Are you polite? It depends on the country you are visiting

Research is key

Are you polite? It depends on the country you are visiting

Travelling abroad is a wonderful way of experiencing new cultures and ways of life, but it can come with culture shock. What is common and expected in everyday scenarios across the U.S. might not be the norm elsewhere, which can lead to embarrassing or awkward situations.

This is sometimes unavoidable, but researching the cultural norms of your traveling destination beforehand can help you blend in better with the locals or at least avoid uncomfortable exchanges. These are 10 things that you should check before your trip.

Politeness comes in different shapes and sizes

Americans are known for their direct, informal speech, which can sometimes be misunderstood when travelling abroad. For Americans, being polite is often associated with friendliness and making the other person comfortable.

While cultures across the Americas behave similarly, many European and Asian cultures associate politeness with formal distance and an avoidance of requests, which can naturally come across as cold for most Americans.

What social norms should I be aware of?

Is it possible to create a public disturbance without realizing it? If you are immersing yourself in a totally different society, chances are that what is considered adequate public behavior will differ from what you are used to, so doing some research beforehand can help you avoid an uncomfortable situation.

What is seen as a perfectly acceptable public behavior in American culture can stand out in places where public quietness is the most important norm of all. This also applies to talking on the phone or listening to music in public spaces or public transportation.

The dining out experience

Besides the natural food habits differences that exist between cultures, there are also differences in what is expected when eating out. American restaurants and diners tend to prioritize convenience and speed. Other cultures —European and South American in particular— see eating out as a socializing moment that should be slowed down and enjoyed.

Of course, if you wish to eat quickly and go your way, no one will prevent you from doing so, but the overall pace of restaurants might be slower than what you are used to. An important tip to keep in mind: if they have not brought the check over after you finish eating, it is because they are expecting you to ask for it.

Be mindful of opening and closing times

For those used to the ample working hours of American shops and restaurants, trying to buy an early morning coffee on holiday can become an odyssey. Particularly in Europe and in South America, it is common for businesses to open late in the morning or to close for a few hours at lunchtime.

Sometimes, you will have to adapt to this new schedule, but there are ways to make it work for you, such as looking for local convenience stores or markets that open while other shops are closed, asking if your hotel cafeteria serves breakfast early, or keeping snacks on hand to tide you over until shops are open.

Saying hello and goodbye

American greeting styles vary from friendly remarks in informal contexts to polite handshakes in formal settings. Abroad, you might come across a multitude of situations, such as cheek kisses and hugs (South America and parts of Europe), brief handshakes (more formal European countries), or polite bows (most Asian countries).

Despite these differences, being able to greet others appropriately is a great way to breach the cultural divide we sometimes experience when travelling abroad, so don’t underestimate the power of greeting someone in their own language.

How much space is personal space?

When it comes to personal space, most Americans are placed in the middle of the spectrum. They like their personal bubble, but they are willing to share it with friends and acquaintances.

South American and Mediterranean cultures tend to have more physical contact and a smaller concept of personal space, while cultures across Asia and some parts of Europe place importance on avoiding contact with strangers and keeping to their space.

Shoes? Not always allowed

This might seem minor, but cultural stances about wearing shoes inside should not be overlooked. While many Americans make a difference between indoor and outdoor shoes, it is not as strong a cultural norm as in Asia, the Middle East, and some parts of Europe. In some places (especially Asian societies), breaking this rule can lead to getting scolded by otherwise polite and reserved locals.

Be careful with your money

Cultures across the Americas —the U.S. included— have a more relaxed point of view when it comes to handling and discussing money. European and Asian cultures, however, have stricter rules and consider the open talk about money and salaries to be indiscreet and sometimes even taboo.

In Asian countries in particular, handling physical money comes with its own set of rules, usually avoiding crumpling bills or passing them directly from hand to hand. Some of these countries even see tipping as disrespectful, so make sure to research tipping customs before traveling.

How punctual is punctual?

Punctuality is highly valued in American culture, but most people are willing to give a few minutes before officially considering someone late. After all, there are always things outside one’s control, such as the traffic ot the weather,

This can vary abroad: Latin American, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and some African cultures are less strict with time, preferring flexible and spontaneous schedules, while Asian and some Northern European cultures see strict punctuality as an essential part of politeness and work ethic.

Small talk? Not for everyone

As a natural result of the American tendency to friendliness and easy communication, small talk is seen as natural and used as a way to establish rapport with strangers and new acquaintances.

Cultures across the Americas, Africa, and the Middle East have a similar stance to the U.S., but in Asian and most European cultures, small talk is unusual and might be considered a breach of the distance expected between strangers.