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People generally sit or stand in silence while taking public transport in Japan, as loud chatter or other noise disturbances is considered rude. It's best to take your phone calls after your ride.
While it's beneficial to make some eye contact when meeting a person for the first time, Filipinos consider frequent or prolonged eye contact intrusive and rude.
In Russia, it's uncommon to smile at a stranger. Smiles are reserved for friends or individuals you have some kind of relationship with. Constant smiling can be interpreted as dishonest by some.
When giving someone a bouquet, make sure you don't offer them a bunch of white chrysanthemums, as in many countries across Europe, including France, Belgium, and Austria, these flowers are often reserved for funerals or given as a token of grief and bereavement.
In Thailand, the head is considered sacred and the most cleanest part of the body, so it's deemed offensive to touch the top of people's heads or hair.
If you find yourself visiting Japan on business, it's worth remembering that exchanging business cards is based on respect. Never flick, throw, slide, or push a business card across the table, and always keep your cards spotless, dry, and unmarked.
Waving is a common gesture to greet someone or to say goodbye. But in Greece, an open palm with stretched hands is called a mountza, and it's a non-verbal way of cursing.
It is considered rude to rush a greeting in Morocco. Greetings are more formal, yet warm and welcoming. They can last up to 10 minutes, and include handshakes and asking about the health and well-being of one's family.
Queuing is ingrained in the culture of the United Kingdom. If you find that you need to wait in line for something, join the back of the queue; pushing in or jumping the line is considered rude.
In Germany, talking to somebody while your hands are in your pockets is considered impolite. It's best to keep your hands relaxed by your sides during a conversation.
People in Norway only honk their car horns when there is an emergency. You may cause panic if you honk your horn when frustrated in a traffic jam.
In India, you should finish everything on your plate, as it is considered a sign of respect for the food served. The same is true in Japan, where leaving food on your plate (whether at home or in a restaurant) is considered rude.
In India, it's impolite to open a gift in front of the gift giver, as this can be considered greedy. Instead, set the gift aside and unwrap it later.
In most Muslim countries, the left hand is considered unclean, so to pass food or eat with the left hand is considered impolite.
In many parts of the world, including Luxembourg, Switzerland, and France, public gum chewing is considered impolite, as the sound can be distracting for others.
The general rule in South Korea is that you should never pour your own drink; someone else should do it for you. It's considered bad luck to pour a drink for yourself.
Arriving 30 minutes to two hours late to a party in someone's home is acceptable in Mexico. Turning up at the specified hour would be considered rude, as the hosts may not be ready.
When eating at someone's home in China, always leave some food on your plate, as finishing your food suggests the meal wasn't filling enough and your host was skimping on the portion size.
Pointing toward someone with a forefinger is considered rude in Indonesia. Instead, point with your thumb or palm.
In Russia, it is customary to gift an odd number of flowers in a bouquet, as an even number of flowers is reserved for funerals. The odd-number rule is for up to a dozen flowers, but most people will follow it even if they give a big bouquet.
Tipping is not customary in Japan; it can be considered rude and insulting in many situations. Instead, be polite and express verbal thanks.
Loudly blowing your nose in a public place is considered bad manners in Japan. It's preferable to sniff rather than blow your nose in front of people.
In Portugal, when a man and a woman or two women meet in an informal setting, they greet each other with two kisses. The first kiss goes on the right cheek, and the second on the left.
The thumbs-up gesture in Afghanistan is considered rude and has the same connotations as raising a middle finger in the US!
In Turkey, people remove their shoes before entering any house. It would be impolite for a guest to refuse a request to remove footwear.
In China, always lay your chopsticks flat on a rest or on the edge of the bowl. It's offensive for chopsticks to be used to point at people.
If you are visiting Italy and would like a coffee in the afternoon, it's best to opt for an espresso. Cappuccinos aren't drunk after 11 am, as it's believed drinking dairy after lunch or dinner might mess with your digestion.
Across the Middle East, displaying the sole of your shoe or touching somebody with your shoe is considered incredibly offensive, as they are dirty from touching the ground. It's best to avoid crossing your legs when sitting.
Sources: (Reader's Digest) (Business Insider) (HowStuffWorks) (EF Education First)
See also: Rules of flying you should be following
Cutting salad leaves with a knife is considered improper in France. Instead, you should fold the leaves onto your fork.
Navigating cultural differences can be a delicate dance, where one misstep can lead to embarrassment or offense. From improper table manners to inappropriate gestures, it's easy to commit many a social crime. But you can avoid this!
Check out this informative gallery before you next travel, to find out the most common cultural faux pas and a few tips on how to avoid making them.
Navigating cultural differences can be a delicate dance, where one misstep can lead to embarrassment or offense. From improper table manners to inappropriate gestures, it's easy to commit many a social crime. But you can avoid this!
Check out this informative gallery before you next travel, to find out the most common cultural faux pas and a few tips on how to avoid making them.
Common cultural faux pas and how to avoid them when you're abroad
From chewing gum in public to leaving food on your plate
LIFESTYLE Etiquette rules
Navigating cultural differences can be a delicate dance, where one misstep can lead to embarrassment or offense. From improper table manners to inappropriate gestures, it's easy to commit many a social crime. But you can avoid this!
Check out this informative gallery before you next travel, to find out the most common cultural faux pas and a few tips on how to avoid making them.