People watching, by country

Having moved around quite a bit, I've started subconsciously keeping a mental list of the small things that differ by country -- not just the clothes, food, traditions, but the texture of daily life.

The best part of meeting people from different cultures is noticing the smaller things that nobody puts in a guidebook! So here's a running list.

Based on vibes, ymmv.

USA

• Taking fall fun seriously (apple picking, pumpkin spice lattes, etc)
• Hydration consciousness: people carry their water bottles everywhere and splurge on good water bottles.
• Water always comes with ice.
• The culture of working in cafes
• Going outside in your pyjamas
• Strangers are usually very nice -- will ask you how you're doing, wish you a good day, etc.
• People bring their dogs everywhere
• Have a lot of fun colloquialisms. Here's some that I liked:
  • one for the road
  • tough cookie
• Bathroom stalls have HUGE gaps
• The American college experience, which seems to me quite different than every other college experience
• Free refills
• Diners. Going to IHOP is a tourist experience of its own. (If you're in Pittsburgh, try Pamela's — Obama would agree.)
• Rock music from here feels very optimistic

UK

• Rock music from here is witty, dry, sarcastic, and/or depressing. This applies to British humour as well. Think: Radiohead/Arctic Monkeys/The Smiths vs Bruce Springsteen, The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac. Of course there are exceptions (hi My Chemical Romance and all of 2010s emo music). I conjecture this might also have to do with UK weather.

India

• I always remember this quote from Malgudi Days by R. K. Narayan - "In India, you just look out of the window and there is a story." Walking through Indian streets is an experience of its own.
• Crossing the road is war
• A lot of people's holidays in the year are planned around weddings they need to attend all over the country
• jugaad. This is pretty talked about but worth mentioning. It's the instinct to find workarounds for things.

Qatar/UAE/Kuwait/GCC

• Outdoor ACs
• Friday/Saturday weekend. Growing up in this environment disoriented my sense of the week when I came to the U.S.
• Malls being primary social infrastructure
• Landcruisers that don't have the concept of a speed limit
• Lots of speed cameras and difficult driving tests
• Cafes that can give you a meal in around $3 and serve literally everything.
• Getting used to the sound of the ezan
• Living a completely new life during Ramadan
• Every other family you know has adopted a street cat

Turkey

• The most beautiful cats

Russia

• Superstitions

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