Things You Didn't Know About Other Countries

[Mofo Rising]

So I was watching this serial killer movie set in London called Tony. Interesting but not great movie.

However, it called to my attention something I never knew. Apparently you need to pay a license fee to operate a television in the U.K. I'm sure all our British friends on this board find this as nothing new, but I had never heard about it before. I was actually a bit shocked. If a licensing fee for television in the States was proposed we might just end up with a completely new electorate. I think the NRA would have a run for their money in vociferousness if it was ever suggested that television should require licensing fees. (Americans love their television.)

So what did you never know about other countries that you were surprised to find out?

[claws]

No free refills in Germany. You pay for every refill, though there are a few minor exceptions. You get free refills when dining in an IKEA restaurant, or at KFC.

[dean]

I just found out that St Petersberg in Russia has an 'Anti-Gay Propaganda' law in which it's illegal to produce any material that may be 'pro-gay' even if it is something as simple as having a rainbow in a picture.  Weird and scary.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/2012/10/14/16/18/milk-carton-promoting-homosexuality-to-children

[Leah]

Monaco doesn't use the EU currency, though since it is close to France, they will accept Euro's.

[Jack]

In Australia they call ketchup "tomato sauce".  Which raises the obvious question:  What the heck do they call tomato sauce?

[lester1/2jr]

there are like 15,000-20,000 Jews who live in Iran.

[BoyScoutKevin]

In Australia they call ketchup "tomato sauce".  Which raises the obvious question:  What the heck do they call tomato sauce?

That reminds me. A couple of years ago, when I was in Finland, I learned that they call, what we call a moose here in North America, they call an elk. What they call an elk, or even if they have elk in Finland, I never found out.

I also found out, in that part of the world, pickup trucks are not common. They are so rare, that even English speakers have a hard time understanding the concept of pickup truck.

[Ash]

In Australia they call ketchup "tomato sauce".  Which raises the obvious question:  What the heck do they call tomato sauce?

I spent a month in Australia several years back and if I remember correctly they call actual tomato sauce "pasta sauce".

They also don't refrigerate their sauce. (ketchup)  It was weird going to the cupboard instead of the refrigerator to get some for my fries.  (er...chips)   

[ER]

In much of France the police, fire department, postal workers, even some of the local road repair crews come around and shake everyone down for money by going to people's houses and leaning on them to buy these super-overpriced items. Everyone knows it's a payoff but almost everyone goes ahead and buys the clocks, calendars, wine, car window shades, whatever the case may be at a 500% markup, because records are kept of who bought what, and that's remembered if ever you call the police about something. In a country that quietly moves along under a system of gifts/bribes, the practice seems to be mostly shrugged off by natives as a sort of under the counter taxation that keeps up good will and lubricates civic relations.

[lester1/2jr]

ER they aready pay the highest taxes!

[Jack]

South Koreans believe that if you have a fan running all night in the room that you're sleeping in, it will kill you. 

For reals!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fan_death

[AndyC]

South Koreans believe that if you have a fan running all night in the room that you're sleeping in, it will kill you. 

For reals!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fan_death

Wow, I've cheated death so many times, and I wasn't even aware. Seriously, I like to sleep with a fan running even when it isn't hot out. I like that bit of white noise and the slight air movement.

[Zapranoth]

The French are also a bit overenamored, perhaps, of the per rectum approach to delivering medication.   (Suppositories.)

[Trevor]

Apparently you need to pay a license fee to operate a television in the U.K. I'm sure all our British friends on this board find this as nothing new, but I had never heard about it before.

We do the same in SA: a license costs R250 (about $25) yearly. The amount you pay is commensurate with the number of sets you have. Never mind that I almost never watch our local main broadcaster's programs.