things you should avoid doing as a foreigner in azerbaijan

Introduction

Azerbaijan is an interesting country to visit. It's exotic, it's a place where you can see some of the most amazing ancient ruins in the world like the Baku Old City and Maiden Tower Museum, it's also a huge tourist destination for people from all over the world. But don't make the mistake of thinking that Azerbaijan is just an exciting place to visit - things aren't so great there. If you're planning on visiting, be prepared for many bumps along the way because this country has its fair share of problems.  

With its own unique blend of traditional Turkish, Russian and Persian influences, Azerbaijan has a rich culture. As such, it is important to try and avoid unintentionally doing something offensive or odd if you want to feel comfortable in this country. Listed below are some seemingly innocuous things as a foreigner ought not to do on grounds of them being offensive or causing difficulties for oneself. 

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What not to do in Azerbaijan 

There are a few things you should definitely not do in Azerbaijan if you want to stay safe and enjoy your visit. Here are five of the most important:  

1. State Migration service: Make sure to register yourself with the State Migration Service when you’re still in your country. When you’re staying in a hotel, hostel or Airbnb, be sure to register your presence before leaving. If you forget, expect a hefty fine when you leave the country. These are changes implemented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs last year. 
2. Speaking about Armenia: As a precaution, avoid mentioning Armenia: Azerbaijan and Armenia are at war over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh and moving the region from the Armenians to Turkmenistan is an option. Residents of Azerbaijan were displaced and tensions are high since 1988. 
3. Be warned travellers: because of the conflict, visitors carrying an Armenian stamp on their passports may be questioned by immigration officers, who may be suspicious that they might not belong to Azerbaijan. Don’t wear or bring any items with references to Armenia into this country. 
4. Littering in the city: It’s considered taboo in Azerbaijani culture to litter and Baku gets cleaned regularly.  
5. With its beautiful places and vibrant culture, Azerbaijanis give phenomenal hospitality. When you insult them, they won't trust you with their country anymore. 
6. Being rude: However, since in Azerbaijan culture, being rude might mean something different than it does in western society, men should always respect women and foreigners are expected to do the same.  
7. Taking a taxi: At the airport, don’t take a taxi unless you have plenty of money in your wallet or are willing to pay with a credit card. London-style black cabs try to rob tourists in Baku and often boast inflated prices for their service. The Airport Express Bus runs every thirty minutes and it only costs 5% of what you would pay for a rude and overpriced taxi. 
8. The Middle Eastern tourists who have recently visited have caused the costs of tours to rise dramatically. You can visit places using public transportation as cheaply as $5 if you're an adventurous traveller.
9. Police might stop and question tourists who don’t have the documents that are legally required for their fare of stay in a country. Carry passport.
10. Accepting gifts:  The idea of refusing a gift that is initially given to you straightaway before gratefully accepting it is true when the recipient is Azerbaijani. In addition, show appreciation and avoid complicating their lives or making them feel uncomfortable by trying to refuse again.

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1. "OK" Sign: Pointing with your finger is considered rude in Azerbaijan and offensive while the sign "OK" is the same in Turkey. It's important to remember that gesturing with your hand rather than a finger to say something aloud when speaking Azerbaijani, as well.
2. Don't travel alone. Unless you're used to living in a dangerous city, travelling solo in Azerbaijan is not recommended. There's a high crime rate, and even small towns can be dangerous late at night.
3. Don't flash your money around. A common scam in Azerbaijan is for someone to ask you for money to help them with something – whether it's directions, a ticket, or just advice – and then demand more once you're involved. Be careful about giving anyone personal information or cash without first getting their trust.
4. Thefts of laptops and other electronics are rampant in Azerbaijan, so always be aware of your surroundings and don't leave any valuables where they can be easily stolen.
5. Don't get caught up in the hype around Azeri tourism destinations like Baku or Sumgayit – there's no need to spend all your money on overpriced souvenirs or over-the-top attractions. Instead, explore the quieter parts of the country, where you can really get to know the Azeri people and culture.
6. Pay attention to security in public places – Azerbaijan has a serious problem with terrorism, and there's no guarantee that locals won't try to rob foreigners when they are at their most vulnerable. Don't flash money or valuables, don't get drunk and don't wander off on your own after dark – these are all big no-no's in Azerbaijan. 
7. Keep quiet about politics in Azerbaijan – the country is a dictatorship run by strongman President Ilham Aliyev, who comes from the same ethnic group as his predecessor Heydar Aliyev. The government is notorious for its human-rights violations against political dissenters and journalists alike, and things have gotten worse in recent years. In 2015, a leading opposition politician was jailed for five years for "inciting national hatred."
8. Don't try to bribe public officials – the government is very strict about corruption, and it has been known to dish out long jail terms to anyone caught trying to pay off Azerbaijani authorities. You might not get away with it anyway, though – some of the bigger hotels are on the police's blacklist, so you'll find yourself staying in smaller establishments or even hostels instead. 
9. Don't take anything without checking it out first – many locals like to alter their merchandise before selling it to a foreigner. The shop owners are aware of this, so if something doesn't look right, ask them to make sure by taking a picture or video of the item. Anything that looks suspicious can be confiscated and destroyed, including your passport.
10. If someone tries to take advantage of you, don't be afraid to call the police – although locals feel very comfortable around foreign tourists, they are still human beings and do not enjoy being treated like second-class citizens. All forms of sexual harassment are strictly prohibited, and it is extremely rare for anyone to get away with it

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Safety advise for visitors 

If you're planning to visit Azerbaijan, here are a few things you should avoid doing:

• Don't drink alcohol or take drugs - both are illegal in Azerbaijan and can lead to serious consequences.
• Don't bring any firearms or weapons into the country - these are strictly prohibited and could lead to detention or imprisonment.
• Avoid demonstrations and rallies - they may turn violent and could result in damage to property or injuries to people.

Recommendations for visitors

1. Do not travel to Azerbaijan without a valid passport. Foreigners without proper documentation may be subject to detention or deported. 
2. Avoid demonstrations and large gatherings as they can turn violent quickly. 
3. Be aware of your surroundings at all times when travelling in Azerbaijan, as there have been reports of kidnappings and robberies taking place in remote areas. 
4. Respect the cultural norms and taboos of Azerbaijan, which may include avoiding public displays of affection and displaying modest dress attire.

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Conclusion

There are a few things you should not do in Azerbaijan if you want to stay safe and enjoy your visit. Avoid wearing revealing clothing, travelling alone at night, or engaging in any illegal activities. Be sensible and aware of the local laws and customs, and you will have no problem enjoying your time in this fascinating country. 

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