Mixed signals: seven common cultural faux pas

Sunday, November 8, 2009

By Kim Wildman
MSN NZ Travel writer

One of the greatest pleasures of travelling is allowing yourself to be exposed to a wide world of customs and cultures. But this can lead to some unexpected problems. Gestures and customs that we may consider harmless at home — such as giving the "thumbs up" sign and patting someone on the head — can land you in hot water in another country.

Here are seven common cultural faux pas that are best avoided.

Photographing the locals
While everyone wants to capture that perfect travel snap of their holiday, taking photographs of local people without permission is not only rude and intrusive but can cause great offence. In some African countries, such as in rural Ghana, people in fact believe that by photographing them you are stealing their soul. Always ask for permission first and respect people's wishes if they don't want to be photographed.

Sticking your chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice
Mastering the art of using chopsticks certainly can be tricky. But who'd have thought, used "incorrectly" chopsticks could also be offensive? In fact there are many rules that govern their proper use, such as you shouldn't cross them over each other, point them at people or rest them on the opposite side of your plate. Whatever you do though, do not stick them upright in a bowl of rice. In Japanese funerary rites offerings of food to the dead are made using standing chopsticks.

Touching someone's head
In Thailand and other Buddhist countries it is extremely insulting to touch someone's head without asking permission — even a small child. As the highest spot on the body, the head is also considered the holiest part of the body. If you do accidently touch someone's head, apologise immediately.

Giving the thumbs-up sign
While in many European and English-speaking countries the "thumbs-up" sign means that everything is okay, all is good or you are having a fun time, the same gesture can cause great offence in other parts of the world. In countries like Iran, Turkey and Brazil, giving the thumbs-up sign is one of the highest insults. It literally means "sit on it" and as such carries the same stigmatism as the middle finger in New Zealand, Australia, America and Britain and Ireland.

Entering house with shoes on
In many Scandinavian, Eastern European and Asian countries, it is impolite to enter someone's home without first removing your shoes. While leaving your shoes at the door will obviously keep dirt and mud from being tracked into the house and saves wear and tear on the flooring, culturally it's also a way of showing respect. By removing your shoes, you are thus agreeing to leave behind all your outside concerns before entering into the sanctuary of someone's home. If you see a pile of shoes by the entrance, you should remove your own shoes before entry.

Eating with your left hand
Never touch or eat your food with your left hand when travelling in Muslim or Hindu countries. The left hand is considered unclean as it is traditionally the hand used when going to the bathroom — something you don't want to be reminded of when you eat! So handshaking and eating are always performed with the right hand. You should also avoid gesturing or shaking hands with it.

Blowing your nose in public
Another no-no — particularly in Asian countries such as China and Japan — is blowing your nose in public. They find it disgusting, especially if you blow your nose at a table, and as such are repelled by the mere sight of a handkerchief. If you have a cold, excuse yourself and find the nearest bathroom.

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User comments

It's only people from mainland China who have a habit of spitting - it's not an ethnic thing because Chinese people from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore don't do it.

"I still don't understand the whole chopsticks thing either, they create some of the most commonly used technological devices yet they never even thought of a knife and fork"... ***??? Are you implying that chopsticks (that are an extremely minimal, low cost, and efficient eating utensil which only requires the use of 1 hand) are somehow inferior and less technologically advanced to the knife and fork? Whats really funny is your level of intelligence, and what I dont understand is why you bother to post stupid comments.

It is a matter of hygiene and education of the people that is important. Diseases are spread through spitting, coughing, sneezing and improper disposal of nasal contents. Time everybody is educated globally to prevent widespread airborne diseases.

I think it is disgusting to experience the Chinese hoiking and spitting in public places when there are other means of dealing with their sinus problems. I also think NZ needs to clean up it act regards to spitting in the street and discarding chewing gum on footpaths. Queen St in Auckland is full of it, what must it look like to our overseas visitors? Singapore has the right idea.

I wish that people would realise that Asian is not a nationality but a description, like European. It would be nice if they learned the use of capital letters at the beginning of sentences and the use of punctuation marks. Some Asian races spit, many don't. I have seen plenty of Maoris & Pakehas doing this disgusting action-no room for finger-pointing there ! But really, is it any worse than carrying around a cloth full of revolting body waste, when one comes to think of it ? Think what's on a handkerchief !

Not all asians are OK with spitting in public. Japanese also find this disgusting. Get caught spitting on the street there and you will receive an instant fine!

in Japan it's not so bad to touch kids on the head, it is my experience that because we are not Japanese they will excuse that, also nose blowing is often done by Japanese in public these days, although not at the table, which incidentally my mother would be mighty annoyed at me for doing (in New Zealand), because it is gross to blow your nose near food......but the chopsticks thing is still relevant. Take it from me, I have lived in Japan for years now...these so-called "cultural taboos" still exist but they are more international than in the past and especially the younger generations don't feel so strongly about them. In my experiences of traveling the world and having made many many faux pas, people are usually pretty nice and will explain to you what the problem is, or as is the case of the Japanese, pretend it didn't happen so you don't feel too ashamed but later tell you kindly that you made a mistake. Also...I agree with the spitting complaints, how can that be OK??

Bulgaria is the only country where head shaking means "yes" and head nodding means "no" so this might cause offence

When they stop spitting in public ill stop blowing my nose A big glob in the street or a clean hankie a simple chiose

good to know