Reddit Users Answer: "What's Normal in Your Country but Bizarre to Foreigners?" (14 Photos)

Every country has its own unique customs, and some can leave an unsuspecting tourist in quite a bit of shock. For instance, saying the Russian word for "chicken" (*kuritsa*) in Serbia could land you in an awkward spot, as locals might mistake it for an explicit slur. That is why it's always a good idea to research local quirks before heading off to a new destination.





Redditors recently took to the comments to share what they think are the most intriguing cultural quirks of their homelands.



In India, parents actively take matchmaking into their own hands for their children, placing advertisements in newspapers and on dedicated matrimonial websites.

In Mexico, many believe space heaters are bad for your health—specifically claiming they dry out nasal passages and cause severe headaches from overheating. So when temperatures drop to around 12–15°C (53–59°F), people prefer layering up in warm clothes indoors rather than turning on a heater.





Birds in Australia—especially magpies—can be extremely aggressive during swooping season. To protect ourselves from attacks, we attach all kinds of deterrents to our hats and helmets, ranging from twigs to zip ties pointing straight up.

In China, public restrooms traditionally lack stalls or partitions between toilets. You are essentially doing your business in plain sight, but locals are completely used to it—some even sit there casually smoking a cigarette.



I used to live in Brazil, where people line the tops of their fences with broken glass bottles to deter intruders. Then I moved to Canada, and I was shocked to find that homes don't have fences at all!

For some reason, it became customary in South Africa to call traffic lights "robots."



In Slovakia, we have a unique Easter tradition. Groups of young men go around the village dousing women with water and gently whipping them with willow switches. Far from being offended, the women are actually expected to thank them!



In Norway, we believe that outdoor daytime napping is great for babies' health, even in bad weather. It's completely standard practice across Nordic countries to leave babies sleeping soundly in their strollers outdoors.



In New Zealand, you can order a rather unusual delicacy at local cafes and takeaway shops: a deep-fried Mars bar.



South Korea has a few fascinating quirks. First, skincare and makeup are very popular among men, including straight guys. Second, electric fans almost always feature automatic shut-off timers because people genuinely fear "fan death" while sleeping. And third, whenever you order pizza, it automatically comes with a side of pickled cucumbers.



In Mexico, death isn't seen as a cause for gloom; we celebrate it with vibrant parades and festivities. We honor our deceased loved ones with warmth, joy, and deep affection.



On Valentine's Day in Japan, women give chocolates to men—even to male coworkers. A month later, on "White Day" (March 14), men return the favor by giving gifts to the women, and the value of the gift often directly depends on how much chocolate they received earlier.



Punctuality isn't big in Portugal. If an event is scheduled for 4:00 PM, arriving at 4:10 PM is actually early, as most people won't show up for another 15 to 30 minutes.



Astrological beliefs run deep in India. If a woman is born under an inauspicious astrological alignment, it's believed to threaten her future marriage. To ward off bad luck, she must first "marry" a tree before her real wedding.



In Denmark, if you turn 25 and are still unmarried, your friends will douse you in cinnamon. If you're still single by age 30, they upgrade to black pepper!

In Afghanistan, elevators often have dedicated operators whose sole job is to ask which floor you need and press the button for you.



In Ireland, people drink often and for almost any occasion. But honestly, wakes—celebrating someone's life at a funeral—are some of the best gatherings you'll ever see.



In Iceland, we love digging into each other's lineage whenever we meet someone new. It's essential to check if we're secretly distant relatives or share mutual connections!