How not to offend people while travelling

The culturally insensitive things people do on holiday

The Queen’s Guards are great to photograph, but not to mess around with.

NO MATTER how well researched and thoughtful a tourist you might be, there is often the risk of offending locals abroad with a cultural insensitivity you had no idea existed.

Thankfully, Reddit has come to the rescue by unearthing a list of the sometimes surprising things tourists often do in various countries that they should definitely avoid.

Reddit user Draculix has asked the Reddit community about what things were considered extremely insensitive in their countries that tourists might not know beforehand.

Some answers derived from well-known common sense — such as avoiding the Nazi salute while in Germany — while other faux pas were a lot more surprising.

So, thanks to the good people at Reddit, here are some of the top things to avoid as a tourist.

DON’T TOUCH SOMEONE’S HEAD IN THAILAND

As a person’s head is the highest point on their body, it’s the part that demands the most respect in Thailand, a Reddit user explained.

Therefore, it’s considered extremely rude to touch a Thai person on the head — if you were ever inclined to do so.

And on the other end of the scale, you should also watch where you’re pointing your feet, the Redditor added.

“Never point your feet at a Buddha statue, it’s considered very rude,” they said.

“Also, if you step on money, you’ll be thrown in jail, it has the king’s face on it and disrespecting him in any way (like stepping on his image or saying you hate him) will get you a one-way ticket to a not very nice prison.”

Thailand’s royal family is protected from insult and criticism by the country’s strict lese majeste laws.

DON’T SHOW OFF THE BOTTOMS OF YOUR FEET IN THE MIDDLE EAST

In many parts of the Middle East, showing off the bottom of your feet — and even the soles of your shoes — is considered a great insult.

Many tourists inadvertently show disrespect when crossing their legs and pointing their soles at someone, a Redditor pointed out.

It’s all because the foot is considered the lowliest part of the body.

And it also explains why flinging shoes at a person — such as former US president George Bush — intends to deeply offend.

A certain cocktail of a certain name could flare up a temper or two both in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

WATCH WHAT YOU’RE ORDERING AT AN IRISH PUB

Many people are familiar with the American cocktail, the Irish Car Bomb: a concoction of Guinness, whiskey and Irish cream.

But it doesn’t take a genius to realise the drink’s name doesn’t go down to well in Northern Ireland, where car bombs were a horrific reality during The Troubles.

The cocktail also goes by the name Black and Tan, due to its colouring, but it’s best to avoid that name in the Republic of Ireland as well — that was also the name used to describe British troops who joined the fight against the Irish independence movement in the early 20th century.

To avoid offending the bar staff, you’re best off ordering a “half and half” instead.

DON’T SLAM CAR DOORS IN COSTA RICA

It might be just annoying in most other places, but loudly slamming a car door, including the door of a taxi, is considered super rude in the Central American nation of Costa Rica.

“I wouldn’t call it EXTREMELY offensive but people will definitely give you the stink eye for that,” a Reddit user explained.

“Some rude taxi drivers could even give you a bad time.”

As a bonus tip, travellers should also be aware of the historically tense relationship between Costa Rica and its northern neighbour Nicaragua.

DON’T ANTAGONISE THE QUEEN’S GUARDS

No trip to the UK is complete without a selfie with some royal guards, such as the Tower of London’s iconic Yeoman Warders.But remember: they’re actually there to do an important job.

A Redditor pointed out the Queen’s Guards are not just decoration and not purely ceremonial — instead, they’re highly trained soldiers armed with loaded firearms, and charged with the crucial task of protecting official royal residences.

So they’re really don’t appreciate hordes annoying tourists trying to make them crack and smile.

BE CAREFUL WHEN GIFTING A ROMANIAN WITH FLOWERS

Offering a bunch of flowers, chocolates or another small gift when visiting someone in Romania is very polite etiquette.

But if you opt for a gift of flowers, make sure you double-check how many are in the bunch.

Bouquets with an even number of flowers are reserved for funerals in Romania, so it’s best to gift a living person with an odd number of flowers instead.

Also keep in mind that as in many places, roses are usually only exchanged by people in romantic relationships.

source: www.news.com