Fascinating map reveals the world’s most surprising etiquette practices, from the UK to the US

Before you go on holiday, make sure you know the etiquette of the destination you’re traveling to, whether it’s passing the harbor on the left in the UK, tipping all the time in the US and pretending to spit on a bride in Greece.

To help you navigate these cultural nuances, a fascinating reworked world map has been created to reveal quirky and curious etiquette practices around the world.

On the map – generated using Google search data – country names have been supplemented with the most unique habits of their inhabitants. When conducting the research, Remittablea digital financial service for immigrants, identified etiquette tips by looking at Google search results for “etiquette in country” or “types of etiquette in country” in 165 countries worldwide.

While a dazzling plethora of etiquette practices were discovered, several themes emerged regularly, such as the procedures and customs surrounding food and dining.

Overall, the study found that table manners vary widely from country to country. Remitly touches on the tradition of passing a carafe of Port to the left in the UK, noting that if someone takes too long to pass it, they are asked, “Do you know the Bishop of Norwich?” This is a nudge to hand over the drink as the Bishop of Norwich was known for his inability to hold his drink and often fell asleep with the carafe in front of him.

When it comes to how food is consumed around the world, Mexicans think tacos should always be eaten with hands, while in Norway it’s considered rude to eat food without cutlery, the survey found.

Italians consider parmesan on pizza a faux pas, while in France a martini or scotch for dinner is not recommended, as they are believed to have “palate-numbing” properties.

The Chinese have another interesting food tradition: they will never flip a fish on a plate because of its association with bad luck. While belching is considered rude in some countries, in Iceland and Senegal it is seen as a compliment to the chef. The same goes for slurping food, which is common in Japan and seen as a way of expressing gratitude for the meal.

On the map – generated using Google search data – country names have been supplemented with the most unique habits of their inhabitants

In conducting the research, Remitly, a digital financial services company for immigrants, identified etiquette tips by looking at Google search results for “etiquette in the country” or “types of etiquette in the country” in 165 countries worldwide

If you look at foodie habits in Australia, don’t say ‘I’m full’ when you’re done eating unless you want people to think you’re pregnant.

Punctuality and timekeeping were themes that recurred time and time again in the survey. Certain countries favor a lax approach to timekeeping, the study found, with “arriving fashionably late” being common practice in Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Kenya and Uruguay.

However, the opposite is true in Poland, Singapore and Sweden, where being late is considered rude and strict timekeeping is enforced.

How we treat our elders was another popular theme. While most cultures strive to show respect for the elderly, the research found that the way this is done varies widely from country to country.

Greeting the elderly first is common etiquette in Angola, Botswana and Lebanon. And in Vietnam, the eldest eats first at dinner.

In Guinea, eye contact with the elderly is avoided, while in Nepal, the elderly are treated with more formality than people of average age.

Another important theme was hand gestures and their meaning. “Based on the variety of perceived meanings found in the study, hand gestures can be easily misinterpreted,” says Remitly.

Pointing at someone is considered rude in Ecuador, Nicaragua, Indonesia and Malaysia, among others. With the first two, puckering or pouting at someone is the preferred alternative, while with the latter two, pointing with your thumb instead of your index finger is acceptable.

During the investigation, a dazzling plethora of etiquette practices came to light, such as the procedures and customs surrounding food and dining.

In Oceania, it is recommended to have a short small talk during business meetings in New Zealand and always arrive somewhere in Fiji with a gift

Another common theme was hand gestures and their meaning. “Based on the variety of perceived meanings found in the study, hand gestures can be easily misinterpreted,” says Remitly

Remitly also produced a series of regional maps to more clearly show the breakdown of results around the world.

In Europe, the study also revealed the practice of going naked in the sauna in Finland – even for business meetings. In Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia it is a tradition to give an odd number of flowers as a gift, and in Albania it is customary to tip doctors or nurses for their services. The aforementioned custom of pretending to spit on a bride in Greece is seen as a good luck charm for newly married couples.

As they moved around the world to the Middle East and Asia, notable etiquette included the expectation to do karaoke when entertaining guests in South Korea. In addition, in Brunei you are never allowed to write on someone’s business card and in Yemen you are not allowed to accept more than three cups of tea or coffee from a host.

In Africa, meanwhile, you are not allowed to collect shells in the Seychelles, and in Algeria you are not allowed to give violets as a gift – because they mean sadness.

And in Oceania it is recommended to have a short small talk during business meetings in New Zealand and always arrive somewhere in Fiji with a gift.

Remitly says, “We believe it’s important to respect the differences that each culture has, and what better way to help people do that than to share this helpful guide to provide some insight into how social norms and customs affect the all over the world differ

As for North and Central America, queues are not common in Saint Lucia and it’s best to try all the food on the table in Jamaica.

Finally, in South America, there is a Venezuelan tradition of placing a broom behind the door to indicate that you are ready for guests to leave. In Paraguay, meanwhile, never give a knife as a gift, as it symbolizes “breaking up” the relationship.

Commenting on the findings, Jago McKenzie, Business Management Director at Remitly, said: “We love to celebrate the unique diversity of different cultures and it’s fascinating how they can contrast or often complement each other. It’s intriguing to see so many food and eating-related practices, from whether or not to farm, to customs related to certain foods that are popular in specific cultures, such as never turning the fish in China.

‘We believe it’s important to respect the differences that each culture has, and what better way to help people do that than to share this handy guide to provide some insight into how social norms and customs differ around the world .’