Want to truly understand a country? Don't just memorise words, first learn their "secret codes"

When we watch English or American TV shows, we often imagine Christmas as Christmas trees adorned with fairy lights, presents piled high, and romantic snowy landscapes. But if you actually chat with a British friend, you'll discover their Christmas is brimming with "strange" traditions that will leave you scratching your head.

For instance, why do they insist on eating a vegetable they themselves dislike? Why do they wear flimsy paper crowns at the dinner table?

These seemingly "absurd" habits are, in fact, like a group's "secret codes" or "insider signals."

Imagine members of a secret society meeting – they'd have a complex and unique set of gestures: first a fist bump, then interlocking fingers, and finally a finger snap. To an outsider, these actions would seem meaningless, perhaps even foolish. But for those in the know, each movement signifies, "We're one of us," instantly bridging the gap between them.

A country's culture is much the same. Its most authentic and core elements aren't usually the grand monuments listed in travel guides, but rather hidden within these generations-old, slightly quirky "secret codes."

Today, let's decode three "secret codes" of British Christmas.

Code One: The "Brussels Sprouts" – Eaten Despite Being Disliked

The star of a British Christmas dinner is typically roast turkey. But there's always a mysterious presence on the plate – Brussels sprouts.

Interestingly, most Britons, from kids to adults, openly declare they "hate" this vegetable. It has a slightly bitter taste and an odd texture. Yet, year after year, it unfailingly appears on the Christmas dinner table.

This is like the fist bump in that "secret signal" – a mandatory, unspoken ritual. Everyone complains, "Oh God, not this again," while simultaneously forking it into their mouths. This collective "self-deprecating humour" and "endurance" surprisingly become a unique source of fun and shared memory. It reminds everyone: Yes, this is our Christmas – strange, yet comforting and familiar.

Code Two: The "Christmas Cracker" – Creating "Flimsy Fun"

Another essential prop at the Christmas dinner table is the Christmas Cracker. It's a paper tube, pulled open from both ends by two people with a "pop!"

The contents that fall out usually leave you amused and baffled: a flimsy paper crown, a cheap plastic toy, and a slip of paper with a corny joke.

Materially speaking, these items are worthless. But their significance lies in the "pulling" action itself. You have to cooperate with the person opposite or next to you to open it. The momentary anticipation and surprise, followed by everyone wearing silly paper crowns and reading out corny jokes to each other – that's the true essence.

This is like the interlocking fingers in the "secret signal" – a seemingly childish, yet instantly ice-breaking and joy-creating interaction. It's not about what you get, but about the silly thing you do "together."

Code Three: The Queen's "Annual Background Score"

Every Christmas afternoon, almost every British household tunes into the Queen's Christmas Message on their television.

To be honest, the speech content itself might not be particularly thrilling. The Queen summarises the past year and looks to the future. Many people don't even sit up straight and watch attentively; they simply treat it as "background music" after Christmas dinner.

But it is precisely this "background score" that binds the entire nation together. At that very moment, no matter what people are doing – clearing dishes or dozing off on the sofa – they know that thousands of their fellow countrymen are sharing the same voice, the same moment.

This is like the final finger snap in the "secret signal" – a concluding gesture that confirms everyone's sense of belonging. It's a quiet yet powerful ritual, reminding everyone of their shared identity.

So, you'll find that truly understanding a culture is never about memorising its history or remembering its landmarks.

The key lies in whether you can decipher those "secret codes" hidden within everyday life.

These codes cannot be found in textbooks, nor can they be understood through simple translation. The best way to learn them is to engage in genuine and in-depth conversations with locals.

But what if there's a language barrier? This has precisely been the biggest obstacle to our understanding of the world in the past.

Fortunately, tools like Intent now exist. This chat app comes with top-tier AI translation built-in, allowing you to easily communicate in your native language with anyone from any corner of the world.

You can directly ask your British friend, "Seriously, do you guys really eat those Brussels sprouts?" You'll get an authentic, real-life answer, not a stock response.

Through conversations like these, you'll gradually learn the "secret codes" of various cultures, truly entering their world instead of just remaining an outsider.

Next time, when you come across any "strange" cultural custom, try to think: Could this be their "secret code"? What stories and emotional connections are hidden behind it?

When you start thinking this way, the world will come alive in a richer, warmer way in your eyes.

Click here to begin your cross-cultural communication journey