Advice and Information for the World Traveller on Many Destinations

Archive for the ‘Culture Etiquette’ Category

South Africa is known as the Rainbow Nation because of the various races living in the country. Most of the population is made up of different ethnic groups living in the urban areas. Having different races has led to the development of various South African cultures and forms of etiquette.

South Africa’s customs and forms of etiquette are divided into three parts: meeting, gift giving, and dining. Meeting covers several greeting styles, depending on the person’s ethnic heritage. South African men tend to shake hands with foreigners while maintaining a smile and eye contact to show courtesy. If a man knows a woman very well, he may kiss her as a replacement for a handshake.

Most South Africans celebrate Christmas and birthdays by giving gifts. When a person turns 21 and 40, it is celebrated by having a large party where a lot of gifts are given. In this event, it is common for friends to share in the purchasing of the gifts to help cut the cost. Flowers, chocolates, and a bottle of South African wine are recommended as gifts if you are invited to a house. Your courtesy will be appreciated if you make an extra effort to wrap the gift nicely.

South Africans are a time-conscious people, so it’s better to arrive on time when you are invited to a house. You should contact the host to determine if you should bring a dish. Most of the people in this country appreciate casual clothing when having dinner with friends.

Visiting South Africa is easy and it’s culture is rich, with many customs and forms of etiquette that can be appreciated by other countries. The diversity of races in the country further developed the culture, making it easier for foreigners to adapt.

The United Kingdom (UK), as an urbanised island nation and a major world power, has preserved and developed elements of unique cultural heritage and symbolism. UK culture follows the pattern of how UK and British people customarily live. With this human activity, the language, arts, science and technology, and religion of the UK have taken significant roles in the development of its culture.

Referring to its official language, the United Kingdom has not yet established its own; and so it uses English as its de facto language. However, indigenous languages are being promoted within the UK by individual countries.

The Celtic languages of the Island were important in the preserved native literature of the UK — since this literature was written in Celtic. From 6th century until today, the literary tradition of Welsh and of Irish poetry has represented an unbroken tradition, making the Ulster Cycle particularly relevant to Northern Ireland.

The UK has a vibrant theatre tradition, as is seen in other island nations. Theatre arts were first introduced to UK by the Romans; shortly after, auditoriums were built across the country for theatre performances. In the 16th and 17th century, during the supremacy of Elizabeth I, theatrical dramas and arts flowered; this period was also nicknamed the ‘Age of Shakespeare’. Approximately 40 plays written by William Shakespeare, a prominent playwright, are still performed in theatres across the globe.

UK was largely a Protestant Christian nation, as evident in the dominance of the Protestant churches that are continually spreading in the land. Protestantism has continued to increase, although UK is a secularised society.

With its well-established societal demographics, flourishing arts, cuisine and sports, beliefs and attitudes, Australian culture has provided significant influences and changes to the cultures of other societies across the globe.

Statistics show that the population of Australia is among the most urbanised in the world. Australian cities have become the melting pots of various cultures in the country. The native Aboriginal culture successfully survived the influx of Anglo-Irish immigrants; today the Anglo-Irish is considered to be the most pervasive cultural community. The influx of both non-English and English-speaking immigrants after World War II has added significantly to the survival of these cultural groups.

Australian arts are known and recognised internationally. One of the most admired art products of Australia is its contemporary architecture, where numerous iconic structures are common. Such architectural designs include Sydney Opera House, Parliament House, and the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne. Famous architects include Francis Greenway and Harry Seidler. Painting and sculpture has been part of the flourishing art of the nation. From the early stage of Australian settlement, there were many painting schools that have international reputations, such as Sir Sidney Nolan, Brett Whiteley, and Sir Russell Drysdale.

As to its cuisine, original wines and beers are internationally renowned. The well-known Vegemite spread that originates from Australia is now in the stores of foreign countries. Australia’s national sport is cricket; this sport has placed the nation in the top league of international cricketing competition. Its most famous winter sport is Rugby — this is common in Queensland and New South Wales. The well-known matches in Australian Rules football competition have comprised a significant part of the nation’s culture, particularly with regard to participation and attending.

Moreover, Australian character and beliefs were strongly shaped by tenets of its societies.

When it come to cultural taboos, whilst abroad the last thing you want to do is offend someone without having any intention of doing so, either with body language, by something you say or a gesture of the hand. So here’s a general list of what some countries see as taboo and you may not have known.

•    The thumbs up sign may mean everything ok or good to us but in Gambia and Iran it’s a rude gesture.

•    In Argentina slapping the inside of you thigh is obscene

•    The American OK sign in many countries including means screw you and is an insult Spain, Denmark, Brazil and Argentina to name a few.

•    Whiles in Argentina and Romania if you don’t want to suggest that you wife is cheating on you don’t use the rock symbol, by extending you little finger and index finger while bending the ring and middle fingers, avoid at all costs unless you single.

•    Clenching your fist and poking your thumb between your middle and index finger, like you would when you say “I got you nose” to a child, is seen as an offensive gesture in a number of countries such as Bolivia, Azerbaijan, Costa Rica, Israel, Japan, Russia, South Africa and Germany.

•    In Algeria, Oman, Papua New Guinea and Malawi homosexuality is illegal and punishments including imprisonment, but in Jamaica and Lebanon even speaking about it could result in treats, beatings or worse.

•    While in Bosnia exercise you good manners by not raising the first three fingers, as it’s a sign of victory within Serbian areas, also when ordering three of something avoid using the thumb, index, and middle finger as this is a Serbian nationalism gesture. Avoid when in Bosniac and Croat areas.

•    While in Brazil making a fist and slapping the top of it with your other hand is seen as “I screwed up,” “I got screwed” or screw you.

•    Most Middle Eastern countries and some African countries see the left hand as the hand that deals with the bodies waste so avoid shaking hands, giving money and eating with it.

•    In Colombia to state the size of something use your hands at arm’s length like you would when saying “I caught a fish this big” as using your fingers to state length is an obscene gesture.

•    When demonstrating the height of something in Ecuador as well as Mexico use your hand on the side with the thumb pointing up as palm face down is reserved for animals.

•    In India ears are considered sacred and if touched represents sincerity or repentance, so pulling, flicking or boxing of someone’s ears is seen as a serious insult.

•    In Kenya if a foreigner is seen to be wearing reviling or damaged clothes this would lose them respect among Kenyans, so avoid wearing you designer ripped jeans.

•    Finally, in Uzbekistan it seen as bad to fill a tea cup over half full as it suggests that you want your guests to leave.

This is just a hand full of things that cultures see as taboo, if in doubt about what to do just observe the basics of good manners don’t reveal too much flesh, avoid subjects such as politics and religion and you should be fine.

When visiting a country such as India which is so diverse in culture and customs, it’s always best to try research a little into a culture before travelling as it can sometimes be a veritable mine field. Try to make sure you have a grasp on what is seen as offensive, and to check if anything you may say or do in your culture doesn’t have connotations other than what you intend.
Here’s a few things that maybe you didn’t know about Indian culture;
Showing the soles of you feet or shoes is seen as offensive, keep your feet on the ground while sitting and if by chance you foot touches someone, apologise.

While greeting someone only shake hands if the hand is offered especially if it’s a woman, never offer you hand to a woman. It is common practice and widely accepted to place your own hands together as if praying and bow slightly to greet one another.
While chatting to someone it is deemed impolite to make continuous eye contact, just break contact ever now and again, and also refrain from standing with your hands in your pockets or on your hips.
It is common for Indians to converse with total strangers and even ask quit personal questions as it’s seen as quite acceptable conversation, but refrain from starting conversation with women walking on their own as has romantic insinuation as well as winking and whistling.
Be careful not to use the word “NO” as it’s seen as a harsh negative and as is portrayed as impolite and argumentative, most Indians will go out of their way not to say no. Try to use “maybe”, “possibly”, “could be” or “I will try” so not to seem antagonistic.

The host will start to eat first, if the host is sat near you they may also serve you, it is seen as good manners to serve people sat around you food and tea before you serve yourself, be sure to use the serving utensils, if not use the back end of you chopsticks.
Sometimes there could be food of honour on the table such as fish eyes, cheeks, or other such delicacies. You should try everything that may be offered to you and don’t pull faces of disgust or show displeasure when something that doesn’t appeal is offered. To avoid this situation you can always serve others the delicacies before they are even offered to you, also if you find one of these delicacies in the bottom of you soup you either grab some ones else’s bowl and serve it to them, or if you simply can’t face it, just work your way around it leaving it in the bottom of your bowl.
When the Chinese are particularly enjoying their meal they will make slurping sounds while eating and belching sounds, it’s just a way of showing appreciation so don’t be offended.
When eating from a bowl it is fine to lift the bowl to your mouth and push the remainder of the rice into your mouth with chopsticks and it’s also ok to lean over your plate while eating but don’t however pick up flat plates to eat from.
Once you come to the end of your meal and you’re feeling full leave a little food in the bottom of you bowl, because the quicker you empty you bowl the quicker it will be refilled, this also applies to cups of tea.  You may also put your hand over your bowl if someone tries to serve you more. Feel free to say that you are full as your host will be pleased that they have satisfied you. Rapping you knuckles on the table represents a non verbal way of saying thank you.
At the end of the meal the host will make the first toast, but if you don’t drink it’s better to decline due to medical reasons rather than moral reasons. If the meal is an informal affair then it’s always polite to offer to pay several times, even though the host will not accept your offer they will be grateful for the gesture.

When using chopsticks it is ok to rub them together to get rid of the fraying wood but you will not need to do this in a smart restaurant. If you drop your chopsticks on the table or onto the floor don’t pick them back up as you well be given a new pair. If your chopstick skills are not very good and you drop your food on the table say “woops!” and leave the food where it is. But most of all NEVER leave your chop stick stuck in the bowl vertically as this represents death. When resting, place them on the chop stick rest or on the bowl. Once finished place them together on the side of the bowl or beside the bowl.