Americans have the saying, “The squeaky wheel gets the grease.” (Stand out and you’ll get what you want.) Japan’s response is, “The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.” (Stand out and get put in your place!)

$1000 (USD) for a freakin watermelon?!! I don’t care if it’s shaped like a triangle!!

Two of the most common phrases you’ll hear in Japanese are “sumimasen” and “gomenasai.” They mean, “excuse me” and “I’m sorry,” respectively and can often be used interchangeably.

In a skit about cutsies, comedian Dane Cook stated “Your shoe does not represent you” or your place in line. In Germany, you do not represent you as locals brush past like you don’t exist. You have three ways to handle the situation: a. stick your elbows out to save your spot, b. make a fuss, or c. accept your fate. Beware that the response to b is less than satisfactory. The perpetrator will turn around with a look of “There was a line? I had no idea” and continue on.

In Rome, “coffee” is served two ways: a single or double espresso. If you try to explain the American version of coffee, they’ll serve you an Americano, which is a shot of espresso with hot water. They will appreciate it if you say that isn’t what you ordered.


Don’t Ask For Modifications To Your Order. Ever.

If you were at a friend’s house, you wouldn’t ask his mom to make you a special dinner, would you? Well, the same rules apply for dining out in Rome. Asking for a modified dish is not only an insult to the chef, but an easy way to make the wait staff hate you. Besides, when it comes to food, Italians know best.

It isn’t just something that happens in movies, Italians love to touch each other. When you meet someone, girl or guy, it’s customary to kiss on the cheek. If you enter or leave a group, it’s important to acknowledge every person before sitting down or leaving the party. We might think it’s weird, but believe me when I say not taking the time to say hello or goodbye is way more awkward.

This isn’t an exaggeration – Sunday is not only a day of rest, but also a day to hang out with your family, and this tradition applies to everyone from businessmen to waitresses. Some of the more touristy areas will have a restaurant or two open during the day, but they’ll close before sundown to give their employees the break they deserve.