A Guide to Social Graces

Around the world,different cultures have different ideas about how to act in public. Here are 20things to know to avoid embarrassing “Oh, I see” moments.

• In China and Japan, gesture “come here,” with all of your fingers pointing down. Beckoning someone with a bent finger is considered impolite. 

• In Vietnam,point with your whole hand, not just one finger.

• In South Korea,stay quiet on public transportation. Noisiness is considered very rude.

• In India, you are expected to refuse your host’s first offer of a drink or snack. You will beasked again!

• In Germany, use utensils, not your fingers, to eat—even with foods like pizza and fries. The one exception is bread. It can be eaten with your fingers.

• In Afghanistan and throughout the Muslim world, eat your food with your right hand, not your left. The left hand is reserved for bathroom hygiene so using it for eating is considered unclean.

• In Indonesia,while eating, keep both hands on the table at all times.

• As a dinner guest in Kenya or Germany, finish everything on your plate, or the host will be offended and think you didn’t like the food.

• In China, if you clean your plate, the host will be offended because it is a sign that you didn’t get enough food. Likewise, in Afghanistan and India, leave a little food on your plate when you are full because an empty plate will be filled again!

• In Pakistan,arrive about 15 minutes after the scheduled start time of a meal, and up to one hour after the start time of a party.

• If you are invited to a Danish home, be punctual!

• In Kazakhstan,you will be served tea, but only half of a cup. A full cup is a sign that the host wants you to leave! Later in the meal, when you have had enough tea (or broth), turn your cup over to show that you are finished.

• A superstitionin Azerbaijan is that spilled salt means you are about to quarrel. Sprinkle sugar on the salt to ｃounter this.

• In Kuwait, when the host stands, the meal is over.

• In India, donot wink or whistle in public.

• In Vietnam, do not touch someone’s head or shoulder. Also do not pass things over someone’shead.

• In Brazil,avoid purple lipstick as it is associated with funerals. Purple is fine for clothing and accessories, though.

• In numerous ｃountries like Libya, Slovakia, and Norway, greet a colleague with a handshake.But in Russia, do not shake hands or conduct business over a threshold—step all the way in or out of the doorway.

• In China, it is bad luck to let your date borrow your umbrella to go home. This is because the word for umbrella in Chinese sounds like the word for “to break apart.”Instead, take the time to walk your date, with your umbrella, to the door—agesture that goes a long way in many cultures!

With so many varying customs around the world, it can be tough to correctly mind you rmanners. So, in case you make a mistake, see 10 Cultural Do’s and Taboos: Chatting Around the World to be prepared with a quick change of topic!

Source:http://www.oh-i-see.com/blog/2013/11/11/20-cultural-dos-and-taboos-manners-around-the-word/

Image Source:http://www.oh-i-see.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/80410464sized.jpg

Vocabulary Words:

1. Utensils -(noun) a tool that is used in the house

2. Hygiene -(noun) the practice of keeping yourself and your living and working areas clean in order to prevent illness and disease food hygiene

3. Offended -(adj.) feeling upset because of something said or done that is rude or embarrassing

4. Punctual -(adj.) happening or doing something at the arranged or correct time not late

5. Threshold -(noun) the level at which something starts to happen or have an effect

DiscussionQuestions:

1. In your opinion, is cultural etiquette really important? Why or why not?

2. When interacting with for eigners, do you consider how you act around them? Why so?

3. Can the ideaof good manners and etiquette inhibit people's natural sense of interaction?Why?

4. Have you come across any rules of etiquette in other ｃountries that are different to yourown?

5. What etiquette rule stated in the article do you find interesting and why?