- Outside of the United States, that is.
Do you think these are crazy cultural things or are some of these traditions typical to you? Like, how about spitting when you say hi to someone?
In some parts of Spain, people willingly throw themselves into chaos during La Tomatina This annual festival has thousands of participants hurl overripe tomatoes at each other in the streets. By the end, everyone is soaked in red pulp, and the town looks like a crime scene. Visitors may see it as a huge waste of food and sanity, but for locals it’s a joyful tradition of fun, community, and letting loose.
In Japan, one of the strangest customs to outsiders is how people sleep in public. It’s not uncommon to see office workers passed out on trains, benches, or even standing up. In many cultures, this would be considered lazy or rude. But for the Japanese, it’s often signals dedication and people assume you worked so hard that exhaustion simply caught up with you. Does this seem like one crazy cultural things to you?
Germans are famously strict about rules, especially when it comes to crossing the street. Jay walking is looked down on, whether there are cars or not and can earn dirty looks or fines. To visitors from more relaxed countries, this level of rule-following feels extreme, but it reflects a cultural emphasis on order, safety, and responsibility.
In France, greeting someone often involves kissing them on the cheek—sometimes once, sometimes twice, sometimes even four times, depending on the region. For cultures used to personal space and their “bubble”, this can feel uncomfortably intimate. Yet for the French, it’s just a common courtesy-type of greeting. Does this seem like one crazy cultural things to you?
In China, loud slurping while eating noodles is considered polite and shows appreciation for the meal. In many Western cultures, the same behavior would be labeled rude and loud.
In Iceland, people eat fermented shark—a dish with
such a strong smell that even locals admit it’s an acquired taste.
Finnish parents often let their babies sleep outside in cardboard boxes, even in cold weather. The tradition began as a government program to give every newborn an equal start in life and is believed to help babies sleep better and keep their immune systems even stronger. Does this seem like one crazy cultural things to you?
In the past, members of the Dani tribe would cut off part of a finger when a close family member died. It symbolized physical pain reflecting emotional grief.
Before weddings, Germans may smash porcelain plates in an event called Polterabend. Then, the couple must clean it up together, symbolizing teamwork and resilience for the marriage.
Among the Maasai, spitting is a sign of respect. Elders spit on babies to bless them and people may even spit before shaking hands as a gesture of goodwill.
In parts of South Korea, beauty standards push some people to undergo intense skincare routines
or even plastic surgery as graduation gifts. To outsiders, this might seem excessive or unhealthy, but within the culture it’s often seen as self-improvement and a practical step toward success within society. Does this seem like one crazy cultural things to you?
In Singapore, in some shared restrooms, people may avoid flushing instantly to save water or follow unspoken rules of consideration. This can be seen as confusing or even gross to visitors used to strict hygiene expectations.
Within the Phillipines, people sometimes use their lips to point to things, instead of using their hands. Filipinos point by puckering their lips. To outsiders, this looks odd, but it’s a subtle and polite gesture within the culture.
Do you agree that these are crazy cultural things? Tell us something we don’t know in the comments!