The things people obsess over are usually predictable. Sex, drugs, and alcohol are the usual suspects, and many folks spend countless hours worrying about their weight or chasing ever‑greater fortunes. But when you look at the world through the lens of the top 10 countries that harbor truly off‑beat fixations, you quickly realize that human fascination can take some delightfully odd turns.
Across continents, a handful of nations have taken a quirky passion and turned it into a cultural hallmark. From a nation that treats a grin like a crime scene, to a tiny island that practically lives on black licorice, these stories show just how wildly diverse our collective obsessions can be.
Why These Top 10 Countries Stand Out
10 Russia Is Obsessed With Not Smiling
Russians aren’t exactly known for flashing their pearly whites in everyday life. In fact, the cultural script often treats a smile as something to be used sparingly, if at all.
Psychologist Kuba Kyrs of the Polish Academy of Sciences set up a cross‑national experiment that asked participants from 44 countries to evaluate a series of smiling and non‑smiling faces for intelligence and honesty. The Russian cohort consistently gave lower scores to the smiling faces on both dimensions, suggesting a deep‑seated skepticism toward grins.
Further analysis revealed a striking correlation: societies with higher levels of corruption tended to discount the meaning of a smile even more, seeing it as a potential mask for untrustworthiness. Unsurprisingly, Russia ranks poorly on corruption indices—landing 135th out of 180 nations in a 2017 public‑sector corruption ranking—adding another layer to the nation’s frown‑heavy reputation.
9 Paraguay Is Obsessed With A Forgotten US President
While most of the world instantly recognizes the faces of Lincoln, FDR, or Kennedy, Paraguay has an unlikely hero: Rutherford B. Hayes, the 19th‑century American president who served from 1877 to 1881.
The story goes back to the brutal Triple Alliance War of the 1860s, where Paraguay faced off against a coalition of Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay and suffered massive territorial losses. Decades later, when Argentina pressed its claim on the Chaco region in northern Paraguay, the two nations appealed to the United States for arbitration. President Hayes ruled in Paraguay’s favor, a decision that earned him a place in Paraguayan folklore.
Gratitude for Hayes runs deep. The city of Villa Hayes bears his name, a local soccer team carries his moniker, a postage stamp features his portrait, and a bust of him sits in an elementary school courtyard. Though largely forgotten elsewhere, Hayes remains a celebrated figure in Paraguayan history.
8 China Is Obsessed With Jaywalkers
Crossing the street in China can feel like a high‑stakes game. If you dare to jaywalk, your face may end up projected on public screens, turning a simple misstep into a moment of nationwide embarrassment.
In the city of Daye, bright yellow posts equipped with laser sensors spray the feet of anyone who steps off the curb too early. The system doesn’t stop at a splash—facial‑recognition cameras snap a photo of the offender and display it beside the crossing, serving as a public shaming tool. This high‑tech enforcement is partly a response to the staggering 260,000 road‑traffic deaths recorded in China in 2013.
Beyond safety, the initiative dovetails with China’s broader social‑credit experiment, a nationwide effort to assign scores to citizens based on their public behavior. Jaywalking, therefore, isn’t just a traffic violation; it’s a data point in a massive surveillance ecosystem.
7 Iran Is Obsessed With Nose Jobs
From 2011 to 2013, a staggering 240,000 Iranians underwent rhinoplasty, accounting for roughly ninety percent of all cosmetic procedures in the country. According to the Rhinology Research Society, Iran actually surpasses the United States in the rate of nose‑job surgeries.
One theory points to the cultural impact of the hijab, which covers hair and loose clothing, leaving the face as the most visible feature. Plastic surgeon Nabiollah Shariati argues that, for many Iranian women aged 20‑30, the desire for a refined nose stems from this visual emphasis, turning the nose into a primary canvas for personal expression.
6 Iceland Is Obsessed With Licorice
With a population hovering around 340,000, Iceland could easily earn the moniker “Land of Licorice.” The nation’s love affair with the black, salty treat is evident everywhere—from gas‑station aisles brimming with licorice to ice‑cream parlors offering soft‑serve that’s drenched in a licorice shell.
Icelanders don’t just munch on plain sticks; they blend licorice with chocolate, create powdered mixes, coat raisins, and even produce gummies that marry chocolate and licorice in a single bite. The candy culture is so entrenched that it’s hard to imagine a typical Icelandic snack without a licorice twist.
The historical roots lie in the country’s early settlement period. Harsh climate and icy seas made conventional agriculture a gamble, but licorice proved hardy and easy to cultivate. Over time, it became the go‑to sweetener for a people who needed a reliable, locally grown sugar substitute.
5 Germany Is Obsessed With A Little‑Known British Short Film
Every New Year’s Eve, roughly 17 million Germans—about 21 percent of the population—gather around their televisions to watch an 18‑minute comedy sketch from 1960s British TV titled Dinner For One.
The sketch depicts a 90‑year‑old birthday lady whose invited friends have all passed away. Her loyal butler, James, dutifully serves the feast while impersonating each deceased guest, leading to a cascade of slapstick mishaps and comedic timing that has endured for decades.
German fans have turned the sketch into a cultural ritual, complete with catchphrases, drinking games, and a nostalgic yearning for a time when television could bring families together in shared laughter. The enduring popularity suggests a collective desire for simple, communal entertainment.
4 Taiwan Is Obsessed With Claw Machines
Claw machines have taken Taiwan by storm. In the past two years, the number of arcade‑style claw cabinets has tripled, and the government reports that there’s now roughly one machine for every two convenience stores across the island.
The prizes have evolved far beyond the classic plush toy. Today, players can snag hairdryers, lingerie, fresh vegetables, and even more exotic items, turning each attempt into a mini‑treasure hunt.
Economic factors help explain the craze. With wages plateauing, claw machines offer an affordable diversion that can also act as a micro‑investment: players spend a few coins for a chance at a valuable prize, while operators generate substantial tax revenue. The Central Bank even had to mint extra coins to keep up with the demand.
3 Argentina Is Obsessed With Psychoanalysis
Argentina boasts the world’s highest concentration of psychologists—194 per 100,000 inhabitants—far outpacing the runner‑up Finland, which has just 57 per 100,000. The nation’s love affair with the couch runs deep.
Current President Mauricio Macri has championed a nationwide push to get citizens onto the therapist’s couch, believing that collective psychoanalysis could help heal the country’s economic woes and soaring inflation. One adviser even declared that Argentina “needs to be cured,” suggesting a societal-level therapy could be the key to stability.
Experts attribute this fascination to Argentina’s cultural tapestry. Many citizens trace their roots back to Spanish and Italian immigrants, leading to a complex identity matrix. A popular 1990s saying summed it up: “Italians who speak Spanish, act as if they’re French, and think they’re British.” This layered heritage fuels an appetite for introspection and self‑analysis.
2 Australia Is Obsessed With Nicknames
Everyone enjoys a good nickname—whether it’s calling basketball “hoops” or referring to dancing as “cutting a rug.” But Australians have turned the practice into an art form.
Oxford Dictionaries credits Australia with coining the 21st‑century word “selfie.” Down‑under, people refer to ambulances as “ambos,” mobile phones as “mobes,” mosquitoes as “mozzies,” and even poverty as “povo.” When it comes to intimacy, Australians might ask a partner if they want to “have a root,” and a lone person could be described as “like a shag on a rock,” referencing the local bird that perches on coastal rocks.
Scholars suggest this nickname mania reflects core Australian values: mateship, informality, friendliness, and a sense of solidarity. By constantly renaming the world around them, Australians reinforce a cultural identity that prizes camaraderie and a relaxed, playful outlook.
1 Denmark Is Obsessed With Being Cozy
The Danish concept of hygge—derived from the 16th‑century Norwegian word hugga—has become a national obsession. It describes a quality of coziness, comfortable conviviality, and a feeling of contentment that permeates everyday life.
While many might equate hygge with simply “chilling,” Danes see it as an art form: gathering by a fireplace in winter, slipping into wool socks, and sipping a latte or hot chocolate while surrounded by soft lighting and good company. The practice reaches its zenith during the bleak, cold months, when the contrast between the frosty outdoors and the warm interior intensifies the sense of well‑being.
Hygge isn’t just a feel‑good buzzword; it appears to have tangible benefits. The World Happiness Report consistently ranks Denmark near the top—second only to Finland—suggesting that a societal embrace of coziness may contribute to overall life satisfaction.
I am a writer based in Canada. I come from a screenplay background, have written for TV, love music, and am a natural skeptic who occasionally doubts myself.