50 Foreign Faux Pas (Infographic)

Posted on Sep 20 2013 - 10:32am by Alexandra Ashton

With the world now our oyster, more and more people are travelling for business or pleasure, and in order to enjoy these trips it is very important to understand how to avoid any unpleasant misunderstandings. What may seem to be a harmless gesture in one country can be deemed an insult in another? While some faux pas may just leave you feeling embarrassed, others may leave a more permanent scar on both your body and your wallet!

Smuggle cigarettes into Bhutan and you could be looking at a 3 year jail sentence. Insult the King in Thailand and your holiday could be extended by 10 years, to be spent in a prison that bears no resemblance to your comfortable hotel. Public kissing in Saudi Arabia is not just frowned upon, it could also leave you with the imprint of 120 lashes on your body, which would definitely put a dampener on your sunbathing!

The beautifully clean and well-maintained public spaces in Singapore make quite an impression on visitors. In order to ensure these places are kept that way there are laws such as the well-publicized ban on chewing gum, which was implemented in Singapore in 1992.   Be prepared for a hefty fine of $5,500 if you try and take some into the country. Similarly, do not take jars of Marmite into Denmark. Because the vitamin B12 was added to the list of ingredients, Danish authorities must give their approval for products with such additives as they need to be assessed for any potential dangers.

By following the sensible advice in our infographic you should be able to avoid some of the common faux pas many tourists make every year, and have a pleasant and enjoyable stay in a country whose customs could be very different to your own.

50-foreign-faux-pas

About the Author

Alexandra Ashton, Communications at Neomam Studios , the UK based Infographic Agency. Alexandra is a content and design enthusiast with a keen eye for detail.