People say, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” This means it’s good to follow local customs when visiting a new place.
Culture shock happens when you experience traditions or ways of life that are very different from what you’re used to. It can be surprising, but it’s also part of the adventure of traveling.
Since today is World Tourism Day, let’s look at some interesting culture shocks you might face while exploring different countries!
1. A toilet situation in China
In China, toilets come in different styles—some have lids, levers, or pull handles, while others are simple holes in the ground that require squatting.
One surprising thing for visitors is that many public restrooms don’t have doors. Instead, there are small walls on each side of the toilet, like open stalls without curtains. This means there’s little privacy, and you might see others using the bathroom while you’re there.
2. Foxes in London
Foxes can be seen all over London, with an estimated 60,000 living in the city.
As new transport systems made it easier for people to move around, rural areas turned into suburbs. This change allowed foxes to adapt and thrive in urban settings.
Luckily, foxes are not dangerous and mostly keep to themselves.
3. Leave food on your plate in China
If you enjoy a meal, you might want to finish everything on your plate. However, in China, this can send the wrong message.
Leaving your plate completely empty may suggest that you’re still hungry, which could be seen as rude or make the host feel obligated to serve you more food.
4. Keep quiet in Japan
In Japan, being polite in public is very important, especially on public transport.
Talking loudly or making noise is seen as bad manners, and answering your phone on the train is considered rude. To avoid disturbing others, it’s best to keep your phone and other devices on silent until you’re in a private space.
5. Eating insects in Thailand
In Thailand, you might be surprised by how many insects are part of the local diet.
From bamboo worms and silk larvae to red ants, crickets, scorpions, spiders, and water bugs, street vendors in Bangkok sell a wide variety of edible insects to eager customers.
In the end, it’s important to respect different cultures, even if they seem surprising or unfamiliar to you.