Traveling is an incredibly vital aspect of human life – and although we occupy the same planet, we each live in a separate world that everyone must explore at least once.
Visiting places allows us to experience different cultures and become closer to each other; on top of that, it also does wonders for our mental health and gets our batteries recharged.
However, before heading off on your new adventure, it’s important to keep a couple of things in mind:
“What should tourists NEVER do in your country?” – this online user took to one of the most informative and thought-provoking subreddits to ask locals about the things visitors should never do in their country. The thread has managed to receive nearly 8K upvotes and 20.4K worth of comments discussing the unspoken rules of folks’ home countries.
More info: Reddit
#1 Don’t Litter In Wildlife Preserves
Canada here. Please don’t litter in our wildlife preserves. Please.
Image source: Drifty_Canadian, VLADIMIR NAUMOFF
#2 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.
Image source: Anomuumitar, violablom
#3 Don’t Pat Kangaroos
Don’t just walk up to a kangaroo and pat it in the wild. Those f**kers will kick the s**t out of you. I’m looking at you Japanese
Image source: Tronspecial15, Ted
#4 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.
Image source: [deleted], Brian Burger
#5 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.
Image source: Snuggleproof , Alex Guibord
#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.
Image source: TheBassMeister ·, My Photo Journeys
#7 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.
Image source: vadlaheidi, Tony Harrison
#8 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.
Image source: halfcastaussie, osseous
#9 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
Image source: OneManYordleGang, Ed and Eddie
#10 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.
Image source: BlueBackedRobin, WorldIslandInfo.com
#11 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.
Image source: Lick_my_balloon-knot, Gary Bembridge
#12 Never Walk Out Of The Bus Without Looking Both Ways
Denmark:
Don’t f**king walk out of the bus without looking both ways. There is an actual bike path between the pavement and the road at almost all bus stops. This means that if you just walk out of the bus once you reach your stop, you will get hit by a person on a steel contraption, moving at a very dangerous speed. It can get bloody, expensive and very embarrassing. This same thing applies when you need to get onto a bus. Don’t just walk up to it and hop it: Look both ways before you cross the bike path
Image source: [deleted], Alper Çuğun
#13 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!
Image source: StuHardy, Gordon Joly
#14 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
Image source: CarrieDune, Michael Vadon
#15 Don’t Mention Anything German
the Netherlands.
Please don’t say we are like Germans in any way. We do not sound like them, we do not look like them, in fact, just don’t mention anything German.
Also; Don’t walk in the bicycle lane, don’t feed the doves and don’t be a cool with the weed. Yeah it’s fine to smoke in public but don’t do it in crowded places or when kids are around.
Image source: Maklo_Never_Forget, anokarina
#16 Don’t Sit In The Pub Waiting For Someone To Serve You
UK: Don’t sit at a table in the pub and wait for someone to come and take your order.
Reason why? They won’t.
Image source: Brickie78, WordRidden
#17 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.
Image source: [deleted], Gabriel Garcia Marengo
#18 Never Kiss In Public
INDIA-
Do not kiss in public.
In India it is okay to pee in public but not okay to kiss in public.
Image source: Kamalnathan, Adam Jones
#19 Don’t Tip
In S. Korea tipping is acceptable is some places, but is mostly considered rude and belittling
Image source: Shinters, amanderson2
#20 Don’t Wear Camo/Military Style Clothing
Barbados.
Dont wear camo/military style clothing.
When the lifeguard tells you “dont swim near the rocks”, DONT. F**KING. SWIM. NEAR. THE . ROCKS. You will either pass away, or break every bone in your body.
Image source: apophis-pegasus, Randy Robertson
#21 Don’t Go To Favelas (Slums)
Brazil. Don’t go to the favelas (slums), it’s usually not save for people that don’t live there. Even worst don’t go without someone that knows or lives there. I honestly don’t get why so many tourists want to go to the worst part of the country.
Image source: theChaos77, Pēteris
#22 Don’t Walk In The Middle Of The Road
Hawaii:
Decide you don’t need sunscreen because you’re from California and it’s pretty much the same. Yes, I know your hotel is only ten miles from the airport and you paid extra for a convertible. You’re toast. Literal toast.
Figure it’s a tropical theme park, not a place where people live and work. Yes, folks, that’s a road. For cars. Don’t walk right down the middle. And no, I am not a cast member.
Image source: fusepark, Pedro Szekely
#23 Don’t Sign A Young Deaf Girl’s Petition
In France : don’t ever sign a young deaf girl’s petition (she’s actually not deaf at all) she’s just doing this to make money. And no, don’t buy this amazing gold ring this old lady found on the floor right behind you..
Image source: atchoum013, Dan Moyle
#24 Be Cautious When Getting A Cab
Poland:
Maybe not never, but be cautious while getting a cab at the airport/train stations. Most of the guys will try to rip foreigners off.
Also, never leave our country without trying traditional polish cuisine, because it’s awesome. I recommend some pierogi, bigos, żurek and zapiekanka.
Image source: Wu-TangLAN, Pawel Kabanski
#25 Don’t Whistle At A Waiter
USA here. Whistling at a waiter.
Image source: orose24, Kate Ter Haar
#26 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.
Image source: Gwendilater, Heather R
#27 Never Show Cash Or Smartphones On The Streets
Venezuela : Show $ in cash on the sreets or any kind of smartphone.
Image source: DropItToTheFloor, Amanda
#28 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.
Image source: letdown-inlife, missbossy
#29 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.
Image source: S**tlord_EddardStark, Sami Keinänen
#30 Don’t Get A Traditional Tattoo And Then Get It Covered
Don’t get a traditional tattoo and then go get it covered up when you leave… I’m not Maori so I don’t have much of an understanding of the beliefs of it all, but I’m pretty darn sure that’s not something you should do. They aren’t going to welcome you back and look at you in the same light very easily. Looking at you Rihanna
Country: New Zealand
Image source: SureShaw, Micael Faccio
Follow Us
