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The more you learn about people, the more you learn about the world. After all, there are so many cultures around the globe—each with something important to teach about life and nature.

So, to broaden his cultural awareness, Nasr, who is known on social media as Nas Alive, asked TikTok users "What is something that's normal in your country but weird to the rest of the world?"

"Growing up in an immigrant family from Syria, while living in Canada and going to a French school, I was naturally exposed to many languages and cultures," Nasr told Bored Panda. "So I tend to find myself asking a lot of questions. For example, what's the origin of phrases like 'break the ice' and 'break a leg'? And why do we knock on wood?" This TikTok was a result of such thoughts.

And it went viral. As of this article, the video has over 2.4 million views and 18.7K comments, many of which are replies to Nasr's interesting question. From installing saunas in Finnish apartments to congratulating someone on getting their degree in Argentina, continue scrolling and check out some of the most popular ones.

More info: TikTok | Instagram | YouTube

#1

Pre-Pandemic Mask Wearing In Asian Countries

Pre-Pandemic Mask Wearing In Asian Countries

Wearing a mask. In Hogh Kong, if you're even slightly sick, you wear a mask. If you feel ugly, you wear a mask, if you're just lazy, and don't want to do anything - you wear a mask. Most Asian countries actually wear masks, and it's not because we want to, it's because we grew up knowing that as a society, we need to protect each other

pandiroo Report

engineer_nope.avi
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Vietnam, we have a thing for wearing masks LONG before the pandemic simply because our main transportation are motorbikes and let's just say that we have a lot of dust and smoke coming from bikes and other sources (construction, cars, etc.)

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Nasr believes that languages are a reflection of cultures, so his passion for the two is equally immense. "You'll find that languages have opinions too!" he said. "For example, topics like sex and God are taboo in Arabic. But say 'omfg' in English and no one bats an eye."

"Here's another example: time travels vertically in Mandarin from up to down. That's why in Mandarin last week is 'shangge xingqi' (up week) and next week is 'xiage xingqi' (down week). In English, however, time travels from back to front. That's why we say phrases like 'leave the past behind you' and 'I look forward to it'."

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    #2

    In Norway, Parents Leave Their Babies Outside To Nap, Even If It's Cold

    In Norway, Parents Leave Their Babies Outside To Nap, Even If It's Cold

    I thought this was a normal thing everywhere until my American friends were like "what the [hell], why do you do that? That is so weird".
    So we leave our babies outside when they're supposed to sleep. For example, If you're going to a restaurant, there will often be strollers outside with babies sleeping in them. It's normal in most of the Nordic countries. I just thought it was a thing everywhere. And also when they're in kindergarden and it's nap time, you'll just see a bunch of strollers outside. And no they are not cold, they are always packed in the stroller with a bunch of clothes

    ingridsalbu Report

    engineer_nope.avi
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Tbh, most countries find it weird and, albeit, dangerous simply because of the sad truth about child kidnapping in these countries. This really goes to show how much trust the Nordic people put on each other without fear. It's remarkable.

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    "I believe learning about other languages and cultures makes us more empathetic as people. Every culture has something cool that we can learn from, and that's what I hope to share in my videos."

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    Right before he came up with the idea for his now-viral TikTok, Nasr was at home for lockdown, just like all the locals in Ontario, Canada. "I was trying to brainstorm new video ideas. TikTok has a feature that allows people to 'stitch' your video so they can respond to it. So I thought it would be fun to ask basically the world 'what's something normal in your country but weird to the rest of us?' and see what kind of quote on quote weird things people in other countries do."

    #3

    Sauna In The Apartment In Finland

    Sauna In The Apartment In Finland

    pateyye Report

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    #4

    In Slovakia, We Keep Live Fish In Our Bathtub Before Christmas

    In Slovakia, We Keep Live Fish In Our Bathtub Before Christmas

    You go to a store, you purchase a live fish, that you bring home in a plastic bag, and you let it live in your bathtub. Because this kind of fish, it's a karp I believe, and it live in muddy waters. And it's kinda gross, so it needs to cleanse itself in clean water before you can eat it. My family used to do this every year up until a few years ago, and every year, I named the fish Michael. So before people took a shower, we needed to put Michael in a bucket.

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    The culture and language fan said the collective response to his video has been thrilling. "People 'stitched' the video from all around the world. It got attention from big Internet celebrities and even a news anchor from the US," Nasr cheered.

    #5

    In Ireland, If Your Friend's Mom Offers You Food, You Have To Say 'No' A Bunch Of Times While She Insists And You Finally Give In

    In Ireland, If Your Friend's Mom Offers You Food, You Have To Say 'No' A Bunch Of Times While She Insists And You Finally Give In



    In Ireland, we Speak English, so the way you say you say 'no' is 'no', and the way you say 'yes' is 'yes'. However, if you're in your friend's house nad your friend's mom offers you food, 'yes' is then pronounced 'ah, no sure, I'm grand'. To which she'll respond 'ah, you will'. To which you'll respond ah, no honestly'. To which she'll respond 'ah, go on you will'. To which you'll finally respond 'ah, sure, wouldn't say no'. Despite the fact, you've just said 'no' twice, and you've been secretly starving the whole time. It's a linguistic tradition, not the most time efficient, but it is what it is.

    saviourofhaha Report

    Marcellus the Third
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    See Mrs Doyle in Father Ted: "Oh do go on, Father. Go on. Go on. Go on. Come father go on." [ad infinitum]

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    #6

    In Denmark If You're Not Married By The Time You Turn 25 Years Old, Then On Your Birthday You Get Tied To A Pole And Get Cinnamon Thrown At You

    In Denmark If You're Not Married By The Time You Turn 25 Years Old, Then On Your Birthday You Get Tied To A Pole And Get Cinnamon Thrown At You

    However, if you are still not married by the time you turn 30, it's pepper.

    twitchin_plays Report

    Charlotte A.
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I could survive the cinnamon but.... pepper? And why would everyone have to get married anyway? Anyways I hope the poles can be inside as my birthday is in winter.... o.O

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    The man has learned a lot from the 'stitches' attached to his original TikTok. "In Nordic countries, it is normal for parents to leave their babies in prams outside in temperatures below zero," Nasr highlighted what has really stood out for him. "They apparently sleep longer and have overall better quality sleep."

    #7

    Everything In Switzerland Has To Be In Al Least 3 Languages

    Everything In Switzerland Has To Be In Al Least 3 Languages


    Everything has to be translated into at least 3 languages. I live in Switzerland, a small country in the center of Europe with 8.5 million population. There are 4 national languages: German, French, Italian & Rhaeto-Romance. Rhaeto-Romance is spoken by a small part of the population so it's not widely used in businesses. If you have a nation-wide business, your website needs to be translated into at least 3 languages, same with brochures, instructions, product boxes. Sometimes if large companies do a presentation, they will actually do it in 2 languages, or people will receive headphones with a live translation. In some small villages, cinemas will have 3 sets of subtitles, taking up half the screen.

    claudiachudzik Report

    Teucer T
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In Florida, government forms are available in 76 different languages... So far... Another few are already in the pipeline. The US has no official language.

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    #8

    In Sweden, People Cool Drinks Outside In The Snow

    In Sweden, People Cool Drinks Outside In The Snow

    francescaloscialp Report

    Hans
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think everyone does this when it is cold enough.

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    #9

    That’s How We Greet Each Other In UAE

    That’s How We Greet Each Other In UAE

    ii_davinci Report

    engineer_nope.avi
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In France and some other countries, people kiss each others' cheeks when greeting each other so I think this is OK.

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    "I learned about the practice of throat singing by @Kayuulanov who is an Inuk from Canada. I also learned that unfortunately in many parts of the world, kids smoke and drink at ages as young as 13 years old," he said, adding that it's the good and the bad but it's also the reality."

    Nasr dreams that one day he will be able to travel the world, and show off different cultures first-hand, and judging by how excited he is about these things, I'd say he would do a great job as well.

    #10

    The Ridiculously Large Size Of American Soft Drinks

    The Ridiculously Large Size Of American Soft Drinks

    The sheer amount of carbonated beverages that we drink. I've never been to a country where this is a normal standard amount of sugar. Even when I was in Europe, none of the soft drinks were ever this big, this is a purely American thing. And probably for the best, because nobody needs 44oz of coke.

    melissafairlady Report

    chi-wei shen
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    44 fluid ounces is 1.30 litres and that's really a lot.

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    #11

    In Russia, We Have 2 Passports

    In Russia, We Have 2 Passports

    One is for internal use, which is basically an ID card for most countries. But here in Russia, we have many pages of information about our citizens, like who your children are, where are you living, and other things like that. The second passport is an international, Russian Federation passport. And not every Russian has it, you need to pay about $60 to $70 to get one. And all my visas are stored here.

    nikiproshin Report

    Hans
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think most countries have this information, but not in a identity document.

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    #12

    In Sweden, You Can Google A Lot About A Person, Like Their Address, What Car They Drive, How Much They Earn

    In Sweden, You Can Google A Lot About A Person, Like Their Address, What Car They Drive, How Much They Earn

    In Sweden, you can just type in the name of the person on Google. The results will come up, his full name, date of birth, where he lives, what car he drives, how much he earns, everything. It's free for everyone to just check, I think that's very unnatural

    eliasymer Report

    engineer_nope.avi
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As much as this may seem convenient if you want to find somebody, I can see that this can be misused by stalkers and creepy folks if this is implemented elsewhere.

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    Culture is a huge part of people's lives. It influences their views, their values, their humor, their hopes, their loyalties, it pretty much is a blueprint for their personalities. It's TikToks like this that foster building bridges between these differences rather than fighting over them.

    #13

    I'm From Papua New Guinea, And It's Chewing Betel Nut

    I'm From Papua New Guinea, And It's Chewing Betel Nut

    If you ever visited, you might be surprised to see so many people with red-stained mouths. Well, it's from chewing betel nut. It's a social practice that every Papua New Guinean does. From the elders to the young ones. And there are 2 ways to chew betel nut. You can just crack open the green nut and chew the flesh regularly, or you can dip the dake, which is the green stem, into the kambang, which is a white powder, to produce a red paste in your mouth. And basically, this is a drug, it's a stimulant, it's like coffee, it gives you a burst of energy, people usually chew this in the mornings.

    xxxini Report

    Maciej Zajaczkowski
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's also carcinogenic and has a bunch of terrible health effects

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    #14

    In Argentina, When You Graduate University Your Friends And Family Attack You With Food And Paint

    In Argentina, When You Graduate University Your Friends And Family Attack You With Food And Paint

    In Argentina, when you graduate university your friends and family attack you with eggs, flour, contiments, oil, food in general, paint, foam, anything. And they just drench you in head to toe as a celebration. The way it works is you let everyone know when your final exam is, and if you pass, you change into comfy clothes and everyone gathers around you and throws stuff at you. In the past few years it has changed from food to paint, foam, confetti, as to not waste food, but a lot of people still do the food thing. So you go with a carton of eggs and just whack them at the person who graduated.

    dietcokeandthunder Report

    engineer_nope.avi
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This really brings a new meaning to the term FOOD FIGHT!

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    #15

    In Brasil, We Are Very Obsesive About Oral Hygene

    In Brasil, We Are Very Obsesive About Oral Hygene

    It's very common to see a Brazilian brushing their teeth or flossing in a public bathroom or workplace bathroom. We also take multiple showers a day, usually 2 or 3 showers. And we eat pizza with a fork and a knife, I don't really know of any other country that does this, I'm sure there are, but we eat pizzas with a fork and a knife.

    oatmilkbimbo Report

    troufaki13
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In Cyprus they put ketchup on their pizza... :/

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    #16

    Toilet Bidet Sprayer In Iran

    Toilet Bidet Sprayer In Iran

    ninimtm Report

    Hans
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well, it saves space over a bidget. I think the context here is that, as far as I know, wiping the butt is considered nasty in arabian countries, to a point where people do it with the left hand only because they shake hands with the right one.

    Quazmodic
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Those are ALL over Asia and other places. Not uniquiqu to Iran at all.

    Mari Mur
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Finland has toilet bides too in every toilet.

    Mohsie Supposie
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Most Middle East countries have that.

    engineer_nope.avi
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I thought this is universal around the world.

    Ella Greenman
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nah, I had never heard of a bidet till BP- here in America, land of idiots

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    King Joffrey
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This actually makes a lot of sense. I've seen it in South East Asian countries as well.

    yes.
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Same in countries like India. This sprayer thing will be there in place of toilet paper.

    Honu
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have one like that here in the US. I still use a little toilet paper to dry off, though.

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    Ann Oldfield
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    bide-showers are in every toilet in the maternity wards in Sweden ..... that is where I got the idea and I have had one in my bathrooms ever since

    Giovanna
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I always find odd and interesting the general sense of "ewww" that surrounds bidets outside my native country - Italy - where it is compulsory to have them in bathrooms. What strikes me the most is the most spread misunderstanding: we don't wash poo off our asses with our bare hands. We use toilet paper just as you do. AND we wash our behinds after that. And nobody would dream of not washing their behind after pooping.

    Elizabeth Revell
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Normal in Islamic countries, no? And a good idea in general, too.

    Levels of irony
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is normal in most Asian countries

    Doogie Howzer
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Its about cleanliness, and ofc you still wash your hands afterwards 🤦‍♂️

    Couldnt_Find_A_Good_Name
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is VERY VERY common in India. In fact, if you don't have this jet spray in a bathroom, it is considered either unhygienic or really foreign.

    Omgcupcakes
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have one of these, not originally purchased for personal hygiene reasons but to rinse the poop off my baby’s cloth nappies/diapers. I have started using it for personal hygiene & I think they are great, loads cleaner than just using toilet paper by itself.

    Zayd Long
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Never seen it before. I lived there for 3 years and nobody TELLED ME ABOUT THIS

    Moisturized Elbows
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I once stayed in an apartment that had this, i swear i had no idea what it was for

    Melia Janssen
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We have this in Singapore, Malaysia and parts of Indonesia too.

    Oliver L
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Most Asian countries have this.

    Coco
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is a thing of beauty and it's extending to other parts of the world. I LOVE it

    K.
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I live in Indonesia and I can't live without it.

    jevais
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Finally a way to clean one's self with a very hygienic way. Absolutely brilliant, this should be worldwide.

    Deep
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We also have this in India

    Tina Sharief
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I use the exact same bidet spray ;/

    Tina Sharief
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm not from Iran but most Arab countries use bidet sprayer.

    James F. Wilson Jr.
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For years (before the 1990s) they kept a bottle of water next to the toilet to "rinse-off": their fingers after wiping their butt with them.

    Paul Macdonell
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Adopted this hygienic practice after travelling in Asia. Works perfect....could never go back to smearing with paper...ugh !

    mummy pig
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Its really common in India too

    Mili Del Rio
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In the US they are not as common with the regular population. Most including wealthy use toilet paper or wet wipes. This is then followed by a thorough hand washing. I do recall that they were more common years ago.

    Alan Sikora
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is very common in Brazil as well

    She_woman
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have one of these! I live in California :P

    veveve
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Most Asian countries uses this, we clean butts with water and soap (and wash hands with soap afterwards, of course). some toilets have their sprayer attached but I find this type is better, easier to manuver

    Jarrod Nichols
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is common in a lot of Asian countries, like the Philippines

    Mary Maguy
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What the heck does it matter what hand if you wash them properly afterwards? After you wash your hands with soap and water you can even use hand sanitizer. But a mini butt shower works too, as long as you dry up. Not sure about the process. Will be googling this soon. Haha.

    Id row
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, I don't think they ever mastered the art of wiping properly. They all think they're going to get crap all over their hands and will only use their left. And apparently washing your hands after doesn't occur to them. At least they didn't have to worry about the tp shortage when the pandemic started.

    Doogie Howzer
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ooohhh I need to screenshot your ignorance quickly

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    Gogamash
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They also have it in vietnam

    laila
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    my iranian household in america has these. i hate using the bathroom in public places or at my american friends' houses.

    Mimi777
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We have a bidet sprayer just like that in our home. I’ve grown to really like it.

    S. Tor Storm
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited)

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    I was using the toilet and when I saw that thing I ran

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    #17

    Swedish Cheese Slicer

    Swedish Cheese Slicer

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    Hans
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wait, they are not available evereywhere?

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