All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
To shake hands, hug, or to kiss once, twice, or three times on the cheek? That is the question when it comes to greeting people around the world—and greeting people is just one of the many confusing elements of global etiquette. As we reported in our Complete Guide to Global Etiquette, at best, a culture’s unspoken rules can be confusing and at times, embarrassing. At worst, missteps in the etiquette realm can be gravely insulting—to a host, a waiter, or even just someone you pass on the street.
On the latest episode of the Travelogue podcast, we dive into all the ways you can be polite and impolite when traveling abroad, covering everything from hugging people in Britain upon meeting them (don't) to passing food with chopsticks in Japan (seriously, don't). Along the way, we talk about how English-speaking countries may be united in language but differ significantly in their etiquette, and how knowing how to tip in a country is just as important as knowing whether or not to tip at all. What do you do when you want a cappuccino in Italy and it's after 11 a.m.? How do you go about things if you really want a fork in Korea? Listen up.
Thanks to Traveler editors Mark Ellwood, Laura Redman, and Katherine LaGrave for joining the discussion, and to our inimitable host Brad Rickman for keeping us (sort of) on track. As always, a special shoutout to our engineer Brett Fuchs for making it all sound swell. Check back every Friday for the latest installment of Travelogue. To keep up with our podcast each week, subscribe to Travelogue on the iTunes store and if you have a minute to spare, leave a review—we love to hear from you.