In continuation of part I on “What You Shouldn’t Do in a Foreign Country?”, we have present you with Part II of the article. In Part I, we explained the life-saving tips to keep you out of any potential trouble in case you’re travelling to America, India and Brazil. For part II, we’ve hand-picked the countries which are favoured by the tourist across all over the world.

China

• Here in India, while everyone is promoting and accepting digital cash even the Chai walas, but the same is not the case in China. Cash is widely preferred across China. However, major businesses (predominantly big hotel chains and expensive restaurants) now do accept Visa and Mastercard, the most extensively accepted card scheme is UnionPay. Still, when you are travelling to China for leisure or business trip, don’t forget to carry cash!
• We know you’re rich and are ready to spend loads while abroad. You like to flaunt with expensive watches and whatnot. Even you may tip an impressive amount post enjoying dinner/lunch at a restaurant. Whatever you do, refrain from tipping while in China. It is considered rude.
• Out of all the most vital things to remember while travelling is that China does not offer visas once you actually arrive. Whilst planning your visit to China, you must arrange your visa well in advance!
• Before applying for China’s tourist visa, you’re required to share either a written invitation from a friend who is a Chinese resident or from any relative a comprehensive schedule of your intended stay. The schedule includes your return flights and confirmed reservations for your accommodation. Visas can be applied for in-person at the Chinese embassy or can be ordered through the post.
• During a leisure trip to China, you’re bound to get drunk. But before you take that first sip, don’t forget to offer a toast. Offering toast before drinking is one way to shows your gratitude toward the host and your regard for the other guests. The major purpose is to observe Chinese custom by always offering a toast to the host or someone else at the table.
• In case you’re visiting your friend’s or relative for the first time in China, never show up empty-handed. Gifts are exchanged commonly between the Chinese, and not just on special times. The gifts are exchanged as a small token of friendship and kindness.
• Don't talk about the demise of someone or mention that someone has passed away unless you have a good reason. Death is a serious topic for Chinese people. The colour white represents death, so refrain from offering white coloured things.
• When you happen to meet a stranger, it is advised to merely to greet verbally instead of shaking hands. Chinese are less loving than people from other countries/cultures. They even hug and kiss much lesser.

Japan

• Be careful while chopsticks; unknowingly you may offend or raise eyebrows. Refrain from sticking your chopsticks vertically in your bowl. However, if you’re comfortable using chopsticks, you might impress the Japanese people.
• If you’re invited to someone’s house, it is a tradition to immediately take off your shoes outside the house as outdoor shoes are considered to be unclean. Instead, they’re to be replaced with indoor slippers. Shoes are also not worn inside restaurants where diners sit on the floor and eat on traditional mats.
• Japanese people are the most disciplined in the world. Even during entering in the metro. You won’t be liked if you ever try to cross or skip a queue. People love to line up in arranged single file whether they’re waiting at a bus stop or on a train platform.
• If you have a running nose and need to blow your nose, it is advised to find a bathroom or another private place. Doing so in public in Japan is considered to be ill-mannered. People can be seen wearing face masks in public, particularly in the winter season. This depicts they the person is having a cold and is avoiding spreading germs and infecting others.
• Just like in China, Japan as well doesn’t appreciate being tipped. In various instances, tipping someone can be considered offensive. The service charges are already included in the bill presented at the restaurants. Try to leave a tip on the table and the waiter will definitely come back to return your forgotten money!
• Keep an eye on what you’re doing and on your body language. Unknowingly, you may happen to point your finger at someone. Pointing at people or things is considered rude. Instead of using a finger to point at something, the Japanese use a hand to mildly wave at what they would like to specify.
• When using public transport or in a crowded region, if you need to answer a call, do it discreetly. Speaking loudly, playing music on a high volume etc is not impressive among Japanese people.

Singapore

Through the years, Singapore has managed to build infamous status with firm laws and regulations in place. Yet Singapore is a fun place to be.

• The country is way too particular about hygiene and cleanliness. Unless you have a prescription with you, do not chew or carry a piece of chewing gum in Singapore. To be precise, the ban is essentially against purchasing gum or importing it into Singapore, but it’s fundamentally the same thing. The logic behind this simple, if you can’t have it, you can’t chew it and, more prominently to the Singaporean authorities, you can’t spit it out on the roads.
• There are some unwritten rules in every country. Like here in Singapore, while on an elevator, you must stand on the left side leaving the right for the ones who like to walk it up. This will save you from being chuckled at.
• It is considered aggressive to show the bottoms of your feet or point with your toes. You won’t make any friends if you present your feet up on the table or couch. Similarly, touching someone on the head is not valued here, as the head is considered to be sacred.
• Here’s a life hack for you that will save you your hard-earned cash and time as well. In case you have to be somewhere, instead of taking a cab, go for public transport. Because hiring a taxi can be expensive and Singapore offers one of the world’s most efficient public transportation system.
• Breaching into someone’s unsecured WiFi network is considered a crime and is almost parallel to hacking, under the Computer Misuse Act.
• Just like in China and Japan, tipping is not a normal cultural exercise, so refrain from leaving some any tip for your waiter. A service charge is already added to your bill in some restaurants, still, it is not an extensive practice.
• Just like in Japan, resist wrapping things in white as it symbolizes death. There are certain things that you should never gift someone in Singapore. These are clocks, handkerchiefs or flowers, as those items are linked with Chinese funerals. Don’t give any alcohol or pigskin/leather goods to Muslim Malay or Indian Singaporean. Don’t exchange any gift with your left hand, instead, use both of your hands to give the gift.
• In continuance to littering and chewing gums, public smoking is also prohibited. An increasing number of cities and countries are endorsing anti-smoking laws, so this one shouldn’t be too hard to digest. However, there are some selected places where you are allowed to smoke but don’t just light up anywhere in Singapore without thinking.