NORMS AND TABOOS ROUND THE WORLD #1

In African countries, when talking to a tribal chief, elder, or leader; make sure your head is not above his, better still bow your head.

In China and Japan, the “come here,” gesture with all of your fingers pointing down. Beckoning someone with a bent finger is considered impolite and insulting.

When eating noodles with Chinese, don't cut them. Chinese tradition believes that long noodles symbolize a long life, cutting a long noodle while enjoying a big steaming bowl of noodles symbolizes cutting a long life short.

In Vietnam, pointing with one finger is considered impolite; when you want to point, point with your whole hand.

Finishing a bottle of vodka is not bad, but placing the empty bottle back on the table is believed to be a sign of bad luck. The empty bottle should always be placed on the ground.

Everyone yawn, but stretching or yawning when in public in Spain is considered extremely vulgar.