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What cultural expectations should visitors to your country be aware of?
There is a wide variety of cultures out there. Some research can help enrich your writing.
This week's Action/Adventure Newsletter, then, is all about our similarities and differences.
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Do you always empty your plate, or do you leave a little food at the end of the meal? In some cultures an empty plate is a compliment – it shows that you enjoyed the meal. In others, it’s an insult. You’re telling the host that they did not provide you with enough food, otherwise you wouldn’t have had to eat that final scrap.
We human beings have a lot in common, but different societies at different points in time have different cultural expectations. As writers it is important to be aware of these. It’s a pretty interesting field of research that can lead to surprising insights.
There are countries where it’s considered rude to point with your index finger, especially when pointing at people. In Malaysia, for example, the thumb is used to point instead.
The way people greet the other varies from country to country. Some opt for a bow, or a handshake; others for a single kiss on the cheek. Some go for two kisses – left and right. In the Netherlands three kisses are the standard and in parts of Belgium and France it is four, whether you know the person or are only just being introduced, and on departure as well as on arrival!
Speaking of shaking hands – in parts of the Middle East and Africa it is best to avoid using one’s left hand in greeting, exchanging money, and handling merchandise. This is because the left hand is considered to be dirty – it’s used for cleaning oneself after using the toilet. Sorry, left-handed people, you may wish to practice this before traveling!
When you enter someone’s home, do you take off your shoes? Opinions on this vary around the globe. In many Asian countries taking off one’s shoes is expected and it can be seen as a major faux pas to overlook this custom. Shoes can bring dirt, dust and bacteria into the home and this won’t be looked on kindly. In other countries like the Netherlands it is less common to ask someone to take off their shoes. Taking off one’s shoes indicates a level of intimacy that is not (yet) felt and besides, the hosts may not be keen to get acquainted with the guest’s possibly sweaty, stinky socks.
In Japan, slurping your soup or noodles is common. It can help you avoid burning your lips, and is even seen as a sign of enjoyment and appreciation of the dish. In many Western cultures, on the other hand, food oughtn’t be slurped – it is a sign of poor manners.
Also, black cats are a sign of wealth and prosperity in Japan. Seeing a black cat in your theatre on opening night means that your play will have a long, successful run. As someone who loves black cats I prefer their view on these adorable voids to the European superstition that they are evil and attract bad luck. Indeed, there is an old British superstition that cats will climb into a baby’s crib and steal their breath which is, of course, nonsense.
The fear of bad luck associated with the number 13 is not universal, either: in China the number 4 is associated with bad luck as it sounds like ‘death’. In the West hotels may avoid a 13th floor; in Japan levels 4 and 9 are sometimes skipped. In some parts of Italy the number 13 is considered lucky, but you’ll struggle to find a 17th floor. I am not immune to number avoidance, as I don’t like to type out the triple-six number, yet in parts of Asia it’s considered lucky and people may put the number over their door or window.
These are but a few examples. There are no doubt many more. They may be small. They may barely feel significant. Yet, just as the awareness of such differences makes for a better travel experience, so too will it make your work feel more authentic.
Of course, people are individuals. I’m born in the Netherlands and live in the UK and I don’t care if you finish your plate of food. Eat as much or as little as suits you. I prefer to avoid the whole cheek-kissing thing entirely, and am not overly bothered if you take off your shoes in my home (though I do), just don’t put booted feet on my furniture. You are free to slurp your food. And as I mentioned I adore black cats. I’ve had a couple of my own. I am certain that people of other cultures have their individual preferences as well.
Still, it’s fun and interesting to learn these things. Cultures are fascinating, at least to me. I am still learning about unusual British traditions such as the one where they roll a wheel of cheese down a hill and people chase after it. I have no idea why that’s a thing, but it is, and each to their own.
What cultural expectations should visitors to your country be aware of? What would you like writers to know?
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Action/Adventure: September 11, 2024 Issue [#12734]
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