Knowing the local customs, culture, and societal norms is essential when traveling. The reason is that a gesture or act that may seem like an everyday acceptable thing in your country might be considered highly offensive or rude in another country. And angering the locals can make your trip go much differently than expected.
Check out these ten highly offensive things that tourists in various countries might not know about!
1. Blowing Your Nose in Public
Though it might seem like a common thing to do when you have a stuffy nose, blowing your nose in public is seen as offensive in many cultures.
In Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Japan, China, and France, blowing your nose in public is considered repulsive and a breach of proper etiquette. The same can be said for snorting mucus back into the nose instead of blowing it into a tissue. If possible, go to the bathroom to blow your nose.
2. Tipping
In the United States, tipping is customary, and it is considered quite rude if you don’t tip a server. Unlike in the U.S., it is considered inexplicably rude to tip in other countries, such as Japan or South Korea.
This is because the workers take great pride in their jobs, and tipping can be translated as you are more important than the person serving you. Another is that the workers can get in trouble for accepting tips as the places of employment do not allow workers to accept tips.
3. Running Late
Though the term “fashionably late” often circulates in American society when arriving late, it can be considered quite rude to run late in other countries. Arriving late to an appointment or get-together is considered valuing your time over others. The Netherlands and Germany are two countries that highly value punctuality and treat it as a form of respect for others.
4. Refusing Offered Food
Putting food on the table wasn’t always easy. Today, it is still considered a token of that hard work. That is why refusing offered food is often regarded as disrespectful and offensive in some cultures, including many Arab countries, as it essentially means you are rejecting their blood, sweat, and tears spent to put that food on the table and offer it willingly in a show of hospitality.
5. Giving a Thumbs-up
A thumbs-up in the United States and on Facebook represents whether you like or agree with something. Unfortunately, in other countries, like Iran and Afghanistan, this gesture is quite offensive and means something more along the lines of “up yours”. The thumbs-up is a vulgar gesture equivalent to the middle finger in the United States.
6. Asking for Alterations to Your Meal
Asking for alterations to your meal in the United States is common and typically easily accepted by restaurants, especially if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies. This act is frowned upon in countries like Japan, Italy, and Spain, as you are expected to eat the food you are served without further request. Altering the taste of the food with condiments or requesting other alterations to the meal is seen as offensive to the cook and restaurant’s ability.
7. Sitting in The Back Seat of a Taxi
Sitting in the back seat of a taxi is typical in the United States, especially for women who find more comfort in putting more space between them and the driver. Doing so in some countries is disrespectful to the driver. It is seen as the traveler placing themselves higher above the driver as if they were a servant rather than an equal human being.
8. Laughing With Your Mouth Open
Laughing with your mouth open may not be considered something you should worry about when visiting other countries, but it is rude for some. In Asian countries like Japan and South Korea, it is customary to cover one’s mouth when laughing with the mouth open. This is considered proper etiquette for these countries, and failing to do so is considered impolite.
9. Eating in Public
Eating in public is no big deal in many countries like the United States, where you can typically eat anywhere unless specifically posted or stated not to do so. In some countries, like Japan, eating in public is frowned upon. Unless areas specifically state that it is acceptable to do so, eating is expected to be limited to restaurant settings only.
10. Making The Horn Fingers At Someone
In many places like the United States, holding the pinky and index finger up in the horns sign means “rock on” or “go bulls”. It is the sign heavy metal fans use frequently at concerts. This gesture means something else in countries like Uruguay, Spain, and Cuba. When showing this gesture to a man, it means that you are suggesting that their wife is cheating on them.
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