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Traveling to another country is often very exciting and fun; however, it can often be followed by culture shock. There are so many different people and traditions in the world that it's not surprising they often catch us off guard. Some countries are more introverted and people there keep to themselves, while in other cultures it's often normal to say 'hello' and smile at strangers.
With this in mind, some online users asked others to share the weirdest and most shocking differences they noticed in cultures, and many chimed in to share. We have gathered answers from many threads, and here are some of the best ones. If you have anything to share, make sure to do so in the comments down below.
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#1
As a Swede, people here are in general pretty good at not interacting with strangers, looking out for themselves etc.
I was in Thailand during the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake/tsunami, and in the aftermath, holy f**k -- so many Thai people were always helping me and my family, making sure we were well fed, had dry and not too dirty clothes to wear, helped us locate each other as we had gotten separated.
I will NEVER forget how amazed I was. It was neither my first nor my last trip there, but the fact that they were so kind and thoughtful and selfless even during a time of crisis, it showed the world to me and it has given me a permanent faith in humanity.
We spoke to Dr. Gleb Tsipursky about culture shock and he had lots of great facts to share: "Culture shock is a phenomenon that individuals often experience when they are suddenly immersed in a culture that is different from their own. It's a natural response to the unfamiliar, a reaction to being out of our comfort zone. It's akin to being a fish out of water, where everything you've known and understood about social interactions, behaviors, and norms is suddenly turned on its head."
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#2
I'm Black British, but I never felt my race mattered until I went to America.
#3
When a large Maori man asked to touch noses with me in greeting. The dude looked pissed until I manned up and was the first to touch noses. Then he had one of the best smiles I've ever seen on a mountain of a man. It lit up the entire cultural center.
Lord Tubbington 1 year ago
I am Māori and this is hilarious. Touching noses in greeting is called a hongi.
Dr. Gleb Tsipursky continued on why people experience culture shock in the first place: "People experience culture shock because our brains are wired to seek familiarity and comfort. When we are thrust into a new environment where the language, customs, social norms, and even the food are different, it can be disorienting and stressful. This sudden change can cause anxiety, confusion, and even feelings of isolation."
#4
Moving from war-torn Chechnya to Brooklyn, NY.
I never really understood that life was more than death, that it actually had a purpose.
I never understood that people live their whole entire lives in relative peace and prosperity, simply going to their day jobs all day and partying and drinking all night, without a care in the world.
I lived in Grozny as it burned to the ground in the 1990s, my mother was killed and my sister was horrifically injured, and I spent my time as a homeless 10 year old attempting to survive and somehow get food.
Linda Csapo 1 year ago
I am so sorry to hear about your horrible childhood in a war torn country. Wishing you all the best in life.
#5
Mine was also in Japan.
I was walking down a main street in Kyoto on a sunny summer day. Up ahead I see a police car and a policeman and a long folding table on the sidewalk. As I approached, I saw the policeman was flagging down certain drivers with his gloved hand. The drivers pulled over, quietly got out of their cars and calmly took a folding chair at the table.
The police officer produced paper work for the drivers to sign. They each read the paper and signed it and bowed respectfully to the cop. Then they got in their cars and drove away. I watched for a while longer and realized these drivers were being pulled over for traffic infractions. There were cops blocks ahead checking speed, then radioing the cop at the table with descriptions and instructions.
I could not belive it. I kept think about how this might work in America. Every single driver would be screaming in protest. "This is b******t! I wasn't speeding! I'm not gonna sign this! This is B******T!" Blah blah blah.
But the Japanese? They knew they screwed up and meekly and respectfully took their punishment (a small fine). That, my friends, was culture shock. It was even weirder than all the weirdness I saw in Tokyo. And there was a lot of weirdness in Tokyo.
censorshipsucks 1 year ago
if you did that screaming in protest thing in usa to a cop while african-american I seriously doubt you'd live through the ordeal, sorry to say.
Dr. Gleb Tsipursky also shared some tips and tricks: "For those experiencing culture shock, I would recommend the following: First, do your research. Understand as much as you can about the new culture before you immerse yourself in it. Second, keep an open mind. Different doesn't mean wrong, and there's often much to learn from other ways of life. Third, find a support network. This could be people who are going through the same experience or locals who are willing to help you navigate the new environment. Lastly, take care of your mental health. It's okay to feel overwhelmed, and it's important to acknowledge these feelings and seek help if needed."
#6
I grew up in Japan and moved to the U.S. when I was 9.
Before we moved, I'd only learned about the U.S. from what was on TV so I imagined it was this awesome suburban utopia where everyone was nice and all the houses had huge lawns and school was super clean and awesome. I had so much to look forward to and you could imagine how excited I was to move to the greatest country in the world.
But we moved to Alabama
#7
I am from south-central Texas. Until I was 24, I had never left the state.
Anyway, I get to Las Vegas (of all places) and *Oh my f*****g god, my entire family is disgustingly obese. We should be embarrassed.* Seriously, I am not sure if some sort of convention was going on, but holy cow, everyone was *tiny* compared to us.
Anyway, I got home, felt like s**t and lost 40-ish pounds.
**EDIT:** Whoa. My highest rated comment ever and it's, of all things, about how I used to be a whale.
Tracy Butler 1 year ago
Overweight people are still people. I find it so bizarre when those that have lost weight refer to their former selves as less than human.
"Culture shock can be both a good and a bad thing. On the one hand, it can be stressful and challenging. On the other hand, it can be a powerful catalyst for personal growth. It forces us to question our assumptions, adapt to new environments, and develop a deeper understanding of the world. So while it can be uncomfortable, it's often an invaluable part of the journey of exploring new cultures," continued Dr. Gleb Tsipursky.
#8
In University, in London, I went to the communal kitchen in just a pair of shorts. When I entered a female Muslim floor-mate started screaming like crazy and ran out. I felt awful.
Until she came back a minute later with her headscarf and started *profusely* apologizing for not wearing it in the first place. I'm standing there mostly naked as she apologized for being rude for thinking she could just hop across the hall and make some food in a few minutes without her headscarf on, and how she should have known better.
Once, she let me in her room, just the two of us, though the door stayed open. We talked about our culture and the differences (we'd bonded a bit over the headscarf thing). That was super, super racy for her and I appreciated what it meant for her (very friendly, very open, very progressive).
#9
In Japan, the level of trust is incredible.
I went to a convenience store with no staff. You simply pick your items, drop your cash into a box, and get your change. There is an open box of money in the middle of the store.
The Scout 1 year ago
In parts of rural Germany, this is a common thing at farms for low cost produce like potatoes - take a sack, leave some money. But the money/trust thing that impressed me the most was a thing I once experienced in southern Turkey: I went on a completely stuffed bus, did only fit in with a bit of force, and, without any real hope of it arriving, pressed a small note into the hand of the person next to me (Like: Hey, at least I try to pay...). About twenty minutes later (did I mention the bus was completely stuffed far over capacity?) another passenger handed me exact change for the fare, after it had gone through at least fifty hands - and everyone seemed to think this was completely normal. I am quite sure my about 50 cents of change would have disappeared everywhere else.
Dr. Gleb Tsipursky also shared a bit about his personal experience of culture shock: "As a globally recognized expert in behavioral science, I've had the opportunity to travel and work in various cultural contexts. One of my most vivid experiences of culture shock was when I first visited Hungary for a research project. The social norms were different - the directness of communication, the importance of tradition, and the strong sense of national pride were all new to me. At first, it was disorienting and even a bit overwhelming. However, as I spent more time there, I began to understand and appreciate these differences. I learned to communicate effectively, to respect and appreciate the traditions. It was a challenging but ultimately enriching experience that underscored for me the importance of adaptability and open-mindedness when encountering new cultures."
#10
Originally from India, went to Finland on student exchange. First night there, I'm at a party and everyone is going to a sauna. I'm prepared with my bathing suit and all, and then bam - find myself in a mixed gendered sauna, with all the people I've been hanging out with all evening, butt naked.
Then after 30 minutes of sweating, they all went rolling naked in the snow. Took me a while to deal with it, and finally get my swimsuit off.
#11
Grew up in a small town in the Midwest. My highschool had zero dropouts, pregnancies, arrests, etc. I never even saw drugs.
Then I get hired as a cop in a ghetto area of a big city in Florida. Blew my mind.
Moved back home 8 years later. Best decision ever.
TL; DR: FLORIDIANS ARE BAT S**T INSANE
#12
In India, they do this head-bob that's part nod, part head shake. After 3 months of living there I still had trouble deciphering it. Sometimes it means yes, sometimes it means no, and sometimes it means "I don't have enough information to give you a reasonable answer at this time."
The Indian head-bob is the magic 8-ball of nonverbal communication.
Sandra Pandra 1 year ago
At my first visit it took me 45 min to find the womens toilet at Delhi airport because of this bobble everytime I asked if I coud use it they said "no". Can't wait to visit for 5th time in september!
#13
I stepped off of an airplane in Japan and was suddenly, utterly, illiterate.
never snarky 1 year ago
It helps to keep one humble. Also, it makes one far more empathetic to visitors and emigres in our own countries.
#14
When I joined the military. During basic training I learned a lot of things from my own country that didn't cross my mind. For instance, being from a good area from the northeast, I didn't think racism waa as present as it really is in some parts of the country. It really threw me through a loop.
#15
My father and I went to japan on a business trip, and we went to some fancy restaurant. Our waiter was extremely polite and very attentive so my dad left a generous tip for him. After the waiter saw the tip he threw a fit, and I mean he really did he started screaming randomly at what appeared to be the manager, and other workers. Apparently he took it as a sign of disrespect because he thinks we thought he was extremely poor, and left him the tip to help him out with his "troubles" needless to say never tipped in Japan again..
#16
I spent most of my life in big cities. I moved to a small town in rural Ohio for 3 years for a job. (just outside Amish country)
Billboards EVERYWHERE saying that I am going to hell or the true worship day is Saturday and Satan changed it to Sunday.
#17
When I was a kid we didn't have a lot of money, but my parents worked hard to give me the best life they could.
I remember one weekend, when I was about 7, my dad had gotten an odd job to help this guy with some landscaping and to clear out some old furniture. My mom was working and we couldn't find anyone to watch me, so he brought me along, because the guy had a two kids I could play with.
When we got there I couldn't believe how big the house and property were. We had recently moved out of a basement apartment and into a house, which I thought was huge, but their house was at least twice the size and they had a giant lawn, a swimming pool, and a tennis court.
I had never seen anything like it, aside from TV shows and movies, so it felt a bit surreal. The family was really nice though and I had fun playing with his kids. I remember as I was leaving he gave me a baseball, which I still have to this day.
#18
From California, visited the south..... Racism, so much racism. Also really great barbecue,
#19
I was teaching a class in South Carolina (I live in Minnesota) and sat down to eat lunch with all the guys I was teaching. Took a bite of my sandwich and noticed no one else was eating yet. I paused for a minute and one of them piped in that they were ready to say grace. I had never experienced group prayer before lunch, especially in the workplace. Definitely a shock for me.
#20
American university campus culture.
Compared to Canada, people are simply WAY more excited about absolutely every little minute aspect of their school - especially sports teams, fraternities and sororities. Back home, people simply did not give a s**t about any of those to nearly the same degree - you go to class, hang out with friends, maybe catch a game if you're bored and there's nothing better to do, but it's really not a big deal. Being a varsity athlete in the USA made you like a god, being a varsity athlete in Canada makes you annoying if you bring it up too often in conversation.
It was like hanging around some church that you're not a member of. Everyone would dress the same, do the same things, chant things and get extremely worked up about stuff that means absolutely nothing to you. Also, the classes were way easier, which I suppose gives a lot more free time for those other activities. I can't even count the amount of times I spent exchanging awkward glances with the other international students expressing feelings of "are these people serious?".
Edit: Also, Legacy admissions are a thing in the states. Seriously, what in the name of f**k? How can anyone justify putting up with that b******t going on in schools?
#21
Moving to Bulgaria from England. In Bulgaria shaking your head means "yes" and nodding means "no". You don't even realise how hard it is to reverse a lifelong habit until you try, it's really disconcerting. (Also, if you screw up you look crazy, imagine asking someone if they want a bag for that and having them nod at you while saying "no".)
Edit: I hate repeating words.
#22
In Chinese tradition, it is rude to slurp your soup
In Japanese tradition, it is polite to slurp your soup
Im Chinese that came across Japanese friend slurping soup, soo things got pretty strange until I asked him about it and he explained
#23
in america, strangers smile at you when you make eye contact. back in my country, you'd get beaten up.
Charlie the Cat 1 year ago
I lived in London most of my life. People there don't really smile or make eye contact. I moved to the north of England. Nearly everyone that walks past you will say good morning/afternoon & give a nod and a smile.
#24
Went on vacation to an East Africa with my wife, who is East African. I was out an about in town and dudes were glaring pretty bad at us. It was usually me, my wife, and her female cousin in the car.
When we went to the market guys were yelling into the car rude stuff and my cousin actually looked shocked and sad "It was **untranslatable!.** My wife basically told me that the people thought I was on a sex vacation.
We also went to drop off some beans and rice to their grandmother and when it came time I lifted the 50 kilo bag (about 110 pounds) and through it on my shoulder everyone burst out laughing because Mzungo (white men) don't work around those parts and because, given the stature of the people (most of the men are like 5'6 and I am 6'1) it was quite the act of strength.
And there was the one time a poor drunk woman kneeled before me babeling and grabbed my hand and rubbed in against her face. When I asked what is going on my wife said she may have never seen a white person (we were well away from tourist locations) in person and was trying to touch my white skin.
#25
Born in Korea, moved to US when I was 6. Realized pizza and hamburgers and hotdogs aren't the only things Americans eat.
MyNameIsNotAPortent 1 year ago
Oh yeah. Chicken McNuggets, cheese in a spray can, APPLE PIE...
#26
Coming back to the UK after 8 years. So many high functioning alcoholics. I thought that was just a high school and uni thing. Nope.
Owen 1 year ago
As a high functioning alcoholic man from the UK, I agree with this. But always remember that alcoholism is an illness, but it's an illness you will get yelled at for having. Don't look at alcoholics with disgust, but with kindness. And people will suprise you. And yes, I am in therapy.
#27
As a British person I once went to France and when I ordered tea they gave me some sort of Lipton monstrosity with lemon instead of milk!
Of course, I was straight back on the nearest ferry home.
#28
When I first moved to Ohio, I was in a convenience store buying a drink and I asked to buy some stamps.
The lady behind the counter said "Please."
I responded, "... may I buy some stamps, please?"
She looked really confused and sold me the stamps. Apparently in this town when someone does not hear you they say "please" and you are suppose to repeat yourself. I thought you just had to be super nice to people at all times.
Edit: Because people are asking, this is in Cincinnati. I hear it all the time.
Edit 2: Because people are asking, the reason she was confused is because the first time I mumbled, "Can I have some stamps" and the second time I mumbled "Can I have some stamps, **please**" with a massive emphasis on the please. She was confused at why I was being so forcefully nice all of a sudden.
Nikki Sevven 1 year ago
In New England, it's either, "I'm sorry?" or, "Excuse me?" However, the latter, if spoken in an aggressive, sarcastic tone, will not mean, "I didn't hear you." It'll mean, "WTF did you just say to me?!"
#29
When I went to Germany it was weird that girls were like getting away from me when we greeted. In Latin America, you greet girls with a kiss on the cheek. It's weird, cause I never really considered it a cultural thing until one told me. Before that I started to think, "Jesus, am I THIS ugly over here??"
Take me to dinner first 1 year ago
LOL im eternally doomed to wonder if people are going for one or two kisses on the cheek
#30
While in New Delhi, my boyfriend (Finnish) and I (American) were invited to a New Year's Eve party at a hotel, by the manager of the hotel. It was great - a dozen people, drinks, music, fun. After midnight, people start dancing. A young man comes over and asks my boyfriend to dance. He laughs and declines, saying that he's sure I'd love to dance. So I get up and go to the dance floor with him, and proceed to dance about 2 feet away from him. Not touching, just dancing in front of him pretty much. Everything seems fine.
But it's not. For the rest of the night, people are apologizing to my boyfriend for how he's been insulted. It's so horrific that his woman was treated like that-claimed like meat. People mostly avoided me for the rest of the evening, with the exception of the hotel manager who apologized profusely and actually gave me a Rajasthani puppet that he'd used in a performance earlier in the night - as a token of how sorry he was about my humiliation. We left quickly after that.
The next day, the owner of the hotel sees us on the street. He comes up to us and tells us he heard about the way we were insulted and disrespected at his hotel and how unacceptable it is. We try to explain that it was my fault for not understanding what the dancing meant, but he cut us off. He wanted us to know he'd FIRED the manager for allowing that to happen. We tried to get him to listen to our side but he was having none of it.
TL,DR: I got a man fired and ruined his life because I danced at a party.
What do you think ?
Marco Richter 1 year ago
Came for the articles, stayed to look through the comments for the next batsht insane replies
🇷🇺🇺🇦ЛеснойКороль(they/he) 1 year ago
if you wanna experience culture shock, try moving from Russia to Singapore… i could write an essay 💀
Salty Sasquatch 1 year ago
Write that essay! and get it epublished! Maybe even a book?
Load More Replies...
Alexandra Davis 1 year ago
I'm a full time wheelchair user. In the UK, a few times people will come up to me when I'm alone and ask if I need help, but by and large I'm left (thankfully) to my own devices. Like they understand that if I need help I will ask for it. First time I travelled to America disabled, I was so so frustrated. People would automatically do things for me that I was more than capable of doing myself, without even asking me. Then to add insult to injury, they would want a tip! Like the airport, I purposefully had a bag that attached to my wheelchair so I could pull it, I could easily get it off the belt. As I was doing so, in no trouble, someone came over and forceably took it from me as I was lifting it and finished lifting it, then looked at me like he was expecting to be thanked. Miffed (both long flight exhaustion and frustrating as I'm so independent and hate people doing this) I said "I was fine, next time ask before taking over" he replied "so you're not going to tip me?"
Alexandra Davis 1 year ago
It happened the whole trip. Also people would talk to me like I was intellectually disabled as well as physically disabled, talking slow and explaining themselves (like mansplaining but woman did it too) but if I was with someone they would talk normally to them. Even when I replied to show I wasn't intellectually disabled, it didn't stop them. Even when they asked my job and I said teacher, it didn't stop! Also the use of the word 'handicapped' made my toes metaphorically curl. In the Uk, it's a derogatory term, and I get in America it's not, but it's so hard not to snap at someone when they'd call me handicapped or use the word; having to remind myself all the time they weren't being rude. I love visiting America, but awfully glad I don't live there if that's how disabled people are treated.
Load More Replies... Marco Richter 1 year ago
Came for the articles, stayed to look through the comments for the next batsht insane replies
🇷🇺🇺🇦ЛеснойКороль(they/he) 1 year ago
if you wanna experience culture shock, try moving from Russia to Singapore… i could write an essay 💀
Salty Sasquatch 1 year ago
Write that essay! and get it epublished! Maybe even a book?
Load More Replies... Alexandra Davis 1 year ago
I'm a full time wheelchair user. In the UK, a few times people will come up to me when I'm alone and ask if I need help, but by and large I'm left (thankfully) to my own devices. Like they understand that if I need help I will ask for it. First time I travelled to America disabled, I was so so frustrated. People would automatically do things for me that I was more than capable of doing myself, without even asking me. Then to add insult to injury, they would want a tip! Like the airport, I purposefully had a bag that attached to my wheelchair so I could pull it, I could easily get it off the belt. As I was doing so, in no trouble, someone came over and forceably took it from me as I was lifting it and finished lifting it, then looked at me like he was expecting to be thanked. Miffed (both long flight exhaustion and frustrating as I'm so independent and hate people doing this) I said "I was fine, next time ask before taking over" he replied "so you're not going to tip me?"
Alexandra Davis 1 year ago
It happened the whole trip. Also people would talk to me like I was intellectually disabled as well as physically disabled, talking slow and explaining themselves (like mansplaining but woman did it too) but if I was with someone they would talk normally to them. Even when I replied to show I wasn't intellectually disabled, it didn't stop them. Even when they asked my job and I said teacher, it didn't stop! Also the use of the word 'handicapped' made my toes metaphorically curl. In the Uk, it's a derogatory term, and I get in America it's not, but it's so hard not to snap at someone when they'd call me handicapped or use the word; having to remind myself all the time they weren't being rude. I love visiting America, but awfully glad I don't live there if that's how disabled people are treated.
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