Cultural practices, cultural differences, local manners, and mores: traveling the globe can be a behavioral minefield, even when you have the best intentions. Everything from greeting to eating can be an opportunity to do the wrong thing, and not only embarrass yourself, but offend your host countrymen. Look out for the following cultural mistakes and try to avoid them while going abroad. 1.Touching Someone
| Where It's Offensive
| Korea, Thailand, China, Europe, the Middle East.
| What's Offensive
| In Mediterranean countries, if you don’t touch someone's arm when talking to them or if you don't greet them with kisses or a warm embrace, you'll be considered cold. But backslapping someone who isn't a family member or a good friend in Korea will make them uncomfortable. In Thailand, the head is considered sacred--never even pat a child on the he ad.
| What You Should Do Instead
| Observe what locals are doing and follow suit. In Eastern countries remember that touching and public displays of affection are unacceptable. In places like Qatar and Saudi Arabia, men and women are forbidden from talking, let alone touching.
| 2.Blowing Your Nose
| Where It's Offensive
| Japan, China, Saudi Arabia, France
| What's Offensive
| Some cultures find it disgusting to blow your nose in public--especially at the table. The Japanese and Chinese also dislike it even with a handkerchief.
| What You Should Do Instead
| If traveling through Eastern and Asian countries, don’t use handkerchief but choose disposable（可溶解的）tissues. In France and in Eastern countries, if you're dining and need to clear your nose, excuse yourself and head to the restroom.
| 3.Talking Over Dinner
| Where It's Offensive
| Africa, Japan, Thailand, China, Finland.
| What's Offensive
| In some countries, like China, Japan, and some African nations, don't start chatting while everyone else is digging into dinner, because mealtimes are for eating, not talking. Also avoid conversations in places a country might consider sacred or reflective---churches in Europe, temples in Thailand, and saunas in Finland.
| What You Should Do Instead
| Keep quiet!
| 4.Removing Your Shoes…or Not
| Where It's Offensive
| Hawaii, the South Pacific, Korea, China, Thailand
| What's Offensive
| Taking off shoes when arriving at the door of a London dinner party will be regarded as uncivilized, but failing to remove your shoes before entering a home in Asia, Hawaii, or the Pacific Islands will be considered disrespectful.
| What You Should Do Instead
| If you see a row of shoes at the door, start undoing your laces. If not, keep the shoes on.
| 5.Knowing Your Right from Your Left
| Where It's Offensive
| India, Morocco, Africa, the Middle East
| What's Offensive
| Many cultures still prefer to eat using traditional methods--their hands. In these cases, food is often shared, which is why it's important to wash your hands before eating and observe the right-hand-is-for-eating and the left-hand-is-for-other-duties rule. If you eat with your left hand, expect your fellow diners to be offended.
| What You Should Do Instead
| Left-handed? Attempt to be ambidextrous --- even children who are left-handed in these cultures are taught to eat with their right hand.
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小题1:In which country can you greet someone with a kiss? | A．Thailand | B．England | C．Qatar | D．Hawaii |
小题2:If you’re in Japan and you’ve got a bad cold, what should you do at dinner? | A．Excuse yourself and leave for home. | B．Blow your nose with a handkerchief. | | C．Use some disposable tissues when needed | D．Go to the restroom. |
小题3:Before entering your friend’s house in a foreign country, you’d better ______. | A．greet the host or hostess first | B．follow others’ behaviors | | C．remove your shoes first | D．respect their customs |
小题4: To enjoy your dinner in India, you have to ______. | A．avoid talking over dinner | B．keep your shoes on | | C．share food with others | D．eat with your right hand |
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