Cultural Etiquette When Staying in Hotels Abroad
When traveling abroad, understanding and respecting local cultural etiquette is crucial for a smooth and enjoyable hotel stay. What’s considered polite or normal in your home country might be offensive or unusual elsewhere. Showing cultural sensitivity not only demonstrates respect for your hosts but can also lead to more positive interactions and a richer travel experience.
Here’s a guide to cultural etiquette in hotels, broken down by common aspects and regions:
General Principles Across Cultures:
- Research Before You Go: This is the golden rule. A quick search about the cultural norms of your specific destination can prevent many faux pas. Look for information on greetings, dress codes, dining etiquette, and tipping.
- Observe and Adapt: Once you arrive, pay attention to how locals and other guests interact with hotel staff and within the hotel’s common areas. Mimic respectful behaviors.
- Politeness and Respect: A polite demeanor, a smile, and basic courtesy are universally appreciated. “Please” and “thank you” in the local language go a very long way.
- Patience: Things might operate at a different pace than you’re used to. Be patient and understanding.
- Dress Code: Even within a hotel, consider the local dress norms, especially in conservative countries. While resort wear is fine by the pool, covering shoulders and knees when in the lobby, restaurants, or moving through more public areas shows respect.
- Noise Levels: Be mindful of your volume, especially in hallways, common areas, and late at night. Walls can be thin in some hotels.
- Children’s Behavior: If traveling with children, ensure they are well-behaved and not disruptive to other guests.
Specific Regional Etiquette:
Asia (General, with specific notes for Japan, India, and Southeast Asia):
Asia is incredibly diverse, but some overarching themes include respect, humility, and often less emphasis on overt displays of emotion.
- Greetings: A slight bow or a respectful nod is often appreciated in many parts of Asia, especially in Japan. Handshakes are common in business or more Westernized contexts.
- Tipping: This is a major one.
- Japan: Tipping is not customary and can even be considered rude. Exceptional service is the norm, and a heartfelt “Arigato gozaimasu” (thank you very much) is sufficient.
- China: Tipping is generally not expected and can sometimes be seen as insulting.
- Southeast Asia (e.g., Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia): Tipping is not strictly mandatory but is increasingly appreciated, especially in tourist-heavy areas. A small amount (e.g., 5-10% in restaurants, a few dollars for porters/housekeeping) is common in hotels. It’s often best to tip in local currency.
- India: Tipping is appreciated in hotels. For porters, 50-100 INR per bag is reasonable. For housekeeping, 100-200 INR per day or a lump sum at the end of your stay (e.g., 500-1000 INR for a longer stay in a mid-range hotel) is common. For room service, a small amount or rounding up is fine.
- Shoes: In many parts of Asia (especially Japan, and often in Southeast Asian guesthouses or traditional accommodations like ryokans), it’s customary to remove your shoes when entering homes, temples, and sometimes hotel rooms (particularly those with tatami mats). Always check for signs or observe others. Slippers are often provided.
- Handling Objects: Use both hands when giving or receiving objects (like credit cards, business cards, or gifts) as a sign of respect in many Asian cultures.
- Noise in Japan: Walls can be thinner. Be especially mindful of noise levels in your room and hallways. Public spaces like shared baths or lounges are for quiet relaxation.
- Personal Space: Generally, personal space is more respected, and physical contact (hugging, back-patting) with strangers is less common than in some Western cultures.
- Public Displays of Affection (PDA): Keep PDA to a minimum, especially in more conservative regions or public areas.
- Bathroom Etiquette: In some hotels, especially traditional ones, bathroom slippers are distinct from room slippers. Ensure you use the correct ones.
Middle East:
Hospitality (Karam) is deeply ingrained in Middle Eastern culture. Modesty and respect for Islamic customs are key.
- Dress Code: Dress modestly in public areas of the hotel (lobby, restaurants). Shoulders and knees should be covered for both men and women. While swimwear is fine at the pool, cover up when walking to and from it.
- Greetings: A handshake is common between men. For women, it’s best to wait for them to extend their hand first. Avoid touching or hugging members of the opposite sex unless initiated by them.
- Left Hand: The left hand is considered unclean. Avoid using it for greetings, handling food, or giving/receiving objects.
- Public Displays of Affection (PDA): Strictly avoid PDA in public areas. Save romantic gestures for the privacy of your room.
- Alcohol: While many international hotels in the Middle East serve alcohol, consume it discreetly and only in designated areas (bars, restaurants, your room). Avoid public intoxication. During Ramadan, alcohol availability may be restricted, and eating/drinking in public during fasting hours is disrespectful.
- Tipping: Tipping is appreciated. For porters, a few dirhams/riyals per bag. For housekeeping, 5-10 local currency units per day, or a lump sum at the end. In restaurants, a 10-15% tip is customary if a service charge isn’t already included.
- Check-in: The check-in process might involve a bit more formality or ID verification, but it’s generally straightforward.
Europe:
Europe is highly diverse, but generally values politeness, direct communication (though this varies), and efficiency.
- Tipping: Varies significantly by country.
- Included Service Charges: In many European countries (e.g., France, Italy, Germany, Spain), a service charge is often included in restaurant bills, or rounding up the bill is sufficient. Extra tipping is for exceptional service, not mandatory.
- UK & Ireland: 10-12.5% in restaurants if not included. For hotel staff, £1-2 per bag for porters and £1-2 per night for housekeeping is common in upscale hotels.
- Scandinavia: Tipping is minimal to non-existent, as service charges are almost always included, and staff are well-paid.
- Eastern Europe: Tipping 10% in restaurants is often common.
- General Hotel Tipping: For hotel staff, a small tip (€1-€2 per bag for porters, €1-€2 per night for housekeeping) is appreciated but usually not obligatory, especially in more luxurious hotels. Cash tips are often preferred.
- Punctuality: Highly valued, especially in Northern and Central Europe (e.g., Germany, Switzerland). Be on time for reservations.
- Personal Space: Generally, personal space is respected, but less so than in some Asian cultures.
- Noise: Maintain reasonable noise levels, particularly during quiet hours.
Latin America:
Warm hospitality, emphasis on personal relationships, and a more relaxed approach to time are common themes.
- Greetings: Handshakes are common for men. A light kiss on the cheek (one or two, depending on the country) is common between women or between men and women who know each other.
- Punctuality: While business meetings often have a flexible approach to time, try to be punctual for hotel check-ins or reservations to show respect.
- Communication: Building rapport is important. Engage in polite conversation beyond just transactional interactions.
- Tipping: Tipping is generally appreciated, though amounts vary.
- Mexico: 10-15% in restaurants. For hotel staff, 20-50 pesos per bag for porters, and 20-50 pesos per day for housekeeping.
- Other Latin American Countries: Similar ranges, often 5-10% in restaurants, and a few dollars/local currency for hotel staff.
- Personal Space: People tend to stand closer when conversing than in some Western cultures.
- Public Displays of Affection (PDA): While more relaxed than some Asian or Middle Eastern countries, excessive PDA in public hotel areas is generally frowned upon.
By being aware of these cultural nuances, you can ensure your hotel stay abroad is not only comfortable for you but also respectful and harmonious with the local culture.