Weird or Humorous Foreign Customs

[nemafakei]

Being British is about driving in a German car to an Irish pub for a Belgian beer, and then travelling home, grabbing an Indian curry or a Turkish kebab on the way, to sit on Swedish furniture and watch American shows on a Japanese TV. And the most British thing of all? Suspicion of anything foreign.

(Bonus points to anyone who can find out for me who first said this.)

[Dunenewt]

Some Swiss guy.

[Timenn]

Sorry for you, but the EU won't fall apart because of some poor flag making and foreigners fearing people.

As for communists taking it over, I would say it gets less likely every day. Any idea what fascism is? I would say the EU makes that even less likely to rise.

Face it, the UK is a member, and is more than happy with that.

[Dunenewt]

Oh, that flag stuff was a joke.  I just typed Anti Eu into google.

But no we're better off out thank you!  We get less out of it than we put in!

[Timenn]

He he, most criticism against the UK in the EU is that they complain alot, but are among those with the most privileges...

[chatfsh]

As a result of these discussions, I would like to announce...that I have been reformed.  I will no longer request ice in my drinks if the drinks have been kept properly refrigerated.  Although trying to get an iceless drink in an American restaurant would be a major challenge in itself.  (Okay, perhaps I

[Andrew]

I stopped buying concessions at the movie theatres once the largest Canadian theatre operation put a local person out of business (and ticket prices doubled).

But moreso because they charge way too much money for concessions. I sneak in pop and chocolate bars. Charging $4 for watered down pop is rediculous and $4 for bottled water is stupid.

But yes in Canada we eat popcorn at movie theatre.

People I hang around with usually go to the movies during the week when it is cheaper and less crowded. Weekends is usually for young teens who have lots of $ to spend and have school early in the weekday mornings.

The last movie I saw in theatre was Cars, and me and my 6 or so friends were the only people in the theatre watching it. Went on a weekday, was cheap, was fun. Second time this has happened that we wait a week or two, go to movies and no one else is there.

Going on opening weekend is stupid.

[Khan]

Yeah we eat popcorn in the uk... it has to be one of the most annoying habits in the world. Why the noisiest food in cinemas?

[Cyborg]

BTW...is eating a tub of popcorn at the movie theater a uniquely American custom?  Or does this practice take place in movie theaters all around the world?

I always buy a giant box of popcorn, and we only get .8 litres of soda with it. That's way too little.

[chatfsh]

I agree that the ticket and concession prices are getting ridiculous.  Even going in the afternoon prior to 6pm the tickets are $8.00 ($10 - $12 after 6pm), medium popcorn $5.00, medium soda $4.00.

Unfortunately, movie going is one of my favorite things so I

[Cyborg]

A cinema ticket in Norway costs $14-16. Big popcorn costs $12 (.8 litres of soda included).

Who were complaining? :P

[chatfsh]

Man, that bites.  I just re-checked our ticket prices and it's only $6.50 in afternoon and $8.75 in the evening.  Don't know what I was thinking.  Honestly, I usually don't even check I just hand the cashier my card.

Oh, and Andrew was the one who first said something about the prices being high.

[Cyborg]

Honestly, I usually don't even check I just hand the cashier my card.

The dream customer... ;D

[chatfsh]

Ha, ha.  Well, to clarify...I think I'd notice if I were charged $100 for a ticket.  But usually I just state the name of the movie I wish to see and hand over my card to be charged.

Is it true that the U.S. is one of the last developed countries to still use cash pretty often?  Personally, I rarely use cash.  But I still see a lot of people around here using it as opposed to credit or debit cards.

[Andrew]

Worst is credit card. They swipe it you sign it, don't even look at the amount :P

Yah, movie ticket prices are more expensive out of province.

$7.70 for closest theatre for me on weekdays. $9.15 weekends

$7.70 in big out of province city weekdays (surprised). $10.65 weekends.

Still. The price of movie tickets have increased faster than the rate of inflation (said so in one of my business books).

[Cyborg]

Ha, ha.  Well, to clarify...I think I'd notice if I were charged $100 for a ticket.  But usually I just state the name of the movie I wish to see and hand over my card to be charged.

Is it true that the U.S. is one of the last developed countries to still use cash pretty often?  Personally, I rarely use cash.  But I still see a lot of people around here using it as opposed to credit or debit cards.

Yeah, that might be. I only use cash when paying less than $2, and I only carry $15 on me at any time.

[Edric O]

Is it true that the U.S. is one of the last developed countries to still use cash pretty often?  Personally, I rarely use cash.  But I still see a lot of people around here using it as opposed to credit or debit cards.

It depends on what you mean by "developed". Credit and debit cards have existed in Romania for many years but they just don't seem to catch on. Hardly anyone uses them. I, for one, greatly prefer cash, even when I'm abroad. There are three reasons for this. First, it's easier to figure out exactly how much I spend. Second, it's a question of not having all your eggs in the same basket. When I carry a debit card around I feel like I'm carrying a hugely valuable item that I need to be very careful with. And third, cash doesn't leave a paper trail linking your name with the stuff you buy. Yes, I'm paranoid like that. :P

Oh, and I never, ever use credit cards. Debit cards only, thank you very much. I only spend money that I already have.

[Khan]

I usually use cash. I only used my debit card when I really have to.

[alchemi2]

Most English people I know, don't think of themselves as European.

oh and the Swiss guy hit the nail on the head with that discription.

I always take my own sweets and drink to the cinema (and for the kids too) far too expensive.

I too hardly ever use my credit card or even debit card in store etc, prefering to pay cash.

[Dunenewt]

When I searched Google for that quote it just came up as from "some Swiss guy".

[chatfsh]

And third, cash doesn't leave a paper trail linking your name with the stuff you buy. Yes, I'm paranoid like that. :P

Is there any particular reason why someone/agency might want to track your spending activity? ;)

Oh, and I never, ever use credit cards. Debit cards only, thank you very much. I only spend money that I already have.

Hmph...you'd make a terrible American.  8)

Seriously, such fiscal prudence, what a stellar example you are for the rest of us!

[Cyborg]

You need credit cards when buying things abroad. I have a debit card with a Visa part activating when needed. Works like a charm.

[Edric O]

Is there any particular reason why someone/agency might want to track your spending activity? ;)

Well yes: my family. :) Not that they actually could, but still...

Hmph...you'd make a terrible American. 8)

I thought being a communist already means I'm engaged in Unamerican Activities. ;D

You need credit cards when buying things abroad.

Um, no... or at least I haven't noticed any such requirement.

[Cyborg]

Um, no... or at least I haven't noticed any such requirement.

Well, the old school people use cash...

[Cyborg]

How? thousands go through Publix, where we don't track the serial numbers. I highly doubt any retail outlets keep track either.

You can't be that sure. Besides, what is negative with being tracked? If your money are tracked when you lose them, there's a high chance of getting them back. That's why you get your money back when scammers get hold of your Visa...