24 Tourists Share Subtle Surprising Differences Abroad

Buzz Feed

14-05-2025

We asked BuzzFeed readers from around the world to share the subtle but significant things that blew their minds when they traveled to another country for the first time. From food to cultural customs, here are 24 things they shared:
"That bathrooms everywhere but the USA have doors that completely close with no gaps in partitions. So much nicer!"
—Timbit
"That not every culture does lines or queues. When I visited Rome years ago, I noticed people just gathered around places where there would normally be a line. It wasn't aggressive either, they just…took turns."
"How fucking backward and technologically stunted we (the US) are in the name of capitalism. We could have so much cool stuff: high-speed rail (Japan), sidewalks with trampolines to encourage people to go outside (Scandinavia), massive rail networks (Europe), nutritionally dense lunches for students (Europe)…and we choose to fucking send billionaire posers to space. We absolutely suck."
—micahdr
"European here. When my family temporarily moved to the US twenty years ago, we had our first encounter with remote controlled garage doors. The first time we got to open our garage like that, we pretty much reacted like we just opened up heaven's gate."
"I was a foreign exchange student in 1985 in London. I was shocked when a fellow Uni student asked me for a rubber. I didn't know it meant eraser in England."
—JillieVanilli***
"I spent a few months in Europe as a teenager and was struck by how the US is a relatively young country."
"Greece is my favorite destination, but my first trip there I thought I might die on the spot from second hand smoke. It was on another level. And so weird to experience coming from the US where the smoking laws (and popularity) are much different."
—YouDoYou
"On my first trip to the US, I realized in the first shop I needed to magically add on the tax in my head. Why can't you just have the listed price inclusive of it!?"
"Italian wine didn't give me a migraine like American wine does!"
—deborahrattod
"Efficiency and cleanliness. Also, a lack of 'stuff' – unnecessary items that you're told you need to enjoy life."
"Bidets! I wish they were more common in the US. I bought one for each toilet in my house, and a travel one. I can no longer understand how anyone feels clean just using paper."
—randocalrissian"Electronic bidets even in public restrooms in Japan. It's something everyone should experience at least once."—Kitty Pride
"I will start by saying I was shocked by the size of their elevators! Luggage and one person could only fit in, my friend took the stairs. The other part is how behind the US is in comparison to other European countries. These countries take the time to appreciate life outside of the workplace. Family, friends, and life experiences are priorities. I returned very envious of that mentality."
"Walled cities. My first time being in one was in Lucca, Italy. We hadn't planned on going there, but it was so beautiful and interesting."
—charmandstrange
"In Europe, it's so easy to get around. Public transportation is amazing."
"Honestly, as an American woman, feeling SAFE while taking early morning runs. No one EVER bothered me, and I NEVER felt scared. Cannot remember a single run in America I have taken and not felt nervous at some point. Sad, but true. I said what I said."
—Littlefairywanderer
"Smoking in Japan. My hotel had an enclosed room off of the lobby to keep you from smoking on the street corner. The office I was in also had a smoking room in the basement."
"The quality of the food. KFC in Asia is the best chicken I've ever had. I had to stop myself from going there after the third day in a row."
—cgardner0683
"The poor excuse for a toilet I found in Nice, France. You pressed a button for a metal bar to raise to act as the seat. Someone obviously didn't realize that, took a shit on the floor, and I stepped in it. Dog shit on your shoe is one thing. Human shit just hits differently. I'm still disturbed 15 years later."
"That in most other countries, birth control (the Pill) can be bought in a drug store, just like that. Here in Germany, you have to see your gynecologist anytime you need a new pack so she can give you a prescription. Sooo annoying with this knowledge."
—mudda8139"And plan B too..."—Littlefairywanderer
"Went to Turkey and the roads were so small, and so were the cars. Also, the lifestyle there was awesome. People weren't addicted to their phones. They were out sitting on the curbs till 2 a.m."
"How immaculately clean Switzerland was, everywhere. It was amazing."
—Littlefairywanderer
"Paying for ketchup packets at a fast food restaurant in the UK. It was like 5 pence (this was around 1995-1996). I was 11 and still shocked."
"Seeing bison 😃. Those fluffy cows in Yellowstone were awesome! I kept a safe distance, but I have never wanted to pet dangerous wildlife more. 😄"
—notsurewhyibother
And finally, "All the walking. My American legs were so tired from a day of walking. It made me realize that I've never lived in a walkable city, and that says a lot about the US."
Now it's your turn! Have you traveled to another country? Was there something small but significant that shocked you or changed your perspective on your home country? Tell us about it in the comments below!