Common cultural gaffes: how not to make the right impression
Wednesday, 21st January 2009
Be careful when travelling from one culture to another...
Most languages have formal and informal registers. For example in French there is the formal you (vous) and informal you (tu) – in other languages, such as Japanese and Korean, there are many more differences between formal and informal language. When meeting people for the first time it’s best to use the formal forms, unless they invite you to use the informal ones.
Formality and informality also relates to how you interact with people. It’s a good idea to find out how people greet each other, how close they stand to one another when talking, and whether they maintain eye contact while talking. In some cultures, such as in German-speaking ones, it’s common to shake hands when meeting and leaving others, even in informal situations. In southern Europe, Latin America and Arabic-speaking cultures, people often stand closer together when talking then in English-speaking cultures. Not doing so is seen as unfriendly.
Gestures and body language differ from culture to culture. For example, the thumbs-up sign is offensive in Iraq and other Arabic-speaking countries; and the ok symbol means zero or worthless in France, money in Japan and can be offensive in Brazil, Russia and Germany. In Bulgaria and Turkey shaking the head means yes, nodding the head downwards means no, and nodding the head upwards means “I don’t know”.
In Chinese culture it is considered offensive and dismissive to give people things using only one hand – both hands must be used – while in Arabic-speaking countries it is an insult to give people things or to eat with your left hand. In parts of the Middle East and South East Asia, showing the sole of your foot or shoe to others or pointing with your foot is an insult. In Japan and Korea blowing your nose in public is considered vulgar and is best done discreetly away from others. Paper tissues are also considered more hygienic than pocket handkerchiefs.
In Korea and Arabic-speaking countries, respect for the elderly is very important. They should be greeted first, and be served first in social gatherings. You should also stand up as they enter a room and when speaking to them.
Public baths and spas are very popular in Japan and the water temperature is usually very high. They are great places to relax and soak, but not wash yourself, which you do that before getting in - using soap in baths is a major cultural gaffe. Most Japanese home have a small, square deep bath that you can sit in with the water up to your neck, unless you’re quite tall. If you stay with a Japanese family, it’s usually the head of the household who has a bath first – this may differ from family to family so check what the arrangement is and how you fit in before taking a dip.
Tags: business courses, cultural training, tailor-made
Posted by Simon Ager 2009-01 under Experience Cultures,
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