually expected to contribute to the cost of building a fence if you’re sharing it/it is on the property line (like most fences are here). You may not have a fence in your front yard, but generally your backyard is fenced along the property line. Even places that back onto parks have fences. The only places that don’t have a fence between houses are some townhouses or houses setup as condos, and where your “yard” is often considered part of the common property (beyond a deck/patio that is exclusively for use by your unit). New builds won’t come with the fence built but that’s something you expect to do pretty quickly after buying a house, along with doing your landscaping.

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

Not in the part of Canada I'm from. Every house has a fence, at least a backyard fence, anyway.

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

Another Canadian here and fences between houses are totally normal and it's not considered at all rude to put up a fence. I grew in the suburbs; every backyard had a fence. I live closer to the city center, but still somewhat 'burbish; every backyard has a fence.

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

I'm Canadian and everyone in my neighborhood has a fenced yard, especially if you have small children or pets.

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

I live in Canada’s capital. Fences are completely normal and very common. Maybe this is a rural thing?

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

Yeah, I'm going to chime in as one more Canadian saying that's not true at all. It's quite common to have fenced backyards. Many dog rescues, for example, require them, or require them to adopt particular dogs. Must be regional?

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

With a neighbour like mine, you need a fence that's about 12ft tall. with spikes. and gun turrets. she's vile.

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

Calling BS on this one. Lived in Canada my whole life and always had fences around my house. It's just as common as in the US.

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

If you own a pool, it's mandatory to have a fence for safety and security reasons.

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

I would absolutely hate that. I would rather the privacy and also we have a dog.

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

Just not true. There's lots of fences. I'm Canadian and have lived across most of the country. We all have fences, mostly for pets and privacy.

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

This is not true. I grew up in Vancouver and then White Rock, B.C. We ALL had fences. you know who doesn't have fences?? Iowa! Seriously....the yards all run into one another.

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Diana GY
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's not true. Not sure what part of Canada they are talking about, but in Ontario, and the five other provinces I've been to, houses have fences. The builders of new homes don't include the fence in the price, so if the new homeowners can't afford to build a fence at the moment or like their neighbors a lot, they may decide to postpone building a fence but eventually, they do it.

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

Um nope, that’s not true! All three houses my parents (now just my mom) lived in had fences, and when my mom moved to the house she’s in now, she put up a fence at the back and front (there were fences on the sides already.) Also, where I live now, there’s a fence. Ex-mother in laws houses, both fenced. Yeah this is massively untrue. Canada is a big country, maybe this is specific to one province?

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

I don't know where this person was but it's not considered rude to put up a fence in Canada...

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

Canadian here. Not even a remotely accurate fact-Millions of Canadian homes have fences. And it's not rude to put up a fence. You'll find many rural homes in the country don't have fencing, because its either too costly or unnecessary because you don't have close neighbours.

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

There are fences in every city I've visted in Canada including the one I live in right now.

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

Ummmm wrong. Not sure where ur from but Alberta and BC have mostly fenced houses. Can’t say much for the other provinces as I only visited a couple when younger and not for long. But this is NOT a fact for Canada at all

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

Every house in my neighborhood has fences, including mine. I'm Canadian.

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

I'm from Canada,and thats a crock of s**t almost every house has a fence to separate your neighbors

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

Not even remotely close to being true. Millions of Canadian homes have fences-its very common.

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

Where in Canada is this rude? I see houses with fences everywhere in many places.

cla598 avatar
Christine McKechnie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in Canada and this is not true. Don’t get where this came from as most houses in my city have a fence around the yard.

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

You can fence your yard, while I have not seen fences between houses themselves I don’t know if that’s truly a rule.

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

not true, lots of fences in Canada, some areas might not, but anywhere I have lived has had them, even on farms, good fences make good neighbors

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

There are fences in back yards, rarely in the front and even rarer to surround the entire house. Compared to some countries it is unusual. When you drive through a typical neighborhood you will not see fences. The few houses in my neighborhood (Ontario) that have fences all around are only around 3 feet so easy to scale if needed.

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

I currently live in Arizona, USA. Typically houses have block walls between the neighbor's property. Some of this is because everything is smooshed so close together. I grew up in the midwestern USA. There it was about 50/50 if people had a fence. Very rarely was it a privacy fence. Lots of chain link fence, usually to keep kids (in/out) or pets (in). Sometimes the fence was just to keep people from cutting through the property, creating a visible path (killing grass0, and potentially an easement. Lots of people put their dogs out on chains/leads anchored to a spike in the ground or sometimes they were linked to a "rail" that would allow them to run the length of the property while still being "leashed".

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Maggie Dinzler Shaw
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

in the old days, it was called a spite fence and then it became a privacy fence. The neighbors don't have to see me in my pool.

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

Visit the Bible Belt part of US. I’m from California where it’s almost mandatory to have a fence. In most parts of the Southeast it’s rare to see fences between houses.

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

Really? So all your dogs are chained up when they are let outside? They can't romp freely and nose around safely in their own fenced-in backyard?

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Llama_flower93
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not true. I'm Canadian. Lots of people have fences. Like every third or fourth house where I used to live. I've seen people joke when a fence is put up about "oh the neighbours don't like us!" But it's never serious.

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Onion rings like to make your breath smelly
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in Canada. In my part of the city, or my province in total, our front yards don't have fences. I think that's common everywhere. We only have these high fences for our backyards.

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

Um.... what? Where in Canada is this a thing? (I speak as a Canadian who sees fences everywhere and is planning on putting a fence to the house I'm moving into)

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

Not true. In some places we don't have fences along the road/sidewalk but the yards are fenced.

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

That is not true... I always had a well fenced yard. Maybe some new housing developments don't have some but it will come. BUT we might not have a fence along the sidewalk/road in some areas... the yards are fenced.

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

Been in Canada most of my life and every house I've lived in had fences. Generalize much?

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

Not true. I have been to all regions of Canada and for single family dwellings fences are the rule in pretty much all areas. Having no fence is very much the exception. Why is it that people post things that are factually and demonstrable false?

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

Well In the backyard, we have fences, but they don’t go too far to the front.

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

This is one of those, "oh, I visited Canada once and made assumptions based on the TINY area that I was in" facts that bear no resemblance to the truth.

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

lots of houses have fences. Not every house, but most of the ones in my neighborhood. I've lived in three provinces, and houses frequently had fences.

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

There are fences in the back yards, but not the front. I live in Canada.

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

In urban and suburban areas in Canada most people have a fence in their backyard. But fences or hedges separating front yards is rare. For the most part we stay off of eachothers lawns. Used to see more houses with fence front yards but not many now, likely due to cost and maintenance.

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

There is a neighborhood in the Netherlands that has this rule (in Almere) it is an Eco neighborhood and I think it is for wildlife, more shrubs are used and this is good for birds.

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

Just not true. I'm Canadian and have lived across the country. Always had fences.

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

Albertan here. My neighbours love me because I have a fence to ensure that my two dogs s**t on my side.

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

I've lived all over Canada.. and most people who have dogs have fences.. it's not rude.. geeez

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

That is not a country-wide thing. I'm Canadian and apart from when I lived in an apartment, I've always lived in houses that had fenced yards.

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

Wait, what? Where in Canada does this person live? I've lived in several locations within Canada, and this has never been the case. So that's just a local thing.

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

What the hell? This is a load of horseshit. Have been all over Canada and there's plenty of fences.

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

I live in Canada and have never heard of this. In fact, if you have a pool you legally have to put up a fence

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

Canadian here, and this simply isn't true of the entire country. Definitely not in Ontario, at least.

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

Sweden here, similar thing. Fences are used but not extremely popular.

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

I've been living in Canada for 16 years, there's fences all over the place. Even in Calgary.

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

So not true. Fences are completely fine and used all over the place. Whoever put this one up is pulling someone's leg. - Source. I've lived in Canada for my entire live (40+ years) and I've driven across Canada.

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

Where did you come up with that? Really makes the rest of your little list questionable, since this is absolutely not true. Obviously didn't fact check.

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

Living in Canada, I have almost never seen a house without a fence between the neighbour's property, unless you're in the country with large plots of land.

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

I am Canadian, we have fences, all my neighbors have fences, this is daft, who told you this?

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

I have friends that live on Vancouver Island. They have a fence so their dogs don't run around the neighborhood.

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

Uh, where r u getting your information?? I grew up in B.C....we all had fences!!

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

I don't know where in Canada you're talking about. I'm from Saskatchewan and everyone has a fence as well as everywhere else I have traveled to. No way would I not have one, they are commonly used as property line markers. Also a must if you have a dog that you don't keep in a dog run/kennel or on a leash.

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

I’m Canadian, and this is not true. Most people have fenced back yards, and it’s not considered to be rude.

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

Umm...no l don't agree with this. Well for the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) anyway. I'd say 99% of the houses have fences. Houses that don't have fences, such as corner lots where you can see it, actually look weird!

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

What? I've been to Canada lots of times and have seen many houses with fences.

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

I don't think that is universal here. I have lived in Ontario and Alberta and fences are everywhere. However in Alberta youth can get their learners (driving) at 14.

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

I don't know what part of Canada this is from; here in the West it's weird if you DON'T have a fencel

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

There are fences in Canada. I'm looking at mine now and it's not rude. It keeps pets and kids safe and it's mandatory if you have a pool.

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

It must be a regional thing then. Cos in Alberta, we put a fence with no issue. Much quieter.

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

BS. I live in Canada and if you are in a subdivision with houses close together, almost all houses have fences.

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

What??? Canadian here. We have fences everywhere. Right now, I am looking at a row of houses with fences between them. Very common in Ontario anyways

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

Not true. There are probably places in every country that do and do not have fences. Usual rules are urban vs. rural. Fences around properties are not allowed where I presently live in California but were completely normal at my previous house about 25 miles away.

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

WHAT IF YOUR NEIGHBORS ARE REDNECKED IDIOTS WITH JUNK CARS AND DEAD ANIMALS AND A NASTY MEAN DOG CHAINED TO THE SAME DOG HOUSE FOR HIS WHOLE LIFE WITH BEATINGS WHEN HE BARKS? FENCES MAKE GOOD NEIGHBORS AND MAKES BAD NEIGHBORS UNSEEN.

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

Canadian here--people do have fences. It just depends what municipality you live in. There's a great neighbourhood that has a no-fence bylaw, but new people (rich) are now putting in super-high fences, and no one is taking them to court to get them removed, because it's not worth it.

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

That's weird. But if you have good neighbours it's fun.

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

I'm Canadian, I have amazing neighbours all down my street. We all have fences. We all invite each other to come within our fences and hang out.

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#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
Community Member
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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See Also on Bored Panda
#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
Community Member
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
Community Member
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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