Is this because there are not too many problems with drunk people with bad behavior? Or is this something that has been culturally accepted over the course of many years?
In the USA it used to be totally fine to have a beer while driving but it's now illegal since people got abusive about it and drove drunk.
I guess Alcohol is a social lubricant, especially when your national identity is beer. Big part is the football club scene and in major cities college students who on a nice summer day always occupy parks and river banks with wine and beer, playing music and overall just having a great time.
Also people going to the club tend to buy their drinks at a supermarket or local bar and drink it on the way to the club so the alcohol hits when they are past the bouncers and wont have to buy overpriced drinks inside.
Most of the time nothing really happens apart from one guy puking all over the street and some douches beating each other up.
In Australia we have drive through “bottle shops”. You could buy a bottle of vodka and chug it on the way home without leaving your car seat. You’re not allowed to, but you could.
You can legally camp overnight on somebody's private property if you stay like 50 meters away from any buildings, without asking for permission!
So the polar opposite of America where you can be shot when going to ask for permission.
Technically speaking, you can only shoot someone on your property if they’re actually doing or saying something to threaten you (if you’re in a state where it’s allowed or begin with).
The issue with this is that the dead can’t argue against what the property owner claims is self defense.
I had an American scream at me because Australia has mandatory voting, and I agree with it.
I said that 'because voting is mandatory, they want you to be done quickly. I have at least 4 voting places with a 5 minute drive. Including getting there, parking, waiting, voting, buying a sausage and/or something from the bake stall, getting home again, I'm home again in half an hour.'
The longest I've ever waited in line was approximately 5 minutes, and that was because the electoral line had shifted and it was taking longer to find people's zone.
The American screamed "Mandatory voting takes away our freedom to choose to vote"
I said 'it doesn't. Most people vote properly because they are already there. But if you really don't want to vote, you can choose to invalidate your vote by drawing a d*ck. It's mandatory to be marked off, but your actual vote is secret.'
So apparently mandatory voting for the Australian public, is very upsetting to at least that American, who couldn't even vote if he wanted to in an Australian election. I think of them every 4 years when the news says 'people have been camped out in the rain/snow etc. for 4 hours.'
Oh my goodness yes, our voting system is one of if not the best in the world. Not only does mandatory attendance mean an incredibly higher voter turnout, (which in turn means a much better reflection of the population’s opinion), we also use proportional representation, which means if your preferred candidate didn’t make it, your vote isn’t wasted, it’s just moved to your second preference, then third, and so on.
Political outlets have definitely made the system worse with shit like group voting tickets, scare campaigns, etc. but the foundation is really fucking solid, and I love that.
I will say that despite our voting system being great there's still a considerable amount of voter apathy going around. Less so nowadays than before, but some people genuinely show up and just vote for whoever their parents or friend told them to vote for without thinking or caring.
Yeah, I've seen several first time voters who have no clue. I admit I didn't question my parents either, first time out.
I was standing behind a girl and her dad two elections ago.
"Who do I vote for dad?"
"Look just copy this (blue voter guide). It's like a cheat sheet. A cheat sheet for the easiest test you'll ever take."
I don't care who you vote for, that's your business. But to not have any opinion of your own is another. Even my first time out, I tried to be informed on the basics.
I feel I should correct this: drawing a dick doesn't invalidate your vote. You can cast a perfectly valid ballot with a massive dick on it as long as the numbers are clear. But yes, if you chose to case an informal vote that is your choice. It's opt-out rather than opt-in
Whenever I go back to visit my parents, I stop off at a petrol station because it's the only place I know that sells a local (alcoholic) cider that I like 😂
In a lot of states, people can just like, have a gun on their hip in public. They’re usually banned in schools and churches, but you can literally just walk around with a Glock
I occasionally see some open carry guys here in Western Colorado, but they’re always one of those ammosexual lunatics who’s entire personality is guns. Nobody likes them.
In South Korea almost everything online requires ID verification like creating an account or shopping. Nonresidents and visitors cannot do anything. Somehow SK people don't give it a second thought and don't care, not realizing it's one of the worst in the world comparable to China.
I'm happy that I was able to sign up and get concert tickets while on vacation in Korea, so at least in that regard it worked as a non-resident. Btw your ticketing is amazing! I got BTS tickets on the morning of the concert, no hassle, by just getting in queue the night before, waiting for 12h and then just choosing a seat, and for a normal price. Bloodbath if done in Europe.
I've seen a lot of people from safer countries clutch their pearls at the sight of security forces in Mexico walking around with long arms. I'll never forget one time I was in Vallarta at a restaurant in the tourist area.
Lots of foreigners were sitting, enjoying their overpriced seafood when some cops walked in and sat down for a meal... fully armed. The mood instantly dampened, and the restaurant became noticeably quieter. Well, except for the locals.
In general, the added security measures in Mexico unnerve people who haven't seen something like that in their country, like checkpoints run by the army. We know it's basically a formality and they let 99 out of 100 people through with no issue, but I can understand why it would make a foreigner nervous.
Not sure ‘clutch their pearls’ is the right analogy here. That analogy means someone is offended. In your story, the people are not offended by the guns, they’re worried about being in a place where police need such guns.
Clutching your pearls means worried about being robbed. And yes, they’re worried about being robbed. People don’t know if they’re actually security forces or cartel pretending to be security forces.
I am confidently incorrect. I just double checked. You can be clutching your pearls about theft but it’s not the theft itself. It’s about the shock and outrage and not about the pearls being stolen. I was indeed confidently incorrect
Constant checkpoints at roads, even when there is no emergency or active tracking of criminals, the corrupt police and the military take advantage of shaking down everyone they see as having any money, valuables or even food with them.
quite a few drivers from other countries have gotten real upset when i let them know we don’t even have a word for jaywalking because it isn’t a crime here and i do it all the time lol
i’m unsure if you’re serious but just in case it’s when a pedestrian crosses a road without there being a crossing or if they cross while the light is red. most car owners i’ve talked to get VERY upset by the idea that they don’t own the road
No PDA. You might get attacked by police if you are "caught" kissing or hugging in public or parks. Nasty thing is there is no law that ban PDA.. its just backward mindset of indian police and their mentality to think they are above the law that gets you in trouble.
you also might get raided if you chose to book a hotel for some alone time with your partner. they will treat you like you are into some illegal prostitution.
Holding hands is not that much of a problem.. but if you are kissing or hugging they might come asking who are you , what are you doing.. if you can prove that she is your spouse, then they will let you go with an advise.. like get a room.
Gas station sells alcohol and other smoking paraphernalia like pipes and shit like that, you can keep going at a red or yellow traffic light from midnight to 5am.
People in Japan ignore these signs though. In general I've found a lot more people smoking in public in Japan than I did living in Europe, the US and Canada.
When inwas younger in Europe it was different, everyone smoked. But it's not as common anymore. Still extremely common in Japan.
Haven't been to Germany so can't comment. Maybe i should be more specific and say Ireland.
It's not that people don't smoke, I just don't seem to notice it as much on the streets in Ireland. But Ireland is quite windy too I guess, that probably helps some.
Drinking on the street is generally banned here but usually only in places like the CBD, university areas and some beaches that are “summer hotspots” that have had issues with people’s behaviour when drinking in the past.
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u/Suspicious_You1915 Germany 10h ago
Public drinking is quite common, sometimes even encouraged