Brits Living Abroad Share The Most Bizarre Culture Shocks They’ve Faced All Around The Globe

“People here are way more sensible when drunk than we are. Zero bar brawls!”

Jesse

• Published in Interesting
• June 30, 2024

Moving abroad can be quite an adventure, especially for Brits. They’re used to their tea with a splash of milk, orderly queues, and the occasional pub brawl. 

But stepping into a new culture can turn their world upside down. Take one British Redditor’s life in South Korea, for instance. The cultural shocks were both bewildering and fascinating for them.

First off, they were pleasantly surprised at the speed of services. Imagine ordering groceries and having them delivered the very next day! 

And speaking of drinks, forget about adding milk to your tea or coffee. In fact, tea is a rarity in South Korea in general —something they find quite hard to digest.

Dining habits also took some getting used to. Sharing a single bowl of soup or stew with friends was a bit of a curveball. Communal eating was apparently the norm since it fosters a sense of togetherness.

The driving, though, was a different kind of thrill—borderline chaotic and definitely not for the faint-hearted. 

Another shocker was the scarcity of obese individuals. Health seemed to be a priority, unlike back home, where indulgence often won. But the most unexpected twist? Room salons—hostess bars where dubious activities unfold. Quite the eye-opener.

And it wasn’t just Korea, though. Reddit was ablaze with tales of Brits encountering culture shocks worldwide. From overly friendly Iranians inviting strangers for tea to machete-wielding Mexicans, the stories were endless. 

Hong Kong brought its own surprises, like live-in domestic workers with just one day off, who are often barred from staying indoors that very day. They gather en masse in public spaces, creating a unique social scene.

Let’s dig into the details

Here's an overview of the story

For OP, living in South Korea was full of surprises! One of the biggest shocks was how sharing food with friends was a regular thing, while driving was a thrilling (but chaotic) experience.

OP is puzzled about milk being sold in bags.

Check out some amazing comments we've gathered from the Reddit community.

"The main thing that shocked me was that most of the middle class & wealthier families have live-in domestic workers & nannies".

"I lived in South Korea too".

"If your husband sleeps with another woman you can sue her".

"I love Asia so much. its like my spiritual home"

"WA makes india look like the worlds most careful"

" I heard of one community that voted to block a dutch lady from obtaining citizenship"

"I think when you live in the UK, driving in almost any foreign country is a wild experience".

Every country has unique quirks, and these culture shocks are part of the charm. They make living abroad an enriching experience filled with laughter, confusion, and endless stories to share. 

Now, over to you, what’s the wildest culture shock you've ever experienced while living or traveling abroad? Share your stories in the comments below!

Jesse