Impolite Things That Should Not be Done in North and South America

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While listening to someone look directly in the eyes of speaker, otherwise it is treated as evasive in USA. When sneezing or coughing you should cover your mouth and nose, if not so it is treated as impolite.  You should not get the attention of waiters, servers or store workers in Restaurants or stores with gestures or by snapping fingers as it is considered offensive.

In the USA giving cash as gift is impolite except to close family members. Gift certificates are appropriate instead. However cash is accepted for wedding occasions by people closer than acquaintances. It is rude to stand within an arm’s length of another person in queues except in crowded situations. Calling a Southern person a “Yankee” is an insult. Mentioning someone’s weight or asking about the appearance is impolite.

Except close friends, relatives or people with same status, no one should ask Canadians how much money they make, how much rent do they pay or how many large possessions like car and house they own and their cost. This is also considered rude in the USA.

It is impolite to toss objects to people instead of directly handing over to them in Latin America. The American “come here” gesture of palm upwards with the fingers curled back is considered a romantic request.

Don’t call the women using the courtesy title Mrs. (Señora i.e. married woman) when you are not aware of her marital status in Mexico as they think of it as losing virginity. Instead use the courtesy title Miss (Señorita i.e. virgin woman). Señora is used only for married women. It is rude to talk about sex or bodily functions openly.

Opening a door for women, lighting cigarettes and helping them to their seat are polite in Mexico.  Don’t eat all of a food in your plate as it indicates that you want a second portion of that item, rather leave just a few bites indicating that you have finished. Several kinds of food are eaten with the fingers and it is snobbish to eat them with fork and knife.

Flashing the American “OK” gesture is inappropriate in Brazil as it refers to the anus. It is rude to say “please” with too much emphasis as it is used to demonstrate frustration. It is also rude not to say hello or goodbye. While offering something especially food you should offer thrice. Otherwise it is considered rude.

Kissing is common for greeting in Brazil. The number of kisses may vary depending on the place where you are. It is more polite than kissing for a man to shake hand with a woman for the first time or if the husband or any other important people are present. In rural areas it is rude to knock the door of a house or apartment. Instead you should stand in the yard and clap your hands. If no one comes then you may knock the door and step back away from the door and await a response.

It is impolite to pour the wine with the left hand in Chile.

Before taking a photograph you should ask permission and tip may be given for that in Ecuador. Beachwear should be worn only at beaches.

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Knocking softly on someone’s front door is impolite in Nicaragua as one cannot hear the sound. It is rude to refuse a drink on a hot day or to not praise the host for the quality of the meal.

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Considering overall, many impolite things are common in most of the places. Those are: Pointing the index fingers at someone, beginning eating before others are served, leaving the table while others are still eating, without knocking the closed door, making phone calls after 10 pm without prior appointment, asking an unfamiliar woman her age, and enquiring about financial position or religious beliefs.

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