The all-inclusive holiday booking company Club Med has offered tourists a number of tips that can help avoid embarrassing situations the next time they go abroad.
Going on holiday gives travellers a chance to embrace a completely different way of life, and it is important that tourists respect the local culture when they visit.
A spokesperson for Club Med noted that one way in which tourists can avoid embarrassing locals is by learning the local tipping culture.
They explained: “Tipping etiquette varies depending on the country you’re visiting. It’s a way to acknowledge the effort and quality of service provided by workers including waiters, waitresses, bartenders and chefs.
“It would be wise to research what is deemed acceptable for the country you are visiting as to not offend, though generally a top of between 5 and 15 percent will suffice.”
In many cases, tipping is considered a simple way to show respect and appreciation for the service at places such as hotels, restaurants and spas.
However, some popular holiday destinations feature cultures that expect tips, with many countries suggesting visitors tip between 10 and 20 percent.
Conversely, there are a number of countries where tipping altogether is considered disrespectful, inclduing Australia, Denmark and Japan.
Club Med also recommended that tourists act with consideration when eating in public spaces, such as restaurants, or otherwise dining with locals.
They added: “Dining abroad respectfully involves being mindful of cultural norms while enjoying the local cuisine.
“Observing local dining customs, such as waiting to be seated, using utensils correctly, and expressing thanks for your meal are some ways in which you can be respectful when enjoying hospitality services on holiday.”
Finally, no matter the location, the spokesperson for Club Med highlighted that a good way to make sure tourists respect residents on holiday is by learning basic phrases in the local language.
They advised: “Learning just a few basic phrases in the mother-tongue when abroad can be a huge sign of respect to natives and help create instant connections with people.
“It’s handy for travellers to learn common words such as ‘hello’, ‘goodbye’, ‘please’ and ‘thank you’. Though, those more comfortable in learning languages could learn phrases that would aid in asking for directions, food or drink, or even just friendly chit chat.”