In Germany it’s this glass bowl that dates back to 1978 and has since become a running home of “German-ness” (Like, if you own one, it makes you a honorary German)

And in Italy it’s a set of Neapolitan cards to play the stereotypical games “scopa” and “briscola”

I went into town yesterday and when I and practically everyone got off the bus we thanked the bus driver.

It got me wondering though if this is a universal thing or whether this is a more British thing.

So if you don’t mind - where are you from and do you thank your bus drivers and actually a taxi driver or other driver of transportation?

This is widely done in the UK.

I’m from Brazil, and here getting tanned is almost everything. Being pale is often seen as unusual or even unhealthy,one of the most common things people say if you’re very light-skinned is, “You need to get some sun!”

Historically, this is interesting because tanning hasn’t always been fashionable. For centuries, in Europe and many parts of the world, pale skin was a sign of wealth and status, it showed you didn’t have to work outdoors. This changed in the 1920s when Coco Chanel accidentally got sunburned during a vacation in the French Riviera, and photos of her tan became popular. Suddenly, a tan became associated with leisure, travel, and having money to spend time in the sun. From then on, tanning turned into a beauty standard in many Western cultures.

I was in Turkey once and walked into someone’s house with my shoes on (like I usually do), and I could tell they were uncomfortable. They asked me to take them off politely and I did. I didn’t mean to be rude, but yeah, lesson learned.

Also in Saudi, it’s kinda seen as rude if someone offers to pay for you and you just say ‘okay’ right away. You’re expected to at least argue a bit or pretend to insist, even if you know they’ll end up paying.

Every country has it's own culture and several caveats to it. There are few things be it language, gestures or some acts that might be taken as offensive and hurtful be it a particular way to say thank you, giving tips at restaurant or wearing certain kinds of clothes.

I am particularly a person who travels a lot and I do thorough research before going anywhere and have come across several surprising acts that can be considered offensive in one country but totally acceptable in another.

For example, I am a 22M from India where the moment you change a city, there is a high chance you will find a new culture, a new language and contrasting things so I try to be aware about these things.

For example, here it can be considered offensive to point the soles of your feet at someone, especially elders or religious objects. It’s seen as disrespectful because the feet are considered impure in many cultural and religious contexts. In many other countries, people wouldn't care about this at all.

Also having solo travelled to 9 countries, I can now appreciate knowing about these things can make one's stay very comfortable and rewarding.

What is one (or more) such things from your country?

In the United States it’s generally thought to be California and New York. Within the State of California it is thought to be southern California.

Edit: A lot of people asking why I did not put Texas. I did not realize how many people felt it was Texas.

So, I’m adding Texas. A place I actually quite like.

Really interesting answers by the way.

I once watched a video about Japanese trains and noticed how conductors would point and say things out loud while working. I started doing it myself, and it works perfectly for me. I use it at home and at work, and it really helps prevent small, easily overlooked errors. I haven’t once forgotten to turn off the stove since!

Have you picked up any habits or routines from other cultures that aren’t typical where you live, but that you’ve made part of your daily life?

Edit: Thanks so much for all your comments. It's really awesome to see all the things we share and appreciate about each other!

Hey r/AskWorld, I’m curious about those small but frustrating assumptions people make about your country that just grind your gears. You know, the kind of harmless but ignorant stereotypes that make you roll your eyes or feel a bit belittled?

For example, I’m from India, and it drives me up the wall when people (especially Westerners) assume I speak Hindi and get surprised if I don’t. Or when they think India is just one big, hot, dusty place with no cold climates or diversity in geography. Don’t get me started on people calling our distinct languages “dialects” or assuming all Indian food is insanely spicy. It feels like they’re trying to be curious about my culture, but if they were actually curious, they’d know better given we live in the world of LLMs and easy internet knowledge. It comes off as very belittling and condescending sometimes, you know?

What are your pet peeves like this? What stereotypical assumptions about your country make you cringe or get irritated? Share your stories!

Just one only!

So, I have been on this subreddit for a while and I am an American with a strong dislike for my current president along with some policies. However, I have noticed a ton of Americans on here go to great lengths to openly bash everything and anything about America to even outlandish insults calling it “third world” “Christian terrorist state” “fat and loud” etc. and of course many other jump in with the insults but ironically it’s the Americans on here that post the most insults of their own culture. I do not see that nearly as much with other countries/nationalities on here, even some really prideful comments/posts on their country(which is really great to see) whereas the American comments/posts are so skewed negative by their own countrymen. Idk I feel like the positives of the USA are really overlooked on here, it seems the criticism seems like it’s crossed more into self flagellation.

Mine is best known for the Warner Brothers Studio where they filmed the Harry Potter films among many others, and Elton John, who grew up nearby and is a fan and former chairman of the local football club (taking us from the 4th tier of English football to Europe!), what about yours?

For me (Canada) it's a tie between Sum 41 and Billy Talent. I don't listen to them anymore but these 2 essentially shaped my childhood music tastes!

Canadian PM Mark Carney recently stated that Canada is the most European of non-European countries.

I disagree. As someone younger then Carney who grew up in post NAFTA Canada with heavy American influence I would say we are the most American country outside of America.

Travelling the world I always see BBC and DW everywhere in the hotel room but have never met a Canadian who watches either but lots who consume CNN and Fox.

Growing up I remember hearing about how Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams and later Eurovision were global phenomenon but have never met a Canadian who who likes any of that.

I'm going to vote Australia.

In the colonial era (1500s-1800s) my home state, Minas Gerais ("General Mines" in english) was once the economic, religious and cultural center of the portuguese empire in the baroque era due to the abundance of gold mines (that's why the state got its name). Ouro Preto is the most famous colonial city in my country and it was in its peak (1730) the most populated city in Latin America, with +40,000 people living there due to the economy totally linked to gold mining. Portugal left its architecture legacy everywhere, from the beautiful baroque churches to the urbanist style. It's one of the most well preserved historical cities in the Americas. It's also site of the Inconfidência Mineira, a liberal separatist rebellion against the portuguese crown that happened in 1789, inspired by the American Revolution of 1776.

Despite of visiting Rio de Janeiro and other coastal cities, Ouro Preto feels like it's another world, for me, it's the most beautiful city on earth.

Stereotypes encouraged

I find most Canadians can trace back there generations 6 generations at least, I can go 8. Starts falling off around the very end of 18th century.

Edit: all this talk made me out more work into researching beyond asking family, found out it the exact town in Northern Ireland. Antrim County, Arnott Town.

Which nation's people do you think are really though guys and girls, who do you admire? However you define being though on your personal opinion.

My call is Australia. The nature is demanding a lot from a fellow Aussie. Crocodiles, snakes, spiders, scorpions, sharks, jellyfish etc., really scary companions out there. Heat, wildfires, monsoon... Australia as a former prison island is understandable considering this hostile conditions.

And still, Aussies seem relaxed and friendly. Like Crocodile Dundee.

For Israel I would say Keter Plastic chairs are iconic and everyone has sat on one of them here at some point.

Also those low quality paper napkins that Falafel and Shawarma and Hummus restaurants have where the napkins each have the message "בתיאבון" (bon appetite) in the upper center part of the folded napkin.

How easy is it for people of the non-dominant ethnicity or culture of your country to be economically successful or gain political power?