Traditions and norms of etiquette in different countries of the world: from gestures to table rules. Chuvash Encyclopedia Etiquette in different countries of the world

One of the most common gestures is this one.

If in the USA it means “everything is OK,” then in Japan it means money, in France it means zero, and in Portugal it is a completely indecent gesture.

Lightly tapping your nose with your finger means that you are most likely telling a lie. In England this will be regarded as a sign that someone is telling you something in confidence, in Holland they will indicate that someone is drunk.

An Englishman and a Spaniard, slapping themselves on the forehead, will thus express extreme admiration for themselves, and a German will express extreme indignation at someone.

Trying to show that someone is saying something stupid, we twist our finger at our temple.

The Dutchman will thus report that he heard an incredibly witty phrase. Even laughter is interpreted differently. If in our country a smile means joy, then in Africa it means extreme amazement. There are generally global differences in etiquette between southern and northern countries. The further from the equator, the more pedantic and punctual people are. In the south, being 15-20 minutes late is normal. In addition, in northern countries, all kinds of touching are unacceptable, especially between representatives of opposite sexes. Exceptions are handshakes. Southerners, on the contrary, will hug, kiss, and pat each guest on the back. But, again, they will be careful with the opposite sex. When traveling to other countries, it would be a good idea to find out about the daily routine that is acceptable there. For example, in southern countries there are very long lunches. They last for 2-3 hours.

In Italy it is not customary to carry your own suitcases. There are specially trained people for this. Moreover, in Italy you don’t even call a taxi yourself. You need to go to any cafe and ask the owner to do it for you. This is done free of charge or for a nominal cost.

The country where etiquette is most scrupulous is England. Table rules are especially respected there. The ability to handle forks and knives with dignity is the minimum that will prevent you from appearing as a rude ignoramus in the eyes of the British.

In England, it is not customary to give compliments, give gifts, or talk about work after the working day has ended.

In France, table etiquette matters. Lunch lasts 2-3 hours. At the same time, you cannot leave the table under any circumstances. Moreover, all dinner participants must participate in the conversation. Never break into small groups when having a conversation.

In addition, in France it is customary to be 15 minutes late for lunch.

Nationalism is extremely developed there. The French love their language and their culture very much. It would be nice to know a few words of French and have an understanding of French culture.

A completely separate story is the etiquette of Muslim countries. When going there, first of all, pay attention to your clothes. It is advisable that a woman's arms, legs and shoulders be covered. In our countries a woman goes first through the door, in Muslim countries a man goes first, and then all the women.

You cannot contact a woman; you should not ask her any questions. All issues in Muslim countries are decided only by men.

In Muslim countries it is also not customary to sit with your legs crossed. You will offend the feelings of others if you show them the sole of your shoe or your bare foot. There are many subtleties in behavior in eastern countries. Egypt has long become almost native. India and Thailand attract more and more fans of their exoticism every year.

In India, it is not customary to touch other people. The greeting is not a handshake, but two palms folded side by side and a slight bow.

In India, people eat with their hands, and to show the owner that you are full, it is better to leave some food on the plate.

In addition, when going to India, you need to remember that it is better to have cheap sandals with you, because in almost all temples and museums you will have to take off your shoes and leave your shoes at the entrance. In order not to be upset later when you don’t see your expensive sandals, it is better not to take very expensive shoes.

And know that Indian men love to come to the beach on weekends and look at naked women. If you suddenly encounter this, it is better not to argue or swear. If this is unpleasant for you, you can simply cover yourself with a robe.

In Thailand it is not customary to step on the threshold. The locals believe that good spirits live in it. Also in Thailand you can’t sunbathe topless or indulge in nudism, and you can’t throw chewing gum on the sidewalk. For this you face a fine of $600. And if you don’t have that kind of money, you may be sent to prison.

In Thailand, you should never talk about the heat. This is considered the height of indecency. Muslim non-verbal etiquette

In Turkey, it is customary to invite someone to the bathhouse as a sign of respect. Turks love to give and receive gifts. In Turkey, they will pour you coffee almost endlessly. It is very strong, without sugar, usually with cardamom. In order to refuse, you need to move the cup from side to side or even turn it upside down. When going on a trip, it would be a good idea to take souvenirs with you. But don’t be intrusive in trying to give them to your new acquaintances.

There are a lot of cultures. Therefore, when going abroad, do not be lazy, go online and find out a little more about the country where you are going.

Today it is no longer possible to meet a person who, at the first meeting, will fall on one knee or bow to the ground. Women no longer curtsey, men rarely kiss ladies' hands, no one learns waltz parts or mazurka elements. With what surprise our ancestors would look at us! After all, for them such secular etiquette was common and even mandatory; it determined the presence of upbringing, good manners and culture. This article will tell you how and why the norms and rules of behavior in high society changed over time.

What does the concept of “secular etiquette” mean?

This definition includes a set of good manners and regulates the lines of socially approved behavior. Knowledge of the norms of modern etiquette can help a person win over those around him, make an impression, and secure his reputation as an erudite intellectual and attentive person. However, achieving such an opinion about yourself is a real science. All generations who lived earlier dealt with it, so a certain set of advice has still been developed to this day, despite periodic changes in habits, tastes, and worldviews. Regardless of time and era, social expectations towards an individual remained generally unchanged - they always included politeness, a sense of tact and courtesy, the ability to behave at a table, at a party, in a public place, the ability to start and maintain a conversation.

The emergence of etiquette

Traditionally associated in the minds of most of the population with France, England and a number of other European countries, for example, Germany. However, they cannot be called the birthplace of secularism! For a long time, widespread ignorance, rudeness, lack of education, and respect for strength and authority reigned here. Secular etiquette owes its origin to Italy, which alone, thanks to its own economic power, stood out, especially in the Early Middle Ages, against the background of other states. Thus, until the middle of the 16th century, England remained a barbaric country with bloodthirsty laws due to its relentless involvement in new wars. At this time, independent Italian city-communes were getting rich, developing art and, of course, in an attempt to decorate and ennoble their own lives, they gradually introduced etiquette standards into everyday use. Germany of this period, like England, was involved in an equally bloody war, and therefore the nobility remained uncultured for a long time. France similarly recognized only the powers of power, war and combat.

This is the beginning of the emergence of etiquette, which is closer in its canons to modern times. Of course, one should not think that before the Middle Ages no rules of etiquette existed in the world. They took shape almost immediately after man appeared, which means, to a greater or lesser extent, they have accompanied people since ancient times. After all, worship of the elements and local gods can also be considered certain rules of behavior. Ancient Greece, for example, also made a certain contribution to the development of secular norms: the merits of the Greeks include the creation of table and business etiquette.

History of further development of etiquette

Secular etiquette has come a long way in its development. Gradually, when military operations in Europe began to acquire a more focused and deliberate character, the concept of courtliness appeared. It regulated the rules of behavior of knights, who began to act as one of the main representatives of an educated society with their own, original, high secular culture. According to the code of honor, the knight had to choose for himself the Beautiful Lady of his heart, fight and win for her sake, be able to compose poems and songs in honor of his beloved, not hope for an answer from her, and play chess well. Of course, the rules also provided for the presence of such valor and skills characteristic of a knight as the ability to wield weapons perfectly, ride a horse, and the ability to show courage, determination and fearlessness at the right time.

The etiquette of that time gave birth to such traditions that are familiar to humanity today, such as shaking hands when meeting or removing a headdress. Both of these in the times of chivalry confirmed the lack of desire to kill the interlocutor and were used to express good intentions and good disposition. Of course, today a person who mechanically shakes hands with a friend may not even know how important this gesture turns out to be in the world of medieval Europe!

The next stage that characterizes the history of etiquette is the period of the Renaissance (Renaissance). Achievements of technological progress, science and art have led to increased contacts between countries, as a result of which the norms of etiquette have taken a huge step forward and have become identical to the education and elegance of a person. Rules such as washing hands before eating, using cutlery and knowing how to use them, maintaining a consistent style of dress, and avoiding excessive pomposity and panache became increasingly widespread.

Subsequently, the concept of etiquette continuously changed, filling, if not new, then qualitatively different content from era to era. Only the best and necessary things were selected, that which could truly demonstrate a person as an independent unit and characterize him in terms of knowledge of the rules of culture. Today this process is still not completed - the basics of etiquette are not static, they are in continuous change and development. With the emergence of new spheres, new rules of behavior appear.

What happened to etiquette in Russia?

The initial existence of secular etiquette on the territory of modern Russia can be compared with the situation that took place in the emerging states of medieval Europe. There were no clearly formulated norms and rules as such until the end of the 17th - beginning of the 18th centuries, that is, until the educator and reformer Peter I ascended the throne. Before him, the universal reference book for any Russian person was “Domostroy,” in which the fundamental principles of family life and housekeeping were spelled out, according to which the man was the undivided head of the house, could beat his wife, and also independently determined what customs and traditions they would live by. Peter saw this as a relic of the past, unsuitable for a progressive state, and therefore borrowed many books from Europeans teaching secular etiquette.

Modern and those that are familiar to people from history

Today, humanity, in addition to courtly etiquette, a thing of the past, is also familiar with the following types:

• Courtier - culture and etiquette that were required to be observed at the court of monarchs. These are strictly regulated and binding norms. Failure to comply with them (for example, failure to bow before a royal figure) could easily lead to being put on the block. This type of etiquette is still used today in states with a monarchical form of government.
• Diplomatic - these are the rules of secular etiquette that regulate the behavior of diplomats and the process of their interaction with each other during a meeting, at negotiations, at a reception, etc. This type of etiquette also developed a long time ago, but continues to exist to this day.
• Military etiquette is regulated by the presence of certain regulations and traditions developed over time, which determine the behavior of all members involved within the military system. This includes manners and norms of behavior both in official and non-official areas of activity, in interpersonal contacts, when making greetings and addresses that have a ritual orientation and are not used in other areas of life.
• Professional is a type of etiquette that has gained the greatest development during the 20th and 21st centuries due to the active increase in the number of professions associated with the beginning of the era of scientific and technological progress. A variety of segments of the population from all continents began to become more and more actively involved in professional activities, which as a result led to a significant expansion of the functionality of this type of etiquette.
• It is adjacent to professional and regulates the norms of communication between officials and each other in the performance of their direct official duties.
• General civil (also called behavioral or directly secular) is the broadest concept of etiquette, since it combines a general set of norms, rules, conventions and traditions that people resort to when communicating with each other. General civil etiquette, therefore, is the most universal of all other types.
• Speech is a type of etiquette that establishes speech cultural norms, which presuppose knowledge of the stylistic and grammatical foundations of the language, as well as the ability to simply, clearly and intelligibly express one’s thoughts and convey them to others. This type is a mandatory component included in all of the above types of etiquette, since it is the ability to write correctly and speak well that are the basic foundations of any etiquette in general.

Now it’s time to consider the difference between the concepts of “ethics and etiquette”. They can easily be confused, while each of them has a specific meaning, different from the other word.

Ethics and etiquette: differences and similarities

If what constitutes etiquette has already been clarified above, it is time to define what the term “ethics” entails. This concept is a study of morality and morality from the point of view of philosophy, that is, it apparently has a very distant relation to the rules of social behavior. The differences between these concepts can be clearly demonstrated using specific examples, for example:

• “Love for God and neighbor” is a sentence that reveals the principle of ethics.
• “Thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not covet” is a phrase that already defines the principle of etiquette (from the point of view of Christian morality).

Both categories are designed to guide a person on the true path, teach him to do good deeds, and instill a bright, kind outlook on the world. This is the main similarity between the terms “ethics” and “etiquette”. The first defines what must be achieved, and the second determines by means of which and how this can be achieved.

Social etiquette today: how to behave?

Now the time has come to understand in more detail what etiquette means, that is, to move directly to a practical guide to action.

Modern secular etiquette includes:

• Forms of greeting and addressing another;
• Rules of behavior while eating;
• Norms of behavior in certain circles of society;
• which also represent a separate art with its own subtleties and nuances (small talk);
• Courtesy in addressing women;
• Respect and deference to elders in age and position.

How can you ensure that you leave an extremely positive impression on yourself in society and establish yourself as an educated and cultured person?

Etiquette Tools

The rules of secular behavior, which consist of the unity of aesthetic (external) and moral-ethical (internal) components, offer each person an arsenal of certain auxiliary tools to achieve their goal - to achieve recognition in society. These include:

By educating and cultivating these qualities in yourself, you can be sure that sooner or later recognition in society will come.

Is it possible to learn etiquette?

Certainly! Currently, anyone who wants to improve their own skills in the ability to deal with people around them can be offered a choice of any master class on social etiquette. Experts teach their students the ability to behave correctly at the table, understand the variety of cutlery, competently conduct discussions on deep, philosophical topics with an opponent so as not to offend anyone, organize and conduct receptions, go to public places and much more. Of course, an integral part of the course is the “small talk” section, which will help people who are unsure of their own abilities to start speaking beautifully, elegantly and without unnecessary frills.

Summing up

So, now it becomes clear that there is nothing wrong with social etiquette. In fact, every person knows the basics of etiquette to one degree or another; you just need to decide for yourself whether more development of existing skills is required or whether what you have is quite enough. After this, you need to either pull yourself together and learn the basics of secularism without leaving home, or enroll in a special course, which is presented in a huge variety today. The main thing is motivation, and then it’s not far from high society!

If you dream of traveling a lot, you should know that people from other countries are very different from Russians. Moreover, this applies to almost everything: from clothing to etiquette rules. Therefore, in order not to get into trouble, we suggest that you study some of the rules of etiquette of different countries (we warn you, they are often strange).

In France People who eat quickly are treated with contempt. It's common to enjoy food there. This is probably why the French have such tiny portions...

And in Korea It is unacceptable to start eating before the oldest person sitting at the table has done so. If you start without waiting for the others, you risk being left without dinner.

IN Italy asking for more cheese with a dish is an insult to the cook. Although no one has complained about the amount of cheese yet. Putting Parmesan on pizza is like putting jelly on chocolate mousse. Even many pasta dishes are not designed for Parmesan. So, in Rome For example, pecorino is considered a traditional cheese and is added to many classic pasta recipes. Rule number one: if they don't offer it to you, don't ask.

IN Kazakhstan It is customary to serve cups of tea only half full. There is no point in commenting on this or asking for a refill, because a full cup means that the owner is looking forward to your departure.

IN Nigeria Small children are not fried eggs because it is believed that if you feed them eggs, they will start stealing.

And on Jamaica Children are not given chicken until the children learn to speak. It is believed that chicken meat may prevent a child from speaking.

As for tips, Japan, for example, they never leave them at all. Most often, the waiter begins to wonder why they left him extra money. Moreover, tipping can be seen as an insult or a pity gift. If a client wants to express gratitude, it is best to do this with a small gift. Or put the money in an envelope and then give it to the waiter.

Back in Japan Between snacks, the chopsticks should lie together directly in front of you, parallel to the edge of the table. Under no circumstances should you stick chopsticks directly into a bowl of rice. The fact is that during the funeral in Japan a bowl of rice for the deceased is placed in front of his coffin, sticking chopsticks directly into the rice...

IN China Do not cut long noodles while eating, since noodles are the embodiment of longevity, and by cutting them, you shorten your life.

The Chinese will consider you rude if you point your chopsticks at someone while eating.

Since childhood, our parents forced us to finish our food. However, in some countries, a clean plate can confuse or even offend the owner. On Philippines, V North Africa, as well as in some regions China the host is obliged to refill the guest's plate if he has eaten everything that was in it. Only when the guest leaves some food on the plate does the host realize that he is full. Failure to comply with this rule in some situations may offend the owner. He will interpret a guest's clean plate as a sign that he is considered greedy.

The word "Etiquette" is known in every country. But everywhere there are customs and characteristics that have been formed over many centuries. And in each country they acquired their own characteristic nuances, characteristic of culture, communication traditions and many other outlines.

Remember! The main rule in another country is to behave there like a guest, respect the hosts, be polite and delicate at the reception, and also represent your homeland with dignity.

England

A country that surprises with its strict observance of traditions and rules. And it’s not for nothing that the concept of “A True Gentleman” was born here.

Table manners are very important for the British, so you need to study them carefully before visiting.

It is not customary to address neighbors at the table until you have been introduced to each other.

It is impolite to whisper at the table; the conversation should be common to everyone. You also shouldn’t put your hands on the table; it’s customary to keep them on your knees.
Knives and forks are not removed from the plate, since there are no special stands for them.

Do not transfer cutlery from hand to hand. The British don't like it. Remember, fork in your left hand, knife in your right hand. And the ends of the cutlery are directed towards the plate.

Compliance with the dress code is mandatory. At dinner it's a tuxedo, and at an official reception it's a tailcoat.

In England, it is not customary to decline an invitation for a cup of tea; the hosts may take this as a personal insult. After drinking tea, they are sent a small note with pleasant words of gratitude.

Germany

Punctuality, discipline, pedantry and frugality - these qualities characterize the Germans well. They strictly follow instructions and rules, and this also applies to the rules of etiquette at the table.

When speaking, it is customary to call a person's title.

If the reception takes place, for example, in a restaurant, then everyone present, even strangers, should be wished bon appetit.

It is customary to keep your hands above the table, even if you are not eating.

Cutlery crossed on the plate indicates that the meal is not yet finished. And the knife and fork to the right of the plate signal that the dishes can be removed.

In Germany, it is not customary to start eating or drinking until everyone has received their dishes.

A waiter in a restaurant is required to leave a tip, most often 10% of the entire bill.

Since the Germans distinguish between business and family life, receiving an invitation to visit means that you have entered a circle of trust.

It is indecent to be late for a visit. For Germans, respect for their time and daily routine is very important.

It is indecent to come to visit empty-handed. You can present sweets or flowers. But when choosing alcohol you need to be careful. A bottle of wine can be regarded as a hint at the owners' small wine cellar.

All meals take place strictly according to scheduled hours. Depending on what time you are invited, this will be the treat. Gifts brought are usually opened immediately.

The oldest person sits at the table first. And the owner of the house begins the meal.

France

The French are famous for their refined manners, elegance and sophistication. This also applies to the rules of etiquette. Receiving an invitation to visit from a Frenchman is a sign of great respect and respect. They invite only close people into their home.

One of the most important rules is the prohibition on discussing money issues. This is considered rude. It is customary to talk about abstract topics.

It is also not customary to be late for lunch; the maximum you can stay is 15 minutes.

They themselves are responsible for seating the guests; as a rule, the ladies are seated between two men. And according to etiquette, they look after her all evening.

By the way, street shoes are not removed. Taking care of the cleanliness of the floors is the problem of the housewife.

In France, it is customary to keep your hands above the table. In their understanding, a person who hides his hands is hiding something.

Before the meal, the French offer a glass of champagne or wine as an apperitif.

French cuisine is a source of national pride, so they take any praise for their dishes with a bang.

In France, it is customary to completely finish a dish. But if you want to add salt or season your food, this may be perceived as an insult.

There is a lot of cutlery on the table, and since dishes are served one at a time, you need to start the meal by taking the utensils furthest from the plate. Nearby ones remain for subsequent courses.

It’s the same with wine glasses; a specific alcoholic drink is served with each dish.

Interesting! In France, bread must be torn into small pieces and eaten, but under no circumstances should you bite into a large slice.

After the main courses, cheese is served at the table. According to the rules of French etiquette, it should be placed on a plate, and only then on toast.

Dessert in France is served without tea or coffee.

At the very end of the meal they offer strong alcoholic drinks, this indicates that it is time to honor and get ready to go home.

Japan

When meeting people, it is customary for the Japanese to exchange business cards. Having examined the business card, the Japanese will determine your status in relation to his own and choose a course of action.

When entering a house, it is customary to take off your shoes and bow deeply instead of shaking hands. It is impossible to be late for an appointment with the Japanese, this is extremely disrespectful.

Before the meal begins, a hot, damp oshibori towel is served. They wipe their hands and face with it.
Before you start eating, you must say “Itadakimas”, this word means “bon appetit”.

Important! In Japan, you cannot sit cross-legged; this means that you are not interested in the thoughts and conversations of your interlocutor.

You cannot pass food with chopsticks, as well as stick them vertically into food; these gestures are reminiscent of a funeral procession in Japan.

You need to handle chopsticks carefully, do not wave them, do not point them at people. For the Japanese, the way you handle chopsticks is an indicator of culture.

Surprisingly, loud slurping in Japan is by no means a sign of bad manners; this is how they express their delight and respect for the cook. Therefore, do not be surprised when you hear a sonorous slurping sound; the louder it is, the better the dish.

By the way, you can drink the soup directly from the plate without using a tablespoon.

Be careful with alcoholic drinks; empty glasses are filled immediately, so it’s better not to drink to the bottom.

At the end of the meal, you need to thank the owners of the house or the chef of the restaurant. It is considered bad manners to leave the table silently.

In Japan, it is not customary to tip waiters.

And finally

Etiquette in Greece allows the host of a feast to stain the tablecloth so that the guests can feel fun and at ease.

In eastern countries you cannot eat with your left hand, it is considered unclean. Dinner usually takes place on lush cushions on the floor, with dishes displayed right in front of the guests. If no cutlery is provided, then the food must be eaten with your hands. You should also not cross your legs, showing the soles of your shoes, this is considered offensive.

In Portugal you cannot ask for a salt shaker. Their chefs believe that they cook perfectly; there is no need to add salt or pepper to anything. Such a desire from the client will greatly offend them.

In Ethiopia, people eat from the same plate. And food is transferred from plate to another using hands. Dirtying cutlery for this purpose is considered wasteful.

In the USA, when you ask for salt, you need to give the person pepper along with it, even though he didn’t ask for it.

In Switzerland they don’t clink glasses at the table. They simply lift the glasses up without connecting them to each other.

Lunch in Spain does not require punctuality. In addition, guests will not wait for the hostess to place the dish on their plates; they will take the desired piece themselves. And if you don’t like the food, they will say so directly.

Lunch in Italy can last up to 5 hours. Italians love long gatherings. And they usually eat their famous spaghetti with a fork; grated cheese is always served separately.

In China, the most famous ceremony is tea drinking. It is held in a separate room, everyone sits around a small table and drinks tea from special cups. Tea is brewed according to ancient recipes. During the ceremony there is small talk.

In Georgia, it is not customary to drink wine slowly, only in one gulp and to the bottom.

In Thailand, the fork is used as an auxiliary element. It is only used to put food on the spoon.

Manners and etiquette can be very misleading. It's one thing to learn which fork is a salad fork, but it's another thing to know when using a particular fork might offend the person you're visiting. Different countries have different etiquette rules. Sometimes what sounds like rudeness in one country may be the most polite and courteous gesture in another.

10. Spitting

It's likely that your parents scolded you as a child if you spat on the sidewalk. In general, people don't take kindly to spitting. Spitting at someone is considered one of the most serious insults you can think of. The police consider such actions as an attack. However, members of the Maasai tribe, who live in central-eastern Africa, see things completely differently. They spit at each other for the same purpose with which we shake hands. By the way, they spit on their hands before shaking another person's hand, in case they forget to spit on them later.

Most of us have to endure conversations with elderly relatives who drool as they speak, but the children of the Maasai tribe have a much more unpleasant burden. Polite children who greet elderly relatives when meeting them can expect a huge amount of spit to be thrown their way. Of course, this is done with the best intentions, because adults wish the young people a long and happy life. Friends and family members sometimes travel from distant areas to spit on the newborn for the same reason.

Tribe members spit on almost any occasion. They spit on the gift they are going to give. When they are about to move into a new house, the first thing they do is leave the new house and spit in all four directions. They spit on everything that they have never seen in their lives, because they believe that in this way they will protect their eyesight.

9. Loud squelching/smacking/smacking


In most countries, loudly slurping soup in public would either result in a slap from your mother or the person you came to the restaurant with pretending not to know you. However, in many Asian countries such as China and Japan, slurping or slurping while eating soup or noodles is considered high praise. This means that the food is so delicious that the guest couldn't even wait for it to cool down to eat it. Anyone who's ever burned their mouth with a slice of pizza with lots of different toppings will probably agree that there's some truth to it.

In Asian countries, if you eat without loud slurping/slurping, other people may think that you are unhappy with your food. In Japan, the same applies to tea. The loud slurp of the last sip of tea indicates that the guest drank his mug and was satisfied with the tea. This cultural difference has led many Japanese tourists to feel uncomfortable in countries where it is customary to eat without making a sound.

8. Tongue sticking out


In many countries, sticking out your tongue is commonly associated with the phrase: "Be-be-be." At the very least, it is seen as teasing or disobedience. In some cases, even as an insult. This is why in Italy you can be fined for offensive behavior if you stick your tongue out. While sticking out your tongue is not illegal in India, it is seen as a negative gesture associated with incredible, barely contained anger.

However, the world is big and in New Caledonia such a gesture means a wish for reason and energy. In Tibet, sticking out your tongue is considered a respectful greeting gesture. It is believed that this custom originated from the belief that the evil king had a black tongue - voluntarily sticking out your tongue is proof that you are not his reincarnation. This may well be the explanation for why, in the Caroline Islands, sticking out your tongue is believed to exorcise demons. Although, to be honest, if the person sticking out his tongue hasn't brushed his teeth, he can most likely drive anyone away.

7. Flowers


often seen as a one-size-fits-all gift. They are given on first dates, at graduations, at weddings, at funerals, to sick people for whom you wish them well, and also as an apology. In fact, it is for this reason that flowers can be seen as a rude gesture if you are not careful. Chrysanthemums, lilies, gladioli and other white flowers are symbols of mourning and are used during funerals in many countries. Carnations are a common decoration for wreaths in cemeteries in Germany and France. If you give someone a bouquet of white flowers in China or a carnation in France, it can be interpreted as a wish to “keep your hooves off.”

Yellow flowers are associated with hatred in Russia and Iran, while purple flowers are considered unlucky in Italy and Brazil. Red flowers, especially roses, are used exclusively to express romantic interest in Germany and Italy. In the Czech Republic, flowers are generally seen as romantic gifts, so giving flowers to your teacher or boss can get you into a lot of trouble. Even the number of colors can be rough. In some countries such as France and Armenia, an even number of flowers is reserved for joyful occasions and an odd number for funerals, while in countries such as Thailand and China, odd numbers are considered lucky and even numbers of flowers are generally considered lucky. brought to the funeral.

6. Eating all the food on your plate


Yes, we are all used to the fact that our parents forced us to eat everything on the plate so as not to waste food. However, in some countries, a clean plate can confuse or even offend the owner. In the Philippines, North Africa, and also in some regions of China, the host puts food on the guest's plate if he eats everything on it. This even leads to a kind of game in North Africa: the host offers more, the guest refuses, the host offers again, the guest refuses again, the host offers again and the guest finally agrees. Only when the guest leaves some food on the plate does the host realize that the guest is full. Failure to comply with this rule in some situations may offend the owner. He will regard a guest's clean plate as a sign that the guest has not had enough to eat and the host may feel that he is being considered greedy.

5. Leftovers from dinner at a restaurant, which are wrapped in a bag so the customer can take it with them.


A person who, during a date, asks you to wrap up leftover dinner in a bag to take with you may seem stingy. The waiter may even look askance at such a person, returning with his half-eaten food to the kitchen to wrap it up for him, while the restaurant is crowded with hungry customers waiting for him to take their order. However, in ancient Rome, such bags with dinner leftovers were considered the norm.

When someone had guests over for dinner, he or she would wrap the fruit in pretty napkins and give it to their guests to take with them. It was more of a rule of good manners than something that was done at will, and failure to accept a napkin and take the food home was considered an insult. Moreover, such a guest acquired a reputation as impolite and ungrateful. Such bags with leftover food were also found in ancient China. The host who hosted guests had to give them white boxes in order to take some of the food home.

4. Leaving a tip


To leave or not to leave - this question has been tormenting many for a long time. It usually comes down to whether we care that someone thinks we're stingy. The absence of any tip is often the reason for sidelong and angry looks. This is also the reason why the first date also becomes the last. Some restaurants have even banned the practice to save their customers from worrying about it at the end of their dinner.

The Japanese, as usual, are ahead of the rest in this matter. They are so unaccustomed to leaving tips that leaving a tip can lead to confusion. The waiter begins to wonder why she or he was left with extra money, and this, in turn, can lead to long and awkward conversations and attempts to return the extra amount. Moreover, tipping can be considered an insult. Sometimes they are seen as a sop out of pity. If a client wants to express gratitude, it is best to do this with a small gift. Or, if you still prefer to give money, it is best to put it in an envelope and then give it to the waiter.

3. Eating with your hands


Eating food with your hands was quite possibly the fastest way to piss off parents at the dinner table. However, in some countries, hosts will be offended to the core if you use cutlery. Eating tacos or burritos with cutlery is considered bad manners. This is not necessarily considered impolite, but it does make the person appear overly swaggering and arrogant. Using a knife to cut boiled potatoes causes exactly the same reaction in Germany. Moreover, using a knife to cut boiled potatoes may offend the cook. He will take this as your dissatisfaction with the fact that the potatoes were not cooked properly or that they were not soft enough.

In many countries such as India, eating food with the hands is the only acceptable way to consume food. Indians consider this method as the only natural way of eating and the least distorted. India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, once jokingly said, "Eating food with a fork and spoon is equivalent to making love with the help of an interpreter."

2. Punctuality


We have all had elderly relatives or teachers who scolded us for being late and told us that “you are only on time if you arrive ten minutes before the appointed time.” While this is good interview advice for a job or a date, in some parts of the world being punctual can make you the most impolite person in the room.

In Tanzania, arriving on time for an evening can be considered a rude gesture. All polite, well-mannered guests appear 15 - 30 minutes later than the appointed time. This is partly due to the fact that not all citizens have cars or even access to public transport. Insisting that guests arrive on time is seen as tactless and rude. In Mexico, it is considered polite to be moderately late to a meeting or party. If you arrive on time, the owner may not yet be ready to receive guests. He may feel like you're rushing him and be offended that you caught him off guard.

1. Compliments


When you see someone for the first time in your life or go to someone's home for the first time, it's not easy to start a conversation. The most common tactic is a compliment, from which you can build on and develop the topic. “Nice shoes”, “Great tie”, “I really like the way you arranged the furniture in the room”, “What a comfortable sofa.” In most countries, such compliments make a person smile, maybe blush a little and say thank you. This way the conversation starts naturally.

However, such compliments would be unwise to make in the Middle East, as well as in African countries such as Nigeria and Senegal. In such countries, a compliment on something is easily interpreted as a desire to possess this item. Because of their hospitality customs, the host will feel obligated to give the guest an item that he or she praised. In addition, according to tradition, when receiving a gift, you must respond with an even more expensive gift. We can only hope that the custom doesn't extend to complimenting someone's spouse or children.