Study laws and cultures before embarking on conference travelling

In St Petersburg we saw several extra long cars with beautiful flowers on them parked around the beautiful buildings where wedding photos were taken

I do not exaggerate when I say that I used to be a very ignorant traveler. Years ago, when I first traveled to Israel, I took biltong (dried meat) with me and offered some to the tour guide and bus driver. I was shocked and even irritated when they looked at it and then asked what is was and how it was made. Only later I realised that they would not eat pork and that even the way in which food is prepared has special meaning for them. A few days later the guide offered us some dates, which was kept in ice-cold sugar water. This time it was him who could not understand that we thought that such a delicacy is way too sweet for our taste. 

Years later we bought biltong on the airport before leaving for Canada, not knowing that this country had very strict custom laws and that our 'soul food' would not be allowed past customs. During the flight, we were informed about the custom laws and also made aware that we would not be able to take the biltong with us. We still had a few hours before landing so we ate all the biltong while watching movies and so we did manage to take our biltong with us, although not in our baggage. Several times after this incident, when we landed in the USA, custom officers immediately asked if we brought biltong with us when we informed them that we are from South Africa. But by then we have learnt the lesson and made a habit of studying the custom laws of each country weeks in advance of our journey. 

We also make sure that the dried fruit and nuts we pack in our bags are in line with the requirements of the specific countries - pack roasted nuts and not raw ones. We double-checked that we had spotless clean shoes arriving in Australia - no mud or dirt that could infect the soil. And we always dress conservatively when visiting places of worship all over the world.  

A friend once told us that he hitch-hiked in South America and was puzzled because no one offered to give him a ride. He discovered afterwards that the thumb sign that we use in South Africa to indicate that you would like a ride is in fact seen as a a rude gesture in South America. 

So, to conclude, ensure that you are familiar with both the custom laws and the culture of the countries you are visiting.