Cultural Taboos and/or Rules

- no chewing gum at meetings (even at the immigration office)

- no wet hair in public

- oldest woman through the door first, the other women, then men

- always take a cart or basket at the grocery store

- take your own bags or buy a plastic bag to carry your groceries in as it is quite inappropriate to carry items without a bag walking any where

- no humming, singing or whistling while walking down the street - you will be thought of as mad

- be sure to use the toilet brush if need be since the toilets are a bit different

- be sure to bring your own toilet paper wherever you go as most public toilets do not supply the wipes

- be prepared to pay for some public toilets, not an optional tip but a fee (this is in the more tourist places, i.e. Budapest)

- when eating an authentic Hungarian meal at a home, be sure to only take a small helping at first. If you don't take at least a second helping you have just insulted the cook. Keep in mind there may be many courses to the meal.

- Don't give the thumbs down as it is the equivalent to our middle finger symbol

- Always brush your feet when entering a home and always take off your shoes at the door

- Keep your hands on the table and not on your lap

- Don't put your elbows on the table only your forearms

- You are expected to drink alcohol and may be pressured. Need to take strong stance right away. Many people have hard alcohol for breakfast.

- Don't be offended if someone points to or at you with their middle finger. It is like the index finger to us.

- When you put up one finger to count, you start with your thumb and not your index finger.

- No lounging on couches at Hungarian homes typically. Proper posture at all places.

- When you toast or cheers your drinks, always look the person in the eye and don't look at your glass.

- No popping bubble gum in public

- No licking your fingers; i.e. after eating popcorn or anything.

- If you wish to do as the Romans do when in Rome or in this case the Europeans do when in Europe, even the women can sell their shavers and grow their armpit and leg hair.