Travel Faux Pas, cultural, political of course religious, drug and anything else pass

[bad]

One traveller's peace sign is another local's hand gesture for "f--K off".


Yes, when when it comes to learning about the cultures around the world, travel remains one of the best ways to do it.


It's hard to argue with the results when you're immersed in a foreign country for days at a time, but it's not without its perils: What many travellers might reflexively do at home could carry an entirely different meaning half-way across the world.

Please mods kick me off if this has been covered. I am very interested not to offend people when overseas with my Ozzie boorishness.

Like in Armenia i have learnt not to empty the wine bottle into somebodies glass as this obliges them to purchase another bottle. In Egypt the fastest way to insult cook is to use a pinch of salt.

In France wearing covering your face with a Burqua could cost you 120 Euro, a thumb up sign in Iran is extremely offensive. You could loose 2500 USD for public-ally urinating in the US of A.

Don't kiss in Public!!:mrgreen::mrgreen: along with smoking or eating during the holy month of Ramadan in Saudi Arabia can get you expelled from the country.

Not Flushing the toilet in Singapore (leaving a floater) will cost $150.

A French park was ordered to tear down statue of Virgin Mary or face being fined EVERY day. French park ordered to tear down statue of Virgin Mary | World | News | Daily Express

Obviously a huge Faux Pas ...... one that is also changing with time as this was allowed before. It is hard to get one's head around all this correctness however a repository here with peoples own experiences would help a lot.

Ie carrying certain drugs into Indonesia is a No No I would refer the Australian website travellers Smartraveller.gov.au - Pages - Smartraveller for basic information.

Smart Travelling try not to do too many gaffs and Faux Pas I welcome you back to these pages for the latest updates.

 

[bad]

Re: Travel Faux Pas, cultural, political of course religious, drug and anything else

[h=2]lay your chopsticks flat in asia[/h][h=2]across asia there is varying chopstick etiquette, but generally speaking it’s considered a no-no to stand chopsticks up in a bowl of rice as it looks like incense offered to the dead.[/h][h=2]it’s also best to avoid crossing chopsticks or laying them in a v-shape when they’re not in use.[/h][h=2]rather, use a chopstick rest when you’re not using them and place them flat and parallel across your bowl or plate when you’re finished.[/h][h=2]
[/h][h=2]always tip in the usa[/h][h=2]although tipping isn’t mandatory in the states, it is expected and considered poor taste not to. however, the great dilemma comes from deciding how much to tip as it’s highly situational.[/h][h=2]different services and experiences call for different tips.[/h][h=2]for instance, generally speaking, a bar meal might deserve only a 10 percent tip, while a sit-down, table-service dinner should acquire at least a 20 percent tip.[/h]

 

[marki]

Re: Travel Faux Pas, cultural, political of course religious, drug and anything else

Don't do the the naz_ Salute,

common behavior that tourists mistake for a prank.
"It's a crime and every year there are tourists arrested for it,"
. Even if you're trying to be funny, no one will see it that way.

i would be interested in location specific Faux Pas to avoid in Doha any body have some "knowledgeable" in that region to share ? great thread BTW

 

[OzEire]

Re: Travel Faux Pas, cultural, political of course religious, drug and anything else

Great thread. I feel like the legal bits have been covered before (dont chew gum in Singapore, no public displays of affection in Saudi, etc) but I am very intersted to hear about the faux pas and good manners such as the chopsticks one posted earlier.

My pet hate of Aussie boorishness is the belief (by some) that talking English more loudly, slowly (condescendingly, ie. by syllable) or in an funny accent will help a non-English speaker understand.

 

[RooFlyer]

Re: Travel Faux Pas, cultural, political of course religious, drug and anything else

In Canada, jaywalking ( eg crossing a street other than at the lights, when green for pedestrians) is taken more seriously than here. You might be booked if there is a 'peace officer' about, but if not you'll likely get disapproving looks from others. I don't care much, especially when it's blowing and snowing, no cars in sight etc. Locals dutifully stand next to the deserted dtreet, in the cold.

 

[bosox76]

Re: Travel Faux Pas, cultural, political of course religious, drug and anything else

In Canada, jaywalking ( eg crossing a street other than at the lights, when green for pedestrians) is taken more seriously than here. You might be booked if there is a 'peace officer' about, but if not you'll likely get disapproving looks from others. I don't care much, especially when it's blowing and snowing, no cars in sight etc. Locals dutifully stand next to the deserted dtreet, in the cold.

Haha. I noticed that to when living in YVR. Even more amazingly when I did on occasions jaywalk, cars in both directions would stop to allow me to cross (even when I would have easily made it). Had me quite confused at first. Gotta love that Canadian politeness.

 

[OZDUCK]

Re: Travel Faux Pas, cultural, political of course religious, drug and anything else

Haha. I noticed that to when living in YVR. Even more amazingly when I did on occasions jaywalk, cars in both directions would stop to allow me to cross (even when I would have easily made it). Had me quite confused at first. Gotta love that Canadian politeness.

I agree about the Canadian drivers propensity to stop to allow pedestrians to cross the road. Especially in smaller cities, we began to walk further away from the curb as the merest look across the road seemed to cause cars to stop and "shame" you into crossing - whether you really wanted to or not.

We asked the locals about it at our B & B's and they didn't see it as abnormal at all. Definitely more polite drivers there than here.

 

[defurax]

Re: Travel Faux Pas, cultural, political of course religious, drug and anything else

In Canada, jaywalking ( eg crossing a street other than at the lights, when green for pedestrians) is taken more seriously than here. You might be booked if there is a 'peace officer' about, but if not you'll likely get disapproving looks from others. I don't care much, especially when it's blowing and snowing, no cars in sight etc. Locals dutifully stand next to the deserted dtreet, in the cold.

This, of course, does not apply when in Montreal. People will run you over. When crossing a street, even with a green light, always look left and right continuously until having reached the relative safety of the other sidewalk!

 

[moa999]

Re: Travel Faux Pas, cultural, political of course religious, drug and anything else

Jaywalking also strictly enforced in Berlin.

Even in Sydney, you occasionally get a blitz in the CBD.

Insulting/questioning rulers/monarchs generally not a good thing

 

[Daver6]

Re: Travel Faux Pas, cultural, political of course religious, drug and anything else

Blowing your nose in public in Japan is considered rude.

 

[marki]

Re: Travel Faux Pas, cultural, political of course religious, drug and anything else

"Refer to Hong Kong people as Hong Kongers [and not Chinese]."

Despite its proximity to China, people in Hong Kong generally prefer to self-identify as separate from the mainland.

Best to observe a similar distinction and let people correct you that way instead of the other way around.




Had no idea that they enforced jaywalking in Berlin strictly.... that's new

 

[k_sheep]

Re: Travel Faux Pas, cultural, political of course religious, drug and anything else

The number of people wearing singlets and shorts / short skirts, posing for a selfie with their back to Buddha in Bhuddist places absolutely boggles my mind.

 

[AnnaB]

Re: Travel Faux Pas, cultural, political of course religious, drug and anything else

People patting others on the head, like we often do to young ones over in the west.... its such an insult in many Asian countries, as well as pointing your finger
Disrespect in temples and holy places is also very common, as well as buying Buddha heads as decorations for home (actually illegal in Thailand).

 

[drron]

Re: Travel Faux Pas, cultural, political of course religious, drug and anything else

People should be aware that in Thailand it is an offence to disrespect the Royal Family.
However it is easy to inadvertently do this.If you drop a Thai coin or note do not tread on it to stop it getting away.They have an image of the king and to step on the king's image is disrespectful.

 

[marki]

I cannot get over the amount of spitting in the streets of Melbourne ...........That's how TB can spread. That must be a faux Pas

 

[JohnK]

Blowing your nose in public in Japan is considered rude.

As is picking your nose in public in Thailand.

 

[Pushka]

As bad as the Collingwood fan wearing a sleeveless Collingwood gurnsey in the middle of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. Two wrongs do not make a right!