1. Danger_kitten
Denmark: Do not stand on or walk on our bike lanes. You’ll be yelled at like never before or possibly be run over by an angry cyclist.
2. LucubrateIsh
Don’t tip in Japan.
Don’t do it.
If you try, whoever you attempted to tip is likely going to be a little upset. You are pretty much calling them unprofessional because you think they need that extra help or something.
3. blissfully_happy
It’s not country based, but if you come visit Alaska, for the love of all that is holy, DON’T WALK ON THE MUDFLATS OUTSIDE OF ANCHORAGE.
It is quicksand and you will get stuck, then the tide will come in and you will die. Seriously, it happens to one or more tourist every summer.
4. ZoZferatu
Belgium: Don’t compliment them on anything. They’ll spend the next half hour bringing themselves down and assure you everything and everyone elsewhere is better.
5. Ewindal
Norway: Don’t sit next to people you don’t know on the bus.
Actually, let’s change that. Don’t interact with strangers unless it’s absolutely necessary
6. justdaniel
France: When on the Paris metro, saying a word or even showing a glimpse of emotion= instant French Death Glare
7. AcetotheFace
Ireland calling: Always stand your round. People will practically fight each other to be the one to buy the next round of drinks. They will tell you to put your wallet away. Do not listen to them. If you don’t stand your round you may as well call their mother a bitch and shag their wife in front of them, because that is how much of a prick they’ll think you are. Also don’t ever try to do an Irish accent. The major problem is there’s no such thing. There’s a Dublin/Cork/Belfast/etc accent. Try to amalgamate them in to an “Irish” accent and you will sound like a Leprechaun. A leprechaun that’s shit at doing accents.
8. Eeyores_Prozac
From some Italian friends: Don’t lose your receipts. Counterfeiting is a problem, but so is corruption. If you buy a fake piece of shit and don’t have a receipt to prove you got scammed, the police will give you a hard time.
9. Createx
Turkey: Take off your shoes when you enter the house unless the host really, really expressively states you can leave them on.
Don’t refuse the tea. It’s rude.
10. Raregan
Wales: Don’t refer to us as English. Ever. Ever.
11. violetauto
When in America, never, ever touch other people’s children, especially if you are a stranger to them.
I took a bunch of Argentinian friends to a mall once and they were patting little kids on the head, which is common in their country. We almost got arrested.
12. Eric_Wright
Never chicken dance in Mexico.
13. HelloImKenny
LIKE THE GUY IN THE $3600 SUIT ISNT GONNA CHICKEN DANCE IN MEXICO
14. PrinceofRavens
COME ON!
15. DextersLittleHelper
This is Australia; you can do whatever the hell you like.
16. Jammmy_22
For the love of all that’s holy, do not cut into a queue here in the UK. You’ll get a tutting at like you wouldn’t believe.
17. Lee2307
Malta:
- Don’t go to the south and let everyone know that your foreign.
- Don’t expect the busses to be on time.
- Don’t even try to speak Maltese if you have absolutely no idea how to.
- You will hear the word LIBA a lot – it means sperm, for some reason we say it loud and as often as possible.
- Other than that – The beaches are beautiful, the women just as beautiful and the night life is incredible, make sure you go to Pacevile (main party strip) on a Friday and you’re in for a good time ;)
18. umkhunto
Understand in South Africa race is an issue. Also understand in South Africa our understanding of “Coloured” is different from the rest of the world. It’s a completely separate demographic and if you “mixed race” a coloured person in South Africa, get ready for a whoopin’. Coloured people are VERY proud.
EDIT: Also, unless you are born and raised in Africa, do not call yourself “African” or say things like “you are home.” If you are descendant from African slaves (Yes, looking at you, people from the US.), you are not African. You are many generations removed and are either American or European. Claiming you are African, when it is clear as daylight you are from North America or Europe will not score you any points.
Other than that, we like beer, we like braaiing and if you like doing that, you’ll fit right in.
19. cakesarelies
I’m ashamed of saying this.
India, if you are female, don’t travel alone.
20. 43sza
Israel:
- Don’t show up to a Holy site (Jewish, Muslim, or Christian) in short shorts and a tank top.
- Don’t attempt to shake hands with religious people of the opposite gender.
- Don’t walk past a security guard without opening your bag for inspection, especially if the metal detector buzzes.
21. Lewisc7593
Do not, under any circumstances come to Scotland and:
- Call anyone English.
- Shout “FREEDOM” expecting a reaction (seriously saw someone do this once at Edinburgh castle).
- Turn down a drink – the measure of a man is directly proportional to how much alcohol he can consume.
22. corporateswine
Serious one here for Aussies and Brits visiting American and Canada: DON’T SAY CUNT! Even if you mean it as a term of endearment, say motherfucker, cocksucker, slimy bastard and shithead all you want but steer clear of the big C.
23. Austiz
Deal drugs, punishment is death, Singapore
24. NimX3
Deal drugs, punishment is death, China
25. tardisrider613
Deal drugs, just don’t stand in the bike lane, Netherlands.
26. Grepus
Gibraltar:
- Mention anything to do with Gibraltar being Spanish or a part of Spain.
- Ask why Gibraltar is British and why it should be given back to Spain.
- That’s about it… Also, please don’t feed the monkeys, the signs are for your protection, the little fuckers are vicious!
27. darkjaegerz20
Never walk in the streets especially at night.
Never trust to any police officer.
Never take a taxi in the streets.
Never show your money in public.
Never use cellphones in the streets.
I am from Venezuela
28. ResplendentGlory
India. Do not ask for steak, ribs, hamburgers or anything that you usually eat that contains beef at a restaurant. The non-Hindu brown people can get away with it, but as a tourist, you’ll be served and then jumped outside the door by religious nuts who have something against the “white invaders.”
29. gee118
Latvia: Specifically Riga, don’t climb the monument of freedom (or probably any monument). The police arrest you and will probably hit you with a baton. Source: Baton
30. Melodic_692
New Zealand.
- Don’t piss us off
- Don’t make fun of the Haka/li>
- Don’t spontaneously combust/li>
- Don’t fuck our goats/li>
31. CharizardTurtle
Switzerland, don’t assume that people can’t understand you if you speak English, EVERYONE speaks English. I’ve heard many foreigners speaking too loudly and vulgarly in public (I’m foreign myself).
32. VJ24601
American here. Please do some research on the tipping etiquette we have here. Many waiters/waitresses/bartenders earn most of their income through tips. Having worked in the restaurant industry, I can tell you that it is really frustrating to give great service to a table of tourists but then get $2 on an $80+ bill.
33. benartmao
North Korea here…
You are not allowed to post anything about the Country on the internet.. if you do someone will come over to your house and
34. Boozdeuvash
France: don’t put water in the wine, don’t put sauce on the cheese, don’t put alcohol on a dish (if it’s supposed to come in alcohol, there’s already some in it); exception: ice cream, you can add appropriate amount of the appropriate liquor. And if you ask for direction, ALWAYS introduce the conversation with a polite formula (bonjour, Excusez-moi, fall back to english if you cant memorize the french ones). Few things come more rude to us than a stranger starting a conversation with “do you know where the Louvre is?”. “Good morning to you too…”
35. atheist_priest
Mexico here: Don’t eat the salsa if you never have before; salsa in Mexico is actually really HOT!
36. ExScapist
Canada:
- DON’T… forget to have a wonderful time!
- DON’T EVER… hesitate to ask if you need anything!
- And whatever you do, don’t even CONSIDER… leaving without trying one of our many, delicious maple-based biscuit treats!
37. TILopisafag
Iran – you should never refer to us as Arabs(Completely different race), call the Persian Gulf the Arabian gulf, or publically criticize the government.
38. hariseldon2
Greece: don’t point your open palm at someone, its an insult and essentially its the same as saying to them “You’re an asshole.”
39. idkwhtiwnt
This is for everyone everywhere. Get your face out of your fucking smartphone and look where you’re walking.
40. Ninomir
Serbia: Be really careful when mentioning Croatia\Kosovo\Albania.
Be careful who you talk to if you’re a homosexual, and how you express your self as one too (really sad to say it, but people are not fond of homosexuals here. To a point where we haven’t been able to host a Pride).
Do not wear any football club jerseys as there are a lot of hooligans here.
Other than that it’s actually a nice country.
41. LaPlaya
Lithuania: Dont be in persons personal space (same as northern countries), you might get a hit to a face if you do that. Also don’t randomly smile at people you might get a hit to a face if you do that. Don’t hit on hot girls in the club if some guys are nearby. You will probably get a hit to a face if you do that.
42. xXSgtSprinklesXx
Japan:
- Don’t talk while using public transit (train, bus, etc).
- Try not to eat and walk
- Don’t stand on the right side of an escalator (stand on the left so others can pass on the right if they are walking)
43. MJmcnult
Thailand: Do not say anything bad about the king or royal family (the crime of lèse-majestè carries a fifteen year sentence). Dress conservatively at holy sites (wats, shrines). Avoid showing or pointing the soles of your feet toward someone. Avoid touching anyone’s head.
44. ComeAlongPonds
Middle Earth: Don’t mention the Hobbits. We’re sick of them.
45. juv7
El Salvador, along with many Latin American countries, do not speak English. In El Salvador, there are people who wait for potential tourists and stalk them. If you speak English, they assume you are from America and therefore have money, so chances are you’re getting mugged when they see the opportunity. My uncle recently went there, got on a bus, said “thank you” rather than “gracias” and got mugged right then and there.
46. morseman
Paraguay here. Don’t be a foreigner in front of a cop. DO NOT let cops see your passport or hear your accent. If you have a local friend, let them do the talking when dealing with cops. In fact just stay as far away from police as you can. Expect to cough up about 50 bucks every time you ignore this warning.
47. DrunkenAnticsDesert
Lebanon. Don’t go to the Muslim part of towns. My cousin was kidnapped until my uncles we able to contact someone from Hezbollah and the Lebanese forces.
Basically if you look anything like an American and not Muslim, don’t go unless you are with friends or family. If you do go know enough arabic to know when to nod and not to.
48. dahvdahv
Peru:
Assume that everyone you meet is sketch as fuck. Don’t get into a stranger’s car, don’t go to a stranger’s house, don’t try a stranger’s food, don’t drink a stranger’s drink, don’t hold a stranger’s purse, don’t let a stranger hold your shit, etc, etc, etc.
Peru has improved a lot as a country, but Lima is a city where you still need to be very aware of your surroundings, and because of the high rate of poverty and crime, you need to be very careful.
49. hutxhy
Bolivia: Don’t expect cars to stop for you when you want to cross the street. We play real life frogger everyday.
