Every country is different and every culture is unique.
And if you happen to travel to another country, you should probably brush on the local customs so you know what NOT to do.
You don’t want to get into any uncomfortable or potentially dangerous situations with the locals, now do you?
I didn’t think so…
Here are some good tips from AskReddit users about what NOT to do in their countries.
1. Yikes.
“Sodomy is punishable by whipping.
Atheism is also not recognized in my country. It is in our constitution that everyone one needs to practice a religion.
Although we are a secular country, you must convert to islam if you marry a muslim for it to be legal. Apostasy is punishable by death, and it is by law that if you are born a Malay you must be Islamic.”
2. India.
“Slaughtering cows, criticizing the government, criticizing the police, saying anything against Hinduism.”
3. No bikinis!
“Bikinis! But only if you’re a local!
If you’re a foreigner you can roam around naked as long as you throw away some dollars here and there!”
4. Czech Republic.
“I lived in Prague for a few years.
The ‘coldness’ when interacting with people was very obvious – including not even acknowledging when you bumped into someone.”
5. Don’t say it…
“Referring to us as “Part of England”
-Scotland.”
6. The upper crust.
“Speaking proper French in some regions.
If so, you can be attacked because you sound like an aristocrat and you’re rich and everything.
From France, by the way.”
7. Strict rules.
“As a woman it’s sitting in the front seat with a man who isn’t your brother/father/husband/son.”
8. Interesting…
“Holding up your thumb, index, and middle fingers.
I’m from Croatia.”
9. French Canada.
“Discussing Quebec separation, and pointing out how crooked the politicians pushing for it are.
When it came down to a referendum in the 90’s the Cree and Inuit people said they wanted no part of it and would separate from Quebec to remain in Canada.
One politician (Parizeau?) said that he wouldn’t allow it because ‘a united Quebec is a strong Quebec’ and the sudden flood of irony destroyed homes as far north as Hull.
Also, on the evening of the ‘No’ vote, an inebriated Parizeau blamed his failure on the ‘ethnic vote’. Stay classy, mon vieux.”
10. Don’t take ’em off.
“Taking your shoes off when you enter someone’s home.
It’s considered rude cause no one wants to smell your stinky feet. If you’re uncomfortable in your shoes, you’re supposed to ask for permission to take them off.
Just something along the lines of “do you mind if I take my shoes off, they’re bothering me?””
11. We don’t say that here.
“Using the word “c*nt” in almost any social setting.
Seems to be acceptable and even common in some countries but in the U.S. you will an open-mouth stare if you say it.”
12. New Zealand.
“Campers sh*tting everywhere, leaving hordes of rubbish, thinking that our native forests are a walk in the park, driving on the wrong side of the road and disrespecting our Māori culture in New Zealand.”
13. I did not know that!
“In Colombia it’s considered incredibly rude to slam a car door.”
14. Keep that in mind.
“Many Americans don’t realize this when they come to Canada to visit but here it’s considered impolite to tell a waiter what you want.
Waiters in Canada are considered to be experts on the menu and it’s fine to offer feedback or tell them about allergies, but when Americans come to Canada and tell the waiter what they want after looking at the menu or even how they want their food cooked (steak, medium rare, etc) it’s considered very obnoxious.”
15. Very strict about it.
“I’m from Germany.
We are usually very open about what happened and what we did during WW2, but it is absolutely unacceptable here to do the Nazi salute, draw the Swastika or yell out anything pro-Hitler (for example the phrase “Heil Hitler”, which was commonly used to celebrate and cheer for Hitler during the WW2 times). If you do that, it can easily get you beaten up or arrested.
We don’t make a lot of jokes about what happened, although there will always be some dumb teenagers who draw the Swastika onto their school desks, but generally speaking, we are pretty strict about it.”
What are the things that are looked down upon in your country and that people really shouldn’t do?
Tell us in the comments!
We’d love to hear from you!
