Number 10. Calling the United States ‘America.’ The Americas are a very big place, as they are comprised of 2 large continents. People outside of the US, and particularly in South America, often take offense to one nation claiming, albeit inadvertently, rights to the whole, enormous land mass.    

Number 9. Being in public when wearing sweatpants and flip-flops. Though the comfy garments are a big part of many wardrobes here in the United States, there are places, like most of Europe and all of Japan, where that particular level of casual is deemed disrespectful.

Number 8. Accepting gifts too willingly. In China, it’s established that one should humbly decline 3 times before grabbing the goods. Many other places aren’t necessarily that specific about the etiquette, but do generally encourage at least some resistance be expressed.

Number 7. Opening gifts in front of the giver. Americans plan entire events around opening newly received presents, but in both China and India it’s customary to wait until later. When you’re alone is preferred, but, at minimum, one should contain themselves until the person who did the giving has left.

Number 6. Giving someone or something a thumbs up. In numerous regions, including West Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Europe, the gesture is the equivalent of flipping the bird. In other places, it’s simply considered crude and adolescent.

Number 5. Asking people what they do. Really, not the best conversation starter anywhere, as it implies questions concerning income, status, and relative importance, but seriously not appreciated in nations with more holistic views on society.

Number 4. Assuming everyone in the world speaks English. Clearly, many countries have common, and sometimes official, languages of their own. Further, while a number of non-native English speakers do learn the language, their skills may not be perfect. Some are reluctant to use it for fear of being judged.

Number 3. Chatting up a storm. There are places and situations where keeping quiet is the appropriate action. Among them are Sweden and Finland’s saunas and some dinner tables in Japan, China, Thailand, and parts of Africa.

Number 2. Public nose blowing. This is a huge ‘don’t’ in France, Japan, China, and Saudi Arabia. It’s deemed disgusting in general, and even more so in Japan if one employs a handkerchief rather than a single-use tissue.

Number 1. Tipping. Restaurants abroad often include the gratuity in the check or pay their servers’ salaries themselves. While waiters in Europe may be touched by tourists’ thoughtfulness, those in Japan are decidedly less likely to see things that way. There, leaving additional money can be considered an insult.

Which potentially offensive American behaviors are you most surprised by?

Check out 5 American habits that the Brits just don’t understand.

Cultural norms in one country may not apply elsewhere. According to the BBC, here are 5 American habits that the Brits don’t understand.

Number 5 — Ask any US-based dentist and he or she will tell you flossing is key to healthy teeth. Well, while a significant percentage of Americans floss regularly, the Brits rarely touch a tub of floss, even though most residents in the UK own one.

Number 4 — Having a gabfest with a stranger in the US…totally normal. Trains, plains, buses, even in a huge department store, we’re constantly surrounded by people we don’t know. Why we talk to them is something the British don’t really understand.

Number 3 — Indulging in large restaurant portions is a cultural norm in America. However it’s not that way in Britain. Restaurants in the US specialize in supersize dishes, serving enough food to feed three people rather than one.

Number 2 — Brits generally don’t take home leftovers. Instead of waiting for a doggie bag, diners leave the plate remnants behind. In the States, we believe it’s paid for so we might as well take the meal home and get the most out of it.

Number 1 — Sitting down and eating breakfast together – it’s the signature of loving in American families. Brits don’t commonly indulge in a large meal in the early AM. If hung over, they may eat something small, but definitely not with their close relatives.

source: GeoBeats News

Find the right words from the text to fill in the gaps.

1. If you can’t finish your meal at a restaurant, you can ask for a …

2. Some people use … to clean their teeth.

3. They weren’t talking about serious issues, they were just having a …

4. You don’t need to cook, we have some … from yesterday.

5. It wasn’t a …. problem, so no one worried about it.

6. The concert was free for the local …

7. We felt very uncomfortable … by a lot of strangers.

8. You can go faster, the speed limit doesn’t … here.

9. At the banquet they … in delicious cakes.

10. You can … your visit to the museum with the help of a guide.

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Key:

1. doggie bag

2. flossing

3. gabfest

4. leftovers

5. significant

6. residents

7. surrounded

8. apply

9. indulged

10. get the most out of