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.

20 rules found

Cultural sensitivitiesDressPlace-specific guidance · Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka: cover legs and shoulders and remove shoes and hats at Buddhist temples

Do

  • Cover your legs and shoulders, and take off your shoes and hat before entering a shrine

Don’t

  • Nude or topless sunbathing

At Buddhist temples you must cover your legs and shoulders and remove shoes and hats, or you will offend worshippers; nude or topless sunbathing is not allowed.

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

Cultural sensitivitiesTemples & religious sitesPlace-specific guidance · Nepal

Nepal: temple etiquette

Do

  • Wear clothes that cover your knees and shoulders in temples
  • Take off your shoes when asked

Don’t

  • Wearing shorts or a vest at holy sites
  • Entering areas reserved for Hindus

It offends worshippers; some areas of Hindu temples are closed to non-Hindus.

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

Cultural sensitivitiesPhotos & dronesPlace-specific guidance · Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan: check before you take photos

Do

  • Ask before taking photos near airports, border posts, military bases, bridges, police stations and metro stations

Don’t

  • Photographing government buildings

It may annoy the authorities; posting content on social media that disrespects the flag, food or customs can lead to fines or detention.

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

Cultural sensitivitiesEveryday mannersPlace-specific guidance · Morocco

Morocco: during Ramadan, don't eat or drink in public by day

Do

  • Check opening hours during Ramadan
  • Dress according to local custom

Don’t

  • Eating, drinking, smoking, chewing gum or swearing in public during the day

It offends people who are fasting.

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

Cultural sensitivitiesDressPlace-specific guidance · Egypt

Egypt: dress modestly and avoid public displays of affection

Do

  • Dress conservatively in villages, mosques and markets

Don’t

  • Kissing or hugging in public (holding hands is usually fine)

Behaviour accepted in resorts may be seen as offensive elsewhere.

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

Cultural sensitivitiesEveryday mannersPlace-specific guidance · Türkiye

Türkiye: during Ramadan, don't eat or drink in public by day

Do

  • During Ramadan, check shop opening hours and be patient with people who are fasting

Don’t

  • Eating, drinking, smoking or chewing gum in public during the day (including in a car)
  • Playing loud music, dancing or swearing

It offends people who are fasting.

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

Cultural sensitivitiesDressPlace-specific guidance · Türkiye

Türkiye: dress properly in mosques

Do

  • Cover shoulders and knees; women cover their hair
  • Ask permission before photographing people

Don’t

  • Wearing shorts or a vest in a mosque or holy site

It offends local people; inappropriate dress is more likely to cause offence during Ramadan.

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

Cultural sensitivitiesSafetyPlace-specific guidance · Canada

Canada: keep your distance from wildlife in national parks

Do

  • Follow park rules
  • Take all rubbish and food with you so you don't attract animals

Don’t

  • Approaching wildlife, including marine animals and birds

Keeping a safe distance is a basic park rule.

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

Cultural sensitivitiesDressPlace-specific guidance · Cambodia

Cambodia: cover shoulders and knees at Angkor Wat and other religious sites

Do

  • Cover your shoulders and wear trousers or a skirt below the knee

Don’t

  • Wearing shorts or a skirt above the knee

You may be refused entry to Angkor Wat and other religious sites.

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

Cultural sensitivitiesPublic transportPlace-specific guidance · Netherlands

Netherlands: cycle paths are not footpaths

Do

  • Before crossing, look for bicycles and e-bikes first — they have priority over cars
  • Use pedestrian crossings

Don’t

  • 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

Cultural sensitivitiesDressPlace-specific guidance · Vatican City

The Vatican and churches: cover shoulders and knees and keep quiet

Do

  • Wear a sleeved top and something below the knee, and carry a scarf just in case
  • Take off your hat and keep quiet indoors

Don’t

  • Entering St Peter's Basilica in a sleeveless top, shorts or a miniskirt

You will be turned away at the entrance.

Not yet verifiedSource: Vatican dress code (travel guide)

Cultural sensitivitiesEveryday mannersPlace-specific guidance · Malaysia

Malaysia: pass things and eat with your right hand

Do

  • Use your right hand to eat with your fingers, to pass and receive things, and to shake hands
  • To point the way, make a loose fist and point with your right thumb

Don’t

  • Pointing at people or things with your index finger

Not illegal, but seen as rude.

Not yet verifiedSource: Tourism Malaysia: travel guide

Cultural sensitivitiesDressPlace-specific guidance · Thailand

Temples and the Grand Palace: cover shoulders and knees

Do

  • Wear sleeved tops and long trousers or skirts below the knee
  • Take off your shoes before entering a hall
  • When seated, don't point the soles of your feet at a Buddha image

Don’t

  • Entering in a vest, shorts or see-through clothes
  • Covering a sleeveless top only with a shawl may not be accepted at the Grand Palace

You will be refused entry and will need to rent or buy a sarong at the gate.

Not yet verifiedSource: Grand Palace dress code and visiting rules (travel guide)

Cultural sensitivitiesHot springsPlace-specific guidance · Japan

If you have tattoos, check the rules before using a hot spring

Do

  • Before you go, email the facility to ask about its rules
  • Small to medium tattoos can be covered with skin-coloured patches (some onsen sell them)
  • Choose a tattoo-friendly onsen, or book a private bath (kashikiri-buro) in advance

Don’t

  • Ignoring 'no tattoos' signs and getting in anyway

Most onsen do not allow guests with tattoos to bathe, but rules vary by facility and are often more relaxed for foreign visitors.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: JNTO: tattoo rules and etiquette at onsen

Cultural sensitivitiesHot springsPlace-specific guidance · Japan

Wash your body thoroughly before getting into a hot spring

Do

  • Before getting in, sit on the small stool in the washing area and wash your whole body with the shower or a bucket, leaving no soap
  • Leave your small towel at the edge of the bath or fold it on your head

Don’t

  • Getting into the bath without rinsing first
  • Dipping your towel in the bath water
  • Leaving a used towel in the washing area

Not illegal, but other guests and the staff will see it as very rude. Most onsen require you to be fully naked in the bathing area.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: JNTO: a beginner's guide to onsen