A one-stop guide on how to behave when you travel so you’ll appear worldly and wise

Sure it’s 2016, and people are declaring themselves as cosmopolitan citizens. Over the years, we’ve smartened up quite a bit regarding cultural differences. Case in point: totally not okay for Borat to kidnap Pam An as his bride. However, have we really grasped the subtleties of daily life in other countries? Can you really spend one week in a foreign land without the locals face-palming so hard that they get a concussion? Let’s see how many of these international etiquette rules you’re familiar with below!

Canada

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By verdict of the greatest thinkers of our generation on the Internet, Canada is a frosted wonderland inside the gold pot at the end of the rainbow, where poutine-eating people live in harmony with moose and unicorns. Even in a country populated by people who actually get upset if denied the chance to say the last sorry, there are still social rules for visitors to follow. For example…

DOs

Maple Syrup

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Refrain from making jokes about maple syrup, such as assuming all Canadians drink it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They’re so nice that they’ll probably just give you a weak laugh because you sound so lame. Maple syrup is mostly only eaten with waffles and pancakes – you know, like everywhere else.

Tipping
Take note of the tipping customs! We rarely tip in Singapore, and even when we do, there isn’t a solid ballpark on the amount. In Canada, it’s considered extremely rude if you tip below 15% of the total bill price. In fact, over-tipping is far more common and is practised when excellent service is offered, which is just about all the time anyway.

DON’Ts

Accents
Don’t exclaim in surprise when a Canadian does not speak to you with a French accent. Yes, French is the official language in Canada, but that doesn’t count for much anymore. It’s the same as foreigners asking you why your English is so perfect or why you’re not constantly speaking in a weird rojak of Chinese, Malay, and Tamil accents. Not cool.

Greetings
Don’t kiss the hand of a French Canadian woman if you’re a foreign man, especially if you’re not that close. This is an instance where it’s not such a good idea to do as the Romans do when in Rome. Hand-kissing is mostly practiced by French Canadians, and doing so when you’re not a native will seem rather peculiar.

China

China, the kingdom of export manufacturing and great food! Almost everything you own was probably made here or has a component that came from here. Chinese people are extremely driven and always put their families before themselves. Traditional culture is very much still present here in modern day China.

DO’s:

Dining

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When dining with a host, especially if it’s for a formal event, always remember to sample all the dishes and leave a little bit of remainder on your plate, giving the impression that you’ve had so much food to eat that you can’t finish it all. This demonstrates the host’s generosity. In popular culture, leaving food behind on your plate may be seen as wasteful. However, this isn’t so in the eyes of the Chinese.

Greetings
A simple handshake is the most common form of a non-verbal greeting in China, sometimes followed by a nod. In Chinese culture, it is crucial to pay extra respect to the elders. Hence, the oldest person is greeted first as a sign of respect.

DON’Ts:

Dining

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Under no circumstances should you ever hold your chopsticks upright or tap them on a plate or a bowl at the dining table. This is seen as a very rude gesture, as doing so symbolises death. Most Chinese are superstitious and believe that some actions may invite unwanted outcomes.

Forming assumptions

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Most Chinese women do not wear their wedding bands even though they are happily married. Therefore, to be on the safe side, you should never assume the marital status of a Chinese woman as it may come off as rude or inappropriate.

France

Why do the French, Parisians en particulier, always look like they smell shit under their noses? Do French genes code for snobbish facial expressions automatically? Thankfully not! French culture places great emphasis on formalities, both in speech and behaviour.

DOs

Dress code
Trot along the streets of Singapore in your FBTs, and no one bats an eyelid. Trot along the Rue des Barres in those godforsaken pants and melt under the withering disapproval of locals. Besides, you’ll be feeling super self-conscious as well when everyone else looks like they’ve just stepped off the Vogue cover page. In order not to stick out like a sore thumb, do put a little more effort dressing up. Imagine you’re trying to impress a hot date!

DON’Ts

Dining
Even the average Joe (or Jean) in France is probably a wine and dine connoisseur. There’re no hard rules on ordering a well-done (bien cuit) steak, but the French much prefer theirs to be pink on the inside (à point). Also, it is widely believed that salads aid in digestion, so leave yours untouched until you’ve finished with the main course.

French Kissing
Not that, you perv. We mean the greeting kiss, or the cheek kiss. Friends or acquaintances usually press their cheeks (surprise!) together lightly, once on the left and once on the right. Now, go apologise to everyone whose face you’ve planted your lips on.

Addressing a person
First names are usually reserved for family and friends. If in doubt, do wait for the other party to address you in that manner first. In the mean time, don’t forget to attach the honorific titles of Mr (Monsieur), Miss (Mademoiselle), and Mrs (Madame).

Germany

For a country which has exhibited such exuberance in industrial prowess, the citizens are sure an orderly lot. Therapy for Germans probably means sitting in a clean room and playing Tetris. Don’t be deceived by the boisterousness of the world-famous Ocktoberfest, because Germans are actually surprisingly prim and proper.

DOs

Punctuality

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How do you think German people engineered those sleek Volkswagens and BMWs? By succumbing to the snooze alarm and being late? Not on your life! Germans are anal about punctuality, so show up on time, or even 5 minutes earlier if you can afford to, in order to not incur German wrath.

Greetings
Even if you’re just grabbing a bunch of bratwursts from the local deli, don’t dismiss the butcher with a single glance. Greeting the staff formally, as well as customers, is common practice in Germany.

Recycle
Recycling is practised far more frequently in Germany than, sadly, Singapore. If you trash a drink can or a plastic snack wrapper in public, be sure to face the resulting frowns of the locals.

DON’Ts

Quiet Time
Do not flout the German tradition of ‘Quiet Time’, from 8pm to 7am everyday. On Sundays and holidays, it’s a full day of shush. Noise levels are kept to a minimum, i.e. no vacuum cleaning, no lawn mowing, and definitely no loud ‘whoopees’ even when Bayern Munich scores a penalty. You may even find yourself in hot water with the authorities if you create a disturbance.

Dining
Refrain from tucking into your meal until the host proclaims ‘Guten Appetit’, meaning ‘Good Appetite’ or ‘Please Start’. To this, respond with a ‘Danke’, meaning ‘Thank You’.

Hong Kong

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There are fewer things more enjoyable in life than digging into your steaming xiao long bao (soup dumplings) at a cha chaan teng (local eatery in Hong Kong). While it’s a shame not to enjoy the dim sum and Disneyland as much as you can, don’t forget about these Hong Kong etiquette rules as well.

DOs

Dining
Just like in China, do leave a morsel of food on your plate when someone invites you for a meal. In doing so, your Hong Kong hosts will know that you’re full. Licking the dish clean signals you’re still hungry for more.

Gifting
Politely refuse a gift from a Hong Kong-er for a few times before graciously accepting it. Those who say yes from the start are perceived as greedy and selfish. This back-and-forth dance of manners is the social norm in many Asian countries.

DON’Ts

Dining

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Do not turn over the entire fish when you’re dining in a restaurant. This may seem like the no-brainer way to get at the meat on the other side, but doing so is a symbol of capsizing the boat, and thus destroying the livelihood of fishermen. Use your chopsticks to remove the entire skeleton instead.

Conversations
Try not to express your opinion with wild abandon when you speak to a Hong Kong-er, especially if you’ve only just met. Not only is this seen as excessively assertive, but rather vulgar as well. If you hate your colleague’s new hairdo, don’t say it. If you must, at least try to do so in private. Hong Kong’s culture puts great emphasis on ‘face’, or reputation.

Philippines

Filipinos are outgoing, hospitable yet sensitive people. They believe in a concept called Hiya, which means shame, and go to great lengths to avoid embarrassment. In the event where it’s inevitable, they try to laugh it off. The other party is expected to stop rubbing it in too and resolve the awkward situation.

DOs

Gestures
A tap on the arm to get the person’s attention is acceptable, but never tap the shoulders.

Affirmation
Communicating with a Filipino can be quite tricky. ‘Yes’ is signalled by an upward nod, and ‘no’ a downward one. Sometimes, a person may verbally say yes while nodding downwards. However, that person is more often than not saying no. So, be sure to pay extra attention to your conversation.

Dining
Punctuality is generally quite flexible in Filipino culture. Lateness is common and not a faux pas. In fact, showing up early or on time is considered rude because people may think you just want to call dibs on all the food.

DON’Ts

Gestures

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Curling your finger to beckon someone is considered rude – the same goes for finger wagging. Instead, lay your open palms flat facedown and wave your fingers towards you.

Drinking and Dining
Due to the conservative and wholesome nature of most Filipinos, make sure to keep an eye on your alcohol intake. Drinking to the point of inebriation is frowned upon and associated with greed. Just like in China, when dining over at someone’s house, leave some food on your plate as a gesture of appreciation to the host for providing you with more than ample.

Russia

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For a country that doesn’t have a direct translation for the English word ‘fun’ in their mother tongue, this country sure knows how to celebrate and make merry, with vodka! In fact, the countrymen are so proud of vodka’s potency that beer wasn’t even considered alcoholic until 2011. When your Russian host offers you vodka…

DOs

Vodka
Accept it! This substance is like manna to the Russians. In times of economic crisis, teachers can even be paid in bottles. Refusing the invitation would be akin to slapping your host right across the face. And when you’ve all made a toast…

Toasting
Drink up in one gulp! Don’t be a sissy Sally and divide the shot into fussy sips. We wouldn’t be surprised if Russia has entire volumes of literature dedicated to vodka-drinking etiquette, because there’re more faux pas rules below.

DON’Ts

Mixers
Don’t mix it with anything. That means no sullying it with soda or cranberry juice. Anything short of pure, unadulterated vodka is unacceptable! If you think you’re not going to get through the night drinking in such a no-holds-barred manner, then you’ll be relieved to know that you…

Don’t have to participate in every toast
After the first couple of rounds, you can choose to opt out of the next few. Russians completely understand if you’re not a good drinker, especially if you start taking everyone apart because they look like Russian dolls to you.

South Korea

One of the most homogenous countries in the world, in terms of race and language, South Korea has managed to build its very own culture, language and cuisine that is so diverse from it’s surrounding neighbour countries. Koreans are very proud of their heritage and culture. Koreans are known for their outgoing bubbly personalities and pride for their local entertainment industry.

DOs:

Dining

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Offer to pour other people’s drinks, but never your own. In Korea, it is common to trade and fill up the cups of others at the dining table. It is seen as an insult should one refuse to do so. In Korean culture, women may pour men’s drinks but not other women’s drinks. This tip is more applicable to men as women are actually allowed to fill their own cups, unlike men. So, be sure to hold in your thirst and wait for the next refill!

Communication
When a compliment is thrown at you by a Korean, instead of taking it and saying “Thank you” like how we’re normally used to doing, one should politely reject and deny it. To the Koreans, accepting a compliment is seen as a sign of arrogance and a lack of humility.

DON’Ts:

Body Language
Koreans consider it a personal and physical violation to be touched by a stranger or someone who isn’t their family member or close friend. Try your best to avoid touching, friendly patting, as well as back slapping a Korean to avoid offending anybody.

Eye Contact

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In most western cultures, sustaining eye contact is seen as a mark of respect and attentiveness between engaging parties, especially so between senior and junior business people. However, this isn’t so in Korea. Forming direct eye contact is considered as impolite, and sometimes even seen as a challenge. Might be a good idea to keep this in mind if you’re hoping to pop over to Korea for a business opportunity.

Spain

Family, and to a lesser degree, friends, form the cornerstone of Spanish culture. The Spanish people are a tight knit bunch that value respect and camaraderie. They are also known for their laidback nature, exemplified by their well-known practice of Siesta.

DOs:

Greetings
For acquaintances, a simple double-handed handshake with the left hand grasping the right forearm of the other person would suffice. Hugs are usually reserved typically between male family members whilst the females kiss each other’s cheeks starting from the left.

Dining

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You are expected to sit and converse with your dining mates for about 15 minutes post-meal in something called Sobremesa. It is not absolute gospel that you should bring gifts such as wine or chocolates whenever invited over to someone’s place to dine but that gesture is highly appreciated and may improve your standing in the eyes of the hosts.

Punctuality
Though it is generally accepted to show up somewhere between 15-30 minutes late for appointments, you should, however always be on time whenever attending the iconic Spanish sport of bullfighting.

DON’Ts

Dining
Do not use your hands to eat. Almost all food should be eaten using utensils and that includes bread and fruits. When having salad, never cut your leafy vegetables, instead fold it over using your fork and knife.

Communicating
Spanish people, much like their Italian counterparts, can get quite animated when in speech and conversation. You should however refrain from mimicking or poking fun at them for it. Avoid casual physical contact such as back slaps or shoulder taps unless you are very familiar with the person. In fact, you should refrain from all forms of physical contact with someone unfamiliar with you unless that person initiates it first.

Thailand

Often referred to as the land of smiles, Thailand is land full of national pride and heritage! Thailand is one of the few countries that have never been ruled by a western power. Thais are very proud of their cultural history and are always more than happy to share the humble story of how their country came to be. Generally, Thais always carry themselves as pleasant and light-hearted people.

DOs:

Physical Greetings

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Thais always greet each other with a wai and a “sawasdee”. The wai is probably the most common gesture that many associate Thais with. It is basically the gesture of putting one’s palms together in the centre of one’s chest, with the elbows as close to the side of the torso as possible, followed by the nod of the head, towards the fingertips .

This gesture is as an expression to say “hello” and “goodbye”, it is normally the first thing that is done when meeting someone and before parting ways.

Verbal Greetings
Mostly used to accompany the wai, is the greeting, “sawasdee”. Males are expected to end their “sawasdee” with “krap”, therefore, “sawasdee-krap”, whereas, women are expected to end their “sawasdee” with “ka”, hence, “sawasdee-ka”.

*In informal situations, saying “swasdeeka”/ ”swasdeekrap” without the wai will suffice.

DON’Ts:

Dining

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NEVER snap your fingers or raise your voice to attract a waiter!

Contrary to Singaporean culture, yelling at the top of your lungs to summon your waiter is deemed as unacceptable and rude AF in Thailand. The proper way to do this is to make eye contact, and wave quietly and politely at the waiter until they have your attention. Alternatively, you could softly say “nong”, if they are younger than you are, or “Phee”, if they are older. Think of it as a Thai replacement for “xiao jie/di” and “auntie/uncle”.

Physical contact
Do not touch the head of a Thai person. It is considered disrespectful as the head is seen as a sacred part of the body. Also, never point your feet at anyone or use it to touch or move anything. Feet is regarded as the most unsanitary and unclean part of the body, physically and symbolically.

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