Fitting in: everyday norms

Tipping, politeness, queuing, the metric system, and the small cultural cues that help you settle in.

Key points to understand

Tipping culture and where it applies

Tipping culture and where it applies. In practice, this is one of the details newcomers most often ask about, so take a moment to understand how it applies to your situation before moving on.

Metric units, Celsius, and the 24h/12h clock

Metric units, Celsius, and the 24h/12h clock. In practice, this is one of the details newcomers most often ask about, so take a moment to understand how it applies to your situation before moving on.

Politeness, punctuality and personal space

Politeness, punctuality and personal space. In practice, this is one of the details newcomers most often ask about, so take a moment to understand how it applies to your situation before moving on.

Practical tips

• Prepare your documents and translations in advance — most delays come from missing paperwork.
• Always note the office name, address, and a contact number before you go.
• Ask the community on MyHAbroad if you’re unsure — chances are someone has already been through it.