TRADITIONS AND ETIQUETTE. What you should never do while vacationing abroad.
Not sure how to behave in Chile? What should you avoid doing in America? Want to impress a Japanese person?
A few simple rules will help you shine in any country.
When embarking on an exotic journey, don't forget that in unfamiliar countries, alongside the pleasures of an inexperienced tourist, there may be serious dangers and minor inconveniences related to the mentality of the people of that particular state.
Malaysia
Instead of bread, rice is served with food here – a common theme throughout Southeast Asia. This rice is quite sticky, and it is customary to eat it with your hands, dipping it in sauce and grabbing pieces of food.
Hong Kong
If you order a whole fish and eat it from one side – do not flip it over, as this is considered bad luck. You’ll bring misfortune upon everyone. Just remove the spine and finish eating.
Mexico
Mexicans are naturally a hot-blooded people, sometimes even aggressive, so troubles can start at the most unexpected moment – an awkward glance, emotional gestures, raised voices. As experienced travelers advise, the simplest yet most effective way to avoid aggression is to smile politely.
Also, keep in mind that TACOS, crispy tortillas with filling, are eaten with hands – yes, getting sauce all over and creating a mess on the plate, but with hands. Using a fork and knife to dissect them is a level 80 snobbery.
New Zealand
As is known, when in a foreign monastery, do as the monks do... This means that guests should adhere to simple rules that can ensure the most pleasant time in the country. We, raised on endless traffic jams, react quite emotionally to any delays, and our hands instinctively reach for the horn. However, in New Zealand, it is not advisable to honk at anyone for too long or loudly, whether it's a distracted pedestrian or another driver. Otherwise, you will surely be considered rude.
Spain
Inviting people to dinner before 9:00 PM is very strange. In general, you can't expect a proper meal until late in the evening. Hungry? Snack on tapas.
India
In India, besides the well-known prohibition against overtaking a sacred cow on the road, there is another amusing rule: in public places, you cannot touch your companion. This even applies to kisses. Even a light handshake can cause displeasure among nearby Indians. So, to hug your beloved man, you will most likely have to wait until you get back to the hotel.
Japan
In Japan, as in India, tactile contact is viewed with great suspicion. If you want to express sincere sympathy to a Japanese person, do not offer your hand. It turns out that touching is a sign of disrespect. It’s better to just bow slightly. And don’t forget that leaving a tip in a café or restaurant is considered extremely rude.
May Buddha protect you from sticking chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice or any other food – this is done only at funerals. A bowl of rice (or anything else) should be held at chest level – anyone who puts the bowl on the table and leans over to eat is considered to eat like a dog – this is not our opinion, but the belief of the Japanese. Sushi and rolls should be shoved into the mouth whole, not bitten into. Men are lucky – etiquette allows them to eat rolls with their hands, but for girls – no, only with chopsticks.
France
The French have perhaps the most understandable rules. Offer your hand, leave tips, wave your hands as much as your heart desires, and when it comes to car horns, there’s no need to say much – honk to your heart's content, every second person does that in France. The main thing is not to ask questions about salary and health, as you risk being considered poorly raised and, in addition, you might hear that the salary is low and health is not good.
The French have created a whole fuss around bread. Bread is not cut but broken by hand. A piece of baguette should not be placed on the plate – let it lie on the table. And it is downright rude to use bread as a snack while the waiter leisurely brings your order.
Italy
Dear female travelers! Never, I beg you, never order cappuccino in restaurants! This is extremely rude; it’s much better to order an Americano or espresso, and cappuccino can always be enjoyed at one of the street bars, but only while standing. Ask any Italian – only a fool drinks cappuccino while sitting, and sitting at a table will cost you much more than standing at the bar.
Cappuccino is a morning drink, moreover – it’s breakfast. At 8 AM, you can see big truck drivers snacking on a cup of cappuccino with a croissant. If you order it after lunch, all the café staff will rush to see such an eccentric person. Only espresso, only hardcore. Keep in mind that the same cup of coffee costs differently depending on how you drink it: if you stand at the bar, the coffee will be cheaper, but if you sit at a table – they will charge you an extra euro or so for service.
Turkey
In Turkey, it turns out, the most unpleasant consequences await an unfortunate tourist who responds to their interlocutor with "OK." This seemingly innocent response is considered not just rude, but even offensive. In short, to avoid being beaten, it’s better to forget all Americanisms for the duration of your trip.
Ethiopia
Individualism is not valued here. Want a personal plate? Well, take it, you unpleasant, mannered diva. But normal people will eat like everyone else, from one large communal dish.
Ireland
In Ireland, to save face in every sense, you should hold back your sense of humor and not laugh out loud at the Irish pronunciation of any foreign words, which, believe me, will be quite difficult.
Norway
As in all of Europe, in Norway, freedom of belief is highly valued. It is not advisable to ask a native Norwegian questions on religious topics. Not talking about the church is the best way to make a good impression somewhere in Oslo, and, by the way, it’s not difficult at all.
Thailand
Here, they do not eat with chopsticks, regardless of what tourists might think. They are mainly kept in some cafes for the numerous guests from the Celestial Empire. But generally, eating pad thai with this thing is like asking for chopsticks with a portion of pancakes in Russia. It’s pretentious, silly, and unclear what you mean by it. Thais eat with a spoon and fork, with the fork mainly used to load food onto the spoon. Stabbing food with a fork and directly bringing it to your mouth is considered rude.
United Kingdom
Just like the French and Germans, the prim English do not like questions about salary. Therefore, if you happen to meet Daniel Craig on the street, it’s best not to ask him about his fee for the latest episode of the legendary Bond series, but rather just enjoy the unexpected encounter.
And don’t forget – a bottle of drink is only passed clockwise.
A banana will not be eaten in the company of cultured Brits as it is usually done in Israel: peeling the tip, turning the peel into a flower-like shape with petals, and gradually getting rid of the petals. This is tactless! You should cut off both ends, then slice the peel lengthwise, open the banana, and cut small pieces that are speared with a fork.
Russians tend to consume a sandwich with caviar by holding it in their hand and pinching it between their thumb and forefinger. However, this goes beyond British etiquette. The sandwich should be neatly cut on a plate, and then small pieces sent to the mouth with a fork.
As for corn, do not even think about biting the kernels directly off the cob that you are holding in your hand. For this, in Britain, you will be offered a sturdy silver fork with fine tines.
If you don’t know how to properly eat a dish offered by the British, it’s better to tactfully decline it.
Germany
Germans do not recognize what seems to be quite banal things. It turns out that congratulating someone on their birthday directly on their birthday is considered offensive. So, if you want to make a good impression on a German and be seen as a well-mannered person, it’s better to present the gift the day before.
In Germany, weisswurst – white sausages. This dish can only be ordered before noon. There is a reason for this – such sausages are properly prepared early in the morning, and by lunchtime, they are clearly not the same quality.
Korea
If someone older than you passes you a glass or plate at the table, accept it with both hands to show respect.
Kenya
Kenyans are a strange people. Besides the dangers posed by armed strangers who might start shooting rifles out of nowhere in the middle of the day on some noisy city street, the inhabitants of East Africa hate being called by their last names. So – only by first names, and more affectionately… even more affectionately, just in case.
Chile
The cuisine in Chile is quite original, and the main dishes impress with their size – you definitely won’t go hungry. However, there is one caveat: do not dare to touch food with your hands; Chileans will consider you rude and are unlikely to be happy to see you again. Do not eat anything with your hands, absolutely nothing. Not even burgers with fries. A person who touches food – any food – looks like a Neanderthal.
America
In America, you cannot leave a café or restaurant without leaving a tip. It’s very simple – waiters in America are not paid a salary. Your tips are their wages, and experience shows: a hungry waiter is a bad waiter.
Hungary
In Hungary, you will not escape sidelong glances if you decide to clink glasses with wine or any other drink in the company of friends – such behavior may seem unacceptable to the sensitive Hungarians for good society. They probably value silence the most here. Well, for someone, such a place might be perfect for a vacation, as sometimes you just want to be in peace.
China
If you arrive with a large group at a restaurant, keep in mind – food is ordered for everyone at once, served in large bowls, and then everyone takes what they want onto their plates. Ordering a separate dish for yourself that you do not intend to share with anyone is simply the height of rudeness. It’s like demonstratively moving to another table.
Well-mannered people leave half of the food on their plates – fortunately, portions in this country are usually epic in size.
Napkins and scraps can be thrown under the table, and burping is also allowed – on the contrary, it’s a compliment to the chef.
Despite the fact that China produces the largest number of counterfeit global brands, from umbrellas to cars, the highest manifestation of disrespect would be to give a Chinese person that very Chinese counterfeit.
Greece
Here, it is considered completely normal and even commendable to dip bread in sauce and wipe the plate with the crust. We respect that. It would be great if it were like this everywhere.