this post was submitted on 13 Jul 2023
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For example, I'm a white Jewish guy but I've adopted the Japanese practice of keeping dedicated house slippers at the front door.

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[–] kescusay@lemmy.world 90 points 1 year ago (12 children)

American, here. Got a bidet, and I am never going back. The fact that this isn't standard in American households is disgusting.

[–] Countess425@lemmy.world 19 points 1 year ago

Bidet life is best life

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[–] Leviathan@feddit.ch 71 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I set all my digital clocks to 24hr mode, something I picked up after living in Europe. Would never go back.

[–] Mugmoor@lemmy.dbzer0.com 22 points 1 year ago

Likewise. I just found it much easier when trying to schedule my day. Not having to account for the switch from 12-1 makes the math simpler.

[–] AnUnusualRelic@lemmy.world 16 points 1 year ago (1 children)

One of us! Now shift to metric!

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[–] Spacebar@lemmy.world 57 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Before I quit drinking I believe I was following Russian culture with my vodka intake.

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[–] MooseGas@kbin.social 50 points 1 year ago (8 children)

I cross my sevens like a German.

[–] Doubleohdonut@lemmy.ca 16 points 1 year ago

I adopted this years ago so I could tell the difference between a 1 and a 7 😁

[–] Mugmoor@lemmy.dbzer0.com 13 points 1 year ago (3 children)

This is a German thing? I know tons of people here in Canada who do it.

[–] lagomorphlecture@lemm.ee 13 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

It's done all over Europe. They also have a fancy 1 that's nice because it doesn't look like a lower case l. I'm not positive that the 1 is used outside France though but it's the standard in France. https://ielanguages.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/davidsno.jpg

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[–] irmoz@reddthat.com 41 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (8 children)

I'm British and I say y'all fairly often. It just rolls off the tongue.

[–] FordBeeblebrox@lemmy.world 26 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I’m a redneck American who says y’all, and calls people cunts a lot. We have so much to share

[–] Nalivai@discuss.tchncs.de 15 points 1 year ago

Thank you for that gift, cunt

[–] milicent_bystandr@lemmy.ml 10 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Happy to have more of the y'all in English English, but personally I'd like an uptake in youse.

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[–] Ecksell@lemmy.one 30 points 1 year ago

Stretching. I think this originally came from southeast Asia, its so far back that its hard to discover. But I stretch every single morning. As a Native American I need that to limber up so I can dance, which I enjoy doing.

[–] gzrrt@kbin.social 29 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Sleeping on a thin futon laid out on the floor (Japan / Korea). And riding a bike or e-bike everywhere (Netherlands), even though US cities and infrastructure are hostile to humans

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[–] JoeClu@lemmy.world 27 points 1 year ago (6 children)

I would LOVE the house slipper bit. I've suggested it so many times. Wife and kids just won't go for it. Wife says it's rude to ask a guest to take off their shoes. I disagree but she just can't see my point or view. If you want to enter my house, show respect and take off your shoes to keep my house clean.

[–] gzrrt@kbin.social 25 points 1 year ago

What's rude is bringing disgusting bacteria (E Coli, etc) and potentially-toxic chemicals into somebody else's house by not taking your shoes off. There's just an objectively-right and wrong answer to this one.

[–] stratoscaster@lemmy.zip 15 points 1 year ago

I just don't get it lol. Whenever I enter someone's house for the first time I ask "would you like me to take my shoes off?".

It's not that hard, and especially obvious if they have light colored carpet

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[–] emokidforever@lemmy.world 27 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I've learned from the Japanese phrase 'itadakimasu,' which is said before eating as a way to thank the person that prepared the food. I think in the west, a lot of us grew up learning to say things like grace before a meal, but that is too religious for me and gives God credit for peoples' hard work instead. I love the idea of ritualistically thanking the people who actually made the food. It was one of the things I appreciated while studying there that has stuck with me.

[–] emptyother@lemmy.world 13 points 1 year ago

In my culture its common courtesy to thank a person after the meal, either the one who made it, brought it, or paid for it. But only if they're present. It ain't a ritual. Same-ish thing.

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[–] dickbutler@lemmy.world 26 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I heard Koreans use metal chopsticks and bought pack home. Took some time to learn how to use those but so much easier when I can put those in dishwasher.

[–] TheGiantKorean@lemmy.world 25 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I hate metal chopsticks. Maybe I'm a bad Korean. I just find that they don't grip as well.

[–] exterstellar@lemmy.world 12 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Gotta agree with you there. Although Korean spoons are the best!

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[–] HenriVolney@sh.itjust.works 26 points 1 year ago (1 children)

From the USA: wearing a white t-shirt under my shirt or t-shirt. Helps preventing sweat stains under armpits. Really hot in the summer though

[–] Mugmoor@lemmy.dbzer0.com 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Try and get 100% cotton. It's the polyester that makes it hot.

[–] JoeClu@lemmy.world 20 points 1 year ago (6 children)

In the SW USA in summer it can get 117F (47C) and let me tell you, my dude, 100% cotton is still hot as hell.

I don't know this for sure, but to me it seems like the whole suit and tie and jacket thing was a northern European tradition and eventually an eastern USA tradition where it's cold. That shit don't work in the desert, and those who continue to claim "professionalism" and maintain such stupid customs are fools, in my opinion.

I'm not middle eastern but those dudes have the correct answer to the desert. I really wish the thawb would catch on in the Sonoran Desert of the southwest USA.

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[–] HubertManne@kbin.social 24 points 1 year ago (3 children)

I wear a mask unless I need my mouth for something.

[–] popemichael@lemmy.world 13 points 1 year ago

Same here. I'm immune compromised and masks are a blessing.

I used to get sick once a month and now I've not been sick since before covid.

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[–] Crackhappy@lemmy.world 20 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'm a big white guy but I wear sarongs all the time, having grown up on Java and wore them as a kid. Soooo comfortable and versatile.

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[–] learningduck@sh.itjust.works 15 points 1 year ago (9 children)

I adopt representing 3 with thumb, index, and middle finger (German?), Instead of the usual index, middle, ring. This is easier for teaching my little girl as her hands muscle aren't fully developed yet and have a hard time controlling her ring finger.

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[–] Acronymesis@lemmy.world 15 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

I was what I think we would now call a "weeb" in my junior/senior year of high school, and had studied Japanese culture before making a short trip over there in the summer. One of the things I learned was that blowing your nose in public is seen as bad manners, and it really stuck with me. When you think about it, it is pretty gross to loudly blow snot into a tissue (bonus points for carrying a handkerchief!) in front of others, like (as an American) we'll just do this at the dinner table without batting an eye.

To this day, I try not to blow my nose in public places or in front of folks if I can avoid it, because it has grossed me out ever since learning how Japanese culture perceives it.

[–] noseatbelt@lemmy.ca 16 points 1 year ago

Wtf? That is super gross. I'm Canadian and I don't know anyone who would do it at the dinner table. I've seen my boss do it at his desk but he turns to face the corner next to his desk first.

Ime most people go to the washroom to do it, or at least make sure they're not near anyone else.

[–] htrayl@lemmy.world 12 points 1 year ago (3 children)

I'm American and I don't think anyone in my social circle would blow their nose at the dinner table. Yours might just be gross.

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[–] MentalDiscord@lemmy.world 14 points 1 year ago (3 children)

I am not Jewish, but I have adopted the practice of placing stones/pebbles on my parents' gravestone each time I visit.

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[–] clucking_sliver@lemmy.world 12 points 1 year ago (2 children)

A few jump to mind.

I say No Worries quite a lot.

I use chopsticks as much as a fork at home.

I take my shoes off inside.

I'll order a Pint.

[–] JoeClu@lemmy.world 10 points 1 year ago (3 children)

What culture says "no worries"? I've heard it so much I thought it universal by now.

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[–] miked@lemmy.world 11 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

I never show the bottom of my shoe and think less of those who do. Learned this while traveling in Asia.

edit - Example of this is kicking my feet up on a stool at the local pub.

[–] Samwizegamgi42@lemmy.world 12 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Never heard of this. What’s the reason behind Asian culture not showing the bottom of your shoes?

[–] Aremel@lemmy.world 11 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

You are showing someone the bottom of your shoe as a means of saying they are "beneath" you. This is also true for middle eastern countries I believe.

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[–] xhieron@lemmy.world 11 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I was raised in an extremely conservative Southern Baptist Christian tradition, but I often recite the Hail Mary and/or the first line of the Shema (in admittedly very poor Hebrew) when I pray. There's something about knowing that the same prayer has been prayed by millions and millions of humans through history that makes me feel more connected.

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[–] chunkmcbeefchest@lemmy.world 11 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I've lived in Japan for a long time. I make a lot of Japanese noises now.

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[–] ada@lemmy.blahaj.zone 11 points 1 year ago (3 children)

I drink Yerba Mate, and I'm from Australia

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[–] kakes@sh.itjust.works 11 points 1 year ago (1 children)

My wife and I celebrate White Day, or at least a version of it. She buys/makes a gift for me on Valentines, and I buy/make one for her a month later.

Doesn't really change much, but it's a fun little twist.

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