Each country has its national customs and traditions. They have been formed over the centuries based on lifestyle, historical experience, and religious influence. Over time, some traditions fade away, others are reborn or adapted to modern conditions, and some remain unchanged for centuries, ensuring the self-identification of the people, a strong bond, and continuity of generations. The customs and traditions of some countries are so distinctive that they seem strange to others.
Peculiarities in the relationship between people
Each country’s culture develops according to its laws, forming the rules of relationships between people, the peculiarities of their communication, nonverbal communication, and emotional expression. What is considered the norm for representatives of one nation or residents of one country may be unacceptable for people of another culture.
In the modern world, communication between strangers is treated differently. If Italians cannot imagine their lives without communication and calmly start conversations with strangers on the street, in queues, and on public transport, then in Norway, this is considered a bad form. Even on public transport, it is not customary to sit next to a stranger if there are other places.
The British are also not inclined to communicate with strangers, and crowding in transport or a tight queue when someone is breathing down their neck is generally unacceptable to them. If it becomes necessary to form a queue when boarding a transport, the British will involuntarily keep their distance and wait for the arrival of the next bus so as not to find themselves in a crowd of strangers.
There are also many traditional differences in behavior with familiar people. Visit. A F R I N I K .C O M .For the full article. The most common communication element is greeting and saying goodbye; it looks different everywhere. In most countries, people use a slight nod of the head or a wave of the hand, and the traditional handshake between men is no less common.
However, the Japanese categorically do not accept handshakes; they prefer to greet a person with a bow. Moreover, the closer a Japanese person gets to know a person, and the more reverently he treats them, the lower and longer the bow will be.
When you meet an Italian, he can throw himself on your neck and start hugging you, a Frenchman can kiss you on both cheeks, and an Englishman will ask the usual question, “How are you?” which does not imply a detailed answer, but is used as a greeting.
In Thailand, you should never touch another person’s head since the head is considered a sacred part of the body; in Egypt, you cannot give or take anything with your left hand, which is considered unclean; in Japan, it is unacceptable to blow your nose in front of other people or sit down with your foot crossed so that the soles are visible – this is it is considered the height of indecency. In Norway and Finland, it is not customary to make public compliments, which can be regarded as flattery.
Behavior in a public place
The rules of behavior in a public place also differ significantly from country to country. Many natural and self-evident things for a foreigner may seem strange to us. Therefore, studying the specifics of the country you are heading to is essential to avoid being particularly surprised and not creating problems for yourself when going on a trip.
In most countries, loud conversations in a public place with each other or on the phone are not welcome, nor is an unplugged phone call during an important meeting, attending a concert, or performance. In India and China, talking loudly on the phone in public places is considered normal.
If you travel together to the United Arab Emirates, do not try to hold hands, hug, or show your feelings to each other in public – this can lead to deportation, a fine, or even criminal punishment. In Indonesia, kissing in a public place can result in up to 10 years in prison.
In Italy, you can’t combine viewing cultural treasures with eating sandwiches or drinking beer from a bottle. Here, of course, they will not be held accountable for this, but they will perceive it as blasphemy and disrespect for their culture. But you can face an impressive fine for being in a public place without a shirt and diving into fountains.
In Germany, it is forbidden to walk along the expressway. In transport, it is not customary to give way to elders, as this can be regarded as a demonstration of physical superiority and a hint that a person looks terrible.
In many EU countries, smoking in public places can lead to a hefty fine, and in the UAE, you can get up to two years for this.
Traditions of hospitality and table behavior
The traditions of hospitality in different countries have significant differences. People in Italy, Spain, and England are happy to visit and host guests, but only by prior invitation. There, the hostess will try to cook delicious local dishes for you, set the table beautifully, and be offended if you refuse to try something.
In Germany and Holland, you can be invited to have a cup of coffee, and it will be coffee. As a last resort, cookies or a small cake will be served with it. Otherwise, a visit comes down to socializing.
The French invite only close friends to the house, but it is not customary to invite guests from the USA and Norway. All friendly gatherings there are organized in cafes and restaurants. The only exception may be essential family celebrations, about which guests are notified in advance by an invitation card. The invitation often indicates which gift should be chosen. The proverb “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth” doesn’t work here.
Giving the hostess fresh flowers is appropriate in many countries, but not in China. There, they are regarded as a hint of an unkempt dwelling that needs additional decoration. In addition, according to the Chinese, cut flowers symbolize death since their lifespan is short.
In England, if you find yourself in the company of strangers, it is not customary to address them until you are introduced to each other. When sitting at a standard table, you must wish everyone a pleasant appetite in Germany. Clink glasses are not customary in Hungary, but in Greece, to praise a painting or a beautiful vase. Otherwise, the owner will have to give it to you.
The French never put bread on a plate, only on the table, and they never bite it off by breaking off small pieces. The Chinese consider slurping, smacking, and burping at the table normal. They believe this indicates that the food is delicious.
There are entirely different attitudes towards tipping in various countries. In the USA and Germany, it is customary for restaurants to leave 10% of the total bill to the waiter; if the amount is less, it will be perceived as rudeness on the part of the customer. On the contrary, tipping can be perceived as an insult in Japan.
Treatment of children
Countries have traditions for raising children, which parents and others follow. An attitude toward other people’s children is no less critical since it forms a person’s personality who will have to live in society.
In the USA and England, since childhood, they try to develop self-confidence in a child, praise him for any achievements, and increase his self-esteem. In schools, children are encouraged to express their individuality publicly, defend their point of view, and strive to stand out from their peers.
In China, on the contrary, children are brought up strictly. The basis of education is their obedience. A child is taught from the cradle to obey his parents in everything and fulfill all their requirements, and teachers take on this role at school. A child cannot contradict an adult in anything. At the same time, the Chinese rarely praise children. At school, a student rating based on a 100-point grading system is posted for all to see. Poor grades and disobedience result in scores decreasing, and the student may be expelled.
Stress-free parenting is practiced in Sweden, Finland, and Norway. In these countries, a child is considered a full-fledged person, no different from an adult. He has his rights and responsibilities. Any physical punishment of children in these countries is prohibited by law. In schools, students are not divided according to intellectual abilities. They are not publicly praised so as not to demonstrate someone’s superiority and not to develop low self-esteem in other children.
In France, children are sent to kindergartens as early as possible to learn independence. Punishment is allowed in the form of deprivation of sweets, and encouragement is in the form of coins that children collect in a piggy bank.
In Italy, there is a cult of children who are pampered, given gifts, and fed sweets. Everything is allowed to the child here. Kids address adults as “you”. They can easily approach a stranger on the street, ask uncomfortable questions, or express their opinions. Italian children are considered the most liberated, although we often call it pampering.
