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“Talking In The Lift”: 47 Offensive Things Americans Do In Other Countries Without Even Realizing It
As an American, you might think nothing of blowing your nose in public, striking up a conversation with strangers in the lift, or asking someone you just met what they do for a living. But try this in certain other parts of the world, and don't be surprised if you get a few looks of disgust.
It often doesn't occur to many of us that what we deem completely normal may be seen as terribly rude and offensive to others. This is especially true while traveling to a different country or visiting/speaking to someone of a different culture. In Japan, China, or South Korea, for example, tipping a server is considered highly inappropriate. While in some parts of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, eye contact is seen as disrespectful, aggressive, and confrontational.
Someone once asked, "What are some common American customs that are seen as offensive in other countries?" and the answers read like a Lonely Planet Guide to Global Etiquette. So whether you're planning a trip abroad, feel like globe-trotting from the comfort of your own couch, or are just curious about social norms and customs around the world, keep scrolling. Bored Panda has put together a list of our favorite tips to keep you in the good books when interacting with people outside of your comfort zone.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
As an Englishman i'd have to say your weird bathrooms. Surely the cubicle is designed with privacy in mind? Nope lets stick a big old gap around that door. I feel uncomfortable with someone in the next cubicle let alone making eye contact with passers by.
Asking someone you've just met what they do for a living might seem like harmless small talk. But that largely depends on where in the world you find yourself or who you're asking. For example, in France, you may be met with blank stares, or worse yet, anger.
“They will be offended, believing you’re trying to put them into a box,” explains Julie Barlow, a French-Canadian author. “And they just don’t think it’s interesting to work for a living. There are other things they’d much rather talk about.”
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#2
Handing me the bill at a restaurant before I've asked for it.
This happened to me a lot in America. I eventually asked some friends I made what it was all about. In Europe handing someone the bill means you want them to get out. In America if they don't hand you the bill they worry you think they've forgotten you.
I could never get used to it!
Fat Harry (Oi / You) 7 hours ago
I think this is part of a bigger cultural thing. In Europe you eat, chat, relax, take your time, maybe order another bottle of wine or some coffees, then ask for the bill. In the US they want you in and out fairly quickly so they can use your table for the next patrons.
#3
TALKING LOUDLY ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT. Sincerely England.
Barlow, who co-wrote the book, The Bonjour Effect: The Secret Codes of French Conversation Revealed, adds that French people believe conversations are for exchanging points of view, not finding things in common.
The French, according to Barlow, are more likely to kick off a conversation with something along the lines of “Which part of the country are you from?” or another question about geography or the food in a person’s hometown or region.
#4
Complaining about poor service at restaurants and asking to call the manager. You guys do it like its nothing. At my place, if you're gonna complain, it better be something big.
#5
In Japan tipping (like restaurant tipping, not tipping something over) is rude.
In France you don't talk about money.
In certain European countries the "rock on" or "devil's horns" hand sign is offensive.
In the UK be careful when doing a "peace" hand gesture, if your palm is facing you it's essentially like giving someone the finger, but palm facing away from you is okay (which is technically how the "peace" sign is supposed to be).
#6
Asking someone you just met what they do for a living.
In the US, this is a VERY common small talk topic.
In many places it's considered rude. Basically it's seen as you asking how much money they make.
If you're someone who likes to show a thumbs-up instead of verbalizing "yes" or "good job," you may want to reconsider if you plan on visiting parts of the Middle East, Latin America, or West Africa. What you deem as an innocent gesture takes on a whole new meaning in those regions and is actually seen as the equivalent of the middle finger.
The same goes for the peace sign and a host of other hand signals...
"The Greek moutza, an open palm thrust forward, is deeply disrespectful. The chin flick, used in Italy and France, is a strong dismissal or insult. The forearm jerk, known as the bras d’honneur, is a crude insult in France and Brazil," warn the experts at travel protection company Global Rescue.
#7
Tipping servers is sometimes offensive in some countries. My experience: Offended a server by giving him a 25% tip and was asked to take my money back and leave.
Shark Lady 5 hours ago
I believe it is offensive in Japan as it suggests that the restaurant isn't paying their staff adequately.
#8
Patriotism. Not *American* patriotism, necessarily, but I've been strongly reprimanded because apparently people shouldn't care that much about their countries.
Earonn - 7 hours ago
There's a difference between patriotism that is being happy about / for your country and wanting to help it thrive, and the plastic patriotism of making a big fuss about a flag but being quiet about the problems of the country - or even denying them - and declaring one's own country the 'greatest" all the time.
#9
ITT: People who don't know what customs are.
Also, I'd go with saying the pledge of allegiance in schools. I feel like a lot of other countries would find doing something like that horrible.
TotallyNOTAFox 4 hours ago
We had pledges here in Germany too - Around the 30s/40s and in the eastern part till 89'
The Global Rescue team adds that a fig sign (thumb between index and middle fingers) is considered rude in both Russia and Turkey, while the “devil horns” rock symbol would suggest someone's spouse is cheating in Italy and Spain.
"Crossed arms might signal defense in the West, but politeness in Japan," adds the site. "Pointing feet at someone is rude in Thailand and many Arab countries. Tapping the temple means cleverness in the U.S. but implies mockery in parts of Europe."
#10
Some Americans reply to a "Thank you" with "Mhm" or "Yup" instead of "you're welcome".
Some foreigners are really off put by this, I've found.
Huddo's sister 6 hours ago
In Australia, 'cheers', 'no worries', 'no wakkas' (same as no worries), and 'all good' are all reasonable replies.
#11
Maybe I've just gotten too used to the UK, but here when you arrive at someone's house they will usually offer you a tea, it's a nice gesture to let people know they are welcome and you want them to be comfortable. I went to visit some family in America and they didn't even have tea! Who doesn't have tea?!?
Norfolk and good 8 hours ago
The Irish do this as well. Ah, go on, go on, go on, go on, go on.
#12
US shop assistants really offend me. They literally pounce on you the minute you walk in the door, try to talk to you and engage you in a conversation, follow you round and try to sell you things. In the US, instead of just being able to get on and look around the shop, I end up trying to hide from the shop assistants.
Usually in the UK, if you go into a shop, the assistants are more aloof and will treat you with a certain amount of disdain and leave you to get on with browsing. I like to look at things without feeling under pressure. I am more likely to buy if there is no pressure.
That being said - US shops are great and have lots of great stuff to buy - it's just the over friendly shop assistants I find problematic.
Signed,
Reserved English Person.
Showing someone the peace sign might seem like a friendly gesture, be very careful about where your palm is facing if you're in the United Kingdom.
"The peace sign with the palm facing inward, often seen in selfies, is the equivalent of a middle finger in the U.K. Pointing directly at someone with your index finger is acceptable in the US but aggressive or rude in China and Malaysia," warns Global Rescue, adding that holding up your pinky can mean also be taken the wrong way. It might mean “small” in America but suggests infidelity in East Asia.
#13
Walking in people's homes with shoes on. It's not even offensive per se because a lot of Asians would just be shocked- why would you not take off your shoes?
#14
Refering to the entire UK as 'England' or refering to the current monarch as 'the Queen of England'. It's not really as offensive in England or to the English since they're not being identified incorrectly but it can be annoying to the Scots and Welsh, and since it's a common mistake I usually let it go.
Still not as bad as an American tourist I once saw in a pub when I was visiting England. He was trying to order an 'Irish carbomb' as a drink. U fkn wot m8? In honesty he didnt mean anything by it he was just oblivious so no one can hold it against him. Still, I dont go to your country and try and order a 9/11 suprise, who thought that was ok?
I love America though, they're alright guys.
#15
*Not* kissing people of the same gender on the cheek as a greeting.
Edit: I meant the exact opposite. Americans don't kiss and others will find that offensive.
If you think head movements like nodding for "yes" and shaking for "no" are universal, think again. Those seemingly innocent gestures have totally opposite meanings in some parts of the world, like Bulgaria and certain areas of the Middle East.
To make matters even more confusing, in India, a head wobble can mean yes, no, maybe, or all at once, depending on context. "A finger snap, casual or musical in the U.S., might come off as dismissive or rude in Latin America and Eastern Europe," adds the Global Rescue site.
#17
Overthrowing democratically elected leaders.
Norfolk and good 8 hours ago (edited)
This aged well. 😳 Btw, in the UK, we've removed plenty of democratically elected Prime Ministers.
#18
My wife is French. She and her family, when they come to the US and go out to a restaurant, the tendency of waiters in the US is to clear a plate/the table as individuals are done. This is perceived as being rude - like, "get out of here." I guess in France waiters wait until the entire table is done before clearing it.
Geoffrey Scott 5 hours ago
I appreciate the occasional "would you like me to clear some of the empty dishes?"
Pointing at someone with your index finger is considered rude in China, Japan, Malaysia, and a few other destinations. And you might be surprised to learn that waving at someone with the palm of your hand facing outward (like "hello" or "goodbye") might seem like a cheerful greeting but is a deeply insulting gesture in Greece. It basically means, “To hell with you.”
"Similarly, the 'come here' motion with palm up and fingers curling, while common in America, is offensive in the Philippines, where it’s used to beckon dogs," the site cautions.
#19
TIL in other countries it's rude to talk to anyone or look at anyone or touch anyone or ask anyone anything about themselves or display any sort of genuine interest or affection for anyone. 😕
EDIT: Jeez people, in America it's not like strangers constantly talk to one another or rub all over each other. It's just that it's not considered rude if you do happen to strike up a conversation with a stranger or ask them what they do for a living. Now the touching; I mostly meant touching your SO in public which is considered taboo in some countries.
#20
I really hated how Americans would own up to their heritages like it defines them. I'm Dutch with Dutch parents, born and raised. In America, some people would tell me they were Dutch too. Cause some great grandma somewhere in her family was German.
Stardust she/her 7 hours ago
I’m a non American but I think that it could be because the average white American feels like they have no culture of their own so they latch onto anything that makes them feel unique such as that great great grandma from Germany
#21
Blowing your nose in public is apparently a massive faux pas in Japan.
Putting your legs up (exposing the bottom of your feet/shoes) is a very offensive in arabic countries.
#22
Start talking on a random stranger on the street ^^ish . It would not be offensive, but it would be annoying and wired here in northern Europe.
#23
I'd say excessive use of superlatives, makes you seem incredibly fake and dishonest.
Being blatantly ignorant about someone's culture paired with a tendency to talk a lot.
#24
Calling black people African American is a big no-no too.
Stardust she/her 7 hours ago
I mean yeah? If I go to any country and meet a dark skinned person, why would I call them African American when they aren’t even American? And you get black people all over the world, not just Africa so it makes no sense to generalise them all as African
#25
Talking in the lift in the UK.
Fat Harry (Oi / You) 7 hours ago
Everyone knows the traditional British custom when entering a lift is to fart and act like it wasn't you.
#27
More a habit than a custom but I've noticed that Americans are generally quite rude to people serving them. Here in Australia I married into an American family and whenever we're out for a meal they don't look at the person serving them, they bark what they want without saying please and then do not thank them when they bring them their food. I find that SO SO SO weird!! I get that they're used to waiters going above and beyond for their tips but they can still be nicer to the people serving them.
Side note: I've been to the USA many times and have witnessed it in many states there too. So it's not just the family I married into lol. Also I'd like to add, I love Americans. Just a habit I've noticed.
#28
Thumbs up as a way to show approval. In Iran, it's akin to the middle finger.
Patting a child on the head. In Thailand, that's sacrilege.
Eating cattle. In some areas of India, cows are sacred animals.
Public displays of affection, especially kissing. In some places, kissing is considered innately inappropriate.
Tipping. In some places, it's VERY offensive to tip.
And oddly enough, thanking someone. While it is considered a very kind thing to do in Anglo America (pretty much expected of you in Canada), in some places some things are expected to be done and thanking people for certain deeds can be construed as offensive.
Moving Enigma 2 hours ago
I'm curious, can anyone share where thanking someone is offensive, it's a new one to me.
#29
If somebody says to me 'How are you', they shouldn't act surprised when I tell them. If I say 'how are you' to somebody and they respond with 'hello', I wonder which bit of the question they didn't understand or hear. Maybe that's just me...
#30
Talking back or "expressing yourself" to your parents is pretty much a no no in a lot other places. From what is portrayed, it looks like it is acceptable for a child to show frustration to their parent. You'd better find some place else to live but with more westernization going on, things are changing with the phasing out of the older folk. Africa.
#31
Eye contact is one of the worst acts of disrespect in some cultures.
Woke George Washington 1 hour ago
I’m American and I don’t do eye contact anyway, so I assume I’m safe from that haha.
#32
We eat a lot of foods with our hands. Ribs, chicken, corn, fries, clam chowder. I feel like in a lot of places in Asia eating that many messy foods with your hands would seem pretty barbaric.
Stardust she/her 7 hours ago
Which Asia did OP go to where they think eating with hands is barbaric? Besides maybe east Asia, the rest of us Asians eat with our hands. I just had lunch with my hands before reading this list
#33
I believe in ~~Japan~~ China it is offensive if you don't leave some of your food on your plate. Clearing it implies that the chef didn't provide enough food to satisfy you.
I've been living a lie :(.
Fat Harry (Oi / You) 6 hours ago
The double hyphens would strikethrough text on Reddit, so this is OP correcting himself from saying Japan to saying China. BP loses the formatting.
#34
Speaking to people you don't know in public.
Spunds ridiculous to Americans but if you do that here there's something seriously wrong with your social skills. Keep a respectful distance and politely ignore each other.
Woke George Washington 1 hour ago
How many times am I gonna hear the same thing repeated in this post, man? 😭
#35
Eating while walking down the street. It really grosses foreigners out and makes Americans look like we cannot manage our time well enough to eat our McMuffin at a table.
Jan Rosier 6 hours ago (edited)
Perfectly ok in Belgium, as long as it's a box - or even beter a paper cone - fillled with fries and a big clot of mayo on top, and you're eating it with a short wooden fork.
#38
Jaywalking. Public displays of affection. Tipping. Spitting. Wearing revealing clothes. Going into a private home with your shoes on. Hugging people you just met. Talking loudly on a train, or in other public spaces. Talking on your cellphone in a train. Blocking the passing lane on the escalator (some Americans also consider this rude but it's still common, in other countries the social etiquette is more rigid). Eating on a commuter train. Walking or sitting on a public lawn, in some countries you are expected to stay off the grass. Littering is rude in the U.S. but often tolerated -- some countries don't tolerate it socially, and enforce fines for littering.
#40
Took off my shirt in Taiwan. I'm make, it was hot and had rained recently so I was soaking wet from the scooter ride. Lots of looks, several comments. They were not pleased. Idk, we were in a park so it's not like I went into a store or something.
#41
Calling someone significantly older than you just by their names. In Indonesia and many Asian countries, this is offensive to the older person, no matter who he/she is, though the degree of offence may vary in different countries.
Geoffrey Scott 4 hours ago
Kids thought they hit the lotto when I was the custodian and used the southern 'way'. Instead of Mr. Smith, it was Mr. Jason. They love calling those in authority by their first name.
#43
I'd be screwed in Europe apparently. I say "How are you today?" and just talk to everyone. It's just how everyone else is here.
I'd probably get yelled at, quite a bit. I asked a friend from the UK how is day was once and he just exploded on me "AWFUL, ARE YOU HAPPY NOW?!?".
#44
Probably not in all of America but wearing your shoes inside the house, on your bed, on the couch just seems so unhygienic. I mean, no matter how often the streets are cleaned, it is still gonna collect dirt, filth, stuffff fast, and you're bringing all that into your home.
Lady Eowyn 1 hour ago
I wear shoes in the house. On the floor. Shoes on inside is normal where I live. Shoes on beds or furniture is not.
#45
Mentioning your father's coworkers wife's name at dinner.
In Saudi Arabia, they forcefully excuse you from dinner.
Zig Zag Wanderer 2 hours ago (edited)
What is this arcanaery? I can't even work out who you're referring to!
#46
Letting your wife leave the house without a male companion.
Norfolk and good 8 hours ago
Another American who thinks the US is the only "free" country in the world.
#47
Being friendly to strangers. You ask somebody if they're having a good day in Wycombe, you're gonna get shanked. Good luck trying to help that person who just fell down the escalator at Marylebone, they'll apologise, and you'll feel terrible. Never help anyone, never be friendly, always apologise. Welcome to Britain.
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What do you think ?
Did I say that out loud? 7 hours ago
As usual most of these aren't specific to one country and I personally wouldn't consider anything on here "offensive". Mildly annoying perhaps, but nothing to get particularly upset about.
Gavin Johnson 5 hours ago
Thinking that saying you want a sovereign nation means you get it? When you meet resistance you throw your toys out of the pram and start a temper tantrum. You can’t have your Greenland until you’ve finished your Venezuela ok?
nicholas nolan 2 hours ago
Alright, let's be real here. There is exactly one guy that wants Venezuela and Greenland. He didn't even campaign on that s**t, so you can't even through that at the feet of his rubes.
Load More Replies... Did I say that out loud? 7 hours ago
As usual most of these aren't specific to one country and I personally wouldn't consider anything on here "offensive". Mildly annoying perhaps, but nothing to get particularly upset about.
Gavin Johnson 5 hours ago
Thinking that saying you want a sovereign nation means you get it? When you meet resistance you throw your toys out of the pram and start a temper tantrum. You can’t have your Greenland until you’ve finished your Venezuela ok?
nicholas nolan 2 hours ago
Alright, let's be real here. There is exactly one guy that wants Venezuela and Greenland. He didn't even campaign on that s**t, so you can't even through that at the feet of his rubes.
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