1. Using Your Left Hand
In some countries in the Middle East, India, Africa, and other regions, the left hand is considered very unclean because it is often used for hygiene purposes after using the toilet. Therefore, actions such as shaking hands, touching food, touching others, or giving gifts with the left hand are not acceptable in these places.
2. Sitting in the Back Seat of a Taxi
Normally, when we take a taxi, we wave it down, wait for it to stop, then open the back door and sit in the back seat. However, in Australia and New Zealand, if you take a taxi alone and sit in the back, some taxi drivers may feel that you are treating them like your personal chauffeur, which is disrespectful. They would prefer you to sit in the front seat as a friend would. That said, some travel guides still recommend female passengers sit in the back for safety reasons.
3. Tipping
Most American tourists know that tipping isn’t customary in Europe, but many don’t realize that tipping in Japan can be seen as an insult. So before traveling to any country, it’s best to find out whether tipping is a local practice.
4. Putting Your Hands in Your Pockets
In Turkey, this behavior is seen as disrespectful and very rude.
5. Flashing the V-Sign or Peace Sign
In the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, this gesture doesn’t mean peace—it’s actually an offensive action, equivalent to giving someone the middle finger.
6. Showing the Soles of Your Shoes
American men often cross their legs after sitting down, exposing the soles of their shoes, but in most parts of the Middle East, this is very rude. In Arab culture, the soles of the feet are considered dirty and should not be shown to others. Former U.S. Congressman Bill Richardson learned this the hard way: in 1995, during a diplomatic meeting in Iraq, he crossed his legs while talking to Saddam Hussein. The Iraqi leader was offended by the gesture and walked out in anger.
7. Crossing Your Fingers
When you're standing at a Vietnamese airport, crossing your fingers in hopes of finding a seat, don't be surprised if suddenly many people stare at you. This gesture resembles female genitalia, so crossing your fingers is considered highly vulgar in Vietnam.
8. Touching someone's head
It may be instinctive to gently pat a cute child on the head, but in countries with large Buddhist populations such as Sri Lanka, Thailand, and China, this is a major taboo. Buddhists believe the head is sacred and the seat of the soul, so avoid touching it with your hand.
9. Thumbs up
In West Africa, South America, Iran, Sardinia, Israel, Thailand, Afghanistan, Italy, and Greece, giving a thumbs up carries various negative connotations.
10. The OK gesture
In the United States, this gesture means everything is fine or okay. But in Brazil and Germany, it’s an offensive insult. Similarly, in France, Venezuela, and Turkey, the gesture also carries negative meanings.