So you are on holiday abroad? There are many local customs and social etiquettes in the world that you as a visitor may not be aware of. And by not paying attention to these small details, you can inadvertently hurt feelings. Here’s my list of international top travel tips to avoid taking a trip faux pas during your foreign travels.
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V for Victory or the peace sign is considered harmless all over the world, but not in England and not even New Zealand and Australia. Doing the “V” backwards (with your palms facing in) is the same as turning back one time.
The cheerful thumbs up sign is called bilakh in Iran and is an indescribable insult with a literal meaning of “sit on this!”
This common “Ok” / “I’m fine” sign is considered extremely rude and impolite in Turkey and Brazil. In both countries it is believed that by making this sign you are comparing someone to their genitals. A point to keep in mind, especially if you plan to dive into the Ilha Grande.
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When you visit Malaysia, you should point your thumb instead. And in the Philippines refrain from pointing at all. However, if you need to point at something, do it with your eyes or head.
Next tip for international travel concerns one of the most visited Mediterranean countries. In Greece it is called extending your arms with your palms facing someone moutza and is probably the worst form of travel faux pas you can commit… that is unless you’ve done it double Moutza (that’s right, with both hands!)
Not touching anyone’s head in Thailand… not even a child. The head is considered the seat of the soul and is therefore very sacred.
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Nothing offends the Irish more than beating them with the British. So next time you go to a pub in Ireland, kindly avoid putting pounds on the table or ask them why they only accept euros. Stick to complimenting the national football team’s food and prowess and you should be free of any pitfalls.
This one isn’t really a tip, just a weird usage. If you happen to be in Japan during a thunderstorm, don’t be surprised to see some children holding their tummies. Faith is, in a thunderstorm the god of thunder – Raijin is on the hunt for navel buds. If you are looking forward to international travel to the East, pay close attention to the following tips.
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In China, the numbers 1,4,5,7,13 and 14 are considered very unlucky and unfavorable. Avoid bringing gifts in these numbers or scheduling an important meeting on these days. Avoid numbers 4 and 14 like the plague. 4 means dead and 14 means guaranteed death with loneliness in chinese numerology. Similarly, Japanese do not like numbers 4,9 and 13 and receive gifts in even numbers.
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Flowers can be a very suitable and beautiful gift for your host. But be careful of the message you are trying to send. For example, flowers should always be presented unwrapped when visiting Germany, Sweden and Poland, and here carnations are funeral flowers. This also applies to the chrysanthemums in Spain, Italy, Turkey, Belgium and France. In Mexico and Chile, yellow flowers indicate sadness and separation. Odd numbers of flowers in a bouquet are considered unfavorable in Indonesia and China, while even numbers are considered unlucky in Japan, Russia, and Germany.
The next international travel trip for you comes from Germany and Scandinavia. Always look into your host’s eyes as you say Prost! of Must! You have to finish your vodka in one gulp in Russia. And remember that a toast can be orchestrated for hours by the toastmaster in Georgia and Azerbaijan. Whispering to your neighbor or sipping your toast between toasts is considered very rude.
Giving and accepting gifts is quite common in Asian and European countries. It is best to consult a local contact before purchasing a gift for your host. But here are a few absolute no-nos. Giving a wine bottle or brandy in a pigskin bottle to an Arab host. Muslims do not drink in public (if they do) and however beautiful and refined that vial of pigskin may be, the pig is considered unclean in Muslim countries. So this is a double blow! No bells for your Chinese hosts. Gifts with logos are considered tacky and rude in Columbia, and your Korean hosts won’t appreciate any gift that is “made in Korea.” Use your right hand to give/receive gifts in the Middle East and both hands in East Asian countries.
Be prepared for an intense handshake in Fiji. It’s perfectly normal for your host to hold your hand for the entire length of the conversation. So don’t pull your hands back. Make sure you shake hands with every person in a room in Austria. In Russia, it is extremely rude to shake hands over the threshold. Wait to be invited in. It is rude in Morocco to just say hello and walk away without asking about someone’s family and friends. In the Middle East, handshakes do not initiate sexual intercourse. Observe and track what your host is doing.
These were some of the top international travel tips I could find out that this might save you from making culture/travel faux pas. Try to learn more about the place you plan to visit and the local customs and beliefs and you will be fine. I hope you enjoyed reading this. Did I miss something? Have you ever committed a faux pas or social blunder abroad? Share your stories, opinions, comments and any additional tips you can think of. Stay happy and keep rocking!
Auteur:
Debangana’s love of travel goes beyond her usual pore over Ireland’s backgrounds. If she doesn’t, she’s busy planning her next trip.
