Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

People From Around The World Explain What's Common In Their Country But Rare In Others

People From Around The World Explain What's Common In Their Country But Rare In Others
6 different countries dolls and desk globe free image | Peakpx

As we know, "norms" is a misleading term. What is normal is far too relative for that word to carry much certainty.

Normal is defined by the social environment, a context that comes in a variety of sizes. The context could be a particular home, workplace, town, province, cultural group, or even an entire country.


A recent Reddit thread focused on the various norms of daily life established in all different countries. The common, ever-excepted mundane details of a nation apparently compel people to assume those quirks happen across the whole world.

So it's an eye-opening moment when one realizes that common trope is actually unique, weird, and rare literally everywhere else.

getfookenrekt asked, "What is a common thing in your country but rare in others?"

Spanish Rhythms

"Such cheap olive oil. And eating incredibly late. Lunch is more or less at 1-3 pm, and dinner at 9-10 pm. That is why in Spain we have snacks between foods" -- prepelde

"Isn't the reason for eating late having to do with an old dictator's rule or something? I remember reading about that." -- Talldadmn

"I'm sure that's part of it, but Italy operates on more or less the same schedule. It might just be more of a Mediterranean cultural thing." -- HorseMeatSandwich

"It's a bit of both. Especially in summer in hot countries late dinner when it's not as obnoxiously hot just makes sense too" -- ndop

Sweat | Noise | Power

"Saunas in most apartments or at least apartment buildings, haven't lived in a building that doesn't have one."

"A lot of great well known (and underground) metal bands."

"And a nuclear power plant that is at this point 11 years behind schedule and according to Wikipedia the 3rd most expensive building in the world."

-- Under_the_Red_Cloud

Northern Delights

"Poutine. Goddamn are you guys missing out on poutine. Seriously unhealthy, but also good for the soul, so is it really unhealthy? Yes. Yes it is. But you're still missing out."

"For those wondering, it's fries topped with gravy and cheese curds."

-- LookAtMeImAName

Sugar and Fat

"In Colombia, hot chocolate is served with slices of salted cheese in it." -- Damagingking7

"I feel like that is something that sounds disgusting but actually isn't that bad." -- b17pineapple

"It's really good actually. Specially because sugar and fat goes really well together." -- Arturosas

Closed, or Thorough?

"People don't talk to new people here for some reason" -- therealCyborg2300

" 'I'd rather stand than sit on that empty seat next to a stranger' -Every swede ever." -- ithinkericssonhitus

"I remember striking up a conversation with a stranger in Scandinavia."

"She said, 'You must be American. Only Americans talk to strangers. That's one thing I miss about America when I lived in Los Angeles for a few years. Here nobody ever talks to anyone unless they have been formally introduced.' " -- Adam0018

Sudden Darkness

"Scheduled blackouts to reduce pressure on the electrical grid" -- MealieMeal

"Especially the kind they just surprise you with at a random time in the afternoon. Stage tw-four! HaHA, had you going there! Now pay my exorbitant fees, peasant." -- Cereal_Experiments45

The Horrors of Daytime Television

"Pharmaceutical ads." -- cant_help_myself

"And the grocery list of potential life ending side effects they come with." -- XxsquirrelxX

"Antidepressant commercials like: 'You're gonna feel great if you don't get fat, impotent, and violently suicidal! Good luck!!!' " -- hannibalstarship

Necessities

"Bagged milk, legal weed and fermented maple syrup." -- MagicMushroomFungi

"Bagged milk was a mystery I loved in school. Lil square pouch and you'd just shank it with the straw and SUCK" -- S0LDIER-X

Fizzy Paste

"Root beer. In America this is widely available and basically universally liked, but give it to someone from another country, especially a European country, and they will hate it." -- Talldadmn

"My Brother in law is from Denmark and he says root beer tastes like their toothpaste. He hates root beer and cant understand why we love it so much." -- alternateunicorn

Keeps Mental Math Sharp

"Tax not included in advertised price" -- UltimateAnswer42

"Land above you does that too. Greetings from Canada." -- iamthemicx

"Had no idea this wasn't normal up until now tbh. I thought most western societies did this, not just us Canadians and America" -- chowder7


Want to "know" more? Never miss another big, odd, funny, or heartbreaking moment again. Sign up for the Knowable newsletter here.

More from Trending/best-of-reddit

United States of America flag in window behind wooden pane
Max Sulik on Unsplash

Culture Shocks Americans Faced Moving Home From Abroad

Culture shock is defined as "the feeling of disorientation experienced by someone who is suddenly subjected to an unfamiliar culture, way of life, or set of attitudes."

But what if the culture is the one you were born and raised in?

Keep ReadingShow less
Cillian Murphy
Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Lionsgate

Fans Think They Spotted A Cillian Murphy 'Cameo' In The '28 Years Later' Trailer—And It's Already A Meme

It's only been 22 years since 28 Days Later, but nevertheless fans of the iconic 2002 zombie apocalypse film are definitely ready for the long-awaited third chapter in the saga, 28 Years Later.

Produced and directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland like the very first installment, the film centers on exactly what the title suggests—the situation 28 years after an incurable zombie virus upended the world.

Keep ReadingShow less

Industries That Are Far More Sinister Than People Realize

Corporations and big industries are taking over the world.

At least, that's what it feels like.

Keep ReadingShow less
Nancy Mace
Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

Former Aide Calls Out Rep. Nancy Mace Over The Reason She's Wearing A Sling After 'Assault'

Republican South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace was accused of being a "crisis actor" online when she showed up wearing an arm sling after claiming to be attacked by a "pro-trans" man at the Capitol building.

Mace is a vocal opponent of transgender rights who championed a resolution banning House members and staffers from "using single-sex facilities other than those corresponding to their biological sex."

Keep ReadingShow less
Amy Adams; Drew Barrymore
@thedrewbarrymoreshow/TikTok

Amy Adams Hilariously Flustered After Not Realizing What 'Netflix And Chill' Means

Actor Amy Adams let on more than she intended when she described her favorite thing to do with her husband, and she immediately blushed after realizing her gaffe.

Adams stopped by The Drew Barrymore Show to promote her new black comedy film Nightb*tch alongside the movie's director Marielle Heller.

Keep ReadingShow less