You might have manners from your local region down to an art, but when travelling internationally, there’s opportunity at every turn to look rude or at the very least uncultured. Brush up on these odd but important international customs before using your passport again.
Roses in Russia
Russians take the significance of flora to a whole new level, so be careful with housewarming or business gifts there. Yellow flowers signify lying, betrayal, or the ending of a relationship. Red carnations, meanwhile, are typically found on graves, or given as gifts to war veterans.
Gloomy gifts in China
While the thought might be cheery, it won’t feel that way if you give someone in China a clock, handkerchief, straw sandals or flowers—each of these is associated with death and only appropriate for funerals.
Eating in Egypt
Even if the saltshaker is there for the taking, don’t touch it. Adding salt to your food in Egypt is a great insult to your host. It doesn’t just mean you want a little seasoning: it means you find the food repulsive.
Be fashionably late in Venezuela
Whatever hour someone tells you to show up in Venezuela, add at least 15 minutes to that. Early guests are thought of as inconsiderate to the host, rushing her to prepare the party, or even greedy, hoping to eat all the food or drink all the wine before others arrive.
No-hands Norway
If you skimp on table manners in Norway, you’ll hear an awkward silence. Norwegians always use a fork and knife with whatever they eat—from sandwiches to nachos.
Keep gifts rounded in the Netherlands
While a set of kitchen knives or good scissors might seem like an appropriate housewarming gift, these items—when given as a present—are thought to bring bad luck in the Netherlands.
Skip the cheers in Hungary
Never clink your glasses before sipping your beverage in Hungary. In 1849, the Austrians celebrated their violent defeat of the Hungarian forces by clinking their beer glasses, and ever since, Hungarians have sworn to never partake in this drinking tradition.
Keep food friendly in Bolivia
In Bolivia, the purpose of food is to bond people on a personal level, which is why it’s rude to bring up business at a dinner party, or at any social event. If you are at a lunch or event specifically designated for business while in Bolivia, wait for your host to bring up business before you do.
Be treated in Turkey
It is custom, when doing business in Turkey, to allow the person who invited you to the meal to pay for it. It won’t be seen as rude if you offer to split, but your offer will never be accepted. The polite thing to do, if you’d like to reciprocate, is invite your host to a follow-up meal.
Respect the chopsticks in Japan
Don’t play with your food or utensils when in Japan. It’s considered very rude in Japan to use chopsticks for anything other than eating, so don’t motion with them while talking, or point to something with them. And when grabbing food from a shared plate, always use the end of the chopsticks that do not touch your mouth.
