Life

Do NOT Do These Things While Traveling Abroad

by Sara Levine

June 22, 2015

When you're traveling to another country, there's a lot of preparation that goes into it: you have to book your flight, reserve your hotel, and plan your itinerary. Not to mention, you have to learn about the culture and customs of the place you're visiting so that you don't end up offending someone, looking like an idiot, or putting yourself in danger. Someone asked Redditors around the world to share the one thing tourists shouldn't do while traveling to their country, and the answers are probably realer than anything you'd read in a guide book.

You probably already know the basics of travel, like not to talk super loud in enclosed spaces like public transportation (and if you didn't know, now you know) or not to wear white tube socks and sneakers unless you want to stick out like... well, a tourist. But if you want tips straight from the mouths of locals, check out the full Reddit thread to learn about everything from why you shouldn't keep your windows rolled down in Tijuana to what happens when you ask someone in Norway how they're doing. Even if you're not planning a trip abroad, these tips are still worth the read. At the very least, it will give you some good conversation starters for your next dinner party. So here are some behaviors to avoid while traveling in various places:

1. The UK

I assumed the OP was from London because they said "the tube," but truthfully, I think this rule applies to public transportation everywhere. Really, just don't talk to me.