Things to Consider About Foreign Customs and Traditions

Things to Consider About Foreign Customs and Traditions

Other places have very different ideas about how to behave and what things mean. Gestures are always tricky, and most of the time, locals will understand that visitors to their country are likely to get a few things wrong. However, going to your destination with a good idea of what’s acceptable and what’s not acceptable will make you a more responsible and respectful traveller. Here’s a list of some of our favourite customs and traditions.

Don’t take chewing gum to Singapore

It only takes a brief glimpse up and down a pavement in Singapore to see that it’s sparklingly clean and noticeably free of the trodden-in chewing gum marks that litter every other city in the world. There is a reason for this and that is because Singaporeans are big fans of cleanliness. Your bags will be checked upon arrival for the banned substance and dropping gum on the streets in Singapore will get you a hefty fine if you’re caught red-handed.

Cover up in Asian temples

In most holy sites around the world, such as South East Asia and Italy, you will be expected to cover most of your body before entering a church of temple. In Thailand, the locals are often to polite to implement this rule, as much as it upsets them, so don’t just stroll in with your hot pants on just because you see other tourists dressed similarly.

Be polite about Thai Royalty
While many countries are now quite liberal in their views about their monarchy, in Thailand, the royal family remains highly revered. As a tourist, you are not exempt from cracking disapproving jokes about the King whilst in the country. Foreign travellers have even been imprisoned for their lack of verbal courtesy towards the almost god-like royal family.

Remove shoes when entering a mosque

Not doing this is the ultimate insult in a Muslim country or area. There’s not reason not to leave your shoes outside – they won’t be stolen and the floors of mosques are kept nice and clean at all times!

Keep those feet on the floor

In many countries such as Egypt, showing the soles of the feet or the bottoms of your shoes is considered very rude. In Thailand, you should avoid resting your feet on another person or items of furniture – feet should always be the lowest part of your body to the ground.

Use the right hand

In Kenya, you should always shake hands and hand over items with your right hand. Doing so with your left hand is wholly inappropriate. Similarly, in India, if you’re eating with the locals, try not to use your left hand to touch your food and keep it firmly placed in your lap – otherwise people may think you’re eating with the hand you’ve just wiped your bottom with!

Leave a tip

While leaving a tip in bars, hotels and restaurants isn’t always necessary in many Western countries, not leaving a tip in the United States could even lead to an unpleasant argument. No matter how average the service, a tip is non-negotiable, as many serving staff earn low wages and get the majority of their income from what customers leave behind.

Choose flowers carefully

In many countries a gift of flowers isn’t always as straightforward as it might seem. In Mexico, yellow is the colour of death and may lead to you being left on the doorstep with the door shut in your face!

Accept Japanese business cards carefully

If someone you meet hands you their business card, you should accept it with two hands, examine it carefully, and then put it somewhere for safekeeping. Don’t write on it, bend or fold it, as this is representative of abusing your new friend.

Choose red in China

Red is a very lucky colour in Chinese culture. Buying a gift or card featuring lots of red will be much appreciated by your Chinese acquaintances.

Ask permission for photographs of people

In many countries, especially in tribal or remote communities, it’s very important to ask for permission before taking a photograph of someone. More often than not they will agree, but I’ve been to villages in South America and Laos where my portraits brought on tears from my subjects. A common belief is that a little piece of their soul is captured in a photograph, never to be returned.

Say, don’t show

Certain gestures that are acceptable in your home country will mean something quite different in another. In Greece, for example, avoid at all costs making the symbol for ‘OK’ with your hand. There, it’s a vulgar gesture that refers to the anus! A thumbs-up sign is perfectly acceptable though.

Be thankful for your food

Different countries have very different ideas about what’s considered good manners at the dining table. In some places, if you’re invited to dine with a local family, you should try to eat everything on your plate. In others, it’s customary to leave a small amount – a symbol that you have eaten until you are full and therefore pleasing your host.

Don’t whistle in Russia

If you have a habit of whistling, it might be best to keep it under check whilst travelling in Russia. Whistling indoors here is a great social faux-pas because many money-focussed locals believe that it leads to poor finances! It’s not even acceptable during applause or in celebration.

Dress appropriately

In countries such as India, it will not be worth your while to wear the clothes you’d normally wear at home. You’ll need loose, flowing garments that cover your body, arms and legs. Not doing this is offensive to the people around you and will also guarantee you endless, unwelcome stares. You don’t necessarily need to dress exactly as the locals do, but adjust your normal clothes a bit out of respect. Head scarves may be required in Muslim countries.