Traveling the globe involves learning and adapting to cultural peculiarities one may never even knew existed. Here, HuffPost editors from around the world share their tips on what tourist faux pas you may want to avoid on your next adventure.
Let them be your guide on what NOT to do upon arriving at these popular destinations.
Because sometimes it's better (ahem, not as embarrassing) to know these things before you get there.
1. Not everyone in New York has anger management issues.
Photo by Associated Press
Okay, so New York isn't a country per se, but it's still a pretty huge tourist destination so it calls for some guidelines as well. New Yorkers aren't all a**holes (they're just in a hurry), so feel free to stop them and ask for directions and such -- a lot of them will be more than happy to help. Remember that only two extreme seasons exist here: The very, very hot and the very, very cold. Choose how you want to experience the city accordingly.
Also, pro-tip: Not everywhere that claims to have "New York's finest pizza" actually has New York's finest pizza.
2. Avoid making a "super clever" cocaine joke in Colombia.
First off, it's Colombia not Columbia. Spell it wrong and any countryman is sure to disregard you from the get-go. But also, maybe don't spark an in-depth conversation about Pablo Escobar, drug wars and guerillas. As HuffPoster and Colombian native Carolina Moreno puts it, "We're aware of our dark past but we don't need anyone -- especially foreigners -- talking about what has been going on in our country for half a century."
Colombians are very happy people, so they may still smile at you. But you can be certain your brownie points will go way down.
3. Don't ask them to pronounce "about" in Canada.
Photo by George Rose via Getty Images
They know you're just waiting for them to say "aboot" instead so you can have yourself a good laugh -- guess what, they're not amused. Fight the urge because you'll only piss people off. Also, HuffPoster and professional Canadian Ron Nurwisah would like you to know that they don't live in igloos, have polar bears for pets or say "eh" a lot.
"We are not a nation full of handsome, rugged lumberjacks. We're not all lumberjacks." Too bad.
4. Eating spaghetti with a spoon in Italy is just... NO.
Let them be your guide on what NOT to do upon arriving at these popular destinations.
Because sometimes it's better (ahem, not as embarrassing) to know these things before you get there.
1. Not everyone in New York has anger management issues.
Photo by Associated Press Okay, so New York isn't a country per se, but it's still a pretty huge tourist destination so it calls for some guidelines as well. New Yorkers aren't all a**holes (they're just in a hurry), so feel free to stop them and ask for directions and such -- a lot of them will be more than happy to help. Remember that only two extreme seasons exist here: The very, very hot and the very, very cold. Choose how you want to experience the city accordingly.
Also, pro-tip: Not everywhere that claims to have "New York's finest pizza" actually has New York's finest pizza.
2. Avoid making a "super clever" cocaine joke in Colombia.
First off, it's Colombia not Columbia. Spell it wrong and any countryman is sure to disregard you from the get-go. But also, maybe don't spark an in-depth conversation about Pablo Escobar, drug wars and guerillas. As HuffPoster and Colombian native Carolina Moreno puts it, "We're aware of our dark past but we don't need anyone -- especially foreigners -- talking about what has been going on in our country for half a century."
Colombians are very happy people, so they may still smile at you. But you can be certain your brownie points will go way down.
3. Don't ask them to pronounce "about" in Canada.
Photo by George Rose via Getty Images They know you're just waiting for them to say "aboot" instead so you can have yourself a good laugh -- guess what, they're not amused. Fight the urge because you'll only piss people off. Also, HuffPoster and professional Canadian Ron Nurwisah would like you to know that they don't live in igloos, have polar bears for pets or say "eh" a lot.
"We are not a nation full of handsome, rugged lumberjacks. We're not all lumberjacks." Too bad.
4. Eating spaghetti with a spoon in Italy is just... NO.
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