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Opening a present in the presence of the giver -

Opening a gift right away is viewed as greedy in Asian countries like China and India.

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Laughing open-mouthed -

In Japan, it is seen as very impolite to laugh showing teeth.

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Tipping -

In Japan, tipping is often considered degrading, despite the possibility of impeccable service, unlike many countries with suggested tip percentages.

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Complaining about service -

"The customer is always right" is not universally practiced in Europe, and complaining about bad service may not guarantee a satisfactory response.

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Resting your hands on your lap while eating -

In Germany, it is a common practice to have one's hands on the table while eating instead of placing them on the lap.

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Eating with your hands -

Using utensils is necessary in Chile, regardless of the food being consumed, even if it includes fries. In contrast, eating with hands is commonly practiced in South Asia and Africa.

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The "A-OK" sign -

This hand gesture is considered offensive and vulgar in certain countries, including Turkey where it is particularly offensive to the LGBTQ+ community.

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Eating in public -

In Japan, it is considered strange and impolite to eat while walking or in non-restaurant locations.

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Peace sign -

In the UK, when the palm is facing towards your face, the backwards peace sign symbolizes rudeness.

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Crossing your legs -

In certain regions of the Middle East, it is seen as disrespectful to cross your legs when seated across from an elder individual.

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Thumbs up -

In the Middle East, Latin America, and western Africa, giving a thumbs up gesture is considered offensive, akin to displaying your middle finger.

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Speaking on the phone publicly -

In several countries, eavesdropping can be enjoyable; however, in Japan, it is considered impolite to have conversations on cell phones while commuting. Instead, people prefer communicating through e-mail or text messages.

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Accepting a gift immediately -

In Japanese and Chinese culture, it is customary to decline a gift multiple times before finally accepting it. This practice might seem unusual to some, but it holds significance in these cultures.

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Food modification -

In southern Europe, adding seasoning and condiments to your food is seen as an insult to the chef. Essentially, it implies that their preparation was inadequate.

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Nose blowing -

In countries like China, France, Japan, and Saudi Arabia, blowing your nose in public is seen as impolite and even offensive.

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Dividing the expenses -

Splitting the bill in France is perceived as unsophisticated compared to paying for the whole bill.

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Finishing all food on plate -

In countries like China, Russia, and Thailand, emptying your plate is considered a signal that you haven't been given sufficient food and are still in need of more.

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Violating pedestrian traffic laws -

In countries of northern Europe, jaywalking is considered against the law and is closely followed. Even in the absence of traffic, individuals await the crosswalk signal.

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Discussing mental health issues -

The stigma surrounding discussing mental health and seeking therapy is diminishing. However, in the UK, mentioning this aspect of one's life is seen as excessive sharing, causing discomfort for many individuals.

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Slurping -

Slurping in Japan is seen as delightful for chefs, signaling your enjoyment of noodles. In North America, however, it is seen as impolite.

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Exposing the undersides of bare feet -

In Arab, Buddhist, Muslim, and Hindu nations, displaying the soles of your feet is considered disrespectful since they are perceived as unclean.

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Food refusal -

Refusing an offered meal in Lebanon is considered highly offensive, causing insult to both the individual and the cultural norms.

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Enjoying a post-lunch cappuccino -

Having a cappuccino in Italy is commonly done before noon, but after that, it is the norm to switch to espresso to avoid being labeled as a tourist.

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Expressing gratitude -

In certain cultures, it is customary to express gratitude for even the smallest things. However, in India, saying "thank you" after a meal is generally not appreciated. Instead, it is deemed more suitable to offer to host the next dinner.

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Referring to the United States as "America" -

When discussing your country while in South America, please refer to it as the United States instead of "America." This seemingly harmless practice is considered offensive to South Americans who are also residents of America.

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Smiling at strangers -

In Russia, a smile is considered a personal gesture, showing a sincere liking towards someone, therefore distributing them to everyone may seem insincere.

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Crossing fingers -

In North America, crossing your fingers is a common gesture for good luck or expressing hope. In Vietnam, however, crossed fingers symbolize female genitalia in an offensive manner.

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Arriving on time -

In Latin American cultures, arriving on time is considered the same as arriving an hour early in countries like the US. It can be inconvenient for hosts to receive guests who come early while they are still getting ready for their dinner party.

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Patriotism -

In various countries and cultures, excessive and unabashed patriotism evokes haunting memories of fascism and its associated negativity.

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Asking about someone's occupation -

In the Netherlands, asking this question is considered classist and akin to asking about someone's income.

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Helping yourself to the second course -

In Chile, it is considered impolite to take a second serving on your own, and it is advised to wait for the host to offer it.

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Being late -

In Germany, there is no concept of being fashionably late. When meeting someone at a designated time, it is expected to either arrive early or precisely on time.

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No drink options available -

It is customary in numerous countries to provide guests with a beverage upon entering your residence, whether they are a friend or a repairman.

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Too many superlatives used -

North Americans tend to describe the most mundane things as "amazing" or "the best," but that exaggeration comes off as fake or dishonest in many countries.

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Telling people to feel free to serve themselves -

Although viewed as a kind and trusting gesture in certain cultures, this hands-off approach is considered inappropriate for a host in various parts of Asia.

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Honking -

People around the globe often resort to honking for even the smallest inconvenience, but in Norway, it is solely reserved for emergencies. Consequently, drivers might be overwhelmed with panic if unnecessary beeping were to occur.

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Hand in pocket -

In some Asian nations, this role is seen as overly proud.

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Eating fallen food -

In Middle Eastern countries, it is customary to retrieve and consume food that has been accidentally dropped, after cleaning it. However, in germ-conscious nations like the US, consuming food that has touched the ground is viewed as unhygienic.

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Hand someone their bill in advance of their request -

In Europe, when a waiter presents the bill before the customer asks, they are signaling that it is time for them to leave the establishment.

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Consuming another person's alcoholic beverages -

In Norway, it is considered impolite to consume alcohol that you haven't brought to a gathering. Conversely, declining a vodka offer in Russia is perceived as disrespectful.

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Using your left hand -

In Africa, India, and Sri Lanka, the left hand is considered unclean, thus using it to greet or eat is highly disrespectful.

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Riding in the rear of a taxi -

Riding shotgun is considered commonplace in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and the Netherlands, reflecting their values of equality.

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Wearing sweatpants and flip-flops -

Wearing specific ensembles like sweatpants paired with flip-flops, loose clothing, and baseball caps is disapproved of in Japan and some European countries. These attire choices are considered disrespectful and untidy.

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Licking your fingers -

In Middle Eastern tradition, it is customary to lick fingers after eating, exclusively at the end of the meal. In contrast, other nations prefer the use of napkins for this purpose.

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Not playing with your food -

In Germany, if potatoes are cut with a knife and fork, it implies to the cook that the food wasn't fully cooked, whereas mashing is considered more customary.

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Chatting with your hands in your pockets -

In Germany, a seemingly casual gesture is considered impolite.

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Strong handclasp -

In the Philippines, it is customary to maintain a relaxed and informal grip. A strong handshake signifies authority, while a gentle one is seen as a gesture of admiration.

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Burping -

In China, burping after a meal is regarded as a form of praise for the chef, while in Europe and North America, it is considered impolite and necessitates an apology.

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Not greeting properly -

In fast-paced societies, individuals may occasionally omit pleasantries while ordering food or making purchases. However, in France, failing to say "Bonjour" indicates a belief that the person is of lower status.

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Touching people's food -

In Ethiopia, a tradition known as "gursha" involves the act of personally feeding others with your hands, fostering connections among people. Yet, in numerous other nations, it is considered impolite to touch someone else's food.

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Not being mindful of your chopsticks -

In various Asian regions, it is considered offensive to point at someone using chopsticks. Additionally, sticking chopsticks upright in rice symbolizes a funeral ceremony and should be avoided.

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Having physical contact -

In certain regions of China, Korea, and the Middle East, it is seen as offensive to engage in physical contact such as touching or hugging individuals.

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Staying dressed in saunas -

In Nordic countries like Finland, saunas and steam rooms are not for privacy. Instead, it is considered prudish to keep clothes on.

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Wearing shoes indoors -

Not taking off shoes when entering the home is seen as extremely disrespectful, especially in Caribbean and Asian cultures.

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Sharing food -

In India, it is not common to offer a taste of food, as it is believed to be contaminated once it touches your plate. Personal preference plays a role in food sharing, but the cultural norm is to avoid it. 

See also: Travel mistakes you're making (and how to avoid them).

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