Buzz
Never eat with your left hand in Indonesia or India because according to the beliefs of the people in these countries, the left hand is only used for hygiene purposes and therefore not clean.
Taboos to Be Aware of When Traveling in Asia
1. When dining in Japan, avoid inserting chopsticks into the rice bowl as it is considered a funeral ritual by both the Japanese and Vietnamese cultures.
2. Avoid giving gifts consisting of 4 or 9 items to Japanese people as these numbers are considered unlucky, and they will not appreciate your gift.
3. In Japan, there is no tradition of tipping service staff in any situation, whether in taxis, restaurants, or when being taken care of by others. Tipping any amount is considered demeaning to the person. Don't worry, as the service you request already includes this amount, so there's no need to tip extra.
When traveling to China, avoid biting your nails or putting your fingers in your mouth as it's extremely unhygienic and peculiar.
Never gift an umbrella or a clock to a Chinese person. These words sound like 'separation' and 'death' in Chinese pronunciation.
Remember to burp after finishing a meal when invited to dine in Taiwan. This action is considered a compliment to the cook.
When visiting South Korea, eating before the elderly starts is considered impolite and disrespectful towards them.
The Singaporean government is determined to keep the streets clean, so they prohibit their residents from chewing gum. This rule also applies to tourists in Singapore.
In the Philippines, a firm handshake is seen as impolite, even aggressive. Therefore, when shaking hands with a Filipino, remember to keep it gentle.
Pointing with your finger is considered rude in Bangladesh. Simply gesture with your hand instead.
Never use your feet to touch someone in Cambodia. They believe the feet are the lowest part of the body, so using them to touch is deemed offensive.
When traveling to Thailand, women should refrain from touching or handing anything directly to Thai monks. According to Thai Buddhism, monks are not allowed to touch women.
Speaking disrespectfully about the Thai royal family is strictly prohibited. It's a punishable offense that could lead to imprisonment.
Public displays of affection such as holding hands or kissing are forbidden in Dubai, where Islamic law is strict not only for residents but also for tourists.
Upon entering a Turkish person's home, it's customary to remove your shoes, as wearing shoes inside is considered very rude to Turkish people.
Be cautious when walking in crowds in Nepal. Nepalese consider stepping on someone's foot as impolite.
Never eat with your left hand in Indonesia or India. According to their beliefs, the left hand is reserved for hygiene purposes and thus is never clean.
As per Celeb News
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Reference: Travel Guide from Mytour
MytourOctober 26, 2014
