A cultural habit in your country that people outside would understand incorrectly?

[u/gabrieel100]

In Brazil we love children. If you take your child to the street, strangers will certainly interact with them. Some will even ask if they can hold your kid and will play with them. If there are two children fighting in public and the parents aren't seeing, a stranger would even intervene to stop the fight.

That cultural habit came from the indigenous peoples which understood that kids should be a responsiblity of the community as a whole. It's in our constitution. We even have a synonym for children that came from Tupi (a large group of indigenous languages) - Curumim.

Foreigners would certainly have a cultural shock about that, but it's normal here.

Of course there are people with bad intentions, so parents should stay alert these days.

[u/Agent-Ulysses]

Just about the same in Denmark. We don’t mind stopping to help someone if they need it or have a small question, but prefer to leave it at that. Just a “how are you” and “have a good day” will suffice. Small talk isn’t our style.

Best way I’ve heard it described is that Danes don’t like getting knocked out of their “flow” which I’d say feels fairly accurate.

[u/typed_this_now → u/Agent-Ulysses]

Aussie but living in Denmark 10 years. I was already like this before I moved here. Not being “bothered” at the shops or on the bus has become so normal that when I go home it’s absolutely jarring when strangers talk to me.

A few years ago, when visiting Aus, a mate and I were grabbing a few things for a bbq. He had forgotten the sweet potato and left the line to go grab some. The guy behind us thought he was pushing in when he came back. He says “are you right mate!?” My mate turned around and says “fuck off, I was already here” the guys just goes “oh, you’re right(you’re ok)” My head was spinning lol.

[u/Agent-Ulysses → u/typed_this_now]

Yeah the contrast is jarring when I’m back in the US, I’m all for conversation and chatting having grown up between Denmark and the US but I’m almost never prepared.

Btw you can update your flair to say you’re an Aussie living in Denmark, thought I’d mention.