We’ve been to more than 50 countries and we’ve collected a ton of surprising, funny, and just downright weird cultural moments/culture shocks. So grab your notebook, get comfy, and let’s have an intermediate english conversation all about the biggest culture shocks we’ve had across the globe—and how they help you learn English and understand the world better.
Table of Contents
- Introduction: Adventures in Culture Shock
- Mexico: Language Confusion and Street Surprises
- India: Senses in Overdrive and Unexpected Fame
- Thailand & Taiwan: Bugs for Dinner and Stinky Tofu
- Europe: Slow Systems and Night Owls
- Turkey: Calls to Prayer and Cats Galore
- Peru: Wild Dogs and Water Bottles
- Brazil: Beach Life and the CPF
- Malawi: Dancing Traditions
- Bonus: Bathrooms, Bidets, and Beyond
- Learning English Through World Travel
- Share Your Culture Shock!
Introduction: Adventures in Culture Shock
Have you ever been in a place where everything feels totally different and surprising? When you travel, you encounter customs, foods, conversations, and even street scenes that just don’t match your normal life. As English learners, exploring these moments not only gives you new stories, but helps you understand and use English better—especially when talking about culture, travel, funny situations, and feelings.
“We’ve come across things that are sometimes very weird, awkward, funny.” — Camille
We’re so excited because today’s post is packed with real stories from our crazy travels. We’ll also show you some cool ways to talk about culture shock in English. And don’t forget: if you want to level up your English, check out our books, audio, and more or find us on Amazon!
Mexico: Language Confusion and Street Surprises
Honeymoon in Mexico
Our journey in Mexico was wild from the start—it was our honeymoon and it turned into a year-long adventure. Mexico has a vibrant culture, delicious food, and surprising ways of life. We learned Spanish, enjoyed incredible drinks, and even had a few funny misunderstandings.
When “Agua” Doesn’t Mean Water
One of our first culture shocks was with the word agua (water). In Spanish, “agua” means water… right? Well, kind of.
In Mexico, when someone asks if you want “agua”, it could be:
- Soda (like Coca Cola)
- Lemonade
- “Agua de Jamaica” (a yummy hibiscus tea)
- Juice made from every fruit you can imagine
At first, we thought we were just being offered water everywhere. Instead, we got sugary drinks, sodas, and fruity teas. Turns out, if you want plain water, ask for “agua natural”!
“We got used to saying, ‘yes, but natural water’ in Spanish.”
Street Scenes: Anything Goes
Mexico is full of surprises. Once, I saw a woman jogging down the street—while holding her boobs, because she didn’t have a sports bra! Nobody cared, it was just life. We realized, in Mexico, anything goes and people just do their thing. It made us laugh and taught us not to judge too quickly.
Bienvenidos (Welcome) Blunder
Calvin has a classic Mexico story. At a toll booth, the person working said, “Bienvenidos” (Welcome). Calvin, tired from a long road trip, replied, “Me and Venitos” right back (trying to say welcome!). The guy looked confused, and our whole group cracked up. Calvin had just welcomed the toll booth worker to his own booth—a total language slip!
“It was so funny to us. So, yeah, that was my language and sort of like a mind blunder.”
Tips for English Learners
If you make a mistake in another language—or in English—it’s okay! Laugh about it, learn, and move on.
India: Senses in Overdrive and Unexpected Fame
India: Sensory Overload
India is incredible—but wow, it’s an assault on ALL your senses. Calvin and I spent three months in northern India when we were young, and it was overwhelming in every way:
- Sight: Beautiful and chaotic streets, cows everywhere!
- Smell: Spices and flowers, city trash, animals
- Touch: Crowds, people, animals
I remember getting bumped on the street and turning around—it was a cow! Yes, cows just walk everywhere, even into cafes.
“Somebody bumped into me, and I turned around, and it was a cow.”
Culture Shock at the Border
We took a 12-hour night bus from Delhi to Himachal Pradesh. Suddenly, in the dark, men with turbans and flashlights boarded the bus. We panicked—were we in trouble? It was just a border crossing, but being far from home, simple things feel scarier.
Turbans and Misconceptions
In America, turbans aren’t common, and after 9/11 there were a lot of misunderstandings about different cultures. Traveling lets you learn and break stereotypes!
Blonde Hair Celebrity
A huge surprise: in India, I (Camille) felt like a celebrity. People wanted photos with me everywhere—at temples, in the streets, with groups of children. It wasn’t because I’m famous; it was mostly my blonde hair and being different.
“I was in so many people’s photos, like the whole trip.”
Calvin wasn’t left out, though. He started joining in the photos after realizing some guys tried to pretend I was their girlfriend. Travel tip: be careful with photo requests—sometimes it’s just for fun, sometimes it’s bragging!
Thailand & Taiwan: Bugs for Dinner and Stinky Tofu
Thailand: Bugs on a Stick
After our time in India, Thailand seemed easier to handle—except for the night market, filled with cooked bugs for sale:
- Crickets
- Grasshoppers
- Silkworms
Would you eat bugs? We couldn’t do it. Maybe now, we’d be braver (but probably not).
“Would you try a bug? I don’t think I could do it.”
Taiwan: Stinky Tofu and Spiritual Traditions
Taiwan had its own surprises:
- Stinky Tofu: Fermented tofu with a smell you can’t miss. You can smell it from a mile away!
- Spiritual Offerings: Families burn fake money (often called “hell money”) as an offering to their ancestors. They also prepare fruit and treats. It’s part of honoring people who have passed away, and it’s something we’d never seen before.
“You can’t even have a stinky tofu stand next to a residential area because it’s just so stinky.”
Learning about these customs helps you understand words like “fermented”, “offering”, and “ancestor”—great for your English vocabulary!
Europe: Slow Systems and Night Owls
We’ve spent a lot of time in Europe—living in Spain, traveling Portugal, visiting countries all over. Europe feels familiar to Americans in some ways, but also so different!
Bureaucracy and Waiting
One of our biggest culture shocks: slow systems. In America, things are fast (or at least faster than in Portugal or Spain)!
- Bank lines take forever
- Simple paperwork is complicated
- Grocery lines move like molasses
“Just trying to do one thing takes us a lot longer to do it. It’s a shock because we’re used to being able to do things fast.”
Walking Everywhere
We walk way more in Europe than at home. Cities are built for walking, and everyone’s out on foot—which is great for your health, and a big shift for us.
Night Culture
In Spain, kids are out at midnight, families eat dinner at 10 p.m., and parties start super late! Even in Mexico and Brazil, the night culture means the fun starts at 9 p.m.—a shock if you’re used to early bedtimes.
“I am a person that likes to go to sleep by 10 and wake up at 6 in the morning.”
Unique Sights
- In Finland, saunas are common, sometimes even naked!
- In Eastern Europe, you see mosques, Turkish tea traditions, and more.
Europe is an awesome mix of languages, customs, and surprises.
Turkey: Calls to Prayer and Cats Galore
We spent three months in Turkey, and wow, there’s a lot that stands out:
Call to Prayer
The “azan” (call to prayer) is broadcast from loudspeakers five times a day. During Ramadan, the early morning call is super loud and close. Our son would run to us, scared—it was so new!
“He was so afraid. And so that was a cultural thing that was like, ‘Whoa. OK. A little shocking.’”
You do get used to it, but the first week is intense.
Hospitality: Invited to Strangers’ Homes
In Turkey, people welcomed us into their homes more than anywhere else. Thanks to Instagram, many fans invited us for meals and conversations. Turkish food is amazing—and you always eat so much, people wonder why you’re eating so little when you’re actually stuffed!
Animals in the Streets
Another surprise: cats everywhere! Dogs are out too, but in Turkey the cats really rule the streets. In America, animals are always on leashes or behind fences. In Turkey, they roam free.
Peru: Wild Dogs and Water Bottles
Peru became one of our favorite countries, and also gave us some truly weird and fun culture shocks.
Dogs Everywhere
In Peru, dogs roam everywhere—chasing people, lounging in the streets. In the U.S., dogs have to be on leashes. In Peru, if your dog is out alone, it’s just normal. It took a while to get used to (and avoid being chased!).
Mysterious Water Bottles
We noticed filled water bottles everywhere: on rooftops, by doors, in the street. Why? The answers from Peruvians were so mixed:
- To shower with
- To ward off evil spirits
- To stop dogs from peeing by the door
We even did a TikTok video to solve the mystery. If you know the real reason, let us know in the comments!
“If you’re Peruvian and you know the real reason, let us know.”
Other Peruvian Surprises
- Long lines at banks—outside, rain or shine
- Cold but windows down: People drive with car windows down even when it’s cold
- Spanish Language Videos: Peru was the start of our bilingual content!
Brazil: Beach Life and the CPF
Brazil is famous for fun, laughter, and music, but it’s also home to some real “wow!” moments.
Thong Kingdom
On Brazilian beaches, most women wear thong bikinis. For an American, it’s shocking! In Spain, there are topless women on the beach. But in Brazil, thongs aren’t the minority—they’re the majority.
“It was just a shocking going to Brazil because it wasn’t like a minority. It was like a—yeah, it was like the majority of them were wearing it.”
The CPF Situation
In Brazil, you need a CPF number (national ID) for almost everything—buying stuff, cell phones, even paying bills as a foreigner. At first, we didn’t have one, so our friend helped us out.
Late-Night Party Life
Just like Spain and Mexico, Brazilian parties start late. Celebrating Christmas at 9 p.m. was a new experience with a two-year-old!
Malawi: Dancing Traditions
I (Calvin) was lucky enough to visit Malawi. The culture is totally different from anything we’d seen before—especially the tribal dances.
- Unique costumes
- Strong dance movements
- Ancient belief systems
It’s both shocking and beautiful to see these traditions up close. It reminds us how big and amazing our world is!
Bonus: Bathrooms, Bidets, and Beyond
If you’re an American, this might be the biggest shock of all: the world doesn’t always have “regular” toilets!
Squatty Potties
In many countries, instead of a sit-down toilet, you’ll find a squatty potty—literally just a hole in the ground with a place for your feet. You squat and do your business!
“Shocker for Americans. We don’t have them in our houses. Like zero. Like maybe.001% would.”
Bidets
Bidets are also common in Europe and Asia. Americans almost never use them! In English, a bidet is a special shower for cleaning yourself after using the toilet.
Learning English Through World Travel
Traveling isn’t just about seeing cool stuff. It’s also about learning new ways to say things, understanding people, and expanding your vocabulary. Here are some English words and phrases you’ll use when talking about culture shock:
- Culture shock — the feeling when everything is new and different
- Awkward moment — when something feels strange or embarrassing
- Funny — when something makes you laugh
- Surprising/shocking — when you never expected it
- Custom — a tradition or common action in a country
- Etiquette — the “correct” way to act
- Misunderstanding/blunder — a mistake in language or behavior
- Hospitality — welcoming strangers into your home
And here are some sample sentences you can use:
I experienced culture shock when I saw dogs running free in the street.In Brazil, I was surprised to see so many women wearing thong bikinis.The night culture in Spain shocked me because people stay out so late.Burning fake money for ancestors was a custom I had never seen before.Share Your Culture Shock!
We know some of you have wild stories too. Tell us:
- Where did you travel?
- What shocked you or made you laugh?
- Did you make any language blunders?
Leave your story in the comments on the YouTube video! You’ll help other English learners feel confident and learn new words!
Wrap Up: Your English Adventure Continues
Whether it’s holding your own at a night market, laughing at a language mistake, eating new foods, or just seeing things you never imagined, travel is one of the best ways to open your mind and improve your English.
“It’s always a learning experience when we travel.”
If you want more stories and ways to learn, make sure to subscribe to our channel, like the video, and share our content with a friend. You’re amazing. Have a blessed day!
Leave a comment, share your favorite moments, and stay tuned for more adventures!
– Camille & Calvin
SUBS: English
All content © LEARN ENGLISH WITH CAMILLE
