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| Know Your Cultures It saves embarrassment |
When visiting Romania, if you
buy a Coke, take a sip in the
store, and then take it back to
your hotel room you will lose all
your integrity. Why?
Because you are stealing: in
Romania, you are only buying
the beverage, not the bottle. You
actually have to stand there
while drinking it and then give
the bottle back!
buy a Coke, take a sip in the
store, and then take it back to
your hotel room you will lose all
your integrity. Why?
Because you are stealing: in
Romania, you are only buying
the beverage, not the bottle. You
actually have to stand there
while drinking it and then give
the bottle back!
The "thumbs up" gesture
is considered obscene in
Bangladesh.
is considered obscene in
Bangladesh.
In Boston, you would expect to find what in a basement?
Of the items listed, only the toilet would be found in the basement. All
other items would be in the cellar under the house.
Basement is the way Bostonians refer to the bathroom, or more
specifically a lavatory that is used for relieving one's self. A true
basement only has toilet(s) and sink(s).
By the way, a basement can be located on any floor in a house or
building.
- a) wine
b) toilet
c) furnace
d) beans
Of the items listed, only the toilet would be found in the basement. All
other items would be in the cellar under the house.
Basement is the way Bostonians refer to the bathroom, or more
specifically a lavatory that is used for relieving one's self. A true
basement only has toilet(s) and sink(s).
By the way, a basement can be located on any floor in a house or
building.
While visiting Australia's beaches, John wanted something
to help carry his stuff. When he asked the clerk to see what
she had in a fanny pack the manager threw him out of the
store. Why?
Sometimes when a new product comes along the name is
already in use in some parts of the world. This is the case
with “fanny pack”. By the time the item made it to the land
down under, the term already meant something down under!
“Fanny Pack” is a colloquial term used in Australia and New
Zealand to refer to female genitalia. It is considered obscene.
Instead, the term for this item in the land down under is
“bumbag”.
to help carry his stuff. When he asked the clerk to see what
she had in a fanny pack the manager threw him out of the
store. Why?
Sometimes when a new product comes along the name is
already in use in some parts of the world. This is the case
with “fanny pack”. By the time the item made it to the land
down under, the term already meant something down under!
“Fanny Pack” is a colloquial term used in Australia and New
Zealand to refer to female genitalia. It is considered obscene.
Instead, the term for this item in the land down under is
“bumbag”.
Although he couldn’t speak the native language, when someone did something good for him on
his around the world trip, he gave them the USA’s ok hand signal. In Japan they were happy, but in
France they were mad and in Russia they seemed ashamed. Why?
You have probably guessed the obvious: the symbol has different meanings.
Thanks to the Defense Language Institute for this contribution.
his around the world trip, he gave them the USA’s ok hand signal. In Japan they were happy, but in
France they were mad and in Russia they seemed ashamed. Why?
You have probably guessed the obvious: the symbol has different meanings.
- In Japan, the sign means money. Flashing the sign would give the impression that you
were going to do business. - In France the sign means the person is worthless, a nothing. Flashing it at someone is an
insult. - In Russia, as well as Germany and Brazil, the sign is considered obscene, referring to a
certain body part.
Thanks to the Defense Language Institute for this contribution.
When visiting someone's home, what do you do with your shoes when entering their home? Match the location with the
appropriate action.
Cultures widely have customs of treating guests with warm hospitality. However in North America the hospitality does not
necessarily apply to shoes. In fact, throughout North America there are localized customs about footwear in homes.
appropriate action.
Cultures widely have customs of treating guests with warm hospitality. However in North America the hospitality does not
necessarily apply to shoes. In fact, throughout North America there are localized customs about footwear in homes.
- In Canada it is customary to remove shoes upon entering a house. Therefore, you should (a) take off your shoes upon
entering a home. - In Hawaii it is generally an insult to bring shoes into one’s home. Take off your shoes outside the door and leave them
outside. Therefore (c), neither, is the correct match. - Unlike Hawaii, it is generally insulting to take off one’s shoes in the USA’s 48 mainland states. So (b), leave on in
typically correct. As a multicultural nation, this varies. Lately, it is considered good manners to ask if shoes should be
taken off or left on.
1) Canada
2) Hawaii
3) 48 states
2) Hawaii
3) 48 states
a) Take-off
b) Leave on
c) Neither
b) Leave on
c) Neither
Question: The Canadian Football League team in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, is known as the
Eskimos. Are Eskimos native to Canada?
Answer: No, there are no Eskimos in Alberta. For that matter, there are none in Canada. Eskimos are
native to Alaska and Russia.
Natives in much of Canada are the Inuit people. Many find the term “Eskimo” to be offensive. So if you
are in the Arctic regions of Canada, or even Greenland, be sure to use the term Inuit.
Eskimos. Are Eskimos native to Canada?
Answer: No, there are no Eskimos in Alberta. For that matter, there are none in Canada. Eskimos are
native to Alaska and Russia.
Natives in much of Canada are the Inuit people. Many find the term “Eskimo” to be offensive. So if you
are in the Arctic regions of Canada, or even Greenland, be sure to use the term Inuit.
When meeting an Ecuadorian
women, whether you are a
man or woman should you:
women, whether you are a
man or woman should you:
- Shake with your left
hand - Smile and nod gently
- Kiss her once on
each cheek - Extend your hand for a
kiss
Frank was so excited to meet a delegation of businessmen visiting from Tokyo. As they offered
their business card to him for introduction, he took the cards with his right hand and stocked
them in his left. The business men were highly insulted. Why?
In Japan it is customary to take a business card with both hands and admire it. During a meeting
it should remain on the table face-up. Never write on it or place it in your back pocket.
By the way, when you give out your business card, always take it from a specific business card holder. Your business card
should never be taken individually out of your pocket.
their business card to him for introduction, he took the cards with his right hand and stocked
them in his left. The business men were highly insulted. Why?
In Japan it is customary to take a business card with both hands and admire it. During a meeting
it should remain on the table face-up. Never write on it or place it in your back pocket.
By the way, when you give out your business card, always take it from a specific business card holder. Your business card
should never be taken individually out of your pocket.
The Johnson’s were happy
to see the new neighbors from
Mexico were moving in. To
welcome them, they sent a
bouquet of Iris, Violets, and a
purple passion flower. The new
family was highly offended. Why?
In the Mexican culture purple is
associated with funerals. The purple
bouquet, therefore, indicated that unless
someone had recently died, someone
would be dying soon.
to see the new neighbors from
Mexico were moving in. To
welcome them, they sent a
bouquet of Iris, Violets, and a
purple passion flower. The new
family was highly offended. Why?
In the Mexican culture purple is
associated with funerals. The purple
bouquet, therefore, indicated that unless
someone had recently died, someone
would be dying soon.
When providing payment to a South Asian Indian, which hand should you use?
It is only appropriate to use only the right hand. The left hand is for hygiene purposes and is,
therefore, unclean.
- Right
- Left
- Either
It is only appropriate to use only the right hand. The left hand is for hygiene purposes and is,
therefore, unclean.
Upon arriving in New York, a couple relocating from Japan found a well-known Manhattan realtor. The wife reached into a bag
a brought out a beautiful gift for the realtor who took it, opened it, and admired it. The couple then found another realtor.
Why?
The Realtor made two mistakes. The gift should not have been received on the first attempt. In fact, several attempts should
be allowed before accepting a gift. Secondly, the Japanese culture dictates gifts should never be opened in front of the giver.
a brought out a beautiful gift for the realtor who took it, opened it, and admired it. The couple then found another realtor.
Why?
The Realtor made two mistakes. The gift should not have been received on the first attempt. In fact, several attempts should
be allowed before accepting a gift. Secondly, the Japanese culture dictates gifts should never be opened in front of the giver.
In Eastern cultures women are served first when dining in large groups.
In what order are plates served in Middle Eastern cultures?
In Korean and Arabic cultures you should show respect for the elderly by greeting them first.
They should also eat first and be served first in social gatherings. You should also stand up
when elders enter a room and when speaking to them.
In what order are plates served in Middle Eastern cultures?
In Korean and Arabic cultures you should show respect for the elderly by greeting them first.
They should also eat first and be served first in social gatherings. You should also stand up
when elders enter a room and when speaking to them.
When meeting an Ecuadorian women, It
is customary for men and women
greeting women to kiss her once on each
cheek. Anything else is rude.
is customary for men and women
greeting women to kiss her once on each
cheek. Anything else is rude.
While John was driving through the rural countryside in New Zealand, he began to approach a truck
ahead of him on the narrow winding road. As he got close the truck pulled over to allow him to pass.
John gave a tap on the horn to thank the truck driver for the courtesy. The truck driver was highly insulted.
Why?
In New Zealand, a single toot of the horn, or a long blare of one’s horn, signifies you are upset with the
other driver. John was inadvertently telling the truck driver he either did not pull over soon enough or
perhaps he had not pulled over far enough.
ahead of him on the narrow winding road. As he got close the truck pulled over to allow him to pass.
John gave a tap on the horn to thank the truck driver for the courtesy. The truck driver was highly insulted.
Why?
In New Zealand, a single toot of the horn, or a long blare of one’s horn, signifies you are upset with the
other driver. John was inadvertently telling the truck driver he either did not pull over soon enough or
perhaps he had not pulled over far enough.
