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30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About
TravelFEB 28, 2023

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About

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Traveling can produce a sense of wonder and excitement, but it’s pretty easy to commit cultural faux pas without even realizing it. From hand gestures to eating habits, some things are just not universal and tourists would do their best to prepare accordingly. Fortunately, well-organized internet users decided to ask locals what are the dos and don'ts of visiting their country, city, or general area.
So scroll down, dear Pandas, and upvote the rules that surprised you. Be sure to comment your own stories or unwritten local rules and if the travel bug has not left you, check out Bored Panda’s other lists of unwritten travel rules here

#1

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About
Ireland here; We don't care if you're the bloody love child of Michael Collins and Eamon De Valera, if you weren't born or raised in Ireland, you don't call yourself Irish.
I'm looking at you, American tourists...
380points

#2

Americans visiting Canada: Don't call us America's hat or the 51st state or any of that other nonsense. It's not endearing and it's not funny. It's just annoying. We love your country very much, and you're totally out bestie. But we don't want to actually be you.
With love, Timbits and kind regards,
Canada
352points

#3

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About
Germany - Be there by the time you told me or I will be very pissed.
350points

Traveling often means dealing with a language you don’t know, sometimes involving a completely incomprehensible alphabet. So often, as tourists, we rely on hand gestures and smiles to communicate an idea. Can’t say thank you in the language? Just show a thumbs up! Unless you are in the Middle East or West Africa, where it is roughly equivalent to the middle finger! So if you are a person who gesticulates a lot, be sure to practice before leaving to avoid making an international incident. 

Similarly, the ‘ok’ sign, formed by making a circle with the thumb and index finger, is relatively insulting in Brazil. So the bottom line is, maybe learn a few useful phrases ahead of time and practice them at home. It will save you the embarrassment of accidentally flipping someone off and you’ll expand your vocabulary at the same time.

#4

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About
SWIM BETWEEN THE FLAGS. Or you will die. [Australia]
345points

#5

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About
~~England~~ **UK** here.
Thanking the bus driver for the journey when you leave at your stop.
319points

#6

Denmark - "Janteloven"
Don't flaunt your s**t in the face of people who have less than you, and don't feel that you are worth more than others, merely because you are wealthy.
312points

It's important to also remember that something normal in your country might be weird almost everywhere else. For example, in most places, one takes their shoes off at the door, before entering a house, while Americans might leave them on. Now, this isn’t universal and consistent, but in much of the world, walking around your host’s home in shoes or, God forbid, boots, would be seen as rude. The origins of this American practice are unclear, but it’s often linked to American car dependency. If you go from driveway to car to driveway, your shoes are unlikely to be that dirty anyway.

#7

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About
(southern) Italy
1. Always eat offered food if visiting
2. Always accept to have coffe bought
3. Don t be scared of phisical contact. People will touch you, hug you, kiss you.
4. Offer to buy coffe. it s mandatory if you want to have "respect"
5. always talk to people. In line, in the bus, at the bank, at the post office
Report
277points

#8

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About
Thailand - Always pay for items with the banknote showing the Kings head facing up.
The same goes for India and Ghandi.
Most won't bat an eyelid as your obviously a foreigner, however some will be very offended. Surprisingly this is something a lot of travelling folk have never heard of.
242points

#9

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About
England checking in: Always queue. Never push. This morning since the tubes are down because of strikes, there were people actually queuing for queues. Intense.
238points

If you are traveling and you are unsure what small talk topics are acceptable, defaulting to the weather is a safe bet. This is stereotypically attributed to the Brits but can be applied everywhere. After all, the weather is a universal experience and affects both the rich and poor alike. Experiencing bad weather together also creates a sort of social solidarity. 

#10

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About
South Africa - Don't ever pick up hitchhikers!
237points

#11

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About
Norway:
Don't sit next to someone on the bus if you can avoid it.
Don't talk to strangers.
215points

#12

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About
Northern Ireland: Do not bring up religion/scottish football teams in a pub unless you are looking for a fight.
212points

Similarly, be sure to avoid certain topics or small talk in general. Learn about a country's history and religion before, so you don’t accidentally offend a local or provoke a rant about their horrible neighbors, rival football teams, or anything else. In some places, like Northern Europe, small talk is uncommon and it is best to simply stay silent.

#13

Southern US- If you propose something and everyone just nods and smiles, it's a southern no.
Report
211points

#14

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About
America: When someone on the train or subway says - "Good Morning Everyone.. My name is..", you turn around cuz they're about to tell a sob story and start begging for money.
208points

#15

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About
In San Francisco, you are expected to act like nothing fazes you.
Old man dressed entirely in leather straps with a ball gag in his mouth? Obese homeless lady with an electronic skeleton playing a banjo? Three young women wearing only sandals? Robin Williams? No matter what you encounter, you're supposed to pretend that it's a part of your daily routine to see it. Outsiders are quickly identified by their tendency to stare, comment, or otherwise take notice of the city's eclectic sights and sounds, at which point they will be swindled by a junk vendor.
208points

#16

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About
England: Always moan about the weather.
It's never "just right". You are either too hot, too cold, too wet, too dull, too windy.
Three flakes of snow on the ground and the whole f*****g country comes to a standstill.
207points

#17

Ireland. Stand your round. When you go out to the pubs with a group of friends, make sure to pay for a round of drinks when it's your turn. The other members of your group *will* make a big show of trying to pay for you, telling you to put your wallet away, etc., especially if you are new to the group or are a foreigner (or both). DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, GIVE IN TO THIS TOMFOOLERY. If you do, you will be secretly labeled a cheap bastard and will not be invited out the next day.
(The foregoing should be interpreted half-jokingly, but no more than half.)
197points

#18

in america if someone random asks you hows it going just say "good, you?". dont actually tell them how's it going.
no idea how this became a thing
189points

#19

30 People Share "Unwritten" Rules In Their Countries That Foreigners Might Not Know About
Sweden checking in. Respect for personal space is probably #1 here
184points

#20

Ireland-give as good as you get! If we like you we will 'rip the p**s' (tease you/insult you) and expect you to do the same in return!! It's called banter and it's basically our 2nd language!!
176points
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