Always be 30 minutes late in Mexico and NEVER make the 'OK' gesture in Bahrain: The habits that could offend locals on your next holiday revealed

  • In Australia and Germany, it's rude be late, while in Mexico and Greece for example, it's rude to be on time
  • Avoid discussing accidents or death in Taiwan, don't whistle in China, or snap your fingers in Belgium 
  • A new online tool lets users compare the common customs in different countries around the world

By Annabel Fenwick Elliott for MailOnline

Published: | Updated:

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When it comes to international manners, it's a veritable minefield out there. 

In some cultures, take Australia and Germany, it's rude be late, while in others, Mexico and Greece for example, it's rude to be on time.

Head to South Africa and you'll find a thumbs up indicates approval, but do this in Nigeria and the same gesture is considered insulting.

And don't be offended in Brazil if the first thing your host asks is whether you'd like a shower - it's not because you smell.

A new online tool from Hillarys allows users to select and compare etiquette rules from around the world.

Here, MailOnline Travel has extracted key customs in four need-to-know categories - mealtimes, gestures, punctuality, and receiving guests. 

MailOnline Travel has extracted key customs from a new interactive etiquette tool in four need-to-know categories - mealtimes, gestures, punctuality, and receiving guests. And you may want to avoid the 'OK' signal in Bahrain (stock image)

MailOnline Travel has extracted key customs from a new interactive etiquette tool in four need-to-know categories - mealtimes, gestures, punctuality, and receiving guests. And you may want to avoid the 'OK' signal in Bahrain (stock image)

Mealtimes  

Avoid leaving food on your plate in Afghanistan
Make sure you don't put salt on your food in Egypt

Avoid leaving food on your plate in Afghanistan and make sure you don't put salt on your food in Egypt

In Germany, keep your hands on the table and in Nigeria
A burp at the end of a meal tells the host you are full

Don't bring up politics in Russia
If you're dining on fish, avoid rotating your plate

Chow down: Avoid salting your food in Egypt, taking your hands off the table in Germany, and rotating your plate in Singapore

Manners and gestures 

In Bahrain, the OK hand signal is rude
Don't snap your fingers in Belgium

In China, whistling is not polite
Talking about death in Taiwan is frowned upon

In Nigeria, avoid making the thumbs up gesture
But in South Africa, it's a positive sign

In Thailand, your left hand is considered unclean
Greeting are somewhat complex in Brazil

Win-lose: Head to South Africa and you'll find a thumbs up indicates approval, but do this in Nigeria and the same gesture is considered insulting 

Punctuality

It's OK to arrive early to dinner in Australia
Punctuality is also important in Austria

In Greece however, it's customary to arrive half an hour late
And in Argentina, you can be up to an hour late without causing offence

In Germany, certain chores should be neglected on a Sunday
In Mexico, it's rude to be on time to eat

Tick tock: In Australia and Germany, it's rude be late, while in Mexico and Greece for example, it's rude to be on time

Receiving Guests 

Don't be offended in Brazil if the first thing your host asks is whether you'd like a shower
Don't open gifts in front of guests in China

Try not to show too much emotion in Japan
Don't sit down in Afghanistan without being directed to

There are a fair few rules of etiquette when it comes to being hosted in Taiwan
Never touch anyone's head in Singapore

Take heed: Don't open gifts in front of guests in China or show excessive emotion at someone else's home in Japan

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