Social Standards

Many countries have important social standards, that are not laws, but have been enforced through society and tradition. If you travel to a country without knowing these standards, you may disrespect someone or experience a critical misunderstanding.

Here's a look at the social standards and misunderstandings that may occur in different countries.

• In Canada, lining up, or queuing: People normally line up or queue according to the principle of  "first-come, first-served." They will be angry if you push ahead in a line-up instead of  waiting your turn.  
• We Americans, and our British counterparts, consider eye contact to be a good communication skill. When we want to show respect for another, we will look that person straight in the eye. In Asian countries, it is considered rude to make eye contact.
• Being prompt is a positive trait in our country. In Argentina, and most of South America, arriving at a social event on time is thought to be rude. In contrast, in Denmark being late is completely unacceptable behavior.
• Arab countries consider shaking with the left hand an insult. At casual gatherings in the United States, individuals are comfortable to put their feet on the coffee table. To do so in an Arab country would be viewed as rude, for displaying the soles of feet is unacceptable.
• Thumbs up is an almost universal gesture for conveying a job well done, or approval of performance. The thumbs up gesture is an insult in the country of Iraq.
• Chinese custom is to serve the oldest person first out of respect. If age is not discernible, then the guest is served first. It is rude in China to pour your own drink. You must pour the drink of your companion, and he in turn will pour your drink.
• Beckoning someone to come to you with a curled finger is inviting in our country. In most Asian countries this same finger gesture is rude behavior.
• Raising a hand in America and Europe means, Stop. In Asian countries, when the hand is raised with the palm exposed, that represents asking permission to speak.
• In Japan it is considered rude to stare. Japanese also have a rule of etiquette that shoes must be removed before entering a home, restaurant, temple or store. Many Japanese even have special shoes to switch into when riding in their car. The Japanese also have their own custom for the proper way to receive gifts. It is considered rude to open a gift in front of the giver. The recipient must also decline the gift several times before acquiescing and accepting.
• In Westernized countries, people tend to be boisterous and loud with enthusiasm. Asian people are more soft-spoken and will view Westerners as rude and impolite.
• If you're invited over for dinner, or just for a visit, don't come to a Russian house with nothing. What you bring doesn't really matter — a box of chocolates, flowers, or a small toy for a child. Russian hosts prepare for company by cooking their best dishes and buying delicacies that they normally wouldn't for themselves. If, after all this effort, a guest shows up without even a flower, Russians believe he doesn't care

Always remember: The one universal social standard all over the world is simply a smile. :)