Organized by country with tipping, greeting, and taboo details, helpful for travelers, business visitors, or exchange students preparing for a trip abroad.
Customs can vary by region and situation. Always observe locals when in doubt.
| Country | Greetings | Tipping | Taboos |
|---|---|---|---|
France Europe | Light handshake. Friends/family do 'la bise' (kiss on cheeks). | Service is included (service compris), but leaving small change is polite. | Don't start a conversation in English without asking 'Parlez-vous anglais?' first. |
Germany Europe | Firm handshake. Titles (Herr/Frau) are important in formal settings. | Service included, but rounding up or adding 5-10% is customary ('Trinkgeld'). | Don't wish someone 'Happy Birthday' before the actual day (bad luck). |
Japan Asia | Bowing is the traditional greeting. The depth indicates respect level. | No tipping. It can be considered rude or confusing. | Don't talk loudly on trains. Don't walk while eating. |
South Korea Asia | Bow slightly when shaking hands. Support your right arm with your left hand when shaking hands with elders. | Not expected. Some high-end hotels enforce a service charge. | Don't write names in red ink (symbolizes death). |
Taiwan Asia | A slight nod or handshake is common. 'Ni Hao' is the standard greeting. | Tipping is not customary in restaurants. High-end places add a 10% service charge. | Don't stick chopsticks vertically in rice (resembles incense for the dead). |
Thailand Asia | The 'Wai' (palms pressed together near chest/face) is the standard greeting. | Appreciated but not mandatory. Rounding up taxi fares is common. | Never touch someone's head (considered sacred). Don't point your feet at people or Buddha. |
United Kingdom Europe | Handshake is standard. 'How do you do?' is formal. | 10-15% in restaurants if service isn't included. Round up for taxis. | Cutting in line (queue jumping) is a serious social offense. |
United States North America | Firm handshake with eye contact. Informal 'Hi' or 'Hello' is common. | Mandatory. 15-20% in restaurants, $1-2 per drink at bars. | Asking about salary or weight is considered intrusive. |
Organized by country with tipping, greeting, and taboo details, helpful for travelers, business visitors, or exchange students preparing for a trip abroad.
Customs can vary by region and situation. Always observe locals when in doubt.
| Country | Greetings | Tipping | Taboos |
|---|---|---|---|
France Europe | Light handshake. Friends/family do 'la bise' (kiss on cheeks). | Service is included (service compris), but leaving small change is polite. | Don't start a conversation in English without asking 'Parlez-vous anglais?' first. |
Germany Europe | Firm handshake. Titles (Herr/Frau) are important in formal settings. | Service included, but rounding up or adding 5-10% is customary ('Trinkgeld'). | Don't wish someone 'Happy Birthday' before the actual day (bad luck). |
Japan Asia | Bowing is the traditional greeting. The depth indicates respect level. | No tipping. It can be considered rude or confusing. | Don't talk loudly on trains. Don't walk while eating. |
South Korea Asia | Bow slightly when shaking hands. Support your right arm with your left hand when shaking hands with elders. | Not expected. Some high-end hotels enforce a service charge. | Don't write names in red ink (symbolizes death). |
Taiwan Asia | A slight nod or handshake is common. 'Ni Hao' is the standard greeting. | Tipping is not customary in restaurants. High-end places add a 10% service charge. | Don't stick chopsticks vertically in rice (resembles incense for the dead). |
Thailand Asia | The 'Wai' (palms pressed together near chest/face) is the standard greeting. | Appreciated but not mandatory. Rounding up taxi fares is common. | Never touch someone's head (considered sacred). Don't point your feet at people or Buddha. |
United Kingdom Europe | Handshake is standard. 'How do you do?' is formal. | 10-15% in restaurants if service isn't included. Round up for taxis. | Cutting in line (queue jumping) is a serious social offense. |
United States North America | Firm handshake with eye contact. Informal 'Hi' or 'Hello' is common. | Mandatory. 15-20% in restaurants, $1-2 per drink at bars. | Asking about salary or weight is considered intrusive. |
Organized by country with tipping, greeting, and taboo details, helpful for travelers, business visitors, or exchange students preparing for a trip abroad.
Customs can vary by region and situation. Always observe locals when in doubt.
| Country | Greetings | Tipping | Taboos |
|---|---|---|---|
France Europe | Light handshake. Friends/family do 'la bise' (kiss on cheeks). | Service is included (service compris), but leaving small change is polite. | Don't start a conversation in English without asking 'Parlez-vous anglais?' first. |
Germany Europe | Firm handshake. Titles (Herr/Frau) are important in formal settings. | Service included, but rounding up or adding 5-10% is customary ('Trinkgeld'). | Don't wish someone 'Happy Birthday' before the actual day (bad luck). |
Japan Asia | Bowing is the traditional greeting. The depth indicates respect level. | No tipping. It can be considered rude or confusing. | Don't talk loudly on trains. Don't walk while eating. |
South Korea Asia | Bow slightly when shaking hands. Support your right arm with your left hand when shaking hands with elders. | Not expected. Some high-end hotels enforce a service charge. | Don't write names in red ink (symbolizes death). |
Taiwan Asia | A slight nod or handshake is common. 'Ni Hao' is the standard greeting. | Tipping is not customary in restaurants. High-end places add a 10% service charge. | Don't stick chopsticks vertically in rice (resembles incense for the dead). |
Thailand Asia | The 'Wai' (palms pressed together near chest/face) is the standard greeting. | Appreciated but not mandatory. Rounding up taxi fares is common. | Never touch someone's head (considered sacred). Don't point your feet at people or Buddha. |
United Kingdom Europe | Handshake is standard. 'How do you do?' is formal. | 10-15% in restaurants if service isn't included. Round up for taxis. | Cutting in line (queue jumping) is a serious social offense. |
United States North America | Firm handshake with eye contact. Informal 'Hi' or 'Hello' is common. | Mandatory. 15-20% in restaurants, $1-2 per drink at bars. | Asking about salary or weight is considered intrusive. |
Organized by country with tipping, greeting, and taboo details, helpful for travelers, business visitors, or exchange students preparing for a trip abroad.
Customs can vary by region and situation. Always observe locals when in doubt.
| Country | Greetings | Tipping | Taboos |
|---|---|---|---|
France Europe | Light handshake. Friends/family do 'la bise' (kiss on cheeks). | Service is included (service compris), but leaving small change is polite. | Don't start a conversation in English without asking 'Parlez-vous anglais?' first. |
Germany Europe | Firm handshake. Titles (Herr/Frau) are important in formal settings. | Service included, but rounding up or adding 5-10% is customary ('Trinkgeld'). | Don't wish someone 'Happy Birthday' before the actual day (bad luck). |
Japan Asia | Bowing is the traditional greeting. The depth indicates respect level. | No tipping. It can be considered rude or confusing. | Don't talk loudly on trains. Don't walk while eating. |
South Korea Asia | Bow slightly when shaking hands. Support your right arm with your left hand when shaking hands with elders. | Not expected. Some high-end hotels enforce a service charge. | Don't write names in red ink (symbolizes death). |
Taiwan Asia | A slight nod or handshake is common. 'Ni Hao' is the standard greeting. | Tipping is not customary in restaurants. High-end places add a 10% service charge. | Don't stick chopsticks vertically in rice (resembles incense for the dead). |
Thailand Asia | The 'Wai' (palms pressed together near chest/face) is the standard greeting. | Appreciated but not mandatory. Rounding up taxi fares is common. | Never touch someone's head (considered sacred). Don't point your feet at people or Buddha. |
United Kingdom Europe | Handshake is standard. 'How do you do?' is formal. | 10-15% in restaurants if service isn't included. Round up for taxis. | Cutting in line (queue jumping) is a serious social offense. |
United States North America | Firm handshake with eye contact. Informal 'Hi' or 'Hello' is common. | Mandatory. 15-20% in restaurants, $1-2 per drink at bars. | Asking about salary or weight is considered intrusive. |