A respectful traveller researches the local norms. Use these prompts to guide what to find out.
Questions to research before you go
▸ Greetings — handshake, bow, cheek kiss, or something else?
▸ Tipping — expected, optional, or considered rude?
▸ Dress code — especially for religious sites and rural areas
▸ Dining manners — utensils, sharing, finishing your plate, who pays
▸ Gestures to avoid — common signs can be offensive elsewhere
▸ Shoes — removed before entering homes or temples?
▸ Photography — when to ask permission, what not to photograph
▸ Religious customs — holy days, prayer times, sacred spaces
▸ Personal space & touch — norms around closeness and contact
▸ Topics to avoid — politics, religion and other sensitive subjects
Norms vary within countries too. When unsure, observe locals and follow their lead.