What’s the most interesting thing you experienced while visiting a different culture?

[Charliefretz329]

[Caroline91]

Well we were visiting an elderly couple on their farm in Guatemala. It was a 2 room farmhouse with doors at both ends of the main room that were open to catch a breeze. The senora wanted to say a prayer for everyone there. Since she didn’t read she had a very long prayer memorized.

As she was zealously reciting this elegant prayer, eyes closed, face and hands raised up to the heavens, a goat came in to the middle of the room then exited out the other door. Next, the cow and her calf entered and she chomped and chewed her cud and then put a bit of methane into the air before passing through the other door. Then the dog chased the cat through the room, bumping and banging into things. By this point I was biting my tongue to prevent myself from bursting out laughing as the senora fervently prayed on.

But the final straw for me was when this huge red rooster chased a hen into the middle of the room and, amid raucous shrieking and squawking, nailed her right there then shook his head and proudly strutted out the other side, the hen shaking her tail feathers and quick steppin’ after him.

This is the point where the absurdity of it hit me full on and thankfully instead of ricking with laughter, I managed to turn it into a coughing fit, excused myself and quickly went outside. I buried my head in my arms to muffle my laughter and did my best to make it sound like a long coughing fit. I was so embarrassed later when my husband told me he didn’t think I had really fooled anyone.

[Caroline91]

*rocking with laughter

[Charliefretz329]

ONG lmao

[Caroline91]

As you should!

[Caroline91]

Do you have a story?

[ApplePie409]

"Necessity is the mother of invention."

I watched and videoed Thai fellas spear fishing

They took air rifles, but instead of a BB or pellet, they put a bicycle spoke in the barrel of the rifle. On one end of the spoke, they somehow drilled a hole for the string, and on the other end they used a file to create a barb. They would get up in trees above the canal and shoot carp. This is how they helped feed their families. They didn’t speak any English, but they communicated that it was OK to video them. They were so very nice. One guy tried to hand me his rifle so I could give it a go. I just said “Mai Dee.” “not good.” (meaning I’m not a good shot) They laughed.

I posted it on YouTube, but when I did the video editing, I put music in the background. Google later cracked down on that, and deleted my videos.

[Charliefretz329]

Love that kind of thing

[ApplePie409]

You never will catch me on a cruise. I would be bored to tears. I just want to get there and talk to the locals.

[Charliefretz329]

I agree, when I’m in a new place I want to skip most of the tourist traps and experience the culture

[ApplePie409]

I bought some Thai sausage from a street vendor. Thai sausage tastes like shit, but I bought it for a homeless dog. The skinny dog wouldn't eat it. So I gave the sausage to a lady that worked in a parking booth. I videoed her chasing the dog in circles trying to get him to eat the sausage. It was so funny. A lot of Thais were watching and laughing. One Thai guy gave me a thumbs up and said: "American!" He could tell. Only an American would pay to feed a homeless dog.

[Charliefretz329]

lol, there is a lot of truth in that. We are well pampered in our country compared to most.

[ApplePie409]

And unlike the liberal media likes to claim, they would love you in Thailand.

[Charliefretz329]

One country I’ve never visited but I’d love to

[ApplePie409]

1. It's hotter than the hubs of hell. Flip flops and a tank top.
2. The flight is horribly long. Maybe bring sleeping pills.
3. Exchange your money before you leave home. Don't stand in another long line in Bangkok to exchange money at the airport.
4. Check with your cell carrier to see how to make your phone work there.
5. ONLY eat at hotels or the shopping malls. This is very important.
6. Only drink things where you twist off the lid.
7. Do some research and see where you want to go in Thailand. Then pay extra to get on a small plane to get there. Ko Samui, Phuket, Pattaya and Chiang Mai are nice, but you won't be in the mood for a 15 hour bus/train ride.
8. Thai's are very impressed if you can learn a few Thai words. It shows them you care.

Mod has tons of free videos for you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTVNKxoNP4U

[ApplePie409]

Never in a million years attend the Songkran water festival. It sucks. It's the largest water fight on the planet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0y6EI9LWCUw

[midnightmoon05]

Thank you applepie…I’ll have hubby read this list.
@lightbulb27
We are trying to figure out China at this point before Thailand. But we know nothing about Thailand!

[ApplePie409]

@midnightmoon05

China requires a Visa. Thailand doesn't.

[midnightmoon05]

We got our visas so far lol… phone and money is next to plan… prob have to get SIM card. Also have to figure out WeChat pay… etc…

Thailand… many said have to try street foods… don’t recommend?

[ApplePie409]

@midnightmoon05

It takes the better part of a year to get your stomach ready for the Thai street food. You don't want to spend your entire vacation on the toilet.

[lightbulb27]

Our visit is in August. Looks like constant rain every day and hot.

[midnightmoon05]

@lightbulb27 yeah, we should keep the plans flexible.

[AviatorTom]

I've experienced so many different cultures, it's hard to pick one.

Okay, let me go with this. My SO and I were on a tour in Greece and spent a few hours at a restaurant. We helped prepare part of the meal (I don't recall what it was called, it was fried vegetable balls) and then we sang, drank and danced Greek dances, with a local song-and-dance troupe, dressed in local costumes. Lots of fun.

[BonzoInBitburg]

I've been to Fiesta a couple times in the Philippines and the whole town parties together and I mean everyone. Loud music, dancing, karaoke, drinking and way too much food. And they party until 3 or 4am. Nobody parties like Filipinos

[exitseven]

I wish that I did not leave my.357 at home.

[Amara_09]

Not everyone has the capacity to understand other cultures.


If you see what’s happening in countries like Japan, they are beginning to dislike foreign tourists who don’t understand common concepts such as respecting their cultures and their boundaries………….


It’s not interesting to discover that not everyone deserves to experience the cultures that exist in our worlds.

[IslaTheWitch]

the whole thing about showing the respect in Japan... it's so different than we have it in Europe

[midnightmoon05]

Brazil … lots of European decents. They all live like us… yet the locals are in the slumps. I enjoyed my trip but feel really sad that the locals struggle.
tibet - kids working in the street to make money.

[dustybiker2]

Food. Food brings people together, even if it loosens the bowels not being used to it.

[Charliefretz329]

Food is definitely the building block of culture. Socialising around the table and sharing life

[dustybiker2]

Breaks down walls. Its great.

[Charliefretz329]

Agreed 🙂

[Charliefretz329]

Shared Food makes friends. Our basic instinct. Same with animals.

[dustybiker2]

And the animals try with us too.

[Charliefretz329]

This is so true lol

[sheenagwapa]

women not paid equally, women asking men for a date, men into tall girls, hotdog legs trend on women, being smart is a bad thing especially on high school, friends with benefits, yellow fever, rampant serious case of bullying, atheism and a lot more

[LaurenM1997]

In Turkey their kebabs taste better than the ones in the UK

[Charliefretz329]

Oh absolutely agree

[LaurenM1997]

I had some in Turkey and honesty so amazing

[Charliefretz329]

I loved the Turkish food. So unique but high quality

[LaurenM1997]

True and so tasty too ☺️

[Dongie]

In Mexico the folks were all nice and smiles everywhere. The street vendors all along the streets gave it a carnival type atmosphere.

[Charliefretz329]

Most people I’ve met outside the US seemed to be decent outgoing people more so than my own culture

[Dongie]

We know why. W L

[DrPepper12]

Canadians eating their French fries with mayo. Brits and their warm beer. Not being decked out in Trump gear at one of his hate rallys was frowned upon and drew quizzical looks.

[RedInnocent69]

Mayo is Belgian. Now, cheese and gravy…

[NathanDavis]

food... I'll always be more interested on that

[DaBiggestBird]

Never been to other countries on Earth 1 but I’m pretty sure I’ve visited other universes. Or teaser variants of them. I was a Hummingbird in one dream. Do you see your dreams in 1st or 3rd person?

[Paul09]

When I went to Japan , I was cultural shocked by the respect of everyone. Especially store and restaurants. Was clean, drivers were respectful towards pedestrians. Streets were clean. It all felt right.

[Anonymous]

the values of the citizens

in the west, it's all about rudeness, degeneracy and promiscuity

in the east, it's all about kindness, family and community

[Staximus]

Being a target because I'm white in the ghettos of Tijuana

[Mediterraneansoul]

I leant that people all the same. Everyone is in a battle with their own yinyang

[laly520]

food, the outfits n getting to experience living their life

[RedInnocent69]

Tough one. How Iraqis drink tea?

[Pete671]

Ladyboys being accepted as the third sex,,,

[Loner111]

Different foods