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Travel is awesome. It opens your mind, makes you more empathetic, lets you meet new people, gives you an excuse to eat tasty food, and allows you to go on actual adventures. What’s not to love? One of the best things about going abroad is that you get to experience cultures that might be very different from what you’ve known all of your life.
At times, those cultural norms can seem quite bizarre to outsiders. Some of the members of the r/AskReddit community shared the weird and cool things that are completely normal in their home countries but would confuse or amuse tourists. We’ve collected some of their most interesting insights below. Put on your hiking boots, grab your backpack, and scroll down to start your trip.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
In Sweden, it's a common tradition to watch Donald Duck (known as "Kalle Anka" in Swedish) cartoons on Christmas Eve at 3 PM sharp. This isn't just a casual thing - it's a national event!
Every year, millions of Swedes gather around their TVs to watch a specific 1958 Disney special called "From All of Us to All of You" (or "Kalle Anka och hans vänner önskar God Jul" in Swedish, which means "Donald Duck and his friends wish you a Merry Christmas").
Torben Møller-Nielsen 1 year ago
Same in Denmark. The show is called "Disneys Christmas show" and is on at the same time every year.
RELATED:
#2
Actually telling people how you’re doing when they ask you how you’re doing. We don’t use a lot of polite phrases just for the sake of being polite, so when people ask “how are you”, it’s interpreted as a genuine question rather than polite smalltalk or a greeting. My grandma once asked a cashier how she was doing and she replied “Not great. I have type 2 diabetes.”
(I’m from Norway)
#3
I'm Irish, and we tend to swear a lot in ordinary conversations. It means nothing most of the time, just a normal part of speech, but some of my non-Irish friends seemed a bit taken aback by it.
The global travel and tourism industry is huge and one of the most competitive in the entire world. It also has a large impact on various places’ economies. Statista reports that travel and tourism contributed a mind-boggling $9.9 trillion to countries’ gross domestic product. That comes out to around 9.1% of the total global GDP.
The industry is projected to grow to over $1.1 trillion by the year 2029. That same year, the hotels market, a large chunk of the travel and tourism industry, is expected to grow to 1.8 billion users.
#4
In India, arranged marriage is still the norm. I went to law school with a guy who already had an engineering degree. He told me he only enrolled in law school because his family expects him to return to India when he's finished schooling and have an arranged marriage. As a result, he keeps enrolling in new higher education programs to postpone his engagement.
Chintan Shah 1 year ago
It's not quite as "arranged" as it used to be. These days families introduce the couple to each other and give them a few weeks/months to decide if they want to get engaged. Understandably a shorter courting period than with dating and falling in love, but there is definitely a sense of commitment from both so it tends to work out well in most cases.
#5
Going to the sauna with the whole family naked. Completely normal where I live but for almost the whole planet it would be very confusing.
Edit: yes, Finland.
#6
People dying because they don't have free universal healthcare. A lot of people will choose to not get medical attention because they don't have health insurance. So they end up dying. It's cheaper to die than have insane medical debt.
Jerry Bee 1 year ago
I'd rather die than be in a socialist society. I don't like social security or any of it. Let the chip fall where they may. Just kidding. I'll bet there are folks out there who feel like that, but do they turn down their social security retirement checks?
Pencil McGovern 1 year ago
Do they drive on public roads? Flush their toilets? Call the fire department when their house is burning down? But for some reason universal healthcare will turn us all into card-carrying commies. So ridiculous.
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Lyone Fein 1 year ago
Dying is not that cheap either! It costs money for cemetery plots, caskets, headstones, obituaries, etc.
Sue User 1 year ago
Four thousand for standard cremation. You cant get an broken arm fixed for that. Not only do we have to pay, we pay more because it is a profit system.
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DetriMentaL (It/That) 1 year ago
Crazy how the pro-life law doesn't equate to the pro-living.. Its like a punishment of kind. Sort of like slavery but with extra steps?
Zephyr343 1 year ago
With insurance, a blood test was $1,400 for my wife. My doctor called yesterday and wanted to set one up for myself. Told them I can't afford it
Mari 1 year ago
That is so unbelieveble for a simple blood test ???? With insurance ??? I am so sorry for you...
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Onan Hag All 1 year ago
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/sep/18/american-health-system-ranks-last
Heather Talma 1 year ago
And it's only cheaper for YOU to die. Do you know how much a funeral costs?
Philly Bob Squires 1 year ago
Now that women are the target of certain US lawmakers... they're dying because it's Gawd's will! Save the fetus, mow 'em down in school or starve them. Gawd's will!
Rich Black 1 year ago
50 % of a n average persons lifetime medical expense will occur during the final 12 months of life.
Laura Bradshaw 1 year ago
This breaks my heart and soul it's so fd up that there are billionairs verging on trilionairs when this goes on? Humanity sucks
William R. Pruitt 1 year ago
Because I'm poor and didn't work enough to get SS I get SSI, Medicare.MediCal, SNAP, low cost housing and Lifeline free phone service. I just had cataract surgery on both eyes. I have no car so my Lyft rides and eyedrops cost me ~$500, the surgeries cost ZERO. I just got 4 vaccinations, ZERO cost. My generic Lipitor is $1.55 ever 3 months
Rienk Kroese 1 year ago
Almost no country has free healthcare. You do pay a mandatory fee for healthcare. Almost as a tax.
Ephemera Image 1 year ago
I can attest to this. I'm in Canada, free - and excellent- healthcare. I used to visit cancer forums, you wouldn't believe the stories about cancer victims who couldn't get tests because they were disallowed by their insurance, or they weren't insured because they didn't have a job, or they had to wait until their husband insurance kicked in at his new job, or their medication/treatment wasn't covered by their provider... absolutely appalling. almost every country on the planet has public healthcare except the US. Go onto a FB cancer forum and read the stories. Heartbreaking.
Riley Quinn 1 year ago
US health insurance costs are the highest compared to 10 developed countries, but our medical care ranks last. It's better to have a life insurance policy so your loved ones can continue without going into catastrophic debt when you die.
Beth Wheeler 1 year ago
You can apply for charity care especially if it's part of a university hospital system.
Katie Hillis 1 year ago
Considering that my one night stay in a hospital just cost me $45,000.00, I'm pretty sure where that is.
Michael P (Perthaussieguy) 1 year ago
Several years ago I had a bowel obstruction that required urgent surgery. Here, under our Medicare, the cost for the operation and 1 week recuperation in a ward was $0. In USA I guess I would have had serious $ debt (unless I was a congressman/senator, lol).
notlikeyou1971 1 year ago
WELCOME TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ! IT HAPPENS EVERY DAY IN MY COUNTRY. I had to go without health insurance despite being disabled since childhood due to poverty until they approved me for SSDI and SSI. My man who also has serious medical issues just got medical insurance but people help him pay for his medicine and if he needs medical care that costs money he is in serious trouble because I live in extreme poverty and others are barely getting by as well. We are trying to get him on SSDI and SSI so that he can get the help he needs. Trust me he can't afford to pay for the surgeries he needs to alleviate his medical issues. That's a pipe dream.
Cathy Roberts 1 year ago
People who think it's easy to fix things like healthcare and gun control really need to come here and see the vastness of size and population, as well as the variances in culture. When you can get 330,000,000 people to rapidly agree on sensitive issues let me know and then I'll listen. Until then, hey, just keep constantly mentioning it so you alienate those of us who are trying our best, as well.
InoueAmani 1 year ago
Not for nothing but a lot of countries have inadequate or lack of medical care at all. Yes I'm American and since moving to Europe all of my medical debt creditors can't touch me, student loans either. Wasn't the plan, just a perk 😀
Graham_Illegal 1 year ago
Most Americans would be more than happy not to include this in every post. But until people like you are more offended by it than willing to make a change, it will remain here because it's beyond embarrassing. The sad part is that you seem to think it's a competition rather than a cry for help.
Load More Replies... Mimi M 1 year ago
And in countries where medicine is doled out by the gov't, people die waiting for care (it's called 'dying in queue'). No system is perfect. And btw, in the US there is an entire system of clinics across the country that are gov't supported and where poor people can get care at low or no cost - this is in addition to the system that is private or insurance based. Not to mention how those over 65 also get their care at low or no cost through the medicare system. Again, no system is perfect.
Graham_Illegal 1 year ago
Haha! Sure, "no system is perfect", but the US performs well below the OECD average, despite being the most expensive one. The "dying in a queue" is also total ʇᴉɥsllnq. Data supports this, and I've experienced it firsthand, having lived in multiple EU countries and US states. I've never waited longer than I have in the US.
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Pencil McGovern 1 year ago (edited)
1. 7% [I'm rounding in your favor] of the U.S. population is approximately 23.2 million people who don't have health insurance. 2. Among wealthy nations: "Life expectancy is more than four years below the 10-country average, and the U.S. has the highest rates of preventable and treatable deaths for all ages...." Here's my source: https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/fund-reports/2024/sep/mirror-mirror-2024 Please cite yours.
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The number of global inbound tourist arrivals recovered from 406 million during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic to 1.3 billion back in 2023. To put it another way, around every 6th person from around the world traveled abroad that year.
According to Statista, the most popular destination for international tourism continues to be Europe. Especially Southern and Mediterranean Europe. Around 265 million tourists traveled there in the 2022 period.
#7
We pay companies in case we get sick or injured and they decide if we are sick or injured enough for them to use the money we pay them to help us. And we still have to pay more money once they help us.
#8
In Vietnam, you can buy anything you want (and as much of it as you want) from the local pharmacy without doctor's prescriptions
#9
I've been living in China for two years and I still can't bring myself to shout in a restaurant to get a server's attention. I'm British, so I'm so used to awkwardly raising my hand and saying, 'Excuse me' when the server looks in my direction. But in China, oh boy, you just have to shout and hope you're louder than the next table.
Rigor Moreno 1 year ago
I watched a TV show explaining this part. If you're silent and meek in a restaurant, its either you did not enjoy the food or something's wrong. Well... I still respect their colorful culture. :D
With so many people traveling abroad and domestically, mutual empathy starts to matter. A lot! This means that, as a traveler, you should try to be as respectful of other people’s cultural norms as possible. It’s unlikely that you’ll be prepared for everything before you leave on your trip (many norms are very subtle and take time to notice and truly ‘get’), but what matters is the effort you put in.
Learning a bit of the local language and about the etiquette amd taboos goes a long way. Do some online research. Talk to some friends who’ve been where you’re going. Even consider going to a local cultural center for some useful resources.
On the flip side, it’s a reminder for locals to try to be friendly to outsiders. Sure, some tourists will inevitably be loud, rude, and disruptive. But many and more of them are decent folks who are having completely novel experiences outside their comfort zones. A few helpful words, a smile, some recommendations, and a gentle guiding hand can really make their trip memorable.
#10
In New Zealand being barefoot out of the house is considered normal. Many children walk barefoot to school (they have shoes, just choose not to wear them). You'll also see barefoot people in supermarkets and fast food restaurants
Littlemiss 1 year ago
It's not as common as it was many years ago. As kids we didn't wear shoes unless expected to. Mind you, no snakes or venomous creatures here
#11
Cheering when someone accidentally drops and smashes something in a restaurant/pub.
#12
Rootbeer floats. I tried to introduce this American delicacy to some German friends. They thought I was playing a trick on them. Thought it was so weird and gross they wouldn't even try it.
No matter how different people might seem on the surface, there are always things that unite us. Food, for example, is something that’s shared across every culture across the globe. Sure, the recipes, ingredients, cooking methods, and eating etiquette might differ from country to country.
But broadly speaking, you’ll still see folks get together in a communal space to eat together. It’s difficult to imagine any culture not having some type of traditional soup or dumpling to offer. Eating is a way to connect with the people you love and to show respect to someone from outside the community.
Singing, dancing, music, and art—they’re also universal and core parts of the human experience. Even if you don’t speak the local language (well, yet), you can still find other ways to connect with everyone around you. Travel might seem scary initially, but you’d be surprised by how many people are kind to outsiders.
#13
In Asian culture. Relatives fight with each other. Because each one wants to pay the bill for the whole family, eating out.
'I will pay. I am the most elder person. I have responsibility to the family'
'No I will pay. Even though I am young. I earn well enough. To cover. Let me pay this time'
That sorta argument happens.
When I tell it to westerners. They don't believe it.
#14
Here in Sydney, the police regularly deploy d**g detection dogs at train stations. They bring them into pubs as well. People visiting from overseas seem genuinely shocked by it, but most people here seem to ignore it.
#15
Saying "yeah, naaahh" = no. Saying "nah, yeeaah"= yes.
What are some local cultural norms that you think outsiders would find a bit (or even a lot) strange, dear Pandas? On the flip side, what were the biggest culture shocks for you on your last trip? How did you handle them and how quickly did you adapt? You can tell us all about it in the comments.
#16
Having a maple syrup reserve. The most lucrative heist in Canada's history was the Maple Reserve. Many millions of dollars in maple syrup were stolen. I just listened to the 'My Favorite Murder' podcast episode about it
#17
TV ads for pharmaceutical products.
#20
Living with parents is common in India. People aren't considered 'losers' for living with heir parents. I never understood why being 30 and living with your parents was considered as something 'bad'
Passerby 1 year ago
I think this is common in Asia. It's totally normal to live with your parents even into old ages. It might even be respected because it means you are taking care of your parents. I was surprised to learn that this is considered bad in the West. I was even more surprised when I heard that some family expect their child to move out at 18.
#21
Weights and measures.
I’m 5’10” and weigh 195lbs
My over cooks at 350 degrees
My pool is 72 degrees
But
I drive 80km/h
The temp outside is 21 degrees
I buy meat in either lbs or kg
Milk comes in 1 litre bags
Liquor in 26 fl oz bottles
Lumber in 2”x4” (which are really 1 1/2 by 3 1/2) plywood in 4x8’ sheets.
#22
Flashing headlights to warn incoming traffic of police presence or speed traps. Got a few awkward reactions doing it abroad.
#23
As an American, when i “lived” in England for three months, i realized just how rude and unacceptable Brits view the act of “pointing fingers”.
not that i was ever doing shit like pointing at and/or making fun of people, but just any kind of pointing even remotely in the vicinity of anyone’s direction was just a straight up no-no, regardless of context. my ex-fiancée (who was British) was constantly like “stop doing that” lmao. kinda interesting.
#24
In my family's home country, it is normal to "try" things out in food stands, like, just shove your hand in the pile and try one, you like it? You buy by weight from the pile of whatever it is you tried. And it is apparently totally acceptable to just snack on whatever while you shop and browse through the store, as long as you buy something at the end.
I had a massive cultural shock on my first visit 😂.
Raymond Core 1 year ago
That's one way to develop resistance to all the bugs in the region. "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" - Neitze
#26
Waving at magpies. I've done it in the USA and people look to see who I'm waving at and find a bird. I don't stop waving to the birds f**k off because of the superstition that goes with the number of magpies you see.
>One for sorrow, Two for joy, Three for a girl, Four for a boy, Five for silver, Six for gold, Seven for a secret, Never to be told".
#27
Coming over around diner time unannounced, fully expecting to be welcome and invited to dine with them.
ZuriLovesYou 1 year ago (edited)
Apparently, this is in the Netherlands. I can't even fathom someone walking into my home without telling me first, expecting to eat my food.
#28
1. No small talks. You don't even acknowledge strangers, no random "How are ya" to people you pass on the street. You can say "Good day" to your neighbours or people you know, but not strangers. When you go shopping, you don't engage in polite banter with the cashier, it's just "Good day", they tell you the price of your items, you say "Card. Thank you. Goodbye" and that's it. No small talk with friends. No small talk whatsoever.
2. You can say "How are you" when meeting a friend, and the normal response to it is to complain about your latest problems. After they're done complaining, it's your turn to say "Ah f**k" and offer some advice or help, or tell them about you being in a similar situation. Complain about your problems, then they offer advice or help. And both sides mean to help, it's not just "Ah, call me one day, I could help you with that".
3. Don't talk about mayonnaise unless you want to divide people and start a war. Don't even think about starting mayonnaise conversation when people are drunk. It's very serious. It's something that's discussed at early stages of relationship and can be a dealbreaker for many.
Edit to add some more.
4. We don't tip. There's no tip culture. No one expects tip. You tip for excellent service, and if you leave a tip, people will be happy, but no one will be pissed if you don't tip.
5. We love to pick mushrooms. Every autumn most people go to the woods to pick mushrooms at least once. And I'm not even talking about the psychedelic ones. Every person in the country has at least basic knowledge about mushrooms that are safe to eat and the toxic ones. I was surprised when I moved abroad and found out how many people in my new home were scared of picking mushrooms because what if they're not safe? They just have no idea at all.
6. Carp fish swimming in the bathtub before Christmas Eve.
7. We celebrate Christmas on the 24th of December, not the 25th, and we open our presents in the evening.
8. SHOES OFF AS SOON AS YOU ENTER THE HOUSE.
9. There's a trash can under the sink in the kitchen and one drawer that has a plastic bag filled with other plastic bags. In every house.
10. You know that gesture when you beat your fist to your chest twice, like “I got you bro”, sign of truth and generally bro vibe? Yeah well in my country’s sign language it means “f****t”.
#29
If we're having a casual gathering at a house, we usually don't sit on long tables but put newspapers on the floor as a makeshift "dining table" and sit around it to eat
I've had parties like this my whole life and it was only when my foreigner friends got culture shock from it did I realize it's not a norm in other countries.
TribbleThinking 1 year ago
I'm guessing this is in a warm country, where being closer to the ground can be desirably cool.
#30
Bunny chow 😅 " an Indian South African fast food dish consisting of a hollowed-out loaf of white bread filled with curry and a serving of salad on the side.".
TribbleThinking 1 year ago
This might be just the place to ask! I knew about "bunny" in SA, but does anyone know what Indian word it might be derived from? For instance, I'd imagined a word that maybe looked like "bhani" originally?
#31
Bringing your own alcohol to parties, being naked in saunas, ice bathing, no gendered toilets.
Graham_Illegal 1 year ago
In my experience, men tend to behave terribly in public restrooms, except when they're uncertain about the next person's gender. In those cases, they're more careful and tidy. Non-gendered bathrooms in Finland or Estonia were by far the most civilized experiences I've had, and I see no reason not to standardize them internationally. The model works in most households, and all it takes is a lock and a bin.
#32
Apparently ice in a drink.
Kristy Marion 1 year ago
I work for an airline with a lot of American passengers and they love their ice!
#33
Asking “how are you?” after greeting someone, and no, you are not supposed to answer this question. Goes like “how are you” ping pong. Especially weird when you switch to silence right afterwards (shop/taxi/store).
#37
Tipping.
It's very strange going to Asia or Europe and walking away from a meal without leaving money on the table or adding an extra $10 to the receipt.
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What do you think ?
Panda McPandaface 1 year ago
It's not 'guess the country' - tell us the country and then make your point. Too much North America as usual, the ones from the rest of the world were much more interesting.
Solidhog 1 year ago
In my country the government hate cars. They tax you for having a car. Most of the cost of fuel is tax, and then they tax you on the tax! There are not many places left you can park for free. Even the hospitals charge to park when you turn up! But they keep allowing people to build shops and services outside of towns. But our public transport is so expensive and bad that people are left no other option but to use cars.
Steve Robert 1 year ago
It should be illegal for doctors and hospitals to charge patients and their visitors parking fees, which are higher than a co-payment.
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Seonag Udell 1 year ago
My favourite was learning about Canadian loonies and toonies, and thanks to pandas explaining about it being named after the bird on the tails side.
Paul Gerrard 1 year ago
I would have expected guns to get a mention. The usa seem hell bent on executing each other and seem to consider a right to have arms is entrenched but it wasnt even in the constitution. Its was an amendment. Why not amend it back a bit?. Who needs an AR for protection?
T'Mar of Vulcan 1 year ago
When visiting London I found the people to be very "rude". My brother pointed out that it's because South Africans look each other in the eye when they walk past someone, and Londoners don't. I was always terrified someone was going to bump into me because they never looked up.
Nicola Mawson 1 year ago
So, nice trivia game trying to work out the geographic location of most of these
Panda McPandaface 1 year ago
It's not 'guess the country' - tell us the country and then make your point. Too much North America as usual, the ones from the rest of the world were much more interesting.
Solidhog 1 year ago
In my country the government hate cars. They tax you for having a car. Most of the cost of fuel is tax, and then they tax you on the tax! There are not many places left you can park for free. Even the hospitals charge to park when you turn up! But they keep allowing people to build shops and services outside of towns. But our public transport is so expensive and bad that people are left no other option but to use cars.
Steve Robert 1 year ago
It should be illegal for doctors and hospitals to charge patients and their visitors parking fees, which are higher than a co-payment.
Load More Replies... Seonag Udell 1 year ago
My favourite was learning about Canadian loonies and toonies, and thanks to pandas explaining about it being named after the bird on the tails side.
Paul Gerrard 1 year ago
I would have expected guns to get a mention. The usa seem hell bent on executing each other and seem to consider a right to have arms is entrenched but it wasnt even in the constitution. Its was an amendment. Why not amend it back a bit?. Who needs an AR for protection?
T'Mar of Vulcan 1 year ago
When visiting London I found the people to be very "rude". My brother pointed out that it's because South Africans look each other in the eye when they walk past someone, and Londoners don't. I was always terrified someone was going to bump into me because they never looked up.
Nicola Mawson 1 year ago
So, nice trivia game trying to work out the geographic location of most of these
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