Travel Taboos

Sources adapted from MSN.com
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Do u know...?
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1) Do you know that in Japan, it is considered a bad omen to insert your chopsticks in your rice bowl vertically and place it there for any reason? *!*(Same la like Chinese. Inserting your chopsticks vertically in your bowl reminds us of the grave marker. We only do that when we are praying/paying respect for the deceased.)
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2) All Muslims/non-Muslims must take their shoes off before entering a Mosque. Visitors must also follow the dressing code when visiting a Mosque. *!*(Ya i know! Been learning that since i was born into this country. This influenced us to take our shoes off before entering our house too. There were once my uncle invited his Chinese colleague to our house during Chinese New Year. It was their first time stepping into a Malaysian home. My uncle work in China. They wore shoes into the house. Dirty d lo! However, after some time he asked my uncle "do we have to take our shoes out before entering your house?" I was like "DUH? CAN'T YOU SEE US BARE FOOT INSIDE THE HOUSE?" -to myself la- LOLx! It was an experience. At least i know people from other country do not know that in Malaysia, we are used to taking shoes off before entering our house. Hygiene purpose OK!)
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3) In Ukraine, when you are giving flowers, make sure the bouquet contains odd number of flowers. Even number of flowers in a bouquet is usually used for funerals. Also avoid giving yellow flowers and eastern lilies to friends/gfs in Ukraine. Yellow flowers and eastern lilies are also used in funerals.*!*(So guys, if your are interested in a Ukrainian girl, make sure you give her odd number of flowers -like 3/5/7/9/11....99 and not 2/4/6/8/10..../100- and make sure it is not eastern lilies and not yellow in colour. hehe! She probably thinks your want her to die or something. LOLx!)
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4) Make sure you kiss in the right place. You could be caught for kissing in the wrong place.

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Make sure you look for the "Kissing Zone" sign before you smooch your partner goodbye. This is to stop smooching couples holding up other commuters. *!*(Means, please kiss at the carpark, don't kiss at the drop-off zone. You will cause traffic jam. haha! In Malaysia, we don't need this rules. Malaysian don't kiss in the public as often as the Westerners. In fact, in some place, we were not allowed to kiss. Maybe that's our "no kissing zone". The whole damn zone!!!! cis! Hmm.. i heard there is also a place where you can't hold hands with your partner. uiks? What the..? haha!)

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5) Egyptian cooks must have very tender egos. Do not put salt in your food. Don't even ask for salt. Doing so is considered as an insult to the Egyptian chefs. *!*(Unlike Western restaurant, they put salt on the table for your just in case you want more flavour in your meal. haha! Luckily the Egyptian food is very well flavoured. haha! I cannot 'tahan' tasteless food.)
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6) Dress modestly when you plan to visit churches in Italy during summer time. No short shorts, mini skirts, sleeveless top for both men and women. Guards will stop you or other parishioners will scrutinize you if you wear something inappropriate. *!*(Make sense! Holy places, dress accordingly la. Stop showing so much skin! haha!)
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7) Don't make the "V for 'victory'" sign with your palm facing inward in Great Britain. It is considered an insult. It was originated from a war between Great Britain and France. Not too sure, please check out in Wiki.*!*(Make normal peace sign like that 'cukup'. Although the palm facing inward peace sign looks cooler. LOLx)

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*!*(I've heard of this thingy before. But in a different, blurry, unclear version. It is said to be rude in Western countries to do this peace sign. It could mean "F**k You" That's what i heard la. However, it seems the world forget the war that created this palm facing peace sign. Everyone is using it. haha! It is quite popular. It is just like the middle finger sign only in a more polite way. Haha!)

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8) Insulting a Thai King is a crime. This law has lead to web sites being censored and at least 1 writer having been arrested. *!*(When visiting Thailand, keep everything you wanna comment on the Thai King to yourself. I am not criticizing right? No I'm not. Don't arrest me.)
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9) Hungarians don't clink beer glasses or bottles when they're making a toast, due to the tradition of remembering soldiers killed in the 1848 revolution. It was said in a legend where, after the Austrian execute 13 Hungarians in a war, the Austrian clink glass to celebrate their victory. And from then on, no Hungarian would toast by clinking glass. *!*(It is so normal to clink glass everywhere. The Chinese clink glass and scream "Yum Sing" when making toast. Some nation clink the glass before making a speech and clink again after the speech. So remember, avoid clinking glasses if you are in Hungary. You do not want thousands of angry Hungarian eyes staring at you! haha! At least don't do this... for the sake of the dead soldiers.)
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10) The "clean plate club" does not exist in Cambodia. If your plate is too clean, it signifies that you are still hungry and your host has not serve you enough and well. *!*(Well, we have been taught to finish what is on your plate. Do not take so much if you cannot finish. haha! We must now be sure to not finish everything on your plate if you are eating in Cambodia. If you accidently finish everything, *clean and sparkling..* ask your friends that are still eating to spare you some food. Just to 'decorate' your plate so that you will not be said as 'impolite'. LOLx!)
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That's it from MSN! I just added my own view on each taboo. haha! I'm sure there are plenty more taboo in other country. Share with me if you know some. On the other side, i will try to find more 'interesting' culture on the internet. Haha!!
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Chao Chao!~