15 Things You Might Not Realise Are Rude In Other Countries

Etiquette to brush up on before your next trip.

1. Eating with your left hand – United Arab Emirates and other Muslim-majority countries

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As the left hand is used for personal hygiene it's considered unclean to use that hand for eating food.

2. Blowing your nose in public – Japan

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According to Tomoyo Kamimura, a director at The Japan Society, "don't blow your nose in public – it's really a no-no in Japan."

3. Tipping less than around 15-20% – United States of America

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While tipping in some countries like the UK is for when service is really good, and 10% might be more customary, the minimum wage for wait and bar staff in America can be as low as $2.13 an hour, so tips are an important source of income.

4. Pointing at someone with your index finger – Malaysia

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As a politer alternative, you point your thumb at someone instead.

5. Leaving food on your plate – Thailand

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According to Thai cooking instructor and blogger The High Heel Gourmet, contrary to popular belief you are not supposed to leave food on your plate and it is actually politer to eat everything on your plate barring inedible things like bones etc.

6. Giving a big ol' bear hug – France

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Polly Platt, a consultant on French etiquette told CNN Traveller that it's quite an overfamiliar and intimate thing to do.

7. Assuming the dinner bill will be split if you're the one who extended the invitation – Colombia

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While it's not a total hard and fast rule, the person who has asks the other person to dinner is the one who pays.

8. Curling your index finger to make a beckoning gesture – the Phillipines

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It's seen as rude because it's the gesture you would use to beckon a dog over.

9. Asking for grated cheese to put on your seafood – Italy

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It's considered distasteful to ask for cheese to have on top of your seafood dish – so don't ask for parmesan with your seafood linguine.

10. Just bringing an actual plate when asked to "bring a plate" to a party – New Zealand

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In New Zealand it means to bring some food to a party for everyone to share rather than bringing a literal plate because they are low on them.

11. Exposing the soles of your feet – several Middle Eastern and South Asian countries.

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Feet in general are viewed as unclean but especially the soles in particular, which is why it's seen as disrespectful.

12. Biting straight into your baguette – France

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Rather than being bitten straight into, the bread is torn.

13. Not stating your name during phone calls – The Netherlands

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It's considered polite to start phone calls by introducing yourself, including in contexts such as ordering taxis or pizza.

14. Unwrapping a gift immediately – China

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Generally speaking, you don't open gifts in front of the person who gave them to you and instead wait until you've left.

15. Not asking for seconds – Nepal

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OK so not doing isn't technically rude per se, but it is considered very polite to ask for seconds – make sure to save room the first time so you can have some delicious second helpings of what you're eating.