Custom & Etiquette
In many Middle Eastern cultures, it's customary to shake hands and exchange hugs and kisses on both cheeks when greeting close male friends or colleagues. However, you should use this hand when shaking hands.
What is the right hand?
In some Middle Eastern countries, this gesture, which means "okay" in Western cultures, is considered offensive.
What is the "OK" sign (thumb and forefinger forming a circle)?
This country encourages visitors to be late to the party
What is Chile?
This Asian country is known as the "Land of the Rising Sun", due to its position in eastern Asia, where the sun appears to rise first. The Japanese word for Japan, “Nihon” or “Nippon” means “origin of the sun.”
What is Japan?
In some cultures, like in India and the Middle East, using this hand to eat is considered unclean.
What is the left hand?
In France, it's considered polite to keep your hands visible on the table, rather than on your lap, during meals. You should also use your bread to do this instead of eating it as a starter
What is pushing food onto your fork or mopping up sauces?
Pointing at someone with your index finger is considered rude in this country, according to Global Rescue. Instead, they might gesture with their whole hand.
What is China (or Japan, Malaysia, etc.)?
In this country, pointing at objects with your thumb is a common gesture.
What is Malaysia?
Known for its high density of temples, This nation is home to the ancient Angkor Wat complex.
What is Cambodia?
When dining in China, it's considered polite to leave a little food on your plate at the end of the meal to show this.
What is that the host has provided you with enough food?
n Japan, sticking your chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice is considered bad manners because it's associated with this.
What are funeral rites or offerings to the dead?
Giving someone a "thumbs up" gesture in this country can be interpreted as insulting or rude.
What is Australia (or parts of the Middle East, Iran, Greece)?
In this country, slurping loudly while eating soup or noodles is a sign of approval and appreciation.
What is Japan?
This country boasts a 13-month calendar and more public holidays than any other nation, with 39 holidays celebrated each year.
What is Nepal?
In South Korea, it's a sign of respect to accept a dish or glass offered by an older person with both hands.
What is with both hands?
In China, it is customary to refuse a gift this many times before finally accepting it.
What is two or three times?
In this country, inviting someone over with a curled fingers motion is generally impolite, and often used for calling pets.
What is the Philippines (or East Asia)?
In this country, it's considered good luck to spit on the bride at weddings.
What is Greece?
This refers to shared cultural elements like heritage, language, and religion, and can be a source of identity.
What is ethnicity?
In Chile and Brazil, eating foods like pizza, burgers, or even french fries with your hands is considered ill-mannered; one should instead use these.
What are a fork and knife?
In Japan, you should always present and receive gifts using this gesture, which symbolizes respect.
What is using both hands?
In this country, traditionally, touching someone's head is considered offensive as it is believed to house the soul.
What is Thailand?
This country is famous for its national dish, paella, a rice dish typically made with saffron and seafood.
What is Spain?
This is a system of labeling that often serves as a source of identity based primarily on physical appearance.
What is race?
This beverage, often considered a breakfast staple, is rarely consumed after a meal in Italy, believed to hinder digestion
What is a cappuccino?