You Didn’t Know These Customs Were Offensive In Some Countries

2 years ago

1. Laughing With Your Mouth Wide Open

Image source HealthlineThere's nothing quite like a hearty laugh to give you that feel good factor. That's certainly not the case for those living in Japan. Laughing out loud is considered to be very rude and if the person cannot hold it back, they have to put their hand over their mouth!

2. Sitting In The Back Of A Taxi

Image source FreepikIf you're travelling on your own in Australia, New Zealand or the Netherlands, think twice before jumping into a taxi. Thus is nothing to do with safety but about where you sit. If you want to travel in the back seat, this could imply that you are 'above' the driver and treating them as a servant.

3. Drinking A Cappuccino After Eating

Image source Free Press JournalItalians believe that drinking a milky beverage after you are full up from your main meal will cause indigestion and other stomach issues. For this reason, baristas would absolutely frown upon you if you did such a thing, Cappuccinos should only be drunk in the morning.

4. Giving A Thumbs Up

Image source ArtNetIn Greece, West Africa and South America do not give someone a thumbs up under any circumstances. In these countries it's viewed the same as displaying your middle finger. A more suitable way of showing approval is to smile or nod.

5. Using Your Left Hand

Image source QuoraIn most Asian, African and Middle Eastern countries, it's an issue if you are left handed - not because it makes your writing illegible but because it is seen as being rude. Accepting a gift or even eating with your left hand would be very impolite.

6. Adding Seasoning To A Meal

Image source Stuff.co.nzAt a restaurant in France, Spain or Italy, asking for salt or chilli seasoning would be an insult to the chef. A request for tomato sauce could literally send him over the edge and you could be asked to leave the establishment.

7. Exposing The Soles Of Your Feet

Image source QuoraIn most Buddhist, Arab and Hindu countries, your feet are considered to be the most unhygienic and dirtiest part of the body. If you are sitting with your legs up, don't show even a glimpse of the soles as those around you would be disgusted.

8. Finishing Your Food

Image source FYK CreativeWhen you finish every morsel of food and lick the plate clean, it would be a compliment in this country. However, in the Philippines, China, Thailand and Russia, it would be an insult to the host and they would feel you were still hungry.

9. Blowing Your Nose

Image source Stuff.co.nzWanting to blow to your nose but being lazy and sniffing it back is so annoying and someone would probably tell you to get that hanky out. Not so in China, France, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Blowing your nose is considered repulsive!

10. Refusing Food Offered To You

Image source CondeIn many Arab countries, if you refuse something, in particular food, that is treated as an insult. In times gone by, it was harder for families to put food on the table and so someone offering you their share was seen to be a token of their hard work.

11. Crossing Your Fingers

Image source ShermansIf you ever cross your fingers for good luck, make sure you don't do it in Vietnam. Crossing them here symbolises female genitalia (lady parts) and it would be so offensive to do it in front of someone. They would actually be shocked.

12. Making The 'Peace' Sign With The Back Of Your Hand

Image source QuoraSo many of us make this sign when we are in a picture or taking a selfie. However in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, it is offensive and only used to signify a feeling of 'up yours' towards authority. A 'peace' sign with your palm facing outwards is fine.

13. Eating In Public Areas

Business InsiderEating in public wouldn't even warrant a second glance in most places but it would if you were indulging in an al fresco snack in Japan. Unless an area displays a sign where you can eat and drink in public, you would otherwise be reprimanded and fined.

14. Having One Hand In Your Pocket

Image source The GuardianThis is a weird rule and hardly believable but it does exist if you are in Turkey or South Korea. Slipping one hand into your pocket and being casual in these countries, would be a sign of rudeness and arrogance, especially if you are talking to someone.

15. Putting Your Hand Up To Attract Waiter's Attention

Image source RemixIf you are in the States and want to grab the attention of a waiter, you should do so by slightly raising your hand when they are close to you. Sticking your arm straight up in the air and calling them over will not win you any brownie points and you are likely to be ignored.

16. Making The 'Sign Of The Horns'

Image source Quora

While many of us would associate this particular gesture with rock concerts or heavy metal, 'horn fingers' have an offensive meaning in Columbia, Cuba, Greece and Uruguay. Over there it means you're insinuating their wife is cheating on them!

17. Tipping

Image source Vox

Tipping is widely accepted and sometimes expected all over the world, barring Japan and South Korea. Workers would take your generosity as a proper insult. They pride themselves in doing the very best job and don't want an added incentive.

18. Opening A Gift Immediately

Image source Laughing SquidIf someone gives you a present, they are happy for you to open it straight away so they can see you are happy with it, hopefully. In India and China you should never tear the gift wrap immediately as it's seen as being greedy.

19. Biting Or Slicing Into A Baguette

Image source InsiderThere is a proverb in France that, translated into English, means, 'you don't cut bread, you break bread.' Slicing it with a knife would get you a few funny looks so remember to tear off a chunk with your hands so as not to offend.

20. Complaining About Service

Image source CNBCWhen you are eating in a restaurant and your dinner is served barely warm, you wouldn't hesitate to let the waiting staff know your issue and it would be dealt with. In Europe, it's a different story and if you complain it will fall on deaf ears and you will be thought of as 'the baddie.'

21. Eating With Your Hands

Image source QuoraSo many places in the world will see natives enjoying eating their food with their hands. Even here in the UK, we like to eat chips with our fingers! In Chile, you must use utensils to consume everything or else it would be bad manners on a big scale.

22. Crossing Your Legs

Image source Dog's LifeCrossing your legs if you are in certain parts of the Middle East, is very bad etiquette. If you are sitting opposite someone who is older than yourself, then putting one leg over the other is a sign of disrespect that will not be treated lightly.

23. Talking On The Phone In Public

Image source CNNWe all appear to be living in a society of being on our mobile phones much of the time, whether we are in our homes or out and about. Airpods mean you can have a hands free conversation while you're browsing in a store. In Japan, you should email or text a message as it is offensive to talk on the phone in public.

24. Jaywalking

Image source BitgapIn Northern Europe, jaywalking is illegal and the law has to be strictly adhered to. Even when there aren't any cars in sight, people must wait at the designated crossings until they get the sign to walk over the road.

25. Slurping

Image source AskIdeas.comIn Japan, slurping is music to the ears of any conscientious chef as it shows the noodles they have prepared are being enjoyed and it would be taken as praising them. In North America though, it's rude and other diners would stare over.

26. Saying Thank You

Image source Culture TripThis isn't an April Fool's joke it really is a custom. In India, you would not be expected to thank your host for a cracking meal. They don't want you to. Instead, they would prefer (and expect) a return invitation from you for dinner.

27. Showing Up On Time To Someone's Home

Image source Real SimpleIn Latin American cultures, if you show up on time it is the equivalent of being an hour early. A guest who turns up at the invited time would fluster the host who would still be preparing for the evening and be quote 'put out' at the arrival.

28. Asking What Someone Does For A Living

Image source Best LifeAsking this question is part of a usual conversation with someone you haven't met before and gives you something to talk about. In the Netherlands, if you do so, it's classed as wanting to find out how much money a person earns.

29. Eating Dropped Food

Image source WFPIn Middle Eastern countries, it’s customary to pick up any dropped food, clean it (if necessary) and then eat it. There aren't many other places In germ-obsessed countries that would do the same as they would think it too unhygienic.

30. Licking Your Fingers

Image source Daily ExpressIn Middle Eastern culture, it’s actually customary to lick your fingers after eating at the end of a meal. Can you imagine doing this in a restaurant in the UK or the USA? It's an outward sign that you've fully enjoyed your food without having to be asked.