Normal Things Considered Odd Worldwide

From Redditor u/Turbobrickx7:

When I was stationed in Korea, the "two hand" system shocked me most. You take and give everything with two hands. Pouring drinks is also rude. The custom is to pour drinks for others first, then wait for them to pour yours.

I went out with Korean guys and got a bottle of SOJU. I poured myself a glass. Everyone's faces looked like I killed someone. Luckily, they explained the local customs politely and were really cool about it.

From Redditor u/spntrash67:

In Greece, I live in a small village. Summer months, from 3 to 6 pm, the place looks empty. People go home to sleep; this helps because everyone stays up late drinking. We had quiet hours too, where you could get a fine for too much noise while people slept.

From Redditor u/Coolestdragonever:

Swedish movies and TV shows show nudity. Our law has no censorship, so we can show anything as long as people or animals are not hurt during filming. This makes it strange for people in America and Britain to see breasts and butts suddenly.

I never saw this in many other countries. But it helped me since childhood. Seeing a naked human body is not a taboo or awkward. It is just how we look without clothes.

From Redditor u/chibimagaa:

Slurping noodles is encouraged. Sniffling or snarfing boogers loudly in front of strangers beats blowing your nose. People really need to blow their noses. Listening to people move phlegm and snot is gross.

From Redditor u/tanhannah2008:

In Singapore, buying or selling chewing gum is illegal. To get it, you must buy it overseas.

From Redditor u/gardenvarietyhater:

In Pakistan, people expect unpaid weekend work. There is no concept of overtime or extra pay.

"Work Meetings" can last until 11 pm. You do not get paid for these.

You can be two hours late for everything except work. Imagine I was the first at my wedding and almost panicked, thinking there might be a "Runaway Husband." My husband and in-laws were an hour late and did not answer my texts.

From Redditor u/RemoteAnalysis3809:

Vietnam has deathday celebrations. These differ from Mexican traditions; it is like a birthday for the dead. Families celebrate the death day of people in the three generations before you. My grandma and her brothers would party for her mom, dad, grandfathers, and grandmothers. I do not handle the death day celebration for any "ancestors within three generations" because they are all alive.

At a deathday party, friends and family gather. They eat boiled chicken with lemon leaf and other traditional food. Adults drink alcohol (moonshine, honestly). Some food goes on the family altar for the dead person to eat.

Redditor u/SirTheadore:

In Ireland, you must refuse an offer. If someone in your home offers tea, coffee, food, or anything you must answer, say, “ah Jaysus no I couldn’t, I’m grand thanks!” at least three times while the host pushes. Then, the host says, “ah sure go on then!”

From Redditor u/that_guy_from_BCN:

Before COVID in Spain, people had to kiss every person in the group twice to say hello. This applies to everyone, regardless of distance or family closeness to the group's center. If you are in the group, you must kiss them twice. If you skip it, people call you unfriendly and creepy.

From Redditor u/spicysnakelover:

Not weird everywhere, but in South Africa, many people skip shoes. I used to be one of them. I did not wear them on the street, in shops, or in the mall. You will wear shoes for dinner, but for a casual day or errands, you do not need them. Just watch out for glass or trash.

From Redditor u/Ice-Berg-Slim:

In New Zealand, walking barefoot is common. This happens outside, inside gas stations, and in supermarkets too. I moved to Germany four years ago and wore my bare feet into a supermarket. Many angry faces looked at me.

From Redditor u/pasta-is-really-good:

In Norway, you tell people how you are when they ask. Norwegians do not use many polite phrases just to be nice. So, when someone asks “how are you?”, they mean a real question, not small talk or a greeting.

My grandma asked a cashier how she was doing. She replied, “Not great. I have type 2 diabetes.”

From Redditor u/VentiSpore:

Meat cooks through here. I see chefs on American TV calling well-done steaks disgusting or ruined. But in Mexico, I have never seen meat remain red.

From Redditor u/Flat_Bodybuilder_175:

Getting friendly and handsy with strangers in public is normal. In Canada, people tell you their life stories in the checkout line. At a live arts theatre, seniors enjoyed my extensions. Someone new walked up and petted me almost every shift. This was good; the intention was there.

Redditor u/Willing_Fig_9235:

If your parents don't live with you when they are older, you face looking down upon in India. You must take care of them in old age out here.

If you are old and your children fail, old age homes are cheap. Tons of charity funds these places in almost every city I know.

Redditor u/1_art_please:

In Canada, taking off your shoes in someone's house is rude. If you know the people well, ask if you can leave them on, like in the summer. My mother would call you rude if you kept them on.

A big pile of shoes often sits in the entryway during gatherings. Sometimes tight spaces mean the door barely opens because of this. People also take pictures dressed up in nice clothes without shoes. Often, we just go outside for those photos.

Snow and bad weather probably cause this. It stops people from tracking that stuff in.