Avoiding Cross Cultural Faux Pas: Clothes

Every culture has norms when it comes to what people should wear at work. Recognizing them can mean the difference between success and failure, both personally and professionally.

As the saying goes, we shouldn't judge a book by its cover – but we often do when it comes to clothing. In fact, many people will develop a strong first impression about your professionalism, business acumen, and even your intelligence, based on what you wear.

In this article, we'll discuss why it is so important to be aware of these cultural expectations, and consider some of the main clothing faux pas to avoid when working around the world.

Dress Etiquette Around the World
Many cultures have specific expectations when it comes to business attire. Below, we discuss a number of things you should consider before you go abroad (although you should also do your own research into the ｃountry and the organization you're visiting beforehand).

Formal Business Wear
Conservative business wear remains the norm in many ｃountries, such as Argentina, Egypt and Brazil, where suits are typically worn by men and women (although, in some places, women tend to wear skirts rather than pantsuits).

And, in continental European ｃountries like Italy and Spain, the quality and taste of your formal business wear can create a strong first impression. Exceptional tailoring and custom-made suits and shirts (instead of off-the-rack clothing) are particularly likely to impress.

If you dress too casually in certain cultures, such as the United Arab Emirates, your hosts may consider you impolite. So, if you're unsure about what to wear, your safest bet is to dress conservatively. Men should opt for suits, and women should wear suits, blouses and suit jackets, and skirts or dresses (with hemlines at an appropriate height).

In general, stay away from unusual prints and bright colors, and choose darker, more subdued hues like gray, navy blue, brown, or black.

Tip:

The best way to decide what to wear is to dress similarly to your co-workers in the ｃountry. If you have any questions, it's always best to ask politely than to choose unwisely and regret it later.

Business Casual
Business casual clothing – where people wear shirts and pants, or dresses and skirts, instead of suits and ties – is common in some cultures. For example, Israeli dress is comparatively casual: you'll see fewer jackets and ties, and more button-down shirts and khaki pants.

Company culture also tends to influence what people wear at work. In professions such as banking, the norm remains conservative wherever you are. However, other industries – especially creative ones – are more relaxed. For example, in the United Kingdom and United States, start-ups are often more casual, and only senior ｅxecutives will dress in suits.

The opposite of this is true in the Netherlands, where the egalitarian culture means that those in positions of power in certain industries typically make an effort to "fit in" by dressing like everyone else.

Hot Climates
Some organizations in ｃountries such as South Africa allow people to leave their jackets and ties at home in the summer. However, even in Australia, where the temperature regularly soars, it is typically not appropriate to wear sandals at a work or business function. In Spain, it is not unusual for men and women to wear dark suits all year round, even in the height of summer!

Skin Exposure
The amount of skin that women show is a contentious issue in some cultures so, if in doubt, err on the side of caution. For example, in India, Morocco and China, women should avoid tight-fitting clothes, and they should make sure that skirts cover their knees and that their necklines are high.

In Saudi Arabia, women should only show skin on their face, hands and feet. All women (foreign and local) must also wear a black cloak, called an abaya, and a headscarf in public.

Jewelry and Accessories
In some ｃountries, such as China, people wear jewelry and other accessories sparingly. Expensive jewelry is even frowned upon or considered too showy in ｃountries like Sweden, where tastes are typically more reserved.

In India, however, women often accessorize with scarves and earrings. And cuff-links and watches are considered a sign of wealth and status in ｃountries like Italy and Spain.

Color
While it is often safer to wear darker colors in more conservative ｃountries, you can be bolder in others. If you go to Hawaii, for instance, be sure to pack an aloha shirt. Sometimes called Hawaiian shirts, they have short sleeves, collars and bright, festive prints. Try to wear one to a business meeting on the mainland U.S., however, and you'd be better off going to a bar than to the office!

You should be aware that, in some cultures, different colors symbolize different things. For example, red represents luck in China and, in Thailand, many people wear yellow shirts as an informal homage to their king, especially on Mondays – the day of his birth. With this in mind, you might choose to wear these colors during your visit to make a favorable impression.

Shoes
If you're going to a ｃountry where you are expected to dress conservatively, it goes without saying that you should wear smart, polished shoes. Flats are typically the shoe of choice for women in China and Japan, whereas heels are the norm in most Western cultures.

It is polite to remove your shoes before entering a home in China, Japan, Korea, Russia, Thailand, the Pacific Islands, and Hawaii. This maintains cleanliness but, most importantly, it symbolizes that you're leaving the outside world where it belongs. In Japan, your host might present you with slippers when you remove your shoes. A different pair might await you if you have to visit the bathroom!

And, in the Arab world, no matter who you are, you should never show the soles of your shoes to others it is considered highly disrespectful.

Tip:

When you arrive, look to see whether your hosts and other guests have left their shoes at the door. If they have, you should do the same.

Source: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/avoiding-cross-cultural-faux-pas-clothing.htm
Image Source: http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/AssetsTurkey/Miscellaneous/mosque_dress8134-375.jpg

Vocabulary Words:
1. Faux pas - (noun) an embarrassing or tactless act or remark in a social situation.
2. Acumen - (noun) the ability to understand and decide things quickly and well
3. Pantsuit - (noun) a woman’s suit of jacket and trousers/pants
4. Off-the-rack - (idiom) (of clothes) made to a standard average size and not made especially to fit you
5. Exposure - (noun) the act of showing something that is usually hidden
6. Frown upon - (phrasal verb) to disapprove of something
7. Favorable - (adj.)( positive and showing your good opinion of somebody/something

Discussion Questions:
1. Why is cultural awareness important when it comes to dressing up?
2. Should one dress to impress or should they dress to respect? Why?
3. Does Kangwon Land have a specific dress code for guests? For employees? Tell me about it.
4. Do you think dress codes should be adhered to
5. In your ｃountry, what clothes or color are considered offensive?