RV Rule: (Almost) Never Knock On An RV Neighbor’s Door

Above, at Campland on the Bay in San Diego, California. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In the RVing world, there are rules, written and unwritten. 

The following is an unwritten rule that does make sense. It is knocking on an RV door. Admittedly, it is jarring to have someone knock on my motorhome's door. But this has been extremely rare. 

RV Travel spells out the reasons for this and states a few exceptions. 

They begin with:

Have you heard about this unwritten RV rule? It doesn’t come up very often. However, you should know and follow this unwritten rule: (Almost) never knock on an RV door.

Folks new to RVing may not realize that knocking on another person’s RV door is almost always considered taboo. Let’s take a closer look at this unwritten rule and the reasoning behind it. 

To read more, go here. 

Don't Do These 5 Things When Traveling To Japan

Above, Godzilla peers over buildings in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whether or not one has traveled to Japan, there are some etiquette customs that visitors should be mindful of. If one has been there before, it is always to have a refresher.

Fortunately, Times of India has listed them for our perusal.

They begin with:

Japan is one of the most organised and visitor-friendly countries in the world, but daily life here runs on unspoken social rules that tourists are expected to follow. Clean streets, quiet public transport, and orderly public spaces are not accidental, they exist because people are careful about how their actions affect others. Visitors sometimes assume that common tourist habits, such as speaking loudly, eating while walking, or discarding garbage casually, are acceptable, but these behaviours can be seen as inconsiderate in Japan. With international tourism continuing to grow, local authorities and communities have repeatedly reminded travellers to be mindful of etiquette, especially in crowded cities and popular tourist areas.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Travel Tips For First-Time Visitors

Above, a gate at Tokyo's Asakusa Senso-ji temple. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan is one of the most popular travel destinations today.

It is easy to see why. It is a first world nation and the current currency exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and Japanese yen is a big draw.

Forbes has posted ten must-know Japan travel tips for first-time visitors.

They begin it with:

Japan is one of the most popular international destinations right now.

In April 2025, Japan welcomed a record-breaking 3.9 million international visitors, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). One of the most tourist friendly destinations, there is a learning curve to traveling here, and knowing how to navigate and plan accordingly will ensure a better travel experience.

From basic etiquette and can’t miss public transportation tips to planning the best time of year to visit (and knowing best time of year to avoid), here are ten essential travel tips every first time traveler needs to know to plan the best visit possible to Japan.

 To read more, go here.

Japan: 10 Annoying Foreign Tourist Behaviors On Trains

Above, inside a Shinkansen (bullet train) car. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan seems to have many etiquette rules. Anyone who has been there at least several times gets acclimated with them with no real problem (more or less).

Unbeknownst to some (especially newbies), there are even rules on trains. 

Sora News has posted an article with a list of the top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains.

They begin it with:

Japan is seeing more inbound foreign tourists than ever these days, which also means more inbound foreign tourists than ever on public transportation. But as locals and Japanese residents increasingly rub elbows on trains, that also means more chances for tourist behavior to rub locals the wrong way.

As part of its annual study on train/station etiquette, the Japan Private Railway Association collected responses from 5,314 participants via an online survey. 62.9 percent of the respondents said they’d been bothered by impolite behavior by foreign tourists, and the survey then asked them to designate up to two specific complaints, resulting in the following top 10 list (technically top 11, if you count the entry of “other”).

To see what they are, go here. 

Japan Travel: 15 Unwritten Rules

Above, a food court at the Tokyo Skytree. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan is one of the world's most favored places to travel, many people are traveling there for the first time.

As this is the case, they should be mindful of proper etiquette while in Japan. There are 15 unwritten rules that all visitors should be aware of.

Condé Nast Traveller has them listed.

They begin with:

In Japan, the concept of “hairyo” – a profound embodiment of thoughtfulness and consideration – serves as a foundation for public interaction, reflecting a culture deeply rooted in mutual respect. This principle encourages individuals to be aware of their surroundings and anticipate the needs and feelings of others in order to cultivate a harmonious environment. However, navigating the many unwritten rules and social cues can be challenging for foreign travellers. As our readers named Japan the best country in the world in this year's Readers' Choice Awards, resident foodie and travel connoisseur Tokyo Halfie offers a snapshot of essential guidelines for your visit to help you avoid any faux pas. 

 To read more, go here.

RV Park Unwritten Rules You Should Know

Above, campers at the Ely, Nevada KOA Kampground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Ever camped at an RV park or campground next to obnoxious neighbors? I can't say that I have. But others haven't been so lucky.

RV Life has posted an article on "unwritten rules" of RV parks that everyone should know.

They start it off with:

When you check into an RV park you’ll almost always receive a list of campground rules. As you dutifully check it out, you’ll typically see there are campground quiet hours, rules about not killing the grass with your camping rug, keeping pets on leashes,  and a host of other rules. These rules help keep campground managers and RVers happy.  However, those aren’t the only rules at the campground you should be aware of.  There are also some unwritten rules for good campground conduct that new RVers )or some seasoned ones) may not be aware of. Knowing these rules will save you from becoming a social outcast in the RV park. 

To read more, go here. 

RV Dump Station Etiquette

Above, Malibu Creek State Park's dump station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As far as I can remember, there was only one time I had to wait an inordinate amount of time for a fellow to finish emptying his RV holding tanks at a dump station. He sure took his sweet time. I felt like using Rodney Dangerfield's line from Caddyshack, "Let's go while we're young!"

Normally, I empty mine at my campsite's sewer portal. But if I went dry camping with no hook-ups or dump station available, I would go to Malibu Creek State Park (when I lived in L.A.) or to Red Rock Park Campground and use theirs. They would charge a small ($5-10) fee.

RV Travel has posted an article on how long should it take for someone to empty his/her holding tanks at a dump station and proper etiquette for using one.

It begins with:

Someone recently asked: “How long is too long when others are waiting behind you at the dump station?”

This caused me to ponder an appropriate answer. How long is too long to occupy a dump station when others are patiently waiting?

“If you’re doing everything properly, you can get the job done in less than 15 minutes without even making a mess.” Says RV blogger Jessica Lipscomb.

I prefer to disperse camp (aka boondock) versus camp in developed campgrounds or RV parks that feature full hookups with sewer. Therefore, I am dependent on public dump stations along my route to dump my holding tanks. If potable freshwater is available, too, I will also refill my freshwater tank while I am there. I am never sure where the next opportunity to do so might present itself.

To read more, go here. 

Japan's COVID-19 Etiquette Tips

Above, Shibuya Crossing (or Scramble) in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Those who are familiar with the ways of Japan know that it is a country big on etiquette. This is the way the people live and foreign visitors would do well if they know the dos and don'ts while there.

With the country set to reopen to foreign tourists on October 11, it is advisable to know Japan's COVID-19 etiquette before they arrive.

Time Out has posted the most important things to know.

They begin with:

With Japan finally reopening to the world on October 11, anticipation is running high. While there’s a lot to be excited about, it's good to be aware of the situation to help you have the smoothest trip possible.

We understand that guidelines for safety vary by country, and Japan still has a few anti-virus measures in place. So here are some of the important Covid-19 etiquette tips to know about when visiting Japan.

To read more, go here. 

10 Things NOT To Do When Eating Sushi In Japan

Above, a plate of sushi in Asakusa, Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whenever Japan opens up its borders to tourists, there's a few things to keep in mind that may have been forgotten during the course of the long pandemic.

That is proper sushi etiquette. In the U.S., sushi etiquette isn't such a big deal, but in Japan, the locals frown upon a few things.

Thankfully, Sugoii Japan has posted ten things NOT to do when eating sushi in Japan. So, consider the following a bit of a refresher.

They begin with:

Sushi Etiquette – Do you remember the first time you were introduced to sushi? Those bright and colourful rice rolls filled with all of your favorited ingredients, made fresh daily and super affordable at that?

By now, almost every country around the world will have a sushi joint selling anything from crunchy rolls of prawn tempura to delectable pieces of salmon nigiri. Most places will offer you a small portion of wasabi and soy sauce to top or dip your sushi in before you take a bite.

The moment we said that, we know you’re imagining that moment of inhaling the smell of sushi before you pop it into your mouth. It’s the small window of anticipation that anyone who’s ever eaten sushi will recognise!

As one of the most popular foods globally, sushi is a staple for anyone’s diet!

However, did you know that there is such a thing as sushi etiquette?

You may have grown up simply picking up your sushi with your chopsticks and dipping it into a small plate of soy sauce mixed with wasabi before taking a bite.

However, when you’re eating it in Japan, there is a list of etiquette norms for consuming this delicate dish that stems from hundreds of years of food culture. Some of them you may be aware of, such as never mixing the pickled ginger and sushi together, but others might be completely unheard of, such as eating the sushi rolls only after sashimi has been consumed.

We’ll take you through 10 things not to do when you eat sushi in Japan. Read this ahead of entering a sushi restaurant before you accidentally commit a faux pas in front of a seasoned Japanese sushi chef and you have no idea why he’s watching you in horror!

To read more, go here.

Eight Tips For RV Campground Etiquette

Above, the Ely, Nevada KOA Kampground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As in one's home base neighborhood, nobody likes noisy and discourteous neighbors at all hours of the day or night while out camping in the Great Outdoors.

Paul Hemphill at The News-Review posted eight tips for RV campground etiquette. 

He starts it with:

We’ve all been there: Tucked in after an evening of stargazing and enjoying the sound of crickets when a crew of campers crashes the campground and hoots until the early morning. It’s a great recipe for a restless night and is an experience that can quickly sour your seventh heaven. Here are eight tips to avoid being “that guy.”

To read more, go here. 

Basic RV Etiquette

Above, Marin RV Park in Greenbrae, California. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As in all things in life, there's good, courteous people and then there's some schlubs in the RV travel world.

Thankfully, there are more in the the former category than in the latter one. When people are packed in RV parks like sardines, having thoughtful people around makes things more pleasant.

RV Travel has an article on basic RV etiquette that isn't always talked about.

They start it off with:

We all learned the “magic words” as a kid. Do you want a piece of pie? What are the magic words? “Please” and “thank you.” “Magic words” and other proper manners were taught to most of us as we grew up. In the spirit of “never stop learning new things,” I recently learned a few rules of etiquette about RVing that I hadn’t known before. Here they are. (Please. Add to my list. Thank you!)

 To see what they are, go here.

Do's And Don'ts Of Preparing For A Trip To Japan

Above, at the Toho Studios Godzilla statue in Setagaya.

Eventually, we'll be able to travel to Japan for a vacation again. When that happens all depends upon when the Japanese government gets its act together on dealing with the pandemic and the citizens are vaccinated.

Oddly enough, there are some Godzilla fans who have a Japan vacation on their "bucket list" of things to do but still haven't made the trip. So much of this is targeted to them.

There are some unwritten do's and don'ts of Japan travel and The Travel has posted some basic ones.

They begin with:

A trip to Japan is one of the most thrilling trips a person can take in their lifetime. There's a sense of wonder, fascination, and genuine curiosity when it comes to this country, and it's part of the allure that brings millions of people there year after year. Some parts of Japan, such as Tokyo, will always seem like a futuristic world while others, such as Kyoto, seem to be frozen in time, perfectly quaint and beautiful.

No matter where a traveler chooses to go in Japan, etiquette rules will follow. Each country has its own (somewhat unspoken) rules when it comes to showing respect and Japan has many. With that being said, it's not the end of the world if a traveler accidentally does something impolite - but being aware and conscientious goes a long way in this incredible country. Here are some do's and don'ts to know before even booking a trip to Japan.

To read more, go here. 

RV Lifestyle Unwritten Rules

Above, The Beast at the KOA Kampground in Cedar City, Utah. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Traveling in a recreational vehicle and camping is fast-gaining in popularity. Many are new to the "RV lifestyle" and don't yet know there's some rules of etiquette.

Fortunately, RV Life has posted 5 unwritten rules of the RV lifestyle.

They begin it with:

With summer in full swing, you’ll likely pass by several motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheels, and truck campers on the road. This radical influx of RVers includes solo RVers, couples, and family travelers, from millennials to baby boomers. Among those clusters are novice RVers, those who sought the RV lifestyle as a way to safely vacation during the pandemic, those transitioning from tent camping to glamping, and everyone in between.

And although we like to think that learning something new comes with a bit of research, there are certain things about the RV lifestyle that aren’t clear-cut, written in an “All About RVing” book, or listed among the rules of a campground brochure. These unwritten rules of RVing are learned behaviors after many RVing ventures or shared around the campfire with fellow nomads.

If you are new to RVing, then you should know that there are some lesser-known rules about the RV lifestyle. The following are just a handful of these rather sensical rules. 

To see what they are, go here. 

Things Not To Do In Japan

Above, don't be surprised at how small hotel rooms are (no. 18 on the list). Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It will be some time before we can travel to Japan on vacation again. But now is a good time to learn or brush up on Japanese etiquette for when the day comes when travel to Japan is given the green light.

Sugoii Japan has listed 20 things not to do in Japan.

They begin with:

Japan Etiquette – Japan is a country that welcomes tens of thousands of visitors as its peak. It’s fast becoming one of the most popular countries to visit in the world and has even landed on the list of becoming one of the most popular places that people want to move to!

It’s incredibly alluring lifestyle and perfect mix of traditional culture with modern-day advancements continues to fascinate people from all around the world.

However, as you may have heard by now, it’s a country that runs on fairly rigid rules. Most of the time, foreigners are forgiven for breaking some of the social etiquette expected to be upheld in Japan. It is still polite, though, to make the effort to understand what some of these are so that you can actively avoid offending locals.

Below we’ve listed the top 20 things you should not do when you visit Japan.

Don’t be too hard on yourself and expect that you will be able to remember every single one, every single time. However, be conscious that this is how the Japanese people live and they will appreciate you making the effort!

 To see what they are, go here.

Things NOT To Do In Japan

Above, the Shibuya shopping district of Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whenever this current pandemic ever ends, whether naturally or politicians finally come to their senses, travel to Japan will start up again.

When it does, there's a few things that first-timers should know before stepping foot in the country.

Somag News has an article on things people should not do if they travel to Japan.

They begin it with:

If you are interested in Japanese culture, you must know its rules of conduct. When you travel to a different country, you frequently come across habits and customs that are very different from those that surround you in your day-to-day life, however, when it comes to rules of conduct, it is important that you know them and adapt to them. 

Nobody wants to appear rude while visiting a different territory, instead it is attractive to know the culture that exists there and understand the lifestyle of the local people. 

Therefore, if you travel to Japan, you should know some habits that are common and very easy to follow, in this way, you can enjoy your visit without appearing rude to others.

To read what they are, go here. 

Mistakes First Time Tourists Make In Tokyo

Above, many tourists avoid trying out local restaurants. Big mistake! Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There are some mistakes that many visitors to Japan make when they visit the country for the first time. 

Before heading over, it is a good idea to "bone up" on local customs and etiquette.

To aid in that, Live Japan has a list of "15 Mistakes Tourists Make When Visiting Tokyo For The First Time".

They begin with:

Culture shock is common for first-time visitors to Tokyo. A lot of tourists can fall into the trap of assuming that Tokyo is just like any other city in the world, but Japan is a unique country with its own distinct customs, culture and etiquette. 

When in Tokyo, do as the Tokyoites do. Here are some of the most common mistakes people make when visiting for the first time.

To read more, go here. 

Etiquette Rules of RV Camping

Above, The Beast at the Cedar City (Utah) KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To me, there's nothing more irritating than having people walk through my campsite or someone's bratty kids running around making all kinds of racket.

Nobody's perfect, but there are some rules of etiquette that people should follow when camping in a RV or even a tent.

Reader's Digest has an article of "Unspoken Etiquette Rules of RV Camping". Even though summer camping season is months away, now is a good time to read through the rules.

They begin with:

RV camping in the great outdoors is a great way to spend time with your family. Whether you are in a fifth-wheel, travel trailer, or Class C motorhome, knowing these unspoken etiquette rules of RV camping will make your next adventure go smoothly for your family and your campground neighbors.

To read them, go here.

Live Japan: How To Eat Sushi Like A Local

Above, a plate of sushi in an Asakusa restaurant. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is not too surprising to see over the years how well many Godzilla fans have mastered the art of eating Japanese food, especially sushi.

I have been among many at sushi restaurants in Japan and in the U.S. following an event such as Godzilla movie screenings.

But, for those who haven't fully mastered it and are planning to travel to Japan, Live Japan has an article on "How to eat sushi like a local".

They begin it with:

In Japan, sushi is a thoroughly casual food, but even here high-class sushi restaurants are on the rise. While conveyor belt restaurants are still the laid-back places where you won’t have to worry about much, sushi bars and “over the counter” restaurants do have unofficial rules to follow! Here's what to look out for so as not to inadvertently commit a faux pas.

To read more, go here. 

Wexas: Top 10 Etiquette Tips For Travelers

Above, the article covers things from bathing to tipping. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In recent years, Americans have been saddled with being known as "uncouth" or having a lack of manners by foreigners. Naturally, not all Americans are ill-mannered and displaying proper Japanese etiquette while traveling in Japan will go a long way to dissuade people from painting with a broad brush.

Japan is big on proper etiquette. To help some who are clueless on Japanese etiquette, Wexas has posted their top ten etiquette tips for travelers.

They begin with:

From how to conduct yourself in a hot spring to why it’s rude to tip, consider this your introduction to the intricacies of Japanese manners. Don’t let it put you off, however. Although every effort to engage with the local culture will be measurably appreciated, any slips will be met with that famous Japanese politeness. As H. Jackson Brown Jr. opined in his bestselling Life’s Little Instruction Book – “Good manners sometimes means simply putting up with other people’s bad manners”.

To read more, go here. 

What Not To Do On Japanese Trains

Above, the interior of a shinkansen car. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This one is for first-timers or even as a refresher for experienced Japan visitors.

In Tokyo and other places, the main mode of public transportation are trains and subways. Japan Today has an article list 15 things not to do on trains in Japan.

They begin with:

TOKYO - Just about every visitor to Japan is impressed by three things about Japan’s trains: they’re clean, they’re punctual, and their passengers are extremely polite. However, it’s not like everyone in Japan has impeccable manners, and the high standards for public transportation etiquette mean that there are plenty of times when Japanese people feel like one of their fellow passengers is doing something inconsiderate. 

Japanese travel provider Air Trip recently conducted a survey asking its users what sort of behavior they think is impolite while riding public transportation, so let’s take a look at the 930 responses for trains (multiple responses were allowed).

To read more, go here.