# What are some things about your own culture you understand "foreigners" would find weird? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 25, 2009, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-things-about-your-own-culture-you-understand-foreigners-would-find-weird/500906 "2009-06-25T03:21:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2009, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-things-about-your-own-culture-you-understand-foreigners-would-find-weird/500906/81 "2009-06-28T10:52:41Z")
The All Blacks. Visitors to New Zealand always seem to be perplexed by the countries obsession with the All Blacks and rugby in general and it is a national obsession. I don’t get it either but I’m part of a very small percentage of the NZ population who just can’t be bothered with rugby. I did meet a German last week who was beyond excited at the thought of seeing the haka at an All Blacks game though. Other than Australians and the British, the rest of the world seems to believe that by calling ourselves Kiwis we are naming ourselves after fruit. They are wrong ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2009, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-things-about-your-own-culture-you-understand-foreigners-would-find-weird/500906/82 "2009-06-28T11:32:00Z")
> [@Max\_the\_Immortal](#): > > What baffles this Canadian is gun ownership as a _hobby_. More than once I’ve been surprised by an American being able to rattle off, say, the specs of sixteen different types of assault rifle at the drop of a hat. It’s somewhat jarring when I’ve known said American for a while and they’ve never before indicated a particular interest in guns. Gun ownership as a hobby isn’t actually that uncommon outside the US, you know. I know plenty of collectors in Canada, the UK, New Zealand, and of course here in Australia. > [@calm\_kiwi](#): > > Other than Australians and the British, the rest of the world seems to believe that by calling ourselves Kiwis we are naming ourselves after fruit. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve had to explain to people (usually from the US) that a “Kiwi” is either a small flightless bird native to New Zealand, or a person from New Zealand, and that the fruit with the furry skin and green centre they’re thinking of is a “Kiwifruit”. It’s really not a hard concept to grasp and I do wish the Agricultural Marketing Board would do something about correcting the misapprehension. Back on topic: Shops closing early on Sundays. In most places (that I’ve been, anyway) shops might close a little earlier on Sundays, but in QLD they’re generally either closed completely or, in certain places, open from 10am-4pm, with a few exceptions for supermarkets and petrol stations and things like that, which are open longer hours. ---
**Author:** ![alexandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e68b1a/32.png) [@alexandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alexandra)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2009, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-things-about-your-own-culture-you-understand-foreigners-would-find-weird/500906/83 "2009-06-28T11:57:13Z")
> [@tumbleddown](#): > > But it was my friend in London who was completely flabbergasted that I’d go to a library to use their wifi when my internet connection at home was fine. Why bother, was her perspective. I wanted to be somewhere without the distractions of home. That didn’t seem to resonate. Is this still supposed to be a cultural difference? Because it’s not. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2009, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-things-about-your-own-culture-you-understand-foreigners-would-find-weird/500906/84 "2009-06-28T13:02:15Z")
> [@calm\_kiwi](#): > > Other than Australians and the British, the rest of the world seems to believe that by calling ourselves Kiwis we are naming ourselves after fruit. > > They are wrong I hate this with a passion. Its a kiwiFRUIT people. Please get it right! ANd I don’t think too much is gonna be done now that we have the Zespri. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2009, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-things-about-your-own-culture-you-understand-foreigners-would-find-weird/500906/85 "2009-06-28T13:42:54Z")
> [@TheMadEngineer](#): > > Things foreigners would find strange about the U.S. (At least the places I’ve had experience with): > > - The age of 21 being required to drink > - Football (and why we don’t call it handegg) > - Maple Syrup (Seriously, the French at least don’t get this particular food product) > - Our previous “Justification” of torture > - Why we feel like we need to invade just about every country that kinda sorta makes us angry Would that really be something that would confuse someone visiting the USA? I mean, it’s not like this is something that people experience walking around the streets of an American town. Is it really part of American culture? Something Americans commonly engage in on a personal level? And in all seriousness, what educated person would be unaware of the fact that big military powers get into a lot of wars? You seem to be really projecting a lot of your personal political opinions here. For instance: > [@](#): > > - Our xenophobia Do ya REALLY think the United States is an unusually xenophobic culture? Really? More xenophobic than European cultures, where they’ve started electing fascists to the European parliament? Japan, where foreigners are in polite conversation referred to by insulting names? Come on, now. From what country do you think a visitor could possibly come who would be surprised and confused by xenophobia in America? Name five. Come on. My only experience with people being confused by Canada is that folks from western and northern Europe invariably are bewildered by two things: 1. The size of the country and how that affects the way we live, and 2. The extremes in climate, both summer (much hotter anhd more humid than most of western Europe) and winter (ferocious to anyone not used to it.) ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2009, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-things-about-your-own-culture-you-understand-foreigners-would-find-weird/500906/86 "2009-06-28T13:49:18Z")
The biggest things I find noticeable when I visit the US: 1. US flags everywhere. 2. Tipping. 3. Weird attitudes to alcohol - namely (a) high drinking age requirement; (b) tendency to mix all sorts of different drinks up into weird cocktails and insisting “you gotta try this!” ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2009, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-things-about-your-own-culture-you-understand-foreigners-would-find-weird/500906/87 "2009-06-28T13:51:21Z")
> [@scifisam2009](#): > > Where do your friends live? It’s common in London. Yup, same here. People using their laptops in wi-fi hotspots is a pretty common site. ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2009, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-things-about-your-own-culture-you-understand-foreigners-would-find-weird/500906/88 "2009-06-28T14:00:12Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve had to explain to people (usually from the US) that a “Kiwi” is either a small flightless bird native to New Zealand, or a person from New Zealand, and that the fruit with the furry skin and green centre they’re thinking of is a “Kiwifruit”. It’s really not a hard concept to grasp and I do wish the Agricultural Marketing Board would do something about correcting the misapprehension. Well until the “it-will-never-take-on-because-it-already-has-a-name” Zespri campaign came along the Agricultural Marketing Board did just fine. What I can’t understand is how people are happy to use the term grapefruit and realise it is not the same thing as a grape, yet kiwifruit is somehow too hard! ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2009, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-things-about-your-own-culture-you-understand-foreigners-would-find-weird/500906/89 "2009-06-28T14:06:45Z")
> [@Student\_Driver](#): > > Not so weird for Americans. The UK _choice_ of flavors may be odd in the US (and vice versa), but American crisps/potato chips come in dozens of flavors as well. Off the top of my head, at the local Wal-Mart I can pick up plain, salt and vinegar, malt vinegar, dill pickle, barbecue sauce (several varieties, ranging from spicy to sweet to smoky), sour cream and chive/onion, sour cream and cheddar, plain cheddar, barbecue cheddar, jalapeno, lime, pizza, chipotle, ketchup (spicy or regular), loaded baked potato, baby back rib, sweet corn, Mediterranean, steak, black pepper, potato skin, ranch dressing, guacamole, curry, cheeseburger, mustard… I’m sure I’m missing a bunch, as Pringles crisps come in a mind-boggling array, and there are always seasonal or limited-edition flavors from Kerrs and Lays. > > In addition, there are multiple varieties of chip/crisp texture-- “crisp” (processed potato substance, like Tato Skins, Pringles, Lays Stax, Munchos), baked chip, normal fried chip (in organic or regular forms), ripple chip, waffle chip, and kettle-fried chip. > > Yes, I have an odd fascination with junk food. I’ve only been to Florida, and saw about four varieties there - salted, sour cream and chive, chilli and barbecue sauce. Americans I know have commented on the variety of crisps here, but perhaps, as you say, that was actually about the different flavours rather than the number of flavours. We have the different textures too, and some are corn or wheat rather than potato. Of course, the main difference seems to be that our crisps nearly always come in 33g bags. WTH are loaded baked potato flavour? Potato flavour seems a bit odd in a product usually made of potato, and baked potatoes can be loaded with all sorts of things. Now I fancy sour cream Pringles. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Hypnagogic\_Jerk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hypnagogic_jerk/32/4252_2.png) [@Hypnagogic\_Jerk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypnagogic_Jerk)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2009, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-things-about-your-own-culture-you-understand-foreigners-would-find-weird/500906/90 "2009-06-28T16:37:47Z")
> [@bengangmo](#): > > I hate this with a passion. Its a kiwiFRUIT people. Please get it right! Well around here (and I assume all of Canada and the US) the fruit is simply called “kiwi”. But I am aware that a kiwi is also a bird (and a New Zealander, though I don’t know how come they came to use this nickname to refer to themselves). ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2009, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-things-about-your-own-culture-you-understand-foreigners-would-find-weird/500906/91 "2009-06-28T16:40:59Z")
> [@scifisam2009](#): > > WTH are loaded baked potato flavour? Potato flavour seems a bit odd in a product usually made of potato, and baked potatoes can be loaded with all sorts of things. The traditional “loaded” baked potato in the US usually has bacon bits, cheese, sour cream and chives. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2009, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-things-about-your-own-culture-you-understand-foreigners-would-find-weird/500906/92 "2009-06-28T16:54:59Z")
> [@TheMadEngineer](#): > > Things foreigners would find strange about the U.S. (At least the places I’ve had experience with): > > - Maple Syrup (Seriously, the French at least don’t get this particular food product) > 🙂 Actually I would wager the large majority of Americans don’t like maple syrup especially when you get out of the far northeast.. They like the Mrs. Butterworth’s type. But when my house guests would try my Real Maple syrup, 90% of them had never had it before, and the same 90% thought it was way too strong and disgusting.It seems like something that you don’t like if you didn’t grow up with it as a kid. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2009, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-things-about-your-own-culture-you-understand-foreigners-would-find-weird/500906/93 "2009-06-28T16:56:41Z")
> [@calm\_kiwi](#): > > The All Blacks. > > Visitors to New Zealand always seem to be perplexed by the countries obsession with the All Blacks and rugby in general and it is a national obsession. I don’t get it either but I’m part of a very small percentage of the NZ population who just can’t be bothered with rugby. > > I did meet a German last week who was beyond excited at the thought of seeing the haka at an All Blacks game though. > > Other than Australians and the British, the rest of the world seems to believe that by calling ourselves Kiwis we are naming ourselves after fruit. > > They are wrong Did you send him to the haka page to see and learn the all black haka? \ [ha, found it](http://www.newzealand.com/travel/app_templates/haka/index_content.html) ---
**Author:** ![Student\_Driver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3da27b/32.png) [@Student\_Driver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Student_Driver)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2009, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-things-about-your-own-culture-you-understand-foreigners-would-find-weird/500906/94 "2009-06-28T17:39:23Z")
> [@scifisam2009](#): > > I’ve only been to Florida, and saw about four varieties there - salted, sour cream and chive, chilli and barbecue sauce. Americans I know have commented on the variety of crisps here, but perhaps, as you say, that was actually about the different flavours rather than the number of flavours. We have the different textures too, and some are corn or wheat rather than potato. Of course, the main difference seems to be that our crisps nearly always come in 33g bags. Oh, man, if we counted non-potato chips, I’d probably be online all day thinking of flavors readily available. Dozens of permutations of vaguely Mexican flavors for corn tortilla chips alone; different levels of “nacho cheesiness,” different chile peppers, etc. Weirdest would probably the limited-edition Mountain Dew flavor Doritos-- sweet citrus-flavored salty corn chips. Bleah. (Or the Clamato clam-and-tomato flavor flour tortilla chips…) Plain, sour cream & chive/onion, and barbecue are the traditional potato chip flavors in the US; if you go into small stores or convenience stores, you’re not likely to see too many more (except in the Pringles displays where it’s easier to stock a wider variety), unless it’s a regional favorite, like lime in a Hispanic neighborhood. Also, you’re not likely to see a great variety in snack-size/single-serving packages. I think I can understand the surprise, then, at the UK’s abundance of flavors if they’re all in those ready-to-snack packets. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2009, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-things-about-your-own-culture-you-understand-foreigners-would-find-weird/500906/95 "2009-06-28T18:42:06Z")
So much just not true… > [@TheMadHun](#): > > I lived for a while in South Africa in the 70s. They didn’t know what a lot of our expressions meant. > […] Twisted as a pretzel? - don’t have pretzels. Yes we do. > [@](#): > > Eat pizza with your hands? And buckets of chicken? - Like how the Bantu eat? You must have hung out with racists, then. We eat pizza, KFC and fish&chips with our hands all the time, always [have.Me](http://have.Me), my white wife, the people in KFC’s TV ads… > [@](#): > > They were confused about our roads being numbered. At the time they only had one numbered road, M1 from Cape Town to Pretoria. That’s N1 and no, we have had several numbered national roads (i.e. interstates) for decades, as well as local numbering systems. I can drag out a 70s vintage AA atlas and prove it. > [@](#): > > They were appalled that we had stores open on Saturday afternoon and Sunday. They only allowed you to buy perishable vegetable and the daily paper, but not canned goods or weekly magazines, which had no good excuse to break the sabbath. [Blue laws](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_law) are not uniquely South African. > [@](#): > > The didn’t understand free radio and TV - they bought annual licenses A system we copied from the British…but radio doesn’t need a licence, only TV. > [@](#): > > They were shocked (pun) by electrical outlets at shin level. All theirs were at waist level to keep children safe, but then they had killer 220 voltage. This is just bizarre. Our house was built in the 40s and had ankle-level outlets. But it depends where the house builder wants them - a lot of stuff on tables, you might want higher outlets. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-things-about-your-own-culture-you-understand-foreigners-would-find-weird/500906/96 "2009-06-29T01:18:21Z")
> [@Hypnagogic\_Jerk](#): > > Well around here (and I assume all of Canada and the US) the fruit is simply called “kiwi”. But I am aware that a kiwi is also a bird (and a New Zealander, though I don’t know how come they came to use this nickname to refer to themselves). The Kiwi is a flightless bird unique and indigenous to New Zealand. That is why we refer to ourselves as Kiwis. And to say “well that’s what we call it” is frankly kinda offensive. If you don’t know any better, then fine, we will politely correct you. If you have had it explained and can’t be arsed to change then what? is it ok for me to call an African American a nigger and respond with - well that’s what we call them around here when called on it? The Kiwifruit was largely “invented” in New Zealand, it was a unique fruit that came from “Kiwi” land. Hence the name of the fruit. But really - is it all that hard to get the name right? Or are you too lazy to bother? ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-things-about-your-own-culture-you-understand-foreigners-would-find-weird/500906/97 "2009-06-29T01:58:41Z")
> [@bengangmo](#): > > The Kiwifruit was largely “invented” in New Zealand, it was a unique fruit that came from “Kiwi” land. Hence the name of the fruit. But really - is it all that hard to get the name right? > > Or are you too lazy to bother? Hate to break it to you, but the kiwifruit is native to China, (it’s actually the official fruit of the PRC) and is called a kiwifruit because it quite resembles the Kiwi bird. It did get the name from exporters based in New Zealand. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-things-about-your-own-culture-you-understand-foreigners-would-find-weird/500906/98 "2009-06-29T02:26:26Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > Hate to break it to you, but the kiwifruit is native to China, (it’s actually the official fruit of the PRC) and is called a kiwifruit because it quite resembles the Kiwi bird. It did get the name from exporters based in New Zealand. I think that’s the point **Bengangmo** is making- the idea of calling it a “Kiwifruit” and not a “Chinese Gooseberry” was an innovation of NZ exporters, hence the popularity of the term- even though Kiwifruit are, indeed, originally from China. (And whoever was responsible for the “Zespri” renaming efforts should be summarily deported to the Chatham Islands and left there, IMHO). And yes, it’s been politely explained that the small fruit is a KiwiFRUIT, not a “Kiwi” (that refers to the bird or someone/something from NZ, and only those things), and we would appreciate it if the effort could be made _not_ to refer to the fruit as a “Kiwi”. Please update your notes accordingly. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-things-about-your-own-culture-you-understand-foreigners-would-find-weird/500906/99 "2009-06-29T02:45:14Z")
Would you believe that this is the first time I’ve ever heard that calling the little fuzzy brown fruit with the green insides just a “kiwi” was offensive to New Zealanders? Seriously, I think 50% of it is that those of us in North America have no idea it’s a problem for anyone. That said, now that I’ve been informed, I’ll try to change my habits. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-things-about-your-own-culture-you-understand-foreigners-would-find-weird/500906/100 "2009-06-29T03:43:18Z")
> [@bengangmo](#): > > The Kiwi is a flightless bird unique and indigenous to New Zealand. That is why we refer to ourselves as Kiwis. > > And to say “well that’s what we call it” is frankly kinda offensive. If you don’t know any better, then fine, we will politely correct you. If you have had it explained and can’t be arsed to change then what? The Canadian Oxford Dictionary lists the fruit as being called either a “kiwi” or a “kiwifruit,” so either word is correct here. Why are you so worked up about it? What difference does it make to you? > [@](#): > > The Kiwifruit was largely “invented” in New Zealand, it was a unique fruit that came from “Kiwi” land. Actually, it’s originally from China. The world’s largest producer is Italy. For a guy who accuses others of being too lazy to bother naming the fruit correctly, you don’t know much about it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-things-about-your-own-culture-you-understand-foreigners-would-find-weird/500906.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-things-about-your-own-culture-you-understand-foreigners-would-find-weird/500906.md?page=6)