Anyone who has traveled will know it’s one of the most incredible things you can do especially because you can learn so much. But it is always surprising when you realize how different etiquette is in each country. So, here are 15 everyday practices from around the globe that might surprise you as an American. Knowing these will hopefully make traveling a lot easier.
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Slurping Your Soup in Japan
While we might eat quietly in the States, head over to Japan and you’ll find that the opposite is true. It’s actually a compliment to the chef that shows you’re really enjoying the meal. Yet most polite Americans will keep the sounds to a minimum; we don’t want to look like we have bad table manners.
Refusing a Dish Multiple Times in China
In China, if someone offers you a dish then it’s only polite to say no a couple of times before finally saying yes. The goal? To show you’re not greedy. But in America, this dance around the dinner table might seem a bit odd since we usually take a straightforward approach: take it or leave it.
Leaving a Little Food on Your Plate in Russia
People in Russia usually leave some food on their plates to tell their host that they’ve provided more than enough. However, most people wouldn’t dare do that in America. We believe that cleaning your plate is often seen as a sign that you’ve enjoyed your meal; leave anything behind and it might look like you didn’t like what they cooked for you.
Not Finishing Your Drink in Hungary
Similarly, in Hungary, not finishing your drink is a way to show you’ve had enough but enjoyed it which is pretty different from America. Most people think that if you’re at a bar or a social gathering you should finish your drink to show that you liked it. Plus, there’s really no point in wasting what you’ve paid for.
Not Smiling at Strangers in Russia
Also, smiling at people you don’t know in Russia might earn you some weird looks because they usually see it as insincere. Over here, a smile is just being friendly & is pretty much expected. We’d actually consider not smiling to be rude. Isn’t it interesting how something so simple can have such different responses?
Kissing on the Cheek in France
Don’t be surprised if you get a peck on each cheek in France or other parts of Europe; it’s just a friendly greeting. Yet that might be a little too close for comfort for some across the pond because we’re more accustomed to a simple handshake or a wave. And especially if we’re just casually acquainted.
Using Your Left Hand in the Middle East
If you find yourself eating in the Middle East, you should remember to use your right hand for just about everything. The left hand is considered unclean. It’s a big deal there but back in the States, we don’t really have a rule about which hand to use so it’s pretty easy for tourists over there to get mixed up.
Handing Out Business Cards with Both Hands in South Korea
When you exchange business cards in South Korea, use both hands. Why? It’s a sign of respect, even though we’re more casual about it in America. We’ll happily hand them out one-handed and we usually don’t give much thought to how we do it, just as long as we get it done.
Shoes Off at the Door in Scandinavia
Whenever you have the chance to visit somewhere like Sweden or Norway, you should definitely take it. But remember that you’ll probably be asked to take your shoes off in order to keep the house clean. While you may see this happen in the U.S. too, it’s not quite a universal expectation. It depends on the house.
Avoiding Eye Contact in Kenya
In Kenya, it’s a sign of respect to avoid eye contact and particularly when you’re speaking to someone older or in a position of authority. However, most Americans would agree that doing so would come across as shifty or rude. Instead, we believe that direct eye contact shows confidence & sincerity.
Tipping in Japan
Leaving a tip in Japan can actually be seen as rude as they believe it suggests that the workers aren’t being paid well enough. That’s very different from the U.S. Over here, tipping is standard practice and we often see it as a way to show appreciation for good service. We actually see not tipping as rude.
Pointing with Your Thumb in Indonesia
Whenever you need to point something out in Indonesia, you should use your thumb. Why? Because pointing with a finger can come across as too aggressive. But we really don’t care about that in the States. To us, finger-pointing is everyday behavior & doesn’t carry the same aggressive connotation.
Declining Gifts in India
Many Indian people believe you should initially refuse a gift to avoid seeming greedy and some people also do that in America. However, it’s hardly as common over here. Instead, we’re quick to accept with a smile & a thank you to make sure the giver knows we appreciate the gesture right away.
Quiet Voices in Public Transport in Japan
Keep it down if you’re riding on public transport in Japan. They think it’s polite to speak softly & avoid phone calls. Of course, it’s similar in America but we tend to be more annoyed by super loud conversations. Having a conversation or making a quick phone call on public transport isn’t a big deal.
Not Showing the Soles of Your Shoes in Arab Countries
Many Arab countries believe that showing the sole of your shoe is a sign of disrespect and they’ll do the best they can not to cross their legs in public. Can you imagine how uncomfortable it must be to always sit like that? Back in the good old USA, it’s not something anyone really thinks about.
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