Category Archives: International

8: Time & Tequila



Prepare for time-traveling: that is, traveling the world to see how time changes across cultures, of course! After Tom arrives “late” to the studio, Dean and Tom hurry into how time is perceived in different cultures (6:40). Next, Dean and Tom slow things down to help a listener keep his U.S. business partners “calm and happy” in Mexico (11:30). Finally, our time-traveling hosts stroll into a discussion of how and why neighboring global regions can observe time quite differently, like north and south of the Alps in Europe, or north and south of the Rio Grande in the Americas – all while Dean sips tequila and Tom resists breaking furniture (46:40). There’s no need to book a time to listen; the time is now for you to time-travel with us! (Whoa… Time.)

Subscribe today! Have a cultural question or episode idea for Dean and Tom? Reach out on Twitter and Facebook (@OopsCultureShow) or by email at oopscultureshow@gmail.com.

Music: “Little Idea” – Bensound.com


7: Fish Cheeks & Dining Myth Explosions



This episode, Dean and Tom remain hungry for traditional foods across cultures: fish cheeks in China, black pudding and haggis in the U.K., guinea pigs in the Andes, and many more (1:45)! Next, Dean answers a listener question about visiting the Middle East during Ramadan (15:30), and does his best to drink liquified yogurt on his recent trip to the Balkans (23:20). Then, take cover as Dean explodes pesky myths regarding perceived dining pretensions in France, Italy, Hawaii, and Japan (32:09). Please, slurp up this episode as loudly as you’d like – it’s not at all rude!

Subscribe today! Have a cultural question or episode idea for Dean and Tom? Reach out on Twitter and Facebook (@OopsCultureShow) or by email at oopscultureshow@gmail.com.

Music: “Little Idea” – Bensound.com


6: Goat Eyes & Chinese Banquets



Dean and Tom are back in this episode to sink their teeth into what to do, and what not to do, when presented with traditional foods across cultures: goat eyes in Kazakhstan, natas in Portugal, fried mayflies in Mexico, and the list goes on (3:26)! As the honored guest at a Chinese banquet, Dean also guides us through the ins and outs of this formal ceremony while respectfully passing along his fish head – yes, you read that correctly (9:13, 27:34, 48:25). Then, Dean and Tom launch into an informal edition of Grammar Time, and digest the bizarre fact that “bizarre” and “bazaar” each contain a single z (38:17). Who knew? So pop five natas into your mouth, avoid those one-eyed Portuguese cats, and enjoy!

Subscribe today! Have a cultural question or episode idea for Dean and Tom? Reach out on Twitter and Facebook (@OopsCultureShow) or by email at oopscultureshow@gmail.com.

Music: “Little Idea” – Bensound.com


5: Elevators & Personal Space



If you’re currently approaching floor 45 in an elevator in Singapore, be ready for illegal chewing gum and used earbuds! Dean and Tom explore our cultural behaviors on a wild elevator ride (4:59), then rudely – or not – elbow their way into a discussion of personal space in Hong Kong & China, Buenos Aires, and London (21:27). Love what you’re hearing? While a 5 rating may be the highest that you can give, go ahead and give us a 10 – or a 1 if you read from right to left – on iTunes!

Subscribe today! Have a cultural question or episode idea for Dean and Tom? Reach out on Twitter and Facebook (@OopsCultureShow) or by email at oopscultureshow@gmail.com.

Music: “Little Idea” – Bensound.com


4: Taxis & Malaysian Smiles



In this episode, Dean and Tom share taxi adventures and delve into what to do, and not do, when in the backseat, or maybe the front seat, in India, Australia, and Japan – all while they swat away malarial mosquitos and sing “Oh My Darling, Clementine” (6:22). Next, Dean answers a listener’s question about cultural differences around smiling and laughing in Malaysia and the U.S. (19:57). Then, the topic of men’s outerwear somehow comes up, so put on your culturally-appropriate listening shorts and enjoy!

Subscribe now! Have a cultural question or episode idea for Dean and Tom? Contact them today on Twitter and Facebook (@OopsCultureShow) or by email at oopscultureshow@gmail.com.

Music: “Little Idea” – Bensound.com


3: Shoes & Argentinian Pink Underwear



Please scrape that gunk off your shoe before entering this episode! Dean and Tom explore shoe protocol in the home as well as New Year’s traditions across various cultures, leading them – of course – to find their hands in a bowl of Argentinian (NOT Argentine) pink underwear. Get toasty in your puppy slippers so you don’t fall out of a tree like a frozen iguana while listening; this episode’s gonna be a three dog night!

Subscribe now! Have a cultural question or episode idea for Dean and Tom? Reach them on Twitter and Facebook (@OopsCultureShow) or by email at oopscultureshow@gmail.com.

Music: “Little Idea” – Bensound.com / “Prologue: Tradition” – Fiddler on the Roof Ensemble & Zero Mostel, Fiddler on the Roof (Original Broadway Cast Recording)


2: Tea & Magnetic Pole Flips



This episode, Dean and Tom navigate the cultural dos and don’ts of drinking tea in Morocco, Japan, the U.K., and Argentina – not to mention coffee in Ethiopia, beer in China, and whiskey in Korea! And without even getting inebriated (or maybe they do, as it would explain a lot), they also broach the topic of magnetic pole flipping (not an Olympic sport) and its cultural implications. Get ready to imbibe this episode from a gourd with a silver straw, because, as we all know, “the best things in life are served in a gourd.”

Subscribe now! Have a cultural question or episode idea for Dean and Tom? Reach them on Twitter and Facebook (@OopsCultureShow) or by email at oopscultureshow@gmail.com.

Music: “Little Idea” – Bensound.com


1: Shaving & Japanese Toilets



World cultures expert Dean Foster and longtime friend Tom Peterson dive into bathroom habits around the world in this episode, with the act of shaving and, yes, using the toilet. Join them as they dissect the features and cultural origins of the Japanese toilet, and why perhaps it isn’t catching on in the U.S. (Or is it? No!) So relax, heat up your toilet seat, and turn down your 1812 Overture, because you’re going to want to hear this.

Subscribe now! Have a cultural question or episode idea for Dean and Tom? Reach them on Twitter and Facebook (@OopsCultureShow) or by email at oopscultureshow@gmail.com.

Music: “Little Idea” – Bensound.com


0: Teaser



Wake up! Dean and Tom are here to tell you what to expect from their new podcast, “Oops, Your Culture’s Showing!”

Subscribe now! Have a cultural question or episode idea for Dean and Tom? Reach them on Twitter and Facebook (@OopsCultureShow) or by email at oopscultureshow@gmail.com.

Music: “Little Idea” – Bensound.com