Etiquette & taboos

Normas y tabúes

Dedique cinco minutos a leer esto antes de viajar. Clasificamos las normas locales en tres niveles: líneas rojas, que son ilegales o pueden hacer que le nieguen la entrada; tabúes, que no son ilegales pero ofenden con facilidad; y buenos modales para adaptarse a las costumbres. Cada norma tiene su fuente e indica si está verificada.

Línea rojaIlegal o puede hacer que le nieguen la entrada · 85 normas TabúNo es ilegal, pero ofende con facilidad · 23 normas Buenos modalesAdáptese a las costumbres y ganará una sonrisa · 5 normas

Línea rojaTransporte públicoUnited Arab Emirates

UAE: cross the road only at pedestrian crossings

Cross at designated pedestrian crossings and watch for traffic

Jaywalking

Illegal; you can be fined or even jailed. Even at zebra crossings, cars often don't stop.

Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: GOV.UK: United Arab Emirates travel advice

Línea rojaTransporte públicoUnited 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.

Sin verificarFuente: Wikipedia: Oyster card

Línea rojaTransporte públicoItaly

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.

Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: GOV.UK: Italy travel advice

TabúTransporte públicoNetherlands

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.

Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: GOV.UK: Netherlands travel advice

TabúTransporte públicoJapan

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.

Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: JNTO: Japanese etiquette

Buenos modalesTransporte públicoUnited 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'.

Sin verificarFuente: Wikipedia: London Underground