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30 Global Traditions To Make You Wonder Why We Don’t Do Them Everywhere
Interview With Expert
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.
This post may include affiliate links.
#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. .
lenka 2 months ago
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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#3
Not needing tipping because the workers are paid a fair wages already.
on second thought.... 2 months ago
Totally agree. Pay workers a decent wage and save tipping for voluntary rewarding excellent service.
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
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.
Francesca Annoni 2 months ago (edited)
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)
#5
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.
#6
Australia: Telling rude customers to get the f**k out.
Moonie Pinkslip 2 months ago
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!
“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
Mandatory 4 week paid vacations. As an American living in Germany, it’s f*****g incredible.
Nimitz 2 months ago
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...
#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!
#9
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.
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.”
#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.
#13
The Japanese practice of mindful eating, which focuses on savoring and appreciating each bite, could benefit the world.
on second thought.... 2 months ago
Eating with chopsticks does that for you. No way you can eat fast without concentrating on your food.
#14
Bike roadway systems and streets with no cars allowed.
Igor914624 2 months ago
Tell me you don't live in the US without telling me you don't live in the US.
#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.
This panda votes 2 months ago
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
#16
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. .
Featherking 2 months ago (edited)
Us Swedes took a gander at Finland too and found it a good idea. We often do that - the Fins have many good ideas.
Load More Replies... on second thought.... 2 months ago (edited)
Saunas in every house? They don't even have that in Finland and I know several Fins who don't like saunas. Personally I tried it once and it - literally - took my breath away so not a fan either.
quentariel 2 months ago
I wouldn't judge all saunas after one bad experience. That sauna might have been too hot, not have proper air flow or too dry air/not enough steam. I've visited some saunas that are just bad, and would probably be quite aversed towards sauna culture if those were my only experiences.
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PixxelDust 2 months ago (edited)
Here in Australia we have saunas everywhere, it's called The Outdoors
Joanne Mendonza-Earle 2 months ago
Hard pass on saunas. I cannot stand being hot and sweating.
Kelly Scott 2 months ago
In America, they would call this socialism and say it leads to people being dependent on the government - after they force a woman to have a baby she didn't want and can't afford to raise.
Dusty's mom 2 months ago
Since American baby showers (gift parties for newborns) are becoming as pricey and insane as weddings, I love the baby box idea.
Dusty's mom 2 months ago
Florida in the US doesn't need saunas. Just stand outdoors in the sweltering heat and flog yourself.
AutumnGirl 2 months ago
As I mentioned in a previous post in Panda, we have an incredible baby box program in Chile too.
JB 2 months ago
Canada has a baby box program, but all you get is the box. Kinda wish they had filled it with stuff...
Fussy1 2 months ago
BYOB boxes. Here's your box, but you gotta Bring Your Own Baby!
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WrappermumMOU 2 months ago
In Switzerland, there is the baby box system too. That is a really great help and government offers free consultants for few more years to every parents...
#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.
#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!
Shelby Moonheart 2 months ago
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.
#19
The Japanese ability for people to just mind their own business and not feel a constant need to make a statement.
#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…..
Paul Gerrard 2 months ago
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
#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.
#23
Not talking or making a lot of noise on public transportation.
#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.
FreeTheUnicorn 2 months ago
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.
#25
The art of taking a long, leisurely lunch to truly enjoy food and conversation.
#26
Sobremesa.
Basically staying at the table drinking coffee / schnapps, eating cake, chatting or playing cards with people after lunch.
#28
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.
#30
Social distancing and personal space.
And sauna.
What do you think ?
Sven Horlemann 2 months ago
A bit too many sauna recommendations, ha ha. But that's just me. Apart from that, some nice ideas.
UKGrandad 2 months ago
"50 Global Traditions To Make You Wonder Why We Don’t Do Them Everywhere" The title of this gallery is wrong. If they were global traditions they already would be done everywhere. It should be 'national' or 'local', not global.
Leafy Dawn 2 months ago
And half of them don't say WHERE on the globe they are!
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Sven Horlemann 2 months ago
A bit too many sauna recommendations, ha ha. But that's just me. Apart from that, some nice ideas.
UKGrandad 2 months ago
"50 Global Traditions To Make You Wonder Why We Don’t Do Them Everywhere" The title of this gallery is wrong. If they were global traditions they already would be done everywhere. It should be 'national' or 'local', not global.
Leafy Dawn 2 months ago
And half of them don't say WHERE on the globe they are!
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