We recently asked our friends abroad to tell us about the things they found the hardest to get used to in other countries. We were overwhelmed with the number of responses. Here are the 14 strangest things to get used to abroad, according to our AfriForum Worldwide friends.

1. In Hamburg, Germany, the late sunset in summer, when the sun sometimes sets as late as 21:30 or even later. In winter it gets light only by 08:00 and dark again when the sun sets by 14:45 in the afternoon.
2. In Sweden your six-monthly dentist appointment arrives by mail from the state.
3. In Nairiyah, Saudi Arabia, traffic circles are extremely dangerous! Today, the guy in the circle waits for you to come in, but tomorrow you will be waiting for the other guy in the circle. It is never the same. And you have to move, there is no time for slow starters. They are quick to sound their horns. At traffic lights there sometimes is no light on the pavement in front of you. This means that the car in the front often cannot see the traffic light because it is right next to him. The cars behind you will then usually sound their horns to let you know the light is green for you to pull away.
4. Canada’s winters – the coldest temperatures we have experienced is -52 degrees. And having thick snow around your house for six months of the year.
5. No school athletics and competitions, no rugby such as Bulletjie rugby and netball. No cheerleaders singing about jam tins or fish tins or things like that. No barefoot children. My son was not impressed when he had to go to school in shoes and a hat. Today he sounds like an Aussie, but fortunately he still is fluent in Afrikaans.
6. If you are invited for “tea” in the UK, it is for dinner, such as fish and chips. “Tea is an in-between meal and not a full dinner.”
7. Here in Mexico, where we have now been living for 21 years, neighbours bought two pairs of shoes for my youngest daughter because she went barefoot and they thought she did not have any shoes. You will never see anyone without shoes here, and we have become used to wearing shoes all the time.
8. Receiving a cheque by mail from the government – not sure what for, because the petrol price has gone up? You then take a photo with your banking app to deposit the cheque.
9. Cars being parked in the street in front of the house (most houses do not have garages).
10. In Canada, you take off your shoes before entering someone’s home. I still find it strange to see people socialising in their socks, with lots of shoes at the front door.
11. Living in a town where you can leave your car idling while you quickly dash into the shop, and being able to go on holiday without locking your home.
12. In New Zealand you receive your new bank card via ordinary mail.
13. Always feeling like a new toy because strangers keep saying “I LOVE your accent!”
14. No burglar bars: In case of a fire, the fire brigade must be able to enter; and vehicles are parked outside and garages are used for storing things. Bicycles and toys lying outside all over the place without being stolen.

Are you currently residing abroad? What were the strangest things you had to get used to when you emigrated? Did you have an interesting cultural experience abroad? Send us your story at wereldwyd@afriforum.co.za.