A cultural travel guide to the world

Etiquette & taboos

Etiquette & taboos

Take five minutes to read this before you go. We sort local rules into three levels: red lines that are illegal or can get you refused entry, taboos that are legal but easily offend locals, and good manners that show respect. Every rule has a source and is marked as verified or not.

Red lineIllegal, or can get you refused entry · 85 rulesTabooNot illegal, but easily offends locals · 23 rulesGood mannersRespect local ways and earn a smile · 5 rules

Red linePublic transportUnited Kingdom

London Underground: tap in and tap out

  • Tap your Oyster card or bank card on the yellow reader both on entry and exit, even if the gates are open
  • At interchange stations with mid-route readers, tap as instructed
  • Tapping in but not out, or not tapping before boarding

If you miss a tap you are charged the maximum fare; if an inspector finds you travelling without tapping, you may be fined or prosecuted.

Not yet verifiedSource: Wikipedia: Oyster card

Red linePublic transportItaly

Italy: validate your ticket before boarding

  • Validate your ticket in the machine before using public transport
  • Travelling with an unvalidated ticket

Inspectors will fine you on the spot.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Italy travel advice

TabooPublic transportNetherlands

Netherlands: cycle paths are not footpaths

  • Before crossing, look for bicycles and e-bikes first — they have priority over cars
  • Use pedestrian crossings
  • Standing or walking on a cycle path

Traffic on cycle paths is fast; crossing outside a pedestrian crossing can bring a fine.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Netherlands travel advice

TabooPublic transportJapan

No phone calls on trains and the shinkansen; queue to board

  • Put your phone on silent; on the shinkansen, take calls in the area between carriages
  • Queue at the marked spots on either side of the train door, and let people off before you get on
  • Give priority seats to older people, pregnant women and passengers with limited mobility
  • Talking on the phone or playing sound aloud in the train

Not illegal, but you will get looks and a reminder from the conductor.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: JNTO: Japanese etiquette

Good mannersPublic transportUnited Kingdom

London Underground escalators: stand on the right

  • Stand on the right on Underground escalators and leave the left for people in a hurry
  • Standing still side by side on the left of the escalator

There is no penalty, but you block people behind you. The habit dates back to 1921, when Underground announcements first told passengers to 'stand on the right'.

Not yet verifiedSource: Wikipedia: London Underground