Country Culture Guides
In-depth, respectful guides to cultures around the world — customs, etiquette, language, and the practical things you need to know to connect.
Japan
A country where ancient tradition and cutting-edge modernity coexist beautifully.
Read GuideFrance
A nation that prizes intellectual conversation, culinary excellence, and the art of living well.
Read GuideItaly
A warm, expressive culture built around family, food, and the celebration of beauty.
Read GuideThailand
The 'Land of Smiles,' known for warm hospitality, Buddhist traditions, and relaxed charm.
Read GuideGermany
A culture that values precision, punctuality, directness, and a strong sense of order.
Read GuideBrazil
A vibrant, warm, and social culture where relationships, music, and joy take center stage.
Read GuideMexico
A country rich in history, family values, vibrant traditions, and renowned hospitality.
Read GuideIndia
An incredibly diverse country of many languages, religions, and traditions across its regions.
Read GuideSouth Korea
A dynamic society blending deep Confucian traditions with global pop culture and technology.
Read GuideSpain
A social, expressive culture with late schedules, rich cuisine, and a love of community.
Read GuideUnited Kingdom
A culture known for politeness, understated humor, and a strong sense of tradition.
Read GuideVietnam
A warm, resilient culture with rich traditions, incredible cuisine, and strong family bonds.
Read GuideHow the Country Guides Are Organised
Each guide follows the same shape so you can find the same information quickly for any country: greetings and forms of address, communication style, attitudes to time and punctuality, dining and hospitality customs, gift-giving, the topics that are welcome and the ones to avoid, and a short section on friendship and social norms for people who are connecting personally rather than professionally. Where a country has strong regional differences, the guide says so rather than pretending to one national habit.
How they are written and kept current
Guides are compiled by our editorial team from published cross-cultural research, official visitor information, and reader corrections, and each carries the date it was last reviewed. We avoid ranking cultures, we avoid humour at a culture’s expense, and we try to explain the reason behind a custom rather than just the custom, because the reason is what lets you behave well in a situation the guide did not anticipate.
The country comparison tool puts any two of these side by side on the dimensions where misunderstandings are most likely, and the learning lessons cover the same themes across all cultures rather than one at a time. If you live in or come from one of these countries and something here is wrong or out of date, the contact page is the fastest way to fix it.