Carving your name into Rome’s 2000-year-old Colosseum. Taking off your shirt for a photo at a sacred temple in Bali. Harassing geisha in the streets of Kyoto.

These are just a few of the ways tourists have made headlines for obnoxious behavior. Of course, you would never do any such thing! However, it is possible—maybe even likely—that you’ve inadvertently committed cultural faux pas while traveling.

Here’s the good news: You can be the kind of traveler who’s welcome everywhere you go. All it takes is an understanding of cultural etiquette. Start with these tips!

Body language in other countries can mean something totally different than you’re used to.

You probably know that certain common gestures Americans make are considered rude in other countries. A thumbs-up, the OK sign, pointing, beckoning with one finger for someone to come to you—depending on where you are, these all can be seriously offensive.

Cultural etiquette requires understanding the subtler signals of body language in other countries, too. In Thailand and Indonesia, a wide smile may mean “I don’t know the answer,” not just “I’m being friendly.” In the Middle East, don’t take a frown personally. It often means, “I’m paying attention,” not “I’m upset.”¹ In India, many people use a distinctive “head wobble”  movement that can mean almost anything: yes or no, assent or disagreement, “thank you” or “I get it.”

Learning another country’s body language can do a lot to boost your cultural understanding. If using these unfamiliar gestures feels odd to you, that’s OK! You can lean on certain gestures that are pretty much universal around the world: an open-palm wave for greeting, raised eyebrows for acknowledgment, a head tilt to show interest.

Be especially careful about cultural etiquette at religious sites.

While temples, churches, mosques and other religious buildings are undeniably beautiful, they were built for worship, not for sightseeing. Etiquette for visiting religious sites varies by faith and culture, but in general you should:

• Dress modestly and cover your shoulders, arms, legs, and/or head as requested
• Take off your shoes before entering a building, if that’s the custom
• Speak quietly, or not at all
• Don’t use your phone or any digital devices
• Don’t touch religious objects or artwork
• Don’t point at people or sights
• Respect rules around gender, such as using a gender-designated entrance
• Be aware of your body orientation. For instance, you shouldn’t turn your back to a sacred statue of Buddha, or ever point the soles of your feet toward the statue.²
• Ask permission before taking pictures.
• Leave a donation to support the religious community and/or site.

Learn local table manners.

When you’re dining at someone’s house in Ethiopia, always wash your hands with the jug at the table, and only eat with your right hand. Don’t jump in to serve yourself! The oldest person present should be the first to take food from the communal plate. Also, don’t be surprised if someone uses their hand to place a little food in your mouth. This is a traditional way to honor guests.

In Japan, be conscious of how you use your chopsticks. Don’t lick them, point them at anyone, or wave them in the air. It’s especially important not to use them to pass food, or stick them vertically into a bowl of food—especially rice. These two actions are related to funeral traditions, and so are extremely inappropriate when dining.³

Every country has its own unspoken rules and customs. Is it polite or rude to leave food on your plate? Is belching an insult or a compliment to the chef? One useful resource is the Culinary Travel Guide, a comprehensive, country-by-country cheat sheet for dining etiquette. Take a little time to research your destination before you go. If you’re not sure what to do, just pay close attention to what others at the table are doing.

Don’t trash-talk your destination.

• You went to Cairo to see the pyramids, and you got harassed by everyone you met on the street.
• You went to Torrevieja in Spain to see the gorgeous pink lake. It was only slightly pinkish, and the shores were covered in trash.
• You went to Tulum for the beaches and bohemian vibe… and it was overrun with hordes of wannabe influencers.

Experiencing some letdowns while traveling is normal. However, try to keep your disappointment to yourself. Locals don’t want to hear you say negative things about their hometown, their country, or their culture. Instead, ask them for alternatives: What’s your favorite beach? What’s the best restaurant in your neighborhood? Most people love to share their personal recommendations.

Be a considerate photographer.

Remember when the town in Japan put up a big screen just to stop tourists from photographing Mount Fuji? And then people poked holes in the screen and took photos anyway?⁴

Don’t be like that. When taking travel photos, be respectful of your surroundings and other people. Avoid trespassing on private property, blocking sidewalks and roads, hogging a prime spot, or risking your life for a photo.

Also, ask permission before taking photos of people. You may yearn to take photos of some adorable children playing in the street—but how would you feel about a stranger with a camera following your kids? If you photograph a vendor (with their OK), it’s polite to buy something from them.

Follow the rules.

On Hanoi’s famous “train street,” where small, family-run cafés place chairs and tables just inches from the tracks, tourists have been pushing the bounds of safety in their quest to get a photo. When one woman got dangerously close to the tracks, the café owner ran to push her to safety… and as a result, he got fined around $300 for allowing unsafe behavior and not having a license.⁵

Tourists sometimes take risks when traveling because they feel like the rules don’t apply to them. “If anything happens to me, I’ll just deal with the consequences,” they think. But your actions don’t just affect you. Try to follow the rules—they’re usually there for a reason.

If you really want to dive deep into cultural etiquette for your destination, we recommend Commisceo Global’s country and culture guides. Need personalized guidance? Contact concierge services, which are included in several Allianz Travel Insurance plans.

Or, simply follow the #1 rule of cultural etiquette while traveling: Treat people like people. Do your best to be kind, gracious, observant and thoughtful, and you’ll be a welcome guest.

Traveling overseas soon? It’s essential to have travel insurance you can trust. Get a quote today.

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