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Crossing your legs - Crossing your legs in parts of the Middle East, especially if you're sitting opposite from someone who is older than you, is considered a sign of disrespect.

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Talking with your hands in your pocket - Though it may seem like a casual gesture, it’s considered rude in Germany.

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Peace sign -

In the UK, the backwards peace sign (palm facing toward your face) is equivalent to flipping someone off.

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Thumbs up -

If you give a thumbs up in the Middle East, Latin America, and western Africa, it is the same as showing them your middle finger.

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Asking what someone does for a living - Asking this question in the Netherlands is the same as asking how much money they make, and is seen as a classist question.

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Slurping - In Japan, slurping is essentially considered to be music to the ears of any chef, as it shows you’re enjoying your bowl of noodles. In North America, however, it’s considered rude.

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Referring to the US as just "America" - If you want to talk about your country while in South America, call it the United States and not "America." A seemingly innocent habit is seen as insulting to South Americans who also live in America.

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Drinking a cappuccino after lunch -

Before noon, having a cappuccino in Italy is perfectly normal, but afterwards, it’s customary to switch to espresso (unless you want to be branded a tourist).

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Blowing your nose - It is considered rude and even repulsive in countries including China, France, Japan, and Saudi Arabia to blow your nose in public.

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Smiling at strangers - In Russia, a smile is seen as an intimate gesture, indicating a genuine affinity toward another person, so giving them out to just anyone comes off as insincere.

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Opening a gift in front of the gift-giver - In Asian countries, such as China and India, opening a gift immediately upon receiving it is seen as being greedy.

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Tipping - While many countries have a suggested tip percentage, in Japan, while the service might be impeccable, tipping can be seen as degrading.

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Complaining about service -

"The customer is always right" does not always exist in Europe. Don't expect to be heard if you complain about bad service.

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Resting your hands on your lap while eating -

In Germany, it’s customary to keep your hands on the table while eating, rather than resting them in your lap.

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Eating with your hands - While it’s the norm to eat with your hands in many parts of South Asia and Africa, using utensils is a must in Chile, even if you're eating fries.

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The "A-OK" sign - In certain countries this hand gesture is crude and offensive, and in places like Turkey, it is specifically offensive to homosexuals.

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Eating in public - In Japan, eating while walking or in places that are not restaurants is considered both weird and impolite.

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Talking on the phone in public - Eavesdropping is a fun activity in many countries, but in Japan it is considered rude to talk on your cell phone on trains and buses. E-mail or text messages are preferred. 

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Accepting a gift right away - Some might wonder why you’d ever decline a gift, however, in Japanese and Chinese culture it’s expected that you decline things a few times before ultimately accepting them.

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Altering food - In southern Europe, seasoning your food and dressing it in condiments is an insult to the chef. You are basically telling them that they did not prepare it well enough.

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Splitting the bill -

Trying to split the bill in France, as opposed to just paying for the entire bill, is considered unsophisticated.

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Eating everything on your plate - In countries including China, Russia, and Thailand, clearing your plate is seen as a sign that you were not served enough to eat and are still hungry.

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Jaywalking - In northern Europe, jaywalking is illegal, and the law is also strictly adhered to. Even when there are no cars coming, people wait for the crosswalk signal.

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Talking about mental health - Talking about mental health and seeing a therapist is becoming less and less stigmatized. However if you go to the UK, talking about this part of your life is considered a huge overshare and makes people very uncomfortable.

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Laughing open-mouthed - In Japan, laughing while exposing your teeth is considered extremely rude.

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Revealing the soles of the feet - In Arab, Buddhist, Muslim, and Hindu countries, showing the soles of your feet is a sign of disrespect as they are seen as dirty.

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Refusing food - In Lebanon, don't even think about refusing an offering of food, as you will be deeply insulting the person and the culture.

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Saying "thank you" - Thanking people for every little thing is common in some cultures, but in India, a “thank you” at the end of a meal is usually unwelcome. Hosting the next dinner is more acceptable.

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Crossing fingers - In North America, crossing your fingers is a gesture of good luck or a way of saying "I hope so!" However in Vietnam, crossed fingers is a crass gesture for female genitalia.

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Showing up on time - In Latin American cultures, showing up on time is the equivalent of showing up an hour early in countries like the US. No one likes to have to entertain a guest who arrives early when they're still preparing for their dinner party.

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Patriotism - In many other countries and cultures, being overly nationalistic and proud of one's own country brings negative and still-raw reminders of fascism.

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Helping yourself to seconds -

In Chile, helping yourself to a second portion is considered rude, and you should instead wait for the host to offer it.

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Fashionably late -

In Germany, there is no concept of being fashionably late. If you are expected to meet someone at a certain time, you must arrive early or right on the dot.

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Not offering a beverage - In many countries, it is expected to offer visitors a drink when they enter your home, including anyone from a friend to the repairman.

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Excessive use of superlatives - North Americans tend to describe the most mundane things as "amazing" or "the best," but that exaggeration comes off as fake or dishonest in many countries.

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Telling people to help themselves - While it might seem like a kind, trusting gesture in some cultures, in many parts of Asia this hands-off approach is seen as inappropriate for a host.

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Honking -

People all over the world are all too comfortable with honking at the slightest inconvenience, but in Norway it’s only used in an emergency, so unnecessary beeping could cause drivers to panic.

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One hand in the pocket - In certain Asian countries, this position is considered very arrogant.

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Eating dropped food - In Middle Eastern countries, it’s customary to pick up dropped food, clean it, and eat it. In germ-obsessed countries like the US, eating something that’s been dropped on the ground is considered unhygienic.

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Bringing someone the bill before they ask for it - In Europe, a waiter who brings the bill before the customer requests it is telling them to get out of the restaurant or pub.

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Drinking someone else’s alcohol -

Apparently, in Norway it’s rude to drink alcohol you didn't personally bring to a party. In Russia, however, turning down an offer of vodka is seen as offensive.

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Using your left hand - In Africa, India, and Sri Lanka, the left hand is seen as dirty, so using it to greet someone or eat is extremely offensive.

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Sitting in the back of a cab - In Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and the Netherlands, riding shotgun is the norm as it is seen as a matter of egalitarianism.

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Wearing sweatpants with flip-flops -

Certain outfits, including sweatpants with flip-flops, baggy clothes, and baseball caps, are frowned upon in Japan and certain European countries where this attire is seen as disrespectful and sloppy.

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Licking your fingers - In Middle Eastern culture, it’s customary to lick your fingers after eating (only at the end of the meal), whereas only the use of napkins are preferred in other countries.

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Not playing with your food - In Germany, cutting potatoes with a knife and fork signals to the cook that the food wasn’t done all the way through, while mashing is much more normal. 

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A firm handshake - In the Philippines, keep your grip loose and casual. A firm handshake is a sign of dominance, whereas a loose one is a sign of respect.

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Burping -

In China, burping after a meal is like a compliment to the chef, whereas burping is seen as rude and requires an “excuse me” in Europe and North America.

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Not saying hello -

In fast-paced countries, people sometimes skip the pleasantries when they’re ordering food or buying something. In France, however, skipping the “Bonjour” shows that you feel the person is beneath you.

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Touching others' food - In Ethiopia, a tradition called “gursha” involves feeding other people with your hands and helps people connect. In many other countries, however, it’s rude to put your hands on someone else’s food.

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Not being careful with your chopsticks - In many parts of Asia, pointing at someone with your chopsticks is an insult. Chopsticks should also never go upright in rice as that signifies a funeral.

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Touching - Touching and hugging other people in many parts of China, Korea, and the Middle East is considered offensive.

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Keeping clothes on in saunas - Saunas and steam rooms in Nordic countries like Finland are not the place to be private. Rather, keeping clothes on appears prudish. 

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Wearing shoes in the house - In Caribbean and Asian cultures in particular, not removing shoes when entering the home is a huge sign of disrespect.

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Sharing food -

While sharing food often comes down to personal preference, in India, food is considered contaminated once it touches your plate, so offering a taste is not common.

See also: Common mistakes you're making while driving

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