The Subtle Behaviors That Reveal You’re American Abroad

After walking ten miles through a city, the empty seat across from you can look like an invitation to put your feet up. In many countries, it is seen quite differently. Shoes have crossed sidewalks, station floors, and public restrooms, so placing them on a chair or bench where another person will later sit is considered unhygienic as well as discourteous. Public furniture also carries a stronger sense of collective ownership in some cultures.