The Unwritten Rules Of Different Countries, As Per Their Residents

When visiting a foreign country, most people try to be respectful of the cultures and social norms of said country and its respective cities. Guidebooks and websites help a lot, but sometimes there are small, unwritten rules you may not see anywhere. Here are some of them, as suggested by people who live in those cities and countries:

• In Argentina, don’t ask for coffee to go. We don’t have paper cups. If you go to a cafe, you’re expected to sit and drink your coffee. — kimboslice11
• Don’t touch the wildlife in Australia. If it isn’t poisonous, violent or otherwise ill-mannered and dangerous, it’s probably protected or endangered. — inzur
• Australia, don’t drink fosters, contrary to marketing efforts, no one here drinks it, it is truly awful stuff. Ask at the bar, local craft brews are becoming very popular here & bar staff will happily make recommendations if you describe what you like. — Quietunassuming91
• In Australia, don’t Say “shrimp on the barbie” — Anz-Jai
• In China, NEVER go out without carrying toilet paper or tissues on you. It’s never in public restrooms so you’ll want to keep some on hand. — roborabbit_mama (Note from Sharon: the same can be said in Cuba)
• In Denmark, do not stand or walk in the bike lane. You will get yelled at…and/or hit by a cyclist. — Tiralina
• In Finland, don’t get too close to strangers. We really value personal space. — manabreak
• Finland: Don’t wave at buses and don’t cross the crosswalk unless you have the proper signal. Don’t talk on the train and don’t talk in the elevator. — LocalRemoteComputer
• In many metro cars in France, the doors still have a manual open signal. If you’re closest to the exit door, you’re expected to twist the lever to make it open. Do this just a second before the train actually stops, to look like a local. — Extermikate
• In Germany, our waiters usually earn above minimum wage so you never tip more than 15%. A 10% tip, or just rounding up, is normal for an average check. — ABoutDeSouffle
• Don‘t start smalltalk to strangers in Germany — erekosesk
• In India, traffic lanes exist on the roads, but people don’t drive in them. — Anonymous
• In India, its very subtle but never shake hands or exchange things with your left hand. The majority of the country is religious and even though some are not religious, its still part of their culture. Its considered very rude and sometime unhygienic. — Zealous_Racer
• Don’t Go to Ireland and say “oooh, my great grandparents are British! We’re basically family!” — anonymous
• Americans, don’t go into a bar in ireland and order an irish car bomb — Anonymous
• In Japan, bow to people who bow to you. In general, bow to people when they give you a service. It’s a sign of respect and it goes a long way. Also, take off your shoes indoors and respect the culture. — LazzzyButtons
• in Johannesburg, Don’t ask random people for directions. Rather ask security guards or even police, that’s how you lose all your fancy stuff. — Downtown_elephant
• In Jordan, if you compliment someone on something, it’s impolite for that person to not offer that item to you. For example, if you compliment a man’s watch, he will literally unlatch it from his arm and offer it to you. Of course, you’re supposed to decline. — anonymous
• In Korea, the eldest person at the table should start eating first. Don’t pick up your chopsticks, spoon, or whatever utensil you’re using until the oldest person has started eating. — waynefoolx
• In Malaysia, it is absolutely normal for someone to ask you what race you are, so don’t be taken aback if you are asked. It isn’t meant to be offensive. It’s just general curiosity. — Hegdehog_amputee
• In Mexico City, never get into a cab before making sure it has a visible sign with the driver’s ID and a working meter. Also you might want to follow your location on a map so you’ll know if the driver is taking you around in circles. — Porfinlohice
• Here in Pakistan, random people will offer you free food, never say no. It is considered disrespectful. — Musa-boi
• In Paris, you should always say “bonjour” when entering a shop or restaurant and “au revoir” when leaving. Even if you don’t purchase anything or walk right in and out. — france_throwaway21
• It’s illegal to collect sand from Boracay here in the Philippines so don’t do it. — CapnImpulse
• If you’re visiting Portugal, don’t speak to us in Spanish. You are not in Spain, and we speak Portuguese. — fabz_martins
• When you sit down to eat in a restaurant in Portugal, the waiter will bring you bread, olives, or some other snacks. If you eat it, expect to pay for it. If you don’t touch it, they’ll take it away and pretend like never existed. — BaiRuoBing
• If in Quebec, don’t speak English to a stranger unless they speak to you in English first. French is the language of commerce there, and English is seen as a grave threat to Quebec culture. (You’re more likely to see English-only signage in France than in Quebec) — yyz_guy
• In Sicily, never order a specific bottle of wine at a restaurant. Just ask for the house vino. It’ll be cheaper and better. Also, there is no butter with your bread, so don’t ask. — Samantha4162a72e5
• I live in Singapore, and in fast food restaurants and food courts there’s a common practice called chopeing where one can reserve a table by placing a packet of tissues on top. Tourists who haven’t heard of this and take a reserved seat will often get dirty looks from the local who choped the table. — RadioactiveNewt
• In South Africa when you go on a “safari” (we call it a game drive), you must never ever get out of your vehicle or get close to any big animals because that is how there are stories of people dying to animals here. Just please stay safe and obey the rules to save lives. — the10starpotato
• If you’re taking the bus in Sweden, never sit down next to another person if there are other empty seats available. — Draculas_Dentist
• In Vietnam, commit to crossing the road. It looks scary with the endless scooter stampedes, but if you just cross at a steady pace, they’ll avoid you. Do not try to dodge or make sudden movements. Just simply walk across. — ricehatwarrior (Note from Sharon: It took me 3 days to get comfortable crossing the streets in Vietnam)
  
• Don’t say “soccer” instead of football. Anywhere — ImpSong

What about rules for visiting the U.S.?

Of course, there was plenty of advice from people living in the U.S., too:

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