Sure, visiting another country means adapting to different customs, languages, and cultural norms—some of which might surprise you if you haven’t done a little homework beforehand. (Here are a few examples you might not know.)
But sometimes, it’s not the major sights or cultural etiquette that stick with you the most. It’s the everyday stuff—the totally mundane things you never expected to remember—that ends up being the most memorable.
Everyday Errands Become Adventures
Just like the person in this video, one of our favorite things to do when traveling is visiting a local grocery store. It might sound silly, but browsing the aisles is a fascinating look into everyday life. What’s in the snack section? What flavors are popular? What products feel “normal” here that would seem strange at home? And every now and then, you’ll spot something from home—but it’s not quite the same. (Green tea Kit Kats, anyone?)
Outside a Waitrose in London—because yes, even supermarkets abroad are worth exploring.
Browsing a drugstore aisle in Germany—familiar products, unfamiliar packaging.
Yes, that’s a red bean sandwich-flavored Kit Kat. And yes, we bought it.
Fast Food, but Make It Local
Fast food can be just as eye-opening. I know people who make it a point to visit a McDonald’s in every country they travel to. Almost all of them agree: the U.S. has the worst McDonald’s food. We once had dinner at a KFC in Japan, and it was genuinely great. The food was fresh, the sides were unfamiliar, and there was even a little blurb explaining who Colonel Sanders was—because over there, he’s not a household name in the same way he is here.
KFC in Japan isn’t just dinner—it’s a cultural experience (and yes, they explain who Colonel Sanders is).
Familiar Entertainment, Different Vibes
These experiences aren’t limited to food. I once saw a Star Wars movie in Germany and worried it would be dubbed. But many German theaters show films in both English and German.
Yes, you can still catch the original version in Germany—just look for “OV” on the marquee.
Seeing a show in London may seem similar to Broadway—until intermission rolls around and you realize people are lining up for little tubs of ice cream.
Seeing “My Neighbour Totoro” in London’s West End—with salted caramel ice cream, of course.
And seeing a show in Tokyo? That’s another level. The audience was so quiet during the performance that you could hear footsteps on stage. But when it ended, the entire crowd broke into perfectly timed, synchronized applause. It was rhythmic, polite, and totally unlike anything we’d ever experienced in the U.S.
Every Ride Has a Story
Another thing we enjoy doing is taking public transportation. Thanks to apps like Google Maps, it’s much easier to navigate subways and buses in unfamiliar cities than it used to be. (Here are some of the travel apps we always recommend.)
Still, sometimes a little human help goes a long way, like the time a kind stranger in Tokyo walked us all the way to the correct train.
Of course, knowing how to act on public transportation can be just as important as knowing where to go. I learned that firsthand when I forgot to plug in my headphones on a quiet train ride—and let’s just say it instantly became one of my most embarrassing travel moments.
Final Thought
The point is, travel isn’t just about crossing landmarks off a list. (And for the record, there’s nothing wrong with doing the touristy stuff—we love that too. Here’s why.) But taking time to do the things you enjoy at home—whether it’s grocery shopping, seeing a show, riding the subway, or catching a game—can offer a surprisingly rich window into daily life.
So yes, go see the Eiffel Tower. Walk the Great Wall. Visit the Sydney Opera House. But also? Go to a grocery store in Sydney. Pop into a drugstore in France. And if you’re in Japan, absolutely hit up a 7-Eleven.
Do some of the everyday things you enjoy doing at home. You’ll come away with a better sense of not just where you went, but how people live there.
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
