Think twice before you tip, throw coins in ponds or miss out on an opportunity to chat with a local. Lonely Planet and other experts share the unwritten rules of travelling abroad for the first time.
As the old adage goes, when in Rome, do as the Romans do – and if you’re hiking in Switzerland, it may be best to keep your clothes on.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
That’s the advice from publisher Lonely Planet in its latest book, "Don’t Hike Naked in Switzerland", a trusty guide for first-time travellers navigating courtesy, consideration and culture abroad.
Behind the cheeky book title is a deep dive of more than 100 pieces of advice for travellers to put their best food forward, wherever their journey takes them, including Appenzell, Switzerland – the inspiration behind the title.
Authorities in the picturesque canton ruled against naked hiking in 2011 after a man was seen unclad hiking past a picnic area and a Christian rehabilitation centre. The restriction has since been enforced across Switzerland.
While the Alpine nation may not be the best place for nude hiking, it’s just one of many etiquette lessons outlined in the guide.
For instance, among its top six tips is for travellers to remember to pack their headphones. "Whether at home or away, most people don’t want to overhear music they didn’t put on, TikToks they aren’t watching, or a loud conversation that they’re not part of on public transport," Lonely Planet said, adding that headphones give travellers a certain “air of mystery” that signals confidence when in new surroundings.
Another key tip is whether or not to tip – financially, that is.
"Different from country to country, tipping culture is ever-evolving,” Lonely Planet said. On the other side of the Atlantic, tipping is often expected in restaurants and cafes. The publisher advises tipping restaurant staff anywhere from 18%-25%, and $1-$2 (€0.85-€1.70) for baristas in cafes.
On the other hand, in countries like Japan, tipping is not a part of the hospitality culture, and can sometimes cause confusion, or even embarrassment among staff. Instead, Lonely Planet’s advice is to share gestures such as a thoughtful thank you note or cool knick-knack from your country, which would be far more appreciated.
Staying with the Land of the Rising Sun, the guide also discusses the importance of table manners. “Pointing chopsticks at people in Japan is seen as an act of aggression,” Lonely Planet advised, adding that in China, chopsticks should never be left standing upright in a bowl as it looks similar to ritual rites practised to honour the dead.
Meanwhile, in countries across the Middle East, North Africa and Asia, it’s important not to handle food with your left hand – a tricky etiquette for the lefties of the world.
Other top tips from Lonely Planet include greeting etiquette, queuing and being mindful about snapping selfies in places such as Garoupe Beach in France, which banned them altogether, according to the Daily Mail.
Other travel dos and don'ts
When it comes to travel etiquette, it’s rarely a one-size-fits all.
While coin-throwing tourism works well at places like Rome’s Trevi Fountain, where legend has it that a single coin ensures a return to Rome and two or three coins promise love and even marriage, such traditions may not bode so well with locals elsewhere.
In Japan, coin-throwing at ponds in Mount Fuji has raised concerns among locals, worried about the water quality being damaged and how it's spoiling the area’s crystal clear waters.
The Independent wrote that signs in Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean have been put up to deter tourists from doing so, with one official complaining that the issue is so vast that “it’s an endless cycle – as soon as we pick them up, more are thrown in”.
However, if you’re a traveller that likes chatting with locals, away from the hustle and bustle of big cities, where the daily commute makes such interactions near impossible, Jamaica may be a good addition to your bucket list.
Standoffishness is seen as offensive, according to Lonely Planet, which also wrote that on the island nation, "you’ll find yourself saying ‘good morning’, ‘good afternoon’, and ‘good night’ (in greeting as well as farewell) a whole lot”.
