Know before you go
going abroad,travel advice
hand holding globe
They do things differently abroad. That\'s partly why we like it. But it\'s good to have a little local knowledge before you set off, so here\'s our around-the-world guide so that you won\'t stick out like a sore thumb, give offence or fall foul of the law
Camouflage gear
going abroad,fashion,Asia,South America & Caribbean,travel advice
girl in camouflage bandana
It\'s an offence for anyone - yes, even children - to wear camouflage clothing of any type, in quite a few places, such as
Antigua and Barbuda,
Barbados,
Grenada,
St Lucia, the
Seychelles, and
Trinidad & Tobago.
Super-short shorts
going abroad,fashion,style tips,North America,travel advice
woman in white shorts and bikini top
You may want to show off a pert posterior on holiday, but don\'t do it in
Bermuda. Micro-shorts, along with crop tops and swimsuits, should only be worn at the beach or swimming pool. We presume that \'Bermuda shorts\' are acceptable, but it\'s an offence to be seen in public without a shirt (men) or in a bikini-type top (women).
Oh!
going abroad,Asia,Europe,North America,South America & Caribbean,travel advice
OK signal: thumb to index finger gesture
In the
USA, and under the sea when scuba-diving around the world, this gesture means OK. But in
Turkey and
Brazil, its meaning is not A-OK, but A-
hole. We advise saying \'chok guzel\' (Turkish for very good) or \'muito bom\' (Portuguese for very good) instead.
Camera-shy in Cambodia
going abroad,Asia,travel advice
monks in Cambodia
Make sure you ask permission in
Cambodia before pointing your camera at monks or other local people.
It\'s a stick-up
going abroad,Chinese food,Japanese food,Asia,travel advice
123 black bowl and chopsticks
Never leave your chopsticks sticking straight up from the bowl in
China, as this is reminiscent of funeral rites. The same is true in
Japan, and
Vietnam.
Check before you cross
going abroad,Europe,travel advice
pedestrian green light
As a pedestrian in the
Czech Republic, wait for the green light before you cross the road, or you could face a fine. And don\'t think about sneaking across the road: try it within 50 metres of a pedestrian crossing and you\'re still at risk of a fine.
Wear your heart up your sleeve
love life,going abroad,Africa,travel advice
pyramids in Egypt plus added hearts
PDAs are frowned upon in
Egypt - and that\'s not Personal Digital Assistants, but Public Displays of Affection, so don\'t get carried away by the romance of the spectacular scenery.
Don\'t use your hands
going abroad,bread,shellfish & seafood,Europe,travel advice
crossed knife and fork
In
Finland, whatever you\'re eating, unless it\'s bread or shrimps, do use your knife and fork, or the Finns will think you\'re badly brought up.
Don\'t say it with flowers
flower arranging,going abroad,Europe,travel advice
bunch of red carnations
Should you feel the urge to give someone flowers during a stay in
Germany, don\'t make it a bunch of red carnations. These are seen as funeral flowers so probably won\'t convey the message you intend to send.
Talk to the hand?
going abroad,Europe,travel advice,Greece
woman with palm extended
Don\'t hold your palm out like this to signal no thanks in
Greece. This gesture is called the moutza, and originates in Byzantine times when criminals were paraded through the streets with their faces blackened. To achieve this look, dirt was rubbed on their faces, but sometimes, horse manure was used instead. So not the best message to give your friendly waiter in the taverna...
Don\'t take a seat
going abroad,snack ideas,Europe,travel advice,Italy
Uffizi gallery, Florence, Italy
Trudging around all those historic building and galleres can be exhausting on a hot day, but don\'t take the weight off your feet by sitting down on the steps or in the courtyards in the vicinity of the main churches and public buildings in Florence,
Italy. Feeling peckish? Save that snack until you\'re further away from the sightseeing centre, too.
Waiting to inhale
going abroad,coping with illness,Asia,travel advice
Vicks inhaler
If you\'ve got a cold, or you think you\'ll get a bit bunged-up on your flight to
Japan, don\'t pick up a last-minute Vicks inhaler, or something similar, at the airside branch of Boots. Under Japanese law such inhalers, along with certain over-the-counter and prescription treatments, are banned under the country\'s strict anti-stimulant legislation.
Stub it out
going abroad,Ireland,Africa,travel advice
cigarette butts
Don\'t light up in your hotel in Kenya: smoking is banned in any public place, including hotel grounds and foyers. Check with hotel management before retiring to your room for a smoke. Penalties for smoking peak at three years in prison. You might say you don\'t want to leave, but you probably don\'t want an enforced stay in a cell.
And Ireland has now banned smoking in all workplaces.
Sweet scent of excess
going abroad,vanilla,Africa,travel advice
vanilla pods
As one of the world\'s two largest producers of vanilla,
Madagascar likes to handle its own exports, thanks very much. That\'s why you can take home only 100 grams of the stuff.
Shopping at made.com
The five best things I ate this week
