Don't honk in New Zealand or give the OK hand sign in Brazil: 15 customs you shouldn't break in other countries

By Travelmail Reporter

Published: 11:53 EST, 25 April 2014 | Updated: 14:03 EST, 25 April 2014

When visiting foreign countries, it's helpful to have a guide to the country's customs so tourists don't offend the locals.

For example, no holidaymaker in New Zealand would knowingly want to insult the residents by honking the horn on their hire car.

And for those gearing up for the World Cup in Brazil, be warned that using the 'OK' symbol is considered rude.

Scroll down for video...

Local customs: The video explains the 15 rules not to break in countries around the world

Local customs: The video explains the 15 rules not to break in countries around the world

15 customs you shouldn't break in other countries...

Norway: Don't unrawp flowers before giving them as a gift
Russia: Don't give an even number of flowers
Canada: Don't drink alcohol outside
Singapore: Don't chew gum or spit outside
New Zealand: Don't honk
Brazil: Don't use the OK gesture
Italy: Don't order cappuccinos in the evening
US: Don't forget to leave a tip
Germany: Don't wish someone happy birthday before the day before
China: Don't give clocks or umbrellas as gifts
Hungary: Don't clink glasses when toasting
Vietnam: Don't accept a gift with one hand
Netherlands: Don't give someone sharp objects as a gift

A new video on YouTube is offering tips and advice to travellers.

With nearly 300,000 views in just four days, BuzzFeed's 15 Customs you shouldn't break in other Countries gives travellers a breakdown of things not to do when abroad.

 

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As well as advising visitors to Norway to not unwrapping flowers before giving them as a gift, the video also claims how in Vietnam, it's not the done thing to accept a gift with one hand.

Those travelling Singapore should not chew gum or spit outside, and in Italy, it advises against ordering cappuccinos in the evening.

In America, don't forget to leave a tip, in Germany, don't wish someone a happy birthday the day before, and while in Hungary, don't clink glasses when toasting.

The video also suggests holidaymakers in the US should always leave a tip when dining in restaurants, and in Canada, visitors should not drink alcohol outside.

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Every year when the MOT test comes around we have to check that the car horn still works otherwise we could be looking at an MOT failure? Some cars go from one year to the next with the horn only sounding at the MOT testing centre? Misuse of the car horn should attract an automatic £100 fine.

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So what if you need to honk your horn at someone who might step off the pavement in front of you? Actually in Britain we have the no-no of foglights. They are on every newer car but you can be stopped and fined if you use them when it isn't foggy enough!! - suppose it is patchy and you emerge from a bad bit, lights on, to find Plod wanting to do you because it is less foggy just there. So they are risky to use but you must keep them working or you could also be done for that!

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I can see a shed load of British getting locked up in Brazil during the football.

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In the UK, putting two fingers up to a police officer is considered a compliment along with showing your backside to the queen.

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Live in NZ and have never heard of not using a car horn !

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Don't spit is more like it n NZ.

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What's offensive or not okay about the "okay" sign?? Can someone enlighten me?

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It probably means 'F... off.

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Depends where. Fast food places like Chipotle or Starbucks won't care if you don't tip, even if they have a tip jar, but there's a special place in hell reserved for people who don't tip at sit-down restaurants or who order food delivery.

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I know i'm gonna get hugely lambasted for sayin' this but the only thing i won't do in that list is...tipping in the U.S !

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I did'nt leave a tip at a restaurant in LA as the service was awful, waitress followed us saying we had forgot tip. I explained why we had not left a tip; as the service was rubbish!

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i'm german and never heard of the birthday thing. weird.

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Weird list. Also, what's up with 'don't give sharp gifts' in The Netherlands. Knife-sets are pretty popular around christmas or whatever occasion.

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