(I live in Qatar. My crush and I are working on a group project together in geography. Somehow, our group starts talking about Yellowstone Volcano, and the predicted eruption. We are looking at a world map.)

Me: “It’s predicted to kill a lot of America. People say the clouds of ash will reach all the way to Europe.”

Crush: “Yeah, but we’ll be safe in the Middle East. Canada’s pretty screwed. You know who’s the luckiest, though? Japan. They’re all the way across the world.”

Me: “…”

Crush: “…?”

Me: “The world is round.”

(A look of realisation sweeps over his face and he struggles not to burst out laughing.)

Crush: “I FORGOT THE WORLD WAS ROUND.”

Me: *dies of laughter*

Crush: “I was looking at the long route! I forgot the world was round!”

(It was hilarious. We were looking at a flat map, so it made sense, but we didn’t let him live it down!)

(We have just moved from the USA to Qatar. During one of our first visits to the grocery store, we try to purchase the basics for our house and do not know many of the brands being sold. My husband is in the toilet paper aisle, trying to decide what brand to buy.)

Clerk: “Can I help you?”

Husband: “I’m just trying to decide what is the best kind of toilet paper to buy. We just moved here, so I don’t know the brands.”

Clerk: “The one you are holding is good.”

Husband: “Have you used this one? What brand do you prefer?”

Clerk: “I don’t use toilet paper.”

(He was quite serious that he didn’t use toilet paper. Cultural differences…)