6 Cultural Blunders to Avoid When Traveling Abroad (Because You Don’t Want to be That Tourist)

So, you’ve booked your air ticket, dusted off your suitcase, packed your cute outfits and you’re all set for an adventure on foreign soil. However, before you jet off to another country, you need to know there are several cultural blunders you must avoid if you don’t want to see your face all over social media for the wrong reasons.  

In some countries, personal space is sacred. For instance, in Thailand, touching someone’s head is a big no-no, even if you meant to ruffle someone’s hair affectionately. According to this post from the Thailand Foundation, the Thais believe our head is the holiest place of our bodies.  

In the United Arab Emirates, women may decline a handshake from men. Don’t take this personally! This is due to religious reasons. However, if a woman offers her hand first, it's perfectly fine to shake it. Similarly, it would help if you kept your hands to yourself while out and about in the UAE (or any Arab country) with your partner since a public display of affection can land you jail time as one London expat shared with BBC News.  

Japanese people greet each other by bowing and Indians use a Hindu greeting of placing the palms together in front of their chest and bowing their head while saying “namaste.” Meanwhile, Saudi men and women lean in for three kisses on the cheek when greeting friends, family or someone they just met—provided they’re the same gender.  

When you travel to a foreign land, and you’re invited to a party, it’s best to know how much these people value punctuality. For example, arriving on time in Germany is still considered late. You must arrive a few minutes before the agreed time. In Spain and the Philippines, being fashionably late is normal.   

Sure, your outfits might be trending on TikTok, but if you’re visiting holy and sacred tourist spots in Southeast Asia, you need to dress modestly. According to this post, if you also have a religious Buddhist tattoo, it’s best to keep it hidden.

In places like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, UAE, dressing modestly goes a step further. Women must wear an abaya, a long and loose-fitting cloak like garment that covers the whole body and a hijab, a head covering, that are provided free of charge before entering the mosque but must be returned before leaving the premises.  

For those who don’t have a built-in calculator in their heads and often dread the bill, not just because it’s their turn to pay but also because they need to calculate how much they need to tip, consider visiting China! In China, tipping is uncommon and was once considered an act like bribing. According to this post from BBC, Japan, Russia, and Singapore also don’t believe in tipping.   

If traveling to Asia, expect to walk barefoot in some places, especially sacred temples and other religious sites. Not only that, but when you visit an Asian household, you’ll see most of the shoes are at the door and as a guest, you’re expected to do the same. Forgetting to take them off is like going to an important job interview in your pajamas.  

Traveling the world is an adventure and a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in other cultures. However, you need to be aware and respectful to avoid any cultural blunders. With a little knowledge and a whole lot of humor, you’ll find yourself blending right in like an experienced jet setter who knows when to tip, and when to go barefoot.