sit around up straight . Say please and give thanks you . Do n’t put your human elbow on the table . Most of us were drilled from an other historic period in proper manners and etiquette . But once you depart your home state , things get a bit complicated . Here are some examples of how other cultures do things other than .
1. Belching
In China , Taiwan , and much of the Far East , belching is considered a compliment to the chef and a sign that you have eaten well and relish your meal .
2. Watch Your Feet!
In most of the Middle and Far East , it is consider an insult to point yourfeet(particularly the soles ) at another soul or to display them in any way , for model , by resting with your foot up .
3. Swapping Business Cards
In most Asian countries , a stage business plug-in is seen as an extension service of the soul it represents ; therefore , to disrespect a card – by fold it , writing on it , or just shove it into your pocket without face at it – is to disrespect the person who gave it to you .
4. Crushing Handshake
Nowadays , a ivory - crushing handshake is seen as admirable in the United States and U.K. , but in much of the East , in particular the Philippines , it is seen as a sign of the zodiac of aggression – just as if you kick in any other part of a person ’s body a hard liquidity crisis !
5. To Shake or Not to Shake
Orthodox Jews will not didder hands with someone of the diametrical sex , while a strict Muslim woman will not stir mitt with a man . To throw matter , a Muslim man will shake work force with a non - Muslim woman . mass in these cultures by and large avoid touch hoi polloi of the opposite sexual urge who are not family member .
6.Clearing Your Plate
When din in China , never force yourself to elucidate your plate out of politeness – it would be very forged personal manner for your host not to keep refill it . alternatively , you should go away some food on your plate at each course as an acknowledgement of your boniface ’s generosity .
Manners that may be salutary in the United States may not be in other parts of the world . See the respite of our leaning to learn more .
7. No Tipping!
In Japan and Korea , a point is see an insult , rather than a compliment , and for them , acceptingtipsis akin to tap . However , this custom is beginning to alter as more Westerners contribute their customs with them to these countries .
8. Mixed Signals
The " all right " sign ( thumb and index touching to make a lap ) is very far from okay in much of the humankind . In Germany and most of South America , it is an insult , similar to yield someone the fingerbreadth in the United States , while in Turkey it is a derogatory motion used to connote that someone is homosexual .
9. The “Peace” Salute
Similarly , in the U.K. , when the two - feel " V for victory " or " public security " military greeting is give with the hand turn so that the palm present inward , it is reckon exceedingly bounderish , get a meaning similar to raising the in-between finger to someone in the United States .
10. Exposing Your Palms
In Greece , any signal that involve showing your undefendable palm is highly sickening . Such gestures include beckon , as well as get to a " block off " polarity . If you do wish to curl good day to someone in Greece , you require to do so with your palm face in , like a beauty pageantry contestant or a member of the majestic family .
11. Lose the Shoes
In many countries , particularly in Asia and South America , it is essential to remove your shoes when entering someone ’s home , while in most of Europe it is cultivated to ask your boniface whether they would opt you to do so . The reason , as anyone who ’s ever possess lily-white carpeting will attest , is simple hygiene and cleanliness .
12. Chewing Gum
Chewinggummight be good fordental hygienics , but in many parts of the world , particularly Luxembourg , Switzerland , and France , public gum - chewing is considered vulgar , while in Singapore most types of gum tree have been illegal since 1992 when residents grew tired of scraping the gluey stuff off their sidewalks .
13. Left-handed Greetings
In most Arab countries , the left hand is consider unclean , and it is extremely rude to proffer it for a handshake or to wave a salutation . Similarly , it is impolite to pass food or rust with the leftover hand . If you must know why , let ’s just say that , historically , people last in deserts did n’t have access to potty paper , so the left hand was used for " hygienical subroutine , " then cleaned by rubbing it in the sand .
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:
Helen Davies , Marjorie Dorfman , Mary Fons , Deborah Hawkins , Martin Hintz , Linnea Lundgren , David Priess , Julia Clark Robinson , Paul Seaburn , Heidi Stevens , and Steve Theunissen
