The planet—and the people in it—are endlessly fascinating.
Think the multiverse is just for Marvel movies? Travel the world and you’ll think differently. Each country is like its own little ecosystem, with characteristics and quirks that are completely foreign to those who’ve never been there.
Upworthy has covered many stories of uniquely American quirks that have caused visitors to do a double-take, but this time, were flipping the script, thanks to a Reddit user who asked:
“What’s something totally normal in your country that would shock most Americans?”
Take a tour around the globe with some of our favorites below:
“On Saturday nights, there is a rollercoaster cart that drives around town, drifting, doing donuts, going super fast while playing music. It’s the shape of a worm so they call it 'El Gusanito.’ It picks people up like every other block and it costs 25 cents to ride. There are no limits to how many people get on per cart. I even saw a stray dog catch a ride once. It’s so unsafe but super fun.” —Ecuador
- YouTube www.youtube.com
“When people die, we put up little posters - printed obituaries - on the walls of buildings all around town and close to places the person liked to frequent. They have a little picture of the person, their date of birth and death, and a message of mourning from the family.”—Bulgaria
“It’s totally normal to sit naked in a sauna with your coworkers after work. Anywhere else that’s an HR panic button.” —Finland
Not just coworkers—family, friends, strangers, kids… media2.giphy.com
“Having to pay for public restrooms.” —France
Imagine having to go so badly but being out of euros. parisjetaime.com
“Walking around in public in bare feet. Very common to see supermarket shoppers and such with no shoes on, and no it’s not a class thing, all kinds of people do it. Not beating the hobbit allegations I guess.” -New Zealand
Anything hobbit-esque can't be wrong. Photo credit: Canva
“The whole bagged milk thing seems to really freak them out.” —Canada
- YouTube www.youtube.com
“Our pharmacies only sell medicine, no snacks, makeup or random stuff. First time I visited the US I thought I was in the wrong store.” —Germany
But what if you need pain meds AND mascara?!Photo credit: Canva
“Taking your shoes off to go inside of schools.” —Japan
@lindokorchi Here’s the rule for taking off your shoes in Japan. #lifeinjapan #japanlife #japantravel #japan🇯🇵 #livingabroad #japanesehouse
“Whole family lives together indefinitely. In a home the size that would fit a starter family in America, they have their grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. and they all take care of each other.” —Spain
Imagine how this would affect childcare.Photo credit: Canva
“A man walking along a street with a massive machete is no cause for alarm and wouldn't even get an eye raise.” —Jamaica
- YouTube www.youtube.com
“Prisoners make food, furniture, and other goods that you can buy at ‘prison festivals’ they hold outside the prisons themselves. These festivals have a variety of attractions and are popular with families and children” —Japan
"Boyfriends and girlfriends (or partners) sleeping together at each other's houses from about age 14-15 yrs old. Parents would rather have this than kids sneaking around and getting into bad situations.” —Denmark
And last but not least…
“Anything without rice is just a snack no matter how big the portion is.” —Philippines
Honestly…where's the lie? media0.giphy.com
There's a reason why some people can perfectly copy accents, and others can't