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

Mostly ice. What's really strange is New York doesn't see a problem with a sandwich with a kilo of meat and a half kilo of cheese, but if you drink a 20oz unsweetened iced tea with it... THAT could lead to obesity.

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

My family kids me because I am so irritated by the size of a "small" in this country. I don't eat fast food often but we take an annual 6 hour trip to the beach every summer and usually get it then when we're on the road. We pulled up to a chain restaurant and I asked for a small iced tea and they hand me some massive cup and I handed it back and said no, I want a small and the clerk said that is a small. It barely fit in my cup holder. I NEVER drink it all and it seems hugely wasteful. And I can't imagine how we let this become normalized and it must be one of the reasons we have such rampant diabetes in this country. It's obnoxious. NO ONE needs a drink that size!

ellenwall89 avatar
Crochet lady
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I should add that they tease me because they say I'm the only person they know who complains about getting too much food for the money. Lol.

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

My nephew was shocked when we visited a European country, he ordered a Coke and got a small 8 ounce glass for like $6, with no refills! He was expecting a big American style 16+ ounce glass with free refills. I'd like to say that the trip convinced him to drink less soda, but one of the first things he did when we got back home was get a big 30 ounce big gulp Coke when we stopped for gas.

johnc_1 avatar
John C
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But without my 44oz coke, how am I supposed to survive this grueling 23 minute commute?

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

I bought a large one in a cinema and it was the size of a child's bucket with a handle. We shared it and still had some left over.

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

Also they are a lot sweeter. Coke is sweetened with some sort of syrup? My 12 year old wouldn't drink it and he loves coke here.

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

It's mostly corn syrup - here in Europe we use either real sugar or artificial sweeteners (not very healthy though)

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

No-one else uses weight when talking about the amount in drinks, either.

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

We're talking about fluid ounces, which is a measure of volume, not weight.

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

Evidently, you have never spent summer in Texas or Nevada. When it is 115 and you are playing baseball or volleyball, a 44oz iced drink is Nirvana.

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

Plus: there is no gratis refill in most other countries normally

ethandreemurrh avatar
engineer_nope.avi
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everything is big in the US, but even then, each state has a different definition for big (I think). Just look at Texas. (edited)

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

This is done because soda (pop) is extremely cheap to produce so by giving the customer something that over sized it makes them feel better about the price. It was originally done as kind of a gimmick but most Americans are raised that it is a sin to waste food so they would try to finish it. The same thing happened with "plate creep" where the plates at restaurants steady got larger and then people thought these were normal portions.

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

And a lot of fast food restaurants offer free refills, which defeats the purpose of offering different cup sizes.

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

Doesn't always have to be carbonated beverage. I get a giant unsweet iced tea with only a tiny bit of ice!

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

wendys in canada who say they are healthier than other fast food have a medium cup that is that big

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

Most soft drinks are made with corn syrup because it is easier for automated machinery to measure fluids.

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

This is kind of misleading. While there are some places where you can get a drink like this (7-11, Cumberland Farms) this is certainly not normal. You dont go to a restaurant or even fast food place and get offered a gallon size drink. Drinks here are 8-10 oz plus ice.

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

Pro tip...it isn't sugar. It is HFCS, which is why they are so fat.

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

The average iced drink in the US is 20oz (about. Half liter. The 44oz drinks are typically sold at rest stops for people driving long distances.

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

Yup. I'll nEver forget how I arrived in Chicaog on a hot summerday in 1993 and ordered a 'large' coke. I got this insane bucket, rejoined my fellow exchange students and everybody was flabberghasted. It tasted vile, too, because it was made with syrup and Chicago chlorine tabwater. And SO MUCH ICE! I never ordered something large, again, during my stay.

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

What's worse is that it varies depending on the restaurant. So a medium at McDonald's could be a large in one place, and a small in another. I can't tell you how many times I've ordered a medium, only to get an enormous cup.

erine avatar
Erin E
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

with the ice in the drinks, it’s really not actually 44oz of the beverage. Still too much, but not actually just 44oz of pure soda.

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

The small, medium, and large size cups at some fast food restaurants are the same size (without ice) like in McDonalds, some places don’t do this anymore. But I tried it once at one place and they were the same size, but at the other restaurant across town, it didn’t happen like that

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

This post made me grab my 20oz (diet) soda filled with ice sitting next to me, take a long pull on the straw and then go 'Ahhhhh'. Yes, we also love our ice.

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

The surprising thing is, this is a relatively recent trend. I remember when an extra-large drink would be 10, maybe 15 ounces. Things didn't start going crazy until the 1980s, when 7-11 introduced the Big Gulp (followed by the Super Big Gulp & Double Big Gulp); and fast food places started embiggening their drinks accordingly.

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

Wellll, the world knows what you americans are like ... Not a surprise. Plus your food, your cars, etc ..

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

When "the world" stops relying on other countries to feed its citizens, they can talk.

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

My dr said I NEED 44 oz Cokes. That's what I'm telling everyone from now on

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Noemie Houtekie-N'Da
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everything is larger and sweeter in America. You just need to know where to look to find something normal.

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

Sweeter in US? I visited the UK and gagged on how sweet the candy is there.

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S. Tor Storm
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aah yes, lovely isn't it? I visited the US once, it was great.

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

When/if things get back to normal, come back for a visit. We would love to see you again!

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

Sugar free Coke/Pepsi tastes like washed socks in US. I've never had a worse beverage in my entire life. In UK Pepsi Max, for example, is a delight. I noticed in the US that food/drinks can be either really really good, or really really bad. Nothing in between.

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

UK cuisine is based on a dare. "Hey, I'm going to fill this pig colon with blood and boil it. I dare you to eat it."

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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

It's available in other sizes ,but the reason that it is available in large sizes is that Americans are only fourth on the Obese list and they want to be first.

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D H
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3 years ago

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44oz, Skip the ice because the beverage is cold coming out of the machine. If you add ice you do not get full value on a full 44 oz.

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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
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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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#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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