Rate Author : Current :
2.48 /5
Rate this PR : Current :
1.89 /5
“The old adage, ‘When in Rome’ is a good one for travellers to remember as they set off for their spring getaway,” says Sarah Findlay, Marketing Manager at insurewithease.com. “It would be a mistake to think that it’s only destinations outside Europe that need research into local customs. Whether it’s how much to tip or restaurant etiquette, sometimes even the closest destinations can trip us up.”
In France and Spain, almost everything closes for around three hours for lunch or siesta, which includes tourist attractions. And if you don’t eat lunch during these hours you may find most restaurants closed after 3pm, leaving you hungry and tired.
Italy may be the country of ‘amore’, but when it comes to visiting the Vatican City, it’s time to cover up, rather than drift around in skimpy shorts and flirtatious skirts.
Last summer, new rules were introduced, requiring men visiting the Vatican City to wear t-shirts and shirts with sleeves and long trousers. Women should have their shoulders covered and wear a skirt that falls below the knee.
“Part of going on holiday includes embracing the customs and traditions of the country you are visiting” continued Sarah Findlay. “But we wanted to remind travellers to find out as much as they can about their holiday destination before they go. Muslim countries, including Turkey and Malaysia have strict traditions, so it’s important to find out about the most appropriate clothes to pack.
“We also advise travellers to check they have the right visas, jabs and travel insurance cover, no matter where they are going. That way they can concentrate on enjoying the trip, and avoid any nasty surprises.”
LOCAL CUSTOMS TO LOOK OUT FOR
www.insurewithease.com
• In Brazil: Avoid giving anything purple or black as these are
mourning colours.
• In the Netherlands: People greet one another by kissing on the
cheek three times.
• In Italy: Avoid arriving early for a dinner party as this is
considered rude.
• In China: The Chinese believe that statues in the temples
are ‘allergic’ to camera flashes and their images are not
supposed to be captured.
• In the Middle East: generally in Muslim countries it is best to
dress modestly and avoid consuming alcohol outside in public
places.
• In mosques: Remove your shoes and perform ablutions by washing
hands, face and neck. Women should cover their head.
• In Japan: Never stick chopsticks into a bowl of rice, as it is
a symbol of death
• In India: Always eat food with your right hand, never your left.
• In Quatar: Homosexual behaviour is illegal. The import of
religious books and pork into Quatar is illegal, as is drinking
alcohol or being drunk in public.
• In Thailand: Never touch another person’s head and never point
your feet at anyone. Also, the king is highly respected, so
never joke about the monarchy as we may do in the UK.
• In Russia: Only tip up to 15% to avoid embarrassing your waiter.
END
March 2011
Tips sourced from http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/ and http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette
For further information about insurewithease.com travel policies or commentary from Sarah Findlay please contact the Press Office at HSL:
Wendy Harrison/Maddy Roles/Jenny Staniforth on 020 8977 9132 ancileteam@harrisonsadler.com
Notes to Editors
Insurewithease.com
Insurewithease.com is an online travel insurance provider with one clear aim: to give travellers insurance that’s easy to arrange, competitively priced and offers great choice on cover.
Insurewithease.com aims to make life easier when buying travel insurance by offering a range of policies, all in a matter of clicks, including Annual Travel Insurance; Single Trip; Backpacker Insurance and Winter Sports Cover.
It offers a rating system of silver, gold and platinum to enable customers to clearly see the level of cover associated with each policy and to choose the cover most suited to their needs and budget.
Insurewithease.com is a trading name of Ancile Insurance Group Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
In France and Spain, almost everything closes for around three hours for lunch or siesta, which includes tourist attractions. And if you don’t eat lunch during these hours you may find most restaurants closed after 3pm, leaving you hungry and tired.
Italy may be the country of ‘amore’, but when it comes to visiting the Vatican City, it’s time to cover up, rather than drift around in skimpy shorts and flirtatious skirts.
Last summer, new rules were introduced, requiring men visiting the Vatican City to wear t-shirts and shirts with sleeves and long trousers. Women should have their shoulders covered and wear a skirt that falls below the knee.
“Part of going on holiday includes embracing the customs and traditions of the country you are visiting” continued Sarah Findlay. “But we wanted to remind travellers to find out as much as they can about their holiday destination before they go. Muslim countries, including Turkey and Malaysia have strict traditions, so it’s important to find out about the most appropriate clothes to pack.
“We also advise travellers to check they have the right visas, jabs and travel insurance cover, no matter where they are going. That way they can concentrate on enjoying the trip, and avoid any nasty surprises.”
LOCAL CUSTOMS TO LOOK OUT FOR
www.insurewithease.com
• In Brazil: Avoid giving anything purple or black as these are
mourning colours.
• In the Netherlands: People greet one another by kissing on the
cheek three times.
• In Italy: Avoid arriving early for a dinner party as this is
considered rude.
• In China: The Chinese believe that statues in the temples
are ‘allergic’ to camera flashes and their images are not
supposed to be captured.
• In the Middle East: generally in Muslim countries it is best to
dress modestly and avoid consuming alcohol outside in public
places.
• In mosques: Remove your shoes and perform ablutions by washing
hands, face and neck. Women should cover their head.
• In Japan: Never stick chopsticks into a bowl of rice, as it is
a symbol of death
• In India: Always eat food with your right hand, never your left.
• In Quatar: Homosexual behaviour is illegal. The import of
religious books and pork into Quatar is illegal, as is drinking
alcohol or being drunk in public.
• In Thailand: Never touch another person’s head and never point
your feet at anyone. Also, the king is highly respected, so
never joke about the monarchy as we may do in the UK.
• In Russia: Only tip up to 15% to avoid embarrassing your waiter.
END
March 2011
Tips sourced from http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/ and http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette
For further information about insurewithease.com travel policies or commentary from Sarah Findlay please contact the Press Office at HSL:
Wendy Harrison/Maddy Roles/Jenny Staniforth on 020 8977 9132 ancileteam@harrisonsadler.com
Notes to Editors
Insurewithease.com
Insurewithease.com is an online travel insurance provider with one clear aim: to give travellers insurance that’s easy to arrange, competitively priced and offers great choice on cover.
Insurewithease.com aims to make life easier when buying travel insurance by offering a range of policies, all in a matter of clicks, including Annual Travel Insurance; Single Trip; Backpacker Insurance and Winter Sports Cover.
It offers a rating system of silver, gold and platinum to enable customers to clearly see the level of cover associated with each policy and to choose the cover most suited to their needs and budget.
Insurewithease.com is a trading name of Ancile Insurance Group Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
Additional Links :
Contact Info
Account Manager,Jenny StaniforthPhone : 0208 977 9132
Email : jenny@harrisonsadler.com
