Local Etiquette Guide: What to Know Before You Travel

American actress and singer Selena Gomez sparked controversy when photos of her showing an ankle inside Abu Dhabi’s Grand Mosque during the 2015 New Year holiday circulated. Linden Schaffer, founder and director of Pravassa Wellness Travel, says that whether you are famous or not, learning local cultural norms before travel is essential to avoid unintended faux pas.

Dawn Bryan, author of Elite Etiquette, notes that while world politics and economics may shift, basic international travel etiquette and protocol remain consistent. That said, luxury business travelers need to know more than the average tourist to succeed abroad.

Professionals who travel frequently should research the specific country, region, religion and culture they will be visiting. Useful topics to study include greetings and salutations, appropriate titles and forms of address, gestures (especially those considered offensive), handshakes, eye contact, personal space, gift-giving and receiving, and business card exchanges. Bryan points out that simple gestures can differ widely: a wave or beckon in one culture may be rude in another. Pointing, chewing gum and keeping hands in pockets are impolite in many non-American cultures. Even the American “OK” sign has different meanings worldwide — in Japan it can mean “money,” while in Norway and Russia it can be insulting.

Punctuality also varies by culture, so learn the local expectations. “In most cultures, visitors are expected to be on time; for example, to the Swiss, New Zealanders and Danes, lack of timeliness is considered sloppy and indicates incompetence,” Bryan says. “However, in countries like Italy and Portugal, it’s common for the most important or highest-ranking person to arrive late.”

Respect for personal space is another consideration. Bryan advises keeping more distance when conversing with the English, Japanese and many Singaporeans. For gift-giving, be sensitive to local customs: never wrap a gift for a Chinese associate in white, blue, purple or black, as those colors are associated with funerals. In France, business gifts are not typically presented at a first meeting, and in many Asian cultures it’s impolite to open a gift in front of the giver.

Tipping rules differ widely around the globe, but first you must be familiar with the local currency. Actress Channon Dade, who hosts the lifestyle and travel channel ChannonDade.com, recalls exchanging U.S. dollars and receiving Indian rupees instead of Indonesian rupiahs, a mistake she only noticed in Bali when it was too late to correct. Dade recommends exchanging money at your final destination’s airport or checking images of the banknotes online to confirm you have the correct currency.

Author and columnist April Masini of AskApril.com stresses that good travel etiquette begins at the airport. When you check luggage curbside, it’s customary to tip the porter $1–2 per checked bag. Tipping practices vary by airport and culture: in busy hubs like JFK, tipping is more appropriate to reward extra effort, while in slower airports tipping should reflect the level of service.

Masini also advises tipping hotel housekeepers a few dollars per day to show appreciation. If your room is especially messy, double the amount; for very large messes, $10 is appropriate. Guests in suites should consider tipping more than usual.

“Tipping is one of the most common etiquette challenges we face when traveling,” says Mike Kelly, CEO of On Call International. While tipping is expected in the United States, other countries have different norms. In Japan, tipping can be seen as offensive, while in Mexico failing to tip can be a serious breach of local expectations.

Michael Tulipan, editor of TheSavvyExplorer.com, advises travelers to break the automatic U.S. tipping habit when abroad. In many countries, workers receive living wages and do not depend on tips for most of their income. In Europe, round up small amounts or tip 5–10 percent in higher-end restaurants; always check whether a service charge is already included on the bill. When tipping abroad, cash is usually preferred, as many establishments do not allow adding tips to credit card payments.

In Australia and New Zealand, tipping is uncommon. Anthony Bianco of TheTravelTart.com explains that Australians may tip for exceptional service, but it is not customary. Dianne Hall of GoWalkaboutTravel.com adds that rounding up in taxis is normal; for example, if a fare is $9, handing over $10 and saying “Keep the change, mate” is sufficient.

Rounding up is common in other places as well. Charles Neville of JayWay Travel Inc. describes the Czech approach: diners often round the bill to a reasonable whole number rather than calculating a percentage, reflecting the currency’s practical use without smaller denominations.

Some countries include service charges automatically. James Kaiser, author of Costa Rica: The Complete Guide, notes that Costa Rican bills typically include a 10 percent service charge, and adding more is optional. He also explains a cultural difference: in Costa Rica it’s rude for a server to bring the bill before the customer asks, so visitors should be prepared to signal their request when ready by asking for “La cuenta, por favor.”

Brazil commonly adds a 10 percent service charge labeled “service.” Taxis usually follow a round-up custom, while private drivers or guides may expect $20–50 for a full day. Jill Siegel of SouthAmericanEscapes.com recommends discreet handling of money—fold bills in your palm and hand them over as you would when offering a handshake—and emphasizes that a warm smile goes a long way.

Wherever you travel, basic courtesy helps. Linden Schaffer suggests learning a few local words—hello, please and thank you—to show respect for the culture you’re visiting. Small efforts like these encourage friendliness and smoother interactions with locals.