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When we go abroad, we like to speak louder, gesticulate more, and play the 'dumb tourist' card whenever we get in trouble. But it would probably be wiser to just do a little homework before our trip and save ourselves the embarrassment in the first place.

In an attempt to collect the most valuable travel advice, Redditor u/Skinnysaif asked other users: "What should tourists NEVER do in your country?" and luckily for them (and now us), people from all over the world replied, sharing tidbits of information that can make journeys to foreign lands a lot more pleasurable. Here are some of the answers.

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#1

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know Concentration camps are not a place for you get your stupid selfies for your "influencer" profile. Those tracks you're standing on transported many to their death.

It's okay to take pictures for pictures for memories that you came here. But those people who come here to take "sexy" selfies have no place being here.

[deleted] , Rafael Wagner Report

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Cory and G Varga, the wife and husband duo behind an awesome blog called You Could Travel, for example, always research the customs of the place they're going to. "It's paramount that we do so," they told Bored Panda. "First of all, we don't want to get in trouble (imagine wearing a mini skirt in Abu Dhabi or kissing in Saudi Arabia). But we also research because we want to blend in with the locals and not stand out like sore thumbs."

The couple said it has plenty of benefits. "Locals appreciate us and give us better treatment and service. Not to mention that we set a good example for our fellow countrymen."
#2

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know Australia. For f**k sake. DON'T GO NEAR THE CROCODILE, DON'T TOUCH THE SNAKE, AND DON'T TRY TO EAT THE RED BACK SPIDER. These are all true things stupid tourists have done here, including some American picking a fight with a kangaroo. (The Kangaroo won)

Rumplestiltskin1254 , Michael Report

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"When we're abroad we only give ourselves the freedom to try interesting culinary delicacies which we'd otherwise avoid back home. Other than that, we do what the locals do," Cory and G Varga said. "Tourists should read about the local customs and follow them as much as possible. Ideally, they wouldn't be loud or disrespect anyone. They should always follow the local dress code, understand how to behave in public, and even how to eat in a restaurant. Pay close attention to local holidays and learn a few things in the local language. Nobody asks tourists to spend days reading novels about the countries they are about to visit but to just be decent and respect their fellow humans."

However, it's impossible to learn everything. Sometimes, you make mistakes even with the best intentions. But that's OK! "When this happens the best thing to do is to apologize. And mean it!" the traveling couple said. "If there's no language barrier, explain that you've mistaken and you are very sorry for the issues you've caused. Ask someone to teach you how to do better next time. Show interest in the locals and strive to do better next time."

Cory and G Varga highlighted that it takes just 20-30 minutes of online research to understand some local customs. "As long as we all respect the basic rules, are kind and considerate, locals will be happy to accommodate tourists and welcome them to their countries."

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#3

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know In England, respect the queues and do not cut. We will stare at you passive aggressively with the fury of a thousand suns.

Thatweasel , Cátia Matos Report

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May
May
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I believe all of Northern Europe despises a queue cutter

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#4

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know Here in the U.S. in south Utah there are many amazing rock sculptures. Don't. Write. On. Them. They are rare structures formed by thousands of years of erosion, not something to carve your name into.

Uneaqualty65 , John Fowler Report

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He-Matt & the MOTU
He-Matt & the MOTU
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My favourite thing about being a Park Ranger is fining people for vandalism. And littering. Catching them is the hard part.

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#5

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know In Japan, bow to people who bow to you. In general, bow to people when they give you a service. It's a sign of respect and it goes a long way. Also, take off your shoes indoors and respect the culture.

LazzzyButtons , myllissaFollow Report

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HardTruths
HardTruths
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The photo shows 2 Korean women in hanbok dress.

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#6

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know Don't touch the wildlife in Australia. If it isn't poisonous, violent or otherwise ill-mannered and dangerous, it's probably protected or endangered.

inzur , Fairy Duff Report

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Skara Brae
Skara Brae
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I visited a zoo near Sydney years ago and was very surprised that they let us hold a koala. I imagine that's not allowed anyymore. I was also surprised that koalas smell like sheep.

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#7

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know Poverty tours.

By all means, get off the beaten path and see the “good” and the “bad” if you want to. However, don’t go to a struggling neighbourhood to feel better about yourself or learn to appreciate what you have. Poverty is not entertainment

tebanano , wikimedia.commons Report

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#8

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know Germany here, and this mostly goes out to Americans. You should never assume you can talk privately anywhere in public Germany, just because you speak english.

I don't know if this is different in the US, but here, almost anyone can speak at least 2 languages, and very well. Pretty anyone can speak english, even more so in the cities.

I usually try to join in to any conversation americans have in the subway about how weird "those Germans" are!

MomoLittle , Shvets Anna Report

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Hugh Willie Mungous
Hugh Willie Mungous
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Much of Europe is the same. To be honest . . . . . the further north you go the more likely you are to find that people speak English. English speaking in Scandinavian countries is epic. As for Germany - I lived there in a small town, as a child, in the 1960's. I couldn't speak German of course but never had a problem communicating as so many people spoke English. And that was in the 1960's!

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#9

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know In Germany, you should never be afraid of talking to us in German. We love it!

Any tourist who brings up the courage to ask us for directions or anything else in one of the hardest european languages just makes our day!

MomoLittle , SHVETS production Report

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Caro Caro
Caro Caro
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Uhm, gutten tag, ick bin lost, weisst du how to get to Brandenhamburger Thor? ;)

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#10

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know In Croatia, particularly in small towns, people are expected to clean the streets in front of their homes. As a result, you'll find exceptionally clean streets, which are a real sense of communal civic pride.

Ech1n0idea , Sergei Gussev Report

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Peter Kovak
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Between all the countries I've visited with my wife, Croatia is the only one where, at the end of the trip, my wife started to cry and say that she doesn't want to come back home. Beautiful country with very nice people.

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#11

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know If you're visiting Portugal, don't speak to us in Spanish. You are not in Spain, and we speak Portuguese.

fabz_martins , Lisa Report

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Slick
Slick
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Asian has this problem too. I'm malaysian. I am from the Iban tribe. My mother tounge is iban. I can speak english, mandarin, malay, and french. I work and live in France. Some tourist try to speak chinese with me without asking my origin. I don't look chinese. I speak mandarin but not because i'm Asian. I feel awkward being treated as if all asians are chinese. It's the biggest continent in the world. China is a part of it. Not it's only country...

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#12

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know In Finland, don't get too close to strangers. We really value personal space.

-manabreak , Alexandr Bormotin Report

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#13

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know In Argentina, don't ask for coffee to go. We don't have paper cups. If you go to a cafe, you're expected to sit and drink your coffee.

kimboslice11 , Angela Roma Report

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Martha Meyer
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good on you, Argentina. Those things need to go the way of the dinosaurs all over the world.

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#14

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know In China, NEVER go out without carrying toilet paper or tissues on you. It's never in public restrooms so you'll want to keep some on hand.

roborabbit_mama , Vie Studio Report

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#15

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know In Jordan, if you compliment someone on something, it's impolite for that person to not offer that item to you. For example, if you compliment a man's watch, he will literally unlatch it from his arm and offer it to you. Of course, you're supposed to decline.

[deleted] , RODNAE Productions Report

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Agfox
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Me in the Lobby of the largest bank in Amman: "I really like the look of this Bank"

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#16

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know As a New Yorker, please don’t take selfies at the 9/11 memorial. Photograph the memorial, photograph the names, or in the event that one of the names means something to you I’m okay with you snapping a selfie. But the typical smiling-tourist selfies are crass.

R0b0tMark , wikimedia.commons Report

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#17

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know In London, don't look for your train ticket/Oyster card at the barrier to the tube. Locals will get mad. Find it ahead of time so you can walk right through the gates.

westish13 , Jennifer Kramer Report

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#18

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know In Australia, swim between the flags. If you have little experience swimming in the surf and you swim outside those flags, then there is a relatively high chance that you will drown.

[deleted] , gérard Report

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Foxxy (The Original)
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People worry about the Aussie wildlife when our oceans are more dangerous. Drowning is one of the most common causes of death of tourists. So please please make sure you swim between the flags. We do have beaches where rips aren't much of an issue, you can research to find them and look for signs warning of rips and of course crocs and jellyfish etc. If a popular beach has no flags or warning signs it's not so bad but don't take risks if your not a strong swimmer.

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#19

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know In Ireland, stand your round. When you go out to the pubs with a group of friends, make sure to pay for a round of drinks when it's your turn. If you don't, you will be secretly labeled a cheapskate.

tu_ne_cede_malis , Laura LaRose Report

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Andy Acceber
Andy Acceber
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I haven't been to Ireland, but I'd assume you'd also not-so-secretly be labeled a cheapskate. I don't think of drunk folks as being particularly subtle. =)

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#20

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know In India, traffic lanes exist on the roads, but people don't drive in them.

[deleted] , Alex Graves Report

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#21

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know In Korea, the eldest person at the table should start eating first. Don't pick up your chopsticks, spoon, or whatever utensil you're using until the oldest person has started eating.

waynefoolx , Markus Winkler Report

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Slick
Slick
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I once invited a few coworkers to eat in a chinese malaysian restaurant in england. My coworkers are french. I told them that playing with the utensiles are very disrespectful and frown upon. A girl i barely knew started to tap and jam with her chopsticks o. The table and on the bolw and on the head of another coworker. I was so embarassed and humiliated i contemplated to dash out of the restaurant after begging for forgiveness from thé restaurant owner... I cut ties with her from then on.

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#22

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know Washington DC.

Do. Not. Leave. Trash. At. The. Monuments.

Also, get out of the water. It's not a pool.

WatchTheBoom , wikimedia.commons Report

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#23

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know In Paris, you should always say "bonjour" when entering a shop or restaurant and "au revoir" when leaving. Even if you don't purchase anything or walk right in and out.

france_throwaway21 , James Petts Report

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#24

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know In Vietnam, commit to crossing the road. It looks scary with the endless scooter stampedes, but if you just cross at a steady pace, they'll avoid you. Do not try to dodge or make sudden movements. Just simply walk across.

ricehatwarrior , Los viajes del Cangrejo Report

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Andy Acceber
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Better yet, find someone crossing who is Vietnamese and just follow them.

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#25

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know Singaporean here

You are allowed to wear Flip flops and shorts wherever you go. The fancy city area? Flipflop and Shorts are perfect. That 5 star hotel? Flip flops are welcomed. Public transport? You are weird if you do not wear them

SirPalat , Dương Nhân Report

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#26

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know In Denmark, do not stand or walk in the bike lane. You will get yelled at...and/or hit by a cyclist.

Tiralina , maksgelatin Report

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#27

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know In South Africa when you go on a “safari” (we call it a game drive), you must never ever get out of your vehicle or get close to any big animals because that is how there are stories of people dying to animals here. Just please stay safe and obey the rules to save lives.

the10starpotato , Hu Chen Report

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TK 421
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also, stay silent when told to do so. The guides know what they are talking about.

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#28

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know Switzerland is really expensive, and you should know that ahead of time. Don't make that surprised face when you have to pay $15 for a Subway sandwich.

Nimrods_Legacy , crash71100 Report

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#29

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know Assume that I support Trump or am a fundamentalist Christian because I am a white American male. I've been talked down to by Germans in particular and don't like it. I wish I had more than one vote, or be rich enough to live in different countries as my mood and politics changes, but that is not in the cards.

jimbo_throwaway77 , r. nial bradshaw Report

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May
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you're an American who has travelled outside your country's borders, my assumption would be that you're NOT a Trumpian. But yeah, the 'Americans are stupid' stereotype has been very strong since Trump first got elected

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#30

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know Don't talk to anyone in public. Only approach people for conversations if they are receptionists or something similar.

It's not for your security or anything, but it freaks us the hell out. No one talks to strangers in Norway, unless you're hiking and above the treelines.

[deleted] , Michael Fousert Report

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Odd Ragnar Deng Lerstøl
Odd Ragnar Deng Lerstøl
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, that is not true. As a norwegian I can say that most norwegians are happy to talk with tourists visiting our country. We love to hear people telling us how beautiful it is (we know), and telling us how expencive everything is (we know).

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#31

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know If you're taking the bus in Sweden, never sit down next to another person if there are other empty seats available.

Draculas_Dentist , Maria EklindFollow Report

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#32

been hearing a lot of northern Europeans talking about bike lanes, so: In America, if you rent a bike, you should be aware that even if the bike lane is painted onto the street in a rainbow pattern with flashing neon lights, nobody gives a [damn]. You are not safe in the bike lane.

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#33

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know In Malaysia, it is absolutely normal for someone to ask you what race you are, so don't be taken aback if you are asked. It isn't meant to be offensive. It's just general curiosity.

Hedgehog_amputee , Priscilla Du Preez Report

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Susie Elle
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I often wonder why it's accepted in some parts of the world and it isn't in others.

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#34

Southerners, USA: Be really mindful if someone says "bless your heart," because that could mean you earned high favor or just stepped in a big pile of trouble.

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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Isn't it also sometimes code for 'boy, are you stupid'?

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#35

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know In Mexico City, never get into a cab before making sure it has a visible sign with the driver's ID and a working meter. Also you might want to follow your location on a map so you'll know if the driver is taking you around in circles.

Porfinlohice , Simon Law Report

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SykesDaMan
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The second part of this advice is true for most parts of the world. I don't know if there are some exceptions.

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#36

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know Times Square does not represent the whole city.

Spend 15-20 minutes there looking at all the signs and lights then get away because it's s**thole. My advice would be to explore lower Manhattan

MaizeNBlueWaffle , wikimedia.commons Report

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Dave P
Dave P
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are Five Boroughs, a Federal National Wildlife Preserve (Yes, we actually have that, and you can walk, horseback and bikeride through it), several historic forts, dozens of parks, hundreds of museums and over 500 different types of ethnic and regional cuisine resturaunts from around the world. Explore a lot more than just lower Manhattan.

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#37

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know I live in Singapore, and in fast food restaurants and food courts there's a common practice called chopeing where one can reserve a table by placing a packet of tissues on top. Tourists who haven't heard of this and take a reserved seat will often get dirty looks from the local who choped the table.

RadioactiveNewt , why_the_babies_wet Report

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Okokok!
Okokok!
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We Germans have "mastered" the art of reserving sun loungers (next to a pool / at the beach) with our towels. Like getting up in the morning in your room, take your towel and before having breakfast run down to the loungers and get your freaking reservation sheet on it - and double dare you if you'll take it away to lay on the lounger!! lol

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#38

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know In Sicily, never order a specific bottle of wine at a restaurant. Just ask for the house vino. It'll be cheaper and better. Also, there is no butter with your bread, so don’t ask.

samantham4162a72e5 , Breakingpic Report

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An Co
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Countries with olive oil use it instead of butter. Countries that do not grow olives use butter.

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#39

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know DON'T CALL IT IRELAND DON'T CALL IT BRITAIN.

Just call it northern Ireland.

[deleted] , Wikimedia.Commons Report

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Iggy
Iggy
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's Northern Ireland with a capital N. That's the name of the country. Anyone who calls Ireland 'Southern Ireland' will get a toe in the hole with a spiky boot! It's very simple. One island, two countries: Ireland is the bigger of the two and Northern Ireland isn't! :-D

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#40

Do not say ‘you live in the UK? omg I love London!’. The entire UK population does not live in one city.

It’s particularly worse when you say you’re from Wales, because you usually get the ‘is that a city in England?’ statement. The best part is... they’re being completely serious. To be fair this is mostly an American thing, considering they (as I understand it) mostly learn the geography of their own country.

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Andy Acceber
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be honest, I don't think most Americans could even correctly identify all of our own states on a map. Geography really isn't something stressed here. There's also a definite nationalist thread through all our education, so K-12 education about other countries is minimal at best.

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#41

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know In Germany our waiters usually earn above minimum wage so you never tip more than 15%. A 10% tip, or just rounding up, is normal for an average check.

ABoutDeSouffle , Jessie McCall Report

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Slick
Slick
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In France, you tip because you enjoyed your food and you liked the service you got. It's a sign of compliment. Any amount is good.

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#42

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know In many metro cars in France, the doors still have a manual open signal. If you're closest to the exit door, you're expected to twist the lever to make it open. Do this just a second before the train actually stops to look like a local.

Extermikate , Kaique Rocha Report

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#43

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know If you're visiting the US, don't try to see too much. Rather, pick a specific area and do everything you can there. If you try to see the Statue of Liberty, the Smithsonian, the Alamo, and the Grand Canyon, you're going to spend your entire trip driving. It's a BIG country.

BlueBackedRobin , Daniel Bendig Report

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julien
julien
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

same for americans when they come to EUROPE !! EUROPE : Europe covers about 10,180,000 km2 (3,930,000 sq mi). Europe had a total population of about 746 million (about 10% of the world population) in 2018. Europe is divided into about fifty sovereign states, of which Russia is the largest and most populous, spanning 39% of the continent and comprising 15% of its population. Now if you mean the EUROPEAN UNION : The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe. The union has a total area of 4,233,255.3 km2 (1,634,469.0 sq mi) and an estimated total population of about 447 million.

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#44

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know In big Italian cities like Rome and Venice, don't eat in restaurants or bars in famous places or next to major sites. A coffee in Piazza San Marco in Venice could cost you like $30.

neoandrex , Eneida Nieves Report

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#45

I live in Japan. When riding an escalator, everyone stands on the left if they're going to stand so that people that want to walk can pass by on the right.

julianjalapeno Report

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Pepper Sergent
Pepper Sergent
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Funny. In Paris it is the exact opposite : stay immobile on the right and walk on the left. As a parisian who travelled to Tokyo, it took some getting used to.

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#46

Amsterdam: ride your rentabike bike carefully. At first glance it seems there aren't any rules, but there are lots of them. One is not to get yourself or others killed.

Extraordinarliy Report

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#47

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know When you sit down to eat in a restaurant in Portugal, the waiter will bring you bread, olives, or some other snacks. If you eat it, expect to pay for it. If you don't touch it, they'll take it away and pretend like never existed.

BaiRuoBing , Neil Barnwell Report

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Eagle Girl
Eagle Girl
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If they take it away.. does that mean it's "recycled" to the next person?

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#48

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know Greece

Don't get offended when someone lights up a cigar without asking for your permission to smoke.

masongr , Roman Pohorecki Report

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#49

People Are Sharing 30 'Unwritten' Rules In Their Countries That Tourists Should Know It's very subtle but never shake hands or exchange things with your left hand. The majority of the country is religious and even though some are not religious, its still part of their culture. Its considered very rude and sometime unhygienic

Zealous_Racer , Pixabay Report

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