Member Article

Alok Bhartia Presents Ten Commandments of Travelling every Wayfarer Should Follow

The world is bizarre. Every country has a moral code that forbids you from doing that one thing that is so routine back home. Some of them might even get you jail time. To help you avoid such problems, Alok Bhartia climbed up Mt Sinai to bring you the ten commandments of staying safe during your travels in other countries. Make sure you’re not dancing around a golden calf when Alok Bhartia climbs down Mt Sinai.

• You have heard of this one. If you are woman traveling in UAE, wear a headscarf. Not doing so might invite a lot of lewd stares and the ire of Emiratis who think you are not respecting their culture.

• In Sweden, avoid looking people in the eye or smiling at them if you do not know them personally. It makes things awkward since it signals that you know them intimately.

• You won’t find the metric system in the United States, Myanmar, and Liberia. According to Alok Bhartia, it is better to learn about their measurement system before the excursion.

• In Thailand, showing the sole of your feet or touching someone is head is a mark of disrespect.

• When gifting flowers to a friend in Ukraine or Russia, the bouquet should have an odd number of flowers. An even number of flowers are used in funerals.

• Do not tip the waiters in Japan. It is considered very rude.

• Putting your hands in your pockets during a conversation is considered impolite in many countries, especially in Germany and Austria.

• Asking for directions in France will have mostly have people shrug at you in ignorance.

• The ‘Ok’ signal made by folding your index finger to the thumb is considered really offensive in Turkey and Greece. It translates to ‘homosexual’ whoever you are giving it to.

• Alok Bhartia advises travelers to be a good Samaritan in Singapore and never litter, spit or chew gum in public. Doing so will get you heavily fined.
Want to add another point to this list? Let us know in the comments!

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by sophia .