It is often the case that when visiting a new country, people do not make an effort to learn about the local customs and way of life. However, this can be a mistake because things that are considered normal in our own culture may be viewed as unusual or even offensive in other countries. By gaining this knowledge, travelers can avoid awkward or humorous situations and make their trip smoother.

1. In Brazil, women prefer hair lightening to hair removal.

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When it comes to the elderly and disabled toilets, Italy has its own agreed standard. The objective of a toilet for elderly and disabled individuals is to provide them with maximum comfort while using the toilet. Hence, it is a crucial aspect in the design of an assisted bathroom.

To comply with Italian regulations, a disabled toilet in Italy must adhere to specific guidelines. The toilet bowl should be positioned at a minimum distance of 140 cm from the left wall and 40 cm from the right wall. Additionally, it must have a seat height ranging between 45 and 50 cm from the floor and should protrude 75 to 80 cm from the wall.

7. The Netherlands has the steepest stairs in the world.

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The extremely steep stairs is a signature trait of Dutch homes. They’re an essential part of canal houses that were built very tall and skinny because of possible flooding. And the stairs had to match the house, so they were built to be narrow and steep too.

8. Japanese ofuro baths

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Another wonder from Japan is the ofuro bath, which is traditionally made of wood. However, today, you’re likely to come across bathtubs made of plastic and stainless steel. You can find ofuro baths in every Japanese apartment, and taking a bath is a whole ritual there. A person plunges into the water, so it covers their body up to the shoulders, and then the bath gets closed with a wooden lid, which helps to keep the water warm.

According to traditions, all family members take ofuro bath in turns without changing the water, so they always shower before they get to enjoy the bath.

9. Red ink is a taboo in South Korea.

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In South Korea, writing a person’s name using red ink traditionally means that this person has passed away. That’s why tourists should be very careful when choosing a pen to sign a greeting card.

10. In Colombia, hot chocolate is served with slices of salted cheese in it.

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People have a special attitude toward chocolate in Colombia. It’s common to drink hot chocolate with cheese. According to the tourists’ reviews, it’s not only pretty unusual, but also insanely delicious.

11. In France, milk is stored at room temperature.

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You can find different kinds of milk at the supermarkets from sterilized to ultra-pasteurized. But most French stores only sell ultra-pasteurized milk. For this reason, it’s unusual to keep milk in the fridge in France, and many people complain that it doesn’t turn sour and tastes different from ordinary pasteurized milk.

12. Tipping isn’t common practice in Indonesia.

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In Indonesia, it is not customary to tip in restaurants or other service industries. While tipping is not expected, it is still considered polite to round up the bill or leave small changes as a gesture of appreciation.

If you’d like to know more facts about different countries, you might want to check these articles, too:

14 Facts About South Korea That Foreigners Have Never Heard Of15+ Facts About Malaysia, a Tropical Country With Rich Culture and a Strangely Low Number of Tourists