Culture & customs · Updated 2026 · 45 countries
Travel Etiquette by Country: Do's and Don'ts Travelers Should Know
Quick answer: Most travel etiquette comes down to a few universals: dress modestly at religious sites, learn the local tipping norm, watch what locals do and follow their lead. Beyond that, each country has a handful of customs worth knowing before you land – like removing shoes indoors across much of Asia, eating with your right hand in India, or not tipping in Japan. This guide covers the ones that actually matter, country by country.
Six rules that work everywhere
Watch, then follow
The single best rule everywhere: notice what locals do – with shoes, queues, volume, dress – and mirror it.
Learn two words
Hello and thank you in the local language transform how you are received, everywhere on earth.
Dress for the setting
Shoulders and knees covered at religious sites; beachwear stays at the beach. One light scarf solves most of it.
Know the tipping norm
Expected in the US, modest in Europe, included in much of Asia, confusing in Japan. Check before you go.
Ask before photographing people
A smile and a gesture toward your camera is understood in every language – and often makes the photo better.
Keep gestures neutral
Thumbs-up, OK signs and pointing mean different things in different places. A flat open hand is safe everywhere.
No country matches your search on this page yet.
Europe
Austria
Best months: Jul–Sep · 17–26°C days · rainy (ERA5 climate data)
Do
- Greet with 'Grüss Gott' when entering shops and restaurants.
- Dress smartly for the opera or classical concerts in Vienna.
- Tell the server the rounded-up total when paying; that's how tipping works.
Avoid
- Don't refer to Austrians as Germans; the countries are proudly distinct.
- Don't speak loudly in traditional coffee houses; they are calm places to linger.
- Don't cross against red pedestrian lights; it can draw fines and frowns.
Czechia
Do
- Say 'dobrý den' when entering small shops and pubs.
- Remove your shoes when invited into a Czech home; hosts often offer slippers.
- Make eye contact and say 'na zdraví' when clinking glasses.
Avoid
- Don't forget to validate your tram ticket; inspectors issue on-the-spot fines.
- Don't speak loudly on trams and trains; public transport stays fairly quiet.
- Don't enter churches in beachwear or bare shoulders; dress modestly for visits.
France
Best months: Jul–Sep · 15–25°C days · rainy (ERA5 climate data)
Do
- Say 'bonjour' before asking anything in shops, cafés, and ticket offices.
- Keep your voice low in restaurants and on public transport.
- Ask for the bill when ready; waiters politely leave you to linger.
Avoid
- Don't launch into English immediately; open with 'Bonjour, parlez-vous anglais?' before switching languages.
- Don't expect large tips; service is included, so small change suffices.
- Don't plan errands over lunchtime; smaller shops outside Paris often close from noon until two.
Germany
Best months: Jul–Sep · 16–25°C days · rainy (ERA5 climate data)
Do
- Arrive on time for reservations, tours, and meetings; punctuality is genuinely valued.
- Wait for the green light before crossing, even when the street is empty.
- Carry cash; many restaurants and smaller shops still don't take cards.
Avoid
- Don't make noise on Sundays; quiet hours are widely observed in residential areas.
- Don't plan shopping on Sundays; most stores close for the day.
- Don't walk in bike lanes; cyclists move fast and have right of way.
Greece
Best months: Sep–Nov · 15–24°C days · dry (ERA5 climate data)
Do
- Cover shoulders and knees when visiting monasteries and Orthodox churches.
- Accept offered coffee or sweets graciously; hospitality is warmly meant.
- Put toilet paper in the bin provided; older plumbing can't handle it.
Avoid
- Don't thrust an open palm toward anyone; the gesture is considered offensive.
- Don't photograph military sites or personnel; it is prohibited.
- Don't rush dinner; eating late and lingering at the table is normal.
Italy
Best months: Apr–Jun · 13–23°C days · rainy (ERA5 climate data)
Do
- Cover your shoulders and knees when visiting churches such as St. Peter's or the Duomo.
- Greet shopkeepers with 'buongiorno' or 'buonasera' when entering and leaving small shops.
- Drink your espresso standing at the bar to pay the cheaper counter price.
Avoid
- Don't sit and eat on church steps or monuments; cities like Rome issue fines.
- Don't handle produce at market stalls; let the vendor select items for you.
- Don't dispute the 'coperto' cover charge on restaurant bills; the small fee is standard, not a scam.
Netherlands
Do
- Check for bikes before stepping off any curb; cycle lanes are fast and busy.
- Book popular sights like the Anne Frank House online well in advance.
- Split bills without embarrassment; paying separately is completely normal among friends.
Avoid
- Don't smoke cannabis in the street; Amsterdam bans it in the old city centre.
- Don't photograph people in Amsterdam's Red Light District; it is strictly forbidden.
- Don't mistake Dutch directness for rudeness; frank answers are meant helpfully.
Portugal
Best months: Jun–Aug · 18–28°C days · dry (ERA5 climate data)
Do
- Greet with 'bom dia' or 'boa tarde' when entering shops and cafés.
- Expect a charge for bread and olives brought unasked; decline politely if unwanted.
- Dress modestly, covering shoulders, when visiting churches and monasteries.
Avoid
- Don't open conversations in Spanish; Portuguese or English is better received.
- Don't tip heavily; five to ten percent in restaurants is generous.
- Don't rush meals; the bill arrives only when you ask for it.
Spain
Best months: Apr–Jun · 12–25°C days · some rain (ERA5 climate data)
Do
- Plan for late meals; lunch peaks around 2pm and dinner after 9pm.
- Expect two cheek kisses when introduced in social settings; men usually shake hands with each other.
- Cover shoulders and knees when visiting cathedrals and working churches.
Avoid
- Don't wear swimwear away from the beach; cities like Barcelona fine it.
- Don't expect shops open mid-afternoon in smaller towns; many close for a break.
- Don't over-tip; rounding up or leaving small change is perfectly polite.
Switzerland
Best months: Jul–Sep · 15–24°C days · rainy (ERA5 climate data)
Do
- Arrive exactly on time; trains, tours, and dinner invitations run to schedule.
- Greet shopkeepers with 'Grüezi' in German-speaking regions before asking questions.
- Carry some cash for mountain huts and small cafés.
Avoid
- Don't make noise late at night or on Sundays; quiet hours are respected.
- Don't litter; fines apply and locals keep public spaces spotless.
- Don't expect shops open on Sundays; train-station and airport stores are the main exceptions.
Turkey
Best months: Jul–Sep · 22–30°C days · dry (ERA5 climate data)
Do
- Remove your shoes before entering mosques and Turkish homes.
- Cover shoulders and knees at mosques; women need a headscarf, often provided at entrances.
- Haggle good-naturedly in bazaars; bargaining is expected at the Grand Bazaar.
Avoid
- Don't haggle in supermarkets or fixed-price shops; bargaining belongs in bazaars.
- Don't visit mosques during the five daily prayer times; wait for worshippers to finish.
- Don't use the 'OK' finger-ring gesture; it can be read as an obscene insult.
UK
Do
- Join queues at the back and wait your turn; queue-jumping genuinely irritates.
- Stand on the right on London Underground escalators, leaving the left free.
- Say please and thank you when ordering; politeness is expected in every exchange.
Avoid
- Don't tip at the bar when ordering pub drinks; it isn't expected.
- Don't talk loudly in designated quiet carriages on trains.
- Don't forget traffic comes from the right; look both ways when crossing.
Asia
China
Do
- Accept business cards, gifts, and change with both hands as a sign of respect.
- Try a little of every dish when a host orders food for the table.
- Clink your glass slightly lower than an elder's rim when toasting to show respect.
Avoid
- Don't stick chopsticks upright in rice; it resembles incense offerings for the dead.
- Don't tip in mainland restaurants; it is not customary and may be politely declined.
- Don't raise sensitive political topics with people you have only just met.
India
Best months: Nov–Jan · 9–21°C days · dry (ERA5 climate data)
Do
- Eat and pass food with your right hand, especially when sharing meals.
- Remove your shoes before entering temples, mosques, gurdwaras, and private homes.
- Dress modestly at religious sites and carry a scarf; gurdwaras require covered heads.
Avoid
- Don't use your left hand to eat or to hand over money and gifts.
- Don't show public affection beyond holding hands; kissing in public draws unwanted attention.
- Don't touch books, people, or religious objects with your feet.
Indonesia (Bali)
Best months: Jul–Sep · 23–33°C days · rainy (ERA5 climate data)
Do
- Wear a sarong and sash when entering temples; most temples lend them at the gate.
- Use your right hand for giving, receiving, and eating.
- Step around, never over, the small canang offerings placed on sidewalks and steps.
Avoid
- Don't touch people's heads, including children's; the head is considered sacred.
- Don't wear beachwear away from the beach; cover up in villages and temples.
- Don't interrupt or photograph ceremonies up close without permission from participants.
Japan
Best months: Sep–Nov · 14–22°C days · rainy (ERA5 climate data)
Do
- Bow slightly when greeting people; a small nod of the head is fine for visitors.
- Remove your shoes before entering homes, temples, and some traditional restaurants and inns.
- Keep conversations quiet on trains and set your phone to silent mode.
Avoid
- Don't tip in restaurants or taxis; it is not customary and can cause confusion.
- Don't stick chopsticks upright in rice or pass food from chopsticks to chopsticks.
- Don't eat while walking on busy streets; step aside or find a place to sit.
Malaysia
Best months: Jan–Mar · 24–32°C days · rainy (ERA5 climate data)
Do
- Dress modestly when visiting mosques; robes and headscarves are usually provided at the entrance.
- Use your right hand for eating, greeting, and passing items.
- Remove your shoes before entering homes, mosques, and temples.
Avoid
- Don't point with your index finger; gesture with your whole hand or thumb instead.
- Don't eat, drink, or smoke conspicuously around people fasting during Ramadan daylight hours.
- Don't show public displays of affection beyond holding hands.
Nepal
Best months: Nov–Jan · 6–18°C days · dry (ERA5 climate data)
Do
- Walk clockwise around stupas, temples, and prayer wheels.
- Greet people with 'namaste' and your hands pressed together.
- Ask permission before photographing people or religious ceremonies.
Avoid
- Don't touch people's heads or step over someone's outstretched legs.
- Don't share food you have bitten or drink from a shared bottle touching your lips.
- Don't enter Hindu temple inner sanctums unless invited; some are closed to non-Hindus.
Philippines
Best months: Jan–Mar · 23–30°C days · some rain (ERA5 climate data)
Do
- Pass jeepney fares forward through other passengers and say 'bayad po' to the driver.
- Use polite words like 'po' and 'opo' with older people to show respect.
- Wait to be invited to start eating when hosted in someone's home.
Avoid
- Don't criticize or embarrass anyone in front of others; raise concerns privately instead.
- Don't refuse offered food outright; taking even a small taste is polite.
- Don't beckon people with an upturned finger; wave with your palm facing down.
Singapore
Best months: Jan–Mar · 24–30°C days · rainy (ERA5 climate data)
Do
- Queue patiently everywhere; orderly lines are the norm from hawker stalls to buses.
- Respect a tissue packet left on a hawker table; it means the seat is taken.
- Return your tray and clear your table after eating at hawker centres.
Avoid
- Don't bring chewing gum into the country; its sale and import are banned.
- Don't eat or drink on MRT trains and buses; fines apply and are enforced.
- Don't litter or jaywalk; both carry fines that are actually enforced.
South Korea
Best months: Apr–Jun · 12–23°C days · some rain (ERA5 climate data)
Do
- Use both hands when giving or receiving items, especially with older people.
- Remove your shoes before entering homes and many traditional guesthouses and restaurants.
- Wait for the eldest person at the table to start eating before you begin.
Avoid
- Don't stick chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice; rest them on the table.
- Don't pour your own drink when dining with others; pour for each other instead.
- Don't blow your nose loudly at the table; excuse yourself and step away.
Sri Lanka
Best months: Dec–Feb · 23–30°C days · rainy (ERA5 climate data)
Do
- Remove your shoes and hat before entering Buddhist temples and Hindu kovils.
- Dress modestly at religious sites, covering your shoulders and knees.
- Use your right hand for eating and for passing items to others.
Avoid
- Don't pose for photos with your back to a Buddha statue; stand alongside it instead.
- Don't display Buddha tattoos openly; visitors have been refused entry over visible ones.
- Don't touch Buddhist monks; women should avoid sitting beside them on buses and trains.
Taiwan
Do
- Stand to the right on escalators, leaving the left side clear for walkers.
- Accept gifts, business cards, and change with both hands.
- Queue at the marked platform lines and let passengers exit the MRT first.
Avoid
- Don't eat, drink, or chew gum on the Taipei MRT; fines are enforced.
- Don't stick chopsticks upright in rice or point them at other diners.
- Don't tip in restaurants; it is not customary and many places add a service charge.
Thailand
Best months: Dec–Feb · 22–32°C days · dry (ERA5 climate data)
Do
- Return a wai greeting with palms pressed together and a slight bow.
- Dress modestly at temples, covering shoulders and knees, and remove your shoes before entering.
- Speak respectfully about the royal family at all times; this is taken seriously and legally protected.
Avoid
- Don't touch anyone's head, even a child's; it is considered the most sacred body part.
- Don't point your feet at people or Buddha images when sitting.
- Don't raise your voice or lose your temper in public; staying calm earns respect.
Vietnam
Best months: Nov–Jan · 14–22°C days · some rain (ERA5 climate data)
Do
- Use both hands when passing items to older people as a sign of respect.
- Dress modestly and remove your shoes when visiting pagodas and family homes.
- Ask before photographing people, especially in rural villages and ethnic minority communities.
Avoid
- Don't stick chopsticks upright in your rice bowl between bites.
- Don't beckon anyone with an upturned finger; wave with your palm facing down instead.
- Don't show anger or embarrass people publicly; saving face matters in everyday interactions.
Americas
Argentina
Best months: Sep–Nov · 13–21°C days · some rain (ERA5 climate data)
Do
- Greet friends with one kiss on the right cheek; this is common between men too.
- Eat dinner late; restaurants typically fill up between 9 and 10 pm.
- Accept mate when offered, drink it all, and hand it back; say gracias only when finished.
Avoid
- Don't stir or adjust the metal straw when sharing mate; the server sets it.
- Don't raise the Falklands/Malvinas conflict casually; it remains a painful subject for many Argentines.
- Don't rush off after meals; lingering over conversation, the sobremesa, is part of dining.
Brazil
Best months: May–Jul · 19–25°C days · some rain (ERA5 climate data)
Do
- Greet with cheek kisses in social settings; the number varies by city, so follow your host.
- Learn basic Portuguese greetings; Brazilians speak Portuguese, not Spanish, and appreciate the effort.
- Dress neatly for restaurants and evenings out; personal appearance is a point of pride.
Avoid
- Don't make the OK sign with thumb and forefinger; it is offensive here, use thumbs up.
- Don't arrive exactly on time to parties; guests typically show up 15 to 30 minutes late.
- Don't grab pizza or finger foods with bare hands; napkins or a knife and fork are common.
Canada
Do
- Tip 15 to 20 percent in restaurants; servers rely on tips, as in the United States.
- Remove your shoes at the door when entering someone's home.
- Open with 'Bonjour' in Quebec and ask politely before switching to English.
Avoid
- Don't call Canadians American or treat Canada as an extension of the United States.
- Don't cut in line; orderly queuing at bus stops and counters is expected.
Colombia
Best months: Jun–Aug · 16–26°C days · rainy (ERA5 climate data)
Do
- Greet everyone in the room individually with a handshake or a cheek kiss.
- Exchange pleasantries about family or the day before making any request.
- Accept invitations to dance; joining in matters far more than salsa skill.
Avoid
- Don't joke about Pablo Escobar or the drug trade; that era brought real suffering here.
- Don't write the country's name as 'Columbia'; the correct spelling is Colombia.
- Don't flash phones or cash on the street; locals themselves follow 'no dar papaya'.
Costa Rica
Best months: Jan–Mar · 16–26°C days · dry (ERA5 climate data)
Do
- Use 'pura vida' freely as hello, thanks, and goodbye; locals use it constantly.
- Check your bill for the legally included 10 percent service charge before tipping extra.
- Keep your distance from wildlife and follow guides' instructions in national parks.
Avoid
- Don't feed or touch monkeys, sloths, or other wild animals, even when they approach.
- Don't flush toilet paper where signs say otherwise; use the bin provided.
- Don't expect rigid punctuality for social plans; relaxed 'tico time' is part of life.
Mexico
Best months: Dec–Feb · 7–23°C days · dry (ERA5 climate data)
Do
- Greet with a handshake and use titles like señor or señora with new acquaintances.
- Tip 10 to 15 percent in restaurants and give small coins to supermarket baggers.
- Cover shoulders and skip beachwear when visiting churches and cathedrals.
Avoid
- Don't jump straight into business or requests; a friendly greeting and small talk come first.
- Don't rush lunch; the midday comida is often long, social, and the main meal.
- Don't expect strict punctuality at social events; arriving a little late is normal and polite.
Peru
Best months: Apr–Jun · 17–21°C days · dry (ERA5 climate data)
Do
- Greet shopkeepers and staff with a polite 'buenos días' before asking for anything.
- Ask permission before photographing people in traditional dress, and offer a small tip for posed photos.
- Greet women with a single kiss on the cheek in social settings; men shake hands.
Avoid
- Don't touch or climb on structures at archaeological sites like Machu Picchu.
- Don't haggle aggressively over small sums; gentle, friendly bargaining in markets is enough.
- Don't pay with torn or heavily worn banknotes; shops and taxis often refuse damaged bills.
USA
Do
- Tip 18 to 20 percent in restaurants; servers rely on tips as core income.
- Keep about an arm's length of personal space in conversations and queues.
- Join in small talk; friendly chat with strangers and service staff is normal.
Avoid
- Don't skip tipping bartenders, taxi drivers, and hairdressers; a dollar or two per drink is standard.
- Don't smoke or vape indoors; restaurants, bars, and public buildings ban it almost everywhere.
- Don't cut in line; queues are informal but taking fair turns is taken seriously.
Middle East & Africa
Egypt
Best months: Nov–Jan · 12–23°C days · dry (ERA5 climate data)
Do
- Carry small notes to tip for services; baksheesh is a normal part of daily life.
- Haggle politely in bazaars like Khan el-Khalili; it is an expected part of shopping.
- Dress modestly at mosques; women should cover hair, shoulders, and knees.
Avoid
- Don't photograph military buildings, police checkpoints, or personnel.
- Don't enter mosques with shoes on; remove them at the entrance.
- Don't show physical affection in public beyond holding hands.
Israel
Do
- Dress modestly at holy sites and in religious neighborhoods, covering shoulders and knees.
- Plan around Shabbat, when many shops and public transport stop from Friday sunset to Saturday night.
- Cover your head at the Western Wall; free paper kippahs are provided for men.
Avoid
- Don't photograph ultra-Orthodox residents without permission, especially on Shabbat.
- Don't offer handshakes to strictly Orthodox people of the opposite sex; wait for them to extend a hand.
- Don't bring up regional politics casually; let locals steer any such conversation.
Jordan
Best months: Apr–Jun · 16–29°C days · dry (ERA5 climate data)
Do
- Accept offered tea or coffee when visiting; hospitality is central to Jordanian culture.
- Use your right hand for eating and passing food or gifts.
- Dress modestly outside resorts, covering shoulders and knees at religious and historic sites.
Avoid
- Don't point the soles of your feet at people when sitting.
- Don't kiss or embrace in public; keep affection private.
- Don't photograph local people, especially women, without asking permission first.
Kenya
Do
- Greet with a handshake and ask how someone is before getting to business.
- Ask permission and agree on any fee before photographing Maasai people.
- Tip safari guides and drivers; around ten dollars per day is customary.
Avoid
- Don't wear camouflage clothing; it is reserved for the military.
- Don't kiss or embrace in public; Kenyan culture keeps affection private.
- Don't photograph airports, military sites, or government buildings without permission.
Morocco
Best months: Nov–Jan · 7–21°C days · dry (ERA5 climate data)
Do
- Haggle in souks with good humor; starting well below the asking price is expected.
- Eat with your right hand when sharing dishes like tagine or couscous.
- Ask before photographing people in medinas; performers in squares expect a small tip.
Avoid
- Don't enter working mosques as a non-Muslim; most are closed to visitors except Hassan II.
- Don't drink alcohol in streets or public places; keep it to licensed venues.
- Don't wear beachwear away from the beach or hotel pool.
South Africa
Best months: Jul–Sep · 7–21°C days · dry (ERA5 climate data)
Do
- Tip around 10 to 15 percent in restaurants, where wages depend on it.
- Exchange a friendly greeting before asking for anything in shops, taxis, or on the street.
- Tip car guards and petrol attendants a few rand for their service.
Avoid
- Don't discuss race or apartheid casually; follow your hosts' lead on sensitive history.
- Don't photograph residents in townships or informal settlements without their permission.
Tanzania
Do
- Greet elders with the respectful Swahili greeting 'Shikamoo' when introduced.
- Use your right hand for eating, greeting, and handing over money.
- Dress modestly in Zanzibar's Stone Town, covering shoulders and knees away from beaches.
Avoid
- Don't photograph people without asking first, especially in rural villages.
- Don't wear swimwear outside beach and pool areas, particularly in Zanzibar.
- Don't kiss or hug in public in Zanzibar, where affection stays private.
UAE
Do
- Dress modestly in malls and public spaces, covering shoulders and knees.
- Use your right hand when greeting, eating, and passing items to others.
- Ask permission before photographing local people, especially Emirati women.
Avoid
- Don't kiss or show physical affection in public; hold hands discreetly at most.
- Don't eat, drink, or smoke on public streets during daylight hours in Ramadan.
- Don't make rude gestures or swear in public; both can cause serious legal trouble.
Oceania & Pacific
Australia
Do
- Wait your turn in queues at bars, bus stops, and shops.
- Take your turn buying a round, known as a shout, when drinking with a group.
- Bring your own drinks, and offer to bring meat, when invited to a backyard barbecue.
Avoid
- Don't make a V sign with your palm facing inward; it reads as an insult.
- Don't feel pressured to tip; rounding up or ten percent for great service is plenty.
- Don't talk up wealth or achievements; Australians warm to modest, self-deprecating humour.
Fiji
Best months: Jun–Aug · 21–28°C days · some rain (ERA5 climate data)
Do
- Remove your hat and sunglasses when entering a Fijian village.
- Dress modestly in villages, covering shoulders and knees with a sulu or sarong.
- Clap once before accepting kava and drink the cup in one go, or decline politely.
Avoid
- Don't touch anyone's head, including children's; the head is considered sacred in Fijian culture.
- Don't wear swimwear away from the beach or pool, especially when visiting villages.
- Don't enter a village unannounced; wait for an invitation or go with a local guide.
French Polynesia
Do
- Greet people with a friendly 'ia ora na', the Tahitian hello.
- Remove your shoes before stepping inside a family home.
- Wrap up with a pareo when leaving the beach or resort grounds.
Avoid
- Don't tip automatically; service is included in prices and tipping isn't customary.
- Don't take sand or coral as souvenirs; removal is restricted to protect the lagoons.
- Don't visit churches in beachwear; dress neatly if attending a Sunday service.
New Zealand
Do
- Accept a hongi, the traditional pressing of noses, if welcomed onto a marae.
- Remove your shoes before entering homes and Māori meeting houses.
- Make an effort to pronounce Māori place names and words correctly.
Avoid
- Don't sit on tables or any surface where food is prepared or served; it offends Māori custom.
- Don't feel obliged to tip; it isn't customary, though it's welcome for exceptional service.
- Don't call New Zealanders Australians; Kiwis are proud of their distinct identity.
Travel etiquette FAQ
What is considered rude in Japan?
Talking loudly on trains, sticking chopsticks upright in rice, eating while walking in most settings, and blowing your nose in public are the ones travelers actually encounter. Tipping is not customary and can cause confusion rather than gratitude.
Do you tip in Europe?
Modestly. Rounding up or 5-10% for good service is appreciated in most countries, and service is often already included ('servizio', 'service compris'). Nobody expects American-style 20% tips.
What should I not do in Thailand?
Do not touch anyone's head, point your feet at people or Buddha images, or disrespect the monarchy – Thai law takes the last one seriously. Dress modestly at temples and remove your shoes before entering.
Is haggling rude?
Context is everything. In souks, bazaars and many markets across the Middle East, Asia and North Africa, bargaining is a normal, even social part of the purchase. In fixed-price shops, restaurants and most of Europe, it is not done.
Which gestures are offensive abroad?
The 'OK' ring gesture is rude in Brazil and Turkey, thumbs-up offends in parts of the Middle East, and the two-finger 'V' with your palm inward is an insult in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Pointing with a whole hand rather than one finger is safe almost everywhere.
Should I research customs before every trip?
A five-minute read like this page covers most of it. Locals do not expect perfection from visitors – they notice effort. Get greetings, tipping, dress and shoe customs right and everything else is forgiven with a smile.