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Having traveled to many countries around the world, I’ve noticed some of the most common mistakes travelers make whilst abroad. Some are so used to tipping in cafes that they do it everywhere,although in Japan such act would be treated as an offence. Others sincerely present their Ukrainian friends with even flowers without counting them while the even number of flowers can be brought only to the cemetery.
That’s why I decided to collect 18 travel mistakes I noticed people doing abroad to warn others. Keep on reading and always remember to research your travel destination before leaving.
More info: globelink.co.uk
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What do you think ?
DianaCrunChewyWatson 10 years ago
I'm pretty sure it's rude to ask about people finances in any country, especially as a visitor.
NathanielSolis 10 years ago
In Italy, it's fine to order a cappuccino in a restaurant as long as it's before noon. You can still order one after noon, but the server might look at you funny. They're not offended by it, they just think it's weird.
ValentinaGorini 10 years ago
Ehm... nope. You can do it in a bar, caffetteria ecc. In a restaurant is weird and is one of the things that generally only tourists do.
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MistressoftheDark 10 years ago
We do and don't get offended by that at all. It's just an old story & habit to not clink with beer (only), related to the executions in 1849. Possibly spread by the wine traders that time to be more patriotic and stuff.
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FrankFazekas 10 years ago
That's it? No explanations? Boooo! (I hope my boo-ing wasn't impolite.)
MegiStaykova 10 years ago
The even number of flowers is not to be given also in Bulgaria and in every other orthodox country, as far as I know, because it is the number we carry to the cemetery when we go visit the graves of our beloved.
IzabellaO'Svath 10 years ago
In Hungary the only rude thing is when clinking glasses is not looking into the other person's eye. Your eyes should meet, it's just a sign of respect. Clinking is totally fine.
MichaelaTrösch 10 years ago
in germany it's said, that you'll have 7 years of bad sex if you clink with someone without eye-contact. The desperate people don't look and say 'better bad sex than none' ^^
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IzabelaZanardiMoraes 10 years ago
In Brazil we don't get offended with anything. Look at our politicians...
panrack 10 years ago
I am from Chile and we have plenty of food that you normally eat with your hands. This is BS.
AnitaMancilla 10 years ago
como se supone que comeríamos completos, empanadas, milcaos... pizza DDD:
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ValentinaBustamanteSalazar 10 years ago
Who did this article don't really know nothing about chilean sopaipillas :p
CharlesWeeton 10 years ago
I think one is: Don't make lists about what not to do without actually knowing what you are talking about.
JoshNolan 10 years ago
Speaking as someone living in Ireland, *why* do people go around doing the accent? xD There's even a slur for an American who goes around pretending to be Irish when visiting, they'd call you a "Plastic Paddy".
RandiHogsden 10 years ago
An Irish accent is one of my favorite accents in the world. Perhaps people try to emulate it to seem more cool even though they are just making fools of themselves.
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FernandoDarcie 10 years ago
Here in Brazil: please do never ever even mention the number 7. It still hurts... =(
BobbySalomons 10 years ago
One, two, three, four, five, six, "...", eight.
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AnieSienkiewicz 10 years ago
In Poland you shoudn't give an even number of flowers either, as in Ukraine. :)
NenadMiodrag 10 years ago
It goes for any Slavic country - even number of flowers is for the dead, odd for the living
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MaudSailly 10 years ago
In France you can talk about money, but like UK don't ask about how much people earn :)
MarieTournelle 10 years ago
Disagreed. In France, you just don't discuss money if you can avoid it. It's just bad manners.
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PatriciaAmundsen 10 years ago
i was given an umbrella as a gift in China.....I was very grateful as it was raining....Should I have been offended?
AlessandraRicotta 10 years ago
In Italy it s not a problemi if you order a cappuccino in a restaurant! It's not offensive!
BeannguaqØksnebjerg 10 years ago
In Denmark, friends and family can give a brief honk while driving past you as a greeting, a brief honk to say "hi, your ride is here" or as a goodbye after departing from good company
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KokaciIgnác 10 years ago
Clinking glasses is acceptable in Hungary... I don't know why the author could have said that. Beer used to be an exception, when toasting with beer, there was a rule for one hundred years not to clink glasses due to the oppression suffered at the hands of the Austrian Empire in the latter half of the 19th century but that time frame is officially over so Hungarians freely hit their beer mugs or glasses after toasting these days. I live in Hungary BTW.
FabiolaPachecoBernal 10 years ago
Even mexicans get offended with our jokes, our humor is weird; the only think you can't do in Mexico and I think at any other country is being arrogant or racist, nobody likes that.
AdrienneS 10 years ago
I'm from Hungary and we do clink glasses, but never with beer. That's because a colonel from Austria named Haynau killed 13 innocent Hungarian leaders and he clinked his beer glass with his partners to "celebrate" the murders. So you can clink, we do that all the time with pálinka and wine. But not with beer cause then you disrespect the memonry of those dead leaders.
AngelaDenisseCarrascoM 10 years ago
I'm from Chile and ... don't eat with you hands? That's not entirely true. Well, uhm, it depends on the situation and the food. If you are eating at home with family or your closest friends, then it's perfectly okay. However, in any other situation it is weird and shows little correctness or education (eating out, business meetings, etc). Of course if the food you're eating requires to be eaten with you hands (empanadas, spring rolls, tacos, etc) nobody would think or say anything, because it would be the right way to do it.
PéterGábor 10 years ago
Hungary: False. You can clink, no problems. NEVER cheer with beer, because austrian generals cheered with beer on every hungarian rebellion leaders' execution back in 1849 when they won in the hungarian revolution with russian help.... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_13_Martyrs_of_Arad
AkeleiSchnyder 10 years ago
We have good that we have to eat with our hands, like "completos" or "sopaillas" from street stands.
RamananManoher 10 years ago
India - Do not touch the opposite sex in public. But raping is fine...
liliqouismoon 10 years ago
I got "unwelcome contact" from the opposite sex while posted in India....by the locals. Seems they practice this taboo on the foreigners.
alfredosting,jr. 10 years ago
I got "touched' by the opposite sex multiples times in India while working there...by the locals!!!
KittyCarrascoE 10 years ago
Chile, dont eat with your hands?? NOPEEE what about pizza, sopaipillas, etc? who wrote this?
NelliHorváth 10 years ago
You can clink glasses in Hungary no problem - as a matter of fact, us Hungarians often do it . (Opinions vary however whether you are allowed to clink with beer or not due to historical events)
PernilleStensrud 10 years ago
I'm from Norway, and it's more rude to walk with shoes inside a house than asking about going to church. And in Hungary it's rude to clink glasses if it contains beer, i've heard from lokals
LukasSchreiber 10 years ago
Yeah, walking with shoes in the house is the worst you can do in many countries including Austria and Indonesia.
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SilviaFabi 10 years ago
In Italy you can order cpuccino in any restaurant whenever you want. They just think it is funny that you order it st the end of a meal. Italians are serious about food and taste. They think an espresso complement your meal at the end of lunch or dinner but thst a cappuccino overwhelms your taste buds with milk foam. There is no secret voodoo tradition in it :D
FernandoPeñaloza 10 years ago
I´m a Chilean person and we have a lot of tipical foods that eats with the hands LIKE EMPANADAS O COMPLETOS... THIS IS FAKE!!
AernathAernath 10 years ago
I'm a Turk and I would not offended or anything if you do that to me. But I'd ask that if you mean that I'm gay and if you say that it was OK sign, you'd save yourself from a lengthy explanation of how perfectly hetero I am.
ÖzgürYeşil 10 years ago
Being also a Turk and a gay person, many of the gay people here are not offended by this stupid hand gesture - we just feel sorry for them because of the way how they are delusional when they think they can hurt us and think they are superior to us when we are just equal whether you believe in it or not. Also, those people can make sure, we, gay people, have pretty good gestures for hetero people who think they can make fun of us and which one cannot find out unless they meet a gay person, only to feel sorry for themselves for how they would look stupid when they used gestures like the "ok" sign.
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FéilimMacEoin 10 years ago
It can be annoying for people to try any of our accents, especially when they assume that all of us sound like we're from Dublin
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Nyan hlinn 2 years ago
In India , the legal order adjured by the Government is so smart and for protecting the Indian ladies .
CupcakeQueen 9 years ago
I've been to Norway and there are lots if Christians and churches if that's what they mean by, "Don't ask about going to church."
JessicaCompton 9 years ago
I'm from New Zealand and you can honk. We honk to say thanks for letting us pass, or we honk to show our support of something. I guess the person who wrote this was around a lot of people with road rage at the time?
TijanaKacarevic 9 years ago
The flower thing in Ukraine is same for Serbia. Even number of flowers is tataken to the graveyards
MatejaKoren 10 years ago
In Chile one of the most common foods is hot dog. Everybody eats them as they should be eaten: with hands. And they love it! :D
LisaPritchard 10 years ago
Uh... New Zealand and honking.... We use honking to say hello and goodbye when leaving a friend or family members place so that isn't rude, however if you go to pick someone up and honk instead of going to knock on the door that is rude, or if you are being an impatient jerk in traffic then that is rude, so it depends on how you honk really!
MavereeMiss 10 years ago
I get the impression that the person who wrote this had no idea what they were talking about considering how very wrong they are about some things as well as their inability to form proper sentences.
westblues 10 years ago
traditions or not traditions...of course there are things you should do or should avoid when travelling abroad...but then i also think that people should be open-minded enough and overcome superstition when meeting people from other countries. not everyone can know everything and things are done unintentionally. only the narrow-minded will be offended.
KrzysztofGerej 10 years ago
in Poland: "You shouldn't refuse if asked to drink vodka with me" hahaha
LuzmariaGonzalezSanchez 10 years ago
Italy´s cappuccino in a resto? Italy has many curious traditions and culture regardind do and don´t like: not to give yellow flowers, not say good look but "in bocca al lupo", don't use purple in a wedding, don't ask women's age, and so on...
JennaBasson 10 years ago
In Dubai, do not show the soles of your shoes. It is extremely insulting.
JohanneMarieRogn 10 years ago
Well that's new to me , I'm Norwegian and I have never heard of not asking about going to church!!!!
BernadettGyurákovics(Bera) 10 years ago
A hungarian never clink with BEER, that's true, because when we have lost the two-thirds of our country in the Treaty of Trianon, they toasted and clinked with it. Otherwise we are usually doing it with other drinks, but necessary to make EYE CONTACT!!!! :) Because it brings huge bad luck if u miss it...as the superstition says... :)
JustynaJaniuk(Chi) 10 years ago
Do not say any stereotypes about polish people in Poland. Truth is, that only we can offend our country (and we do it all the time)
SzabinaSzántó 10 years ago
We do clink our glasses in Hungary when toasting, the only exception used to be with beer but that started to fade away nowadays too!
CatalinaSalvatierra 10 years ago
I don't know about all of Chile, but at least in Santiago (where I live) and everywhere I've been it's not rude to eat with one's hands, acutally fast food is almost always eaten this way. I've never known anyone who finds this offensive, maybe in certain cities?
melmagicspell 10 years ago
dont take a risk. dont make mistakes dont get to know anyone dont get the chance to say sorry and ask why. stay at home and watch a travel program
AndrewMselle 10 years ago
I'm not sure about the one on Kenyans.... I've live in kenya for years and never anything of that sort...
GáborSchneiderWeeno 10 years ago
I am Hungarian and clinking is not at all offensive. Some people get offended if you try to clink with beer for some historical reasons but clinking with any other drinks (especially the Hungarian shot, Pálinka) is more than welcome.
GáborSchneiderWeeno 10 years ago
And those historical reasons are outdated anyways. :)
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YangBerhormatMimi 10 years ago
Malaysia - Dont go strippin naked whenever/wherever you wants. Respect others culture for yours to be respected!
GlynisLailann 10 years ago
In some instances explanations as to why not to do things would have been helpful.
DarynaBukach 10 years ago
Patrick Fansler That.s very untrue about Russia or other slavic countries. Although Russia is not all slavic and in some eastern, muslim or other areas it might be ok but in slavuc parts as well as Ukraine, Belorus, Poland etc. it.s rude and embarrasing to ask such questions, people avoid talking about money altogether.
AyeshaMazumdar 10 years ago
Hey - you can touch the opposite sex in public -- in India. What rubbish! what you probably can't do is.. touch inappropriately.. but then again.. who would want to see thatt.. get a room! =P
AykutSanver 10 years ago
Actually in Turkey you can show ok gesture, but not like this http://galeri7.uluda...mesi_366349.jpg It means you are gay (And in Turkey ppl called gay like whell, soft, etc)
PaolaAvila 10 years ago
I think is not ok to honk in any country hehe, and why is wrong ask about going to church in Norway?
AndrésTillería 10 years ago
I'm from Chile, and we use our hands to eat a lot of traditional foods: empanadas, completos (our version of hot dogs), etc. This article is wrong.
KrisztiánKormos 10 years ago
In Hungary you only should not clink with beer, but Hungarians clink with any other drinks. However most of Hungarians clink with beer since 1999. Austrians clink beer at one point of history when we were enemies, so we theoretically don't clink beer to avoid to show sympathy with the enemy. But according to some versions of this tradition we should not clink with beer only for 150 years, so most of us does now. The others does the movement of clinking but with their hands holding the glasses and/or knock the glass to the table.
BrianMcLean 10 years ago
I'm afraid Hungarians DO clink glasses when they toast. Could the person be thinking of Honduras or Heligoland?
RaymondSaint-Pierre 10 years ago
Avoid mention of Japan with many other elder Asians!! Many still remember! !
FalvayDóra 10 years ago
No way true for Hungary. You may clink glasses with any kind of drink. There is (or was) a little problem with BEER only. There was a custom not to clink with beer glasses as the oppressors of the 1848 revolution did so. But most of people think this custom is out of operation after 150 years. And the others you can appease by clinking your beer glass while saying "death to Haynau" (Haynau being the Habsburg general killing off our revolutionary military leaders).
FalvayDóra 10 years ago
Nonsense. We in Hungary do always clink with glasses when drinking wine or brandy. There is or was a custom to not clink with BEER glasses, because the oppressors defeating the 1848 revolution did so. Many think this custom is alive yet and many others think it was only relevant for 150 years and already over. But with any Hungarian people you clink glasses with any drink at any time, and you can clink beer glasses too, if you say "death to Haynau" while doing it. (Haynau being the Habsburg general to kill off our brave revolutionary military leaders.)
NataliMihlin 10 years ago
What? I live in Italy and all the time I see people asking capuccino in restaurants and caffe.
ODóri 10 years ago
I'm hungarian and I don't understand what's the problem with clinking while toasting... :D There is a tradition: you can't toast with beer. But that is not so serious nowasays. :)
VelonahKamau 10 years ago
It's not that big a deal if you call someone by name first in Kenya. Starting your statement with a greeting would be nicer, but isn't that expected everywhere?
NikolettPé 10 years ago
I'm Hungarian, but never heard why I shouldn't clink glasses when we toast..
LizKoppert 10 years ago
I don't know about the New Zealand one... I'm a native New Zealander and have never heard of it
AndorKonrát 10 years ago
you may clink glasses in Hungary, just don't do it with beer (no matter if in glass or bottle) in Italy, don't order capuccino after noon (like after your lunch) - you _can_ do it and you'll _get_ it, no matter - just locals never do it
YangBerhormatMimi 10 years ago
in Malaysia. Dont go naked wherever or whenever you want. Respect peoples culture in order for yours to be respected!
IsabelMorenoBerroeta 10 years ago
Do not eat with your hands? we have pizza, we have hotdogs, we have sandwiches (some of them are too big to eat with hands though), we have empanadas and a lot of food we eat with our hands. Who gave you this tip?
SarahTawhiri-kerr 10 years ago
what a load of s**t in nz we don't find it offensive to beep horn we beep to gather our friends or family to hurry up and we beep horn in tunnels the thing most new Zealanders find offensive is waring shoes inside sitting on a pillow putting your elbows at the table waring hat at the table leaving the grave yard without washing your hands and also not eating what is on your plate
RandiHogsden 10 years ago
Do you know more about the leaving a graveyard without washing their hands? I'd be interested in knowing the history behind that one.
Load More Replies... SarahTawhiri-kerr 10 years ago
what a load of s**t in nz we beep the horn to hurry our relies up or they stay inside doing there make up for ages and we beep in tunnels as well the thing we find offensive in nz is waring shoes in our house putting elbows on the table sitting on your pillow and waring your hat at the table and also when entering a grave site always wash your hands when you leave the graveyard gate
TracyBraat 10 years ago
Well the make sure to tip in usa, if they suck, no tips, when they are good, I tip 15%.
RandiHogsden 10 years ago
If they suck, it extra sucks for them because in USA, they basically live off their tips because their wage is so little. If they are not good at their jobs, they should try to find somewhere else.
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RomaSolamente 10 years ago
En Chile, "don't eat with your hands"? In the other countries in the list you can go and eat with your hands? I'm from Chile and don't understand why they put that thing that "shouldn`t do" in my country.
KübraAtaman-Outinen 10 years ago
Remember to take your shoes off when you enter a home in Finland!
ChristineCalvin 10 years ago
Also when on holiday in Ireland (North or South) don't say you're Irish unless you're born and brought up there, instead say you've Irish connections or are Irish Diaspora. You'll not offend anyone but they'll will think you're a daft tourist.
JoannaKonarzewski-Glazman 10 years ago
If you try to leave a tip on secret on Japan, they will chase you down the street to give it back. Yup,
EloisePellehelle 10 years ago
The Norwegian "don't ask about going to church" ??? Never heard about it before and will not be offended if anyone asked me about going to church (I live in Norway...). I will probably help them find a church for their faith, but not join them except if they are very close friends or family.
AndreeaAriadna 10 years ago
About Ukraine.. you can't bring an even number of flowers because an even number of flowers is only given at funeral ceremonies so..
IvanRaszl 10 years ago
Hungary isn't correct no more. The rule only lasted 500 years and it's now over.
PéterJuhász 10 years ago
The Hungary one is inaccurate. Clinking glasses when toasting is fine, but the glasses shouldn't contain beer, because it has historical reasons.
JacoHollebrandse 10 years ago
I've the idea that the author repeats aspects of countries he once heard. The other coments already indicate that a lot of aspects aren't true or only partially true. Examples: France: don't talk or ask about money. UK: don't ask how much people earn. These 2 apply to nearly every country, although in some countries people will have more problems with it than in other countries. Germany: don't congratulate on birthday before the day. Might not be 'rude' in other countries, but at least it's kind of weird: you congratulate on the day or afterwards, not beforehand. Chile: don't eat with your hands. Some kind of foods have to be eaten by hand. Apart from these eating food with your hands is not accepted in nearly every country around the world, with the exeption of some 'dry' lunch foods like sandwiches. USA: don't forget to tip. This goes for a lot of countries all over the world. Hungary: don't clink glasses. As already mentioned before: this only goes for beer. A bit more research o
HansEgilHansen 10 years ago
I'm norwegian and Id like to know why u can not ask us about going to church.
EszterSzucs 10 years ago
Don't clink glasses...? Hm, interesting. We used to clink glasses in Hungary. :)
DeniseMirto 10 years ago
don't show the bottom of your feet in Thailand (like when you're sitting with crossed legs)
HansEgilHansen 10 years ago
Really? First time i hear about that, and my wife, who is thai say it's no problem.
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MarceloRibeiro 10 years ago
It is equivalent as giving the middle finger.
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GizemDogancali 10 years ago
In Turkey the OK sign is not offensive to do it . if you do it upside down then it just means (not literally but between friends )that the opposite sex is gay that's all...
AgrajSobti 10 years ago
Don't know about other places, but if you are a male and in India, then the rule completely applies. Not so much if you are a female. True Story !
OlympiaGesztes 10 years ago
In Hungary you shouldn't clink with beer, but with wine it's ok. http://welovebudapest.com/budapest.and.hungary/crucial.things.you.should.know.when.visiting.a.hungarian.home
CarinaSoares 10 years ago
I'm sure you should not ask about how much people earn or congratulate on birthday before the day. it's rude anywhere in the world!
SarahGalbreath 10 years ago
So if it's rude to call someone by name first in Kenya, no one ever calls anyone by name? And in New Zealand is it still rude to honk when you're trying to prevent an accident??
AlexandruSavin 10 years ago
You shouldn't give an even number of flower to any Christian orthodox because their tradition is to only give it to dead people. Most of the Eastern Europe people have this tradition.
LilyKovács 10 years ago
Em, you can cling glasses in Hungary, some of the people don't cling with beer- historical reasons, but most of them would say "It's fine"
jagdishvarma 10 years ago
In India you can touch opposite sex but Kissing and smooching makes people look at you weird
AnitaSzojka 10 years ago
It's better: Look at your partners' eyes, when you're clinking in Hungary :) don't clink with beer in Hungary. If you give a purse for a present, take some coins in it in Hungary. If you see a chimney-sweeper, you have to touch a button while you are watching him in Hungary.
RachaelArmstrong 10 years ago
Is there a reason as to why? i mean what makes it offensive to them and their country?
EszterRétfalvi 10 years ago
There is nothing wrong with the clinking in Hungary. I haven't heard this before. You could search something more typical. :) F.E.: Don't talk about politics or religion. Celebrating namedays is important. Don't talk or munch while eating. (But talking is usually accepted) Don't sniff your nose, it's very unpolite and disgusting. :)
DarrenCullwick 10 years ago
Some of these make alot of sense and think the uk should adopt them
LandsCaper 10 years ago
Don't talk or ask about money in France? Seriously? They always ask for our money. Even taxi charging tips. Wtf.
TeleriNyfain 10 years ago
I think that the Irish one is misleading. Why? because I'm a parrot - an unconscious mimic - I pick up the accent of whomever I'm talking to naturally. I don't overdo it - most people don't even notice, except to say 'you don't have an accent' since of course to them I don't LOL. So - I WENT to Ireland - and of course picked up a slight brogue. Now, I'm a Scot by heritage, actually went to school there & definitely can speak w/a Scots accent - so the Irish that noticed this just asked me if I WAS from Scotland cause they thought we all were American LOL Now if you PARODY an Irish accent (or ANYONE's) that's going to be seen as offensive....
AnuradhaGhose 10 years ago
You can "touch" in India. You can't fondle or kiss in public. And you can't touch the opposite sex in any country if they don't know you or haven't permitted you. It's offensive worldwide.
AshleyFox 10 years ago
Thanks, but I'm going to do my thing wherever I go, since idgaf about what other people think.
SonjaCarroll 10 years ago
Maybe you shouldn't travel then. Because you should respect people and their culture around you.
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CristinaMoreira 10 years ago
Some of these tips are used worldiwide. Ex. you should never give even nr of flower anywhere! Not eating with your hands is common sense and very unpolite anywhere, unless may be among some tribes in Africa. Congratulating before birthdays or any other event is considered bad luck, all over the world. Asking how much someone earns ou talking about money, unless you know the person very well is also umpolite everywhere. And I believe no native from any country likes a foreigner imitating their accent, because it´'s silly...
AdrianaLepe 10 years ago
In Mexico we have Tacos, and we have to eat them with our hands, there is no other way to eat them. About the flowers, we don't really count them, is the intention what matters. And we are funny people, so if you try to imitate us... we will just make fun of you. ;)
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DianaCrunChewyWatson 10 years ago
I'm pretty sure it's rude to ask about people finances in any country, especially as a visitor.
NathanielSolis 10 years ago
In Italy, it's fine to order a cappuccino in a restaurant as long as it's before noon. You can still order one after noon, but the server might look at you funny. They're not offended by it, they just think it's weird.
ValentinaGorini 10 years ago
Ehm... nope. You can do it in a bar, caffetteria ecc. In a restaurant is weird and is one of the things that generally only tourists do.
Load More Replies... MistressoftheDark 10 years ago
We do and don't get offended by that at all. It's just an old story & habit to not clink with beer (only), related to the executions in 1849. Possibly spread by the wine traders that time to be more patriotic and stuff.
Load More Replies... FrankFazekas 10 years ago
That's it? No explanations? Boooo! (I hope my boo-ing wasn't impolite.)
MegiStaykova 10 years ago
The even number of flowers is not to be given also in Bulgaria and in every other orthodox country, as far as I know, because it is the number we carry to the cemetery when we go visit the graves of our beloved.
IzabellaO'Svath 10 years ago
In Hungary the only rude thing is when clinking glasses is not looking into the other person's eye. Your eyes should meet, it's just a sign of respect. Clinking is totally fine.
MichaelaTrösch 10 years ago
in germany it's said, that you'll have 7 years of bad sex if you clink with someone without eye-contact. The desperate people don't look and say 'better bad sex than none' ^^
Load More Replies... IzabelaZanardiMoraes 10 years ago
In Brazil we don't get offended with anything. Look at our politicians...
panrack 10 years ago
I am from Chile and we have plenty of food that you normally eat with your hands. This is BS.
AnitaMancilla 10 years ago
como se supone que comeríamos completos, empanadas, milcaos... pizza DDD:
Load More Replies... ValentinaBustamanteSalazar 10 years ago
Who did this article don't really know nothing about chilean sopaipillas :p
CharlesWeeton 10 years ago
I think one is: Don't make lists about what not to do without actually knowing what you are talking about.
JoshNolan 10 years ago
Speaking as someone living in Ireland, *why* do people go around doing the accent? xD There's even a slur for an American who goes around pretending to be Irish when visiting, they'd call you a "Plastic Paddy".
RandiHogsden 10 years ago
An Irish accent is one of my favorite accents in the world. Perhaps people try to emulate it to seem more cool even though they are just making fools of themselves.
Load More Replies... FernandoDarcie 10 years ago
Here in Brazil: please do never ever even mention the number 7. It still hurts... =(
BobbySalomons 10 years ago
One, two, three, four, five, six, "...", eight.
Load More Replies... AnieSienkiewicz 10 years ago
In Poland you shoudn't give an even number of flowers either, as in Ukraine. :)
NenadMiodrag 10 years ago
It goes for any Slavic country - even number of flowers is for the dead, odd for the living
Load More Replies... MaudSailly 10 years ago
In France you can talk about money, but like UK don't ask about how much people earn :)
MarieTournelle 10 years ago
Disagreed. In France, you just don't discuss money if you can avoid it. It's just bad manners.
Load More Replies... PatriciaAmundsen 10 years ago
i was given an umbrella as a gift in China.....I was very grateful as it was raining....Should I have been offended?
AlessandraRicotta 10 years ago
In Italy it s not a problemi if you order a cappuccino in a restaurant! It's not offensive!
BeannguaqØksnebjerg 10 years ago
In Denmark, friends and family can give a brief honk while driving past you as a greeting, a brief honk to say "hi, your ride is here" or as a goodbye after departing from good company
Load More Replies... KokaciIgnác 10 years ago
Clinking glasses is acceptable in Hungary... I don't know why the author could have said that. Beer used to be an exception, when toasting with beer, there was a rule for one hundred years not to clink glasses due to the oppression suffered at the hands of the Austrian Empire in the latter half of the 19th century but that time frame is officially over so Hungarians freely hit their beer mugs or glasses after toasting these days. I live in Hungary BTW.
FabiolaPachecoBernal 10 years ago
Even mexicans get offended with our jokes, our humor is weird; the only think you can't do in Mexico and I think at any other country is being arrogant or racist, nobody likes that.
AdrienneS 10 years ago
I'm from Hungary and we do clink glasses, but never with beer. That's because a colonel from Austria named Haynau killed 13 innocent Hungarian leaders and he clinked his beer glass with his partners to "celebrate" the murders. So you can clink, we do that all the time with pálinka and wine. But not with beer cause then you disrespect the memonry of those dead leaders.
AngelaDenisseCarrascoM 10 years ago
I'm from Chile and ... don't eat with you hands? That's not entirely true. Well, uhm, it depends on the situation and the food. If you are eating at home with family or your closest friends, then it's perfectly okay. However, in any other situation it is weird and shows little correctness or education (eating out, business meetings, etc). Of course if the food you're eating requires to be eaten with you hands (empanadas, spring rolls, tacos, etc) nobody would think or say anything, because it would be the right way to do it.
PéterGábor 10 years ago
Hungary: False. You can clink, no problems. NEVER cheer with beer, because austrian generals cheered with beer on every hungarian rebellion leaders' execution back in 1849 when they won in the hungarian revolution with russian help.... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_13_Martyrs_of_Arad
AkeleiSchnyder 10 years ago
We have good that we have to eat with our hands, like "completos" or "sopaillas" from street stands.
RamananManoher 10 years ago
India - Do not touch the opposite sex in public. But raping is fine...
liliqouismoon 10 years ago
I got "unwelcome contact" from the opposite sex while posted in India....by the locals. Seems they practice this taboo on the foreigners.
alfredosting,jr. 10 years ago
I got "touched' by the opposite sex multiples times in India while working there...by the locals!!!
KittyCarrascoE 10 years ago
Chile, dont eat with your hands?? NOPEEE what about pizza, sopaipillas, etc? who wrote this?
NelliHorváth 10 years ago
You can clink glasses in Hungary no problem - as a matter of fact, us Hungarians often do it . (Opinions vary however whether you are allowed to clink with beer or not due to historical events)
PernilleStensrud 10 years ago
I'm from Norway, and it's more rude to walk with shoes inside a house than asking about going to church. And in Hungary it's rude to clink glasses if it contains beer, i've heard from lokals
LukasSchreiber 10 years ago
Yeah, walking with shoes in the house is the worst you can do in many countries including Austria and Indonesia.
Load More Replies... SilviaFabi 10 years ago
In Italy you can order cpuccino in any restaurant whenever you want. They just think it is funny that you order it st the end of a meal. Italians are serious about food and taste. They think an espresso complement your meal at the end of lunch or dinner but thst a cappuccino overwhelms your taste buds with milk foam. There is no secret voodoo tradition in it :D
FernandoPeñaloza 10 years ago
I´m a Chilean person and we have a lot of tipical foods that eats with the hands LIKE EMPANADAS O COMPLETOS... THIS IS FAKE!!
AernathAernath 10 years ago
I'm a Turk and I would not offended or anything if you do that to me. But I'd ask that if you mean that I'm gay and if you say that it was OK sign, you'd save yourself from a lengthy explanation of how perfectly hetero I am.
ÖzgürYeşil 10 years ago
Being also a Turk and a gay person, many of the gay people here are not offended by this stupid hand gesture - we just feel sorry for them because of the way how they are delusional when they think they can hurt us and think they are superior to us when we are just equal whether you believe in it or not. Also, those people can make sure, we, gay people, have pretty good gestures for hetero people who think they can make fun of us and which one cannot find out unless they meet a gay person, only to feel sorry for themselves for how they would look stupid when they used gestures like the "ok" sign.
Load More Replies... FéilimMacEoin 10 years ago
It can be annoying for people to try any of our accents, especially when they assume that all of us sound like we're from Dublin
Load More Replies... Nyan hlinn 2 years ago
In India , the legal order adjured by the Government is so smart and for protecting the Indian ladies .
CupcakeQueen 9 years ago
I've been to Norway and there are lots if Christians and churches if that's what they mean by, "Don't ask about going to church."
JessicaCompton 9 years ago
I'm from New Zealand and you can honk. We honk to say thanks for letting us pass, or we honk to show our support of something. I guess the person who wrote this was around a lot of people with road rage at the time?
TijanaKacarevic 9 years ago
The flower thing in Ukraine is same for Serbia. Even number of flowers is tataken to the graveyards
MatejaKoren 10 years ago
In Chile one of the most common foods is hot dog. Everybody eats them as they should be eaten: with hands. And they love it! :D
LisaPritchard 10 years ago
Uh... New Zealand and honking.... We use honking to say hello and goodbye when leaving a friend or family members place so that isn't rude, however if you go to pick someone up and honk instead of going to knock on the door that is rude, or if you are being an impatient jerk in traffic then that is rude, so it depends on how you honk really!
MavereeMiss 10 years ago
I get the impression that the person who wrote this had no idea what they were talking about considering how very wrong they are about some things as well as their inability to form proper sentences.
westblues 10 years ago
traditions or not traditions...of course there are things you should do or should avoid when travelling abroad...but then i also think that people should be open-minded enough and overcome superstition when meeting people from other countries. not everyone can know everything and things are done unintentionally. only the narrow-minded will be offended.
KrzysztofGerej 10 years ago
in Poland: "You shouldn't refuse if asked to drink vodka with me" hahaha
LuzmariaGonzalezSanchez 10 years ago
Italy´s cappuccino in a resto? Italy has many curious traditions and culture regardind do and don´t like: not to give yellow flowers, not say good look but "in bocca al lupo", don't use purple in a wedding, don't ask women's age, and so on...
JennaBasson 10 years ago
In Dubai, do not show the soles of your shoes. It is extremely insulting.
JohanneMarieRogn 10 years ago
Well that's new to me , I'm Norwegian and I have never heard of not asking about going to church!!!!
BernadettGyurákovics(Bera) 10 years ago
A hungarian never clink with BEER, that's true, because when we have lost the two-thirds of our country in the Treaty of Trianon, they toasted and clinked with it. Otherwise we are usually doing it with other drinks, but necessary to make EYE CONTACT!!!! :) Because it brings huge bad luck if u miss it...as the superstition says... :)
JustynaJaniuk(Chi) 10 years ago
Do not say any stereotypes about polish people in Poland. Truth is, that only we can offend our country (and we do it all the time)
SzabinaSzántó 10 years ago
We do clink our glasses in Hungary when toasting, the only exception used to be with beer but that started to fade away nowadays too!
CatalinaSalvatierra 10 years ago
I don't know about all of Chile, but at least in Santiago (where I live) and everywhere I've been it's not rude to eat with one's hands, acutally fast food is almost always eaten this way. I've never known anyone who finds this offensive, maybe in certain cities?
melmagicspell 10 years ago
dont take a risk. dont make mistakes dont get to know anyone dont get the chance to say sorry and ask why. stay at home and watch a travel program
AndrewMselle 10 years ago
I'm not sure about the one on Kenyans.... I've live in kenya for years and never anything of that sort...
GáborSchneiderWeeno 10 years ago
I am Hungarian and clinking is not at all offensive. Some people get offended if you try to clink with beer for some historical reasons but clinking with any other drinks (especially the Hungarian shot, Pálinka) is more than welcome.
GáborSchneiderWeeno 10 years ago
And those historical reasons are outdated anyways. :)
Load More Replies... YangBerhormatMimi 10 years ago
Malaysia - Dont go strippin naked whenever/wherever you wants. Respect others culture for yours to be respected!
GlynisLailann 10 years ago
In some instances explanations as to why not to do things would have been helpful.
DarynaBukach 10 years ago
Patrick Fansler That.s very untrue about Russia or other slavic countries. Although Russia is not all slavic and in some eastern, muslim or other areas it might be ok but in slavuc parts as well as Ukraine, Belorus, Poland etc. it.s rude and embarrasing to ask such questions, people avoid talking about money altogether.
AyeshaMazumdar 10 years ago
Hey - you can touch the opposite sex in public -- in India. What rubbish! what you probably can't do is.. touch inappropriately.. but then again.. who would want to see thatt.. get a room! =P
AykutSanver 10 years ago
Actually in Turkey you can show ok gesture, but not like this http://galeri7.uluda...mesi_366349.jpg It means you are gay (And in Turkey ppl called gay like whell, soft, etc)
PaolaAvila 10 years ago
I think is not ok to honk in any country hehe, and why is wrong ask about going to church in Norway?
AndrésTillería 10 years ago
I'm from Chile, and we use our hands to eat a lot of traditional foods: empanadas, completos (our version of hot dogs), etc. This article is wrong.
KrisztiánKormos 10 years ago
In Hungary you only should not clink with beer, but Hungarians clink with any other drinks. However most of Hungarians clink with beer since 1999. Austrians clink beer at one point of history when we were enemies, so we theoretically don't clink beer to avoid to show sympathy with the enemy. But according to some versions of this tradition we should not clink with beer only for 150 years, so most of us does now. The others does the movement of clinking but with their hands holding the glasses and/or knock the glass to the table.
BrianMcLean 10 years ago
I'm afraid Hungarians DO clink glasses when they toast. Could the person be thinking of Honduras or Heligoland?
RaymondSaint-Pierre 10 years ago
Avoid mention of Japan with many other elder Asians!! Many still remember! !
FalvayDóra 10 years ago
No way true for Hungary. You may clink glasses with any kind of drink. There is (or was) a little problem with BEER only. There was a custom not to clink with beer glasses as the oppressors of the 1848 revolution did so. But most of people think this custom is out of operation after 150 years. And the others you can appease by clinking your beer glass while saying "death to Haynau" (Haynau being the Habsburg general killing off our revolutionary military leaders).
FalvayDóra 10 years ago
Nonsense. We in Hungary do always clink with glasses when drinking wine or brandy. There is or was a custom to not clink with BEER glasses, because the oppressors defeating the 1848 revolution did so. Many think this custom is alive yet and many others think it was only relevant for 150 years and already over. But with any Hungarian people you clink glasses with any drink at any time, and you can clink beer glasses too, if you say "death to Haynau" while doing it. (Haynau being the Habsburg general to kill off our brave revolutionary military leaders.)
NataliMihlin 10 years ago
What? I live in Italy and all the time I see people asking capuccino in restaurants and caffe.
ODóri 10 years ago
I'm hungarian and I don't understand what's the problem with clinking while toasting... :D There is a tradition: you can't toast with beer. But that is not so serious nowasays. :)
VelonahKamau 10 years ago
It's not that big a deal if you call someone by name first in Kenya. Starting your statement with a greeting would be nicer, but isn't that expected everywhere?
NikolettPé 10 years ago
I'm Hungarian, but never heard why I shouldn't clink glasses when we toast..
LizKoppert 10 years ago
I don't know about the New Zealand one... I'm a native New Zealander and have never heard of it
AndorKonrát 10 years ago
you may clink glasses in Hungary, just don't do it with beer (no matter if in glass or bottle) in Italy, don't order capuccino after noon (like after your lunch) - you _can_ do it and you'll _get_ it, no matter - just locals never do it
YangBerhormatMimi 10 years ago
in Malaysia. Dont go naked wherever or whenever you want. Respect peoples culture in order for yours to be respected!
IsabelMorenoBerroeta 10 years ago
Do not eat with your hands? we have pizza, we have hotdogs, we have sandwiches (some of them are too big to eat with hands though), we have empanadas and a lot of food we eat with our hands. Who gave you this tip?
SarahTawhiri-kerr 10 years ago
what a load of s**t in nz we don't find it offensive to beep horn we beep to gather our friends or family to hurry up and we beep horn in tunnels the thing most new Zealanders find offensive is waring shoes inside sitting on a pillow putting your elbows at the table waring hat at the table leaving the grave yard without washing your hands and also not eating what is on your plate
RandiHogsden 10 years ago
Do you know more about the leaving a graveyard without washing their hands? I'd be interested in knowing the history behind that one.
Load More Replies... SarahTawhiri-kerr 10 years ago
what a load of s**t in nz we beep the horn to hurry our relies up or they stay inside doing there make up for ages and we beep in tunnels as well the thing we find offensive in nz is waring shoes in our house putting elbows on the table sitting on your pillow and waring your hat at the table and also when entering a grave site always wash your hands when you leave the graveyard gate
TracyBraat 10 years ago
Well the make sure to tip in usa, if they suck, no tips, when they are good, I tip 15%.
RandiHogsden 10 years ago
If they suck, it extra sucks for them because in USA, they basically live off their tips because their wage is so little. If they are not good at their jobs, they should try to find somewhere else.
Load More Replies... RomaSolamente 10 years ago
En Chile, "don't eat with your hands"? In the other countries in the list you can go and eat with your hands? I'm from Chile and don't understand why they put that thing that "shouldn`t do" in my country.
KübraAtaman-Outinen 10 years ago
Remember to take your shoes off when you enter a home in Finland!
ChristineCalvin 10 years ago
Also when on holiday in Ireland (North or South) don't say you're Irish unless you're born and brought up there, instead say you've Irish connections or are Irish Diaspora. You'll not offend anyone but they'll will think you're a daft tourist.
JoannaKonarzewski-Glazman 10 years ago
If you try to leave a tip on secret on Japan, they will chase you down the street to give it back. Yup,
EloisePellehelle 10 years ago
The Norwegian "don't ask about going to church" ??? Never heard about it before and will not be offended if anyone asked me about going to church (I live in Norway...). I will probably help them find a church for their faith, but not join them except if they are very close friends or family.
AndreeaAriadna 10 years ago
About Ukraine.. you can't bring an even number of flowers because an even number of flowers is only given at funeral ceremonies so..
IvanRaszl 10 years ago
Hungary isn't correct no more. The rule only lasted 500 years and it's now over.
PéterJuhász 10 years ago
The Hungary one is inaccurate. Clinking glasses when toasting is fine, but the glasses shouldn't contain beer, because it has historical reasons.
JacoHollebrandse 10 years ago
I've the idea that the author repeats aspects of countries he once heard. The other coments already indicate that a lot of aspects aren't true or only partially true. Examples: France: don't talk or ask about money. UK: don't ask how much people earn. These 2 apply to nearly every country, although in some countries people will have more problems with it than in other countries. Germany: don't congratulate on birthday before the day. Might not be 'rude' in other countries, but at least it's kind of weird: you congratulate on the day or afterwards, not beforehand. Chile: don't eat with your hands. Some kind of foods have to be eaten by hand. Apart from these eating food with your hands is not accepted in nearly every country around the world, with the exeption of some 'dry' lunch foods like sandwiches. USA: don't forget to tip. This goes for a lot of countries all over the world. Hungary: don't clink glasses. As already mentioned before: this only goes for beer. A bit more research o
HansEgilHansen 10 years ago
I'm norwegian and Id like to know why u can not ask us about going to church.
EszterSzucs 10 years ago
Don't clink glasses...? Hm, interesting. We used to clink glasses in Hungary. :)
DeniseMirto 10 years ago
don't show the bottom of your feet in Thailand (like when you're sitting with crossed legs)
HansEgilHansen 10 years ago
Really? First time i hear about that, and my wife, who is thai say it's no problem.
Load More Replies... MarceloRibeiro 10 years ago
It is equivalent as giving the middle finger.
Load More Replies... GizemDogancali 10 years ago
In Turkey the OK sign is not offensive to do it . if you do it upside down then it just means (not literally but between friends )that the opposite sex is gay that's all...
AgrajSobti 10 years ago
Don't know about other places, but if you are a male and in India, then the rule completely applies. Not so much if you are a female. True Story !
OlympiaGesztes 10 years ago
In Hungary you shouldn't clink with beer, but with wine it's ok. http://welovebudapest.com/budapest.and.hungary/crucial.things.you.should.know.when.visiting.a.hungarian.home
CarinaSoares 10 years ago
I'm sure you should not ask about how much people earn or congratulate on birthday before the day. it's rude anywhere in the world!
SarahGalbreath 10 years ago
So if it's rude to call someone by name first in Kenya, no one ever calls anyone by name? And in New Zealand is it still rude to honk when you're trying to prevent an accident??
AlexandruSavin 10 years ago
You shouldn't give an even number of flower to any Christian orthodox because their tradition is to only give it to dead people. Most of the Eastern Europe people have this tradition.
LilyKovács 10 years ago
Em, you can cling glasses in Hungary, some of the people don't cling with beer- historical reasons, but most of them would say "It's fine"
jagdishvarma 10 years ago
In India you can touch opposite sex but Kissing and smooching makes people look at you weird
AnitaSzojka 10 years ago
It's better: Look at your partners' eyes, when you're clinking in Hungary :) don't clink with beer in Hungary. If you give a purse for a present, take some coins in it in Hungary. If you see a chimney-sweeper, you have to touch a button while you are watching him in Hungary.
RachaelArmstrong 10 years ago
Is there a reason as to why? i mean what makes it offensive to them and their country?
EszterRétfalvi 10 years ago
There is nothing wrong with the clinking in Hungary. I haven't heard this before. You could search something more typical. :) F.E.: Don't talk about politics or religion. Celebrating namedays is important. Don't talk or munch while eating. (But talking is usually accepted) Don't sniff your nose, it's very unpolite and disgusting. :)
DarrenCullwick 10 years ago
Some of these make alot of sense and think the uk should adopt them
LandsCaper 10 years ago
Don't talk or ask about money in France? Seriously? They always ask for our money. Even taxi charging tips. Wtf.
TeleriNyfain 10 years ago
I think that the Irish one is misleading. Why? because I'm a parrot - an unconscious mimic - I pick up the accent of whomever I'm talking to naturally. I don't overdo it - most people don't even notice, except to say 'you don't have an accent' since of course to them I don't LOL. So - I WENT to Ireland - and of course picked up a slight brogue. Now, I'm a Scot by heritage, actually went to school there & definitely can speak w/a Scots accent - so the Irish that noticed this just asked me if I WAS from Scotland cause they thought we all were American LOL Now if you PARODY an Irish accent (or ANYONE's) that's going to be seen as offensive....
AnuradhaGhose 10 years ago
You can "touch" in India. You can't fondle or kiss in public. And you can't touch the opposite sex in any country if they don't know you or haven't permitted you. It's offensive worldwide.
AshleyFox 10 years ago
Thanks, but I'm going to do my thing wherever I go, since idgaf about what other people think.
SonjaCarroll 10 years ago
Maybe you shouldn't travel then. Because you should respect people and their culture around you.
Load More Replies... CristinaMoreira 10 years ago
Some of these tips are used worldiwide. Ex. you should never give even nr of flower anywhere! Not eating with your hands is common sense and very unpolite anywhere, unless may be among some tribes in Africa. Congratulating before birthdays or any other event is considered bad luck, all over the world. Asking how much someone earns ou talking about money, unless you know the person very well is also umpolite everywhere. And I believe no native from any country likes a foreigner imitating their accent, because it´'s silly...
AdrianaLepe 10 years ago
In Mexico we have Tacos, and we have to eat them with our hands, there is no other way to eat them. About the flowers, we don't really count them, is the intention what matters. And we are funny people, so if you try to imitate us... we will just make fun of you. ;)
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