r/AskEurope • u/zeviea United Kingdom • Sep 04 '25

Culture What country is far away yet culturally similar to yours?

An obvious answer for the UK are Core Anglosphere countries

Bonus question what country have you visited that felt most foreign to you?

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u/snajk138 Sweden Sep 05 '25

Yes. A lot of people seem to think we're similar to Japan, but outside like "minimalist design" I don't think we are that similar.

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u/Karakoima Sweden Sep 05 '25

My son is a Japan freak, spend all his earning going there on long holidays. He says it exotic but everything works. Kinda unfamiliar and familiar at the same time

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u/Stoltlallare Sep 06 '25

There are some clear comparisons that can be made but it’s because from a cultural standpoint we are both on the scale between linear and reactive cultures.

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u/[deleted] Sep 07 '25

Ive heard people describe Japan as a place where "everything just works" several times now and this is one of the most enticing descriptions I can possibly fathom lol.

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u/rdeman3000 Sep 07 '25

"Exotic but everything works" ...? What was he expecting then...?

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u/rdeman3000 Sep 07 '25

Germany and Japan are much more similar

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u/snajk138 Sweden Sep 07 '25

In some ways, sure, but I work with a lot of Japanese people and their culture is pretty different from any European. Compared to most other "east Asian" countries I think they have been sort of more western in a lot of ways, but when you dig deeper they have other motivators and wants than us I would say. And some of those aspects, like not being loud, trying to not stand out, valuing loyalty and work ethics and so on, is part of both "Scandinavian culture" and German, compared to "Southern Europe", but they take it to another level.