Written by Saadburhan

Don’t Do These 18 Things Abroad: A Guide to Cultural Etiquette

When traveling abroad, it’s essential to be aware of cultural nuances and etiquettes to avoid offending locals and to ensure a more respectful and enjoyable experience. The following guide provides insights into 18 practices you should avoid in specific countries around the world.

1. France: Don’t Talk or Ask About Money

In France, discussing finances is considered impolite. Asking someone how much they earn or talking about your own financial status can come across as crude and invasive. It’s best to steer clear of monetary topics in casual conversations.

2. Ukraine: Don’t Give an Even Number of Flowers

In Ukraine, giving an even number of flowers is associated with funerals and mourning. When presenting flowers as a gift, always opt for an odd number to avoid unintentionally causing discomfort or sadness.

3. New Zealand: Don’t Honk, Otherwise, You’ll Insult People

Honking in New Zealand is generally reserved for emergencies. Using your car horn unnecessarily is seen as rude and aggressive. It’s important to drive calmly and respect the quiet atmosphere on the roads.

4. India: Don’t Touch the Opposite Sex in Public

India has a conservative approach to public displays of affection, especially between the opposite sexes. Touching or showing affection in public is frowned upon and can lead to uncomfortable situations, especially in more traditional areas.

5. Japan: Don’t Leave Tips

In Japan, leaving a tip can be interpreted as an insult rather than a compliment. The Japanese take pride in their work and believe that the service provided should already be of the highest quality without additional monetary rewards. If you want to show appreciation, a simple “thank you” or “arigatou gozaimasu” is sufficient.

6. Mexico: Don’t Get Offended at Locals’ Jokes

Mexicans have a strong sense of humor that often includes sarcasm and playful teasing. It’s important not to take these jokes personally. Laugh along, and you’ll likely find yourself in good spirits with the locals.

7. Norway: Don’t Ask About Going to Church

In Norway, religion is a private matter, and asking someone about their church attendance or religious beliefs can be considered intrusive. It’s best to avoid bringing up religion in casual conversations.

8. Turkey: Don’t Show the OK Gesture

The “OK” hand gesture, where the thumb and forefinger form a circle, is highly offensive in Turkey, as it has a vulgar connotation. To avoid misunderstandings, it’s best to refrain from using this gesture altogether.

9. UK: Don’t Ask How Much People Earn

In the UK, asking about someone’s salary is seen as impolite and intrusive. British people tend to keep their financial matters private, so it’s best to avoid this topic unless the person brings it up themselves.

10. Ireland: Don’t Try to Imitate the Irish Accent

Imitating the Irish accent can be seen as patronizing or mocking. While many Irish people have a good sense of humor, it’s safer to appreciate their accent without trying to mimic it.

11. Germany: Don’t Congratulate on Birthdays Before the Day

In Germany, it’s considered bad luck to wish someone a happy birthday before their actual birthday. Early congratulations are avoided, so make sure to wait until the day of the birthday to extend your good wishes.

12. Kenya: Don’t Call People by Their First Name

In Kenya, using someone’s first name too soon can be considered disrespectful, especially in formal settings or when addressing elders. It’s advisable to use titles and last names until invited to use the first name.

13. Chile: Don’t Eat With Your Hands

In Chile, using utensils is the norm, even for foods that are often eaten with hands elsewhere, like pizza. Eating with your hands can be seen as bad manners, so make sure to use the appropriate cutlery.

14. Singapore: Don’t Eat in Public Transport

Eating and drinking are strictly prohibited on public transportation in Singapore. The country is known for its cleanliness, and this rule is strictly enforced, with fines for those who break it.

15. USA: Don’t Forget to Leave Tips

In the USA, tipping is an expected part of the dining experience. Servers rely on tips as a significant part of their income, so forgetting to leave a tip can be seen as extremely rude. A standard tip is around 15-20% of the bill.

16. Italy: Don’t Order Cappuccino in Restaurants

In Italy, cappuccino is typically a breakfast drink and is rarely consumed after 11 AM. Ordering a cappuccino at a restaurant after a meal, especially later in the day, can mark you as a tourist. If you want to blend in, opt for an espresso instead.

17. Hungary: Don’t Clink Glasses When Toasting

In Hungary, clinking glasses during a toast is traditionally avoided due to historical reasons linked to the country’s past conflicts. To respect this custom, simply raise your glass without the clinking motion.

18. China: Don’t Give a Clock or Umbrella as a Present

In China, giving a clock or an umbrella as a gift is considered bad luck. The word for “clock” sounds like “end” in Chinese, symbolizing the end of a relationship or life. Umbrellas, on the other hand, are associated with separation. When choosing a gift, opt for something more auspicious.

Conclusion

Traveling is a wonderful way to experience new cultures, but it’s important to be mindful of local customs and etiquettes. By avoiding these 18 faux pas, you can show respect to the people and traditions of the countries you visit, ensuring a more positive and enriching experience.

UseFull Resources:

Resources	Resources
Tooldar: Tooldar	Hemingway Editor: Hemingway Editor
Ilovepdf3: Ilovepdf3	Grammarly: Grammarly
Adorepdf: Adorepdf	Coursera: Coursera
Custom Design Agency: Articon Design Agency	Udemy: Udemy
Google: Google	Khan Academy: Khan Academy
Yandex: Yandex	Wolfram Alpha: Wolfram Alpha
Baidu: Baidu	TED Talks: TED Talks
Medium: Medium	Skillshare: Skillshare
Quora: Quora	Canva: Canva
Duolingo: Duolingo	Figma: Figma
Nerdfitness: Nerdfitness	Trello: Trello
DeepL: DeepL	Notion: Notion
LinkedIn: LinkedIn	Asana: Asana
Stack Overflow: Stack Overflow	Mailchimp: Mailchimp
GitHub: GitHub	Zapier: Zapier

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