Funny Things Other Cultures Do

Oranage2

So as the title suggests have you noticed anything other cultures do that's normal to them but totally crazy to us, or are there things we do that foreigners find completely odd.

I remember eating in a restaurant in India being left handed I ate with my left hand, 2 people on the table in front just got up and sat at another table, of course I knew and I did try to use my right hand but picking up bread or something without thinking id use my left. I can see why, they clean their back side with their left hand it so it would be the equivalent of somebody using their spoon to clean themselves then using it to eat. disgusting but normal for us.


So have you good people of AH ever come across a total culture difference in Ireland or abroad?

Crooked Jack

Some people call gutties trainers. Freaks

D1stant

Ah twould have to be the stonings in Saudi. Great craic

1777

Japanese porn has blurred gouch :mad:

ScumLord

In Russia they have a funny tradition of being complete and utter lunatics.

Duggy747

The German porn industry and it's love for scutter munching.

castletownman

The poor knowledge the British tend to have on Irish geography, politicians and other things, despite us being their near neighbours, is quite hilarious.

Nody

Personally I find the likes of Icelandics funny; having these odd ideas such as balanced budgets and holding politicans responsible for bad decisions.

Banjo String

In Japan, you can buy schoolgirls panties (used/fresh) from vending machines :eek:

crockholm

Dutch musical tastes.

You could be in a pub full of uni-students listening to contempory dance music,all of a sudden,they start playing "schlachter" music (think seamus moore/richie kavanaugh) and they love it!!!!!!
Go to aa old man pub and they love it there too, no inter-generational difference in music.
Just found it odd.

GoldCobra

Some countries have this mad thing where governments don't rape people up the arse and rob them blind.

FTA69

"You know what they call a Quarter Pounder in France? A Royale with cheese...."

GoldCobra

FTA69 wrote: »

"You know what they call a Quarter Pounder in France? A Royale with cheese...."

What do they call a whopper?

Banjo String

FTA69 wrote: »

"You know what they call a Quarter Pounder in France? A Royale with cheese...."

What do they call a whopper?

Anyone

SamHall wrote: »

What do they call a whopper?

Les hamburger aux cheval.

Oranage2

okay I'll go again -

In south Africa they literally have 5 people to pump gas into your car, and I don't mean five people per petrol station, I mean 5-6 guys per pump, its the oddest thing, you pull in and one guy pumps and the over guys stand around your car supervising. so un economical though they probably pay them little and they're happy to have jobs.

smash

Oranage2 wrote: »

have you noticed anything other cultures do that's normal to them but totally crazy to us

Most of the things travelers do, I find bizarre.

stop animal cruelty

OP why were they offened that you used you're left hand??

Fratton Fred

In the States they have some mad traditions and rules. The strangest one being that they actually prosecute people for white collar crime.

It'll never catch on here.

Birneybau

Stone/Whip/Imprison females that had the cheek to be raped.

SEPT 23 1989

One European country likes to destroy everything around them every few years

Banjo String

All right, well you can walk into a movie theater in Amsterdam and buy a beer. And I don't mean just like in no paper cup, I'm talking about a glass of beer. And in Paris, you can buy beer at MacDonald's.

Lapin

In Mayo, the natives celebrate the coming of nightfall by sleeping with sheep.

FTA69

Strict Rastafarians believe that when a woman is menstruating she's unclean. I knew one fella who wouldn't sleep in the same bed as his girlfriend when she was on the blob and he wouldn't allow her to touch or prepare anything he was going to eat. He wouldn't drink a cup of tea if she made it. Similarly they're strict vegetarians and many won't have a frying pan in the house.

Orthodox Jewish women shave their heads and wear wigs.

Many Africans when having dinner will all eat off the same plate either using their hands or a long spoon.

Traveller couples will often do a brief "run away" before they're married to prove they're marrying for love. It's only a symbolic thing but it's often done nonetheless to much fanfare from friends and family.

Muslims aren't supposed to keep dogs as pets.

elefant

In the Netherlands, at a traditional birthday party, you individually congratulate everyone already at the party when you arrive on the birthday boy/girl's birthday.

Top tip: get there early

Oranage2

stop animal cruelty wrote: »

OP why were they offened that you used you're left hand??

sorry didn't really make it clear. they were sitting at my table in front of me and they didn't want to look at someone using their left hand while the ate

fonecrusher1

Oranage2 wrote: »

I remember eating in a restaurant in India being left handed I ate with my left hand, 2 people on the table in front just got up and sat at another table,

You should have started picking your snout as well with your thumb. Mouth wide open, gazing eerily at them.

stop animal cruelty

Oranage2 wrote: »

sorry didn't really make it clear. they were sitting at my table in front of me and they didn't want to look at someone using their left hand while the ate

Jeez that's stupid

FTA69

stop animal cruelty wrote: »

Jeez that's stupid

Not really stupid, just culturally different. If you blew your nose on a train in the Far East people would be disgusted, spitting on the street in some countries is deemed grand and in some places eating with the hand you wiped your hole with is viewed as repulsive.

Some people would come to Ireland and be turned off by people skulling drink and slurring their words but to us it's perfectly normal.

One thing I found mad was the jacks in eastern countries. It felt like I was sh*tting in someone's shower cubicle. No jacks roll then only a pipe of water and a handful of toweling. Madness.

stop animal cruelty

FTA69 wrote: »

Not really stupid, just culturally different. If you blew your nose on a train in the Far East people would be disgusted, spitting on the street in some countries is deemed grand and in some places eating with the hand you wiped your hole with is viewed as repulsive.

Some people would come to Ireland and be turned off by people skulling drink and slurring their words but to us it's perfectly normal.

One thing I found mad was the jacks in eastern countries. It felt like I was sh*tting in someone's shower cubicle. No jacks roll then only a pipe of water and a handful of toweling. Madness.

l understand all you've posted but l'm kinda confused, do they have a problem with people eathing/using their left hand??

Crooked Jack

SamHall wrote: »

All right, well you can walk into a movie theater in Amsterdam and buy a beer. And I don't mean just like in no paper cup, I'm talking about a glass of beer. And in Paris, you can buy beer at MacDonald's.

Cinema's in Ireland do beer. There's a few in Dublin. Although its only by the bottle and it's ridiculously expensive. You cant have the bottle either so they pour it into a plastic pint glass and charge you about €8 for this pathetic looking half full plastic cup of heineken.
You really feel like you've been totally fucked over and conned.
Best to just stick a half bottle of Jack in your coat and dunk it in your coke in the bog.

FTA69

People in some countries wipe their arse using their left hand and thus it is taboo to use your left hand to eat food (considered unhygenic) or to offer your left hand to someone by way of greeting (considered an insult almost.) The left hand being taboo was also part of western culture up until very recently. Even the word "sinister" meaning untrustworthy or bad comes from the Latin "sinestre" meaning of the left. You'll find plenty of middle-aged Irish people who were punished in school for writing with their left hand.

Flaker

Because people in India use their left hand to clean their bums, then wash it after. They don't use toilet paper.

So it's etiqutte to eat with your right hand only and not the one you've used to wipe their arse.

Get it now?

stop animal cruelty

FTA69 wrote: »

People in some countries wipe their arse using their left hand and thus it is taboo to use your left hand to eat food (considered unhygenic) or to offer your left hand to someone by way of greeting (considered an insult almost.) The left hand being taboo was also part of western culture up until very recently. Even the word "sinister" meaning untrustworthy or bad comes from the Latin "sinestre" meaning of the left. You'll find plenty of middle-aged Irish people who were punished in school for writing with their left hand.

Ah I see, thank you!

stop animal cruelty

Flaker wrote: »

Because people in India use their left hand to clean their bums, then wash it after. They don't use toilet paper.

So it's etiqutte to eat with your right hand only and not the one you've used to wipe their arse.

Get it now?

Well never knew they wipe their bums with their left hands, yes, I do get it now.

gobnaitolunacy

FTA69 wrote: »

Not really stupid, just culturally different. If you blew your nose on a train in the Far East people would be disgusted, spitting on the street in some countries is deemed grand and in some places eating with the hand you wiped your hole with is viewed as repulsive.

Some people would come to Ireland and be turned off by people skulling drink and slurring their words but to us it's perfectly normal.

One thing I found mad was the jacks in eastern countries. It felt like I was sh*tting in someone's shower cubicle. No jacks roll then only a pipe of water and a handful of toweling. Madness.

They have signs on 'western' toilets telling you not to use them in the same fashion as a 'squat' toilet.http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1201/555624308_04bb985e12.jpg

Lollipops23

stop animal cruelty wrote: »

l understand all you've posted but l'm kinda confused, do they have a problem with people eathing/using their left hand??

Read the bloody OP!! The left hand is used for wiping after defecating, therefore it's considered gross to eat with it. So they moved, so they wouldn't have to look at it.

Oranage2

fonecrusher1 wrote: »

You should have started picking your snout as well with your thumb. Mouth wide open, gazing eerily at them.

Haven't seen you round these Parts in a while.

I actually didn't care just happy I could eat alone.

iDave

The bizarre practice of having an immense feeling of shame for giving birth to a baby girl

stop animal cruelty

Lollipops23 wrote: »

Read the bloody OP!! The left hand is used for wiping after defecating, therefore it's considered gross to eat with it. So they moved, so they wouldn't have to look at it.

read the previous replies....l get it!!

kylith

FTA69 wrote: »

Strict Rastafarians believe that when a woman is menstruating she's unclean. I knew one fella who wouldn't sleep in the same bed as his girlfriend when she was on the blob and he wouldn't allow her to touch or prepare anything he was going to eat. He wouldn't drink a cup of tea if she made it. Similarly they're strict vegetarians and many won't have a frying pan in the house.

Christians are supposed to do the same. It's in the bible; you're also supposed to take any mildewed clothing to your priest for him to inspect. You couldn't make this stuff up.

In Japan you're not expected to give up your seat on the bus to the elderly because they don't see it as politeness, they see it as being given a debt they can never repay, which is shameful to them.

sfakiaman

AFIK in Malay they had no words for left hand or right hand, just **** hand and food hand, it makes sense in an era before toilet rolls. A missonary priest I knew found it shocking that army personnel kept saluting each other but saw nothing odd about kissing the bishops ring. When I was in Afghanistan I was expected to wash my hands and teeth before sitting down to eat. All cultures have their own ways of doing things, sometimes for reasons long forgotten.

OneArt

In Germany popcorn is sugared unless you specifically ask for salt. Found this out for the first time a few months back. Was horrified, just couldn't eat the popcorn anymore, it was too disgusting.

Also there's a tradition over here that states that the person whose birthday it is has to provide the alcohol/pay for drinks. Made me thankful I don't celebrate my birthday!

Cool Mo D

Lollipops23 wrote: »

Read the bloody OP!! The left hand is used for wiping after defecating, therefore it's considered gross to eat with it. So they moved, so they wouldn't have to look at it.

They don't "wipe" with their left hand, they wash their arse out with water after crapping with their left hand. That's why it's considered gross!

Also, they often consider toilet paper unhygienic - the attitude being how are you supposed to get properly clean without using water?

Czarcasm

I couldn't believe what the OP was saying about the whole left hand wipe thing... apparently it is indeed true!


From: http://indiatour.dadaksa.com/etiquette.htm

Eating and the right hand rule

Eating can be a quite sensitive point. It is often done with the fingers, and requires a bit of practice to get it right. Rule one is eat with your right hand only. In India, as all across Asia, the left hand is for wiping your bottom, cleaning your feet and other unsavory functions (you also put on and take off your shoes with the left hand), while the right hand is for eating, shaking hands and so on. (makes sense for Hygiene!)

Quite how rigid individuals are about this rule tends to vary, with Brahmins and Southerners being the strictest. While you can hold a cup or utensil with your left hand, and can usually get away with using it to help you tear your chapatti, you should not eat, pass food or wipe your mouth with your left hand.

In general do not pass anything to anyone with your left hand, or point at anyone either. In general you should accept things with your right hand. Which is also a social norm in Ananda Marga. To give and receive with right hand while touching the elbow of the right arm with the left hand.

The other rule to be aware of when eating or drinking is that your lips should not touch other people's food. Don't for example take a bite out of a chapatti and pass it on. When drinking out of a cup or bottle to be shared with others, don't let it touch your lips, but rather pour it directly into your mouth. This custom also protects you from things like Hepatitis. Although in the west it is not considered sociable not to share, during the tour, we'll follow this rule. Keep your own water bottle, and learn the pouring method, which takes some practice, especially in a moving train. It is customary to wash your hands and feet before and after eating. Half bath in Ananda Marga...

I knew about the burping after a meal in Saudi Arabia and China alright, but it's not something that ever caught on here... though many have tried

HalloweenJack

Czechs always tap their glass on the table before drinking after a toast. It's to make sure there are no Jews hiding under the table.

Spaniards do the same thing and sometimes add: "Quien que no se apoya, no se folla." It means: the one that doesn't support (the glass), doesn't shag.

positron

FTA69 wrote: »

Strict Rastafarians believe that when a woman is menstruating she's unclean. I knew one fella who wouldn't sleep in the same bed as his girlfriend when she was on the blob and he wouldn't allow her to touch or prepare anything he was going to eat. He wouldn't drink a cup of tea if she made it. Similarly they're strict vegetarians and many won't have a frying pan in the house.

kylith wrote: »

Christians are supposed to do the same. It's in the bible; you're also supposed to take any mildewed clothing to your priest for him to inspect. You couldn't make this stuff up.

Same system exists with Hindus in India. Many decades ago, old traditional houses would have separate out houses (in the same compound, right next to the main house) for menstruating women. They were not allowed to enter the main kitchen / or cook for rest of the family, they were also not allowed into temples etc. They were considered unclean during that period. Also old methods were that they should rest during this period, treat themselves (as in by applying various oils etc to their skin etc) and bathing/washing was considered a bad thing during this time. I am not sure if this 'not bathing' is what the real reason for not allowing them into the main house / temples etc as in traditional houses (like the one my grand mother was running for many decades until 1995 or so) everyone (man/woman/child) coming from outside (school, work etc) were supposed to wash / bath before they enter the house. In case you are wondering how would one wash before entering the house - the compound had a huge pond with bathing steps, and bathrooms and loos outside the house. This being tropical India, bathing outside is nothing short of absolute bliss, even a cheap bar of soap smells amazing out in the fresh air.

FTA69 wrote: »

Many Africans when having dinner will all eat off the same plate either using their hands or a long spoon.

It's the same in middle east too I think, and it's probably not a bad thing from a sharing / bonding perspective.

FTA69 wrote: »

Traveller couples will often do a brief "run away" before they're married to prove they're marrying for love. It's only a symbolic thing but it's often done nonetheless to much fanfare from friends and family.

In certain parts of India, upper class Hindu family wedding happens over 3 days. On day 1, the boy officially asks girl's father for her hand, and he promptly rejects and the boy continues to plead (no actual pleading is involved, it's all just rituals). On day 2, the boy gives up and declares his life is meaningless without her and renounces everything he including his family and walks away to become a 'sadhu', a life long celibate seeking nothing but spiritual purity. The girls father, now content that the boys love for his daughter is real, stops him and agrees to the proposal. Day 3 is rest of the rituals etc.

FTA69 wrote: »

Muslims aren't supposed to keep dogs as pets.

Yep, not only that they consider dogs "unclean" and feels they need to cleanse themselves before entering the mosque if they accidentally come in contact with a dog, like a dog brushes by them etc.

FTA69 wrote: »

Not really stupid, just culturally different. If you blew your nose on a train in the Far East people would be disgusted, spitting on the street in some countries is deemed grand and in some places eating with the hand you wiped your hole with is viewed as repulsive.

Exactly. I still can't believe people making all those gross noises blowing their nose is socially accepted here in Ireland. I cringe every single time I hear it on the train, at work etc. Absolutely revolting.

kylith wrote: »

In Japan you're not expected to give up your seat on the bus to the elderly because they don't see it as politeness, they see it as being given a debt they can never repay, which is shameful to them.

Interesting. You are supposed to give up your seat for elderly in India out of politeness towards the greater wisdom and spirit of the the elder person.

GalwayGuy2

Many Africans when having dinner will all eat off the same plate either using their hands or a long spoon.

In all honesty, in a lot of those countries they keep their hands almost religiously clean before dinner.

FTA69

GalwayGuy2 wrote: »

In all honesty, in a lot of those countries they keep their hands almost religiously clean before dinner.

True, I worked with a lot of people from Ghana and they always had a pair of latex gloves on under their work gloves and never did any sort of work bare-handed.

Hidalgo

positron wrote: »

In certain parts of India, upper class Hindu family wedding happens over 3 days. On day 1, the boy officially asks girl's father for her hand, and he promptly rejects and the boy continues to plead (no actual pleading is involved, it's all just rituals). On day 2, the boy gives up and declares his life is meaningless without her and renounces everything he including his family and walks away to become a 'sadhu', a life long celibate seeking nothing but spiritual purity. The girls father, now content that the boys love for his daughter is real, stops him and agrees to the proposal. Day 3 is rest of the rituals etc.

Plenty 3 day weddings in Ireland too, just not as organised or traditional as above

Cienciano

castletownman wrote: »

The poor knowledge the British tend to have on Irish geography, politicians and other things, despite us being their near neighbours, is quite hilarious.

No it's not! Why the hell would an english person give a shít about who our minister for health is, or what county Drogheda is in?