One of the most exciting things about traveling is getting to immerse yourself in other cultures. You get to have a taste of the way others live their lives. Whether it be trying new food, exploring the land, or getting to know locals, traveling can be a tremendous learning experience.
Because of the COVID pandemic, all of our travel plans have been put on hold until further notice. Want to take a mini-vacation? Check out this slideshow of 65 things that look very different, depending on where you are in the world.
1. The Design on Lipton Tea Cartons In Japan
Japan is known for immaculate packaging and design when it comes to their products. Did you notice that all the cartons together create one beautiful landscape? Now you have to buy them all!
2. Unhealthy Ingredients Shown On Packaging In Mexico
In Mexico, certain items must show the unhealthy ingredients and give warnings within the packaging. It’s a nifty tool to use to look out for your health. If you translate these messages, it says: Excess calories, Excess sugars, Secretary Of Health, Contains sweeteners not recommended for children, and contains caffeine avoid for children.
In America, this flavor is the famous ‘Cool Ranch’. As for Europe, it’s called ‘Cool Original’ as they have no idea what ranch really is, anyway. Nobody can really settle on a name for this all-time favorite chip.
Calling all Oreo fans! It’s time to take a trip to Asia. You can get these Oreo Straws to slurp your milk. Now you don’t have to worry about getting your fingers wet when dipping your cookie into milk.
We all know these are called ‘Sour Patch Kids’. Imagine saying, “Very Bad Kids are my favorite candy!”. I’m not sure how if that would bode well with the people who don’t know about its French name.
Red solo cups are the pinnacle of American drinking culture. It’s no surprise they consider these the American style of party cups. In a lot of places outside the US, they reference these as American cups. In Europe, they call these red cups and are only used at parties.
Outside of the United States, Smarties aren’t quite the same thing. Instead of being a candy, they are a delicious milk chocolate snack. In Canada, they call these Rockets.
If you want to find the American Budweiser in Europe, you’re going to have to look for Bud. This Czech beer is the original Budweiser. People say it tastes better because it’s made without rice.
Just to make things more confusing, this cereal could be called Rice Krispies, Rice Bubbles, or Rice Pops. It depends on where you are in the world. At least they all know it snaps, crackles and pops.
Can we just talk about this again? How is it even possible that Smarties exist as a completely different candy outside of the United States? In Canada, they call these Rockets. In the UK, they call these Fizzers. I mean, they had to name the candy something since Smarties was already taken.
14. ‘American’ Pizza With Hot Dogs Stuffed Into The Crust
Ironically, this really isn’t a thing in America. Although this ‘American style’ pizza is gaining all the rage around Europe. People must really think American food is always high-calorie.
15. Different Sour Patch Kid Shapes (America: Top/Australia: Bottom)
We’ve already seen the packaging can differ from country to country, but now we have different contents. If you notice the American Sour Patch Kids are bigger. Australians also don’t have the blue one, they have a purple flavor instead.
In America, these are known as Coco Krispies. This chocolatey cereal is called Coco Pops in places outside of the United States, like Australia and the UK. Fun Fact: England manufacturers tried to rename the cereal to Choco Krispies, but the public outrage was so massive they changed it back to its original name.
Something really cool about traveling is you can find chip flavors that cater uniquely to the location you’re in. This chip flavor might seem weird to others, but might be a delicious favorite in Asia. Another example would be Ketchup chips as it’s very popular in Canada.
In America, canned hot dogs are not a thing, but hot dogs are very American. Although in Europe, canned hot dogs are known to be a very affordable staple. Probably doesn’t taste that good, though.
Weird that the Chinese consider plain and salted to be the American Flavor. I’d think it would be something with a little more calories. Who knew Americans were famous for their salt flavors.
Pringles are known for having a variety of different flavors, just like lays. This is very similar to the popular ketchup chip. Next time you travel, be on the lookout for what Pringle flavors they have!
These special Pringles only come out around World Cup Time. You can find these all around the world as a limited time favorite! Nothing like watching your favorite sport with some special Pringles.
Sausages were culturally imported from Germany and came to the United States. Ironically, this was exported back as the ‘American Style’ Hot Dog. Although, Americans definitely don’t put their hot dogs in jars.
In America, this beloved cereal is called Frosted Flakes. You might find yourself down a cereal aisle in Europe seeing all the U.S. cereals with a slightly different name. Either way, they’reeee great!
For copyright reasons, Axe Body Spray is Lynx in Australia and in the UK. Axe Body Spray is the original name and home to America. Either way, it’s definitely a popular fragrance amongst men everywhere.
Instead of the word “diet”, other countries like Italy use “light”. Many places aren’t allowed to use the word, as it isn’t what would contribute to a healthy diet. The difference between zero and light is there are different artificial sweeteners used.
This ice cream favorite is Good Humor in the United States. Although this ice cream has actually been found to have a bunch of different names all around the world. We’ve found some examples for you: Australia-Streets, Netherlands-Ola, Germany-Lagnese, Spain-Frigo.
Apparently Dannon is strictly a United States thing. Danone is originally a French brand, it was changed so Americans could pronounce it easier. They also drastically differ in sugar content.
As we know, Japanese packaging is known to be unique. This appearance is quite different from the Pepsi bottles Americans are used to seeing. Japan Cola sold by Pepsi is found to have a slightly different flavor too.
This soda tastes very similar to Mountain Dew. Although, this has been discontinued in the United States. It was first produced to try to compete with the popularity of Mountain Dew.
In Ontario, these are also called Whippets. The only difference between the two is the Quebec Whippet is made from “real” chocolate. This is similar to the American Mallowmar, just with fruit on the inside. In the UK, they call these Tunnocks chocolate tea cakes.
This brand is known as Dr. Oetker in the United States. Although, I’ve never had a pizza burger before. Make sure to try this on your next trip and let us know!
Historically, it used to be culturally being big was desirable in many places. This meant you were well fed. This contrast used to show the difference between rich and poor. Although, these cultural norms have changed through time.
33. In Bergen, you can tell the locals from the tourists by their umbrellas. The locals almost don’t use umbrellas. Instead, they wear raincoats.
Whether you chose an umbrella or raincoat it’s really a personal preference. Also depending on the environment, a raincoat might just come more in handy as it’s hard to find a good umbrella. It’s known for men to favor raincoats rather than umbrellas, and for women vise versa.
This could come as a big shock to those from more developed countries. We tend to be used to the luxuries of swimming. As for other countries, sometimes swimming isn’t as common. Therefore bathing suits aren’t as available as in other places.
35. “I studied in Kuwait. When I attended my friend’s wedding I was so shocked! She has a medium skin tone, yet, she looked ghost-white. I asked her later and she told me they sprayed her body with a light-colored spray, like spray tans, but the opposite.”
Beauty standards can be drastically different as you travel the world. As we know in Western culture, darker or tan skin is considered to be beautiful. What might be seen as unattractive somewhere else might be a pinnacle of beauty standards for another place.
36. “I lived in China for 4 years. In the supermarket, they sold small live crocodiles, turtles, and frogs. They sold them for food.”
It isn’t uncommon for countries to sell live animals for food. When I traveled to Guatemala, they sold live chickens. Sometimes they even decapitate them in the middle of the street in some cultures. For a lot of places, this is a cultural norm.
37. “I was in Lebanon and I stopped by a cafe. While we were waiting for our order, the waiter brought us some appetizers. Where I come from, they don’t offer things like this for free. You will have to wait for what you ordered.”
In America, sometimes if you’re lucky, you’ll get an array of free appetizers. It is quite common though, for bread to be brought out as an appetizer included with the meal. I mean, you’re way more likely to come back with excellent service, right?
38. “In Vietnam, we ordered duck soup. They brought us soup. With a duck. Like, the entire duck. With a beak.”
In other countries eating the whole animal is something that is normal. Sometimes it could even be considered a delicacy depending on where you’re from. Although, some of us like westerners tend to not like our meat as the actual animal it came from.
39. “We moved as a family last year in September to Charlottesville, Virginia (USA). My family and friends went to McDonald’s to celebrate my husband’s birthday. We got free ice cream for the kids (that we ate), it was on the house, our surprise knew no bounds.”
Mcdonalds is famous for not always having the best service or being the most giving. It’s heartwarming to hear this story of a family having an excellent experience. The staff even sang happy birthday to the husband!
