There is nothing better than being on holiday, surrounded by sun, sea and good food. But sometimes it's easy to get caught up in the excitement and, unintentionally, our manners and common sense fall out of play for a while. But do not worry. You can avoid this by taking a look at our guide to holiday etiquette:the dos and don'ts when traveling abroad.
The Do's
* Ask permission before taking pictures of the locals. It can be considered rude if you take a photo without checking that the person is okay with you doing this.
* Consider your gestures. Things like sages can be considered rude in certain cultures.
* Tip where appropriate. Don't forget to check the tipping etiquette for the specific country you are in. Some cultures see it as an insult!
* Learn the local language. Try your best to learn the language a little. Even if it's just please and thank you.
* Try the local dishes. It may not be what you're used to, but it's always polite to try and immerse yourself in the local culture of the place you're visiting.
* Be considerate of others when you play music. We all love to make a vacation playlist, but don't let it blare from your hotel room.
* Dress respectfully for your surroundings. Do not visit a local temple or restaurant in your swimsuit.
* Embrace haggling. If haggling is common in the country you are visiting, enjoy the experience and try not to be rude. These people are just trying to make a living.
The Don'ts
* Don't recline your seat as far back as possible on an airplane. Or any other form of transport. And while we're on the subject, share the armrests fairly.
* Get ahead of the queue at the gate. There is no rush to try and get on the plane before others. It goes away at the same time.
* Block the moving walkways. Stand on the side of the walkway and so does your suitcase so people in a hurry can pass.
* Being overly greedy at the all-you-can-eat buffets. You really don't need 4 eggs for the All-Inclusive breakfast. Or that fourth overflowing plate.
* Holding the sun loungers. There's nothing worse than when people put down a towel before breakfast and then don't show up to use it until mid-afternoon.
* Be angry if you can't find wifi or phone signal. You are on vacation. Uploading photos to Instagram and Facebook check-ins can wait.
* Arriving late for organized excursions and trips. It deducts other people's vacation time and you may miss something because of this.
* Being unprepared. Nobody wants to be at the front of the queue, trying to find their passport at the bottom of the bag.
