Cross Cultural Etiquette in 1985

Many things have changed, and have gone in and out of fashion over the past 40 years, but good manners are always in style. Social media is full of etiquette and cross cultural tips. It pays in many ways to study up on any possible cultural differences before you travel to another country. – Image source, Instagram

Time To Get Some Etiquette

I’ll bet you think you already know good manners. You put your napkin on your lap, keep your elbows off the table in fact, you probably know how to behave perfectly, if you must. But here comes the hitch – manners are different in every country! Oh no! How are you supposed to know what to do in Hong Kong? Or India? Or Germany? 

Here are a few rules to follow:

• Let's say you've just arrived in Hong Kong. You want to say. “Hi! How are you?” to the hotel clerk. Since Hong Kong is a British colony, they understand English greetings, but it is better to use Chinese greetings. So, like the Chinese, you say “Have you eaten rice yet?”
• Next you go to India. Better stop whistling. it’s rude to whistle in India! You better not slap your Indian pals on the backs either; they don’t see it as a friendly gesture like we do.
• Now you're in Germany. Don’t cut your fish and potatoes with a knife. Just use a fork. If you want to chew gum, you better do it in private. It’s impolite to chew in public. Most people don't wear sneakers except for playing sports; so put away your Nikes!
• Let’s go to Egypt now. When’s dinner? Sometimes Egyptians don't eat till 10:30, or even later! You'll probably get lots of food once you do get served, though. Don’t feel pressure to eat everything on your plate. The host might think you didn't get enough.

Don't worry about remembering all these rules, though. You'll do fine in any country if you pay attention to what people there do. – Julie Langsdorf in Pennywhistle Press, 1985

🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia