Cultural etiquette by country: Japan, France, the UK, Germany, India, China, Mexico and the UAE

The fastest way to make a good impression abroad is to show that you made an effort. Nobody expects visitors to master every custom, and in many places, as Japan’s tourism board puts it, a guest is more likely to be bowed at than expected to bow. But knowing the basics of greeting, eating, gift-giving and dressing spares you and your hosts awkward moments, and a few customs are actually written into law.

This guide draws on official tourism boards and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s country-by-country travel advice. Every country contains enormous regional, generational and personal variation. Treat what follows as a starting point, and take your cues from the people around you.

At a glance

Japan

Greetings. Bowing is the traditional greeting, but visitors aren’t expected to have perfected it. A polite nod and a smile are fine, and Japan’s tourism board notes that guests will more likely be bowed at rather than expected to bow.

Shoes and bathing. At some attractions, restaurants and traditional inns you’ll be asked to take off your shoes. Look for a step up at the entrance or a rack of slippers. At hot springs (onsen), wash and rinse thoroughly before getting in, and don’t wear clothing or swimwear in the bath. Some pools, hot springs, beaches and gyms don’t admit people with tattoos, so check ahead.

Dining. Don’t stick chopsticks upright into food, especially rice, and don’t pass food directly from chopsticks to chopsticks. Put it on a plate instead. Slurping noodles, on the other hand, is an accepted exception to the usual expectation of quiet eating.

Public behavior. On trains people keep their voices down and avoid phone calls. Public bins can be scarce, so plan to carry your trash with you. Smoking on Tokyo’s streets outside designated areas is illegal, and you must carry your passport or residence card at all times.

Tipping. It’s not common to tip in bars, cafés, restaurants, taxis or hotels. If you want to thank someone for exceptional service, do it discreetly, with the money in an envelope.

France

Greetings. A clear “Bonjour” on entering a shop or café, and “Au revoir” on leaving, is a basic courtesy. Opening with the greeting before your question changes the whole tone of an exchange.

Dining and tipping. According to the official France tourism site, almost all restaurants include tax and a 15% service charge (service compris) in their prices. If a meal was particularly good, leaving another 2–3%, or your small change, is customary. Where the menu says service non compris, a 15% tip is appropriate.

Laws. Covering your face in public is illegal and can bring a fine of up to €150, and you must be able to prove your identity if police ask.

Planning tip. France and Germany are both in the Schengen Area, where non-EU visitors are commonly limited to 90 days in any 180. If you’re stringing several European trips together, the free Schengen 90/180 calculator shows how many days you have left.

United Kingdom

Tipping. VisitBritain says plainly that tipping is not expected in Britain the way it is in some other countries. Rounding a taxi fare up to the nearest pound is customary, a hotel porter might receive about £2, and around 10% is a safe amount when you’re unsure.

Pubs. Tipping at the bar isn’t expected; table-service pubs may add a service charge. In a group, people often buy in “rounds”: one person buys drinks for everyone, and the next person gets the following round. Joining a round and then slipping off before your turn is a classic faux pas.

Everyday courtesy. “Please,” “thank you” and “sorry” are used generously, and waiting your turn in line is taken seriously. Understatement is common; a mild-sounding complaint may be more serious than it seems.

Germany

Punctuality. Germany’s official information portal is blunt: Germans are extremely punctual, and even a few minutes’ delay can offend. Be on time, and call if you’re running late.

Greetings. It’s polite to say “Guten Tag” when you enter a small shop or a waiting room and “Auf Wiedersehen” when you leave, acknowledging everyone present.

Visiting a home. Bring flowers if you’re invited to a German home, and remove the wrapping paper just before you go in. When drinks are poured, the host typically leads the toast, “Prost” or “Zum Wohl”, and guests clink glasses before drinking.

Recycling. Germans separate household waste carefully. Putting glass or paper in the wrong bin is a quick way to annoy neighbors. Smoking is banned in public buildings and on public transport, including stops and stations.

Tipping. Visit Berlin notes that tips and VAT are already included in all prices, but it’s usual to add about 10% for taxis and 10–15% in restaurants. Porters receive €2–3 per bag.

India

Greetings. A namaste, palms pressed together with a slight nod, is widely used and works in almost any setting. Many urban professionals also shake hands. Follow the lead of the person you’re meeting.

Religious sites. At sacred places, expect to remove your shoes and sometimes to cover your head. At Amritsar’s Golden Temple, for example, the official tourism site notes that you hand in your shoes and cover your head; carry a scarf or use one provided. UK travel advice asks visitors to respect local dress codes and customs, particularly at religious sites and in rural areas.

Laws. Alcohol is illegal in several states and territories, including Bihar, Gujarat, Mizoram, Nagaland and Lakshadweep. Drinking in public places is illegal throughout India, and sales are often suspended during festivals and elections. Vapes are banned, smoking is illegal in most public places, and public displays of affection may attract unwanted attention.

Tipping. Customs vary widely by city and type of establishment. Check whether a service charge appears on the bill and ask locally.

China

Greetings. Beijing’s official tourism site says a handshake is the most common greeting. Stand when you’re introduced, and greet the most senior or eldest person first. Avoid back-slaps, hugs or arms around shoulders with people you don’t know well. Punctuality is valued.

Gifts. Present and receive gifts, business cards and other items with both hands. Avoid clocks and anything associated with the number four, both of which are associated with funerals and death. A green hat is also a well-known gift to avoid. Gifts are often opened later rather than in front of the giver. For more on choosing and presenting gifts, see our gift etiquette guide.

Dining. At a formal banquet, it’s polite to sample every dish and to leave a little food on your plate at the end, a sign that the host was generous. When a toast is proposed, tapping the table twice is a common gesture, and people stand for a more formal toast. As in Japan, don’t stand chopsticks upright in rice.

Laws. UK travel advice says to always carry your passport; police don’t accept printed copies. Be cautious about photography near sensitive sites.

Mexico

Tipping. Mexico’s official tourism site says it is customary to tip 10–15% in restaurants, bars and at street stands, with a few coins for porters, taxi drivers and housekeeping staff.

Shopping. Bargaining is acceptable for larger purchases at markets but not in shops with marked prices.

Greetings. A handshake is a safe default when meeting someone, and a friendly greeting as you enter a shop or office sets a warm tone. Follow your host’s lead on anything more familiar.

Laws. Importing or buying vapes and e-cigarettes is illegal, and smoking or vaping in public places can bring a fine. Visitors should carry their original passport and entry stamp, since copies aren’t accepted.

United Arab Emirates

Dress. UK travel advice says women should cover shoulders and knees and that visitors should avoid transparent clothing and wear swimwear only at beaches and pools. Dress more conservatively still for mosques.

Behavior. Swearing and rude gestures are illegal, including online, and you can be arrested for kissing in public. Being drunk in public is illegal, the legal drinking age is 21, and alcohol is banned in Sharjah. Don’t photograph people without their permission.

Ramadan. During the holy month, eating, drinking, smoking or chewing gum in public during daylight hours, loud music and dancing may cause offense. Visitors aren’t expected to fast, but discretion is a courtesy.

Tipping. Check your bill for an included service charge and ask locally.

Universal courtesies that travel anywhere

• Learn five words in the local language: hello, please, thank you, excuse me, goodbye.
• Greet before you ask. In shops, taxis and hotels, open with a greeting before your request.
• Dress for the place, not the weather when visiting religious sites. Carry a light scarf or cover-up.
• Ask before photographing people, and respect a no.
• Read the official advice. Government travel pages list the local laws that affect visitors, from ID rules to banned items.
• Watch, then follow. When unsure, copy what locals do, quietly.

Getting there is part of the trip: brush up on airplane etiquette, and see our country table for tipping abroad.