People From The UK Reveal Astonishing Culture Shocks From Traveling Abroad

"Paris is horrible, it’s a dump and full of perverts."

Sophia

• Published in Interesting
• June 26, 2024

Experiencing culture shock when visiting a new country can be both thrilling and challenging. Every traveler has a story about that moment when they realized they were truly in a different world.

From food and customs to daily routines and social norms, the differences can be fascinating. For example, in Japan, you might be surprised by the extreme politeness and the custom of bowing.

In contrast, visiting Italy might expose you to the passionate and expressive nature of conversations, often accompanied by lively hand gestures.

Another common culture shock is the way meals are approached. In Spain, dinner is typically served late in the evening, often around 10 PM, which can be a significant adjustment for those used to earlier meal times.

In India, the rich and spicy flavors of the cuisine might be a delightful surprise, but the practice of eating with your hands could take some getting used to.

Public transportation etiquette varies widely as well. In London, you’ll find people strictly adhering to the “stand on the right, walk on the left” rule on escalators, while in more laid-back countries, there might be no such rule at all.

These moments of cultural discovery are what make travel so enriching. They offer a fresh perspective and remind us of the incredible diversity in our world.

Just take a look at these...

Here's the post in question...

In the 1980s, OP's grandfather visited New England for business; a host warned against buses, citing diverse passengers.

Despite his mild prejudice against the French, his shock at American openness in New England lingered.

Scroll down what other people had to share...

"In Morocco 15 years ago, a market vendor joked about trading a herd of camels for his girlfriend."

"He had his bags X-rayed to enter Shanghai and Beijing metros, tight security there."

"Eating fruit in Barcelona made him realize UK supermarkets sell watery imitations."

"In conversation, every culture has its 'pause' for thought, or interruption prevention."

"In Iceland, conversations stretch longer than the winter nights, with direct, icy clarity."

The Icelandic pause: 15 seconds of silence, then a salary inquiry. Ice cold!

"An Icelandic chat: bafflingly brisk for a mild-mannered Scot from suburbia."

"Dating in Italy: He warned of diverse areas; she chose diversity over him. No regrets."

"Turns out, queuing is the one thing the world can't agree on. Who knew?"

"The soundtrack of Spanish towns: unexpected bangs, a daily fiesta for eardrums."

"In San Francisco, the homeless problem made them question the city's golden dreams and stark realities."

"Vienna: where even toilets have a cultural shelf life lesson to offer!"

"In Singapore, her blonde son's day at Universal Studios turned into a paparazzi frenzy!"

"In Majorca, their son got a mini first aid treatment—local kindness, unexpected and heartwarming."

"In England, puzzled by the toilet paper method—like cleaning a mess with dry tissue!"

"In China, public nail clipping turns floors into free-range manicure zones—unexpected souvenirs included!"

"In Germany, modesty meets mastery: they speak English better than this native!"

"Job ads in Malaysia: specific about age, gender, and sometimes ethnicity—clear as restroom instructions."

"In rural France, daily bakery runs for fresh bread: a slice of heaven!"

"Subway survival kits in Seoul: preparing for peace with a touch of paranoia."

"American road rules: don't stare, or risk a shot of road rage!"

"In Italy and France, smooth roads and metric system make for stress-free driving."

"Grandpa's souvenir: a shocking realization about airport security and television accuracy."

"The portion sizes in America: bigger than jokes about them, for sure!"

"In America, even snacks come supersized—portion control takes a back seat!"

"In America, kids' meals are adult-sized and soda refills flow like water."

"In The Gambia, declined a wedding invite with a killer surprise ending."

"Paris: where the croissants are soft and the police carry big sticks."

"Friendly folks, shocking words—New York: where the accents are diverse, opinions too."

"Surprising prejudice from a nice man; not the South, but still shocking."

"Sri Lanka's Colombo: a city of vibrant culture and heart-wrenching poverty."

"Mobbed like a celeb in Sri Lanka; unforgettable cricket and warm hospitality."

"America's car culture: driven by racism, zoning laws, and suburban sprawl nightmares."

"Latin America '90s: stunning landscapes, but the heavily armed guards were shocking."

"Mumbai 2014: stark wealth gap, a woman even tried to give her baby."

"Greece: beautiful sights, but adjusting to binning toilet paper was challenging."

"Paris reality check: romantic dreams dashed by Gare du Nord's gritty, unsafe streets."

"Even with a wealthy black friend, Boston's Country Club barred entry."

Embracing these cultural quirks not only enriches our travel experiences but also adds a dash of adventure to our lives. So, the next time you find yourself eating dinner at 10 PM or navigating a crowded subway, remember—you’re collecting stories worth sharing and memories worth keeping!

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Sophia