Moving abroad comes with a lot of surprises, good or bad, and sometimes unique discoveries when coming from a different culture than that of the host country. This leads many foreigners to film or photograph certain situations or places in their daily lives because "it's funny", and share it on social media. Unfortunately, this is sometimes a very (very) bad idea that can lead to a hefty fine. In this article, we look at the things an expat should avoid posting on social media.
Some things should not be shared on social media
Social media are sharing spaces for super important things or useless information about our daily lives; they form part of our lifestyle even more when we settle abroad. Most of us shared a picture of something seen for the first time or wrote a post on an uncommon situation. Others, seeking to create a buzz and be the talk of the town, go way too far by disrespecting their host country's rules to get likes. These posts can have a negative impact on the country's rating, in addition to the bad buzz on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, or Facebook.
In addition to the inappropriateness of taking photos or making a video, some wear inappropriate outfits or have improper behaviors in places of worship. You can't just pose with a backless top in front of any colorful building. Maybe playing with holy water seemed a fun thing to do at first. But what will locals think of this? The same applies to memorials or historical monuments. Can you imagine how grotesque it looks to take a picture of you smiling in a place where millions of people died?
Whether you live abroad or are just visiting, it's essential to be informed about the local etiquette, laws of the country, and the possible risks if those are not observed. Remember, everyone has access to social media, even the local authorities, regardless of your profile's privacy status. You can't be absolutely anonymous on these platforms. If you post an inappropriate picture, you may be exposing yourself to severe consequences.
Avoid being the star hot potato news
Have you ever heard about tourists visiting Auschwitz? The Jews' extermination site during World War II is now a place of memory. In 2019, visitors faced outrage after striking a pose or balancing on the famous railway, a means of transportation for the “Final Solution”, where Jewish people were sent to death. This may sound like a joke, but it is a true story; those posts were really shared on social media. These pictures forced Auschwitz Memorial to remind visitors that respect must be observed.
The same year, in Bali, known for welcoming many tourists, digital nomads, and neo-expats, a young couple was threatened by locals because they took a dip in sacred water during a purification ritual. To make things worse, they posted the video on Instagram, where one can see the man splashing his girlfriend's butt with sacred water. The couple later uploaded an apology post and removed the video from social media.
Still in Bali, but more recently (2023), a Russian tourist took a picture of himself standing half naked on a sacred Hindus' Mountain, Mount Agung. Not long afterwards, he faced backlash and got barred from re-entering Indonesia. This forced the authorities to be more vigilant towards tourists' behavior. Another foreigner had been deported a few months earlier after performing Aka dance (a popular New Zealand dance) naked on Mount Batur in Bali.
If you are dreaming of recreating the mythical Rome's Trevi Fountain scene from the movie La Dolce Vita, forget about it if you don't want to pay a 450 € fine. Unfortunately, this happened to Canadians and others after having a midnight bath in the eternal city's most famous fountain. Unfortunately, this is a recurring offense in Rome, especially during hot summer breaks. The offenders usually get caught when they share their posts on social media or are reported to the authorities by local witnesses.
Such situations don't concern tourists only; expats have also made the buzz on social media for similar stories. You perhaps heard about an American expat who made a video on the cons of living in Australia, sharing everyday facts which, according to her, would make any of her compatriots cringe. She addressed topics like gun regulations, access to healthcare and the absence of air conditioners in some places. Still on TikTok, another American expat recently posted a video showing the items being sold in Coles supermarket, some of the food being extremely disturbing, in her opinion. Although the Tiktoker claimed that a lot of people misunderstood her, the video became viral and was considered outrageous by Australians. Comments went from reactions about gun control to the fact that Coles is one of the best in the country or some asking why she would perceive variety as shocking when the US got so many Oreos biscuits flavors, sizes and choices.
These two videos were not sanctioned, but they created a huge controversy amongst Australians who defended their lifestyle and country, insisting that these differences were not funny or disturbing at all.
Be respectful at all times
There are many other cases of people being disrespectful or breaking the law and posting inappropriate behaviors on social media. Keep in mind that image rights can be rigorous in many countries. Infractions are punishable by a fine or by total expulsion from the country. So avoid taking pictures of locals and sharing them on social media without their approval -- this can get you into real trouble.
If you move abroad to study, live, work, or simply visit as a tourist, be wary and keep in mind that you cannot photograph everything. We advise that you think twice before posting anything on social media in your host country.
