6 Strange Habits Picked Up in Asia
Travel changes you. It changes everything about you, from the smallest of things (still can’t get over that phở is typically $10 or more here in the US when it costs maybe $1 in Vietnam) to the biggest of things (existential crisis anyone?).
Naturally, I’m no exception. Traveling for the past several years has altered me— my personality, my outlook on life, what’s most important to me, everything. Even when returning home, the changes reverberate through me. I can’t do much to stop them— even the strangest of habits I picked up along the way.
Some of the oddest of them all I picked up from my time in Asia. Among the many, here are just six of my favorites.
1.) Never being without toilet paper/tissues and hand sanitizer
From an outsider’s view (and from one’s view not during a pandemic), this may sound silly. I mean, why would I need to bring toilet paper with me everywhere I go? Bathrooms almost always provide them. And most places have soap, too!
Yes, typically, in the US, they do. But, while I was in China, Vietnam, Korea, Indonesia, and other such countries, I’d wager that 5% of bathrooms supplied toilet paper— for free. I’d say 40% offered toilet paper for a price, but the rest? No such thing as toilet paper. Instead, a lot offered a hose! Satirically, this mechanism has a great nickname among travelers: the “bum gun!” Yes— a hose to wash your private areas after using the bathroom. Oh, and soap?! Keep dreaming.
The “bum gun”
2.) The “Asian Squat”
I have become the master of the “Asian squat.” I am hoping that this isn’t some sort of racial slur (please inform me if it is), but while in Asia, this truly was a thing. Considering so many countries in the continent often use the “squatty potty,” the vast population of people are capable of squatting very low to the ground— and do so even when they’re not using the bathroom. They do it when they’re standing in line, waiting for something, or just hanging out casually!
Anyway, since I’ve spent so much time in Asia, I’ve used many, many squatty potties. I’ve grown accustomed to them— and have even mastered them. And, therefore, I’ve mastered the aforementioned “Asian squat.” Now, I’ll just pop into that low squat randomly and receive some…strange looks! Sorry, but not sorry because it’s a great hip-opener stretch!
3.) Head-on-a-swivel on sidewalks
In places like Thailand, Vietnam, China, and Indonesia, the locals absolutely adore motorbikes— but they hate traffic. So, where do they often drive their motorbikes? On the sidewalk. And, no, they don’t much care if you’re in the way. They’ll honk at you until you move because, to them, you’re in their way! Due to this fact, no matter where I am in the world, I am constantly looking over my shoulder for motorbikes while walking on sidewalks! I must look like a neurotic person whenever I’m walking outside.
4.) Uh… What language are we speaking?
I have been experiencing this one a lot lately. Whenever interacting with humans (albeit rarely as of late) here in the US, my mind bounces back and forth much like a ping-pong ball on how to greet people. Xin Chào? Nǐ hǎo? Hola? Hello? What do you speak!?
Not only that, but the way in which I speak to people has drastically changed. Since I’ve grown used to conversing with people whose first language isn’t English while abroad, I’ve also become accustomed to speaking slower, using very simple sentences, and using simple vocabulary. You can imagine the odd looks I’ve been getting at places like gas stations when I say, “How…are…you?” And then, “Thank…you” accompanied with a weird bow. Speaking of which…
5.) Nodding and bowing
In the US, when passing someone, whether it be a stranger or not, it’s customary to wave, smile, and/or say some sort of greeting. That is my overall experience, at least. But, in most parts of Asia, it’s bizarre to wave or awkwardly grin at someone. Instead, I’ve experienced locals far more often bow or light nod their head as a light and casual greeting/acknowledgement.
Because of this, I now am not sure how to acknowledge people in the US or other Western countries. Do I nod? Do I bow? Do I awkwardly smile? Do I just ignore them? There are just too many questions soaring through my head and before I know it, I’m doing everything at once! I’ve certainly received some weird looks for my half-bows and convulsions in the grocery store.
6.) Getting visibly annoyed when meals costs over $3 USD
While in most countries in Asia, specifically those in Southeast Asia, most meals would cost $1-$3. I’d made it a goal while there to only buy meals that were less that $5, which was very easily attainable.
Whenever I eat out in restaurants in the US or other Western countries now, though, I scrunch my face at anything over $3! Granted, I’m aware things are far more pricey in these areas of the world, so I should anticipate it being more expensive, but I still can’t help but being annoyed and irked at the bloated prices for food!
And when the bill comes? My head floods with annoyance and memories of the cheap yet divine meals I had in Asia. I would cringe when my restaurant checks were over $10 there! But, whenever they were, it was because I usually got a full meal and at least two alcoholic beverages! Meanwhile, in America, I am casually dropping fat bills on every meal I have! I mean, $40 for a meal and two drinks?! Not into it.
Khao Soi, a popular Northern Thai dish, at $3
It’s been said that “travel changes you,” but, I certainly didn’t expect these awkward alterations to me and my life!
