According to this analysis, there is an increase of tourist activity around the world this year. It seems that traveling is going back to normal, so more and more people will have a chance to get acquainted with new cultures. When traveling, you should prepare yourself in advance in order to avoid offending the locals of the place you intend to visit or breaking some of their rules. We found out some simple things you should avoid doing when you’re abroad. Prepare for culture shock!
In France, it’s better to break baguettes, not cut them.
In French, there’s even a saying: “On ne coupe pas le pain, on le rompt,” meaning “You don’t cut bread, you break bread.” If you don’t want to look rude, break bread with your hands. Of course, in some cases, they are cut for sandwiches, but it’s cut longways.
In Latin America, devil’s horns might be offensive.
You know that devil’s horns gesture people make at heavy-metal concerts? This gesture may be an accusation in Latin America, and some European countries. For example, in Italy, Spain, Greece, Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia, it’s a sign that someone’s wife is cheating on a man.
Don’t hide put your hand in your pocket in South Korea.
In Korea, you should be mindful of how much you touch your pockets. This country has its own norms and rules we should follow in business communication. To be polite, keep your hands out of your pockets during a handshake. If you have your hands in your pockets, Koreans might take it as a sign of disrespect.
In Vietnam, crossed fingers have a totally different meaning.
We’re used to keeping fingers crossed for luck, but the Vietnamese use this gesture in a whole other way. If you show them crossed fingers, they might blush, start laughing, or even take is as a personal insult. In Vietnam, it’s a very rude gesture.
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