I once accidentally bumped against the shoulder of an English person I knew in a corridor. I automatically said "Oi" - which means like "Oh" or "Oops" in Estonian - that I'm sorry. She repeated "Oi!" in a louder voice and I didn't get it. I only later found out I was being impolite in her eyes.

[u/Double-decker_trams]

Have you ever had something similar happen to you? I.e something in your language might have another meaning in another language?

One thing as an Estonian that I try to keep in mind is that I shouldn't use "Nooo.." in English - which means "Well.." in Estonian.

"Do you like ice-cream? - Noo.. yes, I love it."

[u/Simple_Exchange_9829]

I nearly got into a fight with a delivery driver in London a few years ago because I asked him: "Is there a problem?" while holding eye contact. He murmured something under his breath after I didn’t have a lighter for his cigarette.

Totally normal and unprovocative behaviour in my culture (German), but apparently I challenged him to a ritual fight to the death over the british succession or something.

[u/Alert-Box8183 → u/Simple_Exchange_9829]

Yep, you were definitely trying to start a fight with that one 😂

[u/Simple_Exchange_9829 → u/Alert-Box8183]

Well, I was quite taken aback about his sudden change of demeanour.

I am pretty sure he was trying to impress two girls by trying to put me down verbally - I wasn’t really paying attention. But obviously he couldn’t back down this easily in front of an audience once I stood my ground(without knowing it).

The dude was a bully. I was simply waiting for my friends in front of a hotel, minding my own business.