20 Don’ts Of Travelling To These Countries, As Shared By People Online
It’s always fun to explore new places. However, when you travel somewhere, planning is important too. We all plan what to wear or which hotels to stay in before traveling somewhere but some of us don’t do enough research about the country before visiting.
Understanding certain things about the country’s culture and people might save you from awkward or dangerous situations. A Reddit user asked “What should tourists NEVER do in your country?” and the locals gave some useful advice on what not to do in their countries. Scroll below to read some of those answers.
More info: Reddit
#1 Don’t Pat Kangaroos
“Don’t just walk up to a kangaroo and pat it in the wild. Those fkers will kick the st out of you. I’m looking at you Japanese.”
#2 Don’t Litter In Wildlife Preserves
“Canada here. Please don’t litter in our wildlife preserves. Please.”
#3 Don’t Try To Hug People Or Shake Hands
“Japan: stop with the stereotypes, don’t mention the war, don’t try to hug people/hand shaking, keep tidy.”
#4 Don’t Talk, And Keep At Least One Meter Of Personal Space
“Don’t talk so damn much. Don’t sit next to us. Keep at least one meter of personal space. Don’t tip. Don’t haggle. Shut up. Drink more.
Finland, in case you were wondering.”
#5 Don’t Wear Khakis And Hiking Boots
“South Africa
Wearing khakis And hiking boots screams tourist. It makes you a target for criminals and that sweet camera you bought for your trip is going to find a new home. And besides, if your trip is going to involve hiking of any kind S&R would prefer you wore bright clothes so it makes your a*s easier to find if you get lost.
If you are going on a game drive (no one here calls it a safari) keep your doors locked and windows rolled up. Otherwise, enjoy being Simbas lunch. Respect the wildlife, they are wild animals and have no qualms about making you unalive.”
#6 Don’t Get Out Of The Car And Approach The Police When Being Stopped
“In America, don’t get out of your car and approach the cop when being stopped by a cop unless told to.”
#7 Don’t Go To Temple Bar
“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.”
#8 Never Show Cash Or Smartphones On The Streets
“Venezuela : Show $ in cash on the sreets or any kind of smartphone.”
#9 Don’t Act Like Locals Can’t Speak English
“Singapore: Act like we cannot speak English, insult the elderly, or criticise the working class (meaning stuff like the public transport and things working class people use), or do crimes and expect the law to be lenient to you because you’re a foreigner.
We may not react to you irl but the passive aggressiveness will turn into a s**tstorm online as swarms of wrathful keyboard warriors descend upon your sins.”
#10 Don’t Roll Your Windows Down
“Have [your] windows rolled down. In Tijuana especially. You’ll be guilted into buying so many f**king churros.”
#11 Do Not Antagonize The Queen’s Guard
“Britain – Do not antagonise the Queen’s Guard. They are well within their rights to lay hands on you if you provoke them.”
#12 Don’t Drive All Over Nature
“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.”
#13 Don’t Go To Beaches Without Applying Sunscreen
“Australia: Don’t go to our beaches without first applying sunscreen. Wear clothes and POLARISED sunglasses. We have the highest rate of skin cancer in the world due to extreme UV during summer. Also don’t go swimming in your clothes at a beach, you’ll drown.”
#14 Don’t Plan Too Much
“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.”
#15 Don’t Buy Maple Syrup From The First Stall You See
“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.”
#16 Don’t Go On A Hike Unarmed
“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.”
#17 Never Criticize BBC Or NHS
“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!”
#18 Don’t Discuss Your Political Opinions With Anyone
“USA: Tell anyone your political opinions they will never treat you the same whether they agree or disagree.”
#19 Never Kiss In Public
“INDIA-
Do not kiss in public.”
#20 Don’t Tip
“In S. Korea tipping is acceptable is some places, but is mostly considered rude and belittling.”
Saumya Ratan
Saumya is an explorer of all things beautiful, quirky, and heartwarming. With her knack for art, design, photography, fun trivia, and internet humor, she takes you on a journey through the lighter side of pop culture.
