- [Narrator] Traveling
opens up your world view, but different cultures around the world are so varied that just doing your thing in foreign countries may get
you into a world of difficulty. Let's take a look at 20 surprising things you should never do in other countries. (whimsical music) - A bad thing. - [Narrator] Number 20, don't
step on money in Thailand. In Thailand, it's
illegal to step on money. It's because of one man
on every note, the king. The law states anything
considered demeaning to the royal family can be an offense. That means if you drop
your baht at the market you won't be able to
stand on it to stop it from blowing away. The Thai government
also has a lot of power. During a recent military
coup, the three-finger Hunger Games salute became
popular with protesters. In the end, they made the gesture illegal and five people were even
arrested for doing it. There are lots more
customs you should follow should you visit Thailand. For one, it's never good to shout or make a scene in Southeast Asia. You should also avoid putting up your feet because according to Buddhist beliefs feet are the dirtiest parts of the body and it's very offensive
to point them at someone. Also, think of the smell. Ugh. Number 19, don't use
your left hand in India. You never think about
what hand you use for what but in India you need to. Never pass money, food, or
shake with your left hand. Your left hand is used for
all things bathroom-related. So it's very easy to see
where this comes from. In India, you should also get ready for another custom, queue jumping. As queues are a Western construct, it's jump or be jumped in the
wildly long lines of India. Number 18, don't order white coffee after breakfast in Italy. Italians are known for
coffee, and they have many rules about it. It's poor form to order a white coffee, such as a cappuccino, after breakfast. This comes not from the
sweetness of the drink but from the milk. According to Italians,
milk should never be drunk after a meal, as it is said
to ruin your digestion. So you should only have it at breakfast. If you're a beach-goer,
you should also beware. In Eraclea, near Venice, it's
illegal to build sandcastles. According to the local
government, they obstruct the passage of the beach and
sand dunes for other people. Talk about the fun police. And here's a weird one. In Torino, readjusting
your crotch in public is an offense. Even though touching
that part of your body is traditionally
associated with good luck, courts are beginning to rule that it goes against common decency. We're not talking about
one or two gestures, but a lot of crotch-pawing. In fact, one man was convicted in 2006 for ostentatiously touching his genitals through his clothing. Keep your hands where we can see 'em. Number 17, no high heels in Greece. High-heeled shoes have
been banned at Greece's oldest monuments due to
damage caused by tourists. Leave them at home. Besides, don't you wanna be comfy when you're walking over the old rocks? Greeks also have an
intolerance to mooning, the practice of bearing your
naked ass in public, as well. And if you insist on
this asinine behavior, you could end up with a hefty fine. So mooning on the Acropolis while wearing stilettos, you've got
yourself a double whammy or at least a very
interesting photo shoot. Number 16, don't tip in Japan. This next one might be
hard to get your head around, but you shouldn't tip in Japan. The service may be
exceptional, but Japanese people consider this
standard to be typical. So offering a gratuity is not necessary. Okay, you won't necessarily
offend someone's sensibilities if you tip, but you should definitely avoid pointing. It's rude to point at someone in Japan as this is a gesture
that is usually directed towards objects rather than people. And while on the subject of Japan, although it's not illegal to engage in PDA on the streets, it is a faux pas to kiss amorously in public or hug for too long. So save those long goodbye
kisses for the hotel room. Number 15, watch your
hand gestures in Turkey. Often, hand gestures are
a great way of bridging the language barrier, but
just like all language sometimes they can get mistranslated. In Turkey, you should
not give the okay sign. To do so implies you
think the other person is a homosexual. But you should also watch
where you drink your liquor. It has been made illegal
to drink or be drunk in public in the province of Burdur. Even sitting in a car with alcohol can get you a 100-lira fine. If that wasn't enough,
you should never use a toothpick without covering your mouth, and you should avoid blowing your nose in public, as both of these
are considered very impolite. Try dabbing at it instead. Number 14, you can't buy
chewing gum in Singapore. Despite what's claimed,
it's not illegal to chew chewing gum in Singapore,
even after a 1992 law passed which was designed to counter the amount of chewing gum being dropped in public places, the treat
was not altogether outlawed. Instead, buying and selling it is illegal and punishable with a
fine of up to $1,000. The Control of Manufacture
Act still allows tourists to bring two
packs into the country. So you'd better make it count. But if you're looking
for another foodstuff to enjoy when in
Singapore, you should know that you're also not
allowed to take the pungent tropical fruit durian on public transport. Bringing the fruit,
which tastes like heaven, smells like hell, on a bus or train, carries a fine of up to $5,000. This pride in public
spaces means you are also not allowed to feed pigeons. This avoids population growth and reduces the amount of poop to clean. Two men, a 62-year-old and a 68-year-old, were fined 400 and $1,500 respectively for breaking this law this year. Number 13, don't pee in
the ocean in Portugal. Hot competition for the
hardest law to enforce, it's not very polite to pee in a pool. But what about the ocean? Surely it's the definition
of a victimless crime. But nonetheless, Portugal
has recently outlawed it. That means any swimmers caught short will have to come out and find a bathroom. I don't envy the person who has to catch you doing this one. Number 12, don't feed the
pigeons in San Francisco. It may seem fun to feed
the pigeons, but doing so in San Francisco
can get you in trouble. It's illegal. The law is aimed to curb their population as well as the health hazard
presented by their poop. The authorities even have
a hotline specifically for tips about illicit crumb-droppers. Speaking of tips, in America in general gratuities are everything. The average waiter makes
between five to $12 an hour and they need any
extra money they can get. So unlike Japan, this is one place you should definitely tip. You should also make sure
to mind your Ps and Qs where politeness is the
main order of the day. In certain states, they pride themselves on good manners as a way of life. Customs like Minnesota Nice, made famous by the film Fargo, are defined by polite friendliness, an aversion
to confrontation, and a disinclination to make a fuss. So be nice even if you don't mean it. And finally, cutting down a Saguaro cactus in Arizona is a federal crime
even if it's on your property. Doing any damage to this majestic plant is punishable with 25 years in prison, which is comparable to the amount of time you'd do for an actual murder. This is because they take almost 200 years to fully mature, almost as long as the United States
has been in existence. And how would you like it if someone cut you down in your prime? Number 11, no camouflage in the Caribbean. The Caribbean Islands, including Barbados, Jamaica, Grenada, Dominica, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent have banned civilians from wearing camouflage patterns. That's right, they're
policing what you wear, as in this is literally what
their police force wear. So if you want to avoid
a fine or jail time for impersonating an officer, leave the camouflage at home. But how will they spot you? Eh? Eh? Number 10, no bikinis in Barcelona. When on holiday in Spain, you probably want nothing more than
to roll off of the beach after a long day of sunbathing, and to go and have a few cervezas
at a local taverna. But in Barcelona you'll have to swing by your hotel to change your clothes because the city has
banned people from wearing bikinis when not on the beach. The rule, which has
been made to supposedly protect modesty, comes with
a $650 on-the-spot fine. You may love your beach
body, but you'll have to put it away unless you
want to get into trouble. Number nine, tight-fitting
trunks only in France. Men going to the beach in France also have modesty concerns when
it comes to swimwear. But rather being made to cover up, all men swimming in public have to instead wear tight-fitting swimming trunks. The law from 1903 relates to hygiene. The theory is you won't be wearing those budgie smugglers around
town, so they are likely to be completely clean when
you put them on for your drip. Number eight, don't spend
your pennies in Canada. Ever seen someone counting out pennies to pay for their entire week's
shop at a grocery store? Not in Canada. In fact, it's illegal to pay for something worth 25 cents or more
using single-cent coins. The Currency Act of 1985 also renders your payment void if you pay for something worth $5 or more using 5-cent pieces, as this breaks the limitations of what is considered legal tender. Also, despite the
similarities, it's generally not a good idea to compare Canadians to their American neighbors. Not only do they not like the association, Canadians pride themselves on making fun of their southern counterparts. Number seven, no tobacco in Bhutan. Smokers of the world would
be wise to avoid Bhutan. The strictest narcotics
laws in the entire world mean that the sale of tobacco is banned. Tobacco use has been outlawed
since the Supreme Leader decreed it in 1729, but
it wasn't until 2004 that the National
Assembly of Bhutan banned the sale of tobacco nationwide. It's the first country
to ever go smoke-free. Number six, don't finish
your plate in China. When eating in certain regions of China it's okay if your eyes are
bigger than your stomach. It's sometimes considered
rude to eat everything on your plate, as it
indicates that you have not been fed adequately enough. Try to leave a little food behind to show your total fulfillment. On the subject of food, contrary to urban legend, it's not
customary to belch to show your satisfaction at the food. In the past, when food was scarce, showing you were full
to the point of burping was a sign of the host's wealth. But those days are gone. Why not instead try a thank-you card? Number five, dress modestly
in the Middle East. In certain parts of the Middle East, be careful how you dress. Modesty is key in places
like Iran and Saudi Arabia. You should avoid wearing
revealing clothes, and women should keep their heads covered. Also, drinking in certain countries, such as Jordan, should
be kept to licensed bars unless you want a fine. In Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Kuwait, it's entirely banned due to
their strict religious laws. If visiting during Ramadan,
you should be respectful. Muslims are not allowed to eat or drink during daylight hours
during the holy month, so you should avoid eating in public. In some places, it's stricter than others. In the UAE, where laws are applied equally to muslims and non-muslims alike, eating, drinking, or encouraging it in public can land you with a
2,000-dirham fine or jail time. Another thing you should
note is that Valentine's Day is outlawed in Iran,
as it represents a lot of aspects of decadent Western culture. But that hasn't stopped a lot of Iranians continuing to celebrate it anyway. True love always find a way. Number four, don't give even
numbers of flowers in Russia. You can always say it with flowers, except in Russia where bad
math can cause an upset. When picking out a bouquet
for a special event, try to get an odd number of flowers. Even numbers of flowers are only given at funerals, while
yellow flowers in general are associated with mourning. So try to avoid both
unless you want to offend. Also, although it sounds
weird, avoid smiling at people in Russia, and don't expect one to smile for a photo. Russians only smile when
they have a reason to, like when with a family member or during a special occasion. This can seem unfriendly, maybe downright unsettling, but at least you know. Say cheese, or don't. Number three, no reincarnation in Tibet. Ever since the administration of Tibet was taken over by the
People's Republic of China, they've enforced a very strange law. In the home of the
Dalai Lama, it's illegal for people to be reincarnated
without permission. The State Religious
Affairs Bureau order number five was passed in 2007 in order to manage and control the reincarnation
of living Buddhas. While over 1,000 people have since been reincarnated
officially, the government has used this to invalidate the claims of countless who have died and come back without first getting approval. Number two, don't hike
naked in Switzerland. Intended to curb the growing enthusiasm of those who love being close to nature, Swiss authorities are
allowed to fine people who hike naked. Lacking a law to counter public nudity, they instead charge people based on their public indecency law. One man was fined 100
Swiss francs for walking past a family picnic in his birthday suit. And Switzerland has seen an influx of many more naked hikers in recent years. Common decency aside, surely there can't be anything less appealing than stripping down in the cold outdoors of the Alps? Number one, don't touch
people's heads in Malaysia. Malaysia is the melting
pot of Southeast Asia, a place where cultures,
languages, and religions all mix together. Despite the variety,
there are some general customs you will need
to observe when there. Firstly, you should avoid
touching people's heads as it is considered the most
sacred part of the body. Plus, it's also kinda patronizing. You should also avoid pointing, as this is considered
poor manners, especially when done with your right hand. Old wives' tales imply
that you shouldn't point at heavenly bodies, like the moon, in case your finger falls off. And even pointing at an animal may rile up its spirit and invite it to take revenge. Instead, why not try a Barack Obama point with your thumb, leaving
your fingers tucked in? Pointing should only be
used as a direct insult. Similarly, pounding
your fist into your hand shows exasperation and can
be taken as insulting too. So when traveling around
the world, you'll see many amazing sites, but
you can easily offend if you're not wise to
different people's cultures. Did you find out the
hard way or do you know about any other strange customs you should never do in other countries? Let me know in the
comments section down below and thanks for watching. (mysterious music)
