“Why do you do it that way?”
You often hear this question when you live abroad. Sometimes, this query comes spoken aloud; at other times, an internal voice merely whispers it as you navigate a new culture. And frequently, you don’t have an answer. You just… do. Because, quite simply, that’s what “normal” always meant to you.
However, you will learn, on hot nights at country dachas in Ukraine, at bustling cafes in Spain, and over wine in a tiny village in France, is that normal is profoundly relative. What’s standard, commonplace, and utterly unremarkable in one place can appear completely alien, even bizarre, in another.

Indeed, that, my friends, is the profound beauty of stepping outside your own cultural bubble.
Living abroad does more than just challenge your daily habits and routines; in fact, it holds up a mirror to your ingrained beliefs and compels you to examine them. Consequently, it forces you to deconstruct the “why” behind everything you’ve always taken for granted. You begin to see the invisible threads of culture that have shaped your entire worldview.
For instance, think about it:
- Perhaps it’s the timing of meals. Dinner at 6 PM? Certainly, in Spain, that’s barely an appetizer.
- Moreover, it might be the concept of personal space. That polite distance you keep? As a result, others could see it as cold or unfriendly elsewhere.
- Or, conceivably, it’s something as simple as how you greet someone, how you queue (or don’t!), or what constitutes polite conversation.
Ultimately, these aren’t just quirks; instead, they’re deeply embedded cultural norms that define a society. And when you encounter a place where those norms differ completely, it offers an incredibly powerful revelation. You realize that your “normal” isn’t universal truth; rather, it’s simply the unique tapestry the place you grew up wove for you.
Furthermore, this realization is incredibly freeing. It subsequently opens your mind to new possibilities, new ways of thinking, and new ways of living. In addition, it teaches you empathy and understanding for people whose lives look nothing like your own. Above all, it broadens your horizons in ways you never thought possible.
So, tell me, what’s something you thought was totally normal, until you left your country?
Your blog contributions are welcome. Share your experiences here.