Cultural Differences in Manners and Etiquettes By Annabel, Lavanya AND NOT COLLin

Manners ● Definition o A person’s outward bearing or way of behaving towards others

The parts of the world we will be talking about

ASIA ● In Japan and China, it is considered rude to use one finger to ask someone to come o This would be used to call a dog ● In China, it is rude to leave no food on the plate after a meal. It implies that your host isn’t generous enough ● In Vietnam, it is extremely rude to point with one finger. You should point with your whole hand

ASIA ● In India, it is rude to accept the first offering of refreshments. You refuse the first time, and then accept when asked again o You will definitely be asked again ● If you are hosting a dinner and you fill up a tea cup completely to give to your guest - it means that you are telling them that they’ve overstayed their welcome

ASIA ● Mongolia: ● The woman of the family is mostly always given first bite ● Hats are not for sharing - do not touch someone else’s hat or lend someone yours ● A stretched out pinky is an extremely rude gesture

Asia ● Mongolia: ● When vodka is served, there are rituals you have to perform (even if you are not drinking): o Dip your ring finger into the glass and offer it to the sky, then to the floor.

ASIA ● Stand up when a new guest has entered the room ● Remove your shoes before entering someone’s house ● Do not shake a Muslim woman’s hand in the UAE, unless she extends her hand first ● Also in the UAE, do not point your feet to anything, or face the soles of your feet to someone elder to you ● Do not cross your legs in front of your host or someone ‘more important’ than you

AFRICA ● South Africa: ● Accept a gift with your right hand ● Do not look an elder person in the eye ● Holding out both hands cupped is the proper way of asking for a gift ● Business meetings should only be proposed to be held after 9 am

America ● Keep eye contact while talking to someone ● A firm handshake ● Rude to burp, eat with open mouth or lick fingers ● Saying “no thanks” isn't rude ● Leaving a bit of leftover food on your plate isn’t rude ● Walking with a lit cigarette is rude ● Ask if it is ok to smoke in a crowded area before lighting up

America ● In formal dining, you should wait till the oldest person in the room to start eating before you do ● 15-20% tip when paying in a restaurant ● Wait for an elevator to empty before getting in ● On elevators or moving sidewalks, it is polite to stand to the right and walk to the left ● When on phone, you should walk away from people who can hear the conversation

Europe Table manners ● Don’t put elbows on the table, always keep hands up off the table ● Eat with fork in left and knife in right hand ● They should remain in hand all the time ● Never tilt your chair back on two legs ● Never eat at the table wearing a hat or coat

EUROPE ● Rude to wear hats indoors ● Wearing coats or boots inside can be frowned upon ● Talking or asking about a person’s wealth is considered rude ● When with strangers, should be called using their last name or an even more formal way ● Never acceptable to write an anonymous letter ● Certain flowers are used for certain occasion o Chrysanthemums are only given at funerals

EUROPE In Greece, showing your open palm is extremely offensive. Such gestures include waving. If you do wish to wave goodbye to someone in Greece, wave with your palms facing inwards Greece