10 Ways To Avoid Looking Like An Idiot While Overseas

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  • 1/10
    France: Don't ask for ice water. Most drinks such as water milk and juice are served at room temperature, so ordering a cold glass of water in a French restaurant could get you a few odd looks!
    1/10 France: Don't ask for ice water. Most drinks such as water milk and juice are served at room temperature, so ordering a cold glass of water in a French restaurant could get you a few odd looks!
  • 2/10
    India: Don't touch someone of the opposite gender in public. In most parts of India public contact between genders is considered off-limits. This even includes shaking hands and displays of affection between married couples.
    2/10 India: Don't touch someone of the opposite gender in public. In most parts of India public contact between genders is considered off-limits. This even includes shaking hands and displays of affection between married couples.
  • 3/10
    Japan: Don't Tip. In Japan tipping is not a option and is even considered extremely impolite. This includes cabs restaurants and more. Save some cash in Japan!
    3/10 Japan: Don't Tip. In Japan tipping is not a option and is even considered extremely impolite. This includes cabs restaurants and more. Save some cash in Japan!
  • 4/10
    Venezuela: Don't give the "OK" Gesture. In Venezuela the widely known "OK" hand sign implies homosexuality and could easily be taken in offence.
    4/10 Venezuela: Don't give the "OK" Gesture. In Venezuela the widely known "OK" hand sign implies homosexuality and could easily be taken in offence.
  • 5/10
    Russia: Don't mix or refuse Vodka. Russians consider mixing anything with vodka to decrease the purity of their favorite alcoholic beverage so you may want to think twice before ordering your next Screwdriver or Harvey Wallbanger. Also in Russia offering someone a drink is a huge sign of kindness. So make sure you accept!
    5/10 Russia: Don't mix or refuse Vodka. Russians consider mixing anything with vodka to decrease the purity of their favorite alcoholic beverage so you may want to think twice before ordering your next Screwdriver or Harvey Wallbanger. Also in Russia offering someone a drink is a huge sign of kindness. So make sure you accept!
  • 6/10
    Saudi Arabia: Don't blow your nose. Blowing your nose or even using a handkerchief in pubic is considered extremely taboo in Saudi Arabia. So you may want to learn how to hold your sneezes in.
    6/10 Saudi Arabia: Don't blow your nose. Blowing your nose or even using a handkerchief in pubic is considered extremely taboo in Saudi Arabia. So you may want to learn how to hold your sneezes in.
  • 7/10
    Morocco: Don't use your left hand. In Morocco you may be considered filthy if you eat or use your left hand to greet people as the left hand is commonly used to replace toilet paper. Ew!
    7/10 Morocco: Don't use your left hand. In Morocco you may be considered filthy if you eat or use your left hand to greet people as the left hand is commonly used to replace toilet paper. Ew!
  • 8/10
    Italy: No cappuccino after 10 a.m. It is firmly believed in Italy that if you drink a cappuccino after breakfast it will lead to major digestive problems due to the hole milk in the drink.
    8/10 Italy: No cappuccino after 10 a.m. It is firmly believed in Italy that if you drink a cappuccino after breakfast it will lead to major digestive problems due to the hole milk in the drink.
  • 9/10
    China: Don't greet someone by their first name. The Chinese hold family heritage and name in high regard therefore greeting someone with their last name first is common.
    9/10 China: Don't greet someone by their first name. The Chinese hold family heritage and name in high regard therefore greeting someone with their last name first is common.
  • 10/10
    Germany: No chewing gum while in conversation. It is extremely rude in Germany to chew gum during a conversation. Germans expect your full undivided attention.
    10/10 Germany: No chewing gum while in conversation. It is extremely rude in Germany to chew gum during a conversation. Germans expect your full undivided attention.

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We all have that internal fear of looking like a idiot when in a foreign country, What’s fine at home might not be elsewhere.

So whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, here are 10 things you want to avoid doing overseas.