Summary

  • Tipping in restaurants is expected in America but not in many other countries. Travelers should adjust their tipping habits based on local customs.
  • Bargaining is not common in America, but it is a customary practice in countries like Turkey, Egypt, China, and Iran.
  • Customs such as chugging a glass of alcohol in Georgia or burping after a meal in parts of China and the Middle East are considered polite gestures but may be seen as rude in other cultures.

Whether traveling for leisure or business, following etiquette rules is essential when traveling to other countries. Americans are generally quite easygoing about most things, but there are still some certified ways to ruffle up their feathers. If you commit certain social blunders in the United States, such as slurping your soup or arriving late, you may be perceived as rude.

But in other cultures across the world, those same things might be thought of as normal. It can be very confusing to keep up with the different standards of manners when you travel, so a little research always helps. For example, when in the Middle East, avoiding eye contact can be considered polite on some occasions.

Check out these things that are rude in North America but normal in other cultures.

UPDATE: 2023/10/01 17:48 EST BY LUANA FERREIRA

How The United States Differs From Other Country's Cultures

Like in every culture, there are things that are considered rude in America, such as burping after a meal, bargaining in markets, or leaving a restaurant without tipping. However, these things can be perceived as a normal or even normal gesture in other countries. This list has been expanded to include more of those facts.

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14 Not Tipping In Restaurant

Dollar bill and coins
Kenny Eliason on Unsplash
Tip money left on table for server at restaurant in the US

In America, tipping is a customary part of dining etiquette, often accounting for a significant portion of a server's income. However, this practice is not as prevalent in many other countries, where service charges are included in the bill or tipping is considered optional. In some cultures, leaving a gratuity beyond the included charge may be perceived as unusual or unnecessary.

Travelers from the U.S. should be aware of these differences and adjust their tipping habits accordingly, respecting the local customs and avoiding any unintentional breaches of etiquette.

  • Where to not leave a tip: Japan, China, South Korea

13 Bargaining On A Market

The Grand Bazar in Istanbul Turkey
A.Savin Wikimedia Commons 
The Grand Bazar in Istanbul Turkey

In America, bargaining is generally less prevalent compared to many other countries. In formal retail settings, fixed prices are the norm, and attempting to negotiate can sometimes be perceived as unusual or even impolite.

However, haggling is a customary practice in various cultures worldwide and is deeply ingrained in daily transactions. It's a dynamic exchange that allows for flexibility in pricing and can be an integral part of the shopping experience. For example, when visiting the Uyuni Salar, travelers can bargain the price of the tour. The same happens when exploring the famous Istanbul Grand Bazaar or shops in Egypt.

  • Where to bargain: Turkey, Egypt, China, Iran

12 Chugging A Glass Of Alcohol

A selection of glasses of wine on a barrel, perfect for wine tasting
Photo by Maksym Kaharlytskyi on Unsplash
A selection of glasses of wine on a barrel, perfect for wine tasting

In Georgia, a country with a rich wine-making tradition, the act of chugging a glass of wine is considered a gesture of respect and appreciation towards the host. This practice, known as "tamada," involves downing a full glass in one go during toasts, demonstrating enthusiasm for the gathering. It's a tradition deeply ingrained in Georgian culture, symbolizing camaraderie and shared enjoyment.

This custom may surprise visitors; it's a genuine expression of hospitality. Embracing local customs like tamada can lead to meaningful cultural exchanges and strengthen connections when engaging with the warm-hearted people of Georgia.

11 Burping After A Meal

A meal being served
Photo by Jay Wennington on Unsplash
A meal being served to table of restaurant goers

In certain cultures, such as parts of China and the Middle East, burping after a meal can signify satisfaction and gratitude towards the host. It's seen as an indication that the meal was enjoyed.

This practice may surprise some, so it's essential to recognize that cultural norms vary widely. However, it's crucial to approach these customs with sensitivity and respect when traveling, as what's considered polite can significantly differ across different cultural contexts. Actually, when visiting China, travelers should know the essential etiquette for a real Chinese banquet.

  • Where it's common: China, Taiwan, Some places in India

10 Arriving Late To An Event

Crowd of people at a disco party
Crowd of people at a disco party

Arriving late to an event is considered the height of rudeness in the United States. While it’s okay to be fashionably late depending on where you’re going, that shouldn’t keep you for longer than a few minutes. Arriving up to an hour late is likely to win you lots of death stares and a reprimanding.

But in other cultures, turning up late is considered the norm. In Mexico, for example, it’s almost a given that people will be late arriving at most events. In fact, turning up early is considered rude because it involves arriving before your hosts are ready.

  • Where it's common: Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Colombia

9 Sniffing Your Nose Loudly

Woman sniffing her nose
Photo by Karolina Grabowska
Woman sniffing her nose

Most Americans know not to sniff their noses too loudly in public. This is seen as a sign of rudeness and irks the people around them. If you need to blow your nose, then just blow it, right? But in some cultures, sniffing your nose is perfectly acceptable. It’s actually much politer than blowing it.

There are many etiquette rules In Japan one should know. For example, blowing your nose in public is a serious blunder. It’s also considered rude to blow your nose during a meal. To do this, you should excuse yourself and head to somewhere private, such as the bathroom.

  • Where it's common: The U.K., Germany, the Netherlands, France

8 Asking Personal Questions

Cityscape of Palermo, Sicily, Italy
Shutterstock
Cityscape of Palermo, Sicily, Italy

There are certain questions that are deemed inappropriate by most Americans. Asking people how old they are, what their marital status is, when they are having children, and how much money they make is often seen as confronting and impolite. In other cultures around the world, though, personal questions are much more acceptable.

If you venture to the rural parts of Italy, particularly in the South of the country, you might find that people are bolder with their questions. People may ask how old you are and, if you’re not married, why you’re still single.

7 Eating With Your Hands

Woman taking a bite of a sandwich

Photo by Gardie Design & Social Media Marketing on Unsplash
Woman taking a bite of a sandwich

This is one of the first things that Americans learn as children. Food should be eaten with forks and spoons, not your hands. While there are some foods that just need to be eaten with the hands, like burgers and ribs, most of the time, a knife and fork is required.

Yet, in many cultures in the Middle East, eating with your hands is much more commonplace. There’s nothing rude about reaching into a communal bowl of food with your hand (provided you use the right hand and not the left hand).

  • Where it's common: India, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia
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6 Slurping Up Food Or Drink

A Plate Of Pasta
Image by Zoli from Pixabay
A plate of pasta sitting on the table

Another staple table manner that many American children learn is not to slurp. If you’re eating food that is easy to slurp, such as spaghetti, noodles, or soup, you should refrain from doing this if you’re eating with other people. But in many Asian cultures, slurping is the done thing.

Head to noodle bars in destinations such as Japan, and you’ll find that people often slurp up their noodles and soup. While there are some behaviors that are considered very rude in Asian cultures, this isn’t one of them!

5 Not Eating Everything On Your Plate

Interior of Hakka Roundhouse tulou walled village located in Fujian, China
Photo by yue on Pixabay
Hakka Roundhouse tulou walled village located in Fujian, China

As a child, you might have been taught to finish everything on your plate. This is a common American practice instilled in children from a young age. If most children don’t finish what’s on their plate, then they don’t get dessert after. But in some cultures, leaving food on your plate is actually polite. Eating it all is considered rude.

At a Chinese banquet, eating everything on your plate leaves the impression that you’re still hungry. This is offensive to the host, who might feel like they haven’t provided you with enough.

  • Where it's common: China

4 Forgetting To Say Thank You

Two hands fist bump
Photo by Ashkan Forouzani on Unsplash
Two people introducing themselves on the street

Saying please and thank you is another part of American culture that is ingrained in children from a young age. You probably don’t think twice before saying please before asking for something and thanking people after you receive something. Forgetting to say thank you is the ultimate sign of rudeness.

In Japanese culture, it’s much politer to deny any compliment given to you than to say thank you and accept it. Saying thank you can come across as arrogant when it comes to compliments and praise.

  • Where it's common: Japan,

3 Avoiding Eye Contact

Three women laughing and talking
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
Friends sharing a laugh 

Different cultures tend to have different views on eye contact. In the United States, for example, failing to make eye contact when someone is speaking to you can be considered rude. This is especially true if you’re being told off for something. The polite thing to do is to look that person in the eye and give them respect.

Things are a little different in some cultures across Asia, the Middle East, and Hispanic areas. Eye contact is what’s considered rude, and failing to give it does not show a lack of respect.

  • Where it's common: Middle East, India, and other Asian countries
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2 Failing To Bring The Bill Right Away

Monumento a la Revolución, Ciudad de México, México
Photo by Azahed on Unsplash
Monumento a la Revolución, Ciudad de México, México

Americans tend to relate to time differently than many other cultures. In the United States, being on time is important, and it’s considered rude to waste people’s time. That’s why in a restaurant situation, most customers expect the bill to be brought to them right away.

It’s different in other cultures, including Mexican culture, where bringing the bill right away would actually be seen as rude. This would be the same as rushing the diners out of the restaurant. Failing to bring the bill would be polite, as it allows the diners to carry on their conversation at their leisure.

  • Where it's common: Mexico, Brazil

1 Not Delivering Stellar Customer Service

Empty restaurant near a serene street in France

 Tony Lee on Unsplash
Empty restaurant near a serene street in France

The standards of customer service in the United States and other countries tend to vary quite a bit. Stellar customer service is seen as a right in America, so wait staff and retail workers are typically friendly and welcoming. If they’re good at their jobs, they go out of their way to help the customer. Anything less would be worth complaining about.

In Europe, customer service tends to be more reserved. In France, for example, it is up to the customer to greet the shop assistant and not the other way around.

  • Where it's common: France

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