When you travel overseas it is always nice to know the local customs and culture, can save you a lot of grief.
Very true. Not only grief, but embarassment as well. The 'OK' hand sign in Brasil (yes it is spelled with an "S") is the same as flipping the bird in the USA. I spent several months in Brasil: Sao Paolo, Rio, and Brasilia.
Better yet, don't go to countries with primitive cultures.