Surprising laws and customs you should know before travelling

Дата публикации: 18-08-2026 16:41:57

Everyday habits can have unexpected consequences abroad

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Canadian travellers are heading overseas in growing numbers, with Canadian-resident return trips by air up about 5.5 per cent from January through June compared with the same period in 2025, according to Flight Centre Canada. But familiar habits don’t always travel well.  

“The biggest mistake is assuming the rules you live by in Canada travel with you. Something completely ordinary at home — from what you pack to how you dress — can be restricted or inappropriate somewhere else,” says Amra Durakovic, head of PR and communications at Flight Centre Canada. Knowing the local rules before departure can prevent costly or embarrassing mistakes. 

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Think twice before vaping

Something commonplace in Canada can become a serious issue abroad if you don’t know the local rules, warns Durakovic. “One traveller told us their taxi was stopped at a police checkpoint in Thailand and passengers were checked for vapes.” 

Thailand is among more than 30 countries where e-cigarettes and vaping devices are banned or heavily restricted, along with countries including India and Mexico. Even where vaping is legal, public-use restrictions may apply, much as they do with tobacco. 

Prescribed or proscribed? 

Some medications readily available in Canada are controlled or prohibited elsewhere. Japan takes a firm stance on medications containing specific stimulants, narcotics or psychotropic ingredients. That means leaving behind Advil Cold & Sinus, Tylenol Cold, NyQuil, Vicks Inhaler and Sudafed behind, even if you’re under the weather.  

Some amphetamine-based ADHD medications, including Adderall, are illegal in Japan even when the traveller has a prescription. Stay on the safe side by checking the list of controlled substances from Japan’s Narcotics Control Department before your travels. 

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Don’t dig in your heels 

Your legs might look great in stilettos, but Greece would rather you admire its ancient monuments without them. To prevent further chipping and cracking on the marble and limestone surfaces, there’s been a ban on high heels at certain historic sites since 2009. Visitors wearing high heels are asked to remove their footwear before admiring the Acropolis in Athens, the Roman Agora and the archaeological site of Delphi. 

To tip or not to tip? 

Tipping habits shift fast once you leave North America. In Japan, South Korea and China, a restaurant tip can confuse or even insult your server, where good service is the expectation. Much of Europe builds gratuity into the bill by law. In France, service compris means it’s already covered, though rounding up or leaving a couple of euros for great service is an appreciative, not mandatory, gesture. Tipping for housekeeping services, tour guides and taxis varies widely, so check what’s customary at your destination before dropping your change. 

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Wearing camouflage  

That camouflage T-shirt might look perfectly ordinary, albeit outdated, in Canada, but in some nations it can attract unwanted attention. Several countries, particularly in Africa, the Caribbean and the Middle East, restrict civilians from wearing, carrying or bringing items made of camouflage material across their borders.  

The ban is a public safety measure and helps authorities easily identify legitimate members of the armed forces. The rules can extend to hats, bags and other camouflage-patterned items (like phone cases) with consequences ranging from confiscation to fines. Head to the Government of Canada’s travel and tourism site to receive travel advice specific to the laws and culture of the country you’re visiting.  

Feeding the birds 

Saving your pizza crust for the birds might seem harmless, but Venice takes a different view. The city prohibits feeding pigeons and seagulls. Their droppings and pecking severely damage centuries-old marble statues, monuments and building facades. Anyone caught feeding their feathered friends could be fined 25 to 500 euros.  

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You’ll also want to watch where you sit in Venice and in Rome. Sitting on Rome’s Spanish Steps is prohibited, while Venice goes as far as to ban sitting on monuments, bridges, steps and high-water walkways. And don’t even think about eating and drinking while sitting on the ground or you could face a fine of 100 to 200 euros. 

Don’t drive in the dark 

If you’re renting a car in Europe, don’t assume the driving rules are the same as in Canada. Several European countries require drivers to use headlights or daytime running lights during daylight hours, including Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Switzerland. 

In countries including Italy, Romania and Hungary, daytime lights are only required on highways and rural roads. The rules vary by country, so check the local requirements before collecting your rental car. 

Something to chew on 

This is one travel myth that refuses to die. Contrary to popular belief, chewing gum is not illegal in Singapore. What Singapore restricts is the sale, manufacture and import of chewing gum. There are exceptions for certain approved dental and therapeutic gums, which can be purchased through registered pharmacists or with a prescription. If you’re bringing therapeutic gum, keep your documentation handy.  

If you do chew, beware of where you put your gum after the novelty has worn off. Singapore has strict anti-littering laws (enforced by surveillance cameras!) to keep the city-state clean and green. 

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