1. Tipping
A contentious issue even here, both over- and
undertipping can quickly make you the least popular
person at the table. But in Japan and South Korea
tipping is seen as an insult. In those countries, workers
feel they are getting paid to do their job, and take pride
in doing it well; they don't need an added incentive.
2. Sitting in the back of a cab
While it's customary for Americans to hop into the back
of a cab, in Australia, New Zealand, parts of Ireland,
Scotland, and the Netherlands , it's considered rude not
to ride shotgun. Whereas cabbies in the US will sigh and
reluctantly move their newspapers and lunches from the
front seat, in other countries it's a matter of
egalitarianism.
3. Throwing a thumbs-up
In a lot of countries, especially in the Middle East, Latin
America, Western Africa, Russia, and Greece, a thumbs-
up basically has the same meaning as holding up a
middle finger does for Americans.
4. Laughing with your mouth open
In Japan, laughter that exposes your pearly whites is
considered horse-like and impolite — sort of like noisy,
open-mouthed eating is considered rude to Americans.
5. Calling the USA "America"
.
(REUTERS/Mike Blake)
In South America, claiming you're from America, rather
than the United States, is seen as being politically
incorrect, as it implies that only the US should be
considered America, and that South America is unworthy
of the title.
6. Being fashionably late
Americans often make appointments for "around x" or
"x-ish." Being a few minutes late, or, as we even call it,
"fashionably" late, is standard to Americans, but
unacceptable in many other countries ( like Germany )
where leaving people waiting is taken as you thinking
your time is more valuable than everyone else's.
7. Being on time
On the other hand, many Latin American cultures,
notably Argentina , would consider it bad form if you
showed up to a dinner party right on time, akin to
someone arriving an hour early in America.
8. Having one hand in your pocket
This is considered arrogant in Turkey, as well as some
Asian countries, like South Korea.
9. Using your left hand for anything
Not all cultures have or use toilet paper, and tend to use
their left hand in lieu of it. Accepting gifts, eating, or
doing pretty much anything with your left hand in much
of Africa, India, Sri Lanka and the Middle East is like a
(disgusting) slap in the face.
10. Opening a present immediately
.
(Shutterstock)
In most Asian countries, most notably China and India,
tearing into a gift in front of the gift giver is poor form. It
looks greedy.
11. Wearing sweatpants, flip flops, wrinkly clothing, or
baseball caps in public
Sure "athleisure" (stylish sportswear worn outside of the
gym) is a hot new trend stateside, but in most countries,
notably Japan and most of Europe, this sort of sloppy
appearance is considered disrespectful.
12. Altering your meal
In foodie cultures like France, Italy, Spain, and Japan,
asking for ketchup, hot sauce, soy sauce, or salt to alter
your meal may raise some eyebrows. Before you ask for
a condiment, see if there are any on the tables — if not,
you should probably refrain.
13. Showing the soles of your feet
In many Arab, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist countries,
showing the soles of your feet is a sign of disrespect , as
they're considered the lowest and dirtiest part of the
body, since they touch the dirty ground. Men should
cross their legs with caution.
14. Keeping your shoes on
While you probably think you're doing the world a favor
by keeping your socks under wraps, in most Asian and
Caribbean cultures it is expected that you take your
shoes off when entering someone’s home.
15. Drinking someone else's alcohol
.
(David Goehring / Flickr)
Apparently, it's rude to drink alcohol you didn't
personally bring to a party in Norway. In the US, on the
other hand, bringing a six pack of beer to a BBQ allows
you access to anything else at the event.
16. Men showing some skin
It's rare to see topless men in South Korea, where men
even keep their shirts on at the beach.
17. Eating anywhere that doesn't serve food
In Rwanda and Japan , it is considered rude to eat
anywhere that isn't a restaurant, bar, or hotel. Eating a
banana on the bus? Ice cream outside? All no-nos.
18. Telling people to help themselves
While you think you're being a host extraordinaire by
opening up your home to someone and essentially
telling them to feel right at home, in some cultures (like
in Asia) this hands-off approach is uncomfortable. To
them, hosting guests is a little more involved.
19. Touching
Americans are notoriously friendly, but hugging and
touching others, even if only on the arm, is offensive in
places like China, Thailand, Korea, and the Middle East.
Respect that personal space varies from country to
country.
20. Keeping your clothes on in saunas and steam rooms
.
(Flickr/Oeschberghof)
While not offensive per se, people from Scandinavian
countries and Turkey will think you're prude if you keep
your clothes on in saunas, spas, and steam rooms.
21. Asking certain questions
Asking "what do you do" is a common American
icebreaker, but is often considered insulting, especially
in countries with social-welfare systems, like the
Netherlands, where people feel that it's a way of
pigeonholing them, and of being classist. You might as
well just ask someone you just met what their salary is.
22. Refusing food
Americans often refuse food to make it easier for their
hosts, but in most Arab countries, like Lebanon, it is
considered incredibly rude to reject anything offered,
especially food.
23. Not declining gifts
Americans are quick to accept gifts, favors, and
invitations, and often without offering something in
return. However, many cultures (like in Japan ) expect
you to decline things a few times before ultimately
accepting them. In China, you're even expected to refuse
a gift three times before accepting it.
24. Polishing off your meal
To Americans, finishing a meal shows the host how
much they enjoyed the meal. In other countries, like
China, the Philippines, Thailand , and Russia, it signifies
that you're still hungry and that they failed to provide
you with enough food.
25. Blowing Your Nose
In countries like China, France, Japan , Saudi Arabia , and
Turkey, blowing your nose in public is not only rude, but
considered repulsive.
A contentious issue even here, both over- and
undertipping can quickly make you the least popular
person at the table. But in Japan and South Korea
tipping is seen as an insult. In those countries, workers
feel they are getting paid to do their job, and take pride
in doing it well; they don't need an added incentive.
2. Sitting in the back of a cab
While it's customary for Americans to hop into the back
of a cab, in Australia, New Zealand, parts of Ireland,
Scotland, and the Netherlands , it's considered rude not
to ride shotgun. Whereas cabbies in the US will sigh and
reluctantly move their newspapers and lunches from the
front seat, in other countries it's a matter of
egalitarianism.
3. Throwing a thumbs-up
In a lot of countries, especially in the Middle East, Latin
America, Western Africa, Russia, and Greece, a thumbs-
up basically has the same meaning as holding up a
middle finger does for Americans.
4. Laughing with your mouth open
In Japan, laughter that exposes your pearly whites is
considered horse-like and impolite — sort of like noisy,
open-mouthed eating is considered rude to Americans.
5. Calling the USA "America"
.
(REUTERS/Mike Blake)
In South America, claiming you're from America, rather
than the United States, is seen as being politically
incorrect, as it implies that only the US should be
considered America, and that South America is unworthy
of the title.
6. Being fashionably late
Americans often make appointments for "around x" or
"x-ish." Being a few minutes late, or, as we even call it,
"fashionably" late, is standard to Americans, but
unacceptable in many other countries ( like Germany )
where leaving people waiting is taken as you thinking
your time is more valuable than everyone else's.
7. Being on time
On the other hand, many Latin American cultures,
notably Argentina , would consider it bad form if you
showed up to a dinner party right on time, akin to
someone arriving an hour early in America.
8. Having one hand in your pocket
This is considered arrogant in Turkey, as well as some
Asian countries, like South Korea.
9. Using your left hand for anything
Not all cultures have or use toilet paper, and tend to use
their left hand in lieu of it. Accepting gifts, eating, or
doing pretty much anything with your left hand in much
of Africa, India, Sri Lanka and the Middle East is like a
(disgusting) slap in the face.
10. Opening a present immediately
.
(Shutterstock)
In most Asian countries, most notably China and India,
tearing into a gift in front of the gift giver is poor form. It
looks greedy.
11. Wearing sweatpants, flip flops, wrinkly clothing, or
baseball caps in public
Sure "athleisure" (stylish sportswear worn outside of the
gym) is a hot new trend stateside, but in most countries,
notably Japan and most of Europe, this sort of sloppy
appearance is considered disrespectful.
12. Altering your meal
In foodie cultures like France, Italy, Spain, and Japan,
asking for ketchup, hot sauce, soy sauce, or salt to alter
your meal may raise some eyebrows. Before you ask for
a condiment, see if there are any on the tables — if not,
you should probably refrain.
13. Showing the soles of your feet
In many Arab, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist countries,
showing the soles of your feet is a sign of disrespect , as
they're considered the lowest and dirtiest part of the
body, since they touch the dirty ground. Men should
cross their legs with caution.
14. Keeping your shoes on
While you probably think you're doing the world a favor
by keeping your socks under wraps, in most Asian and
Caribbean cultures it is expected that you take your
shoes off when entering someone’s home.
15. Drinking someone else's alcohol
.
(David Goehring / Flickr)
Apparently, it's rude to drink alcohol you didn't
personally bring to a party in Norway. In the US, on the
other hand, bringing a six pack of beer to a BBQ allows
you access to anything else at the event.
16. Men showing some skin
It's rare to see topless men in South Korea, where men
even keep their shirts on at the beach.
17. Eating anywhere that doesn't serve food
In Rwanda and Japan , it is considered rude to eat
anywhere that isn't a restaurant, bar, or hotel. Eating a
banana on the bus? Ice cream outside? All no-nos.
18. Telling people to help themselves
While you think you're being a host extraordinaire by
opening up your home to someone and essentially
telling them to feel right at home, in some cultures (like
in Asia) this hands-off approach is uncomfortable. To
them, hosting guests is a little more involved.
19. Touching
Americans are notoriously friendly, but hugging and
touching others, even if only on the arm, is offensive in
places like China, Thailand, Korea, and the Middle East.
Respect that personal space varies from country to
country.
20. Keeping your clothes on in saunas and steam rooms
.
(Flickr/Oeschberghof)
While not offensive per se, people from Scandinavian
countries and Turkey will think you're prude if you keep
your clothes on in saunas, spas, and steam rooms.
21. Asking certain questions
Asking "what do you do" is a common American
icebreaker, but is often considered insulting, especially
in countries with social-welfare systems, like the
Netherlands, where people feel that it's a way of
pigeonholing them, and of being classist. You might as
well just ask someone you just met what their salary is.
22. Refusing food
Americans often refuse food to make it easier for their
hosts, but in most Arab countries, like Lebanon, it is
considered incredibly rude to reject anything offered,
especially food.
23. Not declining gifts
Americans are quick to accept gifts, favors, and
invitations, and often without offering something in
return. However, many cultures (like in Japan ) expect
you to decline things a few times before ultimately
accepting them. In China, you're even expected to refuse
a gift three times before accepting it.
24. Polishing off your meal
To Americans, finishing a meal shows the host how
much they enjoyed the meal. In other countries, like
China, the Philippines, Thailand , and Russia, it signifies
that you're still hungry and that they failed to provide
you with enough food.
25. Blowing Your Nose
In countries like China, France, Japan , Saudi Arabia , and
Turkey, blowing your nose in public is not only rude, but
considered repulsive.
No comments:
Post a Comment