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39 Bizarre Things That Seem Normal In Some Countries, But Not In The Rest Of The World
Cultural differences are what makes us all unique and what greatly contributes to the excitement of travelling when you get to discover some particularities of a destination that aren't too or at all common in your home country. Eating rotten fish might sound slightly (and literally) off to you, but it’s totally normal in Sweden. Having two passports from the same country is common in Russia, but might not exist where you live. And the practice of eating fried Mars bars might not be the most popular one in North America, but it’s common in Scotland, or seeing police driving Lamborghini as their work car in Italy might not be seen anywhere else.
Check out the list of some strange things from that are only common in certain countries, vote for the weirdest ones, and let us know if you've experienced them in the comments.
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Luxembourg's Public Transportation Is Free
In 2020, the public transport was made free for all locals and visitors alike.
Nepal's Flag Is Non-Rectangular
The only modern country in the world with a non-quadrilateral flag is Nepal and it is said to derive from Hinduism.
There’s A Lamborghini In The Italian Police Fleet
A few years ago, a Lamborghini was added to the police vehicle fleet in Italy, and it’s probably quite fast and, well, impressive to look at.
In Scandinavian Countries, Parents Leave Their Kids To Nap Outside In Cold Temperatures
Most Scandinavian parents think that it's healthier to expose their children to as much fresh air as possible. Therefore, they leave them outside to take their naps.
In Japan, Traffic Lights Seem To Be Blue
As the word for green originally didn't exist till later and 'blue' was used to refer to both green and blue, Japan uses the most blue shade of green that is legally possible.
Bathtubs Made Of Wood Are Used In Japan
The ofuro baths are for sitting and soaking in hot water and are not frequently found around the world.
Very tiny bath tub. Don't think my fat a**e would even fit in lol.
Colombians Drink Hot Chocolate Cheese
The sweet cocoa drink is consumed with savory cheese slices. And if you've tried it, you know that it's quite delicious, but surely not common elsewhere.
In France, Milk Is Not Refrigerated
Most of the milk sold in France is pasteurised at UHT (ultra high temperature) and therefore doesn't have to be stored in cold.
Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu
This place in New Zealand is said to have the longest name and it's 85 characters. Have you tried to pronounce it?
People In The UK Have A Competition To Roll After A Giant Cheese Wheel
The annually held Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling is a competition where people race down the 200-yard hill chasing a giant wheel of cheese.
And in 2020 they rolled a Babybel cheese down the hill since the event had to be cancelled.
Some East Asian Countries Wore Face Masks Pre-Pandemic
In countries like South Korea, for the safety of others, people would wear face masks even when having a common cold prior to the pandemic.
In The Netherlands, Stairs Are Usually Very Steep And Narrow
To some foreigners, staircases in the Netherlands might look more like a health risk than anything. Historically, the buildings were built up rather than out, saving all the centimeters possible.
In Ecuador, The Trash Trucks' Tune Is Similar To What Ice Cream Trucks Play In The USA
If you are visiting Ecuador, you might mistake the garbage truck tune with an ice cream tune and get highly disappointed.
Thank f**k our trucks don't have a tune, especially when they can come at 6am.
You Can Walk From The North To The South Of Monaco In About An Hour
Due to the size of this country, you can easily walk the length of the whole country. How convenient!
Vatican City is also another country you can walk across in less than 60 minutes!
There Are 'Bra Studies' In Hong Kong
At Hong Kong polytechnic, you can major in Bra Studies, where Top Form manufacturer has its lab and factory.
In Italy, Restaurants Include Service Charge
You are not expected to tip in Italy as it is quite normal for the service charge to be added to the bill.
In Italy Cappuccino Is More Of A Breakfast Drink
Italians associate milk with mornings; cappuccinos are traditionally drank as a morning beverage.
I always thought espressos were a morning drink to get you going.
Fried Mars Bars Are A Thing In Scotland
This food item of questionable health value originated in Scotland in a fish and chips shop. It's battered and deep-fried. Would you like to try?
it's actually quite delicious, but wait till cool down unleast you want to burn your tongue with hot chocolate
In Thailand, There Is A Nationwide Water Fight In April
If you are into water fights as much as Thai people, you should participate in Songkran, the Thai New Year's national holiday (13th of April). The water fight is a part of ritual cleansing during the celebration period.
Bamboo Poles Are Used As Drying Rails In Singapore
Don't be surprised seeing clothing drying on bamboo poles in this country—the bamboo material is widely available, making it quite a popular tool to dry things.
In Thailand, People Remove Their Shoes Before Entering A Building
One of the things related to feet etiquette in Thailand is taking one's shoes off before entering a building—that's to keep dirt from the outside outdoors.
There Are No Street Names In Costa Rica
Although some streets might have names, they might not necessarily have signs, so the addresses in Costa Rica are still described by local landmarks.
It appears that mailing addresses are on a grid, regardless of the street pattern. I have relatives who live in a US municipality that does this too.
In Some Parts Of Highways In Germany, Speed Limit Is Only A Recommendation
On the federal highway system AKA autobahn in Germany, the speed limit in certain places is only a recommendation and drivers can choose to drive as fast as they want.
In Slovakia, A Live Carp Is Kept In A Bathtub Before Preparing It For Christmas Dinner
A Christmas tradition in Slovakia is letting the carp that is meant for dinner swim in the bathtub for a few days to clean its tract, since it's a bottom feeder. And, well, people don't take baths unless they want to share the tub with a fish.
It is also killed in the tub and people keep a scale from the carp in their wallet to attract money. Thankfully, we have never done it, but it is still a thing.
Sitting In A Sauna In Finland Can Be A Competition
World sauna endurance championships were so famed that people from different countries would compete in this extreme activity in the homeland of saunas—Finland.
If I remember rightly a guy died a year or two ago whilst doing one of these competitions. I can barely last 5 mins in a sauna.
People In The Netherlands Don't Use Curtains
It seems that the Dutch don't mind people looking into their homes. This might be coming from Protestant religious traditions and the notion of 'I have nothing to hide.'
Russians Have 2 Passports
Citizens of Russia have two passports: one national passport that serves more like an ID and a passport for travelling abroad.
The Russian train stations are something else . Each one different, each one beautiful. You can travel from Moscow to St Petersburg economy for around £4 Stay in a YMCA instead of a small room , they are much cleaner and very cheap . The Russians have a wonderful dessert , it’s like a doughnut, but much much more yummy . Cheap too !
South Koreans Think That Writing In Red Ink Is A Bad Omen
In the past, writing someone's name in red in the book registry meant that the person is deceased.
In Brazil, Hair Lightening Is Just As Popular As Hair Removal
Some women in Brazil like to bleach their body hair rather than remove it completely in order to keep the light fuzz.
Unmarried 25-Year-Olds In Denmark Get Covered In Cinnamon
This messy tradition derives from spice sellers in 16th-century Denmark who were famed to be single and were called 'pepper men' and this makes a perfect extra excuse to party more. So why not?
Some Streets In Japan Don’t Have Names
Due to the different addressing system in Japan, the blocks have names instead of the spaces between them (streets).
People In Singapore Reserve Seats In Public Eateries
As you need to order food from the counter and risk not being able to find a seat, Singaporeans leave anything from umbrellas to packs of tissues to maintain seats reserved for when they return with their purchased meal.
Not limited to Singapore, I'd say... I'm from Northern Europe and it isn't an uncommon custom here
There's A Dessert In Turkey That Contains Chicken Breast
Shredded chicken breast in a milk dessert, anyone? Tavuk göğsü is a sweet served in Turkey that might be not to everyone's taste.
While Taking Photos, Dutch Say “Smile At The Little Bird”
Surprisingly, instead of saying "cheese" (after all, a lot of cheese is made in the Netherlands), the Dutch say "Lach eens naar het vogeltje" ("Smile at the little bird").
Because, in the 19th century when photos were taken in studios with long exposures, photographers had a little bird figure indeed to focus people's attention and thus their view. This is not a Dutch thing. Just like most entries in this thread, this one is crap.
And the "cheeeese" only works for English as you'd look unsmiling saying "kaaaas". I think the french say "oustiti".
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In Switzerland (french part), when I was young, we said that too "Souris au p'tit oiseau"
And in France, it is ", souriez, le petit oiseau va sortir".
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This was done in the "olden days" in the West too: “Watch the Birdie” Another one of these forgotten photography methods include the famous “watch the birdie” phrase which originates from photographing kids. When young kids got distracted, photographers would hold a small brass bird. When the photographer was prepared to take the photo, he would squeak the bird to make to kids look in a particular direction. This phrase still exists today for getting attention!
In California at least, it was always “smile” at the birdie.
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This is a historical hang-on to early photography. Cameras used to have a small bird on give a focus point (as well as distract younger subjects). The concept of saying 'Cheese' is completely nuts, look in the mirror and just say the word cheese normally, your mouth doesn't form anything like smile.
That's because your lips don't smile when you say kaas. I mean.... seriously?
Almost the same in Italy: "Guarda l'uccellino" (look at the little bird).
Portugal also say to look to the bird.
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We only say cheese because it forces your mouth into a smile when pronounced.
Also a thing in the UK. It was because photographers used to literally have a bird (not necessarily live, but stuffed or fake or sometimes just feathers? I think) for you to look at on top of the camera to make sure you were all looking in the right direction and got groups, that everyone was looking the same way.
In Denmark we say APPELSIIIIN... which is the Danish word for orange...
I am wrecking my brain trying to think of an English word that has a syllable which would force your mouth in the same esthetic abomination as a long drawn out "KAAAAAAAAS!" But I can't think of any...
Well al lot of us say cheese... Haven't heard this phrase for a very long time... Saying cheese makes your face look weird...
Same in Guatemala, we say the exact same thing but that when a kid appears in the picture.
In Brazil we often say "olha o passarinho" when taking photos. It means "look at the bird".
There is a reason we do not say cheese. Because the Dutch word is Kaas. And you would have a weird gasp on any picture if you would say Kaas. That's why we just ask to smile. The little bird is from the beginning of photography when the photographer had a small fake bird on the the camera to focus on.
There's a whole story behind the phrase, but photogs used to tell people to smile and "watch the birdie". http://www.smileformetoys.com/watch-the-birdie.html
In Poland people used to say "look, the bird is about to fly out"
From the US (for 10 generations) and my parents always said "smile for the little birdie."
This makes me think of those cameras on The Flintstones, with a small bird inside, pecking the images!
I like to say: "Think of something dirty". Usually puts a smile on people's faces.
In Canada it was common to hear “ look at the birdie “ when having your photo taken. Not so much now.
I was taught to "smile at the little birdie", but born and raised USA.
In Sweden we say "omelett!", which literally means "omelette" like the dish
Originates in the days when cameras needed a longer exposure, photographers had a model bird on top of the camera and told the subjects to "watch the birdie"
In Russia we say, literally translated - "Smile, a little bird will fly out"
It must have come from some common source because in Russian it's exactly the same.
In Brazil we say "olha o passarinho" (look at the little bird) or "diga xis" (say X, as it sounds like cheese)
You are aware that most nationalities do not say "cheese" in this situation, right?
This used to be an American thing: "Smile at the birdy." I was told they used to have little birdies on the cameras for taking pictures of children, back when you had to sit still for a picture. When I was a kid, the birdies were long gone (since you didn't have to sit still), but the saying remained.
that would confuse me! i'd just start looking around for an actual bird lol
I've read a study on "smile words" by Nikon and the winner was a french one "ouistiti" (marmoset), giving a natural smile at every pronunciation times. But a lot of french people say "cheese" too.
I once heard a pro tell a small child to say "Pickles!" Got a beautiful smile.
Load More Replies...In Sweden, Rotten Fish Is A Food Item
Lightly salted and fermented Baltic sea herring has been in Swedish cuisine since the 16th century and it's famed for its extremely particular taste.
I don't know anyone who's tasted it tho, born and raised in the capital of Sweden
Swedes Cool Their Drinks Outside
A perk of having cold winters in Sweden is that you can cool your drinks outside in the snow. Perhaps a few countries take advantage of infinite alcohol cooling opportunities outdoors.
In The Netherlands, It's Common To Answer The Phone With 'Hoi'
No matter how bizarre it sounds, it's normal for the Dutch to answer the phone with the very old-school 'hoi,' that even gave the roots for the nautical term 'ahoy.'
The UK And Some Other Countries Still Drive On The Left Side
Driving on the left side of the road is a feudal heirtage of the days when it was more convenient to hold and use swords in the right hand and have any opposing traffic on the same side in order to fight them.
The Swedish Use A Special Cheese Slicer Instead Of A Knife
The Swedish are so serious about cheese that they use a cheese slicer (which is said to have been invented by Norwegians) instead of a regular knife.
Didn't know this was uncommon in other countries, they seem to be available in other European countries as well?
Bit of an underwhelming list - many aren't even unique to the country being referenced. There are so many extraordinary and fascinating things throughout the world that could've been included here
Finally, one that isn't "Breaking News! Americans don't have healthcare!" We know we don't have healthcare. We're very sad about it. You can stop reminding us.
Not unique, and not bizarre. Getting tired of the clickbate from bored panda....
Why are people always on about the fact British drive on the left, Americans are non metric, have they nothing better to complain about?
This is not country but Australian city-centric. Not sure if this is found in any other city but Melbourne, Australia is known for hook turns at traffic lights which, when combined with a city of trams (that have the power of a charging rhino so the public safety campaign tells us), cyclists and pedestrians, can scare the bejesus out of out-of-towners. Basically, in order to turn right at a traffic stop (remember we’re a country driving left lane), you pull into the left lane and wait until there is no traffic either way (technically you’re meant to wait until the lights turn amber) and then turn right.
I loved this list, there was nothing derogatory about any country and there was plenty of variety.
There was one derogatory thing in my opinion. They wrote Scandinavian parents "think" it's healthy for Babys to sleep outside. This sounds like the author thinks Scandinavian parents are lunatics or something
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Weird since most posters seem to be from the USA. You never complain when they talk about American candy, stores or celebrities that nobody else know.
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You talk about stereotypes, yet you just stereotyped Americans
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Bit of an underwhelming list - many aren't even unique to the country being referenced. There are so many extraordinary and fascinating things throughout the world that could've been included here
Finally, one that isn't "Breaking News! Americans don't have healthcare!" We know we don't have healthcare. We're very sad about it. You can stop reminding us.
Not unique, and not bizarre. Getting tired of the clickbate from bored panda....
Why are people always on about the fact British drive on the left, Americans are non metric, have they nothing better to complain about?
This is not country but Australian city-centric. Not sure if this is found in any other city but Melbourne, Australia is known for hook turns at traffic lights which, when combined with a city of trams (that have the power of a charging rhino so the public safety campaign tells us), cyclists and pedestrians, can scare the bejesus out of out-of-towners. Basically, in order to turn right at a traffic stop (remember we’re a country driving left lane), you pull into the left lane and wait until there is no traffic either way (technically you’re meant to wait until the lights turn amber) and then turn right.
I loved this list, there was nothing derogatory about any country and there was plenty of variety.
There was one derogatory thing in my opinion. They wrote Scandinavian parents "think" it's healthy for Babys to sleep outside. This sounds like the author thinks Scandinavian parents are lunatics or something
Load More Replies... Weird since most posters seem to be from the USA. You never complain when they talk about American candy, stores or celebrities that nobody else know.
Load More Replies... You talk about stereotypes, yet you just stereotyped Americans
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