Everyday Customs That Can Surprise International Travelers
One of the best parts of international travel is experiencing a culture that's different from your own. But sometimes the smallest everyday habits are the ones that surprise us most.
Something that's completely normal at home—how you eat, greet someone, dress, use public transportation or even throw away your trash—may be handled very differently somewhere else.
You don't need to memorize every custom before you travel. You simply need to remember that your normal may not be the local normal.
🍽️ Eating & Drinking
Where, when and how people eat can vary considerably by culture. Eating while walking, eating on public transportation, drinking alcohol in public and even table manners may be viewed differently than they are at home.
Pay attention to what people around you are doing, and check destination-specific etiquette before your trip.
🚆 Public Transportation Etiquette
Trains, subways and buses often have their own unwritten—and sometimes written—rules. These can include where to stand while waiting, letting passengers exit before boarding, keeping conversations quiet, avoiding phone calls, observing priority seating and knowing whether food is appropriate onboard.
Watch signs on platforms and inside vehicles. They may identify priority areas, quiet zones, reserved seating or cars with special restrictions.
🇯🇵 For Example: Japan
Japan is a great example of how a few small cultural differences can surprise a visitor.
- Eating while walking: It is generally better to step aside and enjoy food rather than eating as you walk through a crowded public area.
- Trash: Public trash receptacles can be difficult to find. Carrying a small plastic bag in your day bag gives you somewhere to keep wrappers and other rubbish until you find an appropriate place to dispose of it.
- Trains: Quiet behavior is appreciated. Phone calls are generally discouraged on ordinary commuter trains, passengers line up where indicated and people exiting the train are allowed off before others board.
- Women-only cars: Some Japanese railways designate certain train cars for women during specified operating periods. Watch the platform and train signs rather than assuming every car is available to everyone at all times.
- Shoes: There are situations where shoes are removed before entering, so watch for cues and follow the host or establishment's instructions.
- Tipping: Japan generally does not follow American-style tipping customs. See our separate tipping resource for more information.
👕 Clothing & Religious Sites
Dress standards vary widely. Religious sites and culturally conservative destinations may expect shoulders, knees or other areas to be covered, even when shorts or sleeveless clothing are perfectly acceptable elsewhere in the same city.
A lightweight scarf or wrap in your day bag can be useful when visiting churches, temples, mosques and other sacred places.
👋 Greetings, Gestures & Personal Space
A handshake, bow, cheek kiss or other greeting may be customary depending on where you are. Personal space and acceptable physical contact can also differ.
Be cautious with hand gestures, too. A gesture that seems harmless or friendly in the United States may have a very different meaning elsewhere.
📷 Photography
Don't assume that anything you can see is automatically appropriate to photograph. Religious sites, ceremonies, museums, government facilities, military locations and local people may have restrictions or expectations about photography.
Look for posted signs and ask permission when photographing people, especially when you're unsure.
🔊 Volume & Public Behavior
Ideas about appropriate noise levels, public affection, queuing, cell phone use and behavior in shared spaces vary by culture.
When you're unsure, observing local residents for a few minutes can tell you a lot.
A good traveler doesn't have to know everything—but knows when to observe.
💰 Tipping Isn't Universal
American travelers are accustomed to tipping in many situations, but tipping customs vary dramatically around the world. In some places it's expected, in others a smaller amount is customary, and elsewhere tipping may be unnecessary or unusual.
See Resource #11: To Tip or Not to Tip? for our detailed guide.
⚖️ Customs vs. Laws
There's an important difference between accidentally committing a cultural faux pas and breaking a local law.
Some destinations have laws involving clothing, photography, speech, medications, alcohol, religious items and other behavior that may differ significantly from U.S. laws. The U.S. Department of State recommends reviewing the Local Laws and Customs information for your destination before traveling.
⚠️ Local Laws Apply to Visitors, Too
Being unfamiliar with a country's law doesn't exempt a traveler from it. Always check official destination information before departure, particularly for restrictions that could have legal consequences.
🔍 Do a 10-Minute Culture Check
Before leaving home, search the official tourism website for your destination and look for information about:
- Dining & tipping
- Public transportation
- Dress expectations
- Religious sites
- Greetings & gestures
- Photography rules
- Public behavior
- Local laws & customs
❤️ You're a Guest in Someone Else's Home
Learning local customs isn't about being afraid of making a mistake. Most people understand that visitors won't know every tradition.
It's about curiosity, courtesy and making an effort to respect the place you've traveled so far to experience.
When in Rome... take a moment to learn what the Romans do.