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 little details, you may unintentionally hurt feelings. Here is my list of top international travel tips to avoid taking a trip faux pas during your trips abroad.
V for Victory or the peace sign is considered harmless all over the world, but not in England and not even in New Zealand and Australia. If you do the “V” backwards (with your palms facing in), it is the same as doing a reverse turn.
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The cheerful thumbs up sign is mentioned bilakh in Iran and is an indescribable insult with a literal meaning of “sit on this!”
This commonly used “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.
When you visit Malaysia, you should point with your thumb instead. And in the Philippines, refrain from pointing at all. However, if you have to point at something, do it with your eyes or head.
The 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!)
Don’t touch anyone’s head in Thailand…even a child. The head is considered the seat of the soul and is therefore very sacred.
Nothing causes more offense to the Irish than to beat them to the British. So the next time you go to a pub in Ireland, politely avoid putting pounds on the table or ask them why they only accept euros. Stick to complimenting the food and the prowess of the national football team and you should be free of any pitfalls.
This one isn’t really a tip, just a strange practice. If you are in Japan during a thunderstorm, don’t be surprised to see some children holding their bellies. Faith is the god of thunder during a thunderstorm – Raijin is hunting for belly buttons. If you are looking forward to international travel to the East, pay close attention to the following tips.
In China, the numbers 1,4,5,7,13 and 14 are considered very unlucky and inauspicious. Avoid taking gifts in these numbers or planning an important meeting on these days. Avoid numbers 4 and 14 like the plague. 4 means death and 14 means guaranteed death with loneliness in chinese numerology. Likewise, Japanese people do not like the numbers 4,9 and 13 and receive gifts in even numbers.
Flowers can be a very suitable and beautiful gift for your host. But be careful about the message you’re 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 number of flowers in a bouquet is 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 Cheers! or Skal! You have to finish your vodka in one sip in Russia. And remember that a toast can be orchestrated for hours by the toastmaster in Georgia and Azerbaijan. Whispering at 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 a cognac in a pigskin bottle to an Arab host. Muslims don’t drink in public (if they do) and no matter how beautiful and refined that bottle of pigskin may be, the pig is considered unclean in Muslim countries. So this is a double whammy! No bells for your Chinese hosts. Gifts with logos are considered tacky and rude in Columbia and your Korean hosts will not 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 is completely normal for your host to hold your hand for the entire length of the conversation. So don’t withdraw your hands. Make sure you shake hands with every person in a room in Austria. In Russia it is extremely rude to shake hands across the threshold. Wait until you’re invited in. It is rude in Morocco to simply greet and walk away without asking about one’s family and friends. In the Middle East, handshakes do not start with sexual intercourse. Observe and follow what your host is doing.
These were some of the top international travel tips I might 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 made 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!
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