How to Show Respect to Any Person in the World

There are many cultures and customs around the world. Sometime's it is hard to know what's proper and what's not. But there are some universal ways to show respect. Here they are:

Be gentle in your manner, and avoid staring at anyone or being loud. Do not point and avoid making any signalling gestures with fingers. That thumbs-up or "A-OK" symbol is an aspect of American or Western European culture and means either nothing or something offensive in another culture. Never show the bottom of your feet or shoes to another person. Smile and be modest, and demonstrate respect by talking slowly and in a gentle tone.

Always ask if in doubt about etiquette. For example, if you are not sure whether you should take off your shoes when going in a place, ask. When eating, eat slowly and always with your mouth closed. If you are unsure watch and copy how your host is behaving. It's best to either graciously accept or decline by showing that you are full and satisfied.

In general, it's better to be quiet and observant when you are ignorant about the customs.

In some countries like Vietnam, pointing at people or gesturing to them to come your way with a hooked finger is very rude.

Never litter or spit on the street. If you can't find a garbage can ask for the proper place to throw away your debris.

Reciprocate - smile when smiled to. Be considerate and make others feel loved.

In the West, jokes can sometimes be very satirical or politically oriented. It's best to avoid any kind of satire and mockery when you're talking with people. It's best not to laugh out loud in an obvious way. Sexual jokes should be avoided.

Wear modest, neutral-colored clothing that doesn't reveal any part of your body that may be considered sexually enticing. This is especially important in the Middle Eastern and South Asian countries, where Islam is the major religion and people generally disapprove of the scantily clad fashion styles. So it's best to dress in loose-fitting, somewhat baggy clothing. Furthermore, public displays of affection should be modest and kept to a minimum.

When paying for something, always overestimate a little. Think of how being a tourist automatically portrays and signifies that you can afford a luxury most people in the world can only dream of - travelling to a distant country. So be on the safe side and be generous if you can, especially in countries where the exchange rate means you can dine or go out for relatively little.

There are specific issues one should be aware of when visiting isolated or more homogeneous countries like Japan, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, etc. It's always best to do your homework and learn the etiquette of another country, but especially when going somewhere very different from your homeland.