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

151 rules

Accept the refreshments at a business meeting

PhilippinesBusiness

Accept the second offer of food, not just the first

Accept what's offered — don't keep refusing

PhilippinesHome

Address people by their title and surname

PhilippinesBusiness

Always queue, never cut in

United KingdomSocial

Always say "Bonjour" before anything else

Arrive a few minutes early for a meeting

GermanyBusiness

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

United KingdomHome

Ask before you photograph anyone, and skip government buildings entirely

Saudi ArabiaTravel

Avoid black or white gift wrap

Avoid direct, blunt confrontation

PhilippinesBusiness

Avoid gift sets of four or nine

Avoid leather and white-wrapped gifts

Avoid sets of four, knives, and clocks

Avoid white or black-and-white gift wrapping

PhilippinesGifts

Be direct and split the bill

Be warm and family-oriented

Be warm and punctual, but not overly formal

Bow and use two hands with seniors

Bring a monetary gift (ika') if you attend a wake

Bring a small gift when visiting someone's home

Bring back omiyage after any trip

Bring flowers — odd number, unwrapped, never red roses

Bring food or something practical to a housewarming

PhilippinesGifts

Bring wine or flowers, never chrysanthemums or a black-wrapped gift

Build rapport before getting to business

Build the relationship before the business

PhilippinesBusiness

Buy from the wedding gift list if the couple has one

United KingdomGifts

Buy your round at the pub

United KingdomDining

Check before you shoot, and don't push past the inner sanctum

Check tattoo policy before visiting an onsen

Confess feelings with a kokuhaku, not a slow fade

Court with gestures and patience

PhilippinesDating

Cover shoulders and knees before entering a temple

Cover up once you leave the beach

Don't ask for parmesan on seafood pasta

Don't bring wine, and don't arrive on time

Don't climb the pyramids — it's illegal, not just discouraged

Don't expect a kiss on the first date

Don't flip the whole fish over

Don't Give Marigolds as a Casual Gift in Mexico

Don't litter on the beach — Rio enforces it with real fines

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 sit down until your host tells you where

Don't sit on the Spanish Steps, or any monument steps

Don't take phone calls on trains or buses

Don't tip

Don't touch someone's head or point with your feet

Dress modestly and remove hats at church

PhilippinesTravel

Dress modestly and respectfully in public

PhilippinesSocial

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

Eat with your hands at a kamayan feast

PhilippinesDining

Exchange business cards with two hands

Expect the man to pay, but offer to split

Give flowers in odd numbers, unwrapped

Give gifts with both hands, open later

PhilippinesGifts

Give money or a gift at a wake (lamay)

PhilippinesGifts

Give the "mano po" to elders

PhilippinesSocial

Go for a drink, not a formal dinner

United KingdomDating

Go slow on public affection in Korea

Greet elders with nginge'

Greet elders with respect when you arrive and leave

PhilippinesHome

Greet friends with la bise, not a hug

Greet locals warmly and avoid confrontations

PhilippinesTravel

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

Hora Mexicana — Arriving Late to a Mexican Home Is Normal

How Many Cheek Kisses, and Which Side First?

In Germany, Hold Eye Contact When You Toast (Prost)

Involve (or at least acknowledge) the family

PhilippinesDating

Involve the family early in the relationship

Keep dating private and modest in public

Saudi ArabiaDating

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

Leave the yellow and pink subway seats empty

Let the eldest or the host eat first

PhilippinesDining

Let the host toast first, and clink lower

Let the man make the first move

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

Let your host offer food more than once

Manage public affection to match the setting

PhilippinesDating

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 point your feet at the altar or a Buddha statue

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

Open with small talk, not the agenda

Pass jeepney fare hand-to-hand, and say "para po" to stop

PhilippinesTravel

Place rice to the left of soup

Present and receive business cards with both hands

VietnamBusiness

Present business cards with both hands

Present your card with both hands, to the most senior person first

ThailandBusiness

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

Restaurant tipping percentage varies sharply by country

Say "salamat" and linger after the meal

PhilippinesDining

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 alcohol, pork, gold, and dog motifs entirely

Saudi ArabiaGifts

Skip chrysanthemums and even numbers when gifting flowers

Skip knives, clocks, and handkerchiefs as gifts

Skip lilies and chrysanthemums, wrap it well

PhilippinesGifts

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

Smile often — it's the default register

PhilippinesSocial

Split the bill unless someone offers to pay

Stand on the correct escalator side

Stand right, walk left on Underground escalators

United KingdomTravel

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

Take your shoes off, and never step on the threshold

Tip 15–20% for massage, salon, and spa services

Tip hotel housekeeping $2–5 per night, left daily

Turn away when drinking with elders

Use "po" and "opo" to show respect

PhilippinesSocial

Use a title or honorific, not a first name

Use the spoon in your right hand, fork in your left

PhilippinesDining

Use three sticks of incense, never a random number

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