Don't Ever Insult or Complain to a Local About Their Country, Ever.
Remember, your a guest of their country. Things work differently. Sometimes radically. Sometimes its exotic and doesn't make sense how things work or are. Don't complain about their rules or laws and never insult their way of life and especially people. Americans make fun of the president all the time and its accepted, even an unofficial national past time (except threats of course). But depending on what part of the world your backpacking through, making any sort of negative remark about a King or other important figure can get you legally thrown in hard prison, seriously. So love the country or hate it, but there really is no need for insults or bitchy complaints whether to fellow backpackers or the locals. Negativity should not be part of your packing list.