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35 People Share Things That Are Normal In Their Country But Offensive Elsewhere
Theoretically, most folk understand that people around the world do things differently. However, it’s pretty easy to fall into the assumption that, by and large, we all have the same assumption about, say, pineapple on pizza or if one can casually ask someone what their salary is.
Someone asked “What's something that's acceptable and widely done in your country that would be considered offensive in many countries?” and people from across the globe shared their examples. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorites and be sure to add your own thoughts and stories to the comments section down below.
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#1
Openly carrying a firearm.
Daisydaisy 1 hour ago
I would be terrified if I saw anyone other than a police officer carrying a gun (Australia). I'd assume I was in the presence of a dangerous lunatic
RELATED:
#2
*Not* showing any especial respect for elders, religious figures or politicians.
I’m not saying everyone hates on those groups here but we’re a less hierarchical culture and that knee jerk respect isn’t common.
Multa Nocte 1 hour ago
From the original post the person appears to be from Australia. ---> "cewumu - Australia - Not showing any especial respect for elders, religious figures or politicians. I’m not saying everyone hates on those groups here but we’re a less hierarchical culture and that knee jerk respect isn’t common."
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#4
Walking around in bare feet in public.
#5
Having an affair in the US can break your life, in France this is « only » considered as private and none of your business.
The story at the Coldplay concert which broke internet for days reminds me this cultural difference.
Lara Verne 1 hour ago
It was their reaction, once they realized they were on camera. If they acted like nothing happened, i think no one would notice.
#7
Leaving a party without saying goodbye to anyone?
#8
Teaching children to use firearms. Common in the US, horrifying to many.
Earonn - 29 minutes ago
My Swedish friend told me that in her country children learn to use a firearm in order to defend themselves against big animals like moose. But this comes along with a responsibility training, not "if you knock on my door and I don't know you, I'll shoot you" mentality.
#9
I wouldn't say its completely acceptable and there are obviously situations where you should not do it at all.....but generally, swearing is extremely common here and you'd have to be a really special person to be offended by it.
#10
Being naked in sauna with strangers.
#11
Trying to bring thousands of year old religious doctrine into law.
Multa Nocte 1 hour ago (edited)
US? Ed: Just looked up the original post and in fact it was from the US.
#12
Being late. it's so past the point of being accepted that punctuality in social events is actually frowned upon in Brazil.
Huddo's sister 13 minutes ago
I know a lot of Tongan and Cook Islanders (in Australia), and they all go by 'island time', which means they will turn up a couple of hours after starting time. My brother also found this was the case when he was in Borneo and went to a local church service.
#13
FKK stands for Freikörperkultur (free body culture)
Part of a beach or sea where you have to go naked, everyone.
Multa Nocte 59 minutes ago
Probably don't need to say it, but original poster is from Germany.
#14
Eating raw pork maybe?
Multa Nocte 1 hour ago
This is from Denpasar, Denpasar City, Bali, Indonesia - original poster.
#15
I don't know about *many* countries, but every now and then on reddit I see an American have a meltdown because we let our pet cats roam outside whenever they want and no one minds.
Colin Roach 3 hours ago
Well, considering how many species of animal are still getting made extinct due to feral cats in Australia, it's not just Americans who have meltdowns.
#16
We compliment others on how small their heads are.
Multa Nocte 1 hour ago
From the original post: "One of my exes is Korean and upon meeting their mom, she kept saying, "she's so pretty! Her head is soooo small!!" Also my Korean friends compliment my small head all the time. I feel like my head is famously small amongst my Korean friends. It's such a weird but endearing feeling haha. And here I am sometimes self conscious about my small head. My face has the proportions of an anime character. My eyes take up 1/3 of my face. I sometimes feel like my hair covers up what little face I do have. But at least Koreans appreciate it lol"
#17
The Israeli style of speech can be perceived as an insult in other countries.
Direct questions like "What is your salary?"
Any style of humor is also accepted here.
I once told a Hitler joke at a party in Germany, and some German was offended by me.
Why was he offended? His grandfather tried to end my grandfather. If anyone should be offended, it's me.
#18
Australia: Stealing road signs (?)
China: Beijing bikini (?) Actually, no. Smoking in restaurants, directly in front of a "no smoking" sign.
#19
State’s control of individual religion. We’re a multicultural country with 4 big religions, but born-muslims and (official) muslim converts are not allowed to leave Islam officially (on paper), which dictates many aspects of our life.
#20
In Poland, there's a custom called "Jew for good luck." It involves hanging a portrait of the most stereotypically looking Jewish man counting coins in home, hoping it will bring financial success to the family. Of course, it's based on the classic anti-Semitic trope that Jew = money hoarder.
And if that's not bad enough, sometimes the tradition is to regularly turn the painting upside down so that the money the Jew has accumulated will fall out of his pocket into the hands of his owners.
Forrest Hobbs 3 hours ago
This one is such appallingly bad taste that, erm, I laughed. Turn the rácist Jewish stereotype upside-down so you can steal all his money? Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.😬🤣
#21
American work culture with European taxes and salaries. It’s bad.
Smoking grass in public and the ability to buy almost anywhere legally.
LGBT rights and protections.
#23
Pushing someone's face into their birthday cake. Stupid tradition but still pretty widespread and expected that it'll happen to you on your birthday.
#24
Taking my shoes off as I enter my house. And guests do that as well. They may or may not be offered anything to eat or drink if it’s not an invitation and it’s perfectly fine.
#25
Eating with hands
Just look at Zohran Mamdani's hand eating discourse.
#26
Just a simple thing : dip a toast/biscuit/cake/pastry in our coffee/tea. Some think it's disgusting, but here in France, we think that's better well soaked.
#29
Not smiling on the streets.
#30
Maybe not that offensive anymore in other parts of the world, but we pretty much always address teachers by their first name.
#32
Men walking around with their shirt off in public in the summer. In supermarkets, pubs etc. .
Saltypepper 4 hours ago
They have to put a shirt on in stores there are signs that say no shirt no service
#33
Being American, from my experience. I'm being a little facetious there but it does get old when people get mad at me for stuff our government does. Trust me, I don't like them either. I wish they weren't doing that either.
#34
Atheism.
Multa Nocte 1 hour ago
I am happy to say (writing from France) that this poster is French. NO ONE talks about God here - no one. Well, sometimes except when we swear, but it's usually more realistic terms like putain, merde, and bifler. ;-)
#35
In parts of the country, wearing shoes inside the home is common. Due the weather in my area, it is rarely done.
What do you think ?
Rose the Cook 4 hours ago
It would help a lot if the countries were mentioned in every item, not just some.
Multa Nocte 1 hour ago
I added in several by going back to the original posts.
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Tara Noe 1 hour ago
Lived in China for years and it's full of stuff that's totally normal there, but would horrify anyone else. Like hoarding up phlegm and spitting in public, small children in bumless pants squatting on the sidewalk to do number 1s and 2s and honking horns at EVERYTHING. (Actually started to appreciate the kids thing, despite it being disgusting. No diapers needed, therefore no toilet training needed. Kids learn from infancy what they need to do)
Trillian 1 hour ago
I'd rather have kids in diapers than step into s**t everywhere.
Load More Replies... Rose the Cook 4 hours ago
It would help a lot if the countries were mentioned in every item, not just some.
Multa Nocte 1 hour ago
I added in several by going back to the original posts.
Load More Replies... Tara Noe 1 hour ago
Lived in China for years and it's full of stuff that's totally normal there, but would horrify anyone else. Like hoarding up phlegm and spitting in public, small children in bumless pants squatting on the sidewalk to do number 1s and 2s and honking horns at EVERYTHING. (Actually started to appreciate the kids thing, despite it being disgusting. No diapers needed, therefore no toilet training needed. Kids learn from infancy what they need to do)
Trillian 1 hour ago
I'd rather have kids in diapers than step into s**t everywhere.
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