AIBU to ask for you to pick any country and share an interesting fun fact about it?

[1person100names]

I love learning about countries around the world, i am unable to explore physically due to covid so I would love to learn more fun interesting facts that you would kindly share!

Heres mine!

In Vietnam it is offensive to cross your fingers in a certain way, it is seen as an obscene gesture, akin to raising your middle finger and saying“F* You! It is also used to call people a derogatory name! Photo attached !

I will add more shortly =)

Whats yours?

[quote Icantreachthepretzels]@MrsTerryPratchett - that clip was one of my tutors! But it must be stated that Liam is a local boy to St. Mary's church in the hollow of the white hazels near the rapid whirlpool and the church of St. Tsyllio of the red cave... so he has a bit of a head start.[/quote]
I love him even more now!

As PP have said, there are roundabouts in the US. There aren't many but there is one in the coastal town where I grew up. When it was built in the 1990s, the local council sponsored Roundabout School sessions, complete with diagrams and video, so people could learn how to use it. Some people in my family still go the long way to avoid it.

Malta is the only country in Europe which is in the EU and also a Commonwealth country.

Also one of, or possibly the only country where its language is only spoken in one place

@Iammariedtojacksparrow

Malta is the only country in Europe which is in the EU and also a Commonwealth country.

Also one of, or possibly the only country where its language is only spoken in one place

I'm willing to bet Iceland is too!

I read somewhere, and Australians forgive me if I'm wrong, that the Northern Territories, being a territory, don't vote in certain elections. However, because voting is compulsory, they still vote. Their votes are just thrown away.

I think the USA should be exposed to the joy that is Swindon’s Magic Roundabout

oomymoomy

The birth rate drops in years ending in 4. The association with bad luck even extends to words which look or sound similar. It's a really big deal.

Crickey, what's the birth rate going to be in 2044?!

@MrsTerryPratchett if you are talking about languages its spoken in Canada

In Hong Kong there is a high rise office block that is built with a huge hole in the middle so as not to offend the dragon that lives in the surrounding mountains. They don’t want him to feel locked out.

Beetroot is hugely popular in New Zealand, to the point that McDonalds over there serves a burger with a slice of beetroot in it.

Sorry, the Hong Kong dragon gate is not unique - there are lots of holey buildings! I only saw one though

Australia has a larger population of camels than Egypt.

There are three times as many sheep than people living in Australia

Over 300 different languages and dialects are spoken in Australia, which includes 45 indigenous languages.

Emus and kangeroos can't walk backwards!

.....and my personal favourite:
Wombat poo is square shaped!

There's no word for 'please' in Danish

Mobile Phone Throwing is a national sport in Finland

In Bulgaria you nod your head for no and shake your head for yes.

@countrygirl99

10% of Finland is lake

LOL I read this as 'fake'

LOL I read this as 'fake'

Google Maps Finland. It's believable.

Beetroot is hugely popular in New Zealand, to the point that McDonalds over there serves a burger with a slice of beetroot in it.

It's a Kiwiburger (and very yummy)

Also NZ - the world's steepest street is in Dunedin

"I read somewhere, and Australians forgive me if I'm wrong, that the Northern Territories, being a territory, don't vote in certain elections. However, because voting is compulsory, they still vote. Their votes are just thrown away."

@MrsTerryPratchett, that's one isn't correct, I'm afraid, but I love the idea though!

Antarctica is about 60 times the size of the U.K.

It is the fifth highest ‘country’ in the world (average height above sea level) and the highest continent.

This is mostly due to ice some 2km thick which contains around 75% of the world’s freshwater despite some parts having precipitation for millions of years.

Parts of Antarctica were once located in the northern hemisphere. It was hot, wet and covered in abundant flora. Around 30 million years ago naturally occurring CO2 levels fell dramatically, leading to a cooling and amelioration of life there.

Some parts having no precipitation for millions of years.

Antarctica is the driest desert on earth. Wild camels are only native to Australia.

The snowiest place on earth is Tokamachi in Japan.

Apologies for saying there are no roundabouts in the USA ... that'll teach me to check first!!!

@maddy68

The UK has more land dedicated to golf courses than housing

I'm sure this has already been said and I missed it but this isn't true and has been debunked a few times

@Miggymoggymugwumps

Apologies for saying there are no roundabouts in the USA ... that'll teach me to check first!!!

derailing, but I know an American who moved to Europe and thought roundabouts were just round 4-way-stops. Meaning he assumed that if he got to the roundabout first, he also had the right of way. He was always wondering why the other drivers seemed so pissed off..

The submarine
The stethoscope
The ejector dear
The torpedo
Colour photography
Cream crackers
The hyperdermic syringe
Potato crisps
Sparkling water

They are all Irish inventions!

I’m pretty sure potato crisps are a British invention. The earliest known recipe for them was written by an Englishman, William Kitchener.

To continue the driving theme, in Belgium you give way to traffic coming from the right. So if you're driving along and there is a road ahead on the right hand side you have to slow down in case a car suddenly comes out in front of you.

There's a roundabout in the USA on HWY 64 in Tusayan, just south of the Grand Canyon. I found it very strange driving around it anti-clockwise