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Travel Etiquette
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Travel Etiquette

  • Women eating in Japanese restaurant

    The Wet Towel Rule Tourists Need To Know Before Visiting A Restaurant In Japan

    By Brie Schmidt July 14th, 2024

    Many restaurants in Japan provide a wet towel called an oshibori to wipe your hands, but there are cultural etiquette rules to follow. Here's what they are.

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  • vape pen in seat pocket

    Here's What Can Really Happen If You Get Caught Vaping On A Plane

    By Brie Schmidt July 6th, 2024

    If you are ever tempted to sneak a puff of your vape while on a plane, think again - the repercussions can be severe, according to an experienced pilot.

    Read More
  • hikers in verdant green landscape

    Locals Of Iceland Hate When Tourists Make This Overused Joke About Their Country

    By Laura Jones July 6th, 2024

    Icelanders are known for being friendly and welcoming, but you may want to avoid making this comparison when you're exploring the country – here's why.

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  • Mass of tourists at Spanish Steps

    The Best Ways To Avoid Being What Rick Steves Calls The 'Ugly Tourist'

    By Shelly Abramovich June 29th, 2024

    According to Rick Steves, one of the worst types of travelers is the ugly tourist, which he says is like a disease. Here’s how to avoid becoming one yourself.

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  • Group of friends at a bar

    The Common Term Tourists Should Really Avoid Calling Waiters In France

    By Camila Pérez B June 29th, 2024

    You may have seen it in old movies, but using this French word to get a server's attention can actually come across as rude. Here's what to say instead.

    Read More
  • Red phone boxes central London

    Tourists Should Avoid This Common Word When Discussing London As It Confuses Locals

    By Lee Adams June 24th, 2024

    To navigate a foreign city expertly, consider researching words that might not convey the meaning you expect. There's a common one visitors to London must know.

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  • Tourist examines map on dirty street

    Waste-Sorting Rules Tourists Should Know To Be Respectful While In Italy

    By Shelly Abramovich June 24th, 2024

    Italy has a thorough system for sorting recycling and waste that even tourists must adhere to. Thankfully, it's not that complicated once you know what to do.

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  • tourist plugging their nose

    The Stinky Habit American Tourists Notice Is A Lot More Common In Europe

    By Shelly Abramovich June 22nd, 2024

    While government regulations and health effects have made this habit less common in the U.S., tourists may notice how prevalent it still is in Europe.

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  • girl on flight holding nose

    A Flight Attendant Tells Us What To Do If You're Seated Next To Someone Smelly On A Plane

    By Brie Schmidt June 22nd, 2024

    There's nothing worse than being trapped in a small space with an unpleasant smell. This flight attendant shared what you can do if your seatmate is odorous.

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  • young couple in south of France

    Ways To Avoid Being An Annoying Tourist When Visiting Europe

    By Daniel Feininger June 16th, 2024

    There are few things more annoying on vacation than encountering seriously annoying tourists, so take these easy steps to avoid becoming that stereotype.

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  • steam rising from Japanese onsen

    The Strict Hair Rule Many Tourists Visiting Japan's Onsen Bath Houses Aren't Aware Of

    By Brie Schmidt June 16th, 2024

    Visiting an onsen is a must-do when in the Land of the Rising Sun, but flouting this strict hair rule might land visitors to Japan in hot water.

    Read More
  • Woman examines Thai banknotes

    Tourists May Not Know This Common Money Practice In The US Is Very Offensive In Thailand

    By Shelly Abramovich June 14th, 2024

    While this standard practice with money is normal in the U.S., it might land tourists in hot water if they do the same thing in Thailand. Here, cash is king.

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  • Moroccan meal eating with hands

    The Unspoken Eating Rule Tourists In Morocco Should Follow In Order To Blend In

    By Lee Adams June 12th, 2024

    Moroccan food is some of the best on the planet, but the last thing you want to do is create a cultural snafu while devouring those delicious dishes.

    Read More
  • woman outdoor table eating

    The Common Request At American Restaurants That Will Drive Italian Servers Up The Wall

    By Camila Pérez B June 10th, 2024

    Italian food in America is not like food in Italy. You won't find chicken parm or butter with your bread. And you definitely don't want to make this request.

    Read More
  • Couple on roof in Santorini

    The Popular Photo Op Tourists May Want To Avoid In Santorini To Not Offend Locals

    By Shelly Abramovich June 9th, 2024

    Travel etiquette emphasizes respect for culture, locals, and social norms. But in Santorini, it seems the quest for a perfect photo trumps basic human decency.

    Read More
  • Aerial view of Rome

    The Most Horrific Things Tourists Have Done In Italy

    By Jenna Intersimone June 9th, 2024

    From mindlessly damaging historic landmarks to answering the call of nature on iconic church domes, tourists in Italy have done some horrendous things.

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  • Limoncello poured into shot glass

    Avoid Shooting This Iconic Drink While In Italy Even Though It's Served In A Shot Glass

    By Shelly Abramovich June 6th, 2024

    No trip to Italy is complete without savoring the many marvelous drinks on offer, but visitors should avoid shooting one particular famous beverage.

    Read More
  • tempura soba stall in Japan

    The Best Way To Compliment The Chef While Eating In Japan Is Seen As 'Rude' In The US

    By Brie Schmidt June 5th, 2024

    It might be considered uncouth in the U.S., but this unusual display of satisfaction is one of the best ways to compliment the work of a chef in Japan.

    Read More
  • Two diners speaking to server

    The Easy Ordering Tip Tourists In Spain Should Know To Avoid Paying For Water

    By Camila Pérez B June 3rd, 2024

    Believe it or not, ordering free drinking water in European restaurants can be tricky. Here’s how to ask for water in Spain and avoid being charged for it.

    Read More
  • Paris Haussmannian building with balconies

    The Unsettling Detail Tourists Should Know Before Using An Elevator In Paris

    By Nancy Chandler June 3rd, 2024

    Paris is chock-full of historic buildings and charming quirks. These two attributes have intertwined and created a unique elevator that bewilders tourists.

    Read More
  • a glass of iced Greek frappe

    The Iconic European Country Where Iced Coffee Lovers Won't Look Like Total Tourists

    By Lauren Goldblum May 26th, 2024

    Americans traveling abroad run the risk of looking like a tourist if they try to beat the heat with an iced coffee drink – except in this European country.

    Read More
  • TSA shoulder patch closeup

    Everything TSA Agents Immediately Notice About You

    By Daniel Feininger May 26th, 2024

    It might feel random, but there is usually a good reason why TSA agents zero in on certain travelers. Avoid these things and get ready to fly through security.

    Read More
  • Traveler tipping a hotel porter

    Should Tourists Be Tipping At Hotels In Europe? Here's What Rick Steves Says

    By Camila Pérez B May 25th, 2024

    Travelers in Europe often wonder about how, when, and whether to tip for certain services. When it comes to hotels, travel expert Rick Steves has an answer.

    Read More
  • Outdoor terrace at Madrid bar

    Is It Actually Common To Throw Olive Pits On The Floor In Spanish Bars?

    By Camila Pérez B May 23rd, 2024

    Spain has plenty of cultural dining traditions that differ from those in America. Is throwing your olive pits and napkins on the floor really one of them?

    Read More
  • woman with paper in Paris

    Why Tourists Might Want To Skip Learning A Bunch Of French Before Visiting France

    By Brie Schmidt May 21st, 2024

    Before you invest precious time and money into learning to speak French, here's why you may not actually need it during your next trip to France.

    Read More
  • Man sleeping in plane seat

    A Flight Attendant Weighs In On The Heated Debate Over Reclining Your Airplane Seat

    By Brie Schmidt May 18th, 2024

    To recline or not to recline – an age-old controversy that has divided airplane passengers. That's why we spoke exclusively to an expert to settle the debate.

    Read More
  • selfie in Paris

    The Common Thing Tourists Do In France That Makes Locals Think They're A Bit Strange

    By Amanda Morgan May 15th, 2024

    If you don't want to look like other tourists when you're visiting France, you'll want to avoid this common action ... which may prove to be difficult!

    Read More
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