Local Customs & Etiquette

Always remove shoes when entering someone's home - this is one of Iceland's most important social customs

Greet people with a handshake and use first names - formal titles are unnecessary and can seem overly formal

Shower naked before entering public pools and hot springs - this hygiene requirement is taken very seriously

Remove shoes when entering temples, traditional buildings, and some restaurants - look for shoe racks at entrances

Bow slightly when greeting people or showing gratitude, though handshakes are also acceptable for foreigners

Don't eat while walking - finish snacks before continuing rather than eating on the go

Respect local laws strictly — penalties are severe

No PDA beyond hand-holding

Alcohol only in licensed venues

Greet with 'Grüezi' (hello) in German-speaking Lucerne - handshakes are standard even for casual introductions

Punctuality is highly valued - arrive exactly on time or a few minutes early for appointments and social invitations

Respect 'Ruhezeit' (quiet hours) after 10 PM, during lunch (12-1 PM), and all day Sundays - minimize noise during these times

Queue patiently everywhere - jumping lines is considered very rude and locals take queuing seriously

Use your right hand for greetings, passing items, and eating - the left hand is considered unclean in many cultures

Remove shoes before entering homes, temples, and mosques as a sign of respect

Swiss punctuality is paramount - arrive on time or slightly early for any appointment, dinner invitation, or scheduled activity as lateness without notice is considered disrespectful

Greet people with a firm handshake and direct eye contact; in German-speaking areas use 'Grüezi' (greetings), and maintain formal address using titles until invited to be more casual

Respect quiet hours, especially Sunday mornings and evenings after 10 PM when noise should be minimized - this includes avoiding loud conversations on public transport

Greet people formally with titles (Monsieur/Madame) and surnames until invited to use first names - Luxembourgers value politeness and formality in initial interactions

Punctuality is highly valued - arrive on time for appointments and social gatherings as being late is considered disrespectful

Tipping is optional but appreciated at 5-10% for good service, though service charges are often included in bills

Tipping is expected in restaurants (15-20%), bars, taxis, and personal services - it's considered rude to not tip for good service

Canadians are known for saying 'please', 'thank you', and 'sorry' frequently - politeness and humility are highly valued cultural traits

Remove shoes when entering someone's home unless specifically told otherwise, especially important in winter weather conditions

Dress code is strictly enforced - no swimwear, shirtless attire, or bare feet outside designated beach areas

French is the official language though English and Italian are widely spoken in tourist areas

Gambling is prohibited for Monaco citizens and residents - casinos are for tourists only

Respect for Maori culture and the dual name Piopiotahi/Milford Sound reflecting indigenous heritage and legends

Environmental conservation mindset with 'Leave No Trace' principles and protection of pristine wilderness areas

Weather acceptance and appreciation - understanding that rain creates the spectacular waterfalls and is part of the experience

Finns value punctuality highly - arrive exactly on time, not early or late, for appointments and social gatherings

Personal space and quiet behavior are important - avoid loud conversations on public transport and respect the Finnish preference for silence

Directness in communication is appreciated over small talk - Finns prefer straightforward, honest interactions without excessive pleasantries

Always greet people with a firm handshake and direct eye contact - this shows respect

Be punctual for all appointments and social meetings as Swiss culture highly values timeliness

Keep noise levels down in public spaces and on transport - Swiss prefer quiet, orderly environments

Remove shoes when entering homes, temples, traditional inns, and some restaurants - look for designated areas near entrances

Bow slightly as a greeting - a small nod is sufficient for tourists, no need for deep formal bows

Keep voices low on public transport - avoid phone calls and speak quietly to companions

Greet with a firm handshake and direct eye contact - Slovenians appreciate formal politeness initially

Address people as 'Gospa' (Madam) or 'Gospod' (Sir) until invited to use first names

Dress modestly when visiting churches - cover shoulders and knees as a sign of respect

Remove shoes when entering Norwegian homes - this is strictly observed and shows respect for cleanliness

Norwegians value personal space highly - maintain arm's length distance and avoid physical contact unless well acquainted

Punctuality is highly valued - arrive exactly on time for appointments and social gatherings

Greet with a firm handshake and direct eye contact; use formal titles (Gospod/Gospa) until invited to use first names

Slovenians value punctuality - arrive on time for appointments and social gatherings

Environmental consciousness is crucial - never litter and respect nature on hiking trails by staying on marked paths

Remove shoes when entering homes, temples, traditional restaurants, and some accommodations - look for the genkan (entrance area)

Bow slightly when greeting or thanking someone, though a simple nod is acceptable for tourists

Never tip at restaurants, taxis, or hotels as it can cause confusion or offense - excellent service is standard

Greet people with a handshake; close friends may exchange a kiss on the right cheek

Show respect when visiting moai sites - never touch the statues as this is illegal and culturally offensive

Refer to the island as 'Rapa Nui' rather than 'Easter Island' to show cultural sensitivity

Greet with a single kiss on the right cheek when meeting friends and acquaintances

Sharing mate (traditional tea) is a important social custom - accept if offered

Arrive 30-40 minutes late to social gatherings - punctuality is considered rude

Remove shoes when entering Finnish homes - this is essential etiquette

Finns value punctuality highly - arrive exactly on time for appointments

Direct communication is preferred - Finns appreciate honesty over small talk

Respect the concept of Janteloven - avoid boasting or showing off wealth, as modesty is highly valued

Maintain personal space and avoid overly familiar behavior until invited - Norwegians value privacy

Remove shoes when entering homes and be punctual for all appointments as lateness is considered rude

Punctuality is extremely important - arrive exactly on time for social and business appointments, not early or late

Remove shoes when entering Danish homes, and bring a small gift like flowers or chocolates when visiting

Embrace 'hygge' culture - Danes value cozy, simple pleasures and quality time over flashy displays of wealth or status

Georgians are famously hospitable — supra (feast) culture is real

Toast culture is elaborate — the tamada (toastmaster) leads

Don't refuse food or drink — it's deeply disrespectful

Punctuality is extremely important - being late without notice is considered disrespectful

Keep noise levels down in public spaces, especially on public transport and in quiet residential areas

Greet people formally with titles (Mr./Ms./Dr.) until invited to use first names, and shake hands with direct eye contact

Dress modestly when visiting churches and religious sites with covered shoulders and knees

Observe Ruhezeiten quiet hours from 10 PM to 6 AM and all day Sundays - avoid loud music or activities

Austrians value punctuality and formality - use formal titles when meeting people until invited to use first names

Remove shoes when entering homes - this is strictly observed and considered basic politeness

Maintain personal space and avoid physical contact - Finns value privacy and don't typically hug or kiss when greeting

Embrace comfortable silence - Finns don't feel compelled to fill quiet moments with conversation and this is considered normal

Greet with a firm handshake and direct eye contact, using formal titles (Gospa/Gospod) until invited to use first names

Remove shoes when entering homes and bring small gifts like flowers or wine when visiting

Maintain punctuality as being late is considered disrespectful - inform hosts if delayed

Remove shoes when entering homes, traditional restaurants, temples, and ryokan

Bow slightly as a greeting and sign of respect, though handshakes are acceptable for foreigners

Say 'Itadakimasu' before eating and 'Gochisousama' after meals to show gratitude

Remove shoes when entering homes, ryokan, some restaurants, and temples. Look for shoe storage areas and provided slippers

Bow slightly when greeting people. A small head nod is sufficient for tourists. Handshakes are not common but acceptable

Say 'itadakimasu' before eating and 'gochisousama' after meals. Don't stick chopsticks upright in rice or pass food chopstick to chopstick

Bow slightly when greeting and thanking people - depth shows respect level

Remove shoes when entering homes, temples, and some traditional restaurants

Use both hands when giving or receiving items, especially to elders

Canadians are extremely polite - saying please, thank you, and sorry frequently is expected and appreciated

In Quebec, making an effort to speak French is highly valued, even basic phrases like bonjour and merci will be warmly received

Tipping 15-18% at restaurants is standard, and many payment machines now offer automatic tip options

Bow slightly when greeting people, with deeper bows for elders or in formal situations

Remove shoes when entering homes, some traditional restaurants, and temple buildings

Use both hands when giving or receiving business cards, money, or gifts as a sign of respect

Dress modestly when visiting churches and religious sites - cover shoulders and knees as a sign of respect

Greet locals with 'Bongu' (good morning) or simple 'Hello' - Maltese people appreciate polite acknowledgment

Respect the strong Catholic traditions and avoid loud behavior near churches during services or religious festivals

Scots value politeness - always say please and thank you

Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory - 10% in restaurants if no service charge is added

Punctuality is important and shows respect for others' time

Punctuality is highly valued - arrive on time for appointments and social gatherings

Norwegians appreciate personal space and tend to be reserved initially but warm once relationships develop

Tipping is not expected as service charges are included, but rounding up for exceptional service is appreciated

Swiss people value punctuality - arrive on time for appointments and expect public transport to run exactly on schedule

Keep noise levels low in public spaces and on transport - Swiss culture emphasizes consideration for others

Tipping is not mandatory but 5-10% is appreciated in restaurants if service is good; round up taxi fares to the nearest franc

Austrians value punctuality highly - arrive on time or slightly early for all appointments

Greet people formally with 'Guten Tag' and use titles (Herr/Frau) until invited to be less formal

Shake hands when entering a room and greet shop staff when entering/leaving stores

Punctuality is highly valued - always arrive on time for appointments and social gatherings

Personal space is important - maintain respectful distance and use firm handshakes rather than hugs or kisses

Tipping is not expected as service charges are included, though small tips for exceptional service are appreciated

Greet people politely when entering shops, cafes, or small businesses - a simple 'Bom dia' (good morning) or 'Boa tarde' (good afternoon) is appreciated

Dress modestly when visiting churches or religious sites, covering shoulders and avoiding shorts or short skirts

Meals are social occasions that may last longer than expected - don't rush or appear impatient during family-style dining

Greet with a handshake in formal situations; close friends may exchange three kisses on the cheek

Learn basic Dutch phrases like 'Goeiedag' (hello) and 'Dank u wel' (thank you) as a sign of respect

Maintain formal table manners - keep hands visible, wait for host to begin eating, and finish everything on your plate

Remove shoes when entering Norwegian homes - this is strictly observed

Punctuality is highly valued - arriving on time shows respect

Personal space is important - Norwegians stand further apart when conversing than many cultures

Bow slightly when greeting and thanking people

Remove shoes when entering homes, temples, and some traditional restaurants

Don't point with chopsticks or stick them upright in rice

Remove shoes when entering homes, traditional restaurants, and any building with tatami mats

Bow slightly as a greeting and show of respect, though handshakes are acceptable for foreigners

Avoid eating or drinking while walking; find a designated area to stop and consume food or beverages

Remove hats and speak quietly when entering churches or religious sites

Always ask permission before photographing people, especially children and indigenous individuals - a small tip may be requested

Follow strict environmental rules: stay on marked trails, maintain 2 meters distance from wildlife, and never feed or touch animals

Greetings are casual - handshakes are standard, or 'Kia ora' (Maori for hello)

Tipping is not expected or required - service charges are included in bills

Respect Maori culture and never touch someone's head without permission

Learn basic Tahitian phrases like 'Ia Orana' (hello) and 'mauruuru' (thank you)

Dress modestly when visiting villages - cover shoulders and knees

Always ask permission before taking photos of people or their property

Remove shoes when entering homes, traditional restaurants, and some hotels

Bow slightly when greeting people and receiving business cards with both hands

Don't tip - it's not customary in Japan and can cause confusion

Remove shoes when entering homes - this is strictly observed and considered disrespectful if ignored

Never stick chopsticks vertically in rice bowls as this resembles funeral incense and is considered extremely unlucky

Use both hands when giving or receiving business cards, money, or gifts as a sign of respect

Always greet with 'buongiorno' or 'buonasera' when entering shops, restaurants, or meeting people

Dress modestly when visiting churches or small villages - cover shoulders and knees

Learn basic Italian phrases as a sign of respect, even in tourist areas where English is spoken

Always greet with a firm handshake and maintain direct eye contact when meeting someone

Punctuality is extremely important - arrive exactly on time, never late and not more than 5 minutes early

Keep conversations quiet on public transport and in waiting areas