Travel
Discover facts about travel. Small discoveries that change the way you see familiar things.
Travel
Opening gifts instantly in India is very rude
Restrain your childlike excitement immediately. Ripping into a freshly handed gift in front of the giver in India signals that you care far more about the…
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In Ghana, your left hand isn't for eating
Left-handers are going to struggle immensely. In Ghana, the left hand is reserved exclusively for toilet duties, so eating, passing items, or even gesturing…
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Why some Canadians buy milk in bags
Because rigid cartons are apparently too mainstream for the Great White North. Millions of Canadians buy their milk in wobbly plastic pouches that must be…
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In Colombia, cheese goes into hot chocolate
Forget delicate marshmallows, it is time for melting dairy fat. In Colombia, dropping hunks of savory cheese into sweet, steaming hot chocolate is a wildly…
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Why American drinks come with so much ice
Paying for liquid but receiving mostly frozen water is the ultimate American dream. US restaurants obsessively fill glasses to the brim with ice cubes,…
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Why Thai nicknames include Golf and Shrimp
Being called 'Fatty' or 'Pig' by your loved ones is completely standard. Thai people receive wild nicknames at birth to confuse malicious spirits, leading to…
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The Indian head gesture that means more than yes
It is neither a nod nor a shake, but a secret third thing. The famous Indian head bobble is a rhythmic side-to-side motion that can mean yes, I understand, or…
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Why an empty plate can insult your host in China
Polishing off your meal is a phenomenal way to insult the cook. In China, completely clearing your plate signals that the host was incredibly stingy and…
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Why pointing your feet can offend in Thailand
Your soles are dirty, both literally and spiritually. Showing the bottom of your feet to another person or a religious icon in Thailand is the lowest form of…
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In South Korea, men get Valentine's Day off
Men get an absolute free pass on the fourteenth of February. In South Korea, women are solely responsible for buying chocolates on Valentine's Day, while the…
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Why giving a clock can be taboo in China
Nothing says 'happy birthday' quite like a reminder of impending doom. The Chinese phrase for giving a clock sounds identical to the phrase for attending a…
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Why some Chinese hosts expect you to refuse a gift
Accepting a present on the first try just makes you look horribly greedy. You must aggressively decline a gift at least three times before finally relenting…
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Why Chicagoans reject ketchup on hot dogs
Do not even think about bringing that sugary red paste near a classic frankfurter. Chicagoans view ketchup on a hot dog as a culinary crime punishable by…
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Costa Ricans use Pura Vida to answer everything
Need to say hello, goodbye, or acknowledge a minor tragedy? 'Pura Vida' is the linguistic duct tape of Costa Rica. Translating to 'pure life', it is an…
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In Cambodia, tarantulas are a crunchy snack
Arachnophobia is just a missed culinary opportunity. In Cambodia, massive hairy spiders are tossed in garlic and salt, then deep-fried until crispy, offering…
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Why moving a mate straw can offend your host
Touch the metal straw and prepare to be fiercely judged. When sharing the traditional herbal infusion of mate, moving the 'bombilla' is a massive insult to…
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Why a South African braai isn't just a barbecue
Do not ever dare to call it a barbecue. A braai is a sacred, hours-long social ritual heavily focused on massive quantities of grilled meats, wood fires, and…
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Why Zambia's giant mushrooms grow on termite mounds
The best fungi apparently require insect architects. These colossal mushrooms exclusively grow on the sides of abandoned termite mounds in Zambia, offering a…
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Why soy sauce on rice can be an insult in Japan
Drowning perfectly steamed grains in salty liquid is a culinary tragedy. Japanese chefs take immense pride in the subtle flavor and sticky texture of their…
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Why crossing your fingers can offend in Vietnam
Forget wishing for good luck; doing this in Vietnam just means you're aggressively flipping someone the bird. Crossing your fingers actively represents female…
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Why spitting can be a blessing among the Maasai
Forget a polite handshake, prepare for airborne saliva. In Maasai culture, spitting is a sign of immense respect and blessing, meaning friends will casually…
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Why some Southerners put peanuts in Coca-Cola
Why chew your snacks when you can aggressively drown them in corn syrup? This bizarre working-class tradition from the American South combines the salty…
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American portions can equal three meals elsewhere
If the plate isn't bowing under the weight of the food, you aren't eating in the States. Standard American meal sizes often equal three normal human meals…
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Why Nigerians call and hang up
Why pay for a conversation when a single ring will do? 'Flashing' involves calling someone and hanging up instantly before they answer, silently signaling…
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