One Etiquette Mistake Sparks Judgment From Tokyo To Zurich Before Even Saying 'Hello'

If there's one nearly-universal travel faux pas that can sink a first impression faster than failing to greet someone, it's showing up late. In many places around the world — from Japan and China to Germany and Switzerland — punctuality is a deeply rooted cultural norm. In some places, being even five minutes late to a meeting, tour, or dinner reservation can be seen as disrespectful — or worse, entitled. And you should definitely want to avoid being what Rick Steves calls the "ugly tourist."  

In the U.S. or parts of Latin America, running "fashionably late" might be shrugged off or even expected in casual settings — for example, in Costa Rica, it's humorously referred to as "Tico time." But in countries like Japan, where trains famously run on time to the minute, being late is a big no-no. In fact, the Japanese prefer to arrive 5 to 10 minutes early just to be safe. This comes down to "wa" (和), which essentially refers to a smoothly-running social harmony. Similarly in Switzerland, where precision is practically a national value (here's what tourists need to know about "Swiss directness"), punctuality reflects both professionalism and personal responsibility. No wonder the Swiss have been famous for watchmaking since the late 16th century.

Ultimately, in these cultures, showing up late is like saying your time matters more than everyone else's. For travelers to avoid sending the wrong message, this means building in buffer time, prioritizing your appointments, and maybe even showing up five minutes early to blend in.

If you're traveling to a country where punctuality is part of the social fabric, you'll naturally want to plan ahead. That doesn't necessarily mean stressing about every second — it just means adjusting your habits. In places like Japan, Switzerland, and Germany, make sure to give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination — especially if you're using public transit, cabs, or traveling during a higher-traffic part of the day. Aim to arrive 10 or so minutes early as a general rule.

Arriving early also has added benefits for you. You'll have some extra time to settle in, observe social cues, and make a better impression. And if you're running behind, definitely don't ghost. A quick call or message goes a long way, even if you're in a place where English isn't the primary language. While you'll still be running late, at least you will have acknowledged the mistake — better than no damage control at all.

On the other hand, in some countries, arriving too close to the agreed-upon start time can actually be problematic. For example, the social etiquette rule in France is to arrive slightly late for dinner parties, and it could be considered rude in the American South if you show up early for a get-together — mainly because it puts extra pressure on the host. To avoid any issues, be sure you look into the general cultural expectations of any place you're traveling to ahead of your trip. A resource like "Multicultural Manners: Essential Rules of Etiquette for the 21st Century" could be a helpful guide while planning your travels.