Every traveler abroad requires some advance sensitivity awareness. We Americans tend to be an outspoken and gregarious lot, whose casual, down-home manners may be viewed as tactless and insulting by other cultures. What we perceive as exemplary conduct could constitute an embarrassing gaffe in another land. And the awkward part is that often we do not realize our mistakes until faced with startled or angry reactions.

Novice travelers will soon observe that the American way is not the only — or most desirable — way to behave. Just consider that Planet Earth is called home by more than 6.5 billion people living in approximately 180 countries (by one count) and speaking more than 5,000 languages and dialects. And for another perspective, consider that for every American who speaks English, there are four people who speak Chinese.

Cultural surprises aplenty await. A visitor to conservative Islamic nations will discover at the airport that alcohol and risque publications are a major no-no whose importation may result in a passenger's being fined, jailed or deported. Possession of religious and political materials may cause hassles in atheistic and developing nations. Video equipment may be subject to suspicion in countries such as India and Myanmar.

A thoughtful traveler will dress in clothing deemed appropriate to the country being visited. In Islamic lands, form-fitting clothes are frowned upon. Knees and arms are expected to be covered and a modest demeanor adopted at all times. In India, where the Hindu religion holds the cow sacred, your cowhide jacket may not be appreciated. Many Asian cultures call for conservative dress and disapprove of flashy jewelry. Other countries think shorts or slacks on women are offensive and that bare female heads are disrespectful in places of worship. Some cultures dictate that shoes should be removed before entering religious shrines or private homes. Even a woman's accidental physical contact with a Buddhist monk is considered defiling.

Violation or ignorance of cultural norms and strictures could result in severe embarrassment to the traveler. In Japan, for instance, pointing your feet at a Buddha is so taboo that some temples have guards on hand to remind an errant visitor. Thai, Indonesian and Malaysian children take insult from a friendly pat on the head, a part of they body which those cultures believe to be the sacred temple of the body. In the Middle East, you never serve yourself or eat with the left hand, which is thought to be unclean. Religious beliefs regarding the stealing of the soul will preclude your taking photographs of inhabitants in most Arab and some African and Asian countries.

Many Chinese object to close physical contact, such as a hug or an exuberant arm about the shoulders, and traditionally eat their meals in silence. Koreans may follow a good meal with loud belches to express their satisfaction. Middle Eastern men may hold hands in public only with other men, never with women. Pointing with the index finger is considered very rude in Israel, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, India and Malaysia.

Even tipping, often a source of anxiety to the traveler, has its cultural bugaboos. In Japan, where traditionalists consider naked money unclean, tips are best left wrapped in paper or placed in an envelope. In the few countries where there is no tradition or expectation of tipping, small gifts such as English-language books are greatly appreciated by tour guides and other service personnel. Some European countries add a service charge to your hotel and restaurant bills and consider additional tips to be ignorance on the part of the donor.

Bear in mind that the conduct of an individual American traveler may be interpreted as behavior typical of all Yanks. If you act in a crass and boorish manner, you could be condemning those who follow in your footsteps to scorn and contempt. Bone up on cultural caveats, tread gently among the unfamiliar and revel in the diversity that distinguishes the peoples of our planet.

You can avoid the minefield of potential mishaps by upgrading your cultural and sensitivity quotient before you travel. If your guidebook for an intended destination is short on behavioral dos and don'ts, look into CultureGrams, reasonably priced, information-packed four-page publications, produced under the aegis of Brigham Young University, that outline a country's customs, manners and lifestyles. They also include socio-economic statistics, maps and addresses of embassies and national tourist offices.

A listing of the featured destinations is available through Proquest Information and Learning Co.: (800) 528-6279; www.culturegrams.com.

For more in-depth coverage of nearly 40 countries, take a look at the Culture Smart! guidebook series, published by Graphic Arts Center Publishing Co. Available in bookstores or through www.amazon.com or http://barnesandnoble.com.

Irene Croft Jr. of Kailua, Kona, is a travel writer and 40-year veteran globetrotter. Her column is published in this section every other week.