Impolite Things That Should Not be Done in Australia, Asia, and Africa

Shaking hands with left hands is treated as an insult in Arab countries.  Don’t display your soles of feet or touch somebody with your shoes when you are in Arab countries as it is considered rude there.

The Thumbs up gesture is an offensive insult in Iraq and Bangladesh.

In China, the person who is the oldest should always be served first at dinner table, or the guest is served first if you are unsure of the age. One should not pour his own drink at parties as it is impolite. Instead he should pour a companion’s drink and in turn companion will pour his drink.

Never gift a green-colored head wear to a married man as it means his wife in unfaithful, hence it is treated as an insult for the couple in China.

Entering the puja room (where the idols of Gods and Goddess are kept) with shoes is impolite in India. This is common in almost all Asian countries. If you touch any objects like books, currency, paper etc. with your feet you should touch the object with your right hand and place it on your eyes. Otherwise it is considered as disrespect.

Making payments or accepting goods especially edibles with the left hand is considered impolite. Instead right hand or both the hands should be used. Never give a gift with price tag as it is inappropriate in India.  Gifts should not be opened in front of the person who has given it. It is considered as disrespect if you call the older people with their names. Instead you can call them with their names adding aunt or uncle.

You should take the gift only if offered multiple times and at first you have to decline it, otherwise it is inappropriate in Japan. Also you should not open it in front of the giver.

While greeting you should bow lower than the other person who is older than you or has a higher social status, otherwise it is an insult in Japan. Tipping is rude.

Don’t wear red dress in funerals when you are in Philippines as it is a rude thing there. Don’t refuse an offer of hospitality particularly if you are guest in someone’s home and don’t cup your chin with your hands at the dinner table as these are considered rude things.  Coming to party with empty hands and not offering seats to physically challenged, elderly people, women and pregnant in public transports are also rude.