Top 45 Common Things That Accidentally Offend Foreigners

🧍‍♂️ General Etiquette

1. Giving or receiving items with the left hand (Nigeria, India, Middle East)

2. Touching someone’s head (Thailand, Sri Lanka)

3. Not removing shoes indoors (Japan, South Korea, Sweden)

4. Chewing gum or eating on public transport (Singapore)

5. Rushing or skipping greetings like “Hi, how are you?” (France)

6. Being too direct or blunt (Japan, UK)

7. Arriving exactly on time (Mexico, Philippines)

8. Using first names too quickly (Germany, Japan)

🍽️ Dining Etiquette

9. Leaving chopsticks standing upright in rice (China, Japan)

10. Slurping noodles (Western countries)

11. Eating with your hands (Chile, France)

12. Blowing your nose at the table (South Korea, Indonesia, Turkey)

13. Tipping (Japan, South Korea)

14. Ordering cappuccino after 11am (Italy)

15. Using left hand to eat (India, Middle East, Africa)

🤝 Body Gestures

16. Thumbs-up gesture (Iran, Middle East, parts of South America)

17. The “OK” sign (Brazil, Turkey, Tunisia)

18. V sign with palm inward (UK, Australia, New Zealand)

19. The fig sign (Turkey, Russia)

20. The moutza gesture (Greece, Middle East)

21. Forearm jerk (Italy, Brazil)

22. Pointing with the index finger (Indonesia, Malaysia, China)

23. Calling someone with a palm-up wave (Philippines)

24. Crossed fingers as a wish for luck (Vietnam – vulgar)

25. Devil’s horns gesture (Italy, Portugal, Spain)

26. Showing soles of shoes or feet (Middle East, Thailand)

27. Hands in pockets while speaking (Germany, Japan)

🧾 Cultural Taboos

28. Writing names in red ink (South Korea)

29. Mentioning the number 4 (South Korea, China – sounds like “death”)

30. Early birthday wishes (Germany)

31. Public displays of affection (UAE, Saudi Arabia, India)

32. Wearing revealing clothes (Middle East)

33. Using someone’s national identity incorrectly   (e.g., calling a Welsh person “English”)

34. Confusing China and Japan culturally or politically

35. Discussing politics or religion openly (Russia, Middle East)

36. Criticizing royal families or governments (Thailand, Jordan)

37. Comparing countries in a condescending way (e.g., “Why aren’t you like...?”)

🛐 Religion & Symbols

38. Touching religious artifacts without permission (Nepal, India)

39. Wearing shoes into temples or mosques (Asia, Middle East)

40. Mocking or imitating accents, prayers, or customs (global)

41. Turning your back on religious statues (Thailand, Myanmar)

🎭 Cultural Communication

42. Loud talking or laughing in quiet cultures (Japan, Finland)

43. Not making eye contact (USA) vs too much eye contact (Japan, Korea)

44. Not sharing food or drinks when offered (Africa, Middle East)

45. Refusing hospitality too quickly (Turkey, Nigeria, India)