Forbes: Travel etiquette in the world’s most-visited countries

Forbes presents some thumbnail etiquette advice for the world’s most visited countries. Here is a sample from each country. Click to through to the Forbes article to get more tips. You never know when a social gaffe might destroy a budding friendship.

Don’t get bogged down in do’s and don’ts, but bear in mind the overarching purpose of good etiquette. “Fundamentally, it is how we get along with one another,” says Cindy Post Senning, a director at the Emily Post Institute and great-granddaughter of its namesake founder. “It doesn’t matter where we live; humans are social beings. The way we handle social relationships matter. Manners are how we do that.”

Etiquette, she says, is really a combination of certain principles (respect, honesty, consideration), while manners are “the tools we use to articulate those principles.”

Here the ten most visited countries and their etiquette quirks.

# 10 Mexico

• Always keep both hands above the table.
• Get accustomed to people standing close to you.

# 9 Russia

• Drinking tends to be an all-or-nothing affair. Know your limits.
• Learning Russian is the best way to win friends and influence people. At least try.

# 8 Germany

• Use a fork and knife to eat sandwiches, fruit and most other food.
• Introduce yourself by your last name only–never use your title.

# 7 Austria

• Never cut a dumpling with a knife; break it apart with your fork.
• Avoid wearing shorts while shopping.

# 6 China

• Feel free to belch and slurp soup while eating.
• If a Chinese person greets you with applause, applaud back.

# 5 Spain

• No bread and butter plate is used; bread is set directly on the table.
• It is acceptable and common to be 30 minutes late to social functions in Southern Spain, 15 minutes in Northern Spain. Never be late for a bullfight.

# 4 Italy

• Don’t roll pasta on your spoon–do it on the sides of your plate.
• Burping is considered extremely vulgar.

# 3 U.K.

• You should leave a very small amount of food on your plate when finished eating.
• Do not push, shove or cut in line. Ever.

# 2 United States

• Never arrive early to a dinner party
• Try to avoid silence; it makes Americans uncomfortable.

# 1 France

• Don’t cut your crusty baguette–break it with your fingers.
• Avoid using any of the following in public: nail clippers, combs, toothpicks, chewing gum. And while you’re at it, don’t scratch or yawn either.