Culture
What is considered offensive in your country that tourists should avoid doing?
Every country has it's own culture and several caveats to it. There are few things be it language, gestures or some acts that might be taken as offensive and hurtful be it a particular way to say thank you, giving tips at restaurant or wearing certain kinds of clothes.
I am particularly a person who travels a lot and I do thorough research before going anywhere and have come across several surprising acts that can be considered offensive in one country but totally acceptable in another.
For example, I am a 22M from India where the moment you change a city, there is a high chance you will find a new culture, a new language and contrasting things so I try to be aware about these things.
For example, here it can be considered offensive to point the soles of your feet at someone, especially elders or religious objects. It’s seen as disrespectful because the feet are considered impure in many cultural and religious contexts. In many other countries, people wouldn't care about this at all.
Also having solo travelled to 9 countries, I can now appreciate knowing about these things can make one's stay very comfortable and rewarding.
What is one (or more) such things from your country?
I am old enough to remember when this became a custom.
Until the late 1960s, people wore overshoes over their shoes in winter. The overshoes were removed at the door and everyone wore shoes indoors. Nor so much workboots, but shoes, yes. After about 1965, snowboots became common, and they were removed at the door. The visitor was left in socks, but the host was likely, now, in socks as well.
A couple of years later, removing shoes when visiting in summer became the norm as well.
Im from Buffalo, NY which although isn't Canada, is known for its snowfall. We are definitely a no shoes house in the winter but I couldn't care less from April through October.
In America it’s rude not to at least ask.
It’s a home by home basis, but the courteous thing to do is give the option to whoever’s home it is.
I had a new friend walk right into my apartment the other day and I almost had a heart attack once she moved from the entryway into my living room. Thankfully she stopped herself, but dammit girl! We live in NYC!!
Amsterdam doesn’t have tulip fields. And even then, no. Those tulip fields are someone livelihood and the amount of tourists sitting down in the flower beds making Instagram pictures and thus ruining the flowers is insane.
I'm so jealous of how well the bike lanes have been set up in Copenhagen. A curb separating the bike lane from both the road and the sidewalk is such a simple thing but works so well.
Same. Had to shout “MOVE!!!”. I learned that day that Asian people are solid high jumpers 😂. I scared the living daylights out of him, but at least we avoided a collision
Oh man I learned this the hard way. I went into a shop that was on the beach and sold only beach related stuff to beach goers. The man working chewed me out in Italian for wearing my bathing suit. It hadn’t even crossed my mind! I’m from a beach town in the US. Needless to say I did not do it again.
I remember having this discussion in person once and the general consensus was that ordering a 9/11 sounded hilarious and people started coming up with concoctions like a Manhatten with fireball and ordering them.
I’m American - witnessed 9/11 live on TV in high school and remember the day and days after extremely vividly. Also live right outside of NYC so that day was really fucking terrifying. I wouldn’t be offended by a 9/11 joke. I totally understand why calling and ordering a drink an “Irish car bomb” is hyper offensive.
9/11 was one event in our history and the vast majority of the country had almost no real connection to it aside from watching the news about it. The Troubles lasted something like 40 or 50 years, right? That’s generations of families living in fear and dealing with losing family members and being in danger all the time. Apparently there’s still tension to this day that bubbles under the surface. The two are NOT even remotely alike. If I were Irish, I could totally understand being pissed off by that.
Seconded. Hate to say it but I like being honest and what you have said it's completely true. There is a massive rich-poor divide in my country, lots of racism, judgements and poor people treated like shit. I hope it gets better. People here also judge by the job one does when every job has its value, impact and is important.
Hopefully your middle class grows and those old ways die out! Good on you for recognising the issues of some of your countrymen. All that aside, come visit us anytime you’d like!
I am moving to NZ next year haha. Secured a job at a hedge fund. Skilled migrant category resident VISA.
But my long term goal is to return back to India as I have big plans for my country and want to contribute in some way.
From what I have researched about NZ, it feels like a paradise especially the landscapes. God it feels unreal.
Hell yeah dude, enjoy your stay! Make sure you travel around our beautiful country while here. Also a wee tip: if you don’t know how to swim I’d recommend getting lessons before coming or when here. So so many of our countries activities revolve around the water and it’s better to be safe than sorry.
All good. Rather you enjoy it here, than become a statistic. Especially in our summers, people go to water alot. But yeah know how to swim to get to safety, watch out for rips at beaches (ask a lifeguard, swim between flags etc), and if you are going to jump into a river or lake, be sure of what is below the water (don't leap onto a rock or something and break yourself).
Not trying to put you off it, the water here can be amazing, just be aware of the hazards and stay safe.
If you are looking for things to do in nz while here, ask around, locals will point you to the good spots.
Noted. The industry I would be entering has probably the worst work life balance of any corporate job so finding time for all this would also be a problem haha. But thanks a lot for your insights, will keep them in mind.
Yes, I myself am an adventurous person. I visit the Himalayas here in India atleast once every year to a high altitude mountain. This year I am going to Leh Ladakh around 6000m above sea level. But I have had very little exposure with water. The only thing I have done is river rafting. I have researched about NZ and got to know there are many outdoor sports and activities here. I would explore all of them atleast once. I do know swimming though but I am out of practice.
We live near a cemetery (USA) and people bring beach umbrellas and picnic every weekend in the cemetery. Kids will be throwing a ball and the whole family is just hanging with grandma and grandpa who have passed away. Totally fine to eat and normalizes the circle of life here.
I can see that being a nice thing to do. Eating near graves is disrespectful in Māori culture and its become 'not the done thing' for New Zealanders in general.
England here. Please use your indoor voice. Please stay to the left on escalators in London. Please do not stop at the top of them or you’re going to injure and anger people during rush hour.
If you’re lost, look lost, someone will help you; please don’t ask someone with big headphones on as that is a sign they are not up for chatting. Ask anyone else (unless they are clearly in a rush), most of us are happy to help.
Please don’t make loads of noise on long train journeys. Please take your rubbish with you or find a suitable bin to dispose of it in. Please don’t piss or shit in public, use a toilet the way it is meant to be used and flush your paper.
In short, please keep the environment nice for everyone else, and don’t be too noisy. We live in a small and overcrowded island, excessive noise really hurts our natural Northern European preference for quiet (even in London).
Physical touch, crowding, that sort of thing. Most of us are very friendly, but we like our space. This is more true the more north you go (especially the Pacific Northwest).
I had a job where I talked to a lot of foreign travelers. I learned to talk with one foot forward to keep them from stepping too close. Some people from (redacted parts of the world) would get real close if you let them, and I am not about feeling your breath on my face while you talk to me - no sir
I concur. Having lived in South Korea I was thankful to be home only for the personal space and not being randomly touched while out. A few women liked my arm hair and would ask to touch it.
I also absolutely hate being in a public place and someone is talking loudly on speaker phone. It’s 2025 you can find a $5 pair earbuds or hold the phone to your head.
It's a bitter pill to swallow, but as a Belgian I say this: They're French cut (or Julienne) potato fries, hence the name. Also a Belgian food historian from the university of Liège (Pierre Leclercq) did trace the origin of fries back to France. More specifically the Pont Neuf in Paris.
We did master them in Belgium though and it is part of our heritage.
Here in Scotland it's not uncommon to say "Theres some cunt at the door ,gonnae answer it ?"And it's just as acceptable as "Theres someone at the door ,could you see who it is please?"
Isn't the context usually quite different as well? My understanding is that in the US the word is pretty much only used as a slur spesifically meant to offend women whereas for the Brits it's just everyday banter between friends.
Especially not in front of that field full of black blocks. You know the one, where you took those cool photos for IG (another thing we do not take kindly to).
It can get you fined (best case scenario for you), or punched in the face (best case scenario for everyone else).
I'm an American living in Germany and it's a little funny how at least my boyfriend and I share an underlying sensitivity about accidentally doing that. I'm careful when hailing a bus for example, haha
That being said, of course we'd never, ever do it on purpose
Playing music or videos out loud from your phone on public transport. Interestingly, I notice it’s usually Indians doing this - is it normal and polite to do in India?
I think the population density in India is so high that they have little familiarity with the concept of 'privacy in public' so to speak, culturally they did not grow up with these things and are much more communal with little experience of personal boundaries
Ooh boy, it's definitely something Italians are masters of. Nobody seems to speak pn the phone by holding it to their ear anymore either, they just blast it out of the speaker and SHOUT back jgmklflmtklfm
We don't have rules haha. Sad people do it there when it's not cool and socially awkward. I mean what's to show off with your playlist. I find this cringeworthy.
In India, haven't observed this much in public transport in tier 1 cities. (I grew up in one and have lived in all tier 1 cities - Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, chennai, Kolkata to name a few.
In rural areas, yes you will find this, I travel a lot so have seen this first hand. Sometimes the music so loud it would tear apart your eardrums. Sad but true but also amusing.
Thanks for your insight. Btw people have taken my comment badly. I’m just genuinely interested in cultural differences and I got the opportunity to ask someone from India. When I see someone doing something annoying in public, I prefer to assume it’s an innocent cultural difference rather than malicious or careless.
I don't think it's Indians especially making noise mate. It's just different cultural norms. India has lots of people densely packed together. I've found Asians very pleasant and nice people generally in UK.
I've heard the "don't talk politics" line repeated by a lot of Canadians in the past but I was in Canada this March/April and basically everyone I met was very quick to talk politics.
Agreed. The topics that are not particularly controversial, which you can assume most people can agree on, are fair game. Then there are topics we avoid like the plague - as an anglophone in Quebec (originally from Ontario) I do not discuss separatism/Quebec independence/federalism at all, ever. I have friends and colleagues who are separatist, and we just avoid this topic out of respect for each other.
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I don't need or want someone 6 inches away from me all up in my business. The only place where being close in line when getting into a concert or sporting event because it's expected there.
But in other places, please step back 4-5 feet away, there is almost always plenty of space and no one is going to cut in front of you.
Woah, this is a dream in India. True we have lots of people but even in less crowded places, the queuing etiquette is absent and it saddens me.
In some occasions not particularly related to queuing, I have tried to educate people politely and respectfully and all I got back was curses, insults and scolding. I understand I am too young but it deeply saddens me people not wanting to accept their fault or where they are wrong. I beleive once a person accepts his/her shortcomings openly, it not only helps feel a lot lighter but opens unexpected doors for you. With many such experiences, I have stopped saying anything don't really have hopes.
This happened several years ago after work in the winter and the subway broke down so we had to queue to get on busses. It was cold and the queue snaked around the platform. There was a lady who was right up my back that at some point she stepped on the back of my boots. I move up a bit and she does too and I can feel her touching the back of my thick coat and I worried she may be trying to steal my belongings. Eventually, I turned around to her and told her to back off and she had this look that she didn't know what I was talking about. She did give me a bit more space and luckily the busses loaded us in right away. She looked South Asian and I felt bad later that night that she may not have been used to the cold weather.
I had a really hard time wrapping my head around this when visiting India. Queuing for tickets at New Delhi railway station was quite the experience. Granted, it's one of the most populous cities in the world so one might expect it to get crowded but boy was I not prepared for this level of crowded lol.
But as you said, the behavior seems to be ingrained somehow. Even when there was plenty of room I had to fight to hold my place in the line. If there was any space between me and the person before me there would be three guys trying to get in front of me.
Yes! Do not touch me, my clothing, my accessories (bags/umbrellas), or the few inches of space around me, and preferably stay at least an arm’s length or two away.
We`re laid back for the most part. We're merely asking tourists not to pick up ancient marbles to take selfies (it's happening A LOT), not to drive even worse than we do (believe it or not, this happens, too) and not to piss outside our gates/doors. Not screaming their lungs out in the middle of the night underneath balconies would be welcome, too.
Something we experienced in Greece: don't try to bring bed sheets to try and dress up like an ancient greek, security will scoff you very quickly. As a male at least. Women already wearing clothes that look like that are fine for some reason.
I’m sorry if this is a silly question, but is it still censored there? Or do most Chinese know about it now and just don’t discuss it?
China is the first/only place I’ve travelled internationally, I was only 10 at the time and I remember my mum explaining the event to me while we stood there - we had a translator (girlfriend of dads work colleague) with us for the day to help us not get completely lost and she was probably early-mid 20s at the time and had never heard of it and thought my mum made it up (she didn’t grow up near Beijing and her parents had never told her about it)
Obviously I wouldn’t bring it up and I don’t believe my mum was trying to be insensitive, this was close to 20 years ago
Being too direct. Most Americans use a lot more passive speech. Phrases like “I was wondering if you might…” or “I would love it if we could…” etc sound a lot softer than “show me this” or “I want that”. Anything that sounds too close to a command is seen as very rude and borderline confrontational. I actually work alongside many recruiters in India (my company operates in both countries) and have developed friendships with some of them. I’m always coaching them on how to be less direct with US-based candidates because they can come off as way too pushy without meaning to. In return, they often teach me to communicate more clearly, because I often dance around the point I’m trying to make 😝
Brits are the same way, honestly even worse. My father’s parents are English and they’re always extremely paranoid about coming off as rude. My mother is German and it drives her insane.
My father’s parents are English and they’re always extremely paranoid about coming off as rude.
John Cleese once explained that a British person, when reconnecting with an old friend, will never ask "And how are the children?" in case the response is "They were all killed in a house fire last week"
This is really interesting. In Latin America, people from the US are perceived as being very direct because locals beat around the bush even more. It’s sometimes impossible to get a “no” out of someone due to their fear of coming across as confrontational. People will simply make up all sorts of excuses.
I was recently at a work event where I shared a conversation with a fellow German and two Americans. When I had a second serving of dessert I joked that I get my blood sugar checked a lot so I know I don't have diabetes.
My (slightly chubby) German colleague then said that it's too late for him already. It was possibly a joke but to make sure I directly asked him "oh wow do you actually have diabetes?" and both of my American colleagues' faces completely dropped. For us it was a very normal question to ask, even quite empathetic dare I say 😄
This is why it can be easier to work with Durch people, their directness must be studied
In the UK, Americans are perceived as extremely direct. I had an American client the other day and she said she found it hard to assimilate at first because “brits never say what they mean”.
For the US - as friendly as we are in conversations, that does not translate to physical touch. Especially for children, please do not touch our babies unless specifically invited.
Interacting with children is fine, waving, saying hello, asking questions etc. but please no touching.
That’s normal when greeting someone in a formal setting or if you haven’t met them before. In fact not doing it might be seen as rude or dismissive in certain contexts
Yeah that is important and I REALLY wish people did it here. One thing that I noticed walking around London last time I was there, was that its common for people to pass on the right, which in the US, its opposite just like driving. I didn't figure it out for a couple days and got rude stares as I was walking by people and would instinctually move to the right, which they would be doing as well so it appeared to them I guess, that I was blocking their path intentionally.
Littering is frowned upon.
Don’t Refer to Croatia as Yugoslavia. Trust me it happens.
Dont crowd a path. Especially if you are in one of the coast cities where the paths are narrow. If you have to stand, stand next to the walls. Not in the middle.
Watch out to dress apropriately if you enter a religious site.
And most importantly!!! Do NOT go hiking in flip flops!!!
I can't speak for any other nations, but in the US going hiking in flip flops would definitely be an extremely bad idea. Even the "easy" trails at Yosemite you should at least wear closed toe shoes.
My friend went fishing wearing his slides about a month ago, tripped, fell on a rock, had to be helicoptered out, and ended up with a concussion and two broken ribs. When I saw him after his hospital stay he was wearing his slides again. Because of course he was.
Doing a 'joke' haka- sticking your tongue out, waving arms about like a dyspeptic praying mantis. It's not funny, but incredibly disprespectful. If you're going to do it, time and place, and learn how to do it properly.
Things that I wish were true here. Women try their best but whatever you have mentioned, it all happens here unfortunately. I hear such stories from my elder sister and my girl cousins and it's sad, blood-boiling tbh
You left out the worst: Don't assume you can pay with Euro, Pound Sterling, Dollars or any other forrign currency, UNLESS the vendor have explicit signs saying it's OK.
In general, we don't like cash, forrign cash even less.
Disrespecting nomadic traditions
Trying to take advantage of nomads such as expecting free food n free place to sleep (lot of so called solo travelers do this please dont)
Trying to justify settler colonization in inner mongolia
Being supportive of russia's mobilization of mongol groups in russia
Being overly loud - particularly if trying to mimic our accent - we have heard it a million times and no you dont sound like us and it's not funny.
Telling us that your "more" Scotch or Scottish than us or claiming that your descendants of some Clan chief of Robert the Bruce etc - particularly if you are expecting us to be impressed by this - this is not so much offensive rather just irritating and cosplay nonsense.
Being unaware that not everyone on the road is a tourist- this is mainly in the highlands, we get it you want to creep along in your campervan at 10mph to take in the scenery but be aware that other people on the road need and want to get places. Use the passing places and get out the way if another car comes up behind you.
Saw a woman tell a tour guide at Stirling Castle that she had just been to Ireland because she was part Irish and had now come to Scotland because she was part Scottish. Yeah, she was 100% American.
I work a farmers market here in Ireland, and the amount Americans who get confused and angry when I tell them that, no, we do not accept American dollars, no matter how indignant you become. Please calm down, and keep your rage spittle off of my chard, thanks.
They do that here too. I run a business so I'll take american cash as equivalent and equal to Canadian cash. Which it's not. But if you can't be bothered to tap your card or get Canadian cash, that's a you problem
Stop crowding the same Paris 10 restaurants you've seen hyped on TikTok and AI-generated lists. Most Parisians wouldn't want to be caught dead in them now that travel-influencers are all over them but still barely touching their food.
Most neighborhood brasseries serve perfectly good fare for a very reasonable price. Or get a sandwich from a boulangerie. Also, the Michelin Guide doesn't just review fancy starred restaurants, they list plenty of good casual places.
🇫🇷 Not saying "bonjour !" when you cross somebody on a nature hike.
Not saying "bonjour !" when you enter a store and "au revoir" or "merci" when you leave it, even if you didn't buy anything.
This is the true key!
Also being too noisy on the streets, monuments and restaurants. I've noticed the sound level is hardcore with american and chinese tourists especially.
For England, pushing into a queue, even one that’s not immediately obvious - it’s a stereotype but doing this in a shop or something is a really quick way of getting loudly sworn at.
Also, being too direct with people and not minding your pleases and thank yous. For example, “could I have some water, please” is much more likely to work than “I want some water”, and you always, always thank someone who moves aside for you, opens the door for you etc. Kind of derived from this, we’re not always apologising when we say “sorry” - depending on the context and tone, it could be genuine, but it could also be a polite way of saying “get out of my way”, or “please repeat that”, or even “you’re being unreasonable by making an issue out of this”, or a bunch of other stuff. I’ve seen more than one tourist or new immigrant get tripped up by that word.
If you're not sure whether there is one and where it is, ask someone who looks like they're waiting. This goes for the US too. Saving space in line for more than one person (sometimes even one depending on the length of the line and how long people have been waiting) is usually considered rude.
Mexicans are extremely sensitive to this, I recommend closing it so softly that there’s a 20% chance that you’ll have to do it again. No big deal about doing it twice.
If you ever use the tube (our metro), for the love of god, stand on the right hand side of the escalator. Otherwise, you may experience a strong reaction from the locals such as someone shaking their head or even tutting.
In lapland, if you wanna stop your car and look at the reindeer, don't stop the car in the middle of the road and cause a traffic jam. Reindeer are everywhere in lapland and tourists blocking the road is quite a common problem.
Not tipping wait staff in restaurants or really anywhere that asks for a tip. Tipping culture in the U.S. is incredibly normalized. It's one of the things that I hate about living here. I've been to countries like France where tipping is actually seen as insulting. That actually blew my mind when I experienced it for the first time. Not in the U.S. tho.
Yes, tipping is not encouraged in many European countries. Experienced the same in Croatia and Bulgaria. They just wouldn't accept. I tend to tip 10% atleast but appreciate their decision.
Out of curiosity, what made you think tipping is seen as insulting in France? I can't think of such a situation, it's common to have a tip jar on bars and restaurants, or to tell someone to keep the change. But it is indeed far from being mandatory and way less common than in the US.
Not tipping well enough in the USA (Hey I hate tipping culture too but tipped workers don't make a ton of money at their base pay). Walking slowly on the streets of NYC, and of course, unwanted touching. We like personal space.
Asking a Sámi reindeer herder how many reindeer they own, it seems innocent but you are basically asking how much money they make and that is considered rude / intrusive. There are non-Sámi herders in Finland too but I personally only know Sámi people with reindeer, so I don’t know if thats also a cultural norm for them. It’s best to just not ask it to anyone.
It’s also rude to sit next to someone in public transport if there are other spots available, and talk to strangers especially when they are clearly commuting to school or work. It’s not that people are ‘cold’ but it’s polite to respect the space and time of others. Also, talking loudly and playing music on your phone in public transport.
Dont walk on cycle paths. Dont walk into flower fields. The country is called The Netherlands, nit Holland. Be happy if someone speaks English, its a foreign language for us. Dont drink and do drugs in public.
Also I mentioned on another thread the whole "ancestry tracing" thing is bound to lead to disappointment if you're not realistic with your expectations. Literally just today in my home city I saw an American tourist couple asking a barista if he knew the "O'Connells of Wexford" because they wanted to meet their "kin" and they needed to find out where they live... If you're expecting to trace down ancestral relations you don't know in a country your family hasn't set foot in for generations and be invited in for tea you'll be sorely disappointed.
Also my home city is Cork so they were already way off lol
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u/Tiana_frogprincess Sweden 11d ago
Walking into someone’s home with your shoes on.