One of the best parts of being a world traveller is getting to experience new cultures and traditions. For me, the stranger the better. Hence I’ve done India, Thailand and some random countries in Europe; just me mingling with the locals, guidebook in hand. But there’s things that the guidebooks don’t always tell you. Things we take for granted here in the West, that doesn’t really fly in the East.
In fact, they could get you in some serious trouble.
Never use your feet to point at people
Southeast Asia
I generally don’t use my feet for anything other than walking, picking stuff up and finding Lego’s in the dark, but apparently some people point. If you’re in Southeast Asia, specifically parts of Thailand and Laos, don’t do it. Here, feet are considered the “lowest” and “dirtiest” parts of the body.
Touching people on the head
Parts of Asia
When in Asia, don’t pat anyone on top of their head. Just don’t. In a lot of parts, the head is considered sacred, and by touching it you could be crossing a line you don’t want to.
Don’t expect a quick handshake
Fiji
When you’re first introducing yourself in Fiji, be ready to hold hands. The handshake there is intense, compared to how we do it. After the firm and initial downward motion, you might find yourself clasping hands for a long while, or even for the duration of your conversation.
Don’t step over anyone
Nepal
With feet considered the dirtiest body part by most of South Asia, people in Nepal would take great offence to you stepping over someone, especially their outstretched legs. Take the longer route and go around.
Shaking hands over a threshold
Russia
If you try this in Russia, you’re gonna be left empty handed and probably have the door slammed in your face. In Russia, no transactions are done across a threshold, as according to their superstitions, this is unlucky.
You’re either invited in, or they step out to meet you.
Recognize when you’re being complimented
India
In India, there are a lot of different cultures and traditions at play, that it’s hard to understand completely what’s taboo to one, and not to another. One thing that is common, however, is the way most communicate: through body language.
Something you may see is someone approaching you with their tongue between their teeth, while waving the air that’s around you onto themselves. This is just them complimenting you on your beauty.
Throwing up a “peace sign”
UK and other Commonwealth Nations
While in the US and Canada, holding up two fingers is a peace sign, elsewhere, it’s something else entirely. In the UK, Australia and South Africa, this is like giving someone the finger – the royal “fuck you!” If you do it with the palm facing outwards, it can be forgiven. Throw up this sign with the palm facing you, and you’re in for some trouble.
Never just give a quick hello
Morocco
In this country, it’s considered impolite to see someone you know, say “hi,” and keep going. It’s proper to stop and discuss your family, friends, work and the other aspects of your life. In fact, most people just ask the questions and don’t wait for the answers, and that’s normal.
Don’t shake your head up and down to say “Yes”
Bulgaria
This one is gonna fuck you up. When you’re in Bulgaria, it’s a good idea to remember that yes means no and no means yes, when it comes to your head. For example, if someone asks you if you liked your visit to Bulgaria, you shake your head from side to side to say yes. If you go up and down, you’ll end up insulting your host by saying no.
Watch you who you give a thumbs up to
Iran
For us, giving a thumbs up is generally a good thing. It’s a positive gesture and one we do without even thinking about it. Well, in Iran and other Middle Eastern countries, you need to think about it. Here, it’s worse than giving someone the finger. It’s literally telling someone to go sit on their hand and put their thumb in their ass. That’s a hard no.
Don’t shake or give gifts with your left hand
India & Middle East
If you ever find yourself in the Middle East or in India, you need to stop using your left hand for anything and everything public. Don’t shake with it, eat with it or even gently wave it in someone’s direction. Why? Besides the superstitious belief that the left hand is evil, it’s also the hand you’re supposed to use to clean yourself up in the bathroom. That’s your shit-wiping hand, folks.
Inter-gender handshakes are a no
Middle East
Depending on where you are in the Middle East, the rules can vary considerably. It’s probably best to just stay low key and think before you shake hands with or touch someone of the opposite sex. In fact, maybe don’t make eye contact or look at someone of the opposite sex. Just to be safe.
No public displays of affection
Saudi Arabia
If you have the idea to visit Dubai or Saudi Arabia, just know that it’s not going to be the most romantic of trips with your partner. That’s because public displays of affection are banned. That means no kissing, holding hands or even hugging.
Westerners have actually been arrested for public indecency and jailed for this.
Giving the “A-OK” sign
Brazil
If you’re in Brazil, I’d definitely avoid doing this hand gesture. Remember the circle game? They take it very seriously, only here, it’s like giving someone the finger.
Don’t point your palm at anyone
Greece
While we called it “talk to the hand,” in Greece, it’s known as the “Moutza.” It’s a highly offensive gesture to the Greeks. But wait, it gets better. Some people who piss you off only earn the one hand. If you’re really being a dick, then they double Moutza is given. Yep, you guessed it – two hands.
If you decide you need to order 5 of something at the bar in Athens, make sure your palm is facing you.
Placing your chopsticks upright in a rice bowl
Asia
While in an Asian country, when eating rice with chopsticks, what do you do when you need to take a break? The correct answer is to lay them across the bowl. Don’t ever stick your chopsticks upright in that bowl of rice. In Asian cultures, that gesture is symbolic of funerals as it’s evocative of the incense that is burned, and is how they give an offering to the afterlife.
Don’t insult the King or the Royal Family
Thailand
Thailand’s got some severe laws already, but this is one of their most sacred. Whatever you do, you can’t say anything negative about the leadership, especially the King. There was actually an incident where someone from the West liked a negative post about the King on Facebook, and they were tracked down and jailed.
Not shaking everyone’s hand in the room
Austria
Even here, it can get confusing on who’s hand you need to shake first when entering a room, due to all the politics, rank, hierarchy, etc.. In Austria, the guesswork is taken away, as you need to shake everybody’s hand when you enter a room.
Not pausing a conversation to answer your phone
Brazil
When you’re chilling with some new friends in Brazil, don’t be surprised if they stop mid-sentence to answer a ringing phone. In some parts of the country, it’s considered extremely rude to ignore the call. Somehow, it’s less rude to ignore the person in front of them, in favour of a phone chat. Weird.
Watch what you do with your chewing gum
Singapore
It’s actually against the law to chew gum in Singapore. In fact, it’s even illegal to bring it into the country, even by accident.
Make sure you burp at the end of your meal
Parts of Asia
You mom always told you this was rude and maybe over here it is. In Asia, however, it’s a sign that you enjoyed the food. They’ll be flattered that you ate so fast that you’ve got gas.
Make sure you don’t finish your meal
Parts of Asia
While in some places, licking your plate clean means that you’ve thoroughly enjoyed your meal, in Asia, it’s the opposite. You should leave a little bit of something on your plate to show you’re too full to finish. If you eat everything, it shows that the host didn’t give you enough and you’re still hungry. That’s a huge insult.
Getting someone an even number of flowers
Russia
If you’re spending time in Russia and you’d like to buy someone a bouquet of flowers as a thanks, or a introduction to a date, make sure to count ’em. It’s only at funerals that even numbers of flowers are given, so you need to make sure that you’ve got an odd assortment. Otherwise you’re inviting death.
H/T List25
