Trip Tutor
You Did What?
Follow these overseas-etiquette tips and avoid international incidents:
Ditch the Doggy Bag: When dinning in European restaurant, it is considered gauche to take your leftovers home.
Don't Blow It: In Japan, it is deemed disgusting to blow your nose in public. Also, cloth handkerchiefs are used only to dry hands and mop brows.
Wipe Your Mouth ... but Not With That Hand: Always eat with your right hand in the primarily Muslim countries of Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The left hand is used to "toilet yourself" and is considered unclean.
Give'Em the Thumb: The A-OK sign, a circle formed with thumb and forefinger, may get you KO'd in Brazil and other parts of South America, where it is the equivalent of "giving the finger" in the States. Instead, you should used a "thumbs up."
Keep Your Hands to Yourself: In Thailand, don't pat children on the head; it is believed the spirit resided there.
- J Haupt
