Text messaging has generally become the preferred way for people in India to communicate with businesses, particularly stores. It’s not only more flexible and less disruptive for both the consumer and the proprietor, but the rapid growth of India’s phone industry makes it very accessible. A phone call typically won’t be refused, but the best approach is to try a text message first.

It might be tempting to add a generous dusting of Parmesan cheese to your pizza or pasta dish while dining in Italy, but the understood rule is that if it didn’t come with Parmesan, it’s not supposed to have it. Red-sauce pastas are more likely to be offered freshly grated Parmesan, while anything with seafood will most likely be spared.

In Arab culture, shoes and the soles of feet are considered unclean due to their proximity to the ground, and showing either to someone is considered insulting. The soles of the feet, being the lowest part of the body, are associated with the uncleanliness of shoes.

Stemming from the country's Spanish influence and its aspiration to emulate European culture, Chile takes a more formal approach to dining etiquette than many of its South American counterparts. In Chile, it’s considered a necessity to eat food with a knife and fork. That includes everything from formal sit-down dinners to finger foods such as sandwiches or fries.

The wai is the traditional way to greet someone in Thailand. The respectful and peaceful gesture is done by placing your palms together, resting your fingertips on your nose, keeping your elbows at your side, and bowing slightly. It is an integral part of Thai culture, and locals and visitors alike can and should practice it.

In Japan, slurping while eating noodles is not only expected but also encouraged. The practice is said to enhance flavors by allowing in air through the mouth. Although it may spark debate among tourists, locals happily embrace the custom, as noodles hold a significant place in Japanese cuisine.

In South Korea, it’s considered more formal to use both hands during a handshake. While informal single-handshakes aren’t discouraged, there is one practice that’s a major no-no: putting your other hand in your pocket. The casual gesture is considered disrespectful and insincere, and in more formal situations, doing so could offend the other party.

Giving a thumbs up is an innocuous, friendly, and positive gesture to Americans. But in certain Middle Eastern countries such as Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan, flashing a thumbs up is seen as the equivalent to showing the middle finger in Western cultures. The gesture, though offensive, is not seen as harmful if naive visitors do it by mistake.

In Australia, it’s considered rude if taxi passengers — and specifically solo male passengers — ride in the back seat. They’re expected to ride up front with the driver, a practice that has roots in egalitarianism and the country’s low tolerance for class divides. Other countries that normalize passengers taking the front seat include New Zealand, the Netherlands, and Scotland.

Eye contact is considered an important part of raising a glass in Germany. When all parties have their drink, someone will say “prost” (the equivalent of “cheers”) as everyone clinks their glasses and looks each other in the eyes. It’s a sign of mutual respect and admiration, and some say the practice dates back to when a king would raise his glass before a feast.

Gursha is the Ethiopian practice of feeding pieces of a meal to others by hand. Eating is a social activity in Ethiopian communities, and gursha is seen as a sign of hospitality, respect, and affection. The word “gursha” comes from Amharic — the most widely spoken language in Ethiopia — and translates to “mouthful” in English.

Nordic countries tend to be more reserved when it comes to body language. In Sweden, animated conversational hand gestures may be seen as overly confrontational, and the more subtle culture typically steers away from them. Instead, take communication cues from the Swedish norm of straightforward and direct facial expressions and tone of voice.

In the country of Georgia, the traditional feast (called a supra) often involves a generous helping of food, several glasses of wine, and many heartfelt toasts. It’s customary to drink an entire (small) glass of wine at once following the toast. Those who don’t wish to partake will take just a sip, but only following the toast, and will otherwise sip water throughout the dinner until the next toast.

In South Korea, it is considered impolite to pour your own drink, and it is expected that someone else will fill it for you. Typically, the youngest member of the group will watch for glasses that need refilling. Even if you’re the one doing the pouring for everyone else, it’s customary to wait for someone else to pour your drink.

In many settings in India, it’s customary to eat with your hands — but only the right hand. The left hand is traditionally associated with hygiene, and it’s considered unsanitary to use it at the table. However, in restaurants, utensils are typically used.

In Chinese culture, it is customary to initially refuse a gift. The giver is expected to insist, and the recipient will eventually accept. Refusing the gift is not a sign of disrespect or ungratefulness; rather, it is a sign of politeness and modesty, with the recipient wanting to ensure they’re not entitled or greedy.

Touching someone’s head isn’t necessarily an acceptable social gesture in many places, but in some, like Thailand, it is considered downright offensive. In Thailand, as in much of Southeast Asia, the head is a sacred part of the body. It’s viewed as the seat of the soul, and touching it is seen as a disrespectful violation of personal space.

Brazilians often greet each other with cheek kisses. Most commonly, one air kiss is given with the right cheeks touching. In other places, different numbers of kisses, or “beijos,” are given. For example, in Rio de Janeiro, two kisses are common, while three cheek kisses are typical in Bahia. The platonic greeting is also sometimes accompanied by a hug or a handshake.

In Italy, it is traditional that cappuccinos and other milk-based coffee drinks are consumed only in the morning, typically with pastries. It’s thought that milk can interfere with digestion and that heavier meals, such as lunch or dinner, should be accompanied by coffee without milk — such as a traditional espresso shot.

Tipping is not a common practice in Japan. In a culture that prides itself on hospitality, it can even be seen as an insult to the professionalism of restaurant staff. Some tourist-oriented places such as hotels and restaurants may accept tips, but it is recommended to check or ask about their policies beforehand.