Unique Cultural Traits

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Unique Cultural Traits Intercultural Faux Pas

• World Geography
• 9/30/08

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What is culture?

• features of a group of peoples way of life,
  passed down through generations by teachings,
  examples and imitation.

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ABCs of Culture
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How do cultures develop?

• Innovation creation

• Diffusion spreading of ideas.

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How does culture spread?

• Silk Road
• Columbian
• Exchange

• Migration
• When people move, they take their clothing, food,
  religion, and language with them.

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Assimilation joining or fitting in with a
larger culture. (German descendants in the USA.)
Acculturation a culture accepting an innovation
or diffusion from another culture.
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Cultural Hearths
Culture Hearth Center of learning and innovation
that diffuses to other regions
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Ethnocentrism judging other cultures by the
rules of your culture.
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Xenophobia fear of outsiders (limits diffusion)
For more security.
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What is a Faux Pas?

• From the French phrase faux pas, of the same
  meaning composed of faux, false, and pas,
  step.
• Basically, it is a violation of accepted social
  rules. What could be good manners in one culture
  could be a faux pas in another.

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Cultural DifferencesEating

• Throughout most of the Middle East the left hand
  is reserved for bodily hygiene. Thus, the right
  hand should be used for eating.

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Cultural DifferencesEating

• In Korean and Chinese cultures, the practice of
  sticking chopsticks or spoons in a bowl of rice
  during the meal is a no, no. This is done only
  during memorial services. The action reflects
  death or bad luck.

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Cultural DifferencesEating

• In Norway, Malaysia and Singapore, it's rude to
  leave anything on your plate, but in Egypt, it's
  rude not to. If you finish a drink in Indonesia,
  it implies you'd like another.

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Cultural DifferencesEating

• In India, no matter how good your palak paneer
  is, offering someone a taste off your plate is a
  no-no. It is seen as unclean. Enjoy your food,
  rave about it all you want, but keep it to
  yourself.

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Cultural DifferencesEating

• When you buy a Coke on the street in Romania, you
  are only buying the liquid you actually have to
  stand there while drinking and then promptly
  return the bottle!

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Cultural DifferencesEating

• In France, many chefs would be appalled if you
  ruined their culinary masterpieces with
  condiments like ketchup. So get used to your
  prommes frites without the ketchup.

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Cultural DifferencesReactions to a Pretty
GirlWho does what?

1. Lift eyebrows
2. Press forefinger into cheek and whistle
3. Stroke cheek
4. Put an imaginary telescope to eye
5. Kiss fingertips
6. Grasp beard

1. Italian
2. Arab
3. Frenchman
4. American
5. Greek
6. Brazilian

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Cultural DifferencesPunctuality

• Some countries follow a "better never than late"
  philosophy others, "better late than punctual."
  Jamaicans appreciate promptness, as do the Danes.
  In Denmark, if you are invited for dinner at 6
  p.m., be on time because the food may already be
  on the table. If you're fortunate enough to
  receive a rare invitation to dine in a Chinese
  home, you should arrive promptly and leave soon
  after the end of the meal. In Egypt, a pre-dinner
  snack is a good idea, because an evening meal
  there may not begin until 1030 or later

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Cultural DifferencesAddressing someone by name

• In China, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, people
  relate formally, on a last-name basis.
• In China, the last name is spoken first,
  followed by the "first" name. For instance, Chen
  Yung Po would be Mr. Chen.
• People in Thailand, Fiji and Israel call one
  another by their first names, as they do in
  Iceland, where the telephone directory is
  alphabetized according to first name.

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Cultural DifferencesEye Contact

• In American culture, direct eye contact during a
  conversation shows respect and intensive
  listening avoiding it is a sign of nervousness
  or lying. But for Koreans, avoiding direct eye
  contact is the only acceptable way to hold a
  conversation. Koreans may think youre bold,
  impolite or even aggressive if you are looking
  right at them when speaking.

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Cultural DifferencesTouching

• In Thailand, no matter how adorable they are,
  resist the urge to pat a child on the noggin. It
  is taboo to touch someone on the head, as it is a
  revered part of the body.

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Cultural DifferencesRelaxation/Posture

• Whether on desks, coffee tables or just lounging
  on the couch, the act of putting ones feet up
  may be a sign of relaxation in our culture.
  However, this action, especially showing the sole
  of the shoe to someone, is considered unclean and
  one of the greatest of insults in Arabic cultures.

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Cultural DifferencesGift-giving

• In Chinese cultures, it is very important to give
  gifts in pairs. Single or odd numbers imply
  loneliness or separation.
• Flowers, a thoughtful and appropriate gift
  throughout most of the world, can get you into
  trouble in some places. Red roses are reserved
  for one's sweetheart in Eastern Europe.
  Chrysanthemums are strictly a funeral flower in
  France, Italy and Hungary. Always give an odd
  number of flowers in Czechoslovakia and Poland.
  Bouquets are taken only to hospitals in China
  they symbolize misfortune anywhere else.

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Cultural DifferencesGift-giving

• Have a friend in Russia who is expecting a baby?
  Dont buy them anything before the baby is born.
  It is seen as bad luck.

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Cultural DifferencesFacial Gestures

• Raising the Eyebrow
• In Tonga, it means yes or I agree.
• In Peru, it means money or pay me.

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Cultural DifferencesFacial Gestures

• Chin Flick
• In Italy, it signifies Buzz off or not
  interested.
• In Brazil and Paraguay, it means I dont know.

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Cultural DifferencesFacial Gestures

• Nodding your head
• In Greece and Bulgaria, it signifies no.
• In most other countries, it means yes.

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Cultural DifferencesFacial Gestures

• Licking your lips
• No matter how parched your lips are in the
  Zimbabwe heat, never lick them while looking at
  someone of the opposite sex. It is considered an
  obscene gesture.

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Cultural DifferencesHand Gestures

• Fingers Circle
• Known as the American okay, it is seen in
  Brazil and Germany as VERY vulgar and obscene.
• In Japan, it signifies money.
• In France, it means zero or worthless.

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Cultural DifferencesHand Gestures

• When in India, dont call someone over by
  pointing or wagging your finger. Instead, hold
  your hand out, palm down, and scoop with your
  fingers. Youll have much better results.

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Cultural DifferencesHand gestures

• Vertical horns
• In Italy, it means that you are being cuckolded
  (being cheated on by a significant other).
• In Brazil and other parts of Latin America, it is
  a sign of good luck.

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Cultural DifferencesHand Gestures

• Thumbs up, like the OK symbol, is a positive
  symbol in American culture, but this same gesture
  is an offensive Iraqi insult, equivalent to using
  the middle finger in the Western world. Some
  media savvy Iraqis may understand the Western
  meaning of an upturned thumb as well is OK, but
  other Iraqis may see the gesture in its
  traditional sense.

Gig em!