Cultural Gaffes
Beyond Your Borders
This entertaining eight-minute video shows you how easy it is to commit a blunder, a gaffe, a slip-up in another culture. Things as simple and normal to you as sitting on the edge of a desk may be insulting in another country. See 14 examples of cultural gaffes acted out, then get some advice on how to try to avoid making such mistakes when you travel to another culture.
| Cultural Gaffes Beyond Your Borders |
Please install Flash player to view this movie. |
Cultural Gaffes Beyond Your Borders
[INTRODUCTION]
If you're going to another country, chances are, you've done your homework: You're familiar with the map, you've searched for hotels, you know the value of the currency, you've checked the climate, you've even studied how to count to 10 and say “thank you.”
That's the easy stuff. What's really tough? Well, how do you avoid those pitfalls of offending people by mistake? It's so easy to say something, gesture in some way, or do something that is normal in your own culture that will shock or offend or confuse the people you're visiting.
In the next few minutes, relax and enjoy watching how easy it is to make a cultural mistake – a gaffe, a faux pas – anywhere in the world.
[Video of gaffes]
1. Narrator: In a great many countries throughout the world, it is an insult to use the left hand for giving or for eating. The left hand is reserved for hygiene, and is therefore considered unclean.
2. Narrator: In regions such as the Middle East and Asia, it is an insult to allow the sole of the foot or shoe to face another person, since that is considered the dirtiest part of the body.
3. Narrator: In many countries around the world, giving a thumbs-up sign is an obscene gesture. Avoid it wherever you are, unless you're sure it's acceptable.
4. Narrator: It is considered disgusting in Japan to blow your nose and put the handkerchief back in your pocket. Even blowing your nose in public is frowned upon. If you have a runny nose, use a paper tissue and throw it away.
5. Narrator: So, you thought because you spoke English, you knew all about speaking correctly in Australia! Well, down under, an entrée is an appetizer, not the main course.
6. Narrator: In Mexico and many other places, it is typical for a conversation to occur between two people close together. It is unfriendly to back away.
7. Narrator: What's the failure of communication here? In Bulgaria, a shake of the head means “yes” and a nod means “no.” Who knew! This is also true in other parts of Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
8. Narrator: In Brazil and many other countries, it is vulgar to make this sign. To be safe, don't use this symbol when indicating approval.
9. Narrator: In Kazakhstan, it is rude and strictly taboo to sit on the edge of a desk or table.
10. Narrator: It's considered rude to chew gum while having a conversation. Better to leave the gum at home.
11. Narrator: In Nepal and other areas of South Asia, people treat books with great respect. You don't throw a book around carelessly, put a book on the ground, step over it, mark on it, or in any other way handle it roughly.
12. Narrator: It is considered an insult to take someone's business card and put it in your back pocket. It's much safer to put it into an attaché case or your front pocket.
13. Narrator: It is considered bad luck and definitely bad form to put your chopsticks anywhere but on the table or on a chopstick rest.
14. Narrator: In England, “washing up” means to do the dishes, not to wash your hands. Even in places you thought you understood everything, language is tricky.
[CONCLUSION]
So, there you have it. With the best of intentions, it's really easy to convey the wrong message, insult someone, or misunderstand what someone has said or done. What's the solution? How can you avoid such gaffes?
First, read about the culture of the place you're going to visit, well before you leave. Read about the everyday behaviors and practices of the people there.
Second, talk to people who grew up in the country where you're going. Ask them specifically if there are differences in social behavior that you should know about.
Third, take the time to be especially aware of your own verbal and nonverbal behaviors. These may be interpreted in ways that are different from your intentions
Finally, when you've arrived, watch for signals, and if you think you've goofed, ask someone what is happening. Be forthright, open, and good-natured about a gaffe—yours or someone else's.
Ready to go? Have a great trip!