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.
#21
*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.
Edit: I meant the exact opposite. Americans don't kiss and others will find that offensive.
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10points
#23
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.
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9points
#24
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.
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.
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9points
#25
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.
Putting your legs up (exposing the bottom of your feet/shoes) is a very offensive in arabic countries.
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7points
#27
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...
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7points
#28
Eye contact is one of the worst acts of disrespect in some cultures.
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6points
#29
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.
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.
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5points
#30
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 :(.
I've been living a lie :(.
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4points
#31
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.
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4points
#32
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.
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.
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3points
#33
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.
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3points
#35
Not expecting a response when you say "how are you?" Its a question not a statement.
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2points
#36
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.
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2points
#38
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.
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1point
#39
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.
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1point
#40
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.
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1point
