Gift-giving, table manners: what’s acceptable at home doesn’t necessarily apply in other countries. Here are 10 distinctive customs to use as your passport to new experiences and friendships.

When traveling, it’s important to brush up on the customs and etiquette of the global village.
1. Avoid giving certain flowers in Russia.
Be careful when presenting flowers to a friend or business associate in Russia. Yellow blooms signify deceit or a relationship break-up. Skip red carnations, too. Traditionally, red carnations are placed on the graves of the dead.
2. Don’t expect a “Thank You” card for these gifts in China.
Clocks, straw sandals are all associated with death and funerals in China. Deemed inappropriate and morbid, you’ll risk damaging the relationship if you present these gifts—for any occasion—to someone in China.
3. Skip the salt in Egypt.
When tucking into a meal in Egypt, by-pass the saltshaker. It’s insulting to your host to sprinkle salt on your food. If you have to season your plate, it means that you find the meal’s taste repulsive.
4. Don’t show up on time in Venezuela.
Here’s one place where being early or on time is viewed as being rude. In Venezuela if you are invited over to someone’s home for a meal, it’s recommended that you arrive 10 to 15 minutes later than the requested time. Early or on time guests are viewed as being too eager, even greedy.
5. Always use a knife and fork in Norway.
In Norway, table manners are extremely important. Most meals, including sandwiches, are eaten using utensils.
6. Be “blunt” in the Netherlands.
Gift giving should be a happy, positive experience. When selecting a present for someone in the Netherlands, don’t purchase fancy kitchen knives or scissors. Giving sharp, pointy objects as gifts is considered unlucky.
7. Don’t clink and drink in Hungary.
Clinking glasses and swigging beer is a scene played out of many pubs around the world, but don’t expect to see such merriment in Hungary. This old custom dates back to the 1849 war with Austria. After defeating Hungarian forces and savagely killing thirteen of their military’s leaders, Austrian generals were celebrating by smugly clinking glasses and drinking beer. While consuming beer was never forbidden, Hungarians did pledge to refrain from clinking glasses for a period of 150 years.
8. Skip the tab in Turkey.
When doing business in Turkey, it’s the custom for your host to pay for your meal. Requests to split the bill will be viewed as a polite gesture, but won’t be accepted. If you would like to pay your fair share, Turks recommend inviting your host to a follow-up meal. At that time, you can reciprocate the host.
9. Red equals dead in Korea.
Writing a lot of cards or notes while visiting South Korea? Be mindful of your pen’s ink color. Scrawling a person’s name in red ink traditionally signifies that the person is deceased–an important point to remember when giving a birthday card.
10. Stick to the sauna in Finland.
In Finland, saunas are a preferred way to relax and socialize with family and friends. Don’t be surprised if your business meeting is followed up with an invite to let off some steam in a local sauna. If you receive such a request, rest assured that your business meeting went well.
送赠礼物、餐桌礼仪：在本国可接受的习俗不代表适应于其他国家。当你带着护照探索新体验，拾获新友谊的时候，就要记住以下10种与众不同的习俗。
旅游时，有必要重新学习关于“地球村”的习俗和礼仪。
1. 在俄罗斯，不要送赠某种鲜花。
在俄罗斯，送赠鲜花给朋友或商业合作伙伴要谨慎。黄色的鲜花代表欺骗，或者结束一段关系。也不要送红色康乃馨；传统认为，红色康乃馨是要摆在先人墓前的。
2. 在中国，送赠这些礼物就别指望收到感谢卡。
时钟、草鞋等在中国都是跟死亡和葬礼有关的。送赠此类礼物是不当的，让人毛骨悚然的。无论任何时候，如果你送了这些礼物给中国朋友，你就是在冒险要破坏这段关系。
3. 在埃及不要用盐。
在埃及吃饭，不要使用盐瓶。因为这是在嘲笑聚会主人在你的食物里食盐放少了。如果你确实要放调味料，就意味着这顿饭让人反胃。
4. 在委内瑞拉，不要准时到约定地点。
在这里，早到或准时到约定地点会被视为无礼。在委内瑞拉，如果你受邀去某人家里聚餐，建议你比约定时间推迟十到十五分钟到达。太早到或准时到达的客人会被视为过于渴望聚餐或贪吃。
5. 在挪威，记得使用刀叉。
在挪威，餐桌礼仪是极其重要的。大多数的餐宴，即便是吃三明治，也要使用器具进食。
6. 在荷兰要装“钝”。
收到礼物应该是开心的。在荷兰，在选择礼物的朋友时不要购买花式厨具和剪刀。送赠尖锐的礼物会给人带来不幸
7. 在匈牙利喝酒不要碰杯。
碰杯痛饮是全球很多酒吧里常见的情景，但不要期待在匈牙利也能看到。这个习俗起源于1849年与奥地利的战争。打败匈牙利部队，并且残酷地杀害了13个军队领袖后，奥地利将军们碰杯痛饮庆祝。喝酒不是禁止，但是匈牙利人还是发誓150年不会做碰杯行为。
8. 在土耳其，不要抢着付账。
在土耳其经商时，通常是由聚餐主人付餐费的。请求分摊餐费是有礼貌的举动，但是不被接受的。如果你想付费公平点，土耳其人会建议你邀请聚餐主人去吃后续餐。在那时，你可以酬谢他人。
9. 在韩国，红色等同死亡。
在南韩要写很多笔记和小卡片？要注意你的字体颜色喔。用红色墨水写别人的名字，意味着这个人已经过世了。所以写生日卡是千万不要忘记这点。
10. 在芬兰，要坚持桑拿浴。
在芬兰，桑拿浴是人们休闲及和亲朋好友相聚的好方式。当你商务会谈结束后，受邀去当地桑拿店桑拿减压，千万不要感到惊讶。如果你收到这样的请求，那么你可以肯定，这次的会谈十分成功。

来源:网易