uh hey hold up a second you may not want
to do that welcome to watchmojo.com and
today we’re counting down our picks for
the top 10 American customs that may be
offensive in other countries come on
for this list we’ll be looking at
actions that are considered completely
normal in American culture but aren’t
exactly welcomed in others due to
different understandings and traditions
this is Natalia she is my sister
number 10 wearing shoes in the house
yeah I’m fine man gee I just stubbed my
toe
oh well be careful man be careful wear
shoes in the house safety safety first
end teamwork our first entry actually
makes a whole lot of sense
honestly Americans may be wise to take
note in many Asian and Caribbean
cultures you are expected to take your
shoes off when entering a home for
sanitary reasons think about it when
you’re outside your shoes come into
contact with endless amounts of dirt and
germs a study published in the
scientific journal environmental science
and technology revealed that two-thirds
of household dust comes from soil
tracked or blown in from outside taking
your shoes off at the door prevents
health hazards and when you have
children playing on the carpets you want
to prevent some unwanted illness so
Americans take them off would you in my
house shoot in my houses in my
shoes polonaise oho number nine altering
your meal with condiments kind of good
neela hot sauce was kind of good though
in the states it’s not uncommon to drown
our favorite foods and ketchup mustard
mayo vinegar relish whatever the heart
desires it’s almost expected that is not
the case however in many places abroad
in countries like France Italy Spain and
Japan treating food with condiments can
be considered a major insult in these
countries it’s understood that a meal is
carefully prepared and designed to
achieve a specific taste altering the
meal is an insult to the chef and
essentially saying the meal is not good
enough to be eaten on its own and needs
extra flavor just to be bearable
probably not what Americans intend but
that’s the message received
tossing number eight showing the soles
of your feet that’s what needs Robyn
come on harder harder like our first
entry there’s a certain amount of logic
behind this one that we totally get that
and an understanding of symbolism it all
has to do with the fact that the sole of
your foot is the lowest part of the
human body and that it touches the dirty
ground in many Buddhist Hindu Muslim and
Arab cultures this means the foot
symbolizes the lowest level of humanity
and well dirt so if an American reveals
the sole of their foot to another person
the message conveyed is that they think
the other person is only worthy of yes
dirt that’s not exactly received as a
compliment
number seven asking what do you do so
what do you do for a living I’m a dancer
yeah ballet no exotic in American
culture asking someone about their job
is totally normal it’s one of those go
to conversation topics when you meet
someone new and don’t have a lot to talk
about people typically use it to be
polite feigning an interest in the
person across from them it’s sort of
embarrassing to ask at this point but
what do you do for work
me and my roommates have started we’re
starting an internet website
the thing is in many other countries
inquiring about someone’s job is not
polite at all in countries like the
Netherlands it’s actually considered
fairly insulting because it implies you
will treat a person differently based on
their employment status particularly in
countries with social welfare systems it
emphasizes a concern for class and
social status rather than the personal
qualities and values that make a person
unique so you’re a paleontologist right
yeah my cousins a paleontologist uh-huh
number six blowing your nose in public
okay for a few of these entries you may
be starting to notice a pattern
pertaining to cleanliness totally
understandable
cleanliness is related to health and who
wants to get sick and when blowing your
nose you’re potentially spreading germs
and nobody wants that but in countries
like China Japan France and some Middle
Eastern countries it’s as much about
politeness as cleanliness after all
blowing your nose is a form of spreading
germs that a person can actually control
a sneeze is involuntary but blowing
one’s nose is a completely conscious
choice so for future reference Americans
be sure to head to the bathroom
if you’re feeling simply give a hockey
get relief blow blow blow your
number five finishing off your plate
in America polishing off your plate is a
compliment
it means you thoroughly enjoyed your
meal and not doing so may send the
message that you disliked your food
she’s gonna puke
but Robin did not puke she ate that bite
and stood up proud
however in countries like China the
Philippines Thailand and Russia the
exact opposite is true
finishing your plate means that the host
did not prepare enough food for you
while Americans probably hope to
compliment their hosts by eating
everything on their plate they are
actually implying the host did not
provide enough in the first place if you
really want to make your host happy
leave a bite or two behind also in an
Arab country don’t refuse food you’re
offered that’s considered disrespectful
Tina eats the food number four laughing
with your mouths open
could you pay me in advance all right
in Japan this one proves to be offensive
on two levels
first like many on this list it’s a
little unsanitary laughing with your
mouth open can spew germs into the air
to infect all in the area so yes those
in your vicinity may not be too thrilled
but there’s actually another reason why
this custom is considered insulting in
Japan the visual and auditory experience
of open mouths laughter is compared to
horses squealing women in Japan will
usually cover their mouths when laughing
in public places it’s only polite to
separate yourself from the animals
number three using your left hand for
anything like one out of every nine
Americans I’m left-handed
and let me tell you it ain’t all peaches
and cream you’re writing it smeared lord
help you if you want to drive a standard
transmission okay in America it doesn’t
really matter whether you use your right
hand or left to do anything it’s not
even a thought that crosses anyone’s
mind but in many Middle Eastern and
African countries the left hand
carries special significance
historically the left was the hand used
during sanitary procedures you should
not eat with your left hand in India we
eat with the right hand left hand is
considered to be dirt unclean
specifically the left hand with some
water is used in lieu of toilet paper
because of this presenting another
person with the left hand is associating
that person with the dirtiness of well
you get the picture as we are sure all
our viewers can understand it’s
offensive to be associated with that
better play it safe and use the right
hand
number two throwing a thumbs up I like
Halloween Avera Maj is nice there are a
lot of common hand signs out there that
can be interpreted as vulgar elsewhere
you have the peace sign the a-ok
crossing your fingers you may have to
think about that one but the most widely
spread offensive hand sign is the thumbs
up thumbs up dude
good pitch for many countries in the
Middle East Latin America and Europe the
thumbs up sign is the equivalent of the
American middle finger you all know what
that means but here’s the thing it’s a
major problem for Americans because in
America the thumbs up is probably the
most positive sign you can give someone
except for of course the double thumbs
up sadly that is not the case abroad be
warned Americans restrain yourselves no
thumbs up you’ll thank us later and my
own personal thumbs up before we unveil
our number one pick here are some
honorable mentions I can’t wear a shirt
the bitches lift it all up tap my body
till I filled it all up
number one tipping
I don’t tip ghetto tip I don’t believe
in it of all the entries on this list
our number one pick is probably the most
well known with that said Americans
continue to make this mistake and it
continues to be offensive tipping is
such a difficult custom to navigate
because not tipping holds such a stigma
in the United States let’s get one thing
straight if you live in America you have
to tip in America tipping is expected in
restaurants as waiters depend on them
and customers are chastised if they tip
poorly however in countries like Japan
and South Korea tipping is actually
frowned upon because it’s considered
charity in these countries
waiters take pride in their job and are
insulted by the added incentive to do a
good job ultimately it signals a lack of
respect so when you’re out to eat in
certain Asian countries it’s best that
you just don’t do this should we not –
well I don’t want to get yelled at do
you agree with our list what American
custom do you think is the most
offensive abroad oh you know don’t use
your sleeve that’s totally gross
for more interesting top 10s published
every day be sure to subscribe to
watchmojo.com so you told me that you
leave your shoes on your muddy shoes I
am on in this house
you
to do that welcome to watchmojo.com and
today we’re counting down our picks for
the top 10 American customs that may be
offensive in other countries come on
for this list we’ll be looking at
actions that are considered completely
normal in American culture but aren’t
exactly welcomed in others due to
different understandings and traditions
this is Natalia she is my sister
number 10 wearing shoes in the house
yeah I’m fine man gee I just stubbed my
toe
oh well be careful man be careful wear
shoes in the house safety safety first
end teamwork our first entry actually
makes a whole lot of sense
honestly Americans may be wise to take
note in many Asian and Caribbean
cultures you are expected to take your
shoes off when entering a home for
sanitary reasons think about it when
you’re outside your shoes come into
contact with endless amounts of dirt and
germs a study published in the
scientific journal environmental science
and technology revealed that two-thirds
of household dust comes from soil
tracked or blown in from outside taking
your shoes off at the door prevents
health hazards and when you have
children playing on the carpets you want
to prevent some unwanted illness so
Americans take them off would you in my
house shoot in my houses in my
shoes polonaise oho number nine altering
your meal with condiments kind of good
neela hot sauce was kind of good though
in the states it’s not uncommon to drown
our favorite foods and ketchup mustard
mayo vinegar relish whatever the heart
desires it’s almost expected that is not
the case however in many places abroad
in countries like France Italy Spain and
Japan treating food with condiments can
be considered a major insult in these
countries it’s understood that a meal is
carefully prepared and designed to
achieve a specific taste altering the
meal is an insult to the chef and
essentially saying the meal is not good
enough to be eaten on its own and needs
extra flavor just to be bearable
probably not what Americans intend but
that’s the message received
tossing number eight showing the soles
of your feet that’s what needs Robyn
come on harder harder like our first
entry there’s a certain amount of logic
behind this one that we totally get that
and an understanding of symbolism it all
has to do with the fact that the sole of
your foot is the lowest part of the
human body and that it touches the dirty
ground in many Buddhist Hindu Muslim and
Arab cultures this means the foot
symbolizes the lowest level of humanity
and well dirt so if an American reveals
the sole of their foot to another person
the message conveyed is that they think
the other person is only worthy of yes
dirt that’s not exactly received as a
compliment
number seven asking what do you do so
what do you do for a living I’m a dancer
yeah ballet no exotic in American
culture asking someone about their job
is totally normal it’s one of those go
to conversation topics when you meet
someone new and don’t have a lot to talk
about people typically use it to be
polite feigning an interest in the
person across from them it’s sort of
embarrassing to ask at this point but
what do you do for work
me and my roommates have started we’re
starting an internet website
the thing is in many other countries
inquiring about someone’s job is not
polite at all in countries like the
Netherlands it’s actually considered
fairly insulting because it implies you
will treat a person differently based on
their employment status particularly in
countries with social welfare systems it
emphasizes a concern for class and
social status rather than the personal
qualities and values that make a person
unique so you’re a paleontologist right
yeah my cousins a paleontologist uh-huh
number six blowing your nose in public
okay for a few of these entries you may
be starting to notice a pattern
pertaining to cleanliness totally
understandable
cleanliness is related to health and who
wants to get sick and when blowing your
nose you’re potentially spreading germs
and nobody wants that but in countries
like China Japan France and some Middle
Eastern countries it’s as much about
politeness as cleanliness after all
blowing your nose is a form of spreading
germs that a person can actually control
a sneeze is involuntary but blowing
one’s nose is a completely conscious
choice so for future reference Americans
be sure to head to the bathroom
if you’re feeling simply give a hockey
get relief blow blow blow your
number five finishing off your plate
in America polishing off your plate is a
compliment
it means you thoroughly enjoyed your
meal and not doing so may send the
message that you disliked your food
she’s gonna puke
but Robin did not puke she ate that bite
and stood up proud
however in countries like China the
Philippines Thailand and Russia the
exact opposite is true
finishing your plate means that the host
did not prepare enough food for you
while Americans probably hope to
compliment their hosts by eating
everything on their plate they are
actually implying the host did not
provide enough in the first place if you
really want to make your host happy
leave a bite or two behind also in an
Arab country don’t refuse food you’re
offered that’s considered disrespectful
Tina eats the food number four laughing
with your mouths open
could you pay me in advance all right
in Japan this one proves to be offensive
on two levels
first like many on this list it’s a
little unsanitary laughing with your
mouth open can spew germs into the air
to infect all in the area so yes those
in your vicinity may not be too thrilled
but there’s actually another reason why
this custom is considered insulting in
Japan the visual and auditory experience
of open mouths laughter is compared to
horses squealing women in Japan will
usually cover their mouths when laughing
in public places it’s only polite to
separate yourself from the animals
number three using your left hand for
anything like one out of every nine
Americans I’m left-handed
and let me tell you it ain’t all peaches
and cream you’re writing it smeared lord
help you if you want to drive a standard
transmission okay in America it doesn’t
really matter whether you use your right
hand or left to do anything it’s not
even a thought that crosses anyone’s
mind but in many Middle Eastern and
African countries the left hand
carries special significance
historically the left was the hand used
during sanitary procedures you should
not eat with your left hand in India we
eat with the right hand left hand is
considered to be dirt unclean
specifically the left hand with some
water is used in lieu of toilet paper
because of this presenting another
person with the left hand is associating
that person with the dirtiness of well
you get the picture as we are sure all
our viewers can understand it’s
offensive to be associated with that
better play it safe and use the right
hand
number two throwing a thumbs up I like
Halloween Avera Maj is nice there are a
lot of common hand signs out there that
can be interpreted as vulgar elsewhere
you have the peace sign the a-ok
crossing your fingers you may have to
think about that one but the most widely
spread offensive hand sign is the thumbs
up thumbs up dude
good pitch for many countries in the
Middle East Latin America and Europe the
thumbs up sign is the equivalent of the
American middle finger you all know what
that means but here’s the thing it’s a
major problem for Americans because in
America the thumbs up is probably the
most positive sign you can give someone
except for of course the double thumbs
up sadly that is not the case abroad be
warned Americans restrain yourselves no
thumbs up you’ll thank us later and my
own personal thumbs up before we unveil
our number one pick here are some
honorable mentions I can’t wear a shirt
the bitches lift it all up tap my body
till I filled it all up
number one tipping
I don’t tip ghetto tip I don’t believe
in it of all the entries on this list
our number one pick is probably the most
well known with that said Americans
continue to make this mistake and it
continues to be offensive tipping is
such a difficult custom to navigate
because not tipping holds such a stigma
in the United States let’s get one thing
straight if you live in America you have
to tip in America tipping is expected in
restaurants as waiters depend on them
and customers are chastised if they tip
poorly however in countries like Japan
and South Korea tipping is actually
frowned upon because it’s considered
charity in these countries
waiters take pride in their job and are
insulted by the added incentive to do a
good job ultimately it signals a lack of
respect so when you’re out to eat in
certain Asian countries it’s best that
you just don’t do this should we not –
well I don’t want to get yelled at do
you agree with our list what American
custom do you think is the most
offensive abroad oh you know don’t use
your sleeve that’s totally gross
for more interesting top 10s published
every day be sure to subscribe to
watchmojo.com so you told me that you
leave your shoes on your muddy shoes I
am on in this house
you
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