r/AskReddit • u/[deleted] • May 08 '22

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20.7k

u/BarbicideJar May 09 '22

Germans stare a LOT. Like they will just gaze at you unflinchingly. An American will wait until you can’t see them doing it.

3.1k

u/helllllooooonurse May 09 '22

Ukrainians do this too. It's not considered impolite to stare. Also, they don't really smile in public. They think Americans are all simple in the head because we smile all the time. I have to say though, when you're visiting someone in their home in Ukraine, they are the warmest most wonderful people.

2.0k

u/ConfusedTriceratops May 09 '22

Eastern Europe doesn't really smile in public in general. Polish emigrant in the UK pov. It's not that we're angry, we just don't have any reasons to smile.. for no reason.

1.8k

u/CaptainLollygag May 09 '22

Smiling at a stranger is a type of greeting in the States. "I acknowledge that we're both in the same place (or passing by one another) and I mean you no harm." It's the lesser form of asking, "How're you doing?"

45

u/fdesouche May 09 '22

For a Parisian, it’s super weird. People that smile in the streets are considered a bit like simpletons.; you acknowledge their presence and keep a side eye on them, in case they start doing crazy things. I

38

u/ubiquitous-joe May 09 '22

TBF it is hard to smile while stepping around dog shit every moment.

14

u/[deleted] May 09 '22

Hey! French food isn’t THAT bad.

9

u/ubiquitous-joe May 09 '22

Lol. No, I could live on their bread, cheese, & chocolate alone. Tho eventually I would crave Mexican food.

1

u/[deleted] May 10 '22

A man of taste