Love Abroad: Displays of Affection in Foreign Countries
I recently thought about how people show love in different countries around the world. What are common displays of affection? What is acceptable? What is frowned upon? The dos and don’ts?
Whether you travel with your loved one or meet a new special someone abroad, do respect the local customs and cultural codes. Every country has their own customs and traditions.
For example, in China, Japan and Thailand, avoid kissing in public. In New Guinea, show your love by putting your mouth against somebody’s cheek or press your mouth against someone’s ear. In Kenya, South Korea and Jamaica, group dates are a popular form of dating.
When in France, kiss three times on the cheek when you meet. One on the right, one on the left, and then another on the right. If you take away your head after only two kisses, someone may get offended.
And, needless to say, no sex in public in the United Arab Emirates — and many other countries.
If you know of any other specific customs of a foreign country, feel free to share in the comment section.
Good post! As someone who has been based in Dubai/Abu Dhabi and traveled frequently around the Middle East since 1998 I’m super-conscious of what’s acceptable and what’s not. Terry and I would never physically touch in public in any Middle Eastern countries. I think it’s so important to respect other cultures’ customs and traditions. Locals appreciate it and they’ll be far more welcoming and hospitable if they see you’re making an effort.
I’m so glad you pointed out that sex on the beach is illegal in *many* countries, not just the UAE. I was astounded how much negative publicity the arrest of that couple got, because they would have been arrested in *many* countries!
Hi Lara, Thanks for dropping by. I haven’t travelled in the Middle East myself (yet) but, like you, I wouldn’t do anything else than respecting the local customs, whether it concerns PDA or dressing modestly. Reminds me of a photo I saw last year of an American woman who wore shorts (or a skirt) at a public location somewhere in Egypt. The men nearby not only stared at her, but pointed and even laughed.
And yes, that couple did receive a lot of negative publicity. Even though I think it’s understandable, I was rather surprised by it.
Erica, what surprised you most about the publicity? The media’s coverage of the actual incident or the media’s coverage of the Dubai police’s treatment of the couple? Just curious. I found it interesting that many Western papers took the side of the couple and misrepresented events – some publications suggested they were naive tourists who were unfairly treated. In reality the woman was an expat journalist for a very well-known entertainment magazine – who should have known better – while the man was apparently her colleague from their head office in the UK in town for meetings – and they’d been drinking all day at a boozie ‘brunch’.
Andy’s idea is a good one. I’ve spent a lot of time in Thailand too, and I know the Thais are also very conservative (albeit tolerant) and frown upon the dress and behavior or tourists. But of course they’re too polite to say anything. Many Indians also don’t approve of the way travellers behave on beaches in places such as Goa. Sadly these people turn a blind eye because they depend so much on the tourist dollar.
.-= lara dunston´s last blog ..Churros in Jerez =-.
I was mostly surprised by the coverage of the actual incident. And I remember reading one of those articles in which the couple came across as naive tourists. I can see you know more about the background than I did though.
And yes, I’m glad that Andy mentioned it. It would be interesting to write a post from two perspectives, the locals and the tourists, to interview some of the Indians living in Goa as well as backpackers and do the same in other places across Asia.
It’s a bit tricky in Turkey where the west is much more open than the eastern parts of the country. A cautious approach I’ve found is the best one.
Hi Anil, I guess the same holds true in China, Thailand and Japan. I can imagine that people are more open in certain places than others. When I finally travel to Asia myself, I’m doing an update.
I’d love to see a roundup of dos and don’ts for all the major tourist destinations. I think it would be an eye opener!
.-= Andy Hayes | Sharing Travel Experiences´s last blog ..Finding Serendipity on the Road =-.
That’s a great idea, Andy. Thanks for the suggestion!
Hello Erica!
Our latest “Trourist goes to Hollywood” episode has a lot to do with the differences between countries and cities. You’ll like it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0Hn_ZMZktk
Hi Jokin!
I’ll definitely check out your new video. Thanks for the gift by the way! I received it yesterday.
Just saw your message in the book by the way. Tack! Watched your videos as well. Full Metal Jacket, Blade Runner, Pulp Fiction… you have a great taste in movies. I love your quote after the scene from Full Metal Jacket. “Show dunces like Sgt. Hartman that any city can in the world can have the drawing power of Berlin, Barcelona or New York. It all depends on the kinds of experiences you live.” Brilliant. Hope you’ll do more of these episodes!
Hello Erica!
Varsågod, glad you like our little present:). You are missing my favourite movie “Manhattan”. Do you have any other movies in mind which communicate the pride of the locals?
Loved it.
I did miss “Manhattan”. And I’m sure there are other movies. I’ll give that some thought.
Great post, Erica, it gives food for thought.
I, too, think it’s crucial to respect every country’s customs and mores, although, I have to admit, the excessive “freedom” I saw in many occasions in London, especially weekend nights, was rather disturbing, and instead of making me feel “free”, it made me feel outraged as a woman.
Some country may appear more “conservative” than others, and this depends on many factors, but basic manners are quite universal, I think.
.-= Angela´s last blog ..Out in the desert, dune driving =-.
I know what you mean. Some cities (and people) are way more liberated than others! Customs relating to PDA etc. can be so hugely different depending on where in the world you live. I think most basic manners are universal, but of course there is bound to be exceptions.
Culture-specific attitudes like this are one of the reasons I feel travel is so important. Every country has a bias in some direction, and you can’t really see that bias until you travel to other countries and have something to compare it to.
And I prefer the French attitude
.-= B.Traveller´s last blog ..How to Get Paid to Travel 1,000 miles: Craigslist =-.
True. And sometimes you may think you know a country’s stand but once you’re there you discover you were mistaken and learn something new.
As for the French attitude, that makes us two
About France, it actually depends where we live. We usually kiss one, two or three times on the cheek (sometimes even more !) when we meet. It’s just a habit that is kind of historically related to our geographical areas ^^
But I have never met people that get offended if I don’t kiss the “correct-local-number” of times. Usually it makes us laugh cause one expects another kiss while it’s already over for the other
Thanks for your posts, I like to read them now and then.
A French reader
Hi Gaetan,
I can imagine it’s different depending on where you live. I haven’t met anyone that has gotten offended either. I actually read about that online some time ago, thought it seemed relevant, and included it in the post. Am gonna experiment a bit with that whenever I next travel to France and see how people react.