Travelers share their best customs and customs from abroad
One of the great things about traveling is how eye-opening the experience can be. With every new place comes new traditions, customs, cultural norms, flavors, and more. So Redditor u/pelican678 asked, “What's something you've seen on your travels that you wish you had at home?” People said:
1. “When I went to Canada, I was amazed at how there were recycling bins and compost bins everywhere. During my trip, I hardly threw anything into actual bins. America, it's time to step up. has arrived.”
2. “A more vegetarian-friendly food culture. In Scandinavia, I noticed that every restaurant, snack bar, convenience store, highway stop, etc. had both vegetarian and vegan options. .”
3. “The big squares of Europe. I love sitting on the benches in the squares and drinking coffee on a pleasant evening. I don't have that kind of environment where I'm from.”
4. “High-speed trains like the ones I saw in China. So fast, so clean, so affordable. I was so disappointed in Britain's terrible rail system, where it costs hundreds of pounds to travel semi-high-speed with full people.” It's a dirty train with no seats! Needless to say, all seats rotate forward-facing before departure. Why do we still have those awful backward-facing seats that make you feel sick? ”
5. “Japanese restaurants often have this little button on the table to request service. Coming from America (which has an over-the-top service culture), you don't have to deal with repeated interruptions. , it's so comforting that the server is constantly checking to see if your order is ready and if you can order.'' You need anything else. ”
6. “Great bread everywhere you look. When I was in Germany, all the sandwiches were served on high-quality rolls with good texture and flavor. You can't find high-quality bread in the United States.” But it's certainly not the default.” ”
7. “Street markets like the ones we ate in Vietnam. I love roaming the streets and finding delicious food at the different stalls. Some of the best food I had in Vietnam was at these markets .”
8. “Long, leisurely meals, like the ones enjoyed in many parts of Europe. People hang out for an hour after eating without thinking about leaving, because they don't want to actually relax and enjoy the food and company. Because it's a cultural norm.”
9. “Quality, cheap wine. In Europe (especially Italy, France, and Greece), you can buy a decent wine for less than 10 euros.”
10. “Bidet and high-tech toilet seat like in Japan. When you get home, wipe it with dry paper, caveman style.”
11. “Saunas in Scandinavia! I'd pay for a monthly sauna pass in a heartbeat, especially if it's on the waterfront. Nothing compares to the smelly YMCA saunas here in the States.”
12. “Affordable medical expenses. I got sick in Taiwan and my wife called an ambulance. We spent about 8 hours in the hospital. The total cost (including medicines) was about $250. It would have been cheaper if I were a resident. ”
13. “Italian coffee bar. I basically don't share the language with the staff, I can't order a 'mocha la tes skim flat fat' with alternative milk, and an espresso shot costs 1 euro.” We stand behind the purchasing experience. Italians thought that coffee culture disappeared decades ago. ”
14. “Like the boulangeries and patisseries that exist in Paris, they're every few blocks. It's nice to have fresh baguettes and pain au chocolat just around the corner.”
15. “In Spain, we have a tradition of eating dinner late (around 9 p.m.), which makes it a more social experience with friends and family. I'm a night owl so I love a late dinner, but where I'm from… Most people eat earlier.
16. “Italian happy hour. When I was in Italy, I used to enjoy this around 5pm after sightseeing. After a little wine, cheese, and cold meats, before heading out for a proper dinner. It was a relaxing few hours.'' I would love to see this become the norm in households. ”
17. “When I was visiting Livorno, Italy, I noticed that people would gather in the streets in the evenings. They would pull out chairs and sit together and chat. They would bring instruments and play music. It was really great. There was a real sense of community.”
18. “Christmas Markets in Germany. I was in Germany in December and each town had a Christmas market during the holiday season. There was food, shopping, activities, etc. These markets It was a place where everyone gathered at night.A Christmas market seems perfect for the United States, but there aren't many here.
19. “Korean Convenience Stores. Every street corner in South Korea has some type of convenience store, and there are always plenty of options beyond snacks and bottled drinks. You can get a separate “hot fridge” that I was obsessed with, different types of ramen, and even freshly steamed sweet potatoes for $1 each day for lunch. I really miss buying it. ”
20. “Group Dining in China. When you eat out in China, everyone shares the meal family style. You order many plates of different dishes at the table, then everyone has a little bit of what they want. Just take it. I love this style of eating. ”
21. “Japanese hot springs. Every time I went to a hot spring (even in a hotel with a deep bathtub in the middle of the city), the amount of stress my body released was amazing. Bathing culture has huge mental health benefits. So I wish it was more effective.''It was also popular in my hometown. ”
What have you seen or experienced while traveling abroad that you wish was more common in your home country? Let us know in the comments or add us to this anonymous form.
