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Traveling can produce a sense of wonder and excitement, but it’s pretty easy to commit cultural faux pas without even realizing it. From hand gestures to eating habits, some things are just not universal and tourists would do their best to prepare accordingly. Fortunately, well-organized internet users decided to ask locals what are the dos and don'ts of visiting their country, city, or general area.

So scroll down, dear Pandas, and upvote the rules that surprised you. Be sure to comment your own stories or unwritten local rules and if the travel bug has not left you, check out Bored Panda’s other lists of unwritten travel rules here. 

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About Ireland here; We don't care if you're the bloody love child of Michael Collins and Eamon De Valera, if you weren't born or raised in Ireland, you don't call yourself Irish.

I'm looking at you, American tourists...

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Hotdogking
Hotdogking
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And for the love of God, don’t try to talk in an “Irish accent”, ya just sound offensive. In fact, don’t even say you love the “Irish accent,” because every county has a noticeably different one! It’s like saying your favourite animal is a mammal. (Source: I’m Irish myself, born and raised)

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#2

Americans visiting Canada: Don't call us America's hat or the 51st state or any of that other nonsense. It's not endearing and it's not funny. It's just annoying. We love your country very much, and you're totally out bestie. But we don't want to actually be you.

With love, Timbits and kind regards,
Canada

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PolymathNecromancer
PolymathNecromancer
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is SO F*CKED UP, I...I can't even imagine anyone from the U.S. being so insulting to Canada..... please accept my apologies for this nonsense

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#3

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About Germany - Be there by the time you told me or I will be very pissed.

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Nor
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it's so rude when people are late (unless it's really out of their hands). I have a friend that wears a watch and will give you a time and rock up 2/3 hours late and either thinks its funny or pretends nothing is wrong!!!! Do you know what all I could've done while waiting for you???

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Traveling often means dealing with a language you don’t know, sometimes involving a completely incomprehensible alphabet. So often, as tourists, we rely on hand gestures and smiles to communicate an idea. Can’t say thank you in the language? Just show a thumbs up! Unless you are in the Middle East or West Africa, where it is roughly equivalent to the middle finger! So if you are a person who gesticulates a lot, be sure to practice before leaving to avoid making an international incident. 

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Similarly, the ‘ok’ sign, formed by making a circle with the thumb and index finger, is relatively insulting in Brazil. So the bottom line is, maybe learn a few useful phrases ahead of time and practice them at home. It will save you the embarrassment of accidentally flipping someone off and you’ll expand your vocabulary at the same time.
#4

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About SWIM BETWEEN THE FLAGS. Or you will die. [Australia]

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Tucker Cahooter
Tucker Cahooter
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes. The lifeguards put them there for a reason. Rip currents can be fatal

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#5

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About ~~England~~ **UK** here.
Thanking the bus driver for the journey when you leave at your stop.

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#6

Denmark - "Janteloven"

Don't flaunt your s**t in the face of people who have less than you, and don't feel that you are worth more than others, merely because you are wealthy.

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It's important to also remember that something normal in your country might be weird almost everywhere else. For example, in most places, one takes their shoes off at the door, before entering a house, while Americans might leave them on. Now, this isn’t universal and consistent, but in much of the world, walking around your host’s home in shoes or, God forbid, boots, would be seen as rude. The origins of this American practice are unclear, but it’s often linked to American car dependency. If you go from driveway to car to driveway, your shoes are unlikely to be that dirty anyway.
#7

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About (southern) Italy

1. Always eat offered food if visiting
2. Always accept to have coffe bought
3. Don t be scared of phisical contact. People will touch you, hug you, kiss you.
4. Offer to buy coffe. it s mandatory if you want to have "respect"
5. always talk to people. In line, in the bus, at the bank, at the post office

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Subtlelikeawreckingball
Subtlelikeawreckingball
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Guess I'll be avoiding southern Italy... I don't like being touched and I don't like talking to random people.... but the rules around food and coffee are appealing....

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#8

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About Thailand - Always pay for items with the banknote showing the Kings head facing up.

The same goes for India and Ghandi.

Most won't bat an eyelid as your obviously a foreigner, however some will be very offended. Surprisingly this is something a lot of travelling folk have never heard of.

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Niall Mac Iomera
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My auntie got into trouble in Thailand for putting money in her shoe. Apparently it's tantamount to stepping on the kings face

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#9

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About England checking in: Always queue. Never push. This morning since the tubes are down because of strikes, there were people actually queuing for queues. Intense.

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David Fox
David Fox
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We don't queue THAT close!! But yeah, we queue for everything....it's an unspoken rule that if, not done, you will get multiple tuts, sighs and the odd angry person going 'EY!! Get to the back'

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If you are traveling and you are unsure what small talk topics are acceptable, defaulting to the weather is a safe bet. This is stereotypically attributed to the Brits but can be applied everywhere. After all, the weather is a universal experience and affects both the rich and poor alike. Experiencing bad weather together also creates a sort of social solidarity. 
#10

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About South Africa - Don't ever pick up hitchhikers!

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censorshipsucks
censorshipsucks
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pft I can give you tons of rules. 1. Don't leave valuables visible. 2. Keep your bag in front/on your lap except in a car where it goes under the seat (yes, smash and grab is a thing). 3. Don't accept help at ATMs. 4. Don't park or walk anywhere dirty/dark/isolated. 5. Avoid crowded scenarios particularly street pavements with lots of people on them. 6. Rather pay to park than park somewhere isolated. 7. Rather use a phone camera than an SLR (grab risk). 8. Don't leave your drink unattended at a bar if a woman. (Sorry, that's really horrible but... yeah.). Otherwise please do visit, we need the cash, our country is bleeding money.

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#11

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About Norway:

Don't sit next to someone on the bus if you can avoid it.

Don't talk to strangers.

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Ansi
Ansi
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We scandinavians are so warm, open and always up for chit chatting with strangers. 🥰 /s

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#12

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About Northern Ireland: Do not bring up religion/scottish football teams in a pub unless you are looking for a fight.

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Casey McAlister
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't bring up religion anywhere. keep it to your place of worship.

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Similarly, be sure to avoid certain topics or small talk in general. Learn about a country's history and religion before, so you don’t accidentally offend a local or provoke a rant about their horrible neighbors, rival football teams, or anything else. In some places, like Northern Europe, small talk is uncommon and it is best to simply stay silent.
#13

Southern US- If you propose something and everyone just nods and smiles, it's a southern no.

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#14

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About America: When someone on the train or subway says - "Good Morning Everyone.. My name is..", you turn around cuz they're about to tell a sob story and start begging for money.

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#15

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About In San Francisco, you are expected to act like nothing fazes you.

Old man dressed entirely in leather straps with a ball gag in his mouth? Obese homeless lady with an electronic skeleton playing a banjo? Three young women wearing only sandals? Robin Williams? No matter what you encounter, you're supposed to pretend that it's a part of your daily routine to see it. Outsiders are quickly identified by their tendency to stare, comment, or otherwise take notice of the city's eclectic sights and sounds, at which point they will be swindled by a junk vendor.

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Hawkmoon
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sorry, but if I ran into Robin Williams, I'm not sure how I would react since he's been dead since 2014 (RIP - we still miss him).

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#16

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About England: Always moan about the weather.

It's never "just right". You are either too hot, too cold, too wet, too dull, too windy.

Three flakes of snow on the ground and the whole f*****g country comes to a standstill.

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Tyke
Tyke
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

forgot to mention if a leaf touches the train tracks

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#17

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. The other members of your group *will* make a big show of trying to pay for you, telling you to put your wallet away, etc., especially if you are new to the group or are a foreigner (or both). DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, GIVE IN TO THIS TOMFOOLERY. If you do, you will be secretly labeled a cheap bastard and will not be invited out the next day.

(The foregoing should be interpreted half-jokingly, but no more than half.)

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Hotdogking
Hotdogking
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But remember, everyone has to take turns buying the rounds. Went out with a whole group of friends last Summer and one guy decided to mooch instead of taking his turn paying by taking advantage of the offers. He didn’t get invited out for a good few months lol.

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#18

in america if someone random asks you hows it going just say "good, you?". dont actually tell them how's it going.

no idea how this became a thing

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Bill Evs
Bill Evs
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A similar thing in the UK too. If someone greets you with "alright" they're just basically saying hello and not actually asking if you're OK

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#19

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About Sweden checking in. Respect for personal space is probably #1 here

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Nor
Nor
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OOOOOH i need to move to Sweden...where i come from, that's never been heard of until C19 hit and then some couldn't even understand, respect or adhere to that

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#20

Ireland-give as good as you get! If we like you we will 'rip the p**s' (tease you/insult you) and expect you to do the same in return!! It's called banter and it's basically our 2nd language!!

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Hotdogking
Hotdogking
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s so ingrained in our culture, that if you hang out with your mates and haven’t been insulted at least once, you can consider the friendship over. (I’m only joking of course)

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#21

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About Southern USA-
If someone offers you something, or offers to do something for you, refuse at least three times. Three times is obligatory. If they continue to offer after that, it's a true offer, but if they say after the third refusal "are you sure?" you say yes, you are, and then all is well.

Also, Yes means yes, sure means maybe, maybe means no, no means "how could you possibly be so rude as to continue to pester me until I have to say no?"

Finally, "bless your heart" is not a compliment.

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PolymathNecromancer
PolymathNecromancer
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Northeast is sooo much less passive aggressive, we just tell you STFU and/or maybe argue a bit and then go our merry ways without so much emotional constipation lurking for the next victim.

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#22

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About Always take off your shoes when visiting an Estonian. They might not say anything if you don't but you'll practically FEEL their disapproval.

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#23

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About Trinidad & Tobago. You better say good morning/good afternoon/good evening when you enter public transportation vehicles.

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#24

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About America: If you cut someone off in traffic, give a little wave - it makes everything okay. I swear I could have a head on collision at their fault, but if they waved afterwards I'd feel bad that I called them a f*****g douchebag.

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Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The wave is NOT for if you cut someone off. If someone lets you in, wave to say thank you.

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#25

Italy

No parmesan on pasta seasoned with fish sauces

No capuccino after 11am

If you have 3 people coming for dinner, cook for 19.

And I only listed the food rules!

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Ivana Bašić
Ivana Bašić
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Always break spaghetti at least twice and cook pasta for at least 20 minutes.

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#26

Don't mess with the seagulls.

Aberdeen, Scotland.

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HelluvaHedgehogAlien
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don’t mess with the seagulls in China too. At some tourist locations next to beaches, they’re vicious enough to swoop over your head and either grab that thing right out of your hand or s**t all over you. Or is that a universal thing?

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#27

Canadian here. B***h about the cold, but only to other Canadians. Nobody else needs to know that we're f*****g sick of minus 30 with the windchill.

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#28

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About India: Lanes exist on the roads but lane driving doesn't.

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Tushar Roy Mukherjee
Tushar Roy Mukherjee
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also In Kolkata( in picture), lane markers and stop-line markers are made with chalk and can be eroded by traffic in 2 days. Also people will stand at the Zebra crossing during a red light. Pedestrians don't recognize the specific pedestrian traffic lights and follow the ones for vehicles. DO NOT be on a bicycle at a main road. Since Cycles are not under any legal jurisdiction here, everyone , INCLUDING THE POLICE, will want you to break the rules and move waaay ahead of the stop-line during a red light, so that ' they can stand a little ahead of the crowd'. Oh and vehicles will break a red light,and will get caught in very few instances, so don't start crossing the road the moment there is a red light.Someone WILL be a d*ck. And for God's sake, do beware of the cyclists. Some of them will stand in the wrong lane and will NOT use hand-turn signals. if you are in a motorised vehicle and even touch a Cyclist by accident, people will beat you up.

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#29

Puerto Rico:

Another puertorican in a street of PR? Enemy.

Another puertorican in a street of anywhere in the world? Long lost best friend.

This is how I ended up with my current roommate. I was at the gym and I notice that he had a PRican flag and island tattoed on his arm. I said "Boricua?" (which is the native word for puertoricans) and we hit it off right away. We've been best buddies since then.

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Per-Ole Sjuve
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hope they don't travel to PR together, then they will be mortal enemies.

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#30

Iran: If there is money involved, the person receiving money (shopkeeper, taxi driver, lender) HAS TO say a phrase that basically means it's free, similar to "it's on the house."

It is NEVER free. It's just something that has to be said, to the point that shopkeepers emotionlessly say it while taking your money at the same time. And even more extreme they will say it even after an argument about the money or bargaining has taken place.

No one can explain it, it's just the way it is.

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Corvus
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Probably some very, very old tradition for politeness that has stuck around for centuries.

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#31

**India.**

- Do not criticise any religion, even constructively. People will get offended.

- Do not air any strong opinions publicly. People will get offended.

- Do not do anything out of the ordinary. People will get offended.

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Sapna Sarfare
Sapna Sarfare
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

First, yes. Second, yes. What do you mean by the third thing? We do not live in 13th century

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#32

Guam - Taking food home with you is not a polite suggestion from your party host, it's a requirement.

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XenoMurph
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I must have Guamian ancestors, I can't let people leave without feeding them for a week

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#33

DO NOT expect the weather to stay nice. Seriously.

We talk about 5 minute weather and we mean it. Iceland can be a tourist deathtrap.

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#34

Apologize if you ALMOST bump into someone. Actually, if you come within six feet of bumping into someone--apologize.

(Canada.)

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#35

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About Denmark: At the 12.00 o'clock lunch break, no one smokes inside the first 15 min. (to allow non-smokers to eat their food without being puffed in the face) Mostly seen on construction sites

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Henrik Schmidt
Henrik Schmidt
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most workplaces here in Denmark have a strict no-smoking-indoors-ever policy. Many don't allow you to smoke on company premises, even outdoors. We even have some workplaces where you're not allowed to smoke when you're at work, even on your break.

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#36

America: In big cities, don't stop in the middle of the sidewalk. Move to a side or keep moving. This probably applies much more in NYC than other cities, but from my experiences, still applies to a degree elsewhere.

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#37

Hungary

If we casually bring up how our cuisine, wines or the beauty of our women is world famous, just play along, even if you never heard about any of them (which is likely).

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#38

Brazil : Cheek-kissing is very common in Brazil, among women and between women and men. When two women, or opposite sexes first meet, it is not uncommon to kiss. Two men WILL shake hands. A man kissing another man's cheek is extremely bizarre for Brazilian standards (unless in father-son relationships). Kissing is suitable for informal occasions, used to introduce yourself or being acquainted, especially to young people. Hand shaking is more appropriate for formal occasions or between women and men when no form of intimacy is intended. Trying to shake hands when offered a kiss will be considered odd, but never rude. However, to clearly refuse a kiss is a sign of disdain.


When people first meet, they will kiss once (São Paulo), twice (Rio de Janeiro) or three times (Florianópolis and Belo Horizonte, for instance), depending on where you are, alternating right and left cheeks. Observe that while doing this, you should not kiss on the cheeks (like in Russia) but actually only touch cheeks and make a kissing sound.

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MrLoufoque
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's quite similar in France but that was pre-Covid. Since then kissing on the cheek (called "faire la bise") has really dropped in use.

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#39

Ireland. If an old person offers you something, no matter how gross, you eat it and you like it.

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Hotdogking
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Speaking from experience, if you don’t you will have two outcomes. Either Mrs. Doyle offering tea (ah go on, ah ya will, go on, go on) or the Irish mammy (I spent AGES on this, AGES.) Long story short, you’ll end up eating it anyway, but saying yes is the quicker way.

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#40

Chicago here. In the winter after a snowfall, don't move the random junk in the street that's placed there to reserve the parking spot of the person who shoveled it out. Or else.

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censorshipsucks
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

wait what? You mean that stuff we see on pavements is not stuff being discarded but a parking spot reservation? weird.

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#41

China - save as much money as possible by eating cheap food by yourself and never buying new clothes, then spend a thousand dollars taking your 35 closest friends out to dinner at the nicest place in town.

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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I took all my friends out to dinner I'd still be eating alone. Yay me.

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#42

In Tokyo:

* Know the population and recent sports information from your hometown / home university (even if you couldn't give a c**p about it)
* Don't talk on mobile phones in the train, and don't speak in a loud voice if you are with people on the train
* Always carry handkerchiefs and tissues
* Never allow anyone to pay for anything - always cover the bill yourself.

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Tyke
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How does the latter work if eating out in a group? I can imagine people sat there for years no debating who will actually pay

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#43

Canada: Shovel your part of the sidewalk

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Ba-Na-Na
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

*AND* if you have an elderly/disabled neighbour or just feel neighbourly - do their walk as well.

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#44

Germany. If you leave your Pet monkey here because you don't want to pay a tax involving it.....we will find ways to make you pay.

Also if the Traffic Light is red, you better stay on one side till it's green.

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PolymathNecromancer
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I want to know the entire backstory to people leaving monkeys in Germany

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#45

Brussels: If you dare to talk in the metro, prepare to be stared to death.

I think this applies to Paris and London as well.

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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

? I live in Brussels, and there's plenty of people talking in the subway... And it's not frowned upon (unless you talk loud enough for the whole wagon to "enjoy").

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#46

Germany: Don't touch someone's car

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PolymathNecromancer
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Should be everywhere. Even if it's not the best. Unless permission is given.

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#47

In Japan always use the left side of the escalator if you aren't walking fast or in a hurry (unless your near Osaka). This way people in a hurry don't get blocked by other people.

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#48

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About India: Learn to discreetly slip a 100 rupee note into the hands of an official. A small price for getting things done faster.

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#49

If you walk on the bicycle path, bicyclists will not slow down or swerve to avoid hitting you

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General Anaesthesia
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bicyclists don't slow down or swerve when they're on the sidewalk either.

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#50

US: always pretend you're in the middle class. (Even if you're rich or poor)

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