- being on time – arriving on time or even a little earlier than at a meeting or a gathering is considered polite and respectful in many countries, but not everywhere. As much as people in Germany hate when someone is fashionably late, people from Mexico seem to love it. That is because it ensures the host that there is no need for them to be rushed. There are also other cultures that find it polite when someone is fashionably late. For example, in Tanzania, not everybody has a car, so it’s considered rude to make someone arrive on time.
- telling people to help themselves – in several countries, when the host tells you to feel at home and help yourself with everything you want is a sign of hospitality and welcoming, it’s not the case in every culture! For example, in Asia, giving the guests the opportunity to play the roles of the host, makes them uncomfortable.
7 thoughts on “22 Ways You Are Being Rude Without Realizing It”
I can’t believe that I’ve survived without any of this information. This is excellent stuff. Thanks for all the research that went into this article.
Italians may not like to get a cappuccino after lunch, but if you do it is not considered rude, maybe just slightly strange, cause it’s a heavy drink usually consumed for breakfast or late afternoon snack.
I am left-handed. I know it’s considered worse than rude to eat with that hand in much of Asia, especially when you’re using your fingers and not a utensil.
So…my strategy to avoid giving offense was to place my left thumb into a belt loop on my pants and keep it there throughout the meal.
It was awkward…but it worked.
When you are driving and you let another car go first,, The other driver should wave and say THANK YOU.. If you (the driver) let someone cross the street in front of you, That person should say thank you..
I always used to buy a book about travel in a specific country that I would go to. I always would get great tips that would help me a lot in my travels. Like which stand cheated on a certain market, or where I could get a cheap clean hotel, or where they had customer government services sitting there on the corner just to help you with everything. Reading those books before I left I always would help other foreigners in need. I often became a “leader” of “tourist groups”. I usually traveled with my mom.
These are fantastic. Think I’ll make a short list, even though I’m sure I won’t get to most countries LOL. These are things people from 90day fiance should be aware of.
Very interesting and educational, I really like this item. I have traveled to many different Countries and never thought of many of these rules, I am busy getting the language so I can commutate.