Join the Fun!

30 People Reveal The Biggest Culture Shock They’ve Ever Encountered I moved from Europe to USA. How Americans idolize their politicians. These are public servants, YOU PAY THEM! your taxes pay them, THEY WORK FOR YOU!

zlta , History in HD Report

Final score:

232points

POST

Hans 3 years ago

The paradox is that they are idolized, that people decide on one person, that billions are spent in rallies, yet the trust in the state is extremely low. Where that leads becomes apparent in this pandemic situation.

52points

I'm American and I had never left the country. When I traveled to Japan, I was seeing kids so often travel by themselves and leave their bags in places like at seats when they went to go order food, etc., without a worry of anyone stealing it. It was very surprising but also gave me a sense of safety I have never felt in the US.

littlebosleeps Report

Final score:

228points

POST

Marky Mark 3 years ago

Clearly everybody has a handgun in Japan and that is why they feel so safe (yes - this is a sarcastic comment)

168points

Bored Panda reached out to Reddit user u/yehboyjj, whose response to “What was your biggest culture shock?” amassed 2.8k points and turned to be the top answer. The Dutch guy told us that the biggest culture shock for him after arriving to Canada was how huge everything was.

“In Canada, everything is bigger. The roads, the cars, the houses, the cities, malls, and the travel distances.” Back in the Netherlands, driving from the eastern to the western end of the country takes about two to three hours. Meanwhile, in Canada, the smallest distances take ages to get to. “What seemed like an infinitely small distance on the map took two and a half hours to drive,” u/yehboyjj said.

The redditor also said he initially was super surprised with the distribution of people around the city. “It seemed like the crowding that goes on in Dutch cities only exists in downtown Toronto.” Another culture shock for u/yehboyjj was how Canadians love spending more time together compared with families back in the Netherlands. “Plus sports is a huge deal for them.” u/yehboyjj added.

u/yehboyjj concluded that two weeks of vacation weren’t enough to get adapted to the Canadian lifestyle and he guessed it would take much longer to get fully used to their people.

American here and I lived in the Netherlands for a bit. The first time I went to the doctor and he had actually read my entire chart beforehand.
Oh, and then the total for my visit was a few euro. That was a pretty big shock too.

1000bugswritten Report

Final score:

204points

POST

David K 3 years ago

American health insurance system is so bad. No surprise you were shocked.

129points

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.

0_1_0_2 Report

Final score:

202points

POST

Lauren Caswell 3 years ago

A hongi. Common greeting amongst maori people and other new Zealanders too. I'm glad you accepted it and reciprocated the hongi:)

114points

Had a business trip to rural Alabama as a fresh college grad. I’m Canadian and had never left Canada at that point.

The blatant, overt racism I found there was absolutely shocking. This was like 20 years ago, no idea if things have changed since... I remember thinking that if I wasn’t white I would be in legit danger most of the time I was there. We took our client out to dinner and he asked the host to make sure we weren’t gonna be served by a black person, like it was a casual request no different from asking to sit by a window.

dcmcderm Report

Final score:

189points

POST

El Dee 3 years ago

Wow! I'm just beginning to understand how deep the hate runs in the US..

105points

The term “culture shock" refers to the impact of moving from a familiar culture to an unfamiliar one, and is a common experience among exchange students, expats, and travelers.

Sometimes it comes with separation anxiety when parting with your country and the surroundings you know so very well creates a sense of loss. Many people who start living abroad experience heightened feelings of nostalgia and longing, similar to that when you break up with a loved one.

Many things can stir up culture shock, from food, dress, and weather to language, behavior, and cultural values. If you’re tired and under stress, even little differences can become truly nerve-wracking. But these inconveniences should not be confused with culture shock, which usually takes time to develop.

The sheer amount of nonchalant waste that Americans do took me off guard. They just... leave the faucet running or throw away food if it doesn't look perfect.

fluffy_fluffycake Report

Final score:

174points

POST

giovanna 3 years ago

With this regard: I was shocked, having made friends with an American group of people here in Italy, by the nonchalance with which they used plastic cups and plates.

71points

Coming from Europe, the public transportation in USA is absolutely rubbish.

lasseft Report

Final score:

172points

POST

axle f 3 years ago

Coming from Michigan, USA....i think you're on to something...

70points

Holidaying in Tokyo and watching 5 year old kids walk themselves home from school and catching public transport...all by themselves.

-pewpewpew- Report

Final score:

166points

POST

WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago

In the US someone would have called the police and the parents would be charged with child neglect. CPS would be quick to take the children away from their parents.

58points

There are four main stages of culture shock that are known as honeymoon, frustration, adjustment, and acceptance. The honeymoon refers to an initial reaction which can be overwhelmingly positive. The journey may feel like the best decision of your life, but it usually doesn’t last long.

The second stage is frustration, which comes from not understanding the culture you've put yourself in. This is when homesickness and longing for home emerge, and sometimes these feelings can cause great anxiety, depression, and mood swings. So they should be taken seriously.

#10

When I was 20 I moved to Newcastle, Australia to study (Spoiler alert I didn't study. At all). But before I went there I was told that in Australia they spoke English (Spoiler alert they didn't. At all). Every single word is abbreviated, everything is different, everything has its own vernacular. Example:

Me, "Hey Shane, I'm going to McDonald's, you want me to get you a breakfast burrito?"

Shane, "Oi Maccas Fair Dinkum mate! Had to ruck up early for the physio and me ute was out of petrol so stopped at the servo and asked the Sheila if they had brekky but noooouaahho just lollies so ive been getting aggro"

Me:...

Dude, none of the sounds that just fell out of your head were words. Do you want a breakfast burrito or not?

Ask_me_4_a_story Report

Final score:

150points

POST

Foxxy (The Original) 3 years ago (edited)

Makes perfect sense to me lol. Translation: hey friend, want to go to McDonalds. Had to grab my s**t early to see the physiotherapist and my utility vehicle was out of petrol so stopped at the service station (petrol station) or gas station etc. And asked the lady if they had any breakfast, but noooo just lollies aka candy or sweets. So I’ve been getting angry.

112points

#11

That nudity was such a big issue in the US coming from Europe. I undressed to get into my swim trunks, all a matter of a few seconds, in the changing room and everyone looked at me like I had just murdered a kitten.

T-Max1893 Report

Final score:

146points

POST

giovanna 3 years ago

Reverse: in public swimming pools in Iceland it is COMPULSORY to shower naked (in the changing room, but in open showers) before getting in the pool. It is very rational if you think about hygiene. I had no prob doing so, but I'm sure I would have been looked as if I had murdered a kitten if I hadn't.

77points

#12

30 People Reveal The Biggest Culture Shock They’ve Ever Encountered Barefoot people EVERYWHERE in New Zealand. In Starbucks, in the mall, on public transit, walking down the street. No shoes, no socks, no [damns] to give.

skyfelldown , eitan bar Report

Final score:

134points

POST

Toujin C'Thlu 3 years ago

Sounds like my dream country. I hate wearing shoes

89points

The third stage is known as adjustment, and it’s a gradual step towards getting finally used to your new surroundings. This is when you start getting more comfortable with your new culture and everything feels a tiny bit easier.

The acceptance stage is the last one, but it takes months, and sometimes years, to come to. After initial cultural challenges, you get some peace of mind and can truly enjoy your new life abroad.

#13

So I’m norwegian, but I went to New Zealand for a year. The culture shock for me was how open kiwis talk, and how there’s no such thing as stranger danger. And as a typical norwegian introvert, it took a while to get used to. I’d meet a stranger and they’d be breaking the touching barrier right away and start talking about their cousin’s rash and all their weekend plans. Even bigger shock returning to silent Norway.

kantartist Report

Final score:

133points

POST

Tatjana Peskir 3 years ago

I am from south Europe, was once on a youth organisation trip to Norway. I was in a car and already knew some of the people from their visits to our country, but I didn’t know the driver. So I asked him about 10 questions and he was more and more panicked , after one of them he looked at one of his friends in panic, and everyone in the car except for me burst out in laughter. They explained to him my culture and to me that this level of interest was basically ‘tomorrow I will ask you to marry me’ level in Norway :-))).

96points

#14

I lived in Tokyo my whole life before this. First day going to college in the States, I went to the gas station to buy something. I had a lot of $100 bills with me because I didn't have a card yet. The cashier literally told me, 'You shouldn't carry that many bills around. If I saw you with that on the street, I would rob you.' I was like, 'OK, thanks for letting me know?' This was six years ago. In Japan, people normally carry/use cash for a lot of things.

305_ps Report

Final score:

131points

POST

BoredPanda is awesome 3 years ago

wow, good thing he knew beforehand

25points

#15

I'm a black South African, in my culture a woman doesn't leave the house for about a month after she has a baby. This is to avoid things like infections, bad spirits and so forth for both mother and baby. Also for the first month she doesn't do housework and must focus on the baby so usually family members come to live with them to help out. I was shocked when my English friend's aunt was cleaning the house and going out to shop for groceries a week after she had the baby and she took the baby with her. Not to mention she allowed a stranger to touch the baby which is a big no no in my culture.

lola_92 Report

Final score:

131points

POST

Wendillon 3 years ago

White South African here, my mother took my brother out shopping with her the day after she got home from the hospital (he was about 3 days old)....OP's way sounds better.

54points

#16

In California, we have squirrels everywhere. Running around, climbing trees, getting run over.

We went to Puerto Rico for our honeymoon, where literal IGUANAS serve the same role. I've always been into reptiles and that was really cool.

blindfire40 Report

Final score:

126points

POST

Romenriel 3 years ago

Something similar can happen even in one country. In my hometown, there are pigeons in public spaces. In town where my uni is, just 200 km away, crows and rooks everywhere and no pigeons to be seen. That low key blew my mind. (But not gonna lie, iguanas sound even cooler :D).

36points

-----iMartijn----- Report

#17

At 21 I encountered people who took the bible as a history book. Including the creation in six days.

Blew my mind.

I was raised a catholic and we always were told that the bible contained moral stories, passed over through time.

Final score:

124points

POST

Romenriel 3 years ago

Similar experience here. I am protestant, but from Europe (not that there are no fundamentalists in here, but they are not very common.) I would also wish that more people realized that not all Christians are like these stereotypical american churches. They aren't even a majority if you take Christians from all over the world into account!

59points

#18

I’ve been to Iran twice and they have this very elaborate and convoluted culture of hospitality. They say in Iran hospitality is an extreme sport.

So when you’re at someone’s house, you have to eat whatever they give you, and they will not stop offering, so you will be force fed until you’re sick. I found the only way to avoid this is to hold a full plate of food and pretend to be eating it.

If you compliment them on something, like a pretty painting on the wall, they will take the thing off the wall and give it to you to take home. Now this is where it gets convoluted, because they don’t really want you to take it. Yet if you refuse they will still act insulted. It’s all part of the show.

mostlyemptyspace Report

Final score:

124points

POST

Otto Mõmmiste 3 years ago

"Your house is very pretty!"

132points

#19

Recently moved to the US (9 months ago), and I am still not used to everyone asking me how I am doing. I am from Norway, and if the cashier asked how you are, you'd get embarrassed and wouldn't know how to answer.

lasseft Report

Final score:

123points

POST

Hanneke Legerstee 3 years ago

Even weirder, they're not actually asking, it's just a greeting, after 12 years in the UK I still have to hold back on answering the question. No one really cares how you're doing!

135points

#20

India, when visiting a family on a business trip the head of the household interrogated me at length on why my parents hadn’t found a mate for my then-28-year-old self.

I’m gay. It was very awkward.

SwissCanuck Report

Final score:

116points

POST

BoredPanda is awesome 3 years ago

oh, must be really awkward

25points

trainer-yellow , travel.stackexchange.com Report

#21

30 People Reveal The Biggest Culture Shock They’ve Ever Encountered What is with American toilet stalls having the doors end like two feet away from the ground? Every time I took a [crap] I was half expecting to see someone poke their head under because of how much space there is

Final score:

115points

POST

Ilana Sebastian 3 years ago

And what about the gaps running alongside the doors? You can wave to people passing by whilst doing your business. Weird!

86points

#22

30 People Reveal The Biggest Culture Shock They’ve Ever Encountered Dutch here. When we went to Canada, everything was HUGE. Big cars on big roads, big streets and restaurants and malls. I remember driving for what seemed like hours through suburbs, and I just kept thinking, 'surely after the next turn we’re out of the city', but the city just seemed to be endless.

yehboyjj , Tim Gouw Report

Final score:

108points

POST

Hans 3 years ago

Well, I also remember driving through the center of the US and reading signs like "No service next 160 miles". In Europe, you would find that sign if there was no petrol station for 50 km...

39points

#23

My dad was a US diplomat so we moved to a new country every three years or so. I had never lived in the states (born in Portugal) and 4 countries later when my dad decided to retire, we moved to the US (Maryland). Being in America was the biggest shock. From the “safeness” I felt, to the way people were. Yellow school busses. Everyone sort of being the same. It was a shock, among many other things.

I felt American my whole life living abroad, being associated with the American embassy, hanging out at the marine club houses. And when I moved to the US, I did not feel very American at all

Scrappy_Kitty Report

Final score:

103points

POST

axle f 3 years ago

that's....absolutely understandable. my ex was navy...we did four and a half years in Bermuda, as they were shutting the naval facilities there down. it was only four years...but man. coming back... i didn't feel much american at all anymore then, either. and there seems to be a thirty year hangover effect...

34points

#24

Turkish person who lived in Germany for 5 years. Germany gives immense importance to order and being precise. If you follow the rules, you'll live in harmony. When I came back to Turkey, that wasn't the case. Everything was chaotic and you needed luck and acquaintices to survive.

airplaneoutoffart Report

Final score:

102points

POST

Natalie Bohrteller 3 years ago

If only Deutsche Bahn was precise....

22points

#25

30 People Reveal The Biggest Culture Shock They’ve Ever Encountered The only thing that really shocked me in France was how casually people talked about taboo subjects. I mostly had a huge culture shock when I came back from France. Caused me to be pretty depressed for a year.

Macbee1046 , x1klima Report

Final score:

95points

POST

Haunting Spirit 3 years ago

It's because America is making taboos out of everything. In Europe we are more relaxed about most subjects.

133points

#26

I went to south Korea for a year when I was in the U.S. Army, and they refused to let us tip after a meal at any restaurant.

Imjusta_pug Report

Final score:

93points

POST

Nandi La Sophia 3 years ago

That's because it's considered extremely insulting- it's like offering someone a condescending handout when they are already being paid for their work. Someone saying "You are adequate but I feel pity for you, have five thousand won. It just doesn't translate.

114points

#27

30 People Reveal The Biggest Culture Shock They’ve Ever Encountered Not mine but in college I had a roommate from Australia who was studying abroad in America. We went out to dinner one night and I got mozzarella sticks. He could not believe we just deep fried cheese and then ate it

Sarnick18 , Kim Report

Final score:

92points

POST

Lauren Caswell 3 years ago

I thought mozzarella sticks were like a cheesy breadstick! It's just straight up fried cheese?! Mind you I can't talk, here in nz we have deep fried Moro bars (like a denser mars bar), and deep fried ice cream! I had the former once: never again it was just too much fat and sugar I felt so crook

50points

#28

That Americans don’t have electric kettles. Or that I need to say electric kettle because if I didn’t people would say they have stovetop kettles.

In the Commonwealth countries a kettle is just a standard item for the house. I don’t drink coffee or tea and still own a kettle. You can get that for like $10 and they’ll still be decent.

Lozzif Report

Final score:

86points

POST

Wendillon 3 years ago

I though the stovetop kettle thing was just a movie gimmick for the longest time...didn't think people actually still used them

35points

#29

I'm Canadian, and I was working in New Zealand. Birds indoors. This may seem minor, but it was so weird to see. When I got off the plane in Auckland, there were birds flying around inside the airport.

Ramone2017 Report

Final score:

77points

POST

Flisey 3 years ago

We get the odd sparrow in our supermarkets as well

37points

#30

30 People Reveal The Biggest Culture Shock They’ve Ever Encountered I know it sounds ridiculous, but my biggest culture shock is 'hugs and kisses.' I grew up in a family that doesn't show love through such means.

Ok_Worldliness1818 , Barney Moss Report

Final score:

76points

POST

Lauren Caswell 3 years ago

My sister and I grew up with one super huggy parent and one who found that more difficult. Funnily enough I've turned out to be a hugger, and my sister not so much! I know both parents love me, they just have different ways of showing it

39points

forgot_old_account Report

Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium

Unlimited content

Ad-free browsing

Dark mode

#31

Dropped my wallet in the subway in Japan... called the Lost and Found office several hours later and someone turned it in with all the money there. I was dumbfounded.

Final score:

35points

POST

SeidWolf 3 years ago

Amazing what happens when a culture vales Respect and emphasizes We over Me

22points

#32

As someone who has lived in the Philippines for most of his life, I am considered quite chubby or overweight here. When I travelled to the USA a few years ago to study, I was shocked when people over there looked at me and said I was quite fit. Huge culture shock in terms of body image, and an even bigger culture shock at the portions of food in the USA.

Valkrie29 Report

Final score:

30points

POST

Mohammad Ammar 3 years ago

The best part is how they exported their obesity to the rest of the world through their greasy fast food chains. Gotta admit though, I do love pizza and burgers.

12points

#33

30 People Reveal The Biggest Culture Shock They’ve Ever Encountered How queueing works in China. I’m from the UK, where standing too close to someone or pushing in front of them is basically akin to criminal behaviour.

glavet , See-ming Lee Report

Final score:

29points

POST

Monty Is Fiennes 3 years ago

Yeah I see this culture shock in my own country. Australia is very big (6th largest in the world) country with a comparatively small population (24million), when people emmigrate from asian nations they are not aware of the absolute horror some Aus-borns have for standing too close together.....

10points

#34

I spent a month living in Thailand when I was 15. The first hour broke me.

The trip there had taken an absurdly long time and long story short I had been awake for about 38 hours by that point. I did not have an ounce of mental fortitude, which I also did not know I would need.

We (group of us) met up with the families we were staying with, introductions, all that jazz. Nice folks. We decided to go home, get a nap (it was 7am local) and meet up for dinner. I say decided but that was the plan all along.

I got into the car in the backseat- no seatbelts. Okay, cool, that's different but whatever.

We pulled out onto the very busy road- on the left side. A bit of a surprise but hey, that's neat.

The city (Bangkok) was wildly different from any place I had ever been. But that was expected, it's the other side of the world, right?

Nearly there, we stopped at a stop light. There was an elephant standing beside me, 10 feet from my window.

That was it. That elephant broke me. It was too much. There were no elephants outside car windows anywhere I had been before. I closed my eyes and curled up into a ball until we arrived.

Lovely country. Wonderful people.

trabbaro Report

Final score:

28points

POST

Toujin C'Thlu 3 years ago

For me, that would be awesome

14points

Dutch Swimmer Goes Viral For Super Revealing Trunks During 2024 Olympics: “Is This Legal?”

See Also on Bored Panda

Thrill-Seeking Diver Jumps Down Extreme Waterslide, Ignoring The Strict Ban For Women

#35

Just how late the Spanish eat dinner. Totally respect it, but I was hungry at 6pm and was shocked no restaurant was open to serve at that time.

Trippinupthestairs Report

Final score:

28points

POST

giovanna 3 years ago (edited)

Gosh I am Italian (northern Italy) and I would eat at 7pm (my family used to do so). Quite common time for the north of Italy, but for some reasons it's become associated with being old and it seems like its 'cooler' to eat later. And I hate it. Also constantly had to do some mediation with my southern Italian friends who are more set on Spanish times for dinner. But I don't understand it. How can you eat at 10 PM and then go to sleep with your belly still full.

16points

#36

So in Italy, being a server at a restaurant is a respectable carreer, and they are paid pretty well. It took me way longer than I would've liked to, to figure out why all the wait staff I came across was very grateful for my 15% tips...

elightened-n-lost Report

Final score:

28points

POST

WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago

In Europe a tip is just a token of appreciation for the quality of the service you got from the server. It's not a "Gofundmywages" like in the US, because employers are allowed to keep slaves.

54points

#37

Concerts in Japan: you have a number on your ticket and everyone queues according to that number. Yes, they manage to queue of hundreds of people in front of a venue according to the order in which they bought their ticket. It's fair, if you buy your ticket early you can get the chance for a better spot and you have a chance to buy limited merch that is usually sold out after minutes.

Raizzor Report

Final score:

27points

POST

Bill 3 years ago

Don't try to start a mosh pit at a Japanese concert. I found out the hard way.

13points

Nayru Nayrusia 3 years ago

what happend?

11points

Zoria April 3 years ago

I love concerts in Japan! Also, awesome food and drinks, people being respectful of your personal space, clean toilets... It's all the pros of music festivals, and none of the cons!

0points

Woman Put A Water Fountain With A Camera In Her Yard, Here Are 24 Photos Of Regular Visitors (New Pics)

See Also on Bored Panda

“Ma’am I Live Here”: Woman Refuses To Back Out Of Driveway, Learns A Lesson The Hard Way

#38

Once I got to about 15 and visited Italy I started getting asked out by guys who just wouldn't take 'no' for an answer.

You reject a guy in the UK and they'll normally take it well (unless they're a bit unhinged), but in Italy I said no to strangers, friends I'd known for years, people I'd met that night- all people who were otherwise normal- who'd be so persistent that I had to either leave, or use my cousin as a fake bf.

J4viator Report

Final score:

25points

POST

DramaDoc 3 years ago

The first time I went to Italy (American F), when I was 22, the *very* first phrase I was taught was how to so "Go f*ck off," because American women were seen as kind of loose and fast and combined with the Italian machismo, it meant that men could (and did) get extremely aggressive.

9points

#39

30 People Reveal The Biggest Culture Shock They’ve Ever Encountered Grocery stores in the US, the amount of food getting wasted has to be insane. And then the reverse culture shock moving back to Europe; [come on] people, talking and being nice to strangers doesn't cost anything.

ItsNotBinary , Renoir Gaither Report

Final score:

24points

POST

DforDory 3 years ago

Being nice to strangers should be practiced more often, I agree, but just randomly talking to people I don't know...no thank you. I believe here in Europe we have a bigger need of personal space and life. Been working as a hostel manager for 3 years now and I love meeting new people, but maybe because I exhaust all my extrovert resources on that, I am way more retreated in my personal life and it works for me fine.

15points

#40

When my mother moved to America from South Africa, she asked the taxi driver taking her to where she way staying what information he had about the area. She tells me that she'll always remember how he pointed out an area and said it was the poorest in the city, super dangerous. It made her realize that America has a very different perception of poverty than SA. Here, the poor have 4 solid walls, HVAC, and probably phones. In SA, the poor have small sheet metal sheds, no water, no plumbing, no internet, and no electricity.

HowlAllYouWant Report

Final score:

24points

POST

WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago

But they have public healthcare.

14points

50 Of The Most Incredible Shots That Were Submitted To The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

See Also on Bored Panda

French Diver’s “Jewels” In Tight Swimming Trunks Become Talk Of The Town At Olympics

#41

30 People Reveal The Biggest Culture Shock They’ve Ever Encountered America has drive-thru everything! Drive-thru coffee, drive-thru ATM, drive-thru liquor store!

ExampleOtherwise , Brooke Novak Report

Final score:

23points

POST

Lili 3 years ago

Bad public transport. Long distance. Everybody drives.

8points

SheepherderUseful241 , Bennilover Report

#42

30 People Reveal The Biggest Culture Shock They’ve Ever Encountered My cousin visited me from Nigeria and couldn’t wrap her mind around the fact that we have entire stores here just for pets and pet products. In Nigeria most of the dogs are allowed to just run wild.

Final score:

23points

POST

El Dee 3 years ago

When I was young dogs used to roam free in my country too. But now they are rounded up and they must be chipped by the owner..

5points

#43

Having no trash cans in Japan. Because of the sarin gas attack, they pretty much don’t have any trash cans. I felt so awkward asking store owners to take my trash. And no, I didn’t thrust it upon them. I asked where a trashcan was and they offered to take it. That was weird.

ButtsexEurope Report

Final score:

23points

POST

Happy Creations 3 years ago

I felt embarrassed asking store owners to help me with trash, so I just carried the trash with me all over the cities and threw it later in the hotel room.

11points

#44

When I was six we moved to America for a year so every morning we head to do the pledge of alliance and because I was from Germany I had no idea what it was so I acted like I knew what I was doing

solitarygliter Report

Final score:

23points

POST

ADHORTATOR 3 years ago

I would refuse - not my flag, not my country.

32points

Woman Moves Out Of Parents' Home After They Asked Her To Give Her Space To Brother, They Freak Out

See Also on Bored Panda

Mom Leaves $250k Inheritance To Son, Throws A Fit When Daughter Stops Looking After Her

#45

Watching children in Mexico happily eating crickets like they were popcorn.
Also, 4 or 5 year old kids out at 10pm to sell gum.

shorething0264 Report

Final score:

22points

POST

BusLady 3 years ago

When I visited Mexico some years ago, I saw a lot of children selling newspapers, cigarettes and other items.

2points

#46

I am Thai, my collgueas are from Argentina and Spain. I eat lunch at 12.30hrs and they are shocked.

And the fact that for them lunch is at 16.00 is too crazy for me.

mozzimo Report

Final score:

22points

POST

Barrie 3 years ago

16:00 is late even for Spain. 15:00 is more common.

11points

#47

I live in the Netherlands. Water is all around me. From the sea, to the canals, to waterways dividing the fields between different farms. The first time I visited Iowa and drove around there it took me a couple of days to realise there wasn't any water between the fields and acres. Sure, there's a river and what not, but essentially it's just endless actual ground. It made me feel uneasy for a couple of minutes.

M_SFG Report

Final score:

22points

POST

El Dee 3 years ago

I have lived by the sea my whole life too. I've always been able to see it from every single house I've lived in. If I'm ever anywhere inland it feels like being in a room with no windows..

9points

Woman Refuses To Chip In For Babysitting Because She Doesn’t Even Have Kids, Asks If She’s A Jerk

See Also on Bored Panda

“This Breaks My Heart”: People Stunned—And Angry—After Woman Buys Lost Luggage From Airport

#48

30 People Reveal The Biggest Culture Shock They’ve Ever Encountered Witnessing PDA everywhere and frequently in France. I'm from a little conservative Asian country. Here couples rarely do it and when it happens it's just hand holding

HitherFriendly , Misko Report

Final score:

21points

POST

WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago

PDA? Phase Doppler Analysis? Physical Demand Assessment?

4points

#49

30 People Reveal The Biggest Culture Shock They’ve Ever Encountered The mid day siesta in Italy where everything is closed for 2 hours. The entire culture is so much different than America's, it was great

matsklein , Boon Low Report

Final score:

21points

POST

Nandi La Sophia 3 years ago

LOL This is definitely not Italy!!!

32points

#50

India was my biggest culture shock. Poverty and extreme riches next to each other.

LouiseHam89 Report

Final score:

20points

POST

Steve Barnett 3 years ago

I've been to India. Saw the Taj Mahal, the country is full of history. However, I was literally fleeced from the moment I got there to the moment I left. At every opportunity there was someone to take advantage of me being a tourist. Worse things also happened, but I'm not going to expound on that.

12points

#51

I was messing with friends in Africa. Every time I told a joke, I'd get a response: 'kk.' I'm here thinking I'm not funny for literal months. Then one time, one of them says, 'Kk. You're so funny!' I ask them what 'kk' means, and they say it's 'laughing.'

Itriedtonot Report

Final score:

19points

POST

Noez 🇸🇪 3 years ago

Kk in Swedish means something else........... 😳😳😳😳😳

4points

"I Didn't Start The Dryer": Karen Gets Taught A Lesson After Throwing Out Neighbor's Wet Clothes

See Also on Bored Panda

Guy Divorced 3 Years Ago Drops Off 3 Y.O. With His Ex-Wife Completely Out Of The Blue

#52

I moved to Canada from South Africa for 2 years and its amazing how much cheaper stuff like vehicles and electronics is without the endless amount of taxes and inflation South Africa has. I can buy a good car for 10k in dollars in Canada, but if you convert that to South Africa you are getting a rusty old ford ranger with more than 400k km on it.

Suck_Me_Sideways123 Report

Final score:

18points

POST

Charné Coetzer 3 years ago

This is not true in the least bit. My car is about half the price of 10k Canadian dollars and its decent, runs well and is NOT rusted.

3points

HandmeMOREchocolate Report

#53

It's probably a stupid thing but being from Australia and visiting Europe I was shocked that to use public toilets you have to pay. I'd agree with it in principle that it helps with upkeep, cleaning etc however almost every one we used were filthy and definitely not looked after. Even worse I found were the ones with the old women sitting at the entrance who'd yell at you if you couldn't find enough coins to appease her.

Final score:

18points

POST

Jihana 3 years ago

Austria? We have those old ladies, but normally they are quite nice.

3points

#54

I live in the US and visited my friend in South Africa (his family is Indian). They had a maid but it really weirded me out when his dad randomly remarked "I could use some dessert" and my friend's brother's girlfriend immediately stood up, walked to the kitchen, and made a full dessert right then and there.

Unfortunate_Derek Report

Final score:

16points

POST

Wendillon 3 years ago

Maybe she just really likes making dessert? ....please let her just really like making dessert?

12points

“All Three Shot Out Pink”: Triplets' Baby Shower Turns Sour, Pregnant Wife Wants A Divorce

See Also on Bored Panda

College Student Does Exactly As Told After Roommates Demand They Keep Their Stuff In Their Room

#55

When I went to Dominican Republic, my family and I saw a guy literally go behind a bush, put his pants down and take a dump. One of the locals told us that this was a common thing there.

Kevex_The_Dictator Report

Final score:

16points

POST

Nandi La Sophia 3 years ago

I've seen the same thing in San Francisco dozens of times over the years, so.. yeah-

11points

#56

I moved from the US to Moscow. The first two weeks were an absolute nightmare since Moscow is about 18x larger than my home city. My favorite culture shock experience is on my 2nd day getting lost in the train system for hours. The train system as amazing and efficient as it is, you can get lost for days if you don't know it.

nerdeeathlete Report

Final score:

16points

POST

lara 3 years ago

You should have just asked someone. Russians love to help. Whenever we got lost in Moscow, we would just tell people we were Americans and lost and they would fall all over themselves to help. They were so kind.

17points

#57

I grew up in a Southeast Asian country, and moving to a Western country, I realized the stark difference on parenting. It's much more individualistic in Western countries, rather than community-based.

wantmiracles Report

Final score:

14points

POST

lara 3 years ago

Yes and no. In rural areas which pretty much used to be America, families were all part of the community. They looked out for each other, took care of each other and raised each others kids. Yes, you could be punished, spanked, by your neighbor and then when you got home your mom or dad would probably spank you again. However, WWII changed all that. People left the rural areas and all their support systems and moved to big cities where they were not "neighbors" just acquaintances. It is still like the rural areas here, but people have lost the benefit of real neighbors. Too bad. We live in a rural area and our neighbors all look out for each other.

4points

#58

People can marry whoever they like regardless of family, creed, religion. Like white people can just fall in love with another person and just marry them without any issue. I'm beyond amazed.

NoSelfEsteemGuys Report

Final score:

13points

POST

Nandi La Sophia 3 years ago

where are you from that this is a novel ideal???

10points

#59

How big people from Europe are, especially Dutch and Danes, I remember growing up with the 'big bad Americans' belief

_PukyLover_ Report

Final score:

13points

POST

Goth Nurse 3 years ago (edited)

I roll my eyes every time an American says "yeah he is very tall, like 6 feet!". That is not exceptionally tall. It's about 180 cm. When you go to 190 cm, that is the beginning of Tall. My husband is very tall, he is 2 meters which is around 6'6. We're Finnish.

19points

#60

That Europeans dont use ice as much as Americans, and some beers are supposed to be consumed warm

Just_an_Anvil Report

Final score:

12points

POST

I want cake 3 years ago

Not warm, room temperature, like red wine.

13points

#61

I'm from the Philippines and I've lived for at least a year in the USA and I was so shocked people in the US would... just greet and help strangers out if they needed help? Here in the Philippines if someone you didn’t know greeted you and talked to you out of nowhere, we’d be weirded out.

andieee919 Report

Final score:

11points

POST

Dario T. 3 years ago

Even in Italy. I think they are the only one in the world to do that

2points

#62

Grandmother visiting the states for the first time from Guatemala, she nicely folded up her used toilet paper and put it in the trash can next to the toilet. Had to explain to her she can flush it, never asked why she would have done that.

Hobbit316 Report

Final score:

11points

POST

WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago (edited)

Because in some countries the drains are so narrow that they easily clog up. So you're not supposed to flush the toiletpaper.

24points

#63

In China, lanes and traffic lights don't matter to taxi and bus drivers.

mc_squared_03 Report

Final score:

11points

POST

Robert Thornburrow 3 years ago

None of the rules of the road seem to apply to taxi drivers in any country, though the scariest was hurtling down the hard shoulder (emergency lane) of a motorway past queuing traffic when someone decides to pull into that lane, and the speed at which we rejoined the traffic when we encountered a Police car!

5points

#64

I was in an airport in Europe and saw two guys walking around with huge automatic weapons and I seriously thought we were all gonna die...

Turned out they were military security.

Billbapawpaw Report

Final score:

9points

POST

WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago

People carrying guns in public in Europe always are in uniform. He could have seen right away that the men were no terrorists.

26points

#65

Friend in China nonchalantly put some brains on my plate to share. I don’t remember which animal. But this was not unusual for him. They eat organs often.

anonymous Report

Final score:

7points

POST

JuJu 3 years ago

Organs are eaten in a lot of countries, but often disguised in sausage-like stuff or cut and covered in sauce.

17points

#66

When I went to Germany and they all called their local German shepherd dogs shepherds. Just shepherds. As if the fact that they came from Germany meant diddly-squat to them!

anonymous Report

Final score:

1point

POST

SupaCab 3 years ago

Lived in Germany for many years and never heard them refer to them as just "Shepherd dogs", they're called Deutscher Schäferhund in German, which literally mean German Shepherd dog

11points

Liucija Adomaite is a creative mind with years of experience in copywriting. She has a dynamic set of experiences from advertising, academia, and journalism. This time, she has set out on a journey to investigate the ways in which we communicate ideas on a large scale. Her current mission is to find a magic formula for how to make ideas, news, and other such things spread like a virus.

Read less »

Austėja is a Photo Editor at Bored Panda with a BA in Photography.

Read less »

Austėja is a Photo Editor at Bored Panda with a BA in Photography.

Read less »

What do you think ?

POST

CrunChewy McSandybutt 3 years ago

I had to stop reading halfway through. I'm an American and BP tends to hate on us a bit. I usually don't mind, but right now we're already feeling pretty low about the state of the nation. It's like a fat person perusing through pics of young, fit people. Yeah, we know there's a problem but I'd like to not have my nose rubbed in it constantly.

20points

Laugh Fan 3 years ago

Totally sympathise. Get fed up with with the US bashing that goes on (though in the UK myself). Every country has it's quirks and flaws as well as its highlights. Lets turn the focus on a few other countries where we all know far less - as long as it's done without being harsh or patronising. I'd like to know more, not constantly criticise.

10points

Saara . 3 years ago

"There's a problem." The biggest one being that Americans can't agree/accept what the problems are, but we still think we're the greatest.

6points

Catherine Spencer-Mills 3 years ago

Born and raised in the US - western to be exact. And I didn't read this as bashing at all. No country is perfect. And people grow up in a particular country which forms their expectations. Other countries are not your home country and things will be different. You can be polite or you can be a complaining jerk. Choices, grasshopper.

4points

Kenny Kulbiski 3 years ago

Same here. I thought it was going to be about different countries but mostly it was the same old same old. America sucks and every place else is a problem free paradise.

3points

NoodleBear 3 years ago

Yeah, I had to stop too. I’m tired of only hearing the negative aspects of our country. We have a heck of a lot to work on, but we’ve got good things too.

2points

ivan bolitekurac 3 years ago

I am not even american and i read those articles in disbelief.It is like nobody wants to live in the US,but then again many people are moving to USA so it can't be that bad.

1point

Full Name 3 years ago

Imagine being a white, straight male conservative American. That's the lowest part of the totem pole on BP.

-1point

The Queen Of Upper Butt Crack 3 years ago

Yep, throw fat people under the bus to make yourself feel better. Pot/kettle

-3points

Chez 3 years ago

Me, a South African, visited my sister who is living in Norway. Sorry Norwegians, no offense meant AT ALL, but you guys are pretty unfriendly. I do know that South Africans are super friendly and love having a chat with strangers, but even just a smile when you walk past someone doesn't seem to be a thing there. Which makes wearing a mask in public really frustrating back at home because I'm smiling at everyone I see and I know they can't see it. :(

9points

Wendillon 3 years ago (edited)

Fellow South African. I've realized over the years that we are invasively friendly. Like our idea of a friendly chat on the bus makes tons of foreigners feel super uncomfortable....but it's so deeply ingrained in us that we can't stop. Edit: As for the mask thing, you keep on smiling Chez, we can see the smile in your eyes even if we can't see your lips.

14points

Jules Daly 3 years ago

They see it in your eyes. I noticed this too, coming from Ireland.

6points

Marcia Cash 3 years ago

I moved from Texas to Minnesota. Minnesota was settled by Norwegians. I was repeatedly told I was nosy and aggressive and fake friendly, and that my enthusiasm was annoying. You can actually be touching the person on the bus seat next to you and they will never, ever acknowledge your existence.

2points

Fixin'Ta 3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

0points

Astrid Nineor 3 years ago

Yea, that IS weird. Now I am an introvert, but I do smile back, so I don't understand why the hyper-social people cannot be bothered to smile or nod. I think the cold messes us up.

0points

$fracarr avatar$

François Carré 3 years ago

European in a large city of Brazil. If you have to cross the street, not only wait for the traffic light to turn red for cars, but also grab your friend by the hand, and run together as fast as you can. Because you can't be sure that every car is going to stop. You even can't be sure that someone would actually care if they killed you (one of my friend's teacher died like that. It took a long time to identify her and contact the family, because some random a**hole took advantage of the accident to steal her bag with her ID and all her money). Also, don't try to look fancy. Wear the sh*ttiest clothes you have, especially if you're white (=rich) so that you can have a chance to trick the robbers into thinking you're not a tourist, just some kind of rare Brazilian white trash. But still take a bit of money with you, because if they assault you and find nothing, they might kill you on frustration.

8points

Duska Radmanovic 3 years ago

Oh, my God, it's a nightmare. How can anyone live like that?

6points

Onion rings like to make your breath smelly 3 years ago

That's uncivilized. A nightmare to live in.

0points

coyager 3 years ago

François Carré easy

-3points

LittleMissLotus 3 years ago

American here... can someone please adopt me??? Free healthcare, no psychotic nationalism, safety, and actual politeness sound great

5points

Tien 3 years ago

I'll marry you (male/female/other all fine with me) so you can come live in The Netherlands

1point

Seabeast 3 years ago

Healthcare in Canada is not actually free - it is paid for through taxes - but the tax payments are nowhere near what the big HMOs in the USA charge per month.

0points

Mimi777 3 years ago

Lol same!!

0points

BusLady 3 years ago

I had culture shock when I visited my sister in law's family in Mexico. The women prepared the meal and put it on the table. The men and older boys sat down to eat. When they were done, then the women and children sat down and ate. Also, they never offered me anything to eat or drink while I was there. When my son and I went out in public, everyone stared at us because we were gringos. I never saw another white person when I was there.

4points

lailyfnoor 3 years ago

Asian, first time to Italy! Met some new friends. When it's time to say goodbye, they kissed me on the cheek. I confused, so I just giggling awkwardly. Didn't know that thing is common in there, even between opposite sex.

3points

Who? Me? 3 years ago

Interesting, though I haven't gone to another country yet

3points

BeenElle 3 years ago

At least you’re reading about the rest of the world and that’s a start!

2points

KombatBunni 3 years ago

My boyfriend got a bit of culture shock when we flew from Melbourne, Victoria to Brisbane, Queensland to visit my parents one year. He’d never been outside the state before, nor on a plane until that trip. His first comment upon seeing the suburb my parents lived was “Welcome to the 1950s..” I mean yeah Brissie is a bit backward compared to Melbourne but it’s not that bad? Oh and also he got to experience one of the biggest tropical storms Brisbane’s ever had in 15 years on his first trip..

2points

jcchinn 3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

pusheen buttercup 3 years ago

My significant other and I are both from America yet both have culture shock, my family is very "say what's on your mind" and touchy, but my in-laws are very different. Things are implied instead. S.O. found my family overwhelming! And I found his to be panic inducing because I don't have access to their thoughts and feelings. But as a couple, we seem to balance out quite nicely.

1point

ivan bolitekurac 3 years ago

Another usaBAAAD article

0points

Russell Bowman 3 years ago

One thing, amoung my travels, that struck me ... the "shelf" toilets in Germany and Holland.

0points

DogMatic 3 years ago

Really enjoyed this article & the comments, interesting read & learnt a few things too.

0points

Fixin'Ta 3 years ago

I spent a semester in London in the 1980s, and just fell in love with the place. I was an Anglophile already, so not much shocked me about living there (though a lot of things were different in a "better" way). But I had terrible culture shock coming back to the U.S. and cried for weeks.

0points

Daniela Ferretti 3 years ago

When I went to the uk I was amazed that in most houses the taps for hot and cold water are not conected, and people have carpet in the kitchens and sometimes in the bathrooms. (Not everybody). Also a bloke asked me how we boiled water in Italy sice we don't have kettles.

0points

Carrie de Luka 3 years ago

'Most' only really applies to old and unmodernised. Certainly, in the last couple of decades new builds and refurbs would be very unlikely to be like that. As for the bloke asking you about boiling water, either sarcasm or an idiot.

6points

Astrid Nineor 3 years ago

hehe, yeah, the taps drove me insane! What an ancient system! :p

1point

Monika Soffronow 3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

0points

POST

CrunChewy McSandybutt 3 years ago

20points

Laugh Fan 3 years ago

10points

Saara . 3 years ago

"There's a problem." The biggest one being that Americans can't agree/accept what the problems are, but we still think we're the greatest.

6points

Catherine Spencer-Mills 3 years ago

4points

Kenny Kulbiski 3 years ago

Same here. I thought it was going to be about different countries but mostly it was the same old same old. America sucks and every place else is a problem free paradise.

3points

NoodleBear 3 years ago

Yeah, I had to stop too. I’m tired of only hearing the negative aspects of our country. We have a heck of a lot to work on, but we’ve got good things too.

2points

ivan bolitekurac 3 years ago

I am not even american and i read those articles in disbelief.It is like nobody wants to live in the US,but then again many people are moving to USA so it can't be that bad.

1point

Full Name 3 years ago

Imagine being a white, straight male conservative American. That's the lowest part of the totem pole on BP.

-1point

The Queen Of Upper Butt Crack 3 years ago

Yep, throw fat people under the bus to make yourself feel better. Pot/kettle

-3points

Chez 3 years ago

9points

Wendillon 3 years ago (edited)

14points

Jules Daly 3 years ago

They see it in your eyes. I noticed this too, coming from Ireland.

6points

Marcia Cash 3 years ago

2points

Fixin'Ta 3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

0points

Astrid Nineor 3 years ago

Yea, that IS weird. Now I am an introvert, but I do smile back, so I don't understand why the hyper-social people cannot be bothered to smile or nod. I think the cold messes us up.

0points

$fracarr avatar$

François Carré 3 years ago

8points

Duska Radmanovic 3 years ago

Oh, my God, it's a nightmare. How can anyone live like that?

6points

Onion rings like to make your breath smelly 3 years ago

That's uncivilized. A nightmare to live in.

0points

coyager 3 years ago

François Carré easy

-3points

LittleMissLotus 3 years ago

American here... can someone please adopt me??? Free healthcare, no psychotic nationalism, safety, and actual politeness sound great

5points

Tien 3 years ago

I'll marry you (male/female/other all fine with me) so you can come live in The Netherlands

1point

Seabeast 3 years ago

Healthcare in Canada is not actually free - it is paid for through taxes - but the tax payments are nowhere near what the big HMOs in the USA charge per month.

0points

Mimi777 3 years ago

Lol same!!

0points

BusLady 3 years ago

4points

lailyfnoor 3 years ago

3points

Who? Me? 3 years ago

Interesting, though I haven't gone to another country yet

3points

BeenElle 3 years ago

At least you’re reading about the rest of the world and that’s a start!

2points

KombatBunni 3 years ago

2points

jcchinn 3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

pusheen buttercup 3 years ago

1point

ivan bolitekurac 3 years ago

Another usaBAAAD article

0points

Russell Bowman 3 years ago

One thing, amoung my travels, that struck me ... the "shelf" toilets in Germany and Holland.

0points

DogMatic 3 years ago

Really enjoyed this article & the comments, interesting read & learnt a few things too.

0points

Fixin'Ta 3 years ago

0points

Daniela Ferretti 3 years ago

0points

Carrie de Luka 3 years ago

6points