Good Manners Around the World

The more you travel in this world, the more you will realize how different people are from all over the world, from all points of view: traditions, beliefs, and mentalities.

And because it is very important to respect the culture and the people you visit, you must learn good manners around the world. So, the next time you plan a trip to another country, keep in mind the lessons of good manners that we present to you in the following.

Good manners around the world: eating habits

In some cultures, laughing at the table is a compliment.

In places like Turkey or Saudi Arabia, the roar of a hearty meal is a way to compliment the chef on the food on offer. A healthy roar is not rude, on the contrary.

This gesture tells the chef that you ate very well and enjoyed every bit. Moreover, it can be rude not to rush after a great meal, prepared with much effort by the host just for you.

In China, it is polite to leave to show your delight for a meal.

If in most cultures it is not polite to make noise when eating or drinking something, in China this custom is even recommended. It's like complimenting the chef, saying, "Thanks for the meal, it was delicious."

Don't ask for salt when you eat in Egypt.

Most of the time, you won't even find salt on the table in Egypt. If you go to a restaurant and ask for salt to add a little to the food, it's like telling the chef that he didn't cook it properly. He's extremely rude, so he better not do it.

In Ghana, if you invite someone over for dinner or a coffee, you are the one who pays.

If you ever venture into Ghana and invite someone there for a meal or a drink, you need to make sure you have enough money to pay for your guest. Otherwise, you will be considered extremely rude and you may receive some complaints about this.

Don't fill your glass if you go to Japan.

Good manners around the world are extremely different. For example, in many countries, it is normal to pour a drink on your own. Instead, in Japan, this custom will be considered greed, narcissism, and antisocial practice.

It is correct to pour the drink of the other people at the table first, and they will pour it for you in their glass. If you finish the glass before the others, simply fill their glass again and they will do the same for you.

Don't give a gift of wine to your host in France.

If you are invited to a party in France, you may be tempted to bring a bottle of wine as a gift. However, do not make this mistake because you will be considered extremely rude. It's like telling him that the wine the party host is offering isn't good enough. Instead, you can bring flowers or chocolate.

Rules of good behavior that you need to know

In the Maasai tribe of Kenya, spitting is a way to show affection to someone.

Good manners around the world may seem extremely strange to us. For example, while most countries consider spitting to be very rude and unhygienic, the Maasai tribe uses it as a form of affection, good luck, or reverence. They often spit when they greet each other, and this is considered a sign of respect.

For example, a father will spit on his daughter when she marries so that she will have good luck and prosperity in marriage. Newborns are also spat on to make sure the baby is not cursed. Even if it seems strange to you, if you travel to that part of the world, be prepared for this show of affection from the Maasai tribe.

If you shake hands with someone in the Middle East, never use your left hand.

Although most of us salute with our right hand, if we extend our left hand it would not be considered rude or offensive in most countries on our planet.

However, in the Middle East, this gesture is considered a terrible insult because, in this culture, each hand has specific functions. The right hand is used for food, and the left hand is reserved for wiping after using the bathroom. Knowing this, offering the left hand, you offer the hand which, even if it is clean, is associated with an act that is not considered clean.

So if you're ever in the Middle East and you're left-handed, make sure you greet with your right hand every time. And, of course, be careful not to eat with your left hand, for the same reasons.

Never tip anyone in Japan.

In America, tipping is a common practice. Other countries have adopted the tip, but this is not mandatory. Most of the time, in various countries you tip if you like how you were served if you liked the food or the person who served you.

In Japan, on the other hand, the tip is considered an extremely rude insult. So the next time you go to Japan, be careful not to tip the taxi driver or the waiter to anyone.

Don't show your shoe sole to someone from the Arab culture.

In Arab culture, showing someone the sole of the shoe is considered an insult and contempt. Therefore, you should not put your foot in front of your interlocutor so that he can see your soul. The shoe is considered unclean, especially the sole, which is why it must be removed before entering places of worship, houses, and other buildings.

It is rude to arrive on time in Venezuela.

While in some countries being late for a meeting is considered to be a rude gesture, in Venezuela you should never show up earlier or at the same time. You will be considered too eager or too greedy.

It is best to arrive 15–20 minutes after the start of the event. Exceptions are made to events such as a concert or a funeral.

The "OK" sign on the fingers is considered an insult in some countries.

Sometimes, when you are asked, "how are you feeling?", In some countries, you are tempted to show the "OK" sign by forming the letter "O" with your thumb and forefinger.

In some countries in South America or Turkey, this gesture is extremely rude. For example, in a country like Turkey, this sign is a very ugly way to tell someone that they are gay. It's like a curse.

Knowing good manners around the world is a sign of good behavior and respect for the culture and the people you visit. Be careful and inform yourself every time you go to a foreign country about its customs and traditions so as not to be considered a rude and ill-mannered man.

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