Our cultural and behavioral differences is what makes the world go 'round.
That distinction can even be found in different regions of the U.S. New Yorkers generally don't have time for nonsense and are very direct, which is can often be misconstrued as unfriendly.
As a New Yorker, I can attest that we just don't have time for nonsense and we don't like beating around the bush.
The same type of social behavior is also seen as normal in other parts of the world.
"What are some of the things normal in your country but weird or rude outside in other countries?"
In many parts of America, especially in the south, people like to engage in small talk.
Skipping Pleasantries
"No smiling, no small talks, no contacts with strangers unless necessary, being too direct."
C'est Magnifique
"French here. Don't feel like I have to do small talks to people two if not necessary. I think it's great."
– jamichou
No Time For Chit Chat
"I'm an American and I hate hate hate small talk. Out small talk culture is so intense and people think I'm a d*ck because I don't want to talk about the f'king weather."
Some cultures don't think twice about having hard conversations.
Brutal Honesty
"Actually telling people how you're doing when they ask you how you're doing. We don't use a lot of polite phrases just for the sake of being polite, so when people ask 'how are you', it's interpreted as a genuine question rather than polite smalltalk or a greeting. My grandma once asked a cashier how she was doing and she replied 'Not great. I have type 2 diabetes.'"
"(I'm from Norway)"
Death Is Normal
"I grew up in Australia and migrated to Ireland about ten years ago. First thing I noticed was people in ireland really like to talk about death in every day conversation. Who died. When the mass is. The removal of the body and the anniversaries of their death. It's so normal in conversation. In aus it's rather taboo. Theres a difference in the tone of conversation when talking about death."
Attending A Funeral
"I casually told an English friend about a wake I had been to - very typical in Ireland, just everyone sitting around the open coffin chatting and having a drink - and he was horrified. It honestly never occurred to me that it would be seen as a big deal."
– kitty_o_shea ·
Not answering the passing inquiries of a stranger is not strange at all.
Awkward Acknowledgment
"Asking an aquantaince you are passing how they are doing with no intention of stopping to wait for the answer."
– Malgaras
"Howzit"
"In South Africa we do the same, cheeky catchphrase goes 'howzit' meaning 'how is it.'"
An Interpretation
"I acknowledge your existence because we were forced into close proximity. I've faked sincerity but I don't really care about the answer. Now I'm leaving."
"Makes perfect sense to me as an Englishman."
– ledow
Using actual currency is still very much a normal thing in Japan, which I personally thought was strange given how advanced the country seems to be in terms of innovation and technology.
Everywhere I went, people had change purses and were paying for their various purchases with their $5, $1 coins.
Of course, credit card transactions were accepted, but I have gotten looks from cashiers looking like I stumped them.
But they all smiled. That was a welcoming sight to see. Unless they have a gun pointed at their backs, people are generally happy to have their jobs there.
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