Nobody warns you about the moment: You are innocently snapping photos of the interesting architecture. Trying get the perfect lighting to highlight the intricate design when all of the sudden locals rush you, screaming in a foreign language insisting you’ve taken a photo of them. Yes. This happened to me in Marrakesh, Morocco. I was terrified. In a panic, I attempted to figure out what I had done wrong. Then they demanded to see my camera. I immediately realized the rules I had grown up with do not apply here. Something that seemed innocent was a cultural difference that sent my nervous system into overdrive. Luckily my guide was close by and help to diffuse the situation. Things were different in Morocco and what I had done wrong was not learn all of the rules before entering the country. Basically every country has its own unspoken rulebook, and nobody hands you a copy of it at customs.
After traveling to more than 60 countries, I have had a few moments that caught me off guard. Most have been quite innocent and some were downright frightening. I have also watched other travelers, particularly first-timers, stumble through it in ways that were completely avoidable. The good news is that navigating cultural differences when traveling abroad does not mean being perfect. It means being prepared and paying attention.
Here I am sharing things I wish someone had told me before I crossed my first international border.
Why Cultural Awareness Matters More Than You Think
Before we get into the specifics, let me say something that most travel guides skip over entirely. Cultural awareness is not just politeness. It is also protection.
When you understand the customs of where you are going, you avoid situations that could embarrass you, offend your hosts, or in some places create genuine problems for you as a traveler. A gesture that means one thing at home can mean something completely different somewhere else. Behavior that reads as confident in the United States can read as rude in Japan or presumptuous in France.
This is especially important for Black American travelers who are often navigating their identity in places that have very specific ideas about who we are. The media has shaped these idea more so than any actual interaction. How you show up culturally has a direct impact on how you are received. That matters.
The goal is not to erase yourself. It is to arrive informed so that you are leading the experience rather than reacting to it.
Do Your Research Before You Land
This is the foundational step that most first-time travelers skip. They research flights, hotels, and Instagram-worthy spots and then they land with no idea how to actually behave in the country they just paid to visit.
Before any trip, I want to know a few things about my destination: how people greet each other, what the dress expectations are, and what are the preferred payment options. Those three things alone will cover the majority of situations you will encounter in the first 48 hours. My go to resource “Kiss Bow or Shake Hands” has helped me in more ways than I care to mention. But you can also do a simple google search to learn the basics.
Beyond that, look into the specific region you are visiting. Cultural norms within a single country can shift dramatically by city, by neighborhood, even by context. What is appropriate in cosmopolitan Tokyo is not necessarily what is appropriate in a rural Japanese village like Takayama. What is fine on the streets of Marrakech may not be appropriate inside a mosque. Context always matters.
A simple online search before you travel “[destination] cultural etiquette for tourists,” will give you more useful information than you might expect. Use it.
Learn a Few Words. Just a Few.
You do not need to be fluent. You do not even need to be good. What you need is to try.
Learning a few words in the local language is the single most effective thing I have done in every country I’ve visited. This small gesture shows respect for where you are. Hello. Thank you. Please. Excuse me. These four phrases, said imperfectly with a genuine smile, will open more doors than any amount of confident English ever will.
Here is why this matters beyond just politeness. When you walk into a space and immediately speak English at full volume with the expectation that someone will accommodate you — and many Americans do this without realizing it — you are communicating something. You are signaling that your comfort matters more than theirs. That is not a good first impression in any culture.
When you try even a word or two in the local language, you are signaling the opposite. You are saying: I know I am a guest here. I am making an effort. That effort changes the entire interaction.
Apps like Duolingo and Google Translate make this easier than it has ever been. Download Google Translate before you leave and download the offline language pack for your destination. You will not always have WiFi and you will be grateful you have it.
Dress for Where You Are, Not Where You Came From
Now I am not talking about the temperature. The temperature is the least of your concerns. This is the difference between what is considered appropriate what is not. And before you say, you’ve paid your money and can wear what you want, you can’t. You’re not at home. This is someone else’s home. And that alone deserves respect.
What you wear communicates something everywhere in the world, but what it communicates changes completely depending on where you are. Shorts that are perfectly appropriate in Miami will get you turned away from a church in Rome. A sleeveless top that is unremarkable in Los Angeles will draw attention and possibly disrespect in a conservative neighborhood in Morocco.
Religious and historical sites almost universally have dress expectations. Shoulders covered. Knees covered. In some cases, heads covered. In Japan and parts of Southeast Asia, you will remove your shoes before entering certain spaces. These are not suggestions. They are how you demonstrate respect for the place and the people who hold it sacred.
I always travel with a lightweight scarf or wrap that I can throw over my shoulders or around my waist in a moment. It has gotten me into more places than I can count. It takes up no space in your bag and it solves the problem instantly.
Before you pack, research the specific sites you plan to visit and what the dress requirements are. Do not assume because something worked at one site that it will work at another. I had a quick wardrobe change in Tanzania when I realized the shorts I was wearing that were perfectly fine on the resort would have created some unwanted attention in the streets of Stone Town. Do yourself a favor and check each one.
Watch Before You Act
When you arrive somewhere new, spend the first few minutes just watching. Watch how people greet each other. Watch how they behave in restaurants, in markets, on public transportation. And watch the rhythm of the place before you try to participate in it.
This is how I learned that in Japan, people do not talk on the phone on the subway. You would never know this from a guidebook but you will see it immediately even before you board a train in Tokyo. Everyone waits politely in cue to board and then everyone is quiet, no one is on a call, and the silence might feel awkward.
It’s also how I figured out the tipping culture in countries where tipping is not standard. In Japan, leaving a tip is actually considered rude. It implies the person needed extra incentive to do their job well. A small tip i is appreciated but not expected in Portugal. In Morocco, tipping at restaurants is common but the amount is different than what Americans typically leave. Watching what the people around you do will tell you more than any app. And you can always ask a local to ensure you get it right.
Speaking of tipping. Always research tipping expectations before you go. It varies dramatically by country and by context and getting it wrong can create an awkward moment that is entirely avoidable.
Respect What Is Sacred
Every culture has places, practices, and objects that carry deep significance. And nothing signals disrespect faster than treating something sacred like a photo opportunity.
I have been to temples, mosques, churches, and shrines across more countries than I can count. No matter where I am, or what others are doing I follow one simple rule: Treat it with care and respect whether I share the belief or not. That means following the dress code. Staying quiet when quiet is expected. Asking before I photograph anything. It also means never touching anything I have not been explicitly told I can touch.
This also applies to people. Photographing locals requires awareness and often explicit permission. In some cultures, being photographed without consent is genuinely offensive. A smile and a gesture toward your camera goes a long way. If someone says no, you put the camera down. No exceptions.
The moments you are most tempted to treat as content are often the moments that deserve the most restraint. The most meaningful travel experiences I have had happened because I put the phone away and actually participated in what was in front of me.
Adjust Your Volume and Your Pace
This sounds minor. It is not. Americans and I say this as one tend to be loud. We fill spaces. We speak at a volume calibrated for a room that may not need that much filling. In many cultures, this reads as aggressive or inconsiderate.
Excessive noise in public spaces is genuinely disruptive to the social order in Japan. In France, entering a space without greeting the people in it first is considered rude. In the UK, cutting in a queue (aka a line) is a serious social offense. These are not stereotypes. These are real expectations that real people have, and ignoring them makes you the tourist everyone hates.
Pace matters too. The United States runs on urgency. Many countries do not. Dinner in Portugal is an event, not a transaction. A meal can take two hours and that is the point. Then there is Italy. Here, service moves at a different speed than service in New York. Rushing it signals that you do not understand what a meal is supposed to be.
When the pace around you is slower than what you are used to, slow down and enjoy it. It is your cue to simply enjoy the moment. Everything else can wait.i You’ll be rushed again in due time, like as soon as you enter the US.
My Perspective
Sixty three countries in and the thing I have learned is that cultural differences are the whole reason to go. To experience life beyond your borders and understand how other cultures move. The intent is not to copy but to broaden your horizons by seeking to understand.
Even when you prepare, things will happen. Mistakes will certainly be made. You will miss cues and inevitably you will do something that lands differently than you intended.
The way you handle it matters more than the mistake itself. Locals understand that you are a visitor. What they are watching for is whether you are making a good-faith effort or whether you simply do not care.
Stay calm. Stay humble. Ask questions when you are unsure rather than guessing your way through. Most locals will appreciate someone who asks “is this okay?” more than someone who assumes and gets it wrong.
And when someone corrects you, receive it with gratitude. They did you a favor.
There are 195 countries on this planet and most of them have figured out something worth knowing. That perspective does not come from reading about other cultures. It comes from being in them, making mistakes, adjusting, and staying anyway.
The first time is the hardest. After that, navigating cultural differences becomes one of the things you look forward to most. I promise.
If you are just getting started, take a look at my international travel guide for first timers. It will help you get the big picture before you start sweating the cultural details.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I navigate cultural differences when traveling abroad for the first time? The best way to navigate cultural difference is to start with research before you leave. Learn the local greeting customs, dress expectations, and tipping culture for your destination. When you arrive, watch how locals behave before jumping in. Preparation and humility cover most situations.
What are the most important cultural etiquette tips for international travelers? The most important tip is to learn basic phrases in the local language. Dress appropriately and do your research. Expectations vary dramatically by country. Watch the behavior of locals before assuming your home customs apply.
What should I research before traveling to a new country? At minimum: how people greet each other, what the dress expectations are for the places you plan to visit, tipping norms, and any gestures or behaviors that are considered offensive. A search for “[country name] cultural etiquette for tourists” before your trip will give you a strong foundation.
What do I do if I accidentally offend someone culturally? Apologize simply and sincerely. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know” is enough. Most people around the world understand that visitors are learning. What they respond to is your willingness to acknowledge the mistake and adjust. Do not over-explain or become defensive. A genuine apology and a course correction is all it takes.
What are common cultural mistakes American travelers make abroad? Speaking too loudly in public spaces. Assuming English will always be understood. Not researching dress codes for religious sites. Tipping at the wrong time or in the wrong amount. Moving too fast and treating service as a transaction rather than an exchange. These are fixable with a little awareness before you go.
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