9 Ways to Ruin Your Vacation

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2. Not Familiarizing Yourself With the Laws and Customs

In Singapore, it’s a $100 fine for not flushing a public toilet. (But no fine for missing it altogether!) In Florida, if you are a single woman, you dare not parachute on a Sunday. Driving a dirty vehicle in Moscow will cost you $100, and the level of dirt is to the discretion of the officer. These are all actual laws that need to be recognized and observed when traveling. Although these ones probably aren’t enforced, in some countries they are — and will be met with severe consequences if not abided by.

The same goes for customs. It can be very insulting and make your stay awkward and uncomfortable if you have insulted a host and/or a host country by making a rude gesture. In Japan it is never acceptable to wear shoes into someone’s home. You will be given slippers, and then a separate pair of slippers for the washroom. You never wear your regular slippers into the washroom; it’s considered dirty. Also in Japan, at an Onsen (bathhouse), you must never wear a bathing suit. Nudity is mandatory — but the good news is, it’s not too late to add it to your itinerary.