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An open mind is one of the most important things travelers need when jet setting around the world. You might not always know what you’re ordering off a menu or why the toilets look so different from back home, but that’s just part of the adventure!

Every country has its quirks, so some people have been opening up on Reddit about the things no one bats an eye at in their own nations. Below, you can learn all about these unique things that make nations special (while simultaneously confusing foreigners) and read conversations with travel experts Alyse of The Invisible Tourist and Dave and Deb of The Planet D!

#1

40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused In Canada, we put maple syrup on snow and wait for it to get all gooey then we eat it

chillphilsonthegrill , Sarah J Report

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    #2

    40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused In Denmark our way of caring for our children baffles a lot of foreginers.
    i.e. we find it natural to leave them unattended, they are left in their prams to nap basically everywhere, usually outside no matter what time of the year it is.

    Zrina94 , Josh Withers Report

    To learn more about the cultural differences visitors find when traveling internationally, we reached out to Australian travel expert Alyse, also known as The Invisible Tourist. Alyse was kind enough to share a list of things that are perfectly normal in the Land Down Under that might be surprising or confusing for tourists.

    “There are quite a few!” she told Bored Panda. “Having Christmas in summer is awesome. We have our extended holiday period over Christmas and New Year's to relax, enjoy beaches and to catch up with family and friends. School kids call erasers rubbers, thongs are what you would call flip-flops, and a slippery-dip is a slide at the local park.”

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    “We always welcome visitors from abroad with a warning about our Drop Bears,” Alyse added. “These are vicious koalas that jump from trees onto unsuspecting tourists, and the only way to soothe them is with Vegemite (spoiler alert, only visitors believe Drop Bears are real).”

    #3

    40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused Throwing cheese down a hill then running after it

    Seeyouyeah , Dave Farrance Report

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    Charlie the Cat
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake is an annual event that takes place in Gloucestershire, England. The event involves rolling a 7lb (3kg) Double Gloucester cheese wheel down the almost-vertical Cooper’s Hill, near Gloucester. Competitors chase the cheese wheel down the hill, and the first person to cross the finish line is crowned the winner.

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    #4

    40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused Thanking the bus driver.

    Madra_ruax , Csongor Kemény Report

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    Downunderdude
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I rarely take the bus, but thanking the driver doesn't seem at all odd to me. Like thanking your waiter. Or the checkout person. Or the taxi driver. Isn't it just common courtesy?

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    The travel expert also noted that Australian slang can be confusing for foreigners. “To get by in Australia, it's essential to shorten words then add an O or IE to the end - arvo (afternoon), barbie (barbeque), mozzie (mosquito), cozzie (swimming costume/bathers), servo (service station/petrol station). An exception to this ends with an A - Macca's, our word or McDonald's.”

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    “If you're wanting to purchase alcohol for a party, you won't find it in our supermarkets,” Alyse continued. “We have separate stores that sell alcohol only that we call Bottle-o's."

    You also probably don't need to worry about snakes if you're taking a trip to Australia. "Visitors are surprised that there aren't snakes everywhere, like social media would otherwise have you believe," Alyse says. "I've maybe seen a real snake in the wild once or twice in my entire life.”

    #5

    In the UK, its definitely how we treat our friends. At uni quite a few people, especially Americans got pissed at me for insulting them. That's just how we act. Only worry when we're being polite

    anon Report

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    Emma S
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The word c**t is a term of endearment in the UK. It's not uncommon to hear people calling their best friends it.

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    #6

    40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused Thirty days of confinement to a room in your house after having a baby and only leaving to go to the doctor.
    Not sleeping by your significant other when they are going hunting the next day because you "have power" that will affect the kill.
    Not stepping over things while pregnant to prevent the soul from leaving the baby.
    Also, never touching meat while on "your time" because the "power" will spoil the meat.
    Dancing for four days without water or food in the early summer to help the people...
    I am on a reservation in the United States. The US has some 500+ tribes but many have the same beliefs and traditions.
    So, there US you have something totally bizarre to you that is completely normal to us

    nativehoneybaby , JÉSHOOTS Report

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    Lama
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I know it's culture, and an endangered one for that, so it feels almost forbidden to judge, but some of this feels a little unfriendly to women..

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    There are some food names that might confuse visitors in Australia as well. “Cilantro is called coriander here, peppers are called capsicums, aubergines are called eggplants and courgettes are called zucchinis,” Alyse explained. (As an American, I have to say that sounds like a hybrid of British and American terminology…)

    “All Aussie kids grow up eating Fairy Bread (bread with butter and sprinkles), Sausage Rolls (meaty pastry), mini Meat Pies and Tim Tams (choccie bikkies) for snacks at parties,” the Invisible Tourist shared.

    #7

    40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused We let cheese melt, throw some schnaps in there and eat it with bread cubes on a long fork.

    Oh and if your bread falls off the fork you'll have to do some silly stuff like sing a song or jump naked in the snow...

    Skinnj , Juliano Mendes Report

    #8

    40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused The friendlier the language the closer you are to a beating, the dirtier the language the more we like you.

    anon , Kampus Production Report

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    Alyse also shared some of her most memorable moments from traveling abroad when she noticed local customs that were different from what she's used to. “Ordering food from a vending machine rather than a waiter in Japan, then sitting down inside and having it brought to the table,” she noted. “Paying for a chair on the beach is weird for us in Europe. We just throw a towel down anywhere on the sand at home.”

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    “Getting drinks/food from a waiter rather than the bar in continental Europe (ordering it all from a bar must come from our British ancestors),” the travel expert continued. “Having to tip for everything in the USA. We understand why now, but it adds so much extra on top. Not having the taxes included on price tickets in the USA, and having to fumble for change at the register to pay the difference. Paying to use the toilet in the UK and Europe, as we don't need to do that.”

    #9

    40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused Apparently white gravy is a thing that's not very common outside of southern America...

    kawaiimoesugoidesu , WallyBooger Report

    #10

    40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused The fact gum is illegal here in Singapore may be odd to foreigners, but there's a reason for that. The reason being people constantly spitting gum onto the ground, sticking it on cars and elevator buttons, making everywhere you went covered in gum. And when the gum dried up, it would become very hard to remove.

    Im_Tsuikyit , Quinn Dombrowski Report

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    We were also curious if there were any customs from other nations that Alyse wished Australians would adopt. “Australia can be a great place to live, but being an island continent has its challenges,” she noted. “Many of us would love to adopt European high-speed or Japanese-style bullet trains to travel between our capital cities. Most visitors don't realize how far away everything is here, for example Sydney to Melbourne is 9 hours drive (870kms), and Melbourne to Brisbane is 18 hours drive (1776km). Heck, even flying from Sydney to Perth or Darwin is 5 hours.”

    “The other would be not tolerating drugs and other crimes,” the traveler added. “Countries in Asia have very strict consequences for such things, and therefore crime and delinquency is much lower than major cities in Australia. We tend to go a bit easy here, in my opinion.”

    If you’d like to learn more about Alyse’s travels, get some tips for your upcoming trips or learn more about Australia, be sure to visit The Invisible Tourist

    #11

    We have like a whole years worth of child leave here in Sweden and are encouraged to split between the parents, so there is lots of dads at the park with their kids.

    Heard an American ask what was up with all the 'mannys'? -_-

    ZaMiLoD Report

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    Cjo
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In America they ask why the mother isn't back to work the next week. :-( No federal law on any paid time off. Currently struggling to try to pass a federal 12-week paid leave. Only about 12 states have any kind of maternity leave law.

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    #12

    In Bulgaria we nod for No and shake for Yes. This doesn't make us an impression but foreigners get really, really confused.

    Tip: Listen to what we say, not how we move our head. :)

    EasyDeezy Report

    We also reached out to travel experts Dave and Deb of The Planet D to hear a Canadian perspective on this topic. "There are so many things that Canadians find perfectly normal that may seem strange to foreigners," the travelers shared.

    "The first thought that comes to our head is that we call our one-dollar coins a Loonie. When Canada changed from dollar bills to coins, the new coin had an engraving of a loon on it. A loon is an aquatic bird that is very common in Canada. So instead of calling it a dollar, Canadians called it a Loonie," Dave and Deb explained.

    "When the two-dollar coin came out a few years later, it had a polar bear on it. Instead of making a nickname to do with the polar bear, Canadians ended up calling it a Toonie. It rhymes with Loonie and totally makes sense to us." 

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    #14

    40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused In the U.S. we have dry counties where stores cannot sell alcohol, but if you drive 4 miles up the road you can buy all the booze you want. Like just sell me my damn booze.

    nightcrawler_5 , Paul Sableman Report

    Dave and Deb also shared their thoughts on customs they've observed in other countries. "Something I find really weird about our neighbors to the south is that they wear their shoes indoors," they told Bored Panda. "Most Canadians don't walk into their houses with shoes on, and when we visit our friends and neighbors, we always take our shoes off. In America, it is common to leave their shoes on. To us it is weird. There is a lot of gross stuff on the streets and sidewalks, why would we want to bring that into our house?"

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    #15

    40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused In Iran it is common to say no out of politeness when offered something. Only if the other person asks again will you say yes. Actually, you might even say no multiple times.

    Cab drivers will do this too for instance. You ask how much you owe them and they'll say something along the lines of "oh don't worry it's worth nothing" to which you then reply by insisting on paying. Only then will they tell you the price and bla bla bla.

    sunchild21 , cottonbro studio Report

    #16

    40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused We burn a Viking galley in January with a +-1000 men with burning torches walking around town all dressed up in anything you can imagine with one main squad dressed up in handmade Viking armour with weapons (diffrent each year), then we burn the boat in the town centre. Then we go to lots of town halls drink and dance for the whole night only to get home in the early hours usually worse for wear.

    alex_sl92 , Vicky Brock Report

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    Dave and Deb also admitted that they wish Canada would get on board with the heated toilets you can find in Japan. "We loved the Toto toilets that washed and dried our private parts, and that warm seat was so welcoming. They even had Toto toilets in the park's pavilion at Nikko National Park during our hike," they noted. "It was heavenly. Canada should adopt that, and we'd also never have to deal with the 'Great Toilet Paper Shortage' again."

    #17

    Eating fries covered with cheese curd and gravy.

    binaryblade Report

    #18

    40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused Colombia: Putting cheese in our hot chocolate. You put in a bit of cheese in the cup, it melts and you take it out with a spoon and eat it with bread. No, it doesn't make your chocolate taste cheesy, it just melts in a nice way.

    The first time I did this with foreigners they were completely beside themselves.

    molecularpoet , Quinn Comendant Report

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    Zedrapazia
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am Swiss, we have the famous chocolate and the cheese, and I still want to poke everyone who wants to eat this in the nose. How can you?!

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    "Canada has a lot of quirkiness," the travelers shared. "I sometimes think we are quirkier than other countries, and we all seem to like it that way. It is a huge country, and there are many quirks in different regions. For example, when visiting Dawson City, Yukon, it is customary to drink the Sour Toe Cocktail that contains an actual dead human toe. When visiting Newfoundland, visitors (Come from Aways) can become honorary Newfoundlanders when they drink Screech rum and kiss a cod fish."

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    If you'd like to hear more about Dave and Deb's travels or learn fun facts about the great nation of Canada, be sure to visit their blog The Planet D!

    #19

    In the UK we don't have one tap spout in a sink that you control the temperature of. We have two separate spouts: one hot that strips the flesh from your bones and one cold that gives you frost bite.

    MajestyA Report

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    Hodmi
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Comes from back in the day when the hot water wasn't potable. The separate spout keeps it separate from the cold water.

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    #20

    40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused Sitting naked and silently in a hot and sweaty room with other people

    Aapelus , Ron Lach Report

    #21

    * Need some groceries? Get on your bike and stuff everything in your *fietstas*.

    * Kids need to go to school? Bring them in your *bakfiets* (freight bicycle).

    * Trying your best to talk Dutch to someone? Get an answer in English.

    Roland0180 Report

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    The Scout
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think there is no country in Europe where you don't get an answer in English if someone notices you are not fluent in the local language. Well, except in France, maybe - most people there will know English but never speak it out of disdain.

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    #22

    Saying sorry to random people if they bump into you, even if it wasn't your fault.

    Frostedchunks Report

    #23

    40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused In Singapore, when I go to a foodcourt/coffeeshop/foodhall, I can reserve a table or a seat by placing a packet of tissue/my handkerchief on the spot. No need to leave my bag or bottle or anything else to reserve the spot before I walk over to a food stall to buy food. I come back and my 20cents packet of tissue is still there. Basically, no one will dare steal your spot/tissue or move it away. Pretty convenient eh.

    bluezebra1990 , Sergiy Galyonkin Report

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    I heart Boo-BI-es
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Love the name of this restaurant in the stock photo, Dank burrito 🌯. Perfect spot when you get the munchies!

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    #24

    40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused Shabbat elevator service. In Israel, in a lot of places, the elevators are programmed to stop at every floor going up and down, so that the religious people don't have to push buttons and therefore "operate machinery" on Shabbat. So, if you wanna get to your floor on time, just take the stairs.

    anon , Jason Dent Report

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    #25

    40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused Celebrating the attempted terrorist attack by Guy Fawkes.

    Explained it to my friends girlfriends from Portland and she thought it was the most bizarre thing ever.

    BobletOfFire , Pierre-Selim Report

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    Duvet Woman
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The way that's worded sounds like we celebrate that Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament. The celebration is that he didn't manage it. Hence putting the " guy " on the bonfire.

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    #26

    40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused Here in England we get totally drunk because the sun is shining. It's reason enough to finish work and go straight to the nearest pub with a beer garden then drink until closing.

    I imagine in some countries you'd never be sober if that happened.

    anon , ELEVATE Report

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    Emma S
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The sun shines so rarely in the UK that it's a cause for celebration when it does.

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    #27

    40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused In England it's pretty common to greet someone by saying something along the lines of "you alright?". I said this to my American friend and she responded by asking what I wanted?..

    Team_Rocket_Landed , Andrea Piacquadio Report

    #28

    Groundhogs Day must seem incredibly strange to non-Americans.

    gabgruz14 Report

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    Kel_how
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I remember learning about it in 2nd grade (US) and being very confused. I've never really figured out the purpose, other than joy in silliness...which, fair enough.

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    Kathryn Baylis
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well, maybe yes, maybe no. A lot of cultures have their own prognosticators. Ever since we started settling and planting crops instead of living a nomadic hunting existence, we have looked to every possible source to predict the coming of spring, when we could plant our crops. In the US, it’s a groundhog coming out of their den. If they see their shadow it’s sunny, and therefore likely to stay cold. If they don’t it’s cloudy, indicating changing weather, which itself means it’s getting warmer. Elsewhere, it could be another animal coming out of hibernation, or bird migrating back to the area, or some other indicator. So, not exclusive to the American Groundhog Day, and not really all that strange elsewhere. The prognosticators are just different.

    A C
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Best holiday in the US! we don't have to buy anything or go anywhere or talk to anyone. We just celebrate a fuzzy animal and ask it ridiculous questions about the weather! It literally does not get better than this!

    FoxFriend (they/them)
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    From Wikipedia: Groundhog Day is a tradition observed in the United States and Canada on February 2 of every year starting in the 16th century. It derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day and sees its shadow, it will retreat to its den and winter will go on for six more weeks; if it does not see its shadow, spring will arrive early.

    Zedrapazia
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Eh, my great aunt had a tree climber frog in a jar that she believed would tell her the weather when it climbs up the ladder that was in there. The only thing the frog actually indicated was that it was hungry and wanted to be fed. Doesn't sound much more crazy than asking a rodent to tell you about the year.

    Herringbone
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In Scotland it's 'If Candlemas Day be clear and fair Half the winter's to come and mair [more]' Groundhog Day is Candlemas (2 February), so if it's clear, the groundhog will see his shadow.

    Rob
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Isn't that just everyone's normal working experience?

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

    One of my favorite holidays right along with Pirates day... and arbor day

    Wendy
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Canadians look forward to Groundhog Day as well, and we have several famous rodents

    Jon E
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes it does seem incredibly strange to non Americans but so does marrying your sister or shooting anything that moves..

    Stannous Flouride
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The worst part is getting caught in an endless time-loop that has you going through it again and again.

    David
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah... American here. Always thought that was whack. I doubt anyone actually believes that c**p any more but they keep doing it because it is 'tradition' and gets them in the news for 10 minutes. If your town doesn't have a lot worth talking about you make a giant ball of string or the world's biggest wooden rocking chair or some other nonsense.

    Elchinero
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "It is strange to Americans as well" a Pennsyltucky $$$ deal

    Michael D Bresnahan
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Of course it's silly, that's the point. It's a funny fun time for a party.

    PlatinumThe8-BitCat
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don’t even understand why we do this. The groundhog’s shadow has absolutely no actual scientific correlation with weather and the seasons, it doesn’t make any sense

    Appalachian Panda
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's a fun tradition, it doesn't have to make sense. Plus, it's an excuse for a little festival that draws a bunch of tourists to their town.

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    #29

    40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused In Belgium we have neighborhoods where 90% of the people living there speak French yet they are forced to speak Dutch in all official capacities unless they specifically ask for French after the fact. Call the police, they speak Dutch first, then you have to ask them to speak French to you. Receive official documents from the community? In Dutch first, then you have to ask for them in French.

    And that's really just the tip of the iceberg.

    viktor72 , Jérôme Report

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    Hawkmoon
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Living in a totally French-speaking area, I rarely encounter this kind of problem, but I remember, the very first time I went to "Mons" (name of the city), I asked myself questions when I no longer saw the signs " Mons" on the highway, but signs for "Bergen", which is the name of the city in Dutch. I wondered if I hadn't taken the wrong direction somewhere.

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    #30

    At the longest day of the year, everyone has to gather in a large field and jam a large wooden p***s covered in flowers into the ground. Then we dance around it. Historically this was to ensure a plentiful harvest but nowadays it's just an excuse to get drunk.

    TommyTbone Report

    #31

    Calling your mates c**t, and c***s mate.

    kewday96 Report

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    #32

    40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused Sitting in circles on birtdays and putting sprinkles on bread as breakfast or lunch.

    Freefight , Pavel Danilyuk Report

    #33

    There are beaches where you should be naked (do not have to but you should be, besides maybe little kids or what ever)

    No pixeling / blackening titts in TV, beer and wine for 16 year olds.
    And I guess the most important on parts of our "highways" you can drive as fast as you want (which is actually pretty touristy here).

    Luwi00 Report

    #34

    40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused Kissing people on the cheek (even the one you don't know personally) to say hello.
    Welcome to France guys o/

    Kamiyee , Ketut Subiyanto Report

    #35

    Something I noticed is that students (perticulary Greek, Italian, French) that come to the UK find our drinking culture strange. As where maybe they would go out and have a few drinks then go home we will go home once we are dragged back vomiting at out door.
    P.s. not really something I'm proud of just something I noticed

    dhrisher Report

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    Ample Aardvark
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Drinking just to get drunk (instead of enjoying a nice drink or just to get a bit buzzed) was always weird for me

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    #36

    40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused We call the clear water as "sky juice"

    butterpopkorn , Uber Turist Report

    #37

    Climbing up a super oily tree trunk along with a bunch of bare chested men with the goal of grabbing a bunch of s****y prizes tied at the top.
    EDIT: It's called Panjat Pinang.

    SAINT_OF_SHIT Report

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    Brocken Blue
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That sounds like an excellent spectator sport, to be honest. I’d watch

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    #38

    We eat the inwards of sheep and they are delicious! We call it "κοκορέτσι". It's the greatest greek dish. It's like 4 x gyros!

    geoponos Report

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    Hans Georg
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am fairly sure it is innards and not inwards, but we have something similar in Germany too.

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    #39

    Brunost (goat cheese)

    It's pretty normal in Norway, Denmark & Sweden

    Edit: Should've said that it's a type of brown colored goat cheese, which contains from whey as one of the main ingredients.

    SavageCake Report

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    arthbach
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It is delicious! The whey is boiled to reduce it, and cream is added. This produces a hard cheese that taste a bit of caramel, and is a little nutty too.

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    #40

    Calling some random dude "your man". Equal in meaning to "that guy".

    i_am_just_a_number Report

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    #41

    40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused Car - guards.

    If you park in any public place, 9/10 times a homeless person will approach your car and it's understood that they will "protect" it until you return. You're automatically a d**k if you don't pay them some change when you leave.

    anon , MART PRODUCTION Report

    #42

    40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused In India,
    1. you could just eat a whole bag of crackers or chew a gum and toss away the trash wrappers on the street, and no one even looks at you funny. Heck, people even spit their chewy "pan" residues by rolling down their car windows.
    2. you find a lot of stray dogs/ cows and sometimes even horses and elephants while you're on the road. (the latter are for commercial purposes)
    3. on bikes/ scooters, we could fit in atleast 4 people. easy.
    4. there's a play school here with the name, "tiny tits".
    5. arranged marriage.

    vvhatson , cottonbro studio Report

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

    6. Women are openly treated like second class citizens. I've lived there, it's true.

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    #43

    Sunday trading law. In ~~the UK~~ England, By law, all large shops close ~~at 4pm~~ earlier than they do most days 

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    Rob
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We emigrated to Scotland a few years ago and this idiocy doesn't happen, "Open 24 Hours" usually means "stay open all year except Christmas Day". In England most shops are not allowed to open at all on Easter Sunday. Northern Ireland is even more restrictive.

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    #44

    Legally walking around with a gun on your person. ( In Most States)

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    LillieMean
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In Finland, even scissors are classified as a bladed weapon, so you must have a good reason to carry them with you. So the fact that you keep a real gun with you seems completely incomprehensible.

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    #45

    Here in Belgium, we don't really have fraternities/sororities, but each field of study has it's own student organisation. For example, Medicine, Linguistics, Engineering, Chemistry, etc. They organize a lot of events during the year, usually free or at least extremely cheap.

    One of the traditions we have is that you can let yourself be sold as a freshman to members of the organisation you're with. Which kind of goes down like however slaves used to be sold, without the whips and chains though. The selling happens like an auction, and afterwards, depending on the rules of the organisation, you'll be the property of the people that bought you for whatever time period they traditionally use (usually 1-3 weeks).

    Mostly it's a nice way to learn a bit about student life and make some new friends along the way. The nasty bits are usually limited to cleaning some rooms and doing some dishes, along with drinking heavily. Some people are obviously d***s about it and can go on quite a powertrip, but they're a minority, and obviously, you can refuse anything they make you do if you feel it's unreasonable.

    **TL;DR, we sell freshman university students in auctions as slaves**

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    #46

    Three kiss greeting. Man this has made things akward over the years.

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    Dave Horder
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In the Netherlands I think. Right cheek first then left then right again if I remember correctly.

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    #47

    Milk in one-litre bags. If you don't have a bag holder, that must be confounding.

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    #48

    On Sunday's all shop's are closed except for gas station's. Switzerland.

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    #49

    Turning right on a redlight...

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    Kitty1019
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In the U.S., that's common to keep traffic flowing, unless stated otherwise. Right on red after you stop first, of course, to make sure it's safe.

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    #50

    In places (some quite close to cities) sheep are free to go wherever they like - including roads.

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    Rob
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Quite normal in The Scottish Highlands, regularly have to wait for sheep to get out of the way on B and C class roads. Plus, watch out for the Kamikaze Pheasants.

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    #51

    Incurring thousands of dollars in debt as a result of illness or needing acute medical care.

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    #52

    Most drivers have a dashcam.

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    #53

    Women being second class citizens or not being allowed to drive.

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    #55

    In our country all shops open at 7 am. And then closes 5 times everyday for 1 hour everytime and would close at 10pm. No shops or restaurants will be open after 10pm.
    TL;Dr: somebody save me!

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    #56

    40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused People here in Brazil are **very** friendly.

    Kisses on the cheek first time we see you; Women calling you cute names within 5 minutes of conversation; We will hug you at the ends of conversation, even though it's the first time we've met.

    hank_moo_d , Leeloo Thefirst Report

    #57

    I'm American, and one of my best friends lives in Puerto Rico.

    They were really surprised by the idea of veterinarians. Like? I explained to them how we have a checkup schedule for our pets, have them vaccinated regularly, etc. I also told them how vets are a very important part of most rural areas and how we usually have a vet in every town.

    This just was not a part of their daily life.

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    BrookeBT
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Uh....Puerto Rico is part of the United States.... you know that, right?

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    #58

    No one signs for their credit card here, we all use pin numbers.

    Also going to the counter to pay.

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    The Scout
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Signing fo credit cards is about twenty years out of date. I am baffled every time why a country that is so advanced technologically still relies so much on deprecated technology for everyday life.

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    #59

    Only a small thing, but it's normal to call a woman handsome here, usually followed by "maid".

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    #60

    Clamato juice (clam juice and tomato juice) mixed into a beer. Not exactly super common, but enough that I've seen it a lot over the years

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    #61

    Saying the pledge everymorning

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    The Scout
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well, there are actuallly two countries that do require saying a pledge before the beginning of the school day. The other one is North Korea.

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    #62

    USA here, I think the obvious answer is using the Imperial system of measurement. Even I think it's silly.

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    General Anaesthesia
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It'll be a cold day in hell before cowboys give up their 10-gallon hats in favor of 37.85412-liter hats.

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    #63

    To do engineering (4 years), then PG Diploma in Management (2 years), sometimes even a global MBA with the end goal of becoming a civil servant that requires none of above qualifications. All that just for the social status it brings.

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    Kathryn Baylis
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Most likely not just social status, but chances for promotion as well.

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    #64

    40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused In the UK, people hold doors for each other and smile when you make eye contact with them. I never seen that in any other country I've been to.

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    #65

    Drinking a 12-32 oz soda (~1/3-1 L) with a meal and going back for a free refill.

    (Country: USA! USA! USA!)

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    Emma S
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Free refills of drinks but you can go bankrupt if you get ill. Go figure.

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    #66

    40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused Kids clasp their hands together with the index fingers pointing out like a gun and stab each other with that in their buttholes.

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    Hphizzle
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Japan!! Kancho is what it’s called. Yes, it’s a common prank type thing that kids do to each other. Generally outgrow it by Junior High School. As a preschool and elementary school teacher, I’ve had to dodge my fair share of getting “Kancho”-ed by the kiddos. The above description is a little graphic, more so finger guns to the butt crack.

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    #67

    Ordering a Double-Double.

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    phanmo
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Could also be Canada, it's the name for a 2 cream 2 sugars coffee, usually ordered from Tim Hortons

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    #68

    40 Things That Are Totally Normal In Some Countries, Yet Make The Rest Of The World Confused Twerking..... Also grinding. In the U.S. it's pretty normal to dance like that. But i notice when i go to Europe, it's generally not socially acceptable to dance up on a girl. In fact, they hate it :|

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    #69

    Getting all exited to play a game called "Cornhole".

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    #70

    The off licence being shut at 10pm as we cannot 'control' ourselves

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    #71

    Drive through ATM(automated teller machines) machines machinimas are apparently the craziest things ever

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    #72

    Easy gun ownership. Especially in certain states.

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    #73

    Watching Fox News

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    #74

    Roundabouts

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    Hans Georg
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That is fairly common in almost every european country. So not very strange.

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    #75

    Our most popular TV broadcast during the year by far is a gridiron football game, though I suspect most people tuning in care more about the commercials and the halftime show than the actual game.

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