Etiquette Tips for Traveling Abroad

Stepping on money in Thailand or pointing at shoe soles in the Middle East are actions to be mindful of when traveling abroad.

Etiquette Tips for Traveling Abroad

Many unintentional actions of tourists lead them into trouble. Here are actions to avoid.

Do Not Touch Someone's Head in Thailand

The head is considered the highest part of the body and should be respected – as explained by a member of Reddit.com. Therefore, touching someone's head is seen as extremely rude. Additionally, tourists in Thailand should not point at their own feet in front of a Buddha statue as it is considered disrespectful. More importantly, stepping on Thai currency can lead to imprisonment due to a lack of respect for the image of the monarch printed on it. The Thai royal family has always been protected from offense and criticism through strict laws and regulations.

Avoid Pointing at Feet in the Middle East

In many places in the Middle East, exposing one's feet or even shoe soles can be deeply offensive. Many tourists inadvertently show disrespect to locals by crossing their legs or unintentionally directing their shoe soles towards someone else. The reason is that the feet are the lowest part of the body. This also explains why throwing shoes at others – like former US President George Bush's incident – is considered a significant insult.

Avoid Slamming Car Doors in Costa Rica

The sound of slamming car doors is considered impolite in Costa Rica. For some taxi drivers, this action can make the journey uncomfortable for tourists. Additionally, tourists should be aware of the historically tense relationship between Costa Rica and its northern neighbor, Nicaragua.

Do Not Discomfort the Queen's Guards

A member of Reddit.com pointed out that the Queen's Guards are not merely decorative or purely ceremonial. They are trained soldiers, armed and tasked with the important duty of protecting the royal family. Therefore, attempting to provoke them into smiling is seen as annoying and disrespectful.

Be Careful When Giving Flowers in Romania

When giving flowers to someone in Romania, you should carefully check the number of blooms in the bouquet because even numbers are only used in funerals in Romania, while odd numbers are for the living. Additionally, roses in this country are reserved for lovers.

According to Vnexpress

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Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour