GoGappers's Guide to the Global Galaxy

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If you're planning to hitch hike, or trek your way around the Galaxy that is our globe this year, it pays to learn some key things about the other cultures you will encounter along the way,

There's an old Thai proverb that says, 'When you enter a country where everyone winks, wink back” and, if you remember this, or even how we prefer to put it, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”, you can find that the earth really is a mostly harmless place.  

Respecting other traditions, playing by other people's rules, realising that what might seem perfectly fine behaviour at home can be regarded as an offence elsewhere and being a little streetwise, are all keys to getting it right and playing it safe.

Knowing what to do, and when and how to do it, is your best insurance against getting into trouble, or even encountering traumatic situations during your voyage of adventure.   For this reason, Go Travel Insurance has put together this essential guide to world ­ wide customs. Please take a trip with us, journeying around the world, and all its ways, and read on.  

Doing some pre ­ travel preparation, by learning a little of each language you are likely to encounter en route is worth its weight in gold. Locals will appreciate your effort in learning to speak to them in their native tongue, even if it is little more than 'thank you', 'good morning' or 'is this the way to…' 

Spend a few months swotting up on some key phrases and do your research about the countries you are visiting. There are many guide books available, plus a mass of information on the Internet and you will find it well worthwhile to prepare for each individual experience. 

Don't expect everyone to speak English, or to let on if they do! Just because someone does not speak to you in your tongue, don't assume they don't understand what you are saying. Careless talk can cause problems, or reveal information about yourself or your circumstances that you might not want others to know. Don't talk loosely about your wealth, possessions, or arrangements in public and be on your guard when you meet strangers. 

No Go Areas  

Every country has its own cultural rules, but our laid-back British way of life can find some of them hard to fathom and can easily fall foul of others.

Singapore is one of the more notorious countries for strict regulations and laws, all intended to keep the country clean and respectable. For this reason, failing to flush the toilet, spitting in public, not giving a pedestrian the right of way and jaywalking will all land you in big trouble.   The country sees homosexuality as a crime and the sentence can be up to 10 years. Singapore also levies the death penalty for drug smuggling.

There, as in other countries, such as North Korea, Afghanistan and Thailand, the soles of the feet are seen as unclean and should not be exposed.

Thailand has many strict cultural rules. You must never touch or sit on an image of Buddha, point your feet towards an image of Buddha or another person, or show any disrespect to the Thai royal family, or other royal families.   Anything carrying the King's image, be it a coin, stamp, photo or picture, needs to be treated with absolute respect.

The Thais, as with other Asian races, take a very dim view of displays of temper or anger and do not like scowls, their land being The Land of Smiles, whatever the circumstances. Losing your temper in public will lose you much respect and cause offence. 

Other cultural rules are a little harder to remember. In Turkey, you should not cross your arms when facing anyone and in Venezuela you should maintain good posture at all times. Ice cream is the only food that the Portuguese find it acceptable to eat in the street, whilst walking on the grass is illegal in most parts of Poland.

Public displays of affection are not allowed in much of Asia and the Middle East and you should not touch another person's head in Indonesia, as the spirit is said to reside there.

A similar rule applies to touching a child's head in South Africa, where it is felt that it holds back development.  

In Russia, you should not allow the soles of your shoes to show, or bring them anywhere near a seat. It is also extremely rude to put your thumb between your first two fingers. 

Greece is an extremely superstitious country, in which Tuesdays are viewed to be deeply unlucky, as that was the day of the week on which Constantinople fell to the Turks. If you whistle at night, you are seen to be summoning evil spirits from the grave. Cutting your nails on a Wednesday or Friday is said to prevent you succeeding in life.   Here, spitting is a way to ward off the Evil Eye, which Greeks believe in deeply. Anyone extending a compliment will probably be spat at three times, particularly if they have blue eyes – the eye colour of the Evil Eye.

In Lithuania, it is rude to talk to anyone whilst you have your hands in your pockets, whilst it is considered extremely bad form to discuss the weather with an Icelander.  

Hand gestures must be watched around the world. The OK circle that Americans make with finger and thumb is an insult to a French person. The Chinese frown on finger snapping and pointing with the index finger and the pointing of the middle finger is the most obscene gesture you can make in the Philippines. 

Food for Thought  

In many countries, it is extremely impolite to refuse refreshments that local people might offer you, but be careful that you recognise the difference between not causing offence and falling prey to con-artists who may drug your drinks, or your meal. In India, there have been cases where restaurants have deliberately given contaminated food to travellers, simply to operate a scam in conjunction with doctors, who can claim money from travel insurance companies.

If travelling through Muslim countries, it is vital to remember that it is highly offensive to eat anything with the left hand, which is regarded as unclean. You should also remember to never give, or receive, gifts with the left hand.

What you may be offered can by extremely varied. In Fiji, it is likely to be a drink of kava – a root-based drink that you are not expected to refuse. In Poland, if your host flicks his finger at his neck, he is inviting you to share a drink of vodka, but beware – in Eastern European countries, especially Russia, you are expected to drink until the bottle is finished, so watch out for the hangover!

In certain countries, dining rules are complicated and may not follow those that your mother taught you! In Brazil, you must not touch any food with your fingers, using a knife and fork even for items such as pizza, sandwiches and fruit. Never drink from a bottle and, if using a toothpick, place a napkin over your mouth whilst you remove the offending piece of food. After every sip of drink, wipe your mouth on your napkin and ensure that you never cough or sneeze at the table.

Napkins can also cause confusion. In countries such as Hungary, and Bulgaria they are not placed on the lap, but left on the table throughout the meal. Placing your hands in your lap is offensive in many countries, including Italy, where stretching at the table is also frowned upon.

In China, never pour your own drink and try to leave a little liquid in your cup or glass, if you want more. It is impolite to put the narrow end of your chopsticks into a communal bowl, so turn them around and use the thicker end to serve your food into your own personal bowl, using the narrow end as you then eat. Never jab a chopstick into your rice bowl, as this signifies death in China, whilst dropping a chopstick is seen as a sign of extreme bad luck. After you finish your meal, put your chopsticks on the table, to show that you are full.

When it comes to paying, it is polite, in some Asian countries like Taiwan, to offer to pay, although your host will not accept this. The English habit of 'Going Dutch' is seen as being ungracious, even if it might help you stretch your backpacker budget a bit further!

Is it a Yes or a No?

When travelling, you need to know where you stand in certain situations and this can be confused by the fact that what means 'yes' in some countries is a definitive 'no' in others.

In Bulgaria a 'yes' is denoted by a shake of the head from side to side, whilst a 'no' is two nods of the head. In Sri Lanka, similarly, a nod means no and a shake yes. To get the hint and realise that your request has been turned down in Turkey, however, watch out for your host raising their chin, shutting their eyes and tilting their head back.  

Gifts and Garlands

It is common in British culture to give a 'thank you' present to those who have helped us, or given us a great time. Similarly, many other cultures place great emphasis on the giving of gifts and the offer of hospitality. However, knowing what to give is crucial, as what might be seen as a wonderful gesture in some countries, is positively detrimental in others.

Flowers are welcome in many places, but not all. In Kenya, it is a sign of condolence and in Russia, you must have an uneven number of flowers, as an even number is only used for funerals.

If you are given a garland of flowers in India, remove it and carry it in your hand, to convey humility.

In Japan and China, remember that the number 4 is extremely unlucky, so do not give four of anything. In Asia, if you are the recipient of the gift, do not open it in front of your host, as they will lose face if they realise that you do not like it. You should not comment when receiving a gift from a Chinese host and do not reciprocate by offering your own gift.

Do not wrap anything in white for a Japanese or Chinese host, as white is the colour of death. The Chinese also view clocks, watches and knives as items associated with dying. For the Chinese, however, red is a lucky colour denoting good fortune and the number 8 is equally well received.

For a South American host avoid purple, which has associations with death and do not give a French host chrysanthemums, for the same reason. If you are dealing with Chinese associates, make sure that you do not offer a man anything that is green – it will make him look a laughing stock!

If you have been invited to someone's home, don't praise individual items too much. In some cultures, such as Chinese and Russian, the host may feel obliged to give you that item, or lose face.

Watch Out For

• People asking for your passport and claiming to be undercover police or passport inspectors.
• Pick ­ pocketing on public transport where gangs can operate and steal from your rucksack or pocket without you ever knowing.
• Not staying in the same order if you are trekking in a line one behind another. Swap places in the line regularly, rotating the order.
• Standing out from the norm. A weather ­ beaten backpack can be better than a shiny one!
• Travelling alone – remember there is safety in numbers.
• Travelling as a female in male ­ orientated societies – a wedding ring could be a good friend.

And Finally

It's easy to make cultural mistakes when you travel the world, but doing your research can help you to avoid the pitfalls. Coming a cropper can happen to the best of us, which is why travel insurance is so important, for both leisure and business trips.

Go Travel Insurance offers first class backpacker travel insurance online at www.gotravelinsurance.co.uk or via a call centre on 0844 482 0880. We can give you cover for the period of time that you wish to travel, for the locations to which you will be travelling and even take account of the fact that you may wish to return home, for a family occasion or to get over a bout of homesickness.

Our rates are some of the most competitive around and our customers praise us for the quality of cover that we provide. It doesn't pay to take the risk of travelling without cover, when so many uncertainties lie ahead, but it certainly helps to reduce your risks with a little pre ­ travel prep. Remember that our hints are just the start of the research you need to do, but at least you will be thinking along the right lines, and remembering to wink back, in a country where everyone winks at you! After all, we can't all be nations of tea ­ drinkers!

©2005 Drakefield Insurance Services Limited

The above hints and tips are provided for guidance only and are no substitute for professional advice or training. No responsibility is accepted by Drakefield Insurance Services Limited.