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(#7) Showing Your Soles
In many Middle Eastern countries, showing the soles of your feet or shoes is offensive. The feet are considered to be the "lowest" part of the body, so displaying your soles is a huge no-no.
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(#14) Eating in Public
Americans don't think twice about having a snack outside. Walking down the sidewalk with an ice cream cone or enjoying a piece of fruit on the subway is a way of life. But in Japan, eating anywhere that's not a restaurant (or your home) is seen as extremely weird and impolite. Keep the snack packs stowed safely out of sight.
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(#11) Sitting in the Back of a Taxi
In Australia, make sure you hop in the front seat of a taxi if you're the only passenger. Australian cabbies will think you're stuck up if you get in the back.
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(#4) Crossing Your Fingers
Americans often cross their fingers in lieu of saying "I hope so!" It's a sign of good luck. But in Vietnam, crossing one's finger's is a crass gesture that refers to a woman's private parts. Maybe just stick to your lucky rabbit's foot while abroad.
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(#16) Talking About Mental Health
Americans speak freely about the advice dispensed by their therapists. In some circles, it's even seen as the mark of a liberated and mature mind to meet with a mental health professional regularly. But in the UK, talking about one's therapist is considered a huge overshare. Stick to the weather.
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(#8) Touching Someone's Head
You might not have cause to touch many heads while traveling, but be careful. Even an act as innocent as patting a cute child on his head is considered taboo in countries like Sri Lanka, Thailand, and China. Buddhist cultures see the head as the most sacred part of the body - to touch it uninvited is a major social intrusion.
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About This Tool
When traveling in a foreign country, all of us should note that not all American habits and phrases can be accepted by foreigners, and some are considered rude behaviors, you may get into trouble or maybe expelled sometimes. Due to differences in culture, even if the language is accurate, misunderstandings will occur. For different people and occasions, the same word or the same expression can have different meanings.
Cultures and languages are diverse, getting to know each other is not an easy task, and communication between different cultures often encounters difficulties. It is necessary for us to know some American habits and phrases which are rude in other countries.
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