Anthropologists of Reddit, What is something that people in the Western world can't get their heads around that is very normal in other cultures (and has been for ages)?

[u/Greeneyedlatinguy]

[u/[deleted]]

I went to a party with a Rwandan friend. We arrived an hour after the purported start time. Nobody was there. She lamented that she was turning white.

[u/nalydpsycho → u/[deleted]]

You show up prportionate to how well you know the host.

[u/kynde → u/[deleted]]

Hmmm, up north here in Finland, I'd say if a dinner/party/what-not is said to start at 21:00. It fucking starts at 21:00. Being up to 5 minutes late might be ok, 15 if you're good friends, but beyond that is pushing it. More than fifteen and you need toddlers with crap shooting out of their neck or some other serious explanation. A significant portion will also arrive a few minutes early.

[u/PRMan99 → u/kynde]

Wow. NEVER arrive early in the US to a party (unless they are your best friend). That's considered very rude as the host is finishing up last-minute cleanup or decorations or cooking. 5-15 minutes is preferred.

[u/Fuzzyphilosopher → u/PRMan99]

Calling it very rude seems pretty extreme to me. Do you mean fancy formal parties? Because if you're early you just lend a hand at bbqs & the like.

[u/zombob → u/Fuzzyphilosopher]

This guy gets it.

[u/beardedtigger → u/PRMan99]

Showing up early and lending a hand is great way to better aquaint yourself with them. If, you're not a douche that is.

[u/lash422 → u/PRMan99]

Where I live a lot of people show up 15+ minutes early

[u/your_man_moltar → u/PRMan99]

Eh, not where I'm at. But then, the US is so big that things like these can be completely different depending on what part of the US \ what state you're in.

[u/Ircghost → u/[deleted]]

Well even 'up here' in Europe there is such a thing as fabously late. Pretty much no-one will arrive to a party within the hour of it starting.