When you visit a new place, there are likely aspects of daily life that feel completely new there. And personally, I love discovering international habits or customs that I’d like to adopt back home. So Redditor u/danielgmal asked, “What have you experienced in another country that you wish you could make a part of your regular life?” Here are people’s responses.
1.
“The café culture that is so common in France. I loved just sitting in a street café and people watching while drinking my espresso without rushing.”
2.
“In Portugal, I saw a lot of miradors in cities like Lisbon and Madeira. These are little shaded courtyards with toilets and snacks and the best views of the city. They are just brilliant. You can spend a whole day exploring the city from these beautiful little viewpoints. I wish every city did this!”
3.
“The tradition of Walk in Italy, which is basically a nice walk around town before or after dinner, chatting with neighbors and friends.”
4.
“I liked that restaurants in Japan often show photos next to the names of menu items. This is very helpful when deciding what to order!”
5.
“In Buenos Aires, there are little verdulerías (fruit and vegetable shops) on practically every street corner. They are so convenient and I would love to have something like that here in the United States.”
6.
“Round tables with rotating plates. In China, almost every restaurant had one of these, which made eating together much more exciting. I realized how often I’m stuck at the corner of a rectangular table, trying to join in the conversation and struggling to hear anything. The round table is what we all need.”
7.
“In Japan, people have a lot of respect for schools and keeping them clean. I would like my children’s schools to require students to keep their learning space clean and respectful.”
8.
“When I was in Italy, I ate outside everywhere. It was so beautiful. Eating outside automatically made every meal feel more relaxed and special. When my husband and I got home, we immediately bought a small dining set for our porch. I wish outdoor dining was more ubiquitous at home and possible everywhere.”
9.
“I loved that in Japan, every restaurant seemed to have perfected and focused on a certain type of dish, whether it was tempura, ramen, yakitori, sushi, or even pizza. It made for such a fun and unique dining experience. Here in the U.S., you often find very eclectic restaurants that try to offer everything, but I loved the focused and almost scholarly approach to food in Japan.”
10.
“I was a big fan of late dinners in Spain. It took me a while to get used to it, but I ended up liking the idea of eating dinner around 9pm. It makes each day feel longer, more relaxed and more laid back. My husband and I actually made it a habit to eat later in the evenings in NYC.”
11.
“In so many places in Europe that I have travelled to, cafes give you a little cookie or biscuit with your coffee. I find it incredible that all the cafes in the world don’t follow this example. It’s such a wonderful addition and it can’t cost much.”
12.
“Italian happy hour. In Italy we used it every afternoon around 5pm, right after we finished sightseeing. Every day we had a little wine, some cheese and cold cuts. Then we relaxed for a few hours and then went out for a proper meal. I could definitely get used to that at home.”
13.
“On the flight back from London after our first visit there, my spouse asked me what had impressed me most. My honest answer was the subway. Since then, almost every European city I have visited has impressed me with its ease of getting around by public transportation. If only we had the same access and ease of public transportation where we live.”
14.
“I love the street food and street stalls that are so common in Southeast Asia. In these countries, there is a lot of cheap, clean and relatively healthy food that is readily available. After a long day at work, I would love to stop by a street market and grab some pad thai, chicken rice or a big bowl of laksa for a few dollars instead of going home and cooking myself.”
15.
“I love the Scandinavian culture of wood-heated saunas and cold baths. I could get used to that quickly.”
16.
“In Japan, many restaurants have a button at your table that you can press when you want the waiter to come. This way, your waiter won’t bother you if you’re not ready to order, and you can get help quickly if you need anything.”
17.
“Taiwanese 7-Elevens. When I was in Taiwan, this supermarket improved the quality of life tremendously. Besides the huge variety of food (onigiri, ramen, drinks, snacks), you can also get freshly brewed coffee, pay your bills and send postage all in one place. I miss this 7-Elevens so much.”
18.
“I loved how many Italian cities have large, car-free pedestrian areas. Sitting at a table outside a cafe without the noise and distraction of passing cars is wonderful. These car-free areas really add to the atmosphere.”
19.
“Shabbat in Israel. I love this simple tradition of eating a long, peaceful dinner with family or friends on Friday night. It’s a time to put the week behind you and recharge your batteries. Employers respect that, so no one will ask or expect you to stay late on Friday to work.”
20.
“In many bars in southern Spain, you get tapas (small snacks) with your cocktail at no extra charge. It’s just a little something to nibble on while you drink. I’m a big fan of this tradition.”
What everyday norm, interesting custom or unique tradition have you encountered abroad and wish it would become popular in your home country? Tell us about it in the comments!
