Believe it or not, there are a lot of things you do every day that would be considered
completely disrespectful and rude in other parts of the world. Like when Richard Nixon
flicked off the country of Brazil by waving the "a-ok" sign from the steps of Air Force
One. Of course, you might just be an average traveler, so who will really bother you if
you mess up a little bit? Well, don't say we didn't warn you. Although most of the items
on this list are silly or laughable, not heeding others can cost you your very life. I'm Mike
with List25 and here are 25 Cultural Faux Pas You Don't Want To Commit While Traveling.
As a note: locations are specified in general terms. Culture within countries varies significantly
so when I refer to Brazil for example, it doesn't necessarily mean all of Brazil.
25.
Although weâ€™re not sure why you would
do this, if you happen to be passing through Southeast Asia, refrain from pointing your
feet at other people. In some regions of Thailand and Laos, the feet are considered the â€œlowestâ€
and â€œdirtiestâ€ part of the body, which is also partly why you should take your
shoes off before entering someoneâ€™s house.
24. When in Asia, donâ€™t pat or touch people
on top of their head. Just donâ€™t do it. In some Southeast Asian cultures, particularly
in Thailand and Laos, the head is considered sacred, and you just never know what sort
of faux pas you may be committing by reaching for it.
23. When first introducing yourself in Fiji, be
prepared â€“ the handshake can be intense by western standards. After the initial firm
downward motion, your hands may very well remain clasped for the duration of your conversation.
22. With feet considered dirty in much of South
Asia, the Nepalese would take great offense to the act of stepping over someone, in particular,
stepping over their outstretched legs. Itâ€™s best to just go around.
21. In Russia, trying to shake someoneâ€™s
hand across a threshold may quite literally leave you empty handed. In fact, trying to
conduct any transaction at all across a threshold is probably not a good idea. Russian superstition
holds that this is unlucky, and many times you will find that people either wait until
they are invited in or you yourself step out.
20. India is one of those places with so much
diversity that even the locals could get confused over whatâ€™s taboo and what isn't. One
thing you should be aware of though is that in some regions, body language, especially
during an introduction, can be fairly involved. If someone approaches you with their tongue
between their teeth all while waving the air around you onto themselves, donâ€™t panicâ€¦theyâ€™re
just complimenting you on your beauty.
19. This one has managed to instigate its fair
share of trouble. What most people in the United States would consider being the peace
sign is, in fact, the equivalent of giving someone the finger in the United Kingdom,
Australia, and South Africa. Just remember that this only applies should your palm be
facing you. If your palm is facing outwards, then you're in the clear.
18. In Morocco, it is considered impolite to see
someone you know, say â€œHi," and keep walking. So whenever you see your friends
on the street, be prepared to discuss your family, children, and health. Strangely enough
in some cases, these inquiries are made by both parties simultaneously without either
side waiting for the other to respond.
17. This one is probably going to throw you off
a bit. While visiting Bulgaria, it would behoove you to remember that yes means no and no means
yesâ€¦at least to outsiders. What do we mean? Well let's just say if your host asks
you whether you enjoyed their meal, you had better shake your head from left to right,
meaning yes. Shake your head up and down and you may well find yourself eating out for
the rest of your trip.
16. Generally speaking, while it would be safe
to assume that giving someone a thumbs up is a fairly positive gesture, we would suggest
you not jump to any conclusions, especially in Iran and several other Middle Eastern countries.
In these countries, it traditionally translates as the foulest of insults and is definitely
something worth avoiding.
15. If you plan on spending any time in the Middle
East or the Indian Subcontinent you should get used to the idea of not using your left
hand to eat or even hand people things. In many cultures it is considered unclean due
the fact that it is used to clean yourself up in the bathroom.
14. Throughout the Muslim world, inter-gender
handshaking can be a bit of an enigma. Although the rules aren't easily decipherable and for
the most part it varies considerably, it would be highly advisable on your part to think
twice before shaking hands with, touching, or in some cases even looking at someone of
the opposite sex.
13. Taking this a bit further, I offer those of
you with aspirations of visiting Dubai or Saudi Arabia a bit of advice. If you are going
with your significant other, be sure to avoid any public displays of affection. This includes
kissing, holding hands, and even hugging. Unless of course, youâ€™d like an up
close and personal tour of the nationâ€™s prison facilitiesâ€¦itâ€™s happened
to numerous westerners in the past.
12. Going back to hand gestures, here is one you
certainly want to avoid, at least for the duration of your visit to Brazil. Although
typically it would signify â€œokay,â€ to a Brazilian it would be the equivalent
of giving them the finger.
11. Formed by extending your hand with its palm
outwards, the Moutza as it is known in Greece, is a highly offensive gesture. The only thing
worse, in fact, is the double moutza. Thatâ€™s right, you guessed itâ€¦both hands. If
you find the need to hand signal the number 5, make sure that your palm is facing towards
you.
10. While taking a break from your food in virtually
any Asian country that uses chopsticks, it would be advisable not to place them upright
in your rice bowl. For the most part, this position is reserved for funerals and therefore
would be considered extremely impolite to the host and any seniors present.
9. With some of the most severe lese-majeste
laws in the world, whatever you do in Thailand, donâ€™t insult the king. In fact, it
would probably be wise to not say anything about the royal family at all. As some unfortunate
westerners have found out, even liking a negative post about them on Facebook is enough to earn
you some serious jail time.
8. Although having certain drugs in your possession
is punishable in most societies, the list of offending drugs along with their accompanying
punishments varies considerably from country to country. In Southeast Asia, for example,
many drugs that are available over the counter in the US and Europe can cost you your life.
In fact, with some of the toughest drug laws in the world, you would be wise to avoid carrying
â€œpackagesâ€ for others and not bringing your prescription drugs with you. Numerous
westerners in the past have discovered just how swift and merciless justice in this region
can be.
7. Not only is it against the law to chew gum
in Singapore, itâ€™s against the law to bring gum into Singapore, even accidentally.
So unless you want to spend time in court explaining how you are not a smuggler, leave
the spearmint at home.
6. During the month of Ramadan, if you so happen
to be in Saudi Arabia, it would be in your best interest to not eat while in public.
Not only will all of the locals probably hate your guts while they are fasting, but it's
punishable by law.
5. When talking to your friends in Brazil, donâ€™t
be surprised if they regularly stop their sentence mid-conversation to answer the phone.
In some parts of the country, it is considered ruder to ignore the call than pause the conversation.
4. While you may have noticed that in certain
places the who, how, and when of shaking peopleâ€™s hands can be a bit confusing. In some nations
like Austria, you are required to shake everyone's hand in whatever room you enter. At least
it removes the guesswork.
3. If you ever spend time in Russia and for some
reason decide youâ€™d like to get someone some flowers, go for it, but be advised â€“
make sure you have an odd number. Even numbers of flowers are only given at funerals, and
your gift may be interpreted as inviting death.
2. While in many places, finishing your meal
is seen as a good thing or at least implies that you enjoyed the food, in Asia you may
want to leave a little something on your plate. Licking it clean here implies that your host
didn't give you enough food and youâ€™re still hungry â€“ an epic insult.
1. As I said, not leaving a little food on your
plate in some parts of Asia is sure to insult your host, so if youâ€™re looking to
compliment them, try burping. Theyâ€™ll be flattered.
So, have you ever accidentally commited a cultural faux pas? Let us know in the comments
below, or tweet your answer to us @List25.
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