25 People Share the Everyday Things in Their Country That Would Totally Baffle Outsiders
Have you ever traveled to a new country and experienced something so out of the ordinary that it left you utterly confused? Whether it’s the food, the customs, or the everyday occurrences that locals don’t even think twice about, it’s amazing how certain cultural practices can take visitors by surprise.
Recently, a Reddit user asked, “What’s a super ‘normal’ thing in your country that would completely confuse or shock someone visiting for the first time?” The responses were both hilarious and eye-opening, shedding light on the unique quirks that make each country so fascinating. Let’s dive into some of the answers!
More info: Reddit
#1
Image source: statisticaIAnomaly, OPPO Find X5 Pro
Dad’s taking care of their kids.
Heard of foreigners asking, “What’s the deal with all the gay nannies?”
Apparently, it’s easier to assume that men taking care of kids have to be paid for it and gay than to assume that dads are actually parenting.
Edit to add country: Sweden, and to specify dads taking care of their own babies. It is very common for dads to take parental leave.
#2
Image source: LessSaussure, Getty Images
Idk about the rest of the world, but I think americans will get shocked that in Brasil not only the vote is mandatory, but you need to prove your identity with an official ID and your digital fingerprints before you do it. We vote through a machine and it only works after it validates your digital.
#3
Image source: N3MO_Sports, prostooleh
Putting babies alone outside in their strollers under the winter so they can nap.
#4
Image source: Grindelbart, freepik
Germany:
Sundays are for silence. No mowing lawns, no working outside, no loud parties, no annoying anoyne with your choices.
Sundays. Are. For. Silence.
And it’s the best thing ever.
#5
Image source: Shytemagnet, Irina Fedotova
Leaving your car unlocked so people can escape polar bears.
#6
Image source: Fun-Interaction8196, EyeEm
I’m from Appalachia and something that always makes outsiders curious is the way we wave to people on the road, even if we don’t know them. It’s just a short acknowledgement, a light lifting of the fingers from the steering wheel. It’s literally just a sign of respect to your neighbors on the road.
#7
Image source: cardboard-kansio, freepik
Finland: naked in the sauna. But what if it’s in a public pool? Naked. Changing cubicle? Nope, communal space and communal showers. Naked. There are even signs next to the public sauna doors with [a picture of a swimming costume and an X over the top]
In fact, if you go to the Yrjönkatu public pool in Helsinki, you can be naked *in the swimming pool* during dedicated times. Certainly, at most private homes or cottages, you’ll be naked in the sauna possibly in mixed gender company, and naked into the frozen lake to swim too.
It’s just human bodies. We all have them.
#8
Image source: happyclamjuice, Aji Maulidio Indra Rukmana
We thank our city bus drivers as we get off the bus at our stops.
#9
Image source: Unicron1982, user14159562
Quiet talking. Especially people from America (north and south) told me this.
Here in Switzerland, it is considered rude to disturb others, so you’ll talk in a volume that does not bother others. Especially in public transport. And don’t you _dare_ to talk in a cinema.
#10
Image source: barbeqdbrwniez, wirestock
Specific to my state, but iguanas falling from trees in the winter.
#11
Image source: Mysterious_Elk_9733, Getty Images
A woman can breastfeed anywhere and anytime. No worries about covering up. Be it public transport, a restaurant, wherever. Baby can even take a rest and the n****e hangs out.
We just don’t consider feeding your baby as sexual. I know it’s shocking to people from the western world but it’s equally shocking to us that some people, somewhere consider something as basic as feeding babies, sexual and will refuse a baby’s basic needs in public because of this.
#12
Image source: Lebronsito19, EyeEm
In Spain I would say that one of the things is the dinner/lunch times. For many people it is too late.
#13
Image source: LunaTwist77, freepik
Only in America do we treat healthcare like ordering from a mystery menu. You get the treatment first and find out the price never. Hope you enjoyed that $7,000 band-aid 😭.
#14
Women can’t legally take the surname of their husband when they get married. There birth surname needs to be used for everything « legal ».
#15
Image source: Numerous-Section-805, EyeEm
Vietnam- crossing the road.
#16
Image source: ripkrustysdad, Hakan Kayahan
Netherlands. First Monday of the month at 12pm. It’s not an air raid but it sure sounds like it.
#17
Image source: warkrust666, freepik
Amount of well cared for stray cats and dogs. They are part of our daily life, we take care of them as members of our society. You already know where I don’t have to tell you.
#18
Image source: anon, Safari Consoler
Selling food on the top of their heads (Ghana).
#19
In the USA we celebrate a day called Groundhog’s Day where grown men wear top hats and pull rodents out in order to have them predict the weather….
Image source: BodybuilderReady3841
#20
Image source: MrsNeilPHarris, freepik
Going to the shops in barefeet is pretty common and normal.
New Zealand.
#21
Image source: _nairual_nae, EyeEm
Identifying someone based on apparence or pretty much everything is socially acceptable. For example if you ask someone “hey, who is Mark and where I can find him?” it’s totally normal to get explanations like “the fat guy over there” “the skinny dude” “the priest looking one with big beard” same goes for women “that skinny lady over there” “the fat woman with red shirt” etc.
#22
Image source: sweet_kitty26, Mark Dubery
Two words: Swooping Season.
Not unique to our country but I’m not sure it’s as prevalent anywhere else 😂.
#23
Image source: Toucan_Based_Economy, the peassa
We have multiple levels on our the bushfire risk scale.
“Very high” is in the middle. The final level is “catastrophic”.
#24
Image source: CaptainFartHole, freepik
The Midwest Goodbye.
Its a long process initiated by a knee slap and a “welp I s’pose.” It has been known to last hours and if you navigate it incorrectly you’ll be labeled as rude until the day you die.
God speed trying to navigate that one!
#25
Image source: equixyy, Lala Azizli
Usa- Tipping. The idea that your meal costs $20 but you’re expected to leave an extra $5 just because someone brought it to you? That throws a lot of visitors off real fast.
Got wisdom to pour?