Imagine that you’re leaving the states to go overseas and study abroad. Bags packed, check, passport in tow, check, currency exchanged, and you’re good to go. That is, until you get off of the plane and into the airport terminal and offend people by putting up the “peace” sign while taking your “I’ve arrived” pictures. Welcome to the U.K., where our “American” peace sign is equivalent to an obscene phrase.
Some of the first things people consider when they are going out of the country are historic sites to visit, beaches, restaurants, and family. Many travelers overlook the value of learning about the traditions and customs of a foreign country, and how they may have to do things differently while staying there. Some countries’ customs and traditions are similar to our American way of life, while others may be totally different.
Here are a few customs and traditions found in places all over the world. In Egypt, family ties are strong; family members are responsible for the integrity and name of the family, as well as the behavior of other family members.
In Italy, it isn’t a good idea to call people between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., because that is usually nap time. Brazilians view time as being flexible. To be late isn’t always a problem to them. In Korea, respecting your elders is important. It would almost never be appropriate to argue with an elderly person. In Nigeria, some would take offense to having a person put up his or her five fingers to another person. It would be the equivalent of being called a bastard. Bringing your vintage leather Coach bag inside while visiting a Hindu temple would be considered very offensive. Those of the Hindu faith believe that anything made from a butchered cow should not be inside of the temple.
Appiah Boakye will be traveling to Nagoya, Japan next semester to study abroad. The junior, political science and classics double major has studied the Japanese language for five years. “I am able to understand it better than I can speak the language,” she said.
Boakye hasn’t done too much in depth research about the differences in customs and traditions independently. “Being that I have studied the language for this long, I have picked up a few things about the culture from my classes, like taking off your shoes when you enter someone’s house, or the fact that the Japanese don’t give compliments like we do in America. They don’t need all of that,” she said.
Travelers should consider the crowd they intend to be around when going to another country. Younger individuals in many countries tend to be less traditional. Boakye is counting on the chance that she may get to live with other Japanese students. “I am either going to stay with a family, which will be more traditional, or with other students, where they probably won’t take offense to things as much as older individuals.”
Heebeom Choi has been teaching Korean courses at Howard for three years. As a native of Korea, and having lived in New Zealand for six years, she knows the importance of learning about a culture and understanding the differences between countries. “It is very helpful to do a little bit of research before going to another country, I encourage my students to travel to countries with totally different cultures, so that they can see another world in order to expand their thoughts, and understanding, and have real motivation to communicate and learn different languages.”
To ensure that you are displaying appropriate cultural etiquette, don’t hesitate to ask questions, utilize the resources you have at hotels, or information centers, and do some preliminary internet research before you leave for your destination.
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