10 cultural mistakes to avoid while traveling

share | tweet | MORE |

 

When you’re traveling to another country, you find yourself in the middle of a different culture, whose conventions, norms and customs might be radically different from your own. It’s only natural that you make some mistakes when your in a foreign place, but there are a few things that can help you cope better with the culture clash. It can save you from a lot of embarrassment (and even trouble, in some cases). So here are 10 cultural mistakes to avoid while traveling.

1. Thailand

In Thailand, don’t touch anyone’s head, not even a child’s, because it is considered to be extremely impolite and intrusive. Even if your gesture was intended to be friendly, chances are that it won’t be appreciated.

2. Russia

Vodka plays a big part in many types of social situations in Russia, so it’s not polite at all to refuse it. If you’re invited at someone’s home and you’re served vodka, there’s really no polite way to wiggle out of it.

3. North Africa

In North African countries where food is eaten with your fingers, use only your right hand to touch the food. Eating with your left hand from a communal dish is usually frowned upon, because you’re supposedly using it for other tasks.

4. Japan

Don’t blow your nose in public in Japan, it is considered extremely rude. Even in private, if you’re at the table, blowing your runny nose is a big no no. The same goes for China and Saudi Arabia too.

5. France

If you’re drinking wine in France (and you probably will be drinking plenty of it), don’t refill your glass before offering some more wine to the people at your table.

6. Hawaii

When someone offers you a lei in Hawaii (those beautiful flower garlands worn around the neck), you should never refuse it, not take it off right away in front of the person who offered it to you.

7. Scandinavian countries

If you are planning on enjoying a few hours in the sauna, keep in mind that at traditional places you are not allowed to keep your clothes on. Although some more modern sauna don’t require you do go in the nude, the more traditional place stand by their traditions.

8. Brazil

If you want to signal to someone that something is OK, do not, under any circumstances, use the American sign (forming a circle with your thumb and forefinger). It might be interpreted as a rude reference to certain parts of a person’s anatomy.

9. India

In India, feet are considered unclean, so avoid pointing at people or objects with your foot (most people are forgiving towards foreigners, but you should apologize nonetheless).

10. UK

If you want to flash someone the victory sign in the UK, do so with your palm outward! Showing the V with your palm towards your body is supposedly a very, very rude gesture.

You might also like

share | tweet | more |

 

Leave a comment on 10 cultural mistakes to avoid while traveling

Enter your comment below, or Trackback from your own blog. You can also subscribe to these comments via RSS
 

Leave a comment:

* your name

* your email address (will not be published)

your website

 

*=required