Mind your cultural P's & Q's

Living in a multicultural society, why not take the opportunity to learn about your colleagues and neighbours? Barriers are often formed from sheer misunderstanding and who knows, you could be doing something offensive to someone from another country without even realizing it!

A greater cultural understanding can only make you a better person and it's bound to help you in the work place. A little knowledge will also go a long way when traveling abroad.

Here we look at a few lighthearted observations and idiosyncrasies in the UK and abroad:

1. In Italy - burping is considered extremely vulgar, whereas, in some middle eastern Countries, it shows appreciation for a good meal.



2. Russians stand close when talking (remember not to eat garlic!)



3. Finns don't like to be touched (where do little Finns come from?)



4. Always be punctual for a business meeting in Greece but expect to be kept waiting when you get there.



5. In Canada, don't do anything personal in public e.g. sneeze, yawn, file your nails or comb your hair (or pop one I assume!).



6. A man or younger person should always walk to the left side of a lady in Germany. (that's because a woman's always right!)



7. In Austria, guests are expected to eat everything on their plate, where as in Japan, an empty plate signals that you want more.



8. Never chew gum in public in Luxembourg (Alex Ferguson take note!)



9. The French do not like to talk business during dinner - it is considered a social occasion - a time to enjoy good food and fine wine (sounds good to me!)



10. Do not touch anyone's head in India. The head is considered sensitive.



11. In America expect to hear the most amazingly personal things in everyday conversation. (At a coffee morning one lady casually remarked that she had considered leaping on her milkman, but his odd socks put her off!)

Australians: Dislike being mistaken for Brits when abroad.

Canadians: Are indignant about being mistaken for Americans

Americans: Like being mistaken for Canadians.

British: Can't possibly be mistaken for anyone else.

Americans: Tend to look after themselves

British: Believe you should look after those that belong to your club.

Australians: Believe you should look after your mates

Canadians: Believe it's the government's job!

Australians: Are extremely patriotic about their beer

Scottish: Are extremely patriotic about their whisky.

Americans: Are extremely patriotic about everything American.

British: Aren't great singers but they enthuse over brass bands.

Americans: Spend an inordinate time glued to 'the box'.

British: Jabber incessantly about cricket, football and rugby.

Australians: Go on about how they 'beat the Poms at everything (until the world rugby cup that is!)

Americans: Spell words differently, but still call it English.

British: Often pronounce words that have no bearing on the way they are spelled.

What a boring world it would be if we were all the same!

We hope you have enjoyed these snippets and that they'll help oil the wheels of travel.

G' Day!!