You're correct. When in Rome etc. Must be careful.

Sometimes I think it is a lack of respect which causes these bloopers here.

For example I would never dream of showing frustration while driving. Visually or vocally showing your annoyance at careless or thoughtless local drivers will land you in jail here without question, then deportation. I know of an Englishman to whom that happened for showing bow-fingers to an aggressive local driver.

As for weed etc, Philippine in-bound flight boarding cards used to carry the cheery message in red “DEATH TO DRUG TRAFFICKERS".

Makes you feel all warm inside.