To combat any further embarrassment, the travel experts at Expedia, have created an extensive etiquette guide filled with dos and don’ts to know when travelling to other cultures around the world.
The guide lists a number of different countries across all continents, to teach travellers about the cultural norms in other countries. From teaching that the French are highly punctual whereas in the United Arab Emirates, it is polite to arrive to a restaurant 15 minutes late; to knowing exactly how much to tip when dining out and how to dress for business meetings.
Aimed at both holidaymakers and business travellers, the Expedia Etiquette Guide is full of useful and unusual tips to ensure travellers don’t run into any faux pas whilst abroad.
Discussing etiquette in the home, at restaurants and in business, the guide demonstrates the different knowledge in varying situations within the same country. Expedia’s research includes interesting insights such as:
In Argentina, the guide recommends arriving up to 45 minutes late to someone’s home but to always be on time for business meetings.
In Brazil, you should be on time for business meetings in Sao Paulo and Brasilia, but in Rio de Janeiro and other cities, it’s polite to arrive a few minutes late.
In a Japanese household, your shoes should be taken off and point away from the doorway you are about to walk through.
It’s acceptable to tip around 5 per cent in Italy
The guide gives recommendations on exactly how much to tip at a restaurant in each country, as well as telling you how to say ‘Thank you’ in a variety of different languages.
Senior SEO Project Manager at Expedia, Patricia Hernanz says: “This extensive research of the world traveller’s etiquette guide is to help dispel the ‘Brits Abroad’ stereotype and ensure that travellers feel confident and informed enough to integrate into a new culture without any embarrassing or rude etiquette slip ups.”
You can read the guide in full on the Expeida website.
