Bruno Pugh
No two countries share exact sets of customs, which is why there are cases of culture shock when people from different countries experience the cultures of one another. An American traveling to Asia or visiting an Asian home will likely find some things they do weird. In this list, we have written 15 of these unique customs.
Shoes Off at the Door
For Americans, shoes can be worn everywhere—outdoors, indoors, and even in bed. Many Asian cultures practice something entirely different. Shoes carry dirt from outside, and to keep their spaces clean, they leave their shoes outside the door and only wear them again when going out.
No Feet on Furniture
Some parts of Asia consider feet on tables, or anywhere the sole of one’s feet can be seen as disrespectful. They see the feet as the filthiest part of the human body and don’t find it amusing if one places them where they eat, sit, or sleep.
Eating Together as a Family
For people like the Chinese, eating together is the way to go. Families see mealtimes as bonding times and eating together as a sign of unity. While some American families copy this, many find it weird, as each member eats in their own time and in different parts of the house.
Elders Eating First
In some Asian cultures, the eldest family member eats first when families eat together. It’s a way of showing respect to elders. This may not mean much to Americans who rarely eat together and are too excited to dig into a delicious meal to care about who takes the first bite.
Not Calling Elders by Name
Calling older people by their names is an option for many Americans. It isn’t for many Asians who have been trained to refer to them by a title that fits what they are. For example, they would say “Uncle” or “Aunty” or use the native word for it, even if they may not be related to them.
Bathroom Slippers
There are slippers designated for use in the bathroom in many Asian homes. They are to be left at the entrance when coming out so filth from the bathroom floor doesn’t transfer to other parts of the house. Some Americans wear their shoes to every part of the house or just go barefoot.
No Sitting on Pillows
Malaysians agree you shouldn’t sit on your pillow; they have some interesting reasons. One is a superstition that sitting there will make you go into debt. The other is that your back is not so hygienic and shouldn’t share a resting place with your head.
No Whistling Indoors
Whistling is a big deal in Asia. It’s a call for the devil in Turkey and a disturbance of the quiet of the night in Japan. While different cultures may have their own beliefs about whistling, the result is the same—no whistling at home. These superstitions don’t have a hold on many Americans.
Ancestral Altars
Vietnam takes honoring ancestors to another level. So many homes there have altars for ancestors they honor. These altars may contain flowers, oil, and a place to place offerings. There may be chairs and a table around the altar for visitors to sit and share a drink when they visit.
Slurping and Burping
While countless Americans will be quick to express their displeasure at burping or slurping during dining, that’s the way to go for many Asians. Two places promoting this are Japan, where slurping shows your appreciation for foods like noodles, and China, where slurping and burping mean you enjoyed a meal.
No Pouring Your Drinks
Some Asian cultures demand that you don’t pour your drinks. You wait for someone else to do it for you. One may wonder, “What if no one pours for me?” Well, never fear; your host will feel responsible for pouring your drinks until you’ve had enough.
Eating With Bare Hands
In India and some other Asian countries, it’s normal to eat with your hands. This is unlike eating with hands, which Americans do when they hold a burger to bite. It’s eating roasted and stewed meals without cutlery. Bengali people and Indians normally eat their meals this way.
Delay to Open Gifts
If you take a gift to an Asian home and expect them to open it before you leave, you may be disappointed. Many Asian homes would rather wait until you leave before they open the gift. Americans may see instant gift opening as excitement, but some Asians see it as rude.
Eating on the Floor
Some Asians eat on the floor. For many Japanese and Koreans, it’s their preferred way to eat. While this is normal to see in the East of the world, Americans hardly sit on the floor to eat. Most Americans would rather use a table or a bed.
Arranged Marriages
When it comes to marriages, the weirdest many Americans may have witnessed is parents not consenting to a person’s choice of partners. However, in places like Pakistan, marriages are arranged. The families agree to the marriage and carry out the planning, not the couple themselves. This is a declining custom, though.