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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

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engineer_nope.avi
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated 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'."

#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

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engineer_nope.avi
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3 years ago DotsCreated 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."

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."

#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.

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Marcellus the Third
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3 years ago DotsCreated 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.

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Charlotte A.
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3 years ago DotsCreated 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."

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#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.

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Teucer T
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3 years ago DotsCreated 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

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#9

That’s How We Greet Each Other In UAE

That’s How We Greet Each Other In UAE

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engineer_nope.avi
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3 years ago DotsCreated 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."

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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.

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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.

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Hans
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3 years ago DotsCreated 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

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engineer_nope.avi
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated 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.

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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.

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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.

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Vladimíra Matejová
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Slovakia some people start eating pizza with fork and knife and then they just give up after a few pieces and eat it with their hands haha

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pebs
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm italian and generally I eat pizza wit fork and knife. Like most of other italian people, anyway.

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

I eat pizza with a fork and knife if in a public place like a restaurant... Spoons don't work very well... (Or so I assume - I've actually never tried using spoons for pizza)

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Leslie Burleson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Texas we usually take two showers a day because it's so damn hot you're always sweating

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DanieLegz
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I eat pizza with a fork and knife and I'm from England? I hate getting greasy hands

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Crochet lady
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My brother and I worked in the same government office for a couple of years, people who didn't even know us by name even knew we were related because we look like we could be twins. I can't tell you how many people came up to me and asked me why they always saw my brother walking around with a toothbrush and toothpaste. He ALWAYS brushed his teeth right after lunch and didn't care who found it odd. When he didn't have access to them he would make sure he had an apple. Some people just care about these things more than others, he was quite an obsessive person about his person.

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Sasha Kuleshov
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being a hot country it kind of makes sense: you sweat more and therefore you shower accordingly :)

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TimesNewLogan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I use a fork and knife, because it keeps the grease off of my hands.

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David Retsler
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I eat some pizza with a fork and knife- like Chicago style? That's a friggin cake!

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Tabitha L
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love this. I love working from home because I can brush my teeth after lunch/snack. I often brush my teeth after dinner and before bed.

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D H
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Chicago, it is a crime to eat pizza with a knife and a fork especially deep dish pizza.

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

My friend eats chips with a fork. Not like ‘chip’ chips, but Doritos and such

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Alistair Robb
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Having lived there for 23 years I can attest to this. They'll also say to someone they've just met "You'll have to come see us soon" but not really mean it.

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jimmy pop
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Germany you often encounter people in restaurants eating pizza with knife and fork, even though the official manners code (yeah, we have a written text for that, called "Knigge") says it's fine to eat pizza with your hands. People still think it's good manners to use cutlery outside of your private space or fast food areas.

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J-A Laine
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At home I usually eat pizza cutting slices with a pair of scissors. At the pizza parlor, knife and fork. It's normal in Sweden. The latter part.

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A Cat Named Dragon
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Brazil, the thing they do that no one else does is hug and kiss e-v-e-r-y-o-n-e! The most surprising was one night I (from USA) was having dinner in a restaurant with one of my Brazilian coworkers and someone he knew from a previous job was there at another table with their two children. The coworker hugged and kissed him and me, and then the children hugged and kissed him and me, the connection to me being that I was a coworker of a coworker of their parent : ) Delightful and friendly but also really unique!

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Angi Belsly
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I lived in Korea, all of my coworkers brought a toothbrush/toothpaste to work and brushed their teeth after eating lunch, and sometimes again if we had a party and they ate a lot.

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Denise Mclean
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The showers would cost you a Fortune in Electric Costs, and the pizza, only if you have a really decent pizza made. Most places are so cheap that it is like leather eating one. So my make your own and that is when the fork and knife come in.

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Marianne
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Germany it is not unusual to eat pizza with fork and knife, also burgers. I would just do it if I had no possibility to wash my hands before eating. 2-3 showers daily sounds awful for your skin, but I guess the climate makes it necessary.

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Cathy
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a friend from Denmark that eats pizza with a knife and fork.

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clever username
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

when i was a baby i lived in brazil and my mom still cuts her pizza with a fork and knife

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Lira Mai
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I eat my Cheetos with chopsticks especially if I am working.

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James F. Wilson Jr.
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And you have very good teeth because of the care that you give your teeth. France is just opposite (the land of green teeth).

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Paul Macdonell
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Ottawa Canada they eat Pizza with a Knife and fork.....but no where else in Canada

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NWB
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I eat pizza with a knife and fork...I hate grubby hands!

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<-Teal-Røse->
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where I am, pizza is a finger food, that is a treat or you can go to the store and get a frozen pizza to heat at your house. But I didn’t know they used cutlery with it in Brazil.

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Marnie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Two or 3 showers?! Does this mean hair, too?! That's just going too far as a general pratice. My skin would fall off. It's not natural.

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Tammie Braggs
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Brazil shower thing is throwing me off. I went to high school with a couple of exchange students from Brazil (they didn't know each other) and they thought it was weird that Americans showered every day. It was seen as an American thing. They only showered every two or three days which became a problem with their exchange families.

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Luiza NP
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What?? Showering every other day is EXTREMELY unnusual in Brasil . Even when it's winter time, it is considered very nasty to skip the daily shower. Maybe they weren't adapting well to the cold weather? Even so, it wouldn't be considered a good excuse for that behavior.

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

The more unusual one is 2 or 3 showers a day. This would take me 90 minutes a day and leave me exhausted (CSF & fibro). I can barely manage one every couple days. But the teeth I agree with - I spend about 6-7 minutes twice a day brushing with an electric toothbrush and then flossing. You only get one set of teeth.

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Luiza NP
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When it is hot and people shower more that once a day usually those showers are very quick . It is just to refresh and clean take away the sweat

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sylvantic
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

my dad's office has prepasted toothbrushes so people can do it.

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Alex Torkington
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I eat pizza with a knife and fork in restaurants, same with burgers. Nobody needs to see me eat like a pig nor should they have to, just manners

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

Real pizza requires a knife and fork. I defy a yone to go to Naples and order a pizza and try to eat it with their hands. "New York Style Pizza" (which is basically a hot cheese sandwich with ketchup) can be eaten with your hands, but you risk staining your suit.

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Beverly
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NY pizza is not "a hot cheese sandwich with ketchup." With respect, speak only of what you know.

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BabaBizzle
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you’re obsessed with being so clean, how can you use a gross public bathroom to floss and brush? The germs in there most certainly fly onto your tooth brush. Nasty.

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Quazmodic
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3 years ago

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They also can't spell the name of their own country.. lol

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#16

Toilet Bidet Sprayer In Iran

Toilet Bidet Sprayer In Iran

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Hans
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3 years ago DotsCreated 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.

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#17

Swedish Cheese Slicer

Swedish Cheese Slicer

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