You might think you know how to greet someone, order coffee, or handle a business dinner - until you try it in another country. These 33 cultural differences range from mildly amusing to downright eye-opening, proving that common sense isn’t always so common across borders. What passes for polite in Boston might raise eyebrows in Beijing, and don’t even get us started on how different countries handle tipping, personal space, or the concept of being “on time.“Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or just curious about how the other half of the world lives, these observations will make you appreciate the rich tapestry of global traditions. And who knows? They might even save you from an awkward moment during your next international venture.This post may includeaffiliate links.

You might think you know how to greet someone, order coffee, or handle a business dinner - until you try it in another country. These 33 cultural differences range from mildly amusing to downright eye-opening, proving that common sense isn’t always so common across borders. What passes for polite in Boston might raise eyebrows in Beijing, and don’t even get us started on how different countries handle tipping, personal space, or the concept of being “on time.”

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or just curious about how the other half of the world lives, these observations will make you appreciate the rich tapestry of global traditions. And who knows? They might even save you from an awkward moment during your next international venture.

This post may includeaffiliate links.

In Spain, no chit chat from the waiter. None of that “I’ll be serving you” stuff that we hear in the US. Just “tell me.” My introvert self loved it. I tell you, food arrives, I eat.

Barcelona skyline at sunset, highlighting cultural differences with historical and modern architecture.

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Croatia: it’s a standard expectation that you clean the street outside your house as part of cleaning your house (at least in the small towns i was in -not sure about the cities). The cleanest streets I’ve ever seen and a real sense of communal civic pride.

A narrow European street bustling with tourists, showcasing cultural differences in architecture and atmosphere.

In Jordan, and I’m sure most Arab countries, if you compliment something, it’s considered impolite for the person not to offer it to you. I thought the warnings were an exaggeration until my friend complimented a waiter’s watch and the waiter had it literally unlatched, trying to push it into my friend’s hands. Four is the appropriate amount of times to say no, and if you actually do want it, it’s rude to say yes after fewer than three.

Exchanging a gift box highlights cultural differences in gifting traditions.

Visiting China and seeing how aggressive/pushy people are. Makes sense, there are 1+ billion people, if you are polite and wait your turn you’ll be left behind. So everybody is pushy, cuts in line, shoving you out of the way, etc. Of course I just had come from Japan where it’s the total opposite….

Uniformed guard stands in busy street, showcasing cultural differences in public space.

In parts of Ireland in my grandparents time it was considered rude to accept food or beverages from a host the first time it was offered.The exchange was supposed to go something like: “will you have a cup of tea?” “no thank you, I won’t, I won’t trouble you” “ahh you will sure, go on” “ahh I will so, if you’re making one for yourself"When my parents first went to America, they were shocked to find that people didn’t do this, so instead it went: “would you like a cup of coffee?” “no thank you, I won’t trouble you” “okay!” “wait! I did actually want coffee!” “then why did you say no??“One of my grandmothers was like this until she died, would get really snippy with you if you accepted a drink or a biscuit the first time she offered it.

People greeting each other warmly at a dinner gathering, highlighting cultural differences in social rituals.

Chile. “Tomorrow” means next week. “Next week” means never. “I’m already there” means “i’m thinking about starting to prepare to go out”.For a ten-minutes-early person that was jarring.

Chilean flag waving in the cloudy sky, symbolizing cultural differences.

Balinese funerals and how they celebrate death. I was sitting on the beach on my first day there and heard a crowd coming, carrying food and playing festive music. I thought it was some kind of party or wedding until I realized they were carrying a corpse.

Cultural differences displayed in a traditional procession with vibrant umbrellas and ceremonial attire under a clear sky.

Chopsticks lifting noodles from a bowl of soup, highlighting cultural differences in dining practices.

In Armenia, cigarettes are communal because they’re so cheap. If there’s a pack on a table, anyone is welcome to take one.

Packet of Natural American Spirit cigarettes and an orange lighter on a wooden surface, highlighting shocking cultural differences.

My parents are Chinese but I grew up in Europe, therefore I’m considered a banana.Some years ago, i was visiting my family in China. We were in a very rural area with lots of small cottages. We saw a family eating dinner and my grandma asked them if we could join so we paid a few bucks and ate a meal with a random family. Not really a shock but It felt really weird.

Two people sharing spring rolls with chopsticks, surrounded by a variety of dishes, highlighting cultural differences in dining.

A couple welcomes a guest into their home, showcasing cultural differences in hospitality.

I was in India earlier this year and their taxi drivers take you wherever they feel like before taking you to your requested destination. And would be deeply offended if you were like ‘WTF, where are we going?‘So, that’s how I ended up on a boat in the middle of the Arabian Sea when all I wanted to do was exchange money, and at a random zoo when I just wanted to go shopping. I eventually exchanged money and went shopping but had to go on field trips first to see the sites. Good times.

Taxi sign illuminated at night, highlighting cultural differences in transportation methods.

Nap-time is everything in Spain. Visited Barcelona a few months ago, and it was my first time in Spain. Couldn’t believe when my friend told me that all the shops and businesses are closed because it’s “siesta time”.Love my naps and all, but that just drove me crazy.Edit: every siesta is a fiesta tbh

Woman sleeping peacefully with a phone by her side, illustrating cultural differences.

When I went to Bangladesh with my girlfriend last year we went to the city her father grew up in before he came to the States. I remember at one point we walked past a station and seeing people climbing on the roof of a train due to the crowding, some in business suits, was quite an eye opener. After seeing that I have never complained about riding the subway again.

Crowded train station bustling with people on train roofs, showcasing shocking cultural differences in transportation habits.

Went to the Philippines.On the trip from the airport a group of homeless children took control of a bridge and demanded payment for people crossing it. People actually paid too.

Philippine flag waving against a blue sky, representing shocking cultural differences.

Lush greenery in a serene garden, highlighting cultural differences in landscaping styles.

When my wife and I went to France, it was really strange to me to find out that I was considered a lunatic for making eye contact and smiling/nodding at strangers as we passed them on the streets. I got the DIRTIEST looks from people for a few hours before my friend, who was living there at the time, told me that that was a no-no in their culture.

People relaxing by a pond, displaying cultural differences in leisure activities.

I was shocked at being able to purchase a giant waffle the size of my head in the Netherlands. The internet tells you there are no large food portions outside the US but it’s not true.

Waffles topped with blueberries, showcasing cultural differences in breakfast preferences.

Not sure it counts that much as cultural, but I was chatting with a girl from London recently, and when she asked if I visited the Grand Canyon before, I said I haven’t despite it being just a six hour drive. I believe her response was something along the lines of “Only six hours? If I drive for six hours I will be all the way in Spain!”

Open road through vast countryside under a blue sky, representing cultural differences in rural landscapes.

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In Japan. I’m an American. I guess I’m still in awe of how clean, orderly, and honest the Japanese are in daily life. I mean I’m not a business person so it’s not like I’m engaging a lot of business deals so I wouldn’t know about their business ethics.But it just seems to be the kind of place where you really can just drop your wallet on the street and later that afternoon somebody will return it to you.

Couple walking through a narrow, lantern-lit street showcasing cultural differences in urban nightlife.

I love that you can walk down the street drinking a beer in Berlin. They’ve even got a word for it “Wegbier”

Woman hiking on a forest path, wearing a hat and backpack, highlighting shocking cultural differences in outdoor activities.

In vietnam i saw quite a few men who left just one or two strands of stubble to grow, but were otherwise clean shaved. It always freaked me out a little.

Man receiving a traditional straight razor shave, highlighting cultural differences in grooming practices.

When in Italy, we asked for ice for our water, the waiter didn’t understand and the manager came over very confused with a small bowl and a spoon with ice chips in it. Europe doesnt really believe in ice unless you are freezing things.Let me clarify. Ice usually doesn’t come automatically in drinks everywhere you go as it is custom in the U.S. I’m not saying people don’t use ice in general, the place we were at just thought it was very strange, and I have had similar experiences in other parts of Europe. Try not to explode people.

Refreshing drink with lemon on a patio table, capturing cultural differences in dining settings.

Last year I spent 9 months in Ukraine. The women there are always dressed to the f*****g nines, even just going grocery shopping. One girl there explained to me that, since clothes are so expensive there (one pair of jeans can be two months salary, easily) the women only buy really nice clothes that will last them. They don’t buy simple stuff that they can throw on and be casual, so they’re always dressed up even in day to day activities. Even their casual jeans and t shirts are still things that I see girls here wear on nights out.

Woman in high heels standing at city street corner, highlighting cultural differences in fashion choices.

In Singapore, the laws are crazy. You can’t chew gum, as it’s illegal. Also, you can’t sing or dance in public. I wasn’t sure how strictly these laws were enforced until I was at Hard Rock Cafe on New Year’s Eve, and I walked passed the bar to go to the bathroom when these really happy drunk guys started to try and dance with me as I passed. All of a sudden, a policeman popped up from behind a hidden platform blowing a whistle like crazy and I thought I was gonna die in a Southeast Asian prison because I had to pee at the wrong time.

Indoor waterfall in a glass-domed structure surrounded by lush greenery, highlighting cultural differences in architecture.

Empty classroom with rows of desks and chairs, highlighting cultural differences in educational settings.

Nighttime traffic jam highlighting shocking cultural differences in city commuting.

Philippines: Dude with a shotgun holding the door open for me and calling me sir… at a convenience store in Quezon City.

Night view of a small newsstand highlighting cultural differences in retail settings, displaying snacks and newspapers.

Germany: How f*****g clean are bathrooms. I’ve frequent to Germany for business reasons along with rest of Europe but Germany takes the cake in terms if cleanliness of the bathrooms. Every stay I had I found my bathroom to be absolutely spotless. I found their bathrooms to be cleaner than the rooms.

Sign with male and female restroom symbols amid greenery, illustrating cultural differences in signage.

Two dogs stand on a country path, highlighting cultural differences in rural pet keeping.

I’m from one of the most unequal countries in the world, but going to India still blew my mind. Delhi is a heaving, throbbing city, people sleeping in literal dirt next to mansions. Perhaps the pilgrimage to the Taj Mahal was the most eye-opening. By far the most beautiful, perhaps most opulent, man-made structure I’ve seen on earth, but its mired in the most saddening poverty imaginable.

Taj Mahal under a blue sky, highlighting shocking cultural differences with its unique architecture and gardens.

The air pollution in major Chinese cities is so bad that your eyes water the second you step out of the airport. You also undergo a sort of acclimation sickness within the first couple weeks. The other thing about China, is that it’s such an old country, that you have ancient temples and monuments, some 1000s of years old, right next to hyper modern 8 story shopping centers.

Traditional Asian architecture with red lanterns showcasing cultural differences.

Intolerance to public drunkeness in America. I am British so you get used to public merryment and drunkeness but I was surprised that it was not tolerated in the US. After a while, I thought it was a great idea.I once went to the Ole Cracker barrel and during the order I asked what kind of beers they had:“This” the waitress stated quite forcefully “is a family restaurant.”

People engaged in a lively conversation at an outdoor dining setting, highlighting cultural differences through expressions and gestures.

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Curiosities