40 Interesting Things About Other Countries That Tourists Find Weird

You do like Romans do when you’re in Rome. But honestly, Romans don’t have much of a weird habit in doing things. From taking off shoes to showering in the kitchen, some countries around the world have culture and habits that can really shock us.

As tourists, it’s really important to know what to expect before traveling. Here are some important points to avoid getting fined, ripped off, injured or even jailed that Green Lemon has found out.

• Rickshaw drivers in India charge people who don’t speak Hindi higher to rip them off. The Southern states of India don’t list their itineraries or bus numbers in English, but in Malayalam and Kannada.
• In Bulgaria, Montenegro, and Georgia, you don’t drive following the laws.
• Traveling in Great Britain is expensive and costs £4.90 or $6.30 a single trip on public transport.
• In Israel, many things don’t operate on Shabbat day, so you can only ride a taxi or walk around.
• Vietnamese will drive on the sidewalks at fast speeds during peak hours and even get mad at you if you don’t get out of their way.
• Thai taxis don’t have baby car seat and driving is not safe here. Much like in some cities of Indonesia.

• Stores in Sweden and many European countries often take only credit cards.
• People don’t line in India and if you do not dare to push through, you might have to wait for hours to buy food.
• Thai people can get aggressive if you look at their things for long, but don’t end up buying anything.

• Restaurants in Italy charge service fees and this means what you see on the menu is not everything.
• Internet connection is expensive in Europe.
• It can feel like people in the service industry in Europe are strict and robots. They cannot negotiate to the point that it seems absurd, like asking if it’s okay to bring one more friend on a booked bus ride that is empty.
• In Italy, you pay a different price for a cup of coffee for where you sit; bar or table.
• Countries in Southeast Asia often have electricity cables still installed on poles, making it hard to take nice pictures outdoor.
• In India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, you can spend weeks waiting for your plumber, electrician or other workers to come. The same goes to water.

• French sell only cold popcorn.
• Italians don’t drink tea and sell a cup at €3 if they do. That price is enough to buy two packs of it at the supermarket.
• You’re only experiencing everything about India when you get a stomach virus. But your immune system will quickly adjust to the food you enjoy there and it won’t be a problem.
• People of Southeast Asian countries do everything with their right hand – handing out things, eating, shaking hands, etc. If you offer your left hand as a greeting, it’s considered rude because it’s designated for ‘toilet business’.

• In many countries of Southeast Asia, such as Thailand and Indonesia, you take off your shoes when entering a house. It is deemed disrespectful if you don’t, but you don’t need to take off your shoes when entering shops, especially in cities.
• In Canada, you are a responsible citizen by complaining to the authorities. They also call a third party to deal with things, even your unmowed lawn can be dealt with the authorities.
• People in Norway are especially respectful to privacy that they won’t sit next to or across a stranger even in a cramped bus.
• European people are friendly… but it’s often not what it seems to be because they could be feeling uncomfortable with it!
• In Georgia, small talk is a real thing and people actually talk about going to the supermarket for 15 minutes.
• In some countries of Asia, people aren’t always in a hurry. You can find yourself in a hurry to the airport and your driver chilling at a cafe.
• When you ask for directions in Southeast Asia, some people can actually lie and confuse you. Sometimes, it’s well-intended, thinking they’re pointing you to a place that will serve your purpose better.
• A single Indian’s head gesture can mean yes, no, or I don’t know.

• You have to go through metal detectors almost everywhere in China. Meanwhile, the policeman can fine people €500 should they feel they were being disrespectful in Spain.
• Berlin Underground is divided into multiple zones and it’s prohibited to enter one without the right ticket. You’ll be fine €80 and you can’t purchase a ticket with help.
• Nobody is allowed to smoke in public places in Singapore and if you do, you’ll be fined $800. Throwing a cigarette butt or chewing gum on the floor is fined $400.
• In Egypt, you can be jailed if you take pictures of military objects and government buildings.

• Sellers in European shops don’t put price tags on items, especially souvenirs shops that mainly make money from tourists. It’s imperative to check on multiple stores before purchasing anything.
• You can’t use cash in some shops in Europe and having a credit card is important.
• Tipping is a must in western countries and Israel.
• You won’t hear announcements on discounts or sales in Europe – you need to actively seek for them.
• You have to pay a small fee to use the elevator to go up in Georgia.

• People in Sweden and the Netherlands don’t use curtains on windows and there are no mosquito nets in France.
• Ever seen that ‘design fails’ where showers appear in the kitchen? That’s how most Danish apartments are designed. They don’t even have bathrooms.
• Picking up the wrong power outlet and shops closed in the evening.
• Doctors of the United Arab Emirates prescribe a lot of antibiotics even for simple symptoms like a runny nose or headache.
• The Indians don’t use toilet paper, as someone used to tell the story of how his friend found this out too late inside a train.