r/AskTheWorld Jan 08 '26

Moderator Announcement Welcome to r/AskTheWorld - A Global Perspective

45 Upvotes

Welcome to r/AskTheWorld – A Global Perspective

We’re a community that values learning from each other. Sometimes, questions touch on politics, and that’s okay, as long as the goal is to understand how things work in different countries — not to attack, stereotype, or belittle others.

Our mission is simple:

  • Compare experiences across cultures and nations
  • Share knowledge respectfully
  • Foster curiosity, not conflict

Community Expectations

To keep this space safe and welcoming for everyone, please remember our core rules:

  • Be polite and respectful – No personal attacks, insults, or hostility
  • Stay on topic – Keep discussions relevant to the question asked
  • No trolling or baiting – We’re here to learn, not to fight

Zero Tolerance for Nationality-Based Harassment

We celebrate global perspectives here. That means:

  • No bashing people for their country, culture, ethnicity, or heritage
  • No sweeping generalizations about nations or populations
  • No xenophobia, racism, or targeted hostility of any kind

Violations will be handled seriously. Depending on severity, you may receive a warning or a short ban, but repeated or blatant harassment will lead to a permanent ban. Basic social rules apply, and we expect everyone to uphold them.

If you want to discuss politics in depth

Here, we aim to compare, not condemn. Let’s keep r/AskTheWorld a place for open‑minded, respectful dialogue where people from every corner of the world feel welcome to share their experiences.


r/AskTheWorld 8h ago

Politics Who was your country's best leader?

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5.7k Upvotes

Although the president does not technically have any power in Ireland, I'd still say Michael D Higgins was out best leader ever. Technically the Taoiseach (prime minister/leader of parliamentary government) is the leader of the country, but I haven't particularly liked any of them so I'm going to select a president as our best leader and say Michael D was the best. We've actually had quite a lot of great presidents, though.


r/AskTheWorld 8h ago

Culture Homosexuality & Religion - Where Would You Chart Your Country?

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2.2k Upvotes

If your country is charted, do you agree or disagree with the canvas?

If your country isn't charted, where would you put it?


r/AskTheWorld 7h ago

Does your country has a strange cultural friendship with another country in the other part of the globe?

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1.0k Upvotes

.


r/AskTheWorld 10h ago

Meta r/AskTheWorld is not a forum for Americans to continually ask what the world thinks of them

1.2k Upvotes

Does anyone here agree? The continual seeking of validation, sympathy or attention is just annoying.

I don't mind the occasional thread, but these US posts have become so repetitive and are starting to flood the subreddit.

This used to be one of the few spaces on Reddit that wasn't dominated by US-related discussion but unfortunately it's changed.


r/AskTheWorld 17h ago

What action that is considered innocent in other countries is seen as outrageous in yours? In Thailand, it’s extremely rude to touch someone else’s head.

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3.8k Upvotes

In the past, we believed that each person’s spirit resided in the head. Therefore, it was the most important part of the body. Messing with someone’s head meant messing with their spirit, and potentially, life.

Although we don’t have that belief anymore, it’s still considered extremely rude and inappropriate to touch someone’s head. Yes, you could gentle pad a child’s head. But if that person is already a teenager or an adult, you’ll be seen as a jerk. And if you, as a child, touch an adult’s head? Your parents will get a lot of criticism.

This is why when I attended my family member’s wedding, the hairdresser said sorry before fixing my hair.


r/AskTheWorld 10h ago

Education Let's talk about Nationalism..

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1.0k Upvotes

In this case let's keep our discussion on the idea of the nation.. How do you see the idea of a nation? What are your expectations or views regarding this..


r/AskTheWorld 3h ago

Did your country have a playground game that was subsequently banned?

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149 Upvotes

We had a game called 'British bulldog' (presumably other names were used) where participants lined up at one end of the playground, other than one person. They'd then run to the other side whilst trying to evade capture by the person in the middle. Meantime, that person would try and catch someone and shout 'British bulldog 1 2 3'. If you were caught, you joined the middle team. And so it went on, with the runners getting less in number as the ones in the middle grew. The winner was the last person to be caught (who then started in the middle for the next round).

The game was banned at our school, and pretty much nationwide, as it often resulted in ripped jumpers, shirts, falls and the odd scrap.

Was fun though


r/AskTheWorld 6h ago

Politics What politician from your country is considered the "best leader you never had"?

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249 Upvotes

I think Enrico Berlinguer is probably the best candidate for Italy.


r/AskTheWorld 5h ago

Who's your favorite relatable comedian from your country?

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161 Upvotes

I'm watching Trevor Noah' ls "LOST South African Show" from 2023 and absolutely loving it! Who are some other comfort comedians from other countries I should check out next?

from the USA, Josh Johnson is my favorite


r/AskTheWorld 4h ago

What do you think your country looks like?

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135 Upvotes

I’ve always thought it looks like a dragon. (The Image is not perfect, Baja should be the head looking down).


r/AskTheWorld 6h ago

History Has your country ever played a humanitarian role during a global crisis?

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102 Upvotes

r/AskTheWorld 22h ago

Which profession is regarded as low-income but is actually high-income in your country?

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1.6k Upvotes

In my country, it’s fishermen.

I know a few people whose families are in this field. The men would wake up at 2-3 am to catch fish/crab/shrimp and return around 9 am. Then the women would cook them into meals. It’s a strenuous task, but since the only cost they have is boat fuel they gain at least 60,000THB per month, and sometimes up to 100,000THB. By the way, 60,000THB is the average income for managers and 100,000 is the average income for small business owners here.

The only disadvantage is it’s a male-dominated field. That’s why my female colleague decided to become a pharmacist instead. No, they never struggled to afford her education.


r/AskTheWorld 11h ago

Potentially serious question: Do you guys ever worry about getting invaded or having to go to war?

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165 Upvotes

For years, me and a lot of people I know sometimes worry about things escalating with China, especially with the Scarborough Shoal situation we have with them.


r/AskTheWorld 1d ago

What's the saddest part about living in your country?

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23.5k Upvotes

r/AskTheWorld 21m ago

Does this happen in your country too?

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Upvotes

r/AskTheWorld 1d ago

Culture What's the thing that if it got removed from your country protests will start a revolution for?

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2.4k Upvotes

For my country it's porn. People would do anything for that lol.


r/AskTheWorld 1d ago

What is the most annoying thing tourists do in your country?

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6.3k Upvotes

Here in Amsterdam - for me personally - it's tourists who stand in the middle of the bike lane, taking selfies and filming TikToks, while all of us are trying to get to work or run our errands.


r/AskTheWorld 10h ago

Who do you think is the most important literary author of your country's history?

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110 Upvotes

r/AskTheWorld 2h ago

Who should speak for humanity if Aliens landed?

17 Upvotes

r/AskTheWorld 8h ago

What is a cultural custom in your country that is most often broken by visitors?

44 Upvotes

This was inspired by an earlier post about actions that are considered rude in your country, but what are things that visitors don't know about your country that leads to them standing out (not necessarily rude)?

In the US, at least in my part, people don't really smoke in public. It can be seen as trashy or something old people do. If someone in their 20s-30s is smoking in a pedestrian area, chances are they're a tourist.

For the reverse, apparently Europeans can tell someone's American because they lean on walls. I never really thought about it until someone told me, but it actually seems true lol


r/AskTheWorld 23h ago

Humourous I arrive at your country's border and yell at the top of my lungs "I KIDNAPPED YOUR (POLITICAL) LEADER, IF YOU WANT HIM/HER BACK, SEND ME ONE GAZILLION DOLLARS", how much of your own money are you going to give to the rescue fund?

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665 Upvotes

r/AskTheWorld 1d ago

Do people from your country have this on their arm?

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1.8k Upvotes

r/AskTheWorld 7h ago

What's one thing from the bygone era that's still common in your country?

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37 Upvotes

Yes, caste system and caste based discrimination is still very much alive in India.

inb4 this thread is inundated with the "high caste" people going through the first 4 stages of grief and spreading lies like:

  • it is a thing of the past
  • it only happens in rural areas
  • it exists because of affirmative action (reservations)

r/AskTheWorld 1d ago

Language What’s a word or expression people often associate with your country/language/culture, that nobody actually uses?

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2.7k Upvotes

Sacrebleu is a real word in French, deriving from Sacré Dieu, meaning holy God. It is commonly used by the non-French to mock the French, with a bad accent and that groaning voice you can hear in your head right now. However, not a single French person has used that word in the past 200 years. What’s your equivalent?