Odd cultural/regional/national customs

[hbelkins]

Inspired by the #swedengate hashtag trending on Twitter over the weekend.

According to a Reddit post that went viral there and then on Twitter with the above-mentioned hashtag, it's a custom in Sweden that if you are a child who is invited over to a friend's house, you don't get to eat with the family. They will make you stay in your host friend's bedroom and entertain yourself while the family eats.

Also according to posts using that hashtag, if you are an adult and you are invited to eat at a friend's home, you will be asked to pay for your portion of the meal.

This invited a number of comparisons to other regions and cultures, notably rural/southern United States where not only will you be served a meal if you're visiting, you may be sent home with a plate of leftovers.

Anyone here with firsthand knowledge of this alleged Swedish/Nordic custom? Or any other odd and unusual customs?

Removing shoes in someone's house is one I've heard of often.

[TheHighwayMan3561]

Also according to posts using that hashtag, if you are an adult and you are invited to eat at a friend's home, you will be asked to pay for your portion of the meal.

Among younger people in the US I don't think this is terribly uncommon. I was briefly part of a game night group where the hosts asked for a small contribution for cooking. I also have a couple friends I visit, we'll cook at their house, and at the grocery store we'll split the costs for the ingredients - it's not 50/50 nor do we make that much of an effort for a 50/50 split; or if they pay in full for one meal I'll pay for the next one.

[Rothman]

We took and take off our shoes.  Rare to come across a house where you don't in the Northeast (just ask the host if you need to).

I've come to associate Utah with filthy carpets...but my sample there is more than a little biased.

[Max Rockatansky]

I think it's a little strange my wife insists that I hug every one of her family members when we are leaving her Dad's house.  I'm to understand from her this is just expectation in Hispanic households. 

[Rothman]

I think it's a little strange my wife insists that I hug every one of her family members when we are leaving her Dad's house.  I'm to understand from her this is just expectation in Hispanic households.

Ha!  Just went through a similar awkwardness with my wife's family (non-Hispanic).

[kphoger]

I think it's a little strange my wife insists that I hug every one of her family members when we are leaving her Dad's house.  I'm to understand from her this is just expectation in Hispanic households. 

And do you air-kiss the females' cheeks?

I went several years thinking I was supposed to plant one on their cheeks.  Oops.

[Max Rockatansky]

I think it's a little strange my wife insists that I hug every one of her family members when we are leaving her Dad's house.  I'm to understand from her this is just expectation in Hispanic households. 

And do you air-kiss the females' cheeks?

I went several years thinking I was supposed to plant one on their cheeks.  Oops.

A couple of her older female family members still do that.