Top 10 American Customs That May Be Offensive In Other Countries

uh hey hold up a second you may not want

uh hey hold up a second you may not want to do that welcome to watchmojo.com and

to do that welcome to watchmojo.com and

to do that welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for

today we’re counting down our picks for

today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 American customs that may be

the top 10 American customs that may be

the top 10 American customs that may be offensive in other countries come on

offensive in other countries come on

offensive in other countries come on for this list we’ll be looking at

for this list we’ll be looking at

for this list we’ll be looking at actions that are considered completely

actions that are considered completely

actions that are considered completely normal in American culture but aren’t

normal in American culture but aren’t

normal in American culture but aren’t exactly welcomed in others due to

exactly welcomed in others due to

exactly welcomed in others due to different understandings and traditions

different understandings and traditions

different understandings and traditions this is Natalia she is my sister

this is Natalia she is my sister

this is Natalia she is my sister number 10 wearing shoes in the house

number 10 wearing shoes in the house

number 10 wearing shoes in the house yeah I’m fine man gee I just stubbed my

yeah I’m fine man gee I just stubbed my

yeah I’m fine man gee I just stubbed my toe

toe

toe oh well be careful man be careful wear

oh well be careful man be careful wear

oh well be careful man be careful wear shoes in the house safety safety first

shoes in the house safety safety first

shoes in the house safety safety first end teamwork our first entry actually

end teamwork our first entry actually

end teamwork our first entry actually makes a whole lot of sense

makes a whole lot of sense

makes a whole lot of sense honestly Americans may be wise to take

honestly Americans may be wise to take

honestly Americans may be wise to take note in many Asian and Caribbean

note in many Asian and Caribbean

note in many Asian and Caribbean cultures you are expected to take your

cultures you are expected to take your

cultures you are expected to take your shoes off when entering a home for

shoes off when entering a home for

shoes off when entering a home for sanitary reasons think about it when

sanitary reasons think about it when

sanitary reasons think about it when you’re outside your shoes come into

you’re outside your shoes come into

you’re outside your shoes come into contact with endless amounts of dirt and

contact with endless amounts of dirt and

contact with endless amounts of dirt and germs a study published in the

germs a study published in the

germs a study published in the scientific journal environmental science

scientific journal environmental science

scientific journal environmental science and technology revealed that two-thirds

and technology revealed that two-thirds

and technology revealed that two-thirds of household dust comes from soil

of household dust comes from soil

of household dust comes from soil tracked or blown in from outside taking

tracked or blown in from outside taking

tracked or blown in from outside taking your shoes off at the door prevents

your shoes off at the door prevents

your shoes off at the door prevents health hazards and when you have

health hazards and when you have

health hazards and when you have children playing on the carpets you want

children playing on the carpets you want

children playing on the carpets you want to prevent some unwanted illness so

to prevent some unwanted illness so

to prevent some unwanted illness so Americans take them off would you in my

Americans take them off would you in my

Americans take them off would you in my house shoot in my houses in my

house shoot in my houses in my

house shoot in my houses in my shoes polonaise oho number nine altering

shoes polonaise oho number nine altering

shoes polonaise oho number nine altering your meal with condiments kind of good

your meal with condiments kind of good

your meal with condiments kind of good neela hot sauce was kind of good though

neela hot sauce was kind of good though

neela hot sauce was kind of good though in the states it’s not uncommon to drown

in the states it’s not uncommon to drown

in the states it’s not uncommon to drown our favorite foods and ketchup mustard

our favorite foods and ketchup mustard

our favorite foods and ketchup mustard mayo vinegar relish whatever the heart

mayo vinegar relish whatever the heart

mayo vinegar relish whatever the heart desires it’s almost expected that is not

desires it’s almost expected that is not

desires it’s almost expected that is not the case however in many places abroad

the case however in many places abroad

the case however in many places abroad in countries like France Italy Spain and

in countries like France Italy Spain and

in countries like France Italy Spain and Japan treating food with condiments can

Japan treating food with condiments can

Japan treating food with condiments can be considered a major insult in these

be considered a major insult in these

be considered a major insult in these countries it’s understood that a meal is

countries it’s understood that a meal is

countries it’s understood that a meal is carefully prepared and designed to

carefully prepared and designed to

carefully prepared and designed to achieve a specific taste altering the

achieve a specific taste altering the

achieve a specific taste altering the meal is an insult to the chef and

meal is an insult to the chef and

meal is an insult to the chef and essentially saying the meal is not good

essentially saying the meal is not good

essentially saying the meal is not good enough to be eaten on its own and needs

enough to be eaten on its own and needs

enough to be eaten on its own and needs extra flavor just to be bearable

extra flavor just to be bearable

extra flavor just to be bearable probably not what Americans intend but

probably not what Americans intend but

probably not what Americans intend but that’s the message received

tossing number eight showing the soles

tossing number eight showing the soles of your feet that’s what needs Robyn

of your feet that’s what needs Robyn

of your feet that’s what needs Robyn come on harder harder like our first

come on harder harder like our first

come on harder harder like our first entry there’s a certain amount of logic

entry there’s a certain amount of logic

entry there’s a certain amount of logic behind this one that we totally get that

behind this one that we totally get that

behind this one that we totally get that and an understanding of symbolism it all

and an understanding of symbolism it all

and an understanding of symbolism it all has to do with the fact that the sole of

has to do with the fact that the sole of

has to do with the fact that the sole of your foot is the lowest part of the

your foot is the lowest part of the

your foot is the lowest part of the human body and that it touches the dirty

human body and that it touches the dirty

human body and that it touches the dirty ground in many Buddhist Hindu Muslim and

ground in many Buddhist Hindu Muslim and

ground in many Buddhist Hindu Muslim and Arab cultures this means the foot

Arab cultures this means the foot

Arab cultures this means the foot symbolizes the lowest level of humanity

symbolizes the lowest level of humanity

symbolizes the lowest level of humanity and well dirt so if an American reveals

and well dirt so if an American reveals

and well dirt so if an American reveals the sole of their foot to another person

the sole of their foot to another person

the sole of their foot to another person the message conveyed is that they think

the message conveyed is that they think

the message conveyed is that they think the other person is only worthy of yes

the other person is only worthy of yes

the other person is only worthy of yes dirt that’s not exactly received as a

dirt that’s not exactly received as a

dirt that’s not exactly received as a compliment

number seven asking what do you do so

number seven asking what do you do so what do you do for a living I’m a dancer

what do you do for a living I’m a dancer

what do you do for a living I’m a dancer yeah ballet no exotic in American

yeah ballet no exotic in American

yeah ballet no exotic in American culture asking someone about their job

culture asking someone about their job

culture asking someone about their job is totally normal it’s one of those go

is totally normal it’s one of those go

is totally normal it’s one of those go to conversation topics when you meet

to conversation topics when you meet

to conversation topics when you meet someone new and don’t have a lot to talk

someone new and don’t have a lot to talk

someone new and don’t have a lot to talk about people typically use it to be

about people typically use it to be

about people typically use it to be polite feigning an interest in the

polite feigning an interest in the

polite feigning an interest in the person across from them it’s sort of

person across from them it’s sort of

person across from them it’s sort of embarrassing to ask at this point but

embarrassing to ask at this point but

embarrassing to ask at this point but what do you do for work

what do you do for work

what do you do for work me and my roommates have started we’re

me and my roommates have started we’re

me and my roommates have started we’re starting an internet website

starting an internet website

starting an internet website the thing is in many other countries

the thing is in many other countries

the thing is in many other countries inquiring about someone’s job is not

inquiring about someone’s job is not

inquiring about someone’s job is not polite at all in countries like the

polite at all in countries like the

polite at all in countries like the Netherlands it’s actually considered

Netherlands it’s actually considered

Netherlands it’s actually considered fairly insulting because it implies you

fairly insulting because it implies you

fairly insulting because it implies you will treat a person differently based on

will treat a person differently based on

will treat a person differently based on their employment status particularly in

their employment status particularly in

their employment status particularly in countries with social welfare systems it

countries with social welfare systems it

countries with social welfare systems it emphasizes a concern for class and

emphasizes a concern for class and

emphasizes a concern for class and social status rather than the personal

social status rather than the personal

social status rather than the personal qualities and values that make a person

qualities and values that make a person

qualities and values that make a person unique so you’re a paleontologist right

unique so you’re a paleontologist right

unique so you’re a paleontologist right yeah my cousins a paleontologist uh-huh

yeah my cousins a paleontologist uh-huh

yeah my cousins a paleontologist uh-huh number six blowing your nose in public

number six blowing your nose in public

number six blowing your nose in public okay for a few of these entries you may

okay for a few of these entries you may

okay for a few of these entries you may be starting to notice a pattern

be starting to notice a pattern

be starting to notice a pattern pertaining to cleanliness totally

pertaining to cleanliness totally

pertaining to cleanliness totally understandable

understandable

understandable cleanliness is related to health and who

cleanliness is related to health and who

cleanliness is related to health and who wants to get sick and when blowing your

wants to get sick and when blowing your

wants to get sick and when blowing your nose you’re potentially spreading germs

nose you’re potentially spreading germs

nose you’re potentially spreading germs and nobody wants that but in countries

and nobody wants that but in countries

and nobody wants that but in countries like China Japan France and some Middle

like China Japan France and some Middle

like China Japan France and some Middle Eastern countries it’s as much about

Eastern countries it’s as much about

Eastern countries it’s as much about politeness as cleanliness after all

politeness as cleanliness after all

politeness as cleanliness after all blowing your nose is a form of spreading

blowing your nose is a form of spreading

blowing your nose is a form of spreading germs that a person can actually control

germs that a person can actually control

germs that a person can actually control a sneeze is involuntary but blowing

a sneeze is involuntary but blowing

a sneeze is involuntary but blowing one’s nose is a completely conscious

one’s nose is a completely conscious

one’s nose is a completely conscious choice so for future reference Americans

choice so for future reference Americans

choice so for future reference Americans be sure to head to the bathroom

be sure to head to the bathroom

be sure to head to the bathroom if you’re feeling simply give a hockey

if you’re feeling simply give a hockey

if you’re feeling simply give a hockey get relief blow blow blow your

get relief blow blow blow your

get relief blow blow blow your number five finishing off your plate

in America polishing off your plate is a

in America polishing off your plate is a compliment

compliment

compliment it means you thoroughly enjoyed your

it means you thoroughly enjoyed your

it means you thoroughly enjoyed your meal and not doing so may send the

meal and not doing so may send the

meal and not doing so may send the message that you disliked your food

message that you disliked your food

message that you disliked your food she’s gonna puke

she’s gonna puke

she’s gonna puke but Robin did not puke she ate that bite

but Robin did not puke she ate that bite

but Robin did not puke she ate that bite and stood up proud

and stood up proud

and stood up proud however in countries like China the

however in countries like China the

however in countries like China the Philippines Thailand and Russia the

Philippines Thailand and Russia the

Philippines Thailand and Russia the exact opposite is true

exact opposite is true

exact opposite is true finishing your plate means that the host

finishing your plate means that the host

finishing your plate means that the host did not prepare enough food for you

did not prepare enough food for you

did not prepare enough food for you while Americans probably hope to

while Americans probably hope to

while Americans probably hope to compliment their hosts by eating

compliment their hosts by eating

compliment their hosts by eating everything on their plate they are

everything on their plate they are

everything on their plate they are actually implying the host did not

actually implying the host did not

actually implying the host did not provide enough in the first place if you

provide enough in the first place if you

provide enough in the first place if you really want to make your host happy

really want to make your host happy

really want to make your host happy leave a bite or two behind also in an

leave a bite or two behind also in an

leave a bite or two behind also in an Arab country don’t refuse food you’re

Arab country don’t refuse food you’re

Arab country don’t refuse food you’re offered that’s considered disrespectful

offered that’s considered disrespectful

offered that’s considered disrespectful Tina eats the food number four laughing

Tina eats the food number four laughing

Tina eats the food number four laughing with your mouths open

with your mouths open

with your mouths open could you pay me in advance all right

could you pay me in advance all right

could you pay me in advance all right in Japan this one proves to be offensive

in Japan this one proves to be offensive

in Japan this one proves to be offensive on two levels

on two levels

on two levels first like many on this list it’s a

first like many on this list it’s a

first like many on this list it’s a little unsanitary laughing with your

little unsanitary laughing with your

little unsanitary laughing with your mouth open can spew germs into the air

mouth open can spew germs into the air

mouth open can spew germs into the air to infect all in the area so yes those

to infect all in the area so yes those

to infect all in the area so yes those in your vicinity may not be too thrilled

in your vicinity may not be too thrilled

in your vicinity may not be too thrilled but there’s actually another reason why

but there’s actually another reason why

but there’s actually another reason why this custom is considered insulting in

this custom is considered insulting in

this custom is considered insulting in Japan the visual and auditory experience

Japan the visual and auditory experience

Japan the visual and auditory experience of open mouths laughter is compared to

of open mouths laughter is compared to

of open mouths laughter is compared to horses squealing women in Japan will

horses squealing women in Japan will

horses squealing women in Japan will usually cover their mouths when laughing

usually cover their mouths when laughing

usually cover their mouths when laughing in public places it’s only polite to

in public places it’s only polite to

in public places it’s only polite to separate yourself from the animals

number three using your left hand for

number three using your left hand for anything like one out of every nine

anything like one out of every nine

anything like one out of every nine Americans I’m left-handed

Americans I’m left-handed

Americans I’m left-handed and let me tell you it ain’t all peaches

and let me tell you it ain’t all peaches

and let me tell you it ain’t all peaches and cream you’re writing it smeared lord

and cream you’re writing it smeared lord

and cream you’re writing it smeared lord help you if you want to drive a standard

help you if you want to drive a standard

help you if you want to drive a standard transmission okay in America it doesn’t

transmission okay in America it doesn’t

transmission okay in America it doesn’t really matter whether you use your right

really matter whether you use your right

really matter whether you use your right hand or left to do anything it’s not

hand or left to do anything it’s not

hand or left to do anything it’s not even a thought that crosses anyone’s

even a thought that crosses anyone’s

even a thought that crosses anyone’s mind but in many Middle Eastern and

mind but in many Middle Eastern and

mind but in many Middle Eastern and African countries the left hand

African countries the left hand

African countries the left hand carries special significance

carries special significance

carries special significance historically the left was the hand used

historically the left was the hand used

historically the left was the hand used during sanitary procedures you should

during sanitary procedures you should

during sanitary procedures you should not eat with your left hand in India we

not eat with your left hand in India we

not eat with your left hand in India we eat with the right hand left hand is

eat with the right hand left hand is

eat with the right hand left hand is considered to be dirt unclean

considered to be dirt unclean

considered to be dirt unclean specifically the left hand with some

specifically the left hand with some

specifically the left hand with some water is used in lieu of toilet paper

water is used in lieu of toilet paper

water is used in lieu of toilet paper because of this presenting another

because of this presenting another

because of this presenting another person with the left hand is associating

person with the left hand is associating

person with the left hand is associating that person with the dirtiness of well

that person with the dirtiness of well

that person with the dirtiness of well you get the picture as we are sure all

you get the picture as we are sure all

you get the picture as we are sure all our viewers can understand it’s

our viewers can understand it’s

our viewers can understand it’s offensive to be associated with that

offensive to be associated with that

offensive to be associated with that better play it safe and use the right

better play it safe and use the right

better play it safe and use the right hand

number two throwing a thumbs up I like

number two throwing a thumbs up I like Halloween Avera Maj is nice there are a

Halloween Avera Maj is nice there are a

Halloween Avera Maj is nice there are a lot of common hand signs out there that

lot of common hand signs out there that

lot of common hand signs out there that can be interpreted as vulgar elsewhere

can be interpreted as vulgar elsewhere

can be interpreted as vulgar elsewhere you have the peace sign the a-ok

you have the peace sign the a-ok

you have the peace sign the a-ok crossing your fingers you may have to

crossing your fingers you may have to

crossing your fingers you may have to think about that one but the most widely

think about that one but the most widely

think about that one but the most widely spread offensive hand sign is the thumbs

spread offensive hand sign is the thumbs

spread offensive hand sign is the thumbs up thumbs up dude

up thumbs up dude

up thumbs up dude good pitch for many countries in the

good pitch for many countries in the

good pitch for many countries in the Middle East Latin America and Europe the

Middle East Latin America and Europe the

Middle East Latin America and Europe the thumbs up sign is the equivalent of the

thumbs up sign is the equivalent of the

thumbs up sign is the equivalent of the American middle finger you all know what

American middle finger you all know what

American middle finger you all know what that means but here’s the thing it’s a

that means but here’s the thing it’s a

that means but here’s the thing it’s a major problem for Americans because in

major problem for Americans because in

major problem for Americans because in America the thumbs up is probably the

America the thumbs up is probably the

America the thumbs up is probably the most positive sign you can give someone

most positive sign you can give someone

most positive sign you can give someone except for of course the double thumbs

except for of course the double thumbs

except for of course the double thumbs up sadly that is not the case abroad be

up sadly that is not the case abroad be

up sadly that is not the case abroad be warned Americans restrain yourselves no

warned Americans restrain yourselves no

warned Americans restrain yourselves no thumbs up you’ll thank us later and my

thumbs up you’ll thank us later and my

thumbs up you’ll thank us later and my own personal thumbs up before we unveil

own personal thumbs up before we unveil

own personal thumbs up before we unveil our number one pick here are some

our number one pick here are some

our number one pick here are some honorable mentions I can’t wear a shirt

honorable mentions I can’t wear a shirt

honorable mentions I can’t wear a shirt the bitches lift it all up tap my body

the bitches lift it all up tap my body

the bitches lift it all up tap my body till I filled it all up

number one tipping

number one tipping I don’t tip ghetto tip I don’t believe

I don’t tip ghetto tip I don’t believe

I don’t tip ghetto tip I don’t believe in it of all the entries on this list

in it of all the entries on this list

in it of all the entries on this list our number one pick is probably the most

our number one pick is probably the most

our number one pick is probably the most well known with that said Americans

well known with that said Americans

well known with that said Americans continue to make this mistake and it

continue to make this mistake and it

continue to make this mistake and it continues to be offensive tipping is

continues to be offensive tipping is

continues to be offensive tipping is such a difficult custom to navigate

such a difficult custom to navigate

such a difficult custom to navigate because not tipping holds such a stigma

because not tipping holds such a stigma

because not tipping holds such a stigma in the United States let’s get one thing

in the United States let’s get one thing

in the United States let’s get one thing straight if you live in America you have

straight if you live in America you have

straight if you live in America you have to tip in America tipping is expected in

to tip in America tipping is expected in

to tip in America tipping is expected in restaurants as waiters depend on them

restaurants as waiters depend on them

restaurants as waiters depend on them and customers are chastised if they tip

and customers are chastised if they tip

and customers are chastised if they tip poorly however in countries like Japan

poorly however in countries like Japan

poorly however in countries like Japan and South Korea tipping is actually

and South Korea tipping is actually

and South Korea tipping is actually frowned upon because it’s considered

frowned upon because it’s considered

frowned upon because it’s considered charity in these countries

charity in these countries

charity in these countries waiters take pride in their job and are

waiters take pride in their job and are

waiters take pride in their job and are insulted by the added incentive to do a

insulted by the added incentive to do a

insulted by the added incentive to do a good job ultimately it signals a lack of

good job ultimately it signals a lack of

good job ultimately it signals a lack of respect so when you’re out to eat in

respect so when you’re out to eat in

respect so when you’re out to eat in certain Asian countries it’s best that

certain Asian countries it’s best that

certain Asian countries it’s best that you just don’t do this should we not –

you just don’t do this should we not –

you just don’t do this should we not – well I don’t want to get yelled at do

well I don’t want to get yelled at do

well I don’t want to get yelled at do you agree with our list what American

you agree with our list what American

you agree with our list what American custom do you think is the most

custom do you think is the most

custom do you think is the most offensive abroad oh you know don’t use

offensive abroad oh you know don’t use

offensive abroad oh you know don’t use your sleeve that’s totally gross

your sleeve that’s totally gross

your sleeve that’s totally gross for more interesting top 10s published

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every day be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com so you told me that you

watchmojo.com so you told me that you

watchmojo.com so you told me that you leave your shoes on your muddy shoes I

leave your shoes on your muddy shoes I

leave your shoes on your muddy shoes I am on in this house