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Traveling is probably one of the best ways to actually learn more about other cultures. After all, many of the things one might read in a book about art and architecture can give you some ideas, but until you’ve walked around a foreign place, you often don’t know the details. Sometimes one might even learn that other places have very good ideas on how to live.

Someone asked “What cultural tradition from your country do you think the world should adopt?” and people shared their favorite examples. We also got in touch with Andres Zuleta from Boutique Japan to learn more about cultural traditions and travel. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorite examples and be sure to share your own ideas and experiences in the comments section below.

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#1

I think this actually came from Sweden but we have an app in Denmark that’s called Hjerteløber meaning heart runner. And what happens is if you take a cpr class you register as certified on the app. Then if someone calls for a heart attack the app pings a certain number of people in the direct vicinity. Your phone starts blasting an emergency signal and then you decide if you’re in a place where you can safely take the “mission”. If you accept you will either be directly routed to the person to perform cpr or routed to an AED and then the person. If you respond to the alert, the next day you will also get a follow up text asking if you’re ok or if you want to talk to someone about what happened. 

I was called once and able to accept and it was amazing, horrific, and wonderful. I was able to grab an aed and when I got there (7 minutes after the call went out) I was the third aed to arrive and someone was actively performing cpr. All the extra people who came were helping all the people who were there and directing the ambulance when it arrived. I dont know what happened to the person but seeing all these people coming from every direction and running as fast as possible on a Friday night just really restored all hope in humanity. 

Also they’ve done a lot of research on the calls and determined that it 100% is saving lives. It’s really amazing. .

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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have this in the Netherlands as well. My neighborhood has several AEDs placed strategically and there are more than 20 trained first responders. My neighbor is a first responder and has a AED almost directly outside his house. He was the first on the scene to an incident involving our other neighbor across the road, arriving in less than 3 minutes and performed CPR until the ambulance arrived. She survived the original incident. He said it was the most difficult and rewarding thing he has ever done in his life.

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    #2

    30 Global Traditions To Make You Wonder Why We Don’t Do Them Everywhere Complete separation between state and religion.

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    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This should be much higher. Imagine how much better the whole world would be if religion held no power.

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    #3

    30 Global Traditions To Make You Wonder Why We Don’t Do Them Everywhere Not needing tipping because the workers are paid a fair wages already.

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    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Totally agree. Pay workers a decent wage and save tipping for voluntary rewarding excellent service.

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    Bored Panda got in touch with Andres Zuleta from Boutique Japan and he was kind enough to answer some questions for us. While it is a pretty far-away destination for most of us, we were still curious to hear his thoughts on it as a travel location even for more inexperienced folks.

    “I would definitely recommend Japan for first time travelers. There are so many reasons! First off, it's just such a culturally fascinating destination (both modern and traditional), and you don't need to speak any Japanese to have a wonderful time,” he shared.

    #4

    30 Global Traditions To Make You Wonder Why We Don’t Do Them Everywhere In Argentina when a child is found lost on any crowded beach people around them wil start to clap their hands seeking to attract attention so the family will notice and go and get the kid. Everybody is aware of the situation and keep an eye on the kid until they're happy reunited with their family.

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    Francesca Annoni
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    1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In Italy there Is a radio system in every beach (in Emilia Romagna) trasmitting music, when a child get Lost they trasmits a message with the same sistem with the name and description of the kid and in wich beach you can find the kid (every beach/bath has a Number)

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    #5

    30 Global Traditions To Make You Wonder Why We Don’t Do Them Everywhere Free entry to all state owned museums. It's one thing I love about Ireland is you can just stroll into the National Gallery or National History museum on your lunch break or whatever for free.

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    #6

    30 Global Traditions To Make You Wonder Why We Don’t Do Them Everywhere Australia: Telling rude customers to get the f**k out.

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    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    See, this is how I can't get over people complaining in these posts on BP about rude customers. In Australia, there are none--and if there are, they're gone. The whole shop chimes in!

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    “Another thing that makes it easy for first-time travelers is the fact that Japanese people are so friendly and hospitable to visitors (and it's an extraordinarily safe country). There are so many other aspects of traveling around Japan that make it so traveler-friendly, for example, the fact that everything runs so smoothly and efficiently (bullet trains always being on time as just one example!).”
    #7

    30 Global Traditions To Make You Wonder Why We Don’t Do Them Everywhere Mandatory 4 week paid vacations. As an American living in Germany, it’s f*****g incredible.

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    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah. It's incredibly disappointing how much we get screwed in Canada. Most employers offer about 1 day/month for your first year, then 2 weeks/year after 3 years. The sad part is most people switch jobs due to economic reasons and constantly have to start again. It's a much worse problem for younger generations. Or in places like Alberta where 30% of employees are contractors who get even less...

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    #8

    I‘m from Luxembourg.

    It‘s not really a tradition, but we have free public transport, and I think it should be like this everywhere!

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    lenka
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    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Brisbane in Australia is trialing 50c fares at the moment. They still needed a ticketing system so that they could record demand, peak travel, capacity etc so they decided a nominal fare of 50c (USD$0.30) would work. Has been hugely successful.

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    #9

    30 Global Traditions To Make You Wonder Why We Don’t Do Them Everywhere Wearing a face mask when you're sick and in public. Even if it's not COVID, I'd rather not get sick and have to use PTO to recover or work 8 hours while sick.

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    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Having to use PTO as sick days is another purely american speciality.

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    Naturally, we were curious to hear what cultural traditions and norms from Japan he finds interesting and useful. “I find that people in Japan tend to practice mindfulness in daily life, without being pretentious about it. There is a culture of respect in Japan that our travelers always comment on. Wherever you go (whether a fancy restaurant or a convenience store), the service is amazing because people tend to take such care in everything they do.”
    #10

    30 Global Traditions To Make You Wonder Why We Don’t Do Them Everywhere Siestas!! they’re perfect for recharging and staying productive.

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    #11

    Stop idolising/deifying politicians & veterans. .

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    Leebo13
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    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In a lot of places, you don't vote for who you like more, you vote for who you hate less.

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    #12

    İn South Africa we have something called Ubuntu. Literally it means "I am because you are". İn practise it means doing for others not because you have to, but because you want to and it is good for the community as a whole.

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    #13

    30 Global Traditions To Make You Wonder Why We Don’t Do Them Everywhere The Japanese practice of mindful eating, which focuses on savoring and appreciating each bite, could benefit the world.

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    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Eating with chopsticks does that for you. No way you can eat fast without concentrating on your food.

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    #14

    Bike roadway systems and streets with no cars allowed.

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    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Tell me you don't live in the US without telling me you don't live in the US.

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    #15

    "dia de muertos" i really apreciate the close relationship we have with the concept of mortality in Mexico and it also allow us to have our grief in small doses, in our culture death is not something painted so terrible.

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    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes! My Grandfather is from Mexico City. I feel a deep connection to Dia de los Muertos and other Mexican traditions. I was watching a group of Aztec dancers recently and tears were streaming down my face. I don't know if it's just in my head or if something ancestral has passed down to me in my genes. <3

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    #16

    30 Global Traditions To Make You Wonder Why We Don’t Do Them Everywhere I am from Finland, I think other countries should also start giving out baby boxes.

    And you should also have saunas in every house, but this should have gone without saying. .

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    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Scotland has followed Finland and has a great baby box programme.

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    #17

    Allemansrätten - or The Freedom to Roam.

    Take care of the environment, leave it as you found it, and go wherever you please without having to worry about invading private property.

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    #18

    Taiwan's “Trash doesn’t touch the ground” system.

    Basically, instead of holding onto your trash/recycling until a specific trash day and remembering to wheel the bins out, a truck goes around to set points each day and plays a jaunty ice cream truck esque song so you know it's time to toss the trash (there's also a phone app).

    Not only does this make composting + recycling a breeze since there's a separate bin for food scraps you just dump your veggie peels from a meal into and there are people to help you sort recycling out (Taiwan has one of the highest recycling/lowest waste rates in the world), but it's really nice to just catch up with your neighbors while you wait for the truck to come around. Also the cities are super clean despite there being like zero trash cans, which is pretty neat!

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    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My brother and his family moved back to the USA from being in Taiwan. He told his kids that the Ice Cream truck was really the garbage truck.

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    #19

    The Japanese ability for people to just mind their own business and not feel a constant need to make a statement.

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    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have intensively worked with Japanese colleagues. Sometimes you did wish they made a statement to be honest. I like the Italian approach, friendly and direct at the same time.

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    #20

    Not wearing shoes inside the house.

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    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wearing shoes inside is the most disgusting thing ever. You walk around all day, stepping into God knows what and then walk in those very same shoes into your kitchen or your bedroom? Carrying all the filth with you? Disgusting.

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    #21

    NZ, I love the “nope we’re shut” of Christmas and new Years, and often well into January too. Stuff off, we’re at the beach…..

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    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For a while aussie shops went the other way. Now its rolling back. Workers deserve days off as their bosses are arseholes and roster them without care

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    #22

    Japan - onsens, and a culture of reasonably priced vending machines selling a range of delicious hot and cold drinks

    Finland - saunas, and the approach of ‘enjoy the nature we have, and don’t be stupid about it’

    UK - museums and galleries funded by the government so they can allow free entry

    Georgia - when three people get together they just HAVE to start singing, which is really fun. Not two - you need three for a proper polyphonic singalong.

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    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One of my favorite things in Armenia is the toasting tradition, but you can substitute a folk song for a toast if you wish!

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    #23

    30 Global Traditions To Make You Wonder Why We Don’t Do Them Everywhere Not talking or making a lot of noise on public transportation.

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    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The London Underground is silent for the most part. Rule 1: Talk to no-one.

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    #24

    Queuing. Having travelled the world a decent amount I love coming back to the uk where we wait for our turn. Japan was the best place I’ve been to for this and good manners overall.

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    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    British people always think they are good at queuing, but they are missing at best. If it's generally done well people don't obsessed about it. In the Philippines people line up their sandals so they can sit or talk but still keep their spot in the queue.

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    #25

    30 Global Traditions To Make You Wonder Why We Don’t Do Them Everywhere The art of taking a long, leisurely lunch to truly enjoy food and conversation.

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    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sometimes in France, you'll end up your dinner in a dark restaurant with the owner sitting at your table, laughing with you and drinking wine. (or maybe that's just the South of France)

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    #26

    Sobremesa.

    Basically staying at the table drinking coffee / schnapps, eating cake, chatting or playing cards with people after lunch.

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    #27

    Bidets. Toilets are a serious business in Japan, as I discovered.

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    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    tried one for the first time ever at a japanese bakery in Denver. I gotta say it was pretty nice!

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    #28

    30 Global Traditions To Make You Wonder Why We Don’t Do Them Everywhere Free public pools. Nothing like grabbing your kid at the daycare after work and ending the day enjoying the nice summer evenings at the pool. You meet the whole neighborhood there and just enjoy life.



    Could you do it if you had to pay entry each time? Yes. Would you do it? No.

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    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We have a system where public pools are free during heatwaves.

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    #29

    30 Global Traditions To Make You Wonder Why We Don’t Do Them Everywhere Public transport that works in cities.

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    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Cities aren't usually the problem. Rural public transport is the one that needs to be solved.

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    #30

    Social distancing and personal space.


    And sauna.

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