Dealing with foreign customs when travelling?

[Deleted member 29185]

I noted on another thread, a member made reference to the Muslim Ramadan requirements when traveling, which got me thinking that a thread about specific respect (or lack there of) for the customs of the locals may be a good tool to warn or enlighten others. I'm not sure this is the best place for it, but seems to fit best.

For my own experience that springs to mind, I took the family to Thailand for a holiday when the kids were younger. It was hot and the hotel pool was a favourite spot for us after the days sightseeing. We were regularly joined by a single lady at the pool, who exercised her perceived "clothes optional" preference (topless only in this particular case). It was an international hotel of some repute and although I personally don't mind the odd white pointer or two around a pool, it did make me think at the time that she showed little respect for a) the local staff and b) the other guests (including my young kids) who may be offended by such a display.

Has anyone any tips about local custom or stories of displays of scant regard to others?

 

[pat25d]

Only stories about nuding it up in a German sauna with the locals, but you probably want to hear stories that are the opposite of that!

 

[harvyk]

Never really had any sort of problems, but then again I'm pretty open minded about a lot of things (a live and let live kinda guy).
I do spend a bit of time researching any places I go to ensure that I comply with local customs, as if nothing else, a trip away is far more fun when your not been run out of town on a rail by the locals.

 

[Happy Dude]

It's a funny world. I've been in pubs in the UK and cricket grounds here where the crowd have chanted for women to do exactly what the OP saw in Thailand.

I have a thousand stories of displays of scant regard for others, and I'm sure everyone else does too, so I'll chuck in some custom tid-bits that I've found useful and/or interesting:

1. Smile. A lot.
2. When in Thailand, it is considered uncouth to put a fork in your mouth.
3. Never pour your own drink in Japan and always pour your companion's. And don't drink without saying "kampai". And don't eat without saying "itadakimasu". etc etc...they have politeness rituals in spades!!!
4. Never speak or make eye contact with a muslim woman you do not know. This is especially important in, say, NWFP.
5. Do not express a desire of objects in the home of a muslim in, say, NWFP. They're obligated to give it to you, refusal is insulting to your hosts, and you could unwittingly bankrupt them.
etc etc

This is a topic I love and I go out of my way to learn as many of the local customs as possible, and a few words, prior to touchdown. It's the most fascinating part of travel, isn't it?

 

[medhead]

Nah. I tried that don't fill your glass thing in Japan. I went home parched. They stopped filling my glass after they said something about me drinking a lot.


Sent from the Throne

 

[amaroo]

China has a slightly different concept to what we understand to be karaoke bars & barber shops:shock:

 

[RB]

This was an interesting? thread on Flyer Talk-interesting attitudes anyway

Toilet paper in Santorini - FlyerTalk Forums

 

[mella2007]

It was my post re Ramadan, and glad I have the info now before I travel there as it was playing on my mind.

In Asian countries also it is considered impolite in regards to handing over business cards. They are supposed to be given to the recipient holding the card in both hands when exchanging.

 

[Simo]

It was my post re Ramadan, and glad I have the info now before I travel there as it was playing on my mind.

In Asian countries also it is considered impolite in regards to handing over business cards. They are supposed to be given to the recipient holding the card in both hands when exchanging.

Even when you hand over your CC should do it the same way.

And in some countries don't ask the wait staff how they like there steak.

 

[drmikki]

Japan DOES have politeness rituals in spades - but as a foreigner you will not be expected to oblige by most, although of course it will be looked upon favourably if you try. This goes out the window unfortunately if you are Asian - the Japanese will almost always assume you are Japanese and will expect you to behave accordingly. Cue many awkward moments when travelling with my Malaysian-Aussie mate who speaks zero Japanese, and yet the locals address EVERY sentence to her despite the fact I am answering in fluent Japanese and she is saying nothing, because I am blonde...

The one that you SHOULD avoid in Japan is blowing your nose in public. DON'T DO IT! Do what the locals do - sniff/wipe/dab until you can get to a private place like a toilet and then honk to your hearts content. I made the mistake of travelling with someone a decade ago who thought that this rule of social etiquette didn't apply to her, and it was an extremely awkward train journey as she insisted on blowing loudly mid-carriage and ignoring the stares from other passengers. (Needless to say I no longer travel with that person... she had studied the country and language for 7 years, so she couldn't claim ignorance!)

To get an idea of the offence this causes, imagine someone walking into the middle of a packed peak hour train in Australia, and right before the doors close letting rip a loud and smelly fart, then getting off the train as the doors close. :shock:

Yeah. Don't do it!

 

[docjames]

We were cautious to respect customs etc when visiting the ME.

/OT

What's the acronym NWFP??

 

[pat25d]

We were cautious to respect customs etc when visiting the ME.

/OT

What's the acronym NWFP??

An outdated term for northern Pakistan.

 

[docjames]

An outdated term for northern Pakistan.

Thanks.

890

 

[Deleted member 29185]

An outdated term for northern Pakistan.

I assumed it was North West Frontier Pakistan (I think I heard that in media blurbs).

No problems with me and the customs there. I've no intention of traveling that way in this.......or the next sixteen, lifetimes

 

[seanpodge]

China has a slightly different concept to what we understand to be karaoke bars & barber shops:shock:

So many innocent men just wanting a haircut.....

In Asian countries also it is considered impolite in regards to handing over business cards. They are supposed to be given to the recipient holding the card in both hands when exchanging.

In China at least, this applies to anything considered a gift or something of value. For example, at border control at PVG, my passport was handed back to me by the officer with both hands. Shop clerks will also give back change (unless it's only coins, obviously!) with both hands, although this is less common depending on the type of establishment. High class department store = both hands, street vendor selling roast duck necks = one hand.

If someone offers you something with two hands, it is considered proper to take it with two hands also. With business cards, you should avoid just stuffing it into your wallet straight away. Instead, read it and thank the giver, offer your own if you have one. If you are seated at a table, leave it on the table in front of you until you and/or the other person are leaving, at which point one can store the card for later.

 

[amaroo]

street vendor selling roast duck necks

Those duck necks can get very spicy

 

[casanovawa]

I was up in Bali in March and took my 6 year old son up for a bit of a get away... I don't like the inference that Bali is only for bogans, after all I was there, but we stayed in like a 4 star place and down at the pool bar when I would take him for a swim there were often several aussies down there and they couldn't complete a sentence without several profantities in it... Even the women... Even after i politely asked if they could tone it down and then my son sternly told them your not suppose to swear around kids... Still they couldn't seem to help it... They were ok enough people, several even played with him and threw the ball to him etc, but just seemed unable to control their language and be considerate of others... I swear a bit myself but definitely am capable of adjusting my language to the situation and crowd...

In Thailand isn't it impolite to clean your plate of every morsel as it represents to a host that you are still hungry, if you leave something you must obviously be full...

And I believe in Germany its impolite to mention the war... Not that that would stop me giving an earful if one of them got a bit uppity...

Seeing hooters isn't particularly distressing to me, unless they are down near the waist etc (saw a couple in New Orleans recently) but yes there is a time and a place...

 

[k_sheep]

It's a funny world. I've been in pubs in the UK and cricket grounds here where the crowd have chanted for women to do exactly what the OP saw in Thailand.

I have a thousand stories of displays of scant regard for others, and I'm sure everyone else does too, so I'll chuck in some custom tid-bits that I've found useful and/or interesting:

1. Smile. A lot.

Unless you're in Russia, when if you smile at strangers you're likely to be looked upon as untrustworthy or just odd.

Seems you can't win! You need to read up on a countries' customs before going there, there are no general rules.

My favourite is in Vietnam when you're not meant to show the bottom of your feet, but people come up to me on the streets, stroking my pasty white skin or stroking my wavy hair, saying "oh but you're so beautiful" in broken english

 

[Major]

The biggest problem I have had with foreign customs is remembering to order a middy and not a pot when visiting NSW

 

[spudseamus]

"And I believe in Germany its impolite to mention the war... Not that that would stop me giving an earful if one of them got a bit uppity..."

I did earlier but I think I got away with it ! ( apols to J Cleese )