Do you have a tip on how to be polite in a particular country?

Question

For example, I've heard that in Japan, if you are handed a business card, it is best to take it in both hands to show respect. Whereas, in the United States, we might just take it in one hand and toss it on the desk, but wouldn't mean any disrespect at all.

Answer 1

Read travel books about the countries you want to visit and talk to people who grew up in that particular country. Don't be afraid to ask you questions. Most people will be quite flattered that you're taking the time to learn about their culture.

Answer 2

Watch what other people do. That's the best guide.  

Answer 3

Give the foreign men a complimentary BJ or HJ in order not to offend them!

Answer 4

There is a wonderful series of books called the "Lonely Planet" which you can get at most large book stores for any country you wish to visit. Inside each book, for example "Lonely Planet Taiwan" they will tell you about many customs and traditions in that country which will certainly gain you points if you follow them with the locals. My wife and I have traveled a lot and we buy a Lonely Planet for every country we have ever visited, and we are always pleased with the up to date information. They are all written by previous, experienced travelers to each of the countries represented. Once you make some friends from that culture, you can always ask them more info about such things. Great question!

Answer 5

A couple years ago, my friends and I (we're American) accidentally offended a group of visiting Germans and Italians by standing "too far away" from them and speaking "too loudly" during a conversation. We Americans didn't even realize we had upset them until one of the Europeans spoke to our group leader privately and asked why our group was being so rude and mean to them!

We later learned that most Europeans stand much closer together and speak more softly when having a conversation than Americans are used to.

Answer 6

In many parts of Asia things are done with two hands - handing over money, business cards, even menus in restaurants sometimes.  You just have to see what everyone else is doing.  

In Thailand, even in the supermarket, the checkout person will 'wah' you - where she/he puts their hands together in a praying motion and they boy their head towards you - it's polite to do the same back.

Also in some countries where they don't use cutlery to eat, it is rude to eat using your left hand (as that's the hand they use to wash themselves when using the toilet - some places don't use toilet paper, they just use water).

But wherever you go, there'll be a guidebook available which will tell you all this stuff - I'd recommend Lonely Planet or Rough Guide for next time you travel as they're quite in-depth.