Fasten Seat Belts, a light hearted guide to avoid misunderstandings while travelling. An innovative way to learn languages and pick up cultural tips.

 

Travel by Continent / Europe

In Germany, the thumbs up sign means "1"

Body Language, Do's & Don'ts, Germany

In the Netherlands, it is the custom on someone's birthday to...

Gifts, Miscellaneous, Do's & Don'ts, Netherlands

In France and Belgium, when someone 'twists' his nose, he is saying that...

Body Language, Bar Culture, Insults, Do's & Don'ts, Belgium, France

In Austria, it is customary to say "Grüss Gott" when you enter a place

Greetings, Visiting people, Do's & Don'ts, Austria

In the UK, stand on the right side of the escalator

Miscellaneous, Do's & Don'ts, United Kingdom

In the Netherlands, tapping your finger on the center of the forehead...

Body Language, Insults, Do's & Don'ts, Netherlands

In the UK, the V-sign with the palm facing inward is extremely rude

Body Language, Insults, Do's & Don'ts, United Kingdom

In Italy, only tourists order capuccino after 11 a.m.

Bar Culture, Do's & Don'ts, Italy

Espagnol AP

Audio program, Spain

In Germany & Austria, do not twist your finger on the side of your head...

Body Language, Insults, Do's & Don'ts, Austria, Germany

Finnois AP

Audio program, Finland

Suedois AP

Audio program, Sweden

In Belgium and France, slapping the back of the wrist means "let's go"

Body Language, Do's & Don'ts, Belgium, France

Portugais AP

Audio program, Portugal

In Turkey, in crowded buses (Dolmus), the way to pay for your ticket is...

Miscellaneous, Do's & Don'ts, Turkey

Neerlandais AP

Audio program, Netherlands

Hongrois AP

Audio program, Hungary

In Poland and Romania, it is courteous for a man to kiss a woman's hand...

Greetings, Visiting people, Do's & Don'ts, Poland, Romania

Francais-belgique AP

Audio program, Belgium

Allemand AP

Audio program, Germany

In Lithuania and Poland, don't shake hands over the threshold

Greetings, Visiting people, Do's & Don'ts, Lithuania, Poland

In Italy, eat your pasta with a fork (spoons and knives are rude !)

Table manners, Do's & Don'ts, Italy

In Turkey, the "OK" sign is very rude.

Body Language, Insults, Do's & Don'ts, Turkey

In Germany & Austria, lightly tap your knuckles on a table to greet a...

Greetings, Do's & Don'ts, Austria, Germany

In Italy, people touch iron instead of wood for good luck

Body Language, Do's & Don'ts, Italy

Turc AP

Audio program, Turkey

Tcheque AP

Audio program, Czech Republic

In Portugal, it is considered rude to write in red ink

Insults, Do's & Don'ts, Portugal

In Spain, in tapas bars, you are expected to throw rubbish on the floor.

Bar Culture, Table manners, Do's & Don'ts, Spain

In Greece, holding your hand palm out towards someone is an insult: the...

Body Language, Insults, Do's & Don'ts, Greece

In Denmark, Norway and Sweden, wait for the host to propose a toast and...

Bar Culture, Table manners, Visiting people, Do's & Don'ts, Denmark, Sweden

In Turkey, it is rude to show the soles of your shoes

Body Language, Insults, Table manners, Do's & Don'ts, Turkey

In Portugal, it's impolite to tear paper in front of someone without...

Miscellaneous, Do's & Don'ts, Portugal

In the Netherlands and Germany, don't walk on bicycle paths !

Miscellaneous, Do's & Don'ts, Germany, Netherlands

Polonais AP

Audio program, Poland

Danois AP

Audio program, Denmark

Slovene AP

Audio program, Slovenia

Roumain AP

Audio program, Romania

Italien AP

Audio program, Italy

In various countries, you may be asked to remove your shoes before...

Visiting people, Do's & Don'ts, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, Turkey

In Bulgaria, moving one's head from left to right means 'yes' and up and...

Body Language, Do's & Don'ts, Bulgaria

In Germany (and Latvia), you should unwrap flowers before you offer them...

Gifts, Visiting people, Do's & Don'ts, Germany

In Belgium, when eating mussels, use an empty shell as a tool to eat the...

Table manners, Do's & Don'ts, Belgium

Lithuanien AP

Audio program, Lithuania

In the Czech Republic there are many particularities surrounding beer...

Bar Culture, Table manners, Do's & Don'ts, Czech Republic

Grec AP

Audio program, Greece

In Finland, don't be surprised if someone invites you for a sauna (they...

Visiting people, Do's & Don'ts, Finland

In Greece, you may see people mock spitting, for luck: « ftou ftou ftou...

Body Language, Do's & Don'ts, Greece

In Hungary, when drinking beer, avoid « clinking » your glasses.

Bar Culture, Table manners, Do's & Don'ts, Hungary

Anglais AP

Audio program, United Kingdom

Flamand AP

Audio program, Belgium

Francais AP

Audio program, France

In Ireland and the UK, people usually take turns buying each other...

Bar Culture, Gifts, Do's & Don'ts, Ireland, United Kingdom