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Cultural Differences in Mundane Things

michaelskis

michaelskis

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Right now I am sitting an ergonomically appropriate chair that is elevated such that it aligns my position with a typical height desk. But that is normal for me. However, some cultures sit on a mat on the floor with a much smaller desk in front of them because it is what is normal for their culture. Last night, I grilled some steaks and used a knife and fork to eat my food. In some cultures, they use chop sticks or other utensils. The bed that I sleep on is slightly higher than most modern beds because I built it custom based on a historic English design where they were elevated slightly. However some eastern cultures have mats on the floor for sleeping.

Ultimately we are all doing mostly the same thing, but the positioning, location, or even the tools that we use might be very different.

Are there things that you do that are not typical of North American culture? Do you think that there are physical or mental benefits to some other cultural norms? When you go to an Asian restaurant, do you use chop sticks or a fork and knife?
 
I have used chopsticks at an Asian restaurant by choice.
I have used a squat toilet abroad by necessity.

I essentially 'go with the flow' so to say. If I have the opportunities to try something different - either by choice or necessity - I will try it to a certain degree.
 
Cultural Differences between Jaguars and Leopards:

Jags: Skittish, shy, elusive, and not prone to attacking humans (unless provoked or cornered). Loves water and is an excellent swimmer and fisher.

Leopards: Bold, prone to climbing trees, does not like water. Sees humans as dinner, and allot more likely to attack.
 
In Western New York, they call soda "pop" like Canadians do.

There is also the tradition of the "Stag Party" - I.e. a pay-to-play bachelor party to raise funds for the bachelor. Back in NYC, a "stag party" was when your nonno got all of his WWII Buddies over to watch vintage porn on super 8.

Great Lakes people also tend to pronounce "Jaguar" as "Jag-wire" instead of "Jag-war" or "Jag-u-are" (the British way).

Butter Lambs and Meat Raffles instead of Struffoli and 7 Fish, function of there being fewer Italians.

One thing Buffalo Polish & NYC Italians/Hispanics have in common, though.......plastic on the furniture.
 
When I was studying abroad in Europe and living with a family, I ate Euro-style (fork stays in your left hand with knife in your right, don't switch to use fork). It didn't stick when I got back to the US but it was also very easy to switch when I was there.

I still work the accelerator in my automatic car like I was driving a stick to "get it to shift at the right time" even though I have not driven a manual in 20 years.

Macaroni and Cheese is a vegetable in South Carolina. Along with fried apples and collards it makes up the typical "three" I'd order at a "meant and three."
 
JNA said:
Which do you like better
creamy cole slaw
or
vinegar cole slaw
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Vinegar if I don't know what it's going to be like- creamy if I know I'm somewhere that makes it like I like it (mostly just has to be fresh, where vinegar gets better with age...)
 
michaelskis said:
Right now I am sitting an ergonomically appropriate chair that is elevated such that it aligns my position with a typical height desk. But that is normal for me. However, some cultures sit on a mat on the floor with a much smaller desk in front of them because it is what is normal for their culture. Last night, I grilled some steaks and used a knife and fork to eat my food. In some cultures, they use chop sticks or other utensils. The bed that I sleep on is slightly higher than most modern beds because I built it custom based on a historic English design where they were elevated slightly. However some eastern cultures have mats on the floor for sleeping.

Ultimately we are all doing mostly the same thing, but the positioning, location, or even the tools that we use might be very different.

Are there things that you do that are not typical of North American culture? Do you think that there are physical or mental benefits to some other cultural norms? When you go to an Asian restaurant, do you use chop sticks or a fork and knife?
Click to expand...
Most people don't have furniture. I quit sleeping with a pillow in 1978 and still don't use one.
 
My son was dating a girl who recently moved here from Japan. He thought it was interesting that they all took off their shoes outside and left them on the rug in the hall of the apartment building. He did as they did but asked me about it later.
 
michaelskis said:
My son was dating a girl who recently moved here from Japan. He thought it was interesting that they all took off their shoes outside and left them on the rug in the hall of the apartment building. He did as they did but asked me about it later.
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There are some regional differences in the US RE: shoes on or off in the house. In new England I think it's categorically "shoes off" inside the house but someone can prove me wrong- maybe it's different in Connecticut, for example. I have a really hard time leaving my shoes in when i visit somebody else even if they tell me to keep 'em on.
 
Bubba said:
Um...mac and cheese is one of the main food groups. Duh.
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We didn't have it this year, but who doesn't like lots of cheese and noodles.

We did have an array of "salads." One actually included lettuce. The others were strawberry jello/cream cheese/pretzel and green jello/cottage cheese/pineapple. They look horrible but are family staples going back to when my grandmother started making them at the height of jello. They are also delicious.
 
1764686714720.png

Salad in jello - let's whip out the blue cheese dressing!
 
One of the cultural differences I notice is smiling in pictures - many cultures do not smile in their photos - we do it automatically unless we are on purpose doing otherwise - it's really noticeable on LinkedIn with the profile photos
 
I use a 24 hour clock, and try to use metric measurements where they're practical. I've also taken to writing dates like yyyy/mm/dd - it makes for better sorting.

America is the stereotypical consumer's paradise, but there's many types of retail chains that have no equivalent in the USA.
  • Canadian Tire in Canada. The extinct Western Auto was as close as it came.
  • Sanborn's in Mexico. Combination restaurant and small department store.
  • Iceland in the UK. All frozen foods.
  • Japanese-style convenience stores.
  • Dick Smith in Australia. A combination Radio Shack and Best Buy.
  • Argos in the UK. Old school catalog store, like the former Best, Dahlkemper's, Brand Names, etc chains in the US.
 
michaelskis said:
Right now I am sitting an ergonomically appropriate chair that is elevated such that it aligns my position with a typical height desk. But that is normal for me. However, some cultures sit on a mat on the floor with a much smaller desk in front of them because it is what is normal for their culture. Last night, I grilled some steaks and used a knife and fork to eat my food. In some cultures, they use chop sticks or other utensils. The bed that I sleep on is slightly higher than most modern beds because I built it custom based on a historic English design where they were elevated slightly. However some eastern cultures have mats on the floor for sleeping.

Ultimately we are all doing mostly the same thing, but the positioning, location, or even the tools that we use might be very different.

Are there things that you do that are not typical of North American culture? Do you think that there are physical or mental benefits to some other cultural norms? When you go to an Asian restaurant, do you use chop sticks or a fork and knife?
Click to expand...
I eat pizza with a knife and fork. (Not chocolate bars, though.)
 
Burritos - eat with knife and fork or hand held ?
All depends on where the cheese is - smothered or inside
 
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michaelskis said:
Oh, that sounds good.

Related though, it is a very common side dish in the south, especially with barbeque.
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Yep. I believe it's a soul food derived thing. Speaking of which Brown's Backyard BBQ is right around the corner from me. This isn't my picture, but I've had this and it was sublime and very, very satisfying. Brown's is a true family business, and they are the nicest family. On your first visit they will let you sample every meat they have for free.

1764732376990.png
 
Planit said:
View attachment 65804
Salad in jello - let's whip out the blue cheese dressing!
Click to expand...
The actual salad was a traditional salad no jello. The jello "salad", at least in our family, do not contain vegetables. It took me a long time to get over the look of them, but they are weird delicious treats. I realized the pink fluff "salad" also does not contain jello, but cool whip.

tk_photo_2025_05-2025_2025-05-strawberry-pretzel-salad_strawberry-pretzel-salad-371.jpg
Grandma’s-Lime-Green-Jello-Salad-Recipe-with-Cottage-Cheese-Pineapple-24.jpg
cherry_cheesecake_fluff_recipe_image.jpg
 
JNA said:
Feels like my teeth are dissolving/melting.
south sweeet tea is poison to a diabetic.
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I grew up drinking unsweeted iced tea. My dad hates sweet tea, but drank unsweet by the gallons. We had an awesome Mr. Tea maker. It was definitely not the preferred way in the south. When he would order it in restaurants they would either look at him funny and say they didnt have it or bring him sweet tea by accident. If you didn't specify it always came out sugary sweet. Now like everything seems to be becoming much more homogenized and both are available or people drink other stuff.

I did love mint sweet tea that some of the Mediterranean restaurants would serve in Birmingham.
 
bureaucrat#3 said:
The actual salad was a traditional salad no jello. The jello "salad", at least in our family, do not contain vegetables. It took me a long time to get over the look of them, but they are weird delicious treats. I realized the pink fluff "salad" also does not contain jello, but cool whip.

View attachment 65813View attachment 65816View attachment 65817
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I think the one on the far right is called Ambrosia - my Aunt Margaret used to make it and I loved it
 
Mom used to make 2 kinda regularly for awhile.

One was orange jello, shredded carrots & pineapple chucks.

The other was cherry jello, whole cherries, cream cheese & some coca-cola.

She used a mold for both of them.
 
Wannaplan? said:
This Is A Big Deal: Tea in America - North v South
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Texas is south-ish, but the assumption when one orders tea is unsweet rather than sweet more often than not. And for places that have both, I simply say, "Unsweet tea" which when I lived up north sounded.... strange but it's second nature here.
 
half & half tea is my normal in restaurants

(however I have gotten half sweet tea & half lemonade before, but that's an Arnold Palmer)
 
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