Europe is home to the second most diversified population in the world, after Asia. The Muslims of Turkey and the Roman Catholics of Italy may not seem to have much in common but rules of etiquette are often very similar.

The British and the Germans are typically more reserved than other Europeans. It is considered inappropriate to touch a new acquaintance, in Germany this reserve extends even to the persons belongings. The French prefer not to be called by their first names, this is a privilege reserved for close friends and family.

In other places good manners may be at the extreme ends of the scale. In most European countries it is rude to wear a hat and coat indoors, sitting to a meal with ones hat on is particularly unacceptable. Italians on the other hand prefer that visitors keep their coats on until invited to remove them. Visitors should however refrain from placing their hats on a bed, it is reminiscent of what priests do while giving last rites, and the superstitious Italians do not like it.

Names can be confusing. Russians change surnames based on gender, thus Mr. Ivanovs wife will be called Mrs. Ivanova. Calling her Mrs. Ivanov is very inappropriate.

Icelanders use patronymics instead of surnames. This method means that a fathers first name is used for the children’s last name, with the appropriate ‘son’ or ‘dottir’ added. Gustaf’s children would be Gustafson and Gustafsdottir.

Some rules of etiquette are plain good manners. Hungarians do not usually appreciate the joke that the name of the country is similar to ‘hungry’. Romanians do not like to be reminded that Transylvania, home to 7 million Romanians, is famous because of Count Dracula. Czechoslovakia ceased to exist in 1993; most residents prefer the name Czech Republic for their country.

Some things may appear strange to a newcomer but locals find them perfectly sensible. Greeks move their heads down once for yes and upwards for no, wagging the head several times looks silly to them. In turkey and Italy biting into bread is rude, bread is broken and eaten piece by piece. And the universal favourite: pointing at someone with ones index finger is unacceptable in most of Europe.