A cultural travel guide to the world

Etiquette & taboos

Etiquette & taboos

Understanding local customs is where a journey begins. Find the topics that matter to you and feel at ease wherever you go.

9 rules found

Cultural sensitivitiesDressCountry-wide guidance · Germany

Germany: Dress modestly in churches and remove your hat

Do

  • Dress respectfully; formal wear isn't needed, but avoid revealing outfits
  • Take off your hat, silence your phone and keep your voice low inside
  • Carry a light scarf or jacket to cover your shoulders when needed
  • Where a church posts its own rules at the door or online, follow them

Don’t

  • Don't wear revealing clothes such as bikini tops or very short sports shorts
  • Don't give loud commentary or take photos during a service

German churches are generally more relaxed about dress than those in southern Europe, and visitors in shorts are a common sight in Munich and Cologne. However, staff at places such as Berlin Cathedral may refuse entry to visitors in overly revealing clothing.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: Pieter on Tour: Church etiquette in Europe's sacred spaces

Cultural sensitivitiesPhotos & dronesCountry-wide guidance · France

France: Check the signs before taking photos; no flash or selfie sticks

Do

  • In permanent galleries, handheld photos for personal, non-commercial use are allowed
  • Check the signs at temporary exhibitions, which often ban all photography for copyright reasons
  • Put your camera away in rooms marked with a no-photo sign
  • Check each museum's official rules on large bags and the cloakroom

Don’t

  • Don't use flash at any time; strong light can damage old paintings and artefacts
  • Don't bring a selfie stick to the Louvre or other museums that ban them
  • Don't block paintings or walkways for long
  • Don't touch the exhibits

Security staff enforce the flash and selfie-stick bans; you will be stopped, and banned equipment may have to be checked in or left behind.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: American Friends of the Louvre: FAQ

Cultural sensitivitiesEveryday mannersCountry-wide guidance · France

France: Keep your voice down in public and never jump the queue

Do

  • Queue patiently and leave a little space in front of you
  • Speak quietly on public transport and in museums and libraries
  • Let passengers off first and don't block doors or aisles
  • Keep to the right on pavements and escalators
  • Offer your seat to older people, pregnant women and people with disabilities
  • Say Bonjour to staff when you enter a bakery or shop

Don’t

  • Don't cut in or push
  • Don't take calls or play music on speaker
  • At markets, don't pick produce yourself; let the vendor choose for you

Cutting in or being loud won't get you fined, but it is considered rude. Some guides note that queues at stations or markets can be looser; still wait your turn and don't push.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: We3Travel: 16 French etiquette tips for Paris

Cultural sensitivitiesEveryday mannersCountry-wide guidance · France

France: Say Bonjour when you enter a shop; friends greet with la bise

Do

  • Say Bonjour when you enter a shop and Au revoir when you leave
  • Friends and acquaintances greet with la bise, a light touch of cheeks
  • The number of kisses varies by region; follow the other person's lead or go with two
  • In formal business settings and first meetings, use a brief, firm handshake
  • Use vous with new acquaintances, elders and service staff; switch to tu only when invited

Don’t

  • Don't start asking a shop assistant questions without greeting them
  • Don't initiate la bise in business settings or at a first meeting
  • Don't hug strangers

Nobody will penalise you, but skipping the greeting in a shop is seen as rude, and getting la bise wrong shows you don't know local ways. Two kisses are usual in Paris and the north, three in parts of the south, and customs vary elsewhere.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: La Minute Française: Guide to la bise

Cultural sensitivitiesDressCountry-wide guidance · France

France: Dress modestly in churches and remove your hat

Do

  • Dress modestly, covering shoulders, knees and midriff
  • Take off your hat, silence your phone and keep your voice low inside
  • In summer, carry a light scarf to cover your shoulders when needed
  • Check the signs before taking photos; ask staff if unsure

Don’t

  • Don't walk in front of people who are praying
  • Don't touch statues or eat inside the church
  • Don't use flash or take photos where it is forbidden

French churches rarely check clothing at the door, but revealing outfits are seen as disrespect toward a place of worship, and some churches may require modest dress and refuse entry to those who are not. Follow the notice at the door or the church's website.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: Viator: Know before you go to Notre-Dame

Cultural sensitivitiesPhotos & dronesCountry-wide guidance · United Kingdom

UK: Check the signs before taking photos; most venues ban flash and selfie sticks

Do

  • Read the signs at the entrance and beside exhibits; rules vary by venue
  • Take photos for personal, non-commercial use only
  • Follow any separate no-photo signs at special exhibitions or for loaned works
  • Apply to the venue in advance for commercial filming, following its official procedure

Don’t

  • At the National Gallery and Westminster Abbey, don't use flash, tripods or selfie sticks
  • Don't take photos during services at Westminster Abbey or in its restricted chapels
  • Don't photograph other people, especially children, without consent
  • Don't block paintings or walkways for long, and don't touch exhibits

Staff will stop you if you break photography rules, and you may be asked to leave if you ignore them.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: Official site: National Gallery visitor photography

Cultural sensitivitiesEveryday mannersCountry-wide guidance · United Kingdom

UK: Join the back of the queue and never jump it

Do

  • Join the back of the queue: first come, first served
  • Leave a comfortable gap to the person in front
  • If unsure where the queue ends, just ask "Is this the queue?"
  • If someone pushes in, a polite word is enough; there is no need to argue

Don’t

  • Don't jump the queue
  • Don't save places for friends arriving later or wave others in ahead of you
  • Don't talk loudly while waiting

Queue-jumping is not punished, but it is seen as one of the worst breaches of British manners. People rarely confront you directly, yet the whole queue will mutter and glare.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: Explore: The unspoken UK queuing rule

Cultural sensitivitiesRestaurants & barsCountry-wide guidance · United Kingdom

UK: Order at the bar and take turns buying rounds

Do

  • Order and pay at the bar; British pubs rarely offer table service
  • In a group, take turns buying a round of drinks for everyone
  • Name the drink and size, such as a pint of lager, not just "a beer"
  • To thank the bar staff, you can add "and one for yourself" to your order

Don’t

  • Don't keep accepting drinks without ever buying a round
  • Don't dither when ordering; others are waiting behind you

Nobody will penalise you, but drinking without buying is seen as freeloading. If you leave before your turn, make sure you buy the first round next time you are out together.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: Matador Network: English pub rules

Cultural sensitivitiesDressCountry-wide guidance · United Kingdom

UK: Dress modestly in churches and remove your hat

Do

  • Dress modestly; avoid revealing tops and very short shorts or skirts
  • Take off your hat, silence your phone and keep your voice low inside
  • Dress more formally for a service, wedding or funeral than for a visit
  • Where a church posts its own rules at the door or online, follow them

Don’t

  • Don't treat the church as just a sight or talk loudly
  • Don't walk around or take photos during a service

UK churches rarely turn visitors away over clothing, and Westminster Abbey asks only for modest dress suited to a working church. Revealing clothes, or moving around and taking photos during a service, are still seen as disrespect toward a place of worship.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: Official site: Westminster Abbey FAQ