21 Everyday Norms From Countries Around The World That Are Extremely Confusing To Outsiders
1. Japan: Slurping Your Noodles
In Japan, slurping your noodles loudly is a sign that you’re enjoying your meal. It might seem rude elsewhere, but here, it’s a compliment to the chef.
2. France: Saying Hello to Everyone
In France, it’s polite to greet everyone individually when you enter a room. Ignoring someone is considered very rude and can make for an awkward situation.
3. India: Eating With Your Hands
In many parts of India, eating with your hands is the norm. It’s believed to enhance the dining experience by engaging all your senses.
4. South Korea: Accepting Things with Both Hands
When receiving a gift or even a business card in South Korea, it’s customary to use both hands. This shows respect and appreciation.
5. Russia: Not Smiling at Strangers
In Russia, smiling at strangers can be seen as insincere or even suspicious. People reserve their smiles for friends and family.
6. Italy: Talking with Gestures
Italians are famous for their expressive gestures. They use their hands to emphasize points during conversations, which might seem dramatic to outsiders.
7. China: Leaving Food on Your Plate
In China, finishing all your food can imply that your host didn’t provide enough. It’s polite to leave a little to show you’re satisfied.
8. Brazil: Arriving Late
In Brazil, arriving late to social events is quite normal. It’s called “Brazilian time,” and it’s not considered rude.
9. Germany: Being Punctual
On the flip side, Germans value punctuality highly. Arriving late is seen as disrespectful and unprofessional.
10. Thailand: Avoiding Head Touches
In Thailand, the head is considered sacred. Touching someone’s head, even a child’s, is a big no-no.
11. Mexico: Using Both Surnames
In Mexico, people commonly use both their paternal and maternal surnames. It’s important to address them correctly, especially in formal settings.
12. Saudi Arabia: Gender Segregation
In Saudi Arabia, public spaces often have separate areas for men and women. This can be surprising to visitors from more gender-integrated societies.
13. Spain: Taking Siestas
Spaniards love their afternoon naps, or siestas. Many shops close down for a couple of hours in the afternoon to allow for this rest period.
14. Nigeria: Greeting Elders First
In Nigeria, it’s respectful to greet the eldest person in the room first. This shows reverence and acknowledges their status.
15. Finland: Enjoying Silence
Finns are comfortable with silence and don’t feel the need to fill every moment with chatter. This can feel awkward for more talkative cultures.
16. Turkey: Offering Tea
In Turkey, offering tea to guests is a common gesture of hospitality. Refusing it might be seen as impolite.
17. Kenya: Holding Hands
In Kenya, it’s common for male friends to hold hands as a sign of friendship. This can be surprising to those from cultures where hand-holding is more intimate.
18. Poland: Shaking Hands with Everyone
In Poland, it’s customary to shake hands with everyone in a group, even if it means multiple handshakes in one meeting.
19. Philippines: Using Lips to Point
In the Philippines, people sometimes use their lips to point at objects or directions. This subtle gesture can be confusing to newcomers.
20. Norway: Leaving Babies Outside
Norwegian parents often leave their babies in strollers outside cafes or shops. They believe fresh air is good for the baby, even in cold weather.
21. Greece: Nodding Means No
In Greece, a nod of the head upwards means “no,” while tilting it down means “yes.” This can lead to some mixed signals for visitors.
