Barnorama All Fun In The Barn
Before your next trip, check out these 29 cultural taboos from around the world that could save you from awkward stares—or worse, an international incident.
Turkey
“Don’t disrespect the cats. Don’t shoo them. Give them a pet or some food and get on. Those little dudes may be the only redeeming quality of our society these days.”
Canada
“Saying that our country should be the 51st state of the USA. Even as a joke, it’s really insulting.”
Germany
“The N**i salute. Seriously people, you will get arrested. It’s not funny. It just makes you look like an edgelord 14 year old.”
Canada
“Do not feed the wildlife. Do not touch the wildlife. If you must observe the wildlife do it from a safe distance. Bears look big a fluffy but will k**l you without thinking about it, and everyone will be mad at you for getting the bear put down.”
Finland
“Please respect the nature and don’t litter. Sincerely, the Finns. (No seriously, you will make the news if your tourist group trashes).”
United Kingdom
“Mess around with the King’s guards. Tourists do it all the time. They’re highly trained soldiers in the armed forces and the rifles they carry are not props.”
Egypt
“Climb the pyramids.”
The Netherlands
“Dutchman here. Don’t walk in the bike lane and pay the f**k attention to where you’re walking.”
United Kingdom
“Don’t come to the UK and complain about the weather. WE do that, you don’t.”
The Netherlands
“In the Netherlands we do not talk about our salaries. That is reserved for the most closest of friends/ family. I remember my Moroccan aunt being quite surprised about this.”
Portugal
“Please don’t try to speak Spanish to us lol it’s not the same language. We’re very nice people so we’ll still talk to you while internally rolling our eyes.”
Australia
“Not my country but advised when visiting Australia – DO NOT walk in the long grass”
Sweden
“Swedish person here. To walk inside with your shoes on are a big no no. Even if you’re only going to fetch something quickly you take them off (at least in someone else’s home).”
United Kingdom
“Queue jumping. Very rude.”
Ireland
“Refer to the Republic of Ireland as part of the UK.”
France
“Enter a shop / restaurant without saying “hello”/ acknowledging the cashier / staff.Best case scenario you get a cold stare , but they might also very well call you publicly on it, tourist or not…”
Cambodia
“In Cambodian culture, the head is considered the most sacred part of the body, while the feet are seen as the lowest. Touching someone’s head, even if it’s a child, is a big no-no. Similarly, avoid pointing your feet at people or sacred objects.”
Washington, D.C., USA
“Disrespecting our memorials. The WW2 memorial in DC has signs posted around the reflecting pool saying no wading but people go in there to cool off or take the coins which shouldn’t have been thrown in there in the first place. Same disrespect at our 9/11 memorial where people put their cups on the wall or take selfies – and as if that’s not bad enough – they’re smiling. Kids running around on the memorial stepping on names and flowers. It’s disgraceful.”
Belgium
“Here in Belgium it’s a huge NO No to serve a beer in the wrong glass
What’s the fuss about a beer glass? You may ask. A longstanding tradition in Belgium insists – The right glass for the right beer. Each brewery in Belgium produces a signature glass that complements the style and quality of their beer. What is the fun in having beer if you cannot enjoy it in its true spirit and form? The shape and form of this signature glass is meant to enhance the experience and provide proper nose for each session.Beer in Belgium is more of an experience than it is a beverage. What matters is the fabulous beer in front of you, the food it is served with and the glass it is in – and every beer has its glass! Pubs with 300 beers have 300 different glasses. Why use an authentic and different glass for each of them? The glass shape can greatly influence the aromatic presentation, head formation, and even how well the carbonation will sustain. Since every beer varies in these compositions, then so do its glasses.”
Brazil
“Don’t assume that “women are easy.” A lot of tourists think all Brazilian women want them. While we might be a bit more open s*xually than some countries, that doesn’t mean everyone is interested in you.”
Croatia
“In Croatia, tourists often go to mountains only in their slippers or sandals. Each summer, our rescue teams have missions of saving tourists to the point where they made a joking campaign about it.”
Germany
“Saying “Happy Birthday” before someone’s actual birthday date.”
Denmark
“Strike up a conversation with someone you don’t know – people will become shocked and awkward! (Denmark – or any scandinavian country really).”
United States
“If someone who isn’t a close friend or family member says “Hey, how’s it going?” and you answer with anything other than “Good” or an equivalent, people will think you’re weird. Even if you’re having the shi**iest day imaginable, you have to lie about it.”
United States
“This is not a thing in my country, but every time I travel to Europe, I have to mentally check myself when I smile at strangers or say hello while passing by people because it’s not normal outside where I live”
United States
“American – standing too close to people while in a line. It’s not moving faster just because you’re as close to the person in front of you as possible. We value personal space here. Back up.”
Canada
“I’m saying this lovingly, but do not come to Quebec and ask why everything is in French unless you want to be stuck in a history lesson about how the UK/Canada sucks.
Also, never, and I mean NEVER, put ketchup in your poutine. “
United Arab Emirates
“Kissing in public, will literally could get arrested for doing “obscene acts” in public.”
United States
“When a cop pulls you over, do NOT get out of the car.”