Life, Home & Table · Story 5

LPT: When you move abroad, the first question to ask locals isn't where to live or what to eat. It's "What do foreigners always get wrong here?"

A Reddit Life Pro Tip suggests that when moving abroad, the most important question to ask locals is what foreigners commonly get wrong. The post has generated over 11,000 upvotes and 1,200 comments, with many sharing specific cultural faux pas from their own experiences.

The discussion highlights how unspoken cultural rules—like doorbell etiquette or social warmth—can be more important for integration than practical advice on housing or food. It underscores the value of asking locals directly about their pet peeves rather than relying on generic expat guides.

Key details

• The LPT was posted on r/LifeProTips and has 11,994 upvotes and 1,269 comments.
• Top comment: A US expat in the UK was told to “not be so happy all the time” by a local.
• A Swedish user moving to Italy asked for a similar list, acknowledging language learning as a priority.
• A German commenter confirmed strict doorbell rules, noting that the cutoff can be as early as 20:00 in some buildings.
• Another commenter emphasized that in Germany, you should never show up at someone's apartment without texting first, even for close friends.

Discussion angles

• Cultural differences in social warmth: US friendliness can be seen as excessive in the UK.
• Strict doorbell etiquette in Germany, with cutoffs as early as 8 PM and a grey zone until 10 PM.
• The importance of texting before visiting in Germany, even among close friends.
• Language learning as a non-negotiable first step for integration in Italy.
• The value of asking locals directly about their pet peeves rather than relying on generic advice.