What's the most shocking thing you've seen in another country?

[Xoirwinkan]

For me it was when I was around 10 years old, I was in China and came across a gruesome display in a park. There was a tunnel with artwork depicting the historical and brutal torture and executions of Christians, probably from the 1800s. They were gory scenes of many people being chopped into pieces, being boiled alive, etc.

[KostasKouvalis]

Probably how more openly racist people are. In the U. S., even if someone has racist views they usually won't express them, especially directly to the race they hate, out of fear they will have their lives ruined. Whereas in many other regions in the world, people will be racist towards others or say racist things to strangers in conversation and they don't care what you think, because no one is gonna punish them or ruin their lives for it.

[itsannalee]

What shocked me is there are a lot homeless in rich countries. When I was a kid, I thought rich countries don’t have poor people.

[KostasKouvalis]

I was surprised by this as well, but the more I thought about it, the more I came to the conclusion that is largely due to the fact that rich countries are more likely to enforce zoning laws. While in poor countries, you can build yourself an illegal house out of scrap, and even if the authorities aren't happy about it, they're not gonna come tear it down, especially if it's a massive community. That's why to the contrary, in poor countries, you actually see LESS people sleeping in the streets.

[Nikki1989]

Boiling dogs alive at a Chinese street market. The memory still gives me nightmares

[Xoirwinkan]

I've heard they believe if the animal suffers it tastes better...

[strateguy632]

Nothing shocking. My life is dull.