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People Explain Which Things Tourists Should Never Do While Visiting Their Country

Family taking a picture in front of the Arc de Triomphe
photography of family during daytime
Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash

Reddit user PM_ME_UR_DOGS_FEET asked: 'What should people absolutely not do when visiting your country?'

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When visiting a foreign country, many people like to hide the fact that they are tourists, and make every effort to blend in with the locals.

Even so, most tourists can't help but do a few things that locals seldom or never do, such as taking selfies in front of historic monuments, buying cheesy hats and T-shirts, or going to notoriously crowded places.


If doing these things will more than likely make them stick out like a sore thumb, it also won't exactly put them in harm or danger, as most tourists at least have the good sense to read a blog or guidebook instructing them on how to stay safe while traveling.

The most savvy travelers know that the best place to get advice on what not to do when traveling abroad is not online or in a book, but directly from the locals.

Redditor PM_ME_UR_DOGS_FEET was eager to hear the opinions of people around the world as to what tourists should avoid doing when visiting their country, leading them to ask:

"What should people absolutely not do when visiting your country?"

Moo!

"If you are hiking through the Austrian mountains with a dog, put it on a leash."

"The cows will hurt you if they feel threatened."

"In general, don't disturb the cows and keep away from them."- annadaso

Cows Alps GIF by MeinMontafonGiphy

Not All Creatures Are Cute And Cuddly...

"Approach wildlife, especially when they’re with their offspring."

"The amount of idiot tourists I’ve seen outside their cars within mauling distance of a bear or moose is mind boggling."-GingerMeTimberMate

"Do not touch the bison."

"I don’t care that they’re herbivores and look fluffy."

"They are incredibly strong and will kill you if they’re in a bad mood."- hartywhalers

Bison Yellowstone GIF by Nat Geo WildGiphy

No One Needs To Blend In That Much!

"I live in Barbados."

"Don't wear camouflage."

"It's illegal unless you're a part of the Defense Force."- durants

They Call It The Outback For A Reason

"Don't go for a drive in the outback without making sure you're properly prepared if you get stuck."

"There's a reason you see so many abandoned cars on the highways out there."- thethreekittycats

Back Of The Line!

"UK here."

"Always queue."

"Even if there isn’t a queue, just look around politely and ask whoever’s around if they’re queueing."

"I know this reads like a joke but it really isn’t."

"There’s always a queue, and tourists always ignore it, and that’s usually why tourists get a bad rap in the UK."-fearthe0cean

Literal Red Flag Alert!

"If you're not a strong swimmer, please don't wade out into our ocean expecting that you'll be okay."

"If you want to swim at our beaches, stay between the flags where there are lifeguards on duty."- nightlightened

"Don't swim outside the flags on the beach."- strayainind·

The Beach Summer GIFGiphy

That Some People Would Actually Need A Warning...

"Don't do the Nazi greeting."

"In fact, just don't do it anywhere."

"But especially not in my country."

"Police will arrest you for it."- Mad_Moodin

Or Stand Still In Them For That Matter...

"Don't walk the bicycle lanes."- valthorgallifrey

Be Selective When Sight Seeing

"Don't go to Hollywood expecting something."

"Also, don't spend tons of money just to see famous people's homes on one of those bus tours."

"You should go to all the cool museums around LA though, those are pretty neat."

"And the beaches aren't too bad either."- jgeradsfdh

hollywood GIF by American IdolGiphy

It's Just Plain Rude

"Don't touch the King's guard."- EmperorOfNipples

Or Any Busy Street Anywhere...

"If you’re visiting Brazil, specially a big city, avoid using your smartphone while walking on the streets, as you become more prone to being robbed."- DistantLandscapes

Not the Most PC Name If You Really Think About It

"Order an ‘Irish Car Bomb’ shot."

"Doesn’t exist here, and the name has roots in The Troubles, a dark time in our history that people north and south of the border who are still alive lost people to."- TheIrishninjas

Irish Cream Beer GIF by DrSquatchSoapCoGiphy

Not All Canadians Are So Friendly...

"If you come across Canada, don't ever dare touching our geese, thanks."- ClickWorthy69420

Many tourists enjoy going off the beaten path and veering from the most famous and heavily visited places.

But before straying from the path, it couldn't hurt to get advice from a local on just how far to stray.

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