Things that people in other parts of the world are blase about that you are not so blase about

Building huge pyramids out of people with young children at the apex, often seeing the whole edifice come crashing down onto the cobbles of the town square. Spain.

Lighting firework rockets in your hand and letting them go from there. Also Spain.
 
Brian Marwood said:
Thunder and lightning in Singapore
Geckos running around in the office - again in Singapore
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That first one is so true. I was visiting my mate out there a couple of years ago. First day there was a big storm and I was so excited. I was like: "Let's go out on the balcony and watch" and she was like "Erm, I have lived her for a couple of years now. I've seen about 400 of those!"
 
BlindBoyGrunt said:
Building huge pyramids out of people with young children at the apex, often seeing the whole edifice come crashing down onto the cobbles of the town square. Spain.

Lighting firework rockets in your hand and letting them go from there. Also Spain.
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Having dinner at midnight. Same
 
Cold weather in Finland.

I was there for new years one year, it was minus 1 and we went into a coffee shop. I thought i'd make small talk with the barista so I said : "Wow, it's cold today isn't it" She looked outside and just said "Not really" Then walked back to the coffee machine.

I do love the way they hate smalltalk over there! So I guess that's a reverse one. something we are blasé about but they find shocking.
 
This might fall into the racial stereotyping bracket so happy to remove if it offends but:

Buying knock off goods - China. In Suzhou there is even a specific market dedicated to selling "replica" goods.
 
BlindBoyGrunt said:
Building huge pyramids out of people with young children at the apex, often seeing the whole edifice come crashing down onto the cobbles of the town square. Spain.

Lighting firework rockets in your hand and letting them go from there. Also Spain.
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It not just a Spanish thing, letting rockets go from your hand, I've seen it a few times at the Ottery St Mary tar barrel rolling night, I went with a Spanish friend once he couldn't believe how crazy the whole evening was, I love it, a little bit of unsanitised modern Uk.
+ I love the Spanish attitude to most of their fiestas ( not bulls or animals) it's a time to let loose and enjoy.
+ I enjoy eating late and have bought into the late meals. I can quite happily have a meal at midnight as long as I am up to the late early hours.
 
Long distance car journeys: Australia.

I once worked with an Aussie who was based in Barnard Castle. He thought nothing of driving all the way to Hertfordshire for a 2 hour meeting then driving straight back.
 
BlindBoyGrunt said:
Building huge pyramids out of people with young children at the apex, often seeing the whole edifice come crashing down onto the cobbles of the town square. Spain.

Lighting firework rockets in your hand and letting them go from there. Also Spain.
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The pyramid think is really weird. They train all year, I think they have moved on a bit and give the child a bicycle helmet.

I worked in Spain for over a decade, the ability of last year's law not being this year's always astounded me.
 
Health and Safety... I work in the marine gas/chemical/oil industry and the amount of foreign national sailors that will sample dangerous chemicals in just flip flops and shorts whilst I am stood there in full suit, wellies and respirator is just ridiculous.... As is their reaction when you tell them you wont be doing it until they are fully covered.
 
SmallTown said:
This might fall into the racial stereotyping bracket so happy to remove if it offends but:

Buying knock off goods - China. In Suzhou there is even a specific market dedicated to selling "replica" goods.
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You get this all over Asia. In Philippines they have malls that are absolutely incredible sizes to the point some chains have 2-3 stores. All the fakes are graded from ones that are cheap but obv fake right up to ones where you have to be pretty clued up to spot it
 
ThatFragranceGuy said:
You get this all over Asia. In Philippines they have malls that are absolutely incredible sizes to the point some chains have 2-3 stores. All the fakes are graded from ones that are cheap but obv fake right up to ones where you have to be pretty clued up to spot it
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That's pretty cool. I did hear that some Chinese fake rolex makers have now even started copying the equipment that rolex use to make their watches. That's next level, but it also makes me wonder at what point fake becomes facsimile ?
 
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