Cultural Etiquette
You may be wondering, what on earth do I mean by "cultural etiquette"?
Well, the last thing you want to do is offend your hosts so it's a good idea to do a bit of research prior to your trip to familiarize yourself with customs and traditions of the country you'll be visiting. For positive travel experiences and social interactions in a foreign country, awareness and respect go a long way.
Learning about other cultures and experiencing them is the beauty of travel!
The tips that follow only touch on some of the most popular cultural norms. We haven't been everywhere so If you don't see a continent or country mentioned in this section, it's because I haven't been there....YET.
Respect, manners, politeness and common sense are commonalities anywhere you go. Again, do some research on your next destination!
Asia
Most Asian countries require the removal of shoes in their homes or places of worship. Here are some other fun facts:
China:
*Greetings often involve a slight bow or nod of the head
*Handshakes are becoming more common, especially in business settings, but it's best to wait for your host to offer their hand first.
*Address people by their title and then their last name.
*Use both hands or the right hand to give and receive items. Make sure to look at it in acknowledgement before putting it away.
Japan:
*Bowing is the traditional form of greeting, with the depth and duration of the bow depending on the situation and the level of respect.
*Handshakes are acceptable, but bowing is still widely practiced.
*Use last names with a title of honor like "san" (Mr./Ms.) or "sama" (higher level of respect), unless you have permission to use their first names.
*Receive or present items with both hands.
South Korea:
*Bowing is also a common form of greeting, like in Japan, the bow depending on age, social status, and familiarity.
*Handshakes accepted but bowing still practiced.
*Address hosts by their title, followed by their last name. "ssi" (Mr./Ms.) or "nim" (higher level of respect).
*Present and receive items with both hands and take a moment to look at the item first before putting it away.
*At dining table, pour drinks for others, not for yourself. Wait for someone to pour you a drink.
India:
*Greetings vary greatly in India depending on religion, region and cultural background.
*A common greeting is the "namaste", palms together in front of chest with a slight bow.
*Address hosts by their title and last name, adding "ji" for added respect.
*Eat with your right hand as the left is considered unclean.
Caribbean Islands
The "vibe" definitely varies from Caribbean island to island, so I don't mean to lump them all together, but the commonality is that general respectfulness goes a long way on the islands. We have personally travelled to Aruba, Barbados, Jamaica, Grand Caymen, Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, Cuba, and Puerto Rico, and can attest that proper manners are an important aspect of every day life there. As I like to say, everything we need to know, we've learned in kindergarten. "Please", "thank you", cleaning up after yourself, you know, basic manners.
*Greetings are warm and friendly, with handshakes, hugs or kisses on the cheek being common depending on how familiar you are with your host.
*Greet people with a smile and go for eye contact during discussions.
*Respect for elders is important in the Caribbean culture. Use titles like "Mr." or "Mrs." followed by their last name. Even titles like "Auntie" or "Uncle" shows respect. We often address younger folks as "Miss" with their first name to show politeness and respect.
*Casual, comfortable clothing is the norm in the caribbean, but modest attire is best for formal occasions or visiting a place of worship.
*Good old-fashioned manners, like we all learned in Kindergarten, are a good way to go. "Please" and "thank you", "excuse me", goes a long way. Keep elbows off the table, chew with your mouth shut.
Follow all those things your grandma taught you and you'll be good to go!
Central America
These are general cultural etiquette tips that may vary from country to country in Central America. Having visited Costa Rica, Panama and Belize, we can attest that these applied on our visits.
*Learn a few Spanish phrases to show an effort, respect and help facilitate conversations.
*Greetings are usually warm and includes handshakes, hugs or cheek kisses with family and friends.
*Address your hosts with respect using titles. "Senor" (Mr.) or "Senora" (Mrs.), followed by their last name, unless you're told you can use their first name.
*Elders are typically highly respected, greet them first and let them speak first.
*Central Americans tend to stand closer together during conversations so be prepared for a cozy chat.
*If you have the pleasure of being invited to someone's home, it's polite to bring a small gift (cookies, flowers, a bottle of wine).
*It's a laid-back culture and punctuality is not a priority, like in the Caribbean, so events don't always start on time. Patience my friends, patience.
Europe
With so many countries making up Europe, you can imagine that cultural etiquette will vary greatly, but there are common norms and practices that can be applied throughout.
*Greetings usually consist of handshakes but the degree of firmness may vary from country to country. Cheek kissing is very common amongst friends in France, Italy and Spain, from 1-3 depending on the region.
*Address people with titles and their last names until you're invited to use their first name. .e.g. "Monsieur" or "Madame" in France.
*Table manners are so important in Europe. Wait before everyone has been served before starting to eat. Keep hands visible on the table, elbows off. Always use "please" and "thank you" with the servers, and it is customary to say "enjoy your meal" before starting to eat.
*Europeans tend to stand closer than other cultures when chatting and maintain eye contact.
*The dress code depends on the country and the occasion. Europeans tend to be more formal so pay attention to the venue (such as churches or fancy restaurants).
*In Spain, especially in southern regions, the tradition of an early afternoon siesta still exists, so businesses close for a few hours. Plan accordingly!
*Adapt to the country you are visiting, but remember the importance of politeness and respect.
French Polynesia
Influenced by French colonial heritage, the French Polynesian islands of Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea, have deeply rooted traditions. We can speak from experience about these areas after having spent some time on all three!
*Greetings are warm and polite. A friendly "ia ora na" (hello) or "mauruuru" (thank you) is customary. Handshakes are common but there will be hugging and cheek kissing amongst friends and family.
*This is another culture where respect for elders is an important aspect of Polynesian culture. Show deference and listen attentively when elders speak. Address elders with proper titles.
*French Polynesia is a sharing society. It's common to offer food and gifts to visitors and please accept them graciously in return.
*Tattoos have cultural and spiritual meaning in Polynesian culture, symbols of status, identity and heritage. Don't ask intrusive questions about them.
*When dining, wait for the host to eat first. Utensils are used, but it's acceptable to eat with your hands as well.
*Respect nature. There is a strong emphasis on protecting land and sea. Avoid littering and respect sacred sites.
North America
As Canadian-born, living in the United States, we can speak about a thing or two about North American culture. Of course, we haven't been EVERYWHERE, but we do speak from many years of experience.
The USA is rich in diversity, many cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds co-exist. Respect for all this diversity and inclusion is very important.
*Americans are a friendly bunch, but they do tend to value their personal space so it's best to maintain a comfortable distance when chatting. They like to hold doors, say "thank you" and engage in conversation.
*Handshakes are common when meeting someone, as is a common "hello" or "hi". Hugs are exchanged among friends and family.
*Small talk is very common in social interactions, with strangers or in a professional setting.
With a very diverse population, Canadians are known to be polite and friendly. Canadians are courteous and will often hold doors open for others and engage in small talk. Canadians are usually patient and wait in line in an orderly manner.
* Respect diversity in Canada, that means tolerance and acceptance of all peoples, religions and lifestyles. Canada has a significant Indigenous population; it is important to understand and respect their land rights and history.
* Table manners are important; wait until everyone is served before eating, use "please" and "thank you" with servers. Tip your servers.
In all regions of North America, respect wide range of cultures, and respect nature anywhere you go to preserve the beauty of the countries making up North America.
South America
Of course the customs of each South American country will vary, however, the South Americans are known to be friendly, warm and affectionate. Hospitality is key and guests are treated with generosity and kindness. We can speak from personal experience from having visited Argentina, Chili and Peru.
*Learn a few Spanish or Portuguese phrases to show an effort, respect and help facilitate conversations!
*Greetings are usually warm and includes handshakes, hugs or cheek kisses with family and friends. Handshakes are used in professional settings.
*Address your hosts with respect using titles. "Senor" (Mr.) or "Senora" (Mrs.), followed by their last name, unless you're told you can use their first name.
*Elders are typically highly respected, greet them first and let them speak first.
*Family plays a central role in South American culture so the families have very close bonds. There is a big sense of community and social connections, so the well-being of others is a shared value.
*Mealtime is a social event. Please wait for your host to start eating before you begin. In Brazil and Argentina, utensils are used for most dishes, however in Peru and Colombia, hands are used more commonly for eating.
*There are many cultures in South America, so here too, it is important to respect the plethora of cultures, customs and traditions in the different countries.
Middle East
The Middle East is complex with diverse cultures, languages, religion and history. Hospitality is deeply ingrained in this culture, with guests warmly welcomed and treated with generosity and respect.
*Islam is the dominant religion in the Middle East which directly affects the daily life and culture.
*The region is also home to significant Christian, Jewish and other religions.
*Strong family values exist, families are closely knit with extended family living nearby.
*Respect for elders and authority figures is the norm. Address them with titles such as "Mr." or "Mrs." followed by their last name. "Saba" (grandfather) or "savta" (grandmother) are also good to know.
*Gender roles are often upheld (varies between countries in the Middle East).
*A strong sense of community bonds is common, with community members helping each other, coming together in support.
*Traditional dress varies across the Middle East. The thawb (robe) is commonly worn by men in Saudi Arabia and UAE, and women will wear the abaya (cloak) or hijab (headscarf). So dress modestly to respect the culture in the region you are visiting. Do your research!
*Israelis are known to be outspoken and direct in communication style, so be prepared for honesty and candor during discussions.
*In Israel, the common greeting is "Shalom" (peace) but that can also be a farewell exchange too.
Don't forget to do your research!
