Let's Learn About: Other Countries!

Ever look at some piece of culture or system of doing things in your country and go "I wonder if other countries do that?" or look at something in another country and just go "wut. I don't even... wut". Let's talk about that stuff here!

Recently I learned that the "jelly" in "peanut butter and jelly sandwich" actually referred to jam. I'm still very confused about the appeal. I mean jam and peanut butter? Who came up with that!?

I also saw an American car commercial for a Nissan SUV. In it the actors were all "oh no we're going to be late" but the driver just went "oh yeah?" and proceeds on an elaborate and illegal zigzag through the city streets, pretty standard stuff for a car commercial, right? There was that little disclaimer at the bottom: Performed on a closed course with a professional driver, do not attempt. I've seen those, those are normal. Then the car ramps up the roofing of a subway entrance and lands on a train. The disclaimer changes to: "Disclaimer: Cars can't jump on trains". That's exactly what it said and I thought "is that really necessary?" What kind of audience do you have if that disclaimer is needed?
Found it!




On Australian beaches there are designated areas of the sea marked with two flags (P~~~~~P). You're supposed to "swim between the flags" because that's the area under direct surveillance by the life guards and less sharks (probably). Do other countries do the flag thing? Is that just us?

Oh and before you say "Peanut butter and jelly is amazing what I don't get is Vegemite" here you go:

HOW TO EAT VEGEMITE: A GUIDE
1. Make some toast.
2. Butter your toast.
3. Spread Vegemite on toast sparingly.
4. Eat toast.


PS: You guys should make more threads in off topic. I feel bad about flooding the front page with my gloriousness.

Jelly is actually distinct from jam.

Jelly = a gel like fruit compote that has no seeds, skin. Basically, it's just juice, gelatin, and sweetener.
Jam = more traditional jam, which often includes the full macerated berries or fruit.

And peanut butter and jelly, like many things, is something you grow up with or you don't. I'm sure it's possible to "get it" as an adult, but... it's not an uncommon mix. Salty + sweet is an age old popular combination.

Throw the dictionary around all you like that still sounds like jam to me .

On most observed beaches in germany I've seen buoys that mark the area that is within vision range of the life guards. Even beyond those buoys you won't find any sharks though.
lol the video, the subtitle really reacts to any scene it shows. Kinda satirical to me.

EDIT:
Also copy pasting words from dict leo is such a pain, the post editor never shows that the word actually was a link and this stupid copy paste mechanism just HAS to copy even that.

"Still professional driver on closed course". Gotta love that.

Actually, that brings up a good question. Why do Americans pronounce it "boo-ee" when the word is derived from "buoyancy"? How many situations are there gonna be where people need a distinction between buoy and boy? When the captain says "Start dumping the buoys to mark the area" I doubt the crew will start chucking the kids off the side.

I want you to honestly tell me which one is more fun to say, then ask the question again.

What's the point in wearing shoes inside?
We don't do that here so I'm curious.

I don't do either but my grandparents do. No idea why. Not normal behavior (anymore?) in germany at least I think.

Well many people are taught it's rude as kids, but rarely do those sort of lessons ever actually apply anymore. Many people wear shoes inside so they can instantly just go out, especially if they're just visiting for a couple minutes.

Basically, everyone's lazy. <3

The Simpsons always did it and I never understood why.

You could easily just say that's lazy animation, though I suppose it's reminiscent of America, and Britain as far as I know, now.

It's a bit weird, I know as a kid people would expect me to take off my shoes when visiting (And I did it, of course), yet many adults never did. In fact, it almost seems odd now to see people take off their shoes, people look much more unprofessional. I think taking your shoes off in someones house has become something you only do casually, when you're friends with someone... Because taking of one's shoes when going to someone's house, walking around in your socks, it just seems informal. Think of it like- you don't take your shoes off when going into the work place, no?

I think it's customary in Japan. But other than that I guess you're right.

Ooh here's a good one: Do you people talk to others on public transport? Because here everyone just stares out the window/the floor/their phone and does everything possible to avoid eye contact with strangers.

What about cab drivers? Do you chat with them?

Is passing people you know whilst out and simply nodding and saying "alright?" as you continue past each other at the same speed normal outside of Britain?

Where I am from we try to avoid public transport like the plague unless you really have to. Public transport here is incredibly dangerous.

When I went to the States in 2012(worked for 9 months) all I wanted was a chicken pie. And America does not do pies like that really, just their fruit pies I believe you call it chicken pot pies there. It was a sad day in my life when I wanted one so badly and could not get it.

Don't get outside enough nor do I know enough people to tell you exactly but when passing people in a corridor or something a "hey" and a simple wave or nod tends to happen.

Come to Australia. We do pies. It's mainly beef but it's still pie. If it's meat I'm sure there's a pie for it here.

I am actually planning on immigrating in the next few years, Oz is one of the few places I would like to go to,that, NZ, or Canada. States too even, it's beautiful all over NA.:O

Screw those places. Come to us. Just stay to the southeast so the weather doesn't burn you to death (most of the time). And stick the the city so that the bushfires don't ruin your day. Because half the country tends to flood while the rest spontaneously combusts.

Ha, problem is it is just visa issues, us South Africans have tons of issues getting visas overseas. But it may be easier for me as I study at the SA campus of Monash so that is a win^^

That would probably help. There's a campus in Melbourne. Or near Melbourne.