While traveling abroad, it’s essential to respect the customs of the local culture. But sometimes, no matter how much you prepare before your trip, you miss something minor you didn’t even consider. A popular online travel forum user asks what other travelers have done that is a culture shock to the locals. Travelers reply in the thread with their answers.
1. Smile
While smiling at strangers on the street is common in many parts of the U.S., it isn’t as welcome in other places, like Russia. “On my first trip to Russia, I was asked why Americans smile all the time,” writes one commenter. Another respondent replies, “As my Soviet parents said, there’s not much to smile about, so if you see someone smiling for no reason, you just assume they’re mentally ill.”
2. Wear Shorts
It’s common to see people in short shorts and sleeveless tops in the U.S., but in other parts of the world, dressing more modestly is appreciated. If you plan on visiting religious attractions like monasteries or temples on your trip abroad, cover up even if it’s stiflingly hot outside.
3. Talk Loudly
Have you ever heard of the stereotype of the loud American? Many people from foreign countries believe being quiet in public is more respectful, so the booming voices of excited tourists stand out. “I didn’t realize how loud I was until I went to Asia, and my girlfriend kept shushing me,” notes one commenter.
4. Using a Fork To Cut Food
While using a knife to cut meats is easiest, I often cut softer things like ravioli or tender chicken with my fork so I don’t have to pick up another utensil. But apparently, that’s uncommon in other places worldwide, like Dubai. “I was eating at the bar at a hotel in Dubai. I hear a couple next to me say, ‘he must be an American — look at how he cuts his food with his fork,'” states one individual.
5. Walking Fast
Walking down the sidewalk, I zoom past almost everyone in the U.S., so when I visit foreign cities, I’m the speediest one around, and everyone notices. A woman who studied abroad in England says, “My British friends could point out other Americans based on how quickly we walked.”
6. Drinking Ice Water
We love ice-cold beverages in the U.S. But that sentiment isn’t shared in many places abroad. “Asking for ice water was a big no-no,” claims one respondent. “According to the locals in the country I visited, ice water is bad for your health.”
7. Jaywalking
In American cities, I always look out for pedestrians crossing the street when they aren’t supposed to because it’s so common. But in some foreign countries, jaywalking is extremely frowned upon. “I jaywalked across a side street when there were zero cars remotely nearby in Japan, and they looked at me like I strangled someone,” writes one contributor.
8. Eating Dinner at 6 PM
Across the globe, different cultures dine at varying hours of the day. In the U.S., dinner typically falls between 5 pm and 7:30 pm, while in countries like Spain, dinner is much later. “I told some Spaniards I wanted dinner at 6:30 pm rather than after 8 pm, and they all looked confused,” says one user.
9. Showering Daily
While the number of times a person showers per week heavily depends on the individual, Americans often shower or bathe every day or every other day, and pushing it to every three days makes some of us turn up our noses. But in France, it’s a whole different story. “I was told I shower too much by the cleaning lady for the dormitory I stayed at in France,” comments one respondent. “I showered once a day because it was summer, and I got sweaty and dirty walking around the city. She said it was bad for me and my skin to shower so often.”
10. Buckling the Seatbelt
Whenever I get in a car, I instinctively reach for the seatbelt. In the U.S., I never get any strange looks, but that can’t be said for other countries. “While traveling, I asked the driver how to buckle the seatbelt since there was a blanket over all the seats. The driver told me I didn’t need it and seemed surprised I even asked,” shares one forum member.
11. Tipping
Tipping isn’t common worldwide despite how central it is to the American economy. “I tipped the server in Japan. She ran down the street after us to return the money,” writes one commenter. “We tried to explain that this was for her, to thank her, and she was insistent that we take it back.”
12. Wearing Shoes Indoors
Many Americans don’t think about removing their shoes when they enter their home and keep them on for hours after returning home from work. But if you behaved like that in many foreign countries, people would be offended that you decided to dirty their home’s floors. One person who traveled to Vietnam says, “I was worn out from flying for over 24 hours, so I did not realize it when I walked into my fiancé’s family home. My fiancé stopped me and ushered me back outside the door to remove my shoes.”
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