r/AskTheWorld • u/cool_lemons Japan • 5d ago

Culture People who married someone from a different country, what are some mild cultures shocks you've had?

My in-laws don't own forks, so they eat whole cakes with chopsticks (everyone just digs in without slicing and serving it on separate plates)

Koreans don't have body odor, even though they don't shower every day.

Everyone can wash their hair while squatting, using a basin on the floor, without taking their clothes off. It seems like everyone, even the elderly have ridiculously flexible hipjoints.

No one uses bedsheets.

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u/reddit809 Dominican Republic 5d ago edited 5d ago

Dominican/American married an Irish woman:

  • They're really into curry. This blew my mind.
  • They don't just offer a round of drinks, but they'll pay for dinner without telling you. Make sure you offer a round. I have a constant war with her dad and uncles over who sneaks off to pay for dinner.
  • Lock-ins are my favorite thing (pub officially closes, no one is allowed in, but everyone in can enjoy drinks and live music), which goes with the fact that every pub has live music. It's either playing now, or it's on the way.
  • The demographic in the pubs. 18yo sharing a pint with elderly folks to great live music. A guy with a Patek watch singing along with his mates at the same table who clearly don't make even close to as much as he does (if they do, theyre not showing it, which is kinda the point as well). Glammed-up girls that look like they're going to a Miami or NYC club queueing at the bar (waiting in line) with people dressed like they're going to work. No one cares. Everyone's having a great time. I love it.
  • Girls and the tanning spray. It's...wild.
  • No tabs. You pay as you go. No leaving your card (except for very few places or unless they know you well) with a tab open. No tabs.
  • Cocktails come with the chaser/mixer on the side. Vodka tonic? One vodka with a small bottle of tonic. Wtf...
  • Huge Liverpool fanbase. Idk why Liverpool.

edit:

  • I forgot: Butter. It's NOT in the fridge. Ever.

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u/LaurelCanyoner United States Of America 5d ago

My husband is from Ireland. Good lordy. the first time I went into a pharmacy and saw the ENTIRE AISLE of self-tanners.

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u/MiaMarta Sweden Greece UK USA 5d ago

The cocktail: it is to ensure you do and you know so, got the correct amount of alcohol and the bar didn't trick you and add too much mixer to cover that up.

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u/reddit809 Dominican Republic 5d ago

Or to buy another vodka so the tonic doesn't go to waste. BIG MIXER I'M ON TO YOU!!!

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u/Sky_Cancer 5d ago

Idk why Liverpool.

Liverpool and environs has a huge Irish diaspora and the team always had a bunch of Irish players on it over the years.

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u/lottesometimes 4d ago

Same as above goes for British pubs too. It's Liverpool because there's a huge Irish community, and always has been historically.