this post was submitted on 13 Jul 2023
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For example, I'm a white Jewish guy but I've adopted the Japanese practice of keeping dedicated house slippers at the front door.

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[–] [email protected] 90 points 1 year ago (7 children)

American, here. Got a bidet, and I am never going back. The fact that this isn't standard in American households is disgusting.

[–] [email protected] 21 points 1 year ago

Bidet life is best life

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago (5 children)

Oh so true! Before I visited Japan for the first time I thought having shit left on my ass is just a normal thing. But later I also visited Morocco and they have a bucket of water on the toilet so you can wash yourself. It seems it's only in Europe/America where people don't wash themselves after pooping.

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[–] [email protected] 72 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I set all my digital clocks to 24hr mode, something I picked up after living in Europe. Would never go back.

[–] [email protected] 22 points 1 year ago

Likewise. I just found it much easier when trying to schedule my day. Not having to account for the switch from 12-1 makes the math simpler.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 1 year ago (1 children)

One of us! Now shift to metric!

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[–] [email protected] 61 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Before I quit drinking I believe I was following Russian culture with my vodka intake.

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[–] [email protected] 49 points 1 year ago (8 children)

I cross my sevens like a German.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 1 year ago

I adopted this years ago so I could tell the difference between a 1 and a 7 😁

[–] [email protected] 14 points 1 year ago (3 children)

This is a German thing? I know tons of people here in Canada who do it.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It's done all over Europe. They also have a fancy 1 that's nice because it doesn't look like a lower case l. I'm not positive that the 1 is used outside France though but it's the standard I'm France. https://ielanguages.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/davidsno.jpg

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[–] [email protected] 41 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (8 children)

I'm British and I say y'all fairly often. It just rolls off the tongue.

[–] [email protected] 26 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I’m a redneck American who says y’all, and calls people cunts a lot. We have so much to share

[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 year ago

Thank you for that gift, cunt

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Happy to have more of the y'all in English English, but personally I'd like an uptake in youse.

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[–] [email protected] 31 points 1 year ago

Stretching. I think this originally came from southeast Asia, its so far back that its hard to discover. But I stretch every single morning. As a Native American I need that to limber up so I can dance, which I enjoy doing.

[–] [email protected] 30 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Sleeping on a thin futon laid out on the floor (Japan / Korea). And riding a bike or e-bike everywhere (Netherlands), even though US cities and infrastructure are hostile to humans

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[–] [email protected] 27 points 1 year ago (6 children)

I would LOVE the house slipper bit. I've suggested it so many times. Wife and kids just won't go for it. Wife says it's rude to ask a guest to take off their shoes. I disagree but she just can't see my point or view. If you want to enter my house, show respect and take off your shoes to keep my house clean.

[–] [email protected] 25 points 1 year ago

What's rude is bringing disgusting bacteria (E Coli, etc) and potentially-toxic chemicals into somebody else's house by not taking your shoes off. There's just an objectively-right and wrong answer to this one.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 1 year ago

I just don't get it lol. Whenever I enter someone's house for the first time I ask "would you like me to take my shoes off?".

It's not that hard, and especially obvious if they have light colored carpet

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[–] [email protected] 27 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I've learned from the Japanese phrase 'itadakimasu,' which is said before eating as a way to thank the person that prepared the food. I think in the west, a lot of us grew up learning to say things like grace before a meal, but that is too religious for me and gives God credit for peoples' hard work instead. I love the idea of ritualistically thanking the people who actually made the food. It was one of the things I appreciated while studying there that has stuck with me.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 year ago

In my culture its common courtesy to thank a person after the meal, either the one who made it, brought it, or paid for it. But only if they're present. It ain't a ritual. Same-ish thing.

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[–] [email protected] 26 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I heard Koreans use metal chopsticks and bought pack home. Took some time to learn how to use those but so much easier when I can put those in dishwasher.

[–] [email protected] 25 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I hate metal chopsticks. Maybe I'm a bad Korean. I just find that they don't grip as well.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Gotta agree with you there. Although Korean spoons are the best!

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[–] [email protected] 26 points 1 year ago (9 children)

From the USA: wearing a white t-shirt under my shirt or t-shirt. Helps preventing sweat stains under armpits. Really hot in the summer though

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[–] [email protected] 25 points 1 year ago (3 children)

I wear a mask unless I need my mouth for something.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 1 year ago

Same here. I'm immune compromised and masks are a blessing.

I used to get sick once a month and now I've not been sick since before covid.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago

I love wearing a mask it makes me feel like a ninja

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[–] [email protected] 20 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'm a big white guy but I wear sarongs all the time, having grown up on Java and wore them as a kid. Soooo comfortable and versatile.

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[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 year ago (9 children)

I adopt representing 3 with thumb, index, and middle finger (German?), Instead of the usual index, middle, ring. This is easier for teaching my little girl as her hands muscle aren't fully developed yet and have a hard time controlling her ring finger.

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[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

I was what I think we would now call a "weeb" in my junior/senior year of high school, and had studied Japanese culture before making a short trip over there in the summer. One of the things I learned was that blowing your nose in public is seen as bad manners, and it really stuck with me. When you think about it, it is pretty gross to loudly blow snot into a tissue (bonus points for carrying a handkerchief!) in front of others, like (as an American) we'll just do this at the dinner table without batting an eye.

To this day, I try not to blow my nose in public places or in front of folks if I can avoid it, because it has grossed me out ever since learning how Japanese culture perceives it.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 1 year ago

Wtf? That is super gross. I'm Canadian and I don't know anyone who would do it at the dinner table. I've seen my boss do it at his desk but he turns to face the corner next to his desk first.

Ime most people go to the washroom to do it, or at least make sure they're not near anyone else.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago (3 children)

I'm American and I don't think anyone in my social circle would blow their nose at the dinner table. Yours might just be gross.

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[–] [email protected] 14 points 1 year ago (3 children)

I am not Jewish, but I have adopted the practice of placing stones/pebbles on my parents' gravestone each time I visit.

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[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago (5 children)

A few jump to mind.

I say No Worries quite a lot.

I use chopsticks as much as a fork at home.

I take my shoes off inside.

I'll order a Pint.

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[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

I never show the bottom of my shoe and think less of those who do. Learned this while traveling in Asia.

edit - Example of this is kicking my feet up on a stool at the local pub.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Never heard of this. What’s the reason behind Asian culture not showing the bottom of your shoes?

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

You are showing someone the bottom of your shoe as a means of saying they are "beneath" you. This is also true for middle eastern countries I believe.

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[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago (3 children)

I drink Yerba Mate, and I'm from Australia

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[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago (1 children)

My wife and I celebrate White Day, or at least a version of it. She buys/makes a gift for me on Valentines, and I buy/make one for her a month later.

Doesn't really change much, but it's a fun little twist.

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[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I've lived in Japan for a long time. I make a lot of Japanese noises now.

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[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I was raised in an extremely conservative Southern Baptist Christian tradition, but I often recite the Hail Mary and/or the first line of the Shema (in admittedly very poor Hebrew) when I pray. There's something about knowing that the same prayer has been prayed by millions and millions of humans through history that makes me feel more connected.

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