People Share 20 Things You Should Never Do In Their Country

Pandas, here's a mind-blowing fact that you're probably already aware of: life in other countries is, well, different. Isn't it surprising? However, we can't expect everyone to behave and speak in the same way as the people in our comfort zone, social circle, or hometown. When you travel abroad, there are a number of unspoken norms that you must follow. Obviously, it's difficult to even notice what you're doing wrong at first.
Fortunately for us, the Reddit r/AskEurope online community has stated it loud and plain in two threads. Locals from several European countries discussed the 'faux pas' that some visitors make and advised on how to prevent them.

#1

Doing the nazi greeting, denying the holocaust or joke about it. I'm German and a shocking amount of Americans I met found it funny to go "oh you're german, sieg heil!" Just nein.

#2

Germany: Asking about someone's well being just for small talk is rude. When you ask how people feel, be willing to listen.

#3

Don't mention Hitler or other famous Nazis in public spaces. U may get yourself in a awkward situation. It's kind of like Voldemort in Harry Potter. U just dont mention these names in public.
Be as respectful as possible when visiting Memorials of the war, especially concentration camps. I grew up in Dachau so I've had the pleasure of meeting and seeing people from all kinds of places but foreigners sometimes seem to underestimate how much of a sensitive place these camps are for germans. I'm talking about taking pictures of yourself and your travelling partners in the camp and not turning off your phone while watching a short documentary which are being offered in Dachau. It's not natural even for western standards that countries with a horrible past are as open and inviting in terms of learning about their war crimes and so on like germany. Don't try to be judgemental when visting those sites (apart from judging the fkn nazis ofc) but rather be thankful that you've been given the opportunity to see and learn about these atrocities in person.

#4

Never, ever call anyone from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland “English”.

#5

Don't say that Ukraine is part of Russia. Don't call us russians when you hear our language or see Cyrillic.

#6

Denmark: Not a **huge** no, but please don't call people Mr/Ms [LastName] unless they're old enough to have experienced the Napoleonic wars.
Practically everyone in Denmark is on a first name basis, up to and including the prime minister. Different rules for the Queen, but if you chance upon the Crown Prince in an informal setting, he prefers the informal tone, too.

#7

Sweden: Go into someone’s house with your outdoor footwear on.

#8

Finland: Violating personal space. Like sitting next to someone in the bus if there are empty seat rows. Being closer than like 2 meters to someone at a bus stop without a reason. Talking to strangers with no apparent motivation or reason.
Bad behavior in Sauna. There should be no arguing and provocations, no sexual approaches, no farting.
Thinking we are Russians. This happens more with foreigners who have very little knowledge about Finland. And it's not that Finnish people dislike Russian people, but our entire history has been defined by trying to be distinct from Russia. First being a buffer zone of Sweden against Novgorod/Russia, then trying to be independent of Russian Empire and then trying to defend ourselves against Soviet Union. Saying we are Russians is like erasing much of our history.

#9

Ireland: Don't say no to an old woman who is offering you a cup of tea.

#10

Ireland: Never get off a bus without thanking the driver is a big one here that has got me the occasional odd look when outside of Ireland.

#11

Italy: Please don't sing Bella Ciao in a joking way. It's a serious song about Resistence against the fascists. La Casa de Papel did a disaster with that song.
Please don't call us mafiosi, even if you're joking, much less if you use the Godfather as a major source of info about italians.
Italians are very talkative people so if you're not used to strangers approaching you it may shock you a little. Don't be scared tho, many italians are just curious about tourists and would be pretty offended if you just ignored them!
This is what comes to my mind at least.

#12

In France: not saying hello to the shopkeeper/ the other clients in small shops. This is particularly true in smaller cities.I've seen many tourists forget to do this and they usually end up receiving poor customer service.

#13

Spain: do not assume that flamenco is the national culture. IT IS A SOUTHERN THING. In absolutely every TV show in the UK that takes place in Spain (and there are many) they insist on playing flamenco sounding music even when the show is about Catalonia, Galicia or the Basque Country, for example. It is infuriating.

#14

Ireland: Go to everyone’s funeral. If a friend’s distant aunt twice removed dies, you turn up.

#15

Romania: Not giving the old people your seat in the bus/tram.

#16

Romania: Never ever bring someone an even number of flowers (it is reserved for the dead)

#17

Most countries are: do not mistake us for a different nationality, do not mention bad parts of our history
Italians: DO NOT PUT THE WRONG STUFF ON TOP OF OUR FOOD

#18

In Ireland if you are out to lunch or dinner with family you must literally fight or deceive them so that you can pay for it. If you don't try then you are a bad person. In England I found that people thought it was rude and awkward when I kept trying to pay!
My granny is a pro at this. One time when we were eating dinner in a restaurant, she went to the bathroom during the meal. I saw my chance, and ran to the cashier to pay. I was stonewalled. My granny had already told the staff in her local restaurant not to let me pay. Absolute pro.
Also on another occasion my mother literally fell over and hurt her knee because she was racing her sister to the cashier.

Estonia: Associating us with today's Russia or the old Soviet Russia. Bad memories.

#19

Estonia: Associating us with today's Russia or the old Soviet Russia. Bad memories.

#20

In the UK:
* Using the wrong national label for someone.* Skipping ahead in a queue
* Similar to above, attempting to get served at a pub before someone who was at the bar before you.* Being that person who takes part in rounds in a pub but never gets one themselves
* Standing on the left on an escalator in London
* Starting a conversation about religion or politics with someone you don't know, unless it is very context appropriate e.g. in a church/political rally.