Ferdinand Magellan was famous for circumnavigating the globe. He didn't actually do that, but that's what he's famous for. Eighteen of the 259 men who set off to sea with him did manage to survive the 3 year voyage from Spain to Spain; a journey during which they generally abused and mistreated the people they met along the way. Magellan himself went evangelical in the Philippines and was hacked to pieces for his zeal.

That was nearly 500 years ago and maybe things have changed, but I've always thought it prudent to follow local customs when far from home.