Article created by: Saulė Tolstych
Traveling is an incredibly vital aspect of human life – and although we occupy the same planet, we each live in a separate world that everyone must explore at least once.
Visiting places allows us to experience different cultures and become closer to each other; on top of that, it also does wonders for our mental health and gets our batteries recharged.
However, before heading off on your new adventure, it's important to keep a couple of things in mind:
“What should tourists NEVER do in your country?” – this online user took to one of the most informative and thought-provoking subreddits to ask locals about the things visitors should never do in their country. The thread has managed to receive nearly 8K upvotes and 20.4K worth of comments discussing the unspoken rules of folks’ home countries.
More info: Reddit
#1 Don't Walk In The Middle Of The Road
Image credits: fusepark
#2 Don't Litter In Wildlife Preserves
Image credits: Drifty_Canadian
#3 Do Not Antagonize The Queen's Guard
Image credits: Snuggleproof
#4 Don't Get Out Of The Car And Approach The Police When Being Stopped
Image credits: TheBassMeister ·
#5 Don't Drive All Over Nature
Image credits: vadlaheidi
#6 Don't Buy Maple Syrup From The First Stall You See
Image credits: OneManYordleGang
#7 Don't Plan Too Much
Image credits: BlueBackedRobin
#8 Don't Go On A Hike Unarmed
Image credits: Lick_my_balloon-knot
#9 Never Criticize BBC Or NHS
Image credits: StuHardy
#10 Don't Discuss Your Political Opinions With Anyone
Image credits: CarrieDune
#11 Don't Mention Anything German
Image credits: Maklo_Never_Forget
#12 Don't Sit In The Pub Waiting For Someone To Serve You
Image credits: Brickie78
#13 Don't Try To Hug People Or Shake Hands
Image credits: [deleted]
#14 Never Kiss In Public
Image credits: Kamalnathan
#15 Don't Tip
Image credits: Shinters
#16 Don't Go To Favelas (Slums)
Image credits: theChaos77
#17 Don't Sign A Young Deaf Girl's Petition
Image credits: atchoum013
#18 Be Cautious When Getting A Cab
Image credits: Wu-TangLAN
#19 Don't Whistle At A Waiter
Image credits: orose24
#20 Don't Go To Temple Bar
Image credits: Gwendilater
#21 Never Show Cash Or Smartphones On The Streets
Image credits: DropItToTheFloor
#22 Don't Get A Traditional Tattoo And Then Get It Covered
Don't get a traditional tattoo and then go get it covered up when you leave... I'm not Maori so I don't have much of an understanding of the beliefs of it all, but I'm pretty darn sure that's not something you should do. They aren't going to welcome you back and look at you in the same light very easily. Looking at you Rihanna Country: New Zealand
Image credits: SureShaw
Hawaii:
Decide you don't need sunscreen because you're from California and it's pretty much the same. Yes, I know your hotel is only ten miles from the airport and you paid extra for a convertible. You're toast. Literal toast.
Figure it's a tropical theme park, not a place where people live and work. Yes, folks, that's a road. For cars. Don't walk right down the middle. And no, I am not a cast member.
Canada here. Please don't litter in our wildlife preserves. Please.
Britain - Do not antagonise the Queen's Guard. They are well within their rights to lay hands on you if you provoke them.
In America, don't get out of your car and approach the cop when being stopped by a cop unless told to.
Iceland: Just because you watched Top Gear, don't think you can drive all over nature. Actually, this probably applies to most countries Top Gear has visited.
Quebec here, well Canada. Don't buy maple syrup from the first stall you see, it will be way overpriced. Just go to a grocery store you'll do great economy
America: Plan too much. If you wanna see the Statue of Liberty, the Smithsonian, the Alamo, and the Grand Canyon, you're going to spend all of your time driving. Pick a specific area, and do everything you can in there.
Go on a hike unarmed when visiting the Svalbard archipelago here in Norway. You are required to aways have a firearm with you to protect against polar bears when traveling outside the populated areas.
UK: Don't ever - ever - criticise the BBC or the NHS.
It's ours; we can complain all we like because we pay for it. And we like to complain too. It's our unofficial national sport.
You are merely a guest - if you ever need to use the BBC or NHS, you do not get to complain about it!
USA: Tell anyone your political opinions they will never treat you the same whether they agree or disagree
the Netherlands.
Please don't say we are like Germans in any way. We do not sound like them, we do not look like them, in fact, just don't mention anything German.
Also; Don't walk in the bicycle lane, don't feed the doves and don't be a cool with the weed. Yeah it's fine to smoke in public but don't do it in crowded places or when kids are around.
UK: Don't sit at a table in the pub and wait for someone to come and take your order.
Reason why? They won't.
Japan: stop with the stereotypes, don't mention the war, don't try to hug people/hand shaking, keep tidy.
INDIA-
Do not kiss in public.
In India it is okay to pee in public but not okay to kiss in public.
In S. Korea tipping is acceptable is some places, but is mostly considered rude and belittling
Brazil. Don't go to the favelas (slums), it's usually not save for people that don't live there. Even worst don't go without someone that knows or lives there. I honestly don't get why so many tourists want to go to the worst part of the country.
In France : don't ever sign a young deaf girl's petition (she's actually not deaf at all) she's just doing this to make money. And no, don't buy this amazing gold ring this old lady found on the floor right behind you..
Poland:
Maybe not never, but be cautious while getting a cab at the airport/train stations. Most of the guys will try to rip foreigners off.
Also, never leave our country without trying traditional polish cuisine, because it's awesome. I recommend some pierogi, bigos, żurek and zapiekanka.
USA here. Whistling at a waiter.
Dublin, Ireland(didn't realise there was so many dublin's): don't go to Temple bar, tourists always stop to ask directions, i try and tell them there are nicer, much less expensive places, but because all the guide books tell them it's the place to be they don't want to listen.
Venezuela : Show $ in cash on the sreets or any kind of smartphone.
