Ask before photographing people or sacred sites. Many temples, shrines and government buildings prohibit photos; officials in some countries may confiscate cameras or impose fines. When in doubt, look for signs, present a polite request, or keep the camera in your bag. If someone declines, step back and offer a smile or a brief apology in the local tongue.
Dress to match venue expectations: cover shoulders and knees at most mosques and many temples, remove shoes before entering homes and religious buildings, and carry a lightweight scarf or sarong for unexpected requirements. Avoid touching heads in parts of Southeast Asia (notably Thailand); refrain from hugging strangers in conservative regions; verify gender-specific rules–for example, some Gulf states enforce strict dress codes for visitors.
Dining and gestures: use the right hand for eating and passing items in South Asia and much of the Middle East; do not stick chopsticks upright in rice in China, Japan or Korea; avoid pointing with a single finger–use an open hand instead. Tipping norms: United States/Canada typically 15–20% at restaurants, United Kingdom about 10–12% if service isn’t included, Japan generally rejects tipping, and China rarely expects it outside tourist areas.
Gift and etiquette specifics: do not present knives or scissors in several East Asian countries, avoid giving clocks or chrysanthemums in mainland China (they are associated with funerals), and remove shoes before entering private homes in many Asian households. Learn 5–10 basic phrases–greeting, thank you, excuse me–and address elders or professionals with formal titles until invited to use first names.
Public conduct and legal limits: public displays of affection can lead to fines or arrest in some conservative jurisdictions; alcohol may be restricted to licensed venues or prohibited entirely in others. Before arrival, consult government travel advisories and the embassy website for country-specific rules, ask hotel staff for short dos and don’ts, and keep a printed list of key prohibitions and required behaviors for quick reference.
Master Greetings: When to Bow, Shake Hands, or Use Titles
Mirror the other person’s initial gesture: bow if they bow; offer a handshake only if they extend a hand; use a formal title when invited or when they address you formally.
Handshake protocol: offer a clean, brief grip (2–3 seconds, 1–3 light pumps). Match firmness to the partner’s squeeze–neither bone-crushing nor limp. Keep palm vertical, fingers together; maintain moderate eye contact in most Western contexts and reduce direct stare in many East Asian settings.
Bowing specifics: Japan – ~15° for casual greetings, ~30° for business, 45°+ for apology or high deference. South Korea – slight nod for peers, deeper bow for elders or officials. If a handshake follows a bow, let the other person initiate the physical contact and combine with a small bow rather than a full one.
Cheek kisses and embraces: Southern Europe and Latin America commonly use cheek contact among acquaintances. Typical counts: Argentina – one kiss; Italy/Spain – one to two (region dependent); parts of France – two; some Dutch regions – three. Wait for the counterpart to lean in; avoid initiating with strangers in formal situations.
Gender and religious norms: in many Muslim-majority settings men should not reach for a woman’s hand; offer a nod, slight bow or place the right hand over the heart instead. Same-gender embraces or kisses may be normal; cross-gender contact can be sensitive. When unsure, offer a neutral nod and let the other person take the lead.
Titles and name usage: begin with formal address and surname. Examples: Germany – “Herr/Frau Müller” and use academic titles (e.g., “Doktor”) when present; Russia – use first name + patronymic (e.g., “Ivan Petrovich”) in formal settings; Japan – family name + “-san” (use “-sama” for customers/elders); Korea – family name + “ssi” or job title; China – family name + “Xiānsheng/Nǚshì” or job title; Spanish-speaking regions – “Señor/Señora/Don/Doña” or professional title. Switch to given names only after explicit invitation.
Quick practical checklist: observe the other’s posture for 3–5 seconds, mirror their gesture, default to the right hand for handshakes unless local practice differs, start formally (surname + title), keep physical contact brief (≤4 seconds), moderate eye contact according to region, and wait for the other person to initiate cheek contact or hugs.
Follow Dress Rules: Appropriate Coverings, Colors and Footwear for Sacred Places
Wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees. Sleeves should reach at least to the elbow or extend ~15 cm down the upper arm; skirts or trousers must fall below the knee by 5–10 cm. Avoid sleeveless tops, shorts above the knee and low-cut necklines.
Carry a headscarf and a sarong. Recommended scarf sizes: square 60–90 cm or rectangular 30×150 cm; sarong/wrap: 110×150 cm. Lightweight cotton or modal fabrics dry quickly and pack small. Keep one scarf in an accessible pocket for sites that require sudden covering.
Footwear rules and practical tips. Many mosques, temples and gurudwaras require shoe removal; bring slip-on shoes or sandals that are easy to take off. Keep a pair of clean socks or thin shoe covers. If shoes must be stored, use a small lockable bag for valuables; avoid leather if instructed (some Hindu and vegetarian premises prohibit leather items inside inner halls).
Color and pattern guidance. Prefer muted tones: white, navy, beige, olive, charcoal. Avoid neon, fluorescent shades, camouflage, military insignia, loud political or offensive slogans and imagery. Steer clear of transparencies and glossy fabrics that appear ceremonial or theatrical.
Gender-specific notes. Mosques: women usually required to cover hair and wear long sleeves; men should wear long trousers (not shorts). Sikh gurdwaras: everyone covers their head and removes shoes; bring a scarf or cap. Orthodox churches: men typically remove hats; women often cover hair in more conservative congregations–carry a small scarf just in case.
Quick packing checklist (compact): one 90×150 cm scarf, one 110×150 cm sarong, long-sleeve lightweight top, one pair long trousers or maxi skirt, slip-on shoes, clean socks. Inspect entry signs at each site; when in doubt, follow posted rules or ask a staff member before entering inner sanctums.
Eat Like a Resident: Ordering, Sharing, and Observing Food Taboos
Ask the server about portion sizes and sharing before ordering: say “Is this for one or to share?” or point to the dish and show the number of people. If unsure, order one starter and one main per two people and add a side – this reduces waste and prevents accidental over-ordering.
Use simple phrases in the regional language when possible. Examples: Spanish – “¿Es para compartir?”; Mandarin – “这个能不能分着吃？(zhège néng bù néng fēn zhe chī?)”; Japanese – “取り分けていいですか？(toriwakete ii desu ka?)”. When language skills are limited, point to the menu and mimic sharing with your hands.
When dishes are served family-style, use serving utensils or the communal spoon – never use your personal utensils to take food from a shared plate. In East Asia, avoid sticking chopsticks upright in rice or passing food directly from chopsticks to chopsticks. In Ethiopia and some parts of East Africa, tear injera with the right hand and scoop food; do not use the left hand for eating or passing dishes in regions where the left hand is considered unclean.
Paying and tipping: United States – tip 15–20% of pre-tax bill; many Western Europe countries – tipping 5–10% or round up if service charge absent; Japan and South Korea – do not tip at table (service included or tipping can be rude); India – 5–10% where service charge is not included. Check the bill first for a service charge and follow the venue’s practice.
Dietary prohibitions to note (religious and customary): Muslims – no pork or non-halal meat and alcohol may be restricted; Hindus – many avoid beef and some are strictly vegetarian (ask about eggs); Jews – some follow kosher rules (no pork, no mixing meat and dairy); Buddhists – some avoid meat and strong-smelling alliums in monastic meals. Always ask “Is this vegetarian?” or “Is the meat halal/kosher?” rather than assuming.
Refusing food: decline politely and briefly. Use phrases like “No thank you, I don’t eat pork” or “I’m vegetarian” rather than long explanations. If offered a home-cooked dish and you must refuse, offer a genuine compliment about another item or accept a very small portion if appropriate.
Table of quick regional cues:
| Country / Region | Ordering tip | Sharing norm | Common food taboos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | Ask if dishes are single or for sharing; request “osusume” for recommendations | Individual plates common; use shared serving chopsticks when offered | Don’t stick chopsticks upright in rice; avoid blowing noses at table |
| India | Point to dishes and ask “single/for sharing”; specify “no onion/garlic” if needed | Family-style with hands in many regions; use right hand to eat and pass food | Beef may offend Hindus; use right hand for eating; some avoid eggs |
| Middle East (e.g., UAE, Saudi Arabia) | Ask if meat is halal; request alcohol-free options where appropriate | Shared platters common; pass dishes with right hand | Pork and alcohol often prohibited; public consumption of alcohol restricted |
| Ethiopia | Order communal platters (injera) and indicate if you want a smaller portion | Eat from a shared injera using the right hand; avoid left-hand use | Avoid touching food with utensils when communal practice is hands-only |
| Mexico / Latin America | Ask for recommendations and spice level; tacos and small plates are often ordered per person | Street food often consumed individually; family-style in home settings | Avoid assuming all dishes contain pork or beef – ask if allergies or restrictions apply |
Avoid offering or touching someone’s food without permission, especially in home settings. When invited to dine at someone’s home, bringing a small gift (dessert, flowers, or specialty from your region) is usually appreciated; present it to the host rather than placing it on the table.
Ask Before Photographing: People, Homes, Rituals
Always obtain explicit permission–verbal or written–before photographing individuals, private residences, or sacred ceremonies.
Practical steps
Ask permission face-to-face or with a clear written note in the local tongue; show your camera or a sample photo and state the intended use (personal, editorial, commercial). For children, secure a parent or guardian’s signature or recorded verbal consent; never publish identifiable images of minors without a signed release. Use a simple model-release form translated to the community language and store it with the image metadata or a timestamped log.
For homes, request access from the owner; do not enter private rooms or take interior shots without explicit agreement. Offer to show or send the finished image and delete any shot on request, in front of the owner. For rituals and ceremonies, contact the ceremony leader, temple/ritual custodian, or community representative before attending; respect any prohibitions on images, flash, close-ups, or recording devices.
Legal, safety and technical notes
Check national and site-specific restrictions (places of worship, government buildings, military zones). Remove or disable geotags for vulnerable sites and individuals. For drone or aerial photography obtain local permits and express consent from photographed persons. If permission is denied, do not photograph covertly; refusal is final. Keep a dated record of permissions and releases tied to filenames or metadata for future use and possible licensing.
For additional guidance on documenting ceremonies and intangible heritage, see UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: https://ich.unesco.org/.
Read Personal Space and Gestures: What Signals Honor or Offense
Keep 0.45–1.2 m as a default personal distance when meeting someone new; widen to 1.2–3.6 m for formal settings and reduce below 0.45 m only when invited.
Proxemics: concrete distance rules
- Baseline zones (Edward Hall): intimate 0–0.45 m, personal 0.45–1.2 m, social 1.2–3.6 m, public 3.6+ m.
- North America & much of Western Europe: start around 0.5–1.0 m for conversations; step back if the other person leans away.
- Northern Europe (Scandinavia): comfortable distance often 1.0–2.0 m; avoid unsolicited touch.
- Latin America and Southern Europe: conversational spacing commonly 0.3–0.8 m; light touch on arm or shoulder is common among acquaintances.
- Middle East: same-gender interactions can be closer (0.3–0.8 m); cross-gender physical contact may be restricted–wait for the other person to initiate.
- East and Southeast Asia: maintain slightly larger social distance and limit touch; when unsure, mirror the other person’s spacing.
Gestures and their practical meanings
- Handshakes: 2–3 seconds typical. Offer a firmer grip in the United States/Germany; use a softer handshake in Japan/China. In conservative religious contexts, avoid initiating hand contact with the opposite gender–wait for a clear invitation.
- Bowing: in Japan, a 15° nod is casual, 30° is formal; match the depth to the other person’s angle.
- Cheek-kissing: frequency varies–observe first. If a host leans in, reciprocate with the same number of light touches; do not overextend the gesture.
- Pointing: index-finger pointing is considered rude in many places (Philippines, parts of Europe). Use an open hand, chin motion, or nod to indicate direction.
- Thumbs-up and “OK”: positive in North America and much of Europe, offensive in parts of the Middle East, West Africa, Greece, Turkey and Brazil–avoid these when there is any doubt.
- Feet and soles: showing the soles of your feet (sitting with feet up, pointing shoes) is insulting in many Muslim and Buddhist contexts; keep feet on the floor and point knees or toes away from people during seated conversations.
- Head touching: do not touch a person’s head in Thailand and other places where the head is considered the most private part of the body.
- Eye contact: aim for roughly 60–70% engagement in Western settings; reduce direct gaze in East Asian contexts; in the Middle East sustained eye contact between same-gender interlocutors can signal sincerity but may be sensitive across genders.
- Personal items and handing objects: use the right hand or both hands when offering items in India, the Middle East, and parts of Africa; avoid using the left hand alone for exchanges or for eating in these regions.
Quick on-the-ground checklist:
- Observe spacing and touch between hosts and guests for the first 60–90 seconds before mirroring.
- Default to more distance and less tactile contact if unsure; reduce only after the other person moves closer or touches first.
- Use open palm gestures, keep hands visible, and avoid abrupt pointing or finger-wagging.
- When a gesture is unfamiliar, ask a discreet question or follow the host’s lead rather than improvising.
Participate in Festivals and Ceremonies: Donations, Seating, and Participation Limits
Carry small-denomination cash in the destination currency and several sealed envelopes for offerings: neighborhood shrines 0.50–5 USD (or equivalent), regional festivals 5–30 USD, major national ceremonies 30–100 USD; keep exact-change coins for donation boxes and tips.
Present monetary gifts discreetly: place a sealed envelope on the collection tray or hand it to the event treasurer; do not hand cash directly to performers, volunteers, or minors unless an official collector requests it. If a suggested amount is printed on materials, match that amount or give one increment above.
When offering goods (flowers, food, candles) check posted lists or ask a steward: many temples and shrines prefer pre-wrapped food, non-perishable items for charity tables, and odd-numbered garlands in some traditions–confirm on arrival.
Follow seating protocols: accept assigned places without rearranging; if seats are unassigned, leave front rows for elders, officials, or family of honorees. Keep aisles clear (0.5–1 m), avoid standing in front of seated attendees, and do not switch seats once seated at formal tables.
Floor seating rules: remove shoes where others do, place footwear neatly facing away from altars, sit with knees together or cross-legged as hosts demonstrate, and avoid pointing soles toward religious icons or officiants.
Observe gender- or role-based sections: some ceremonies separate men and women or reserve areas for performers and clergy–sit only in publicly accessible sections and never enter cordoned-off zones without explicit invitation.
Limits on direct participation: do not enter sanctums, handle ritual objects, or carry sacred items unless a leader hands them to you. If offered a blessing object, receive it with open palms, avoid prolonged contact, and return it immediately to the officiant.
Photography and recording: always ask permission before photographing people or rituals; no flash in dim altars, avoid close-ups of faces and children, limit photos to 1–3 key images unless organisers grant broader consent, and obtain written approval for livestreams or commercial use.
Timing, safety and donations tracking: arrive 15–30 minutes early for seating and announcements, slip out quietly from the rear if leaving early, obey posted capacity limits and emergency routes, place financial contributions in official donation boxes or at the donation desk and request a receipt when available.
Questions and Answers:
How should I dress when visiting religious sites in another country?
Wear modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees, and bring a lightweight scarf or shawl if head coverings are common. Remove shoes where signs or local practice require it. Avoid clothing with loud slogans or images that might offend. If you are unsure about a specific temple, mosque, or church, ask a staff member or a local guide before entering.
Which gestures or hand signals might be offensive in other cultures?
Many gestures have different meanings across regions: a thumbs-up is positive in some places but can be rude elsewhere; the “OK” sign is insulting in certain countries; pointing with an index finger at a person can be impolite; showing the soles of your feet or shoes is offensive in parts of the Middle East and South Asia. Observe how locals use hands and mirror their style. If you make a gesture that upsets someone, apologize briefly and stop using it.
How can I show respect if I do not speak the local language?
Learn a handful of polite phrases such as hello, please, thank you, excuse me, and sorry. Speak slowly and clearly, and use formal forms when they exist. Carry a short phrasebook or a translation tool for specific needs, but avoid relying on it for every interaction; maintain gentle eye contact and open posture to show attentiveness. If possible, write down names or requests to avoid confusion, and be patient when conversations take longer than you expect.
What etiquette should I follow in business meetings abroad?
Research local expectations for timekeeping—some cultures prize punctuality, others allow a flexible start. Use titles and surnames until invited to use first names, and show respect for seniority in introductions and seating. Exchange business cards with care where this is customary, taking a moment to look at the card before putting it away. Avoid blunt criticism or high-pressure bargaining; present information calmly and let the host guide the pace of the meeting. Send a brief thank-you message afterward and honor any commitments you make.
Is it appropriate to give gifts or take photos during local ceremonies and gatherings?
Ask about photography rules before taking pictures, especially at religious or private events—some places prohibit images to protect sacred traditions or privacy. Always request permission before photographing individuals; if language is a barrier, gesture to your camera and wait for a nod. For gifts, choose modest, culturally appropriate items and avoid anything that could cause offense, such as alcohol in Muslim communities or items bearing sensitive symbols. Present gifts respectfully (often with both hands) and avoid overly expensive presents for casual acquaintances. At ceremonies, follow the hosts’ lead for seating, behavior, and participation.