The etiquette nobody writes down.

Rice on the left, soup on the right. No smoking on a plane. The unspoken rules people expect you to already know: by country, by situation.

Overhead view of a shared brunch table — waffles, eggs, coffee, and a hand reaching in for food

94 rules

Accept the refreshments at a business meeting

PhilippinesBusiness

Accept the second offer of food, not just the first

Always queue, never cut in

United KingdomSocial

Always say "Bonjour" before anything else

Arrive a few minutes early for a meeting

GermanyBusiness

Arrive a little late, and bring a gift

Ask about shoes, and accept the tea when it's offered

United KingdomHome

Avoid black or white gift wrap

Avoid gift sets of four or nine

Avoid leather and white-wrapped gifts

Avoid sets of four, knives, and clocks

Bow and use two hands with seniors

Bring a small gift when visiting someone's home

Bring back omiyage after any trip

Build rapport before getting to business

Buy your round at the pub

United KingdomDining

Check tattoo policy before visiting an onsen

Cover shoulders and knees before entering a temple

Don't ask for parmesan on seafood pasta

Don't flip the whole fish over

Don't mistake directness for rudeness

Don't open a gift in front of the giver

Don't order a cappuccino after 11am

Don't schedule business around Friday or prayer times

Saudi ArabiaBusiness

Don't sit down until you're shown your seat

Don't take phone calls on trains or buses

Don't tip

Dress modestly, and don't initiate contact across genders

Saudi ArabiaSocial

Dress well even for a quick errand

Eat and pass food with your right hand only

Eat with the spoon, use the fork to push

Exchange business cards with two hands

Give flowers in odd numbers, unwrapped

Give gifts with both hands, open later

PhilippinesGifts

Greet elders with nginge'

Greet friends with la bise, not a hug

Greet the most senior person first

Greet the oldest person in the room first

Greet with a handshake or a single cheek kiss

Greet with a wai, matched to who you're greeting

Greet with namaste, and touch elders' feet

Hold eye contact during a toast

Keep the fork in your left hand, knife in your right — even for pizza

Keep your hands on the table

Keep your hands visible, and don't rush off after eating

Learn to hear the disagreement inside the politeness

United KingdomBusiness

Let the eldest or the host eat first

PhilippinesDining

Let the host toast first, and clink lower

Let them lead the cheek kiss, and match the local count

Let your host offer food more than once

Never criticize someone in front of others

Never give a clock as a gift

Never give chrysanthemums, and count your flowers

Never leave chopsticks standing upright in your rice

Never smoke on a commercial flight

Never speak ill of the monarchy, never step on money

Never stand chopsticks upright in rice

Never touch a latte stone, and keep your voice down

Never touch someone's head, or point your feet at them

Never write a living person's name in red ink

Number 4 is unlucky, 7 is lucky

Place rice to the left of soup

Present and receive business cards with both hands

VietnamBusiness

Present business cards with both hands

Print a Portuguese translation on your business card, and don't step back

Put bread directly on the tablecloth

Reciprocate favors with chenchule'

Remove your shoes, and don't wander past where you're invited

PhilippinesHome

Respect Ruhezeit — quiet hours are enforced

Shake every hand, use titles and last names

Shake hands in business settings, skip la bise

Shake your cup to signal you're done with the coffee

Saudi ArabiaDining

Show up around 20 minutes late — showing up on time can catch your host off guard

Skip chrysanthemums and even numbers when gifting flowers

Skip knives, clocks, and handkerchiefs as gifts

Skip lilies and chrysanthemums, wrap it well

PhilippinesGifts

Skip marigolds as an everyday gift flower

Skip purple wrapping and sharp objects when giving a gift

Skip white flowers, red ink, and shoes as gifts

Slurping noodles is polite, not rude

Stand on the correct escalator side

Take off your shoes, and let your host seat you

Saudi ArabiaHome

Take off your shoes, wear the slippers you're given

Take your shoes off entering any home

Take your shoes off indoors

Take your shoes off just outside the door

Take your shoes off, and bring a small gift

Turn away when drinking with elders

Use "po" and "opo" to show respect

PhilippinesSocial

Use a title or honorific, not a first name

Use your right hand for eating, greeting, and giving

Saudi ArabiaSocial

Wash before soaking, and keep your towel out of the water

Weather is always safe small talk

United KingdomSocial

Wrapping matters as much as the gift