Tips for Living Abroad: Cultural Dos and Don’ts

A vibrant collage of daily life from around the world, celebrating diverse cultures and the universal joy of community gatherings.

• Greetings and Communication

  How to approach and communicate respectfully in different cultures

  • Learn basic greetings

    Memorize hello, please, thank you, in the local language.

  • Understand formality levels

    Use formal titles unless told otherwise to show respect.

  • Listen more than you speak

    Shows respect and aids in understanding nuanced communication styles.

  • Avoid sarcasm

    Many cultures take words at face value and might miss sarcasm.

  • Be aware of gesticulation

    In some cultures, certain hand gestures can be offensive.

  • Maintain appropriate eye contact

    Understand if direct eye contact is respectful or aggressive where you are.

• Dining Etiquette

  What to do and what to avoid when eating in different countries

  • Learn table manners

    Each culture has its own rules, like the proper way to use chopsticks.

  • Respect dining times

    Eating hours can vary greatly; respect local meal times.

  • Offer to help clean

    In many cultures, offering help post-meal is considered polite.

  • Understand tipping customs

    Tipping varies widely; know when and how much to tip.

  • Try local food

    Embrace local dishes as a way to show openness to the culture.

  • Avoid discussing business at meals

    In many cultures, it's not polite to mix dining with business.

• Dress and Appearance

  Culturally appropriate dressing and appearance tips for expats

  • Conservative clothing

    Opt for modest dress in conservative countries, especially at religious sites.

    

  • Follow local fashion

    Adapting local fashion can be seen as a sign of respect.

  • Avoid ostentatious accessorizing

    Too many flashy items may be frowned upon in certain cultures.

    

• Public Behavior

  Important dos and don'ts regarding public behavior

  • Adhere to public decorum

    Certain behaviors like loud talking may be undesirable.

  • Be punctual

    Punctuality shows respect; understand the local perspective on time.

  • Avoid public displays of affection

    PDA can be highly offensive in conservative societies.