The 10 Strangest Unwritten Rules of Different Cultures

4. Thailand – Never Touch Someone’s Head

In Thai culture, the head is considered the most sacred part of the body because it is closest to the heavens. Touching someone’s head—especially a child’s—is highly inappropriate. Even playful pats on the head, common in Western cultures, are frowned upon. Similarly, feet are viewed as the lowest and dirtiest part of the body, so pointing your feet at someone (such as resting them on a chair) is also considered disrespectful. Why it matters: Respect for the body’s hierarchy is deeply ingrained in Thai Buddhist traditions.