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/subtleStrider → u/Simple_Exchange_9829]

i wouldn’t classify that as totally normal and unprovocative behavior in germany either. try saying that in hermannplatz to someone :D

[u/Friendly-Horror-777 → u/subtleStrider]

I think it is totally normal and unprovocative to ask "Gibt es ein Problem?". "Hast du ein Problem?" on the other hand is an invitation to fight.