Tips on being culturally responsible around the world

1. Know Before You Go
Tips on Being Culturally Responsible

2. Ecuador
People will greet with a handshake and
a smile. Try using the appropriate
greeting for the time of day:
Buenos dias: Good morning
Buenas tardes: Good afternoon
Buenas noches: Good evening
When addressing people, use senor
and senora. Only close friends and
family address each other by their first
names, but if someone uses your first
name, it generally means you can
address them with their first name.
If invited to someone’s home, it is
polite to bring flowers, wine, pastries,
or sweets for the host. Avoid giving
lilies or marigolds, as they are used at
funerals.

3. Ecuador
It is considered polite to leave a
small amount of food on your plate
when you are done eating. If you
do not want more to drink, leave
some liquid in your glass.
Cover your mouth if you feel the
need to yawn, as yawning in
public is considered rude.
It’s a legal requirement to carry
your passport with you at all times.
Guests will be served first, and the An advance visa is not required
host will say buen provecho (enjoy
your meal) as an invitation to for US citizens.
begin eating.

4. Vietnam
Family is extremely important to
the Vietnamese and they often live
with their extended family in one
household. In this families, the
father is the head of the
household while the children take
care of their aging parents.
The philosophies of Buddhism,
Taoism, and Confucianism play a
big part in the culture and every
day lives. For example, Confucian
beliefs emphasize respect for
elders, and strongly influence
family relationships in Vietnam.

5. Vietnam
Vietnam’s etiquette expectations are similar to that of many other Asian
countries. Here are a few general tips to keep in mind:
Avoid public displays of affection.
Don’t touch anyone’s head; this is very disrespectful in Asian countries.
It is impolite to point with your finger. Instead, use your entire hand to
gesture towards something.
Don’t stand with your hands on your hips, it is considered ill-mannered,
as is, crossing your arms across your chest.
The young generations generally shake both hands when greeting, and
do not usually shake hands with an older person. A slight bow may be
used to show respect to an elderly person.
Dress conservatively. Even though it can get quite hot, it is best not to
show too much skin. Dress appropriate when visiting pagodas, meaning
no shorts, skirts, dresses, or revealing clothing. In larger cities the dress
code may be a little more relaxed.

6. Vietnam
When dining with a family, you
should wait to be showed your
seat and only sit once the eldest
person has taken their seat.
Bargaining is very common, but it
is important to bargain fair
throughout the transaction and not
to get angry or begin arguing.
Tipping is always greatly
appreciated but never expected.
However, if you visit a pagoda and
are shown a tour of the ground, be
sure to leave a little something in
the contributions box.

7. Nepal
The greeting in Nepal is Namaste, which is done by bringing your
palms together a few inches below your chin and facing them
upwards and slightly bowing your head. Namaste is both a gesture
and spoken greeting. It can mean hello, how are you, have a nice
day, and good bye.
Punctuality is not a popular custom, so bus schedules and traffic are
often unpredictable. Don’t get frustrated with delays but instead
prepare for them.
Before entering someone’s home or a temple, remove your shoes.
Ask permission before entering a Hindu temple.

8. Nepal
When sitting down at a meal with
others, don’t handle any food
other than your own. Pass food
containers with only your right
hand and make sure you don’t
eat off anyone else’s plate.
When signaling agreement,
shake your head from side to
side and when showing
disagreement, nod your head up
and down.
If it polite to ask for seconds
when you eat at someone’s
house. If you’re in a group and
have to leave early, apologize by
saying bistaii khaanus, meaning
please eat slowly.

9. Japan A large aspect of Japanese society
is harmony and although the
Japanese people are very forgiving,
it’s appreciated when one acts
respectfully and appropriately.
Older generations greet with bows
while younger generations may use
handshakes.
The common way to address people
is by their last name, followed by the
suffix “-san,” which is a more flexible
version of Ms./Mr./Mrs. In non-formal
situations, Japanese people may
address you by your first name
followed by “-san.”

10. Japan
When entering a Japanese house or
a ryokan, remove your shoes at the
doorway.
Punctuality is valued in Japanese
culture, as you will be able to note
by trains and buses always being
exactly on time.
Slurping your noodles when eating
with chopsticks is acceptable, it
enables you to taste the full flavor of
the noodle while you eat.
There is no tipping in almost any
circumstance in Japan. There is one
notable exception: if you stay in a
nice ryokan, it may be considered
polite to leave a tip to the proprietor
at the end of your stay.

11. Egypt Unlike many places in the
modern world, Egypt still has a
three-part social class system
that plays a major role in the
society. It consists of the upper,
middle and lower class.
Muslim is the dominant religion in
Egypt and it plays a major role in
the society’s values and
practices.
Handshakes are customary
between those of the same sex.
Handshakes may be longer than
is routine in other countries.

12. Egypt
Salting your food at a home
cooked meal is considered rude.
Once you are finished leave a
small amount of food on your plate
or you will continue to be served.
Appearances are very important in
Egypt and dressing conservatively
is a respectful gesture to their
culture; modesty is key.
Within the tourism industry of
Egypt, tipping is expected. Keep
in consideration that most
Egyptians that work in the industry
rely on tips as part of their pay.

13. Colombia
The phrase “a la orden” translates to “at your order”, which can be
substituted and used in place of “thank you” and “may I help you?”.
There are three ethnic group from which the citizens of Colombia descend
from: Indians, African people brought to the country as slaves, and
European settlers.
Colombian coffee is a major trademark, and the fruit juices of the country
are held with high regard.

14. Colombia
Colombians don’t follow strict time When dining at someone’s home,
frames like in the U.S. Being on time wait to be seated by the host and
for dinner parties and casual don’t rest your elbows on the table.
meetings is not imperative for
Colombians. Meetings do not always
follow a linear pattern. If you’re caught with any amount of
drugs, whether you’re trying to
transport them or not, jail time will be
a consequence. When discussed,
drugs are a serious topic that isn’t
taken lightly and never mentioned in
a joking matter.

15. India
The official language of the country is Hindi. Although, there are
different languages for the many different states of India.
All relationships within the culture are part of some type of hierarchy.
Teachers are the source of all knowledge, fathers are the head/leader
of the family, and both are very well respected.
When greeting someone or saying goodbye, hold your palms together
at chest level while announcing “namaste”. This is the most common
greeting.

16. India
When eating dinner at someone’s
house, remove your shoes before
entering and dress conservatively.
Dietary restrictions are common
among Indian religions. For
example, Muslims don’t eat pork or
drink alcohol.
Relationships within business are
very important in India, as Indians
prefer to do business with people
they know. Therefore, most
meetings begin with small talk and
business is discussed much later.

17. Cambodia
Around 95% of Cambodians are
Buddhist, which is reflected in
their daily lives.
One key component of
Cambodian culture, derived from
Buddhism, is a concept referred to
as “saving face,” or never loosing
your cool no matter what the
situation may be, especially in
public.
They believe in reincarnation and
karma. Protecting the reputation
of themselves as well as the
collective society, or family, is very
important.

18. Cambodia
Greetings between Cambodians
are dependent on the hierarchical
relationship between the people.
The person who is the eldest is
most likely the person that is going
to greet you.
Bow your head and put your hands
together in a praying position when
introducing yourself.
Don’t touch a person on the head
because it is known as the highest and
most spiritual part of the body. It is
considered incredibly rude to do so.

19. Tanzania
Tanzanian people, who speak Swahili as their main language, are
known to be extremely friendly and polite.
In Tanzania, handshakes are extremely important in social etiquette.
Most Tanzanians continue to hold hands throughout the entire
conversation.
Try not to pass things with your left hand as it is typically used for toilet
duties. When receiving something, always use your right hand, which
is also used for eating.

20. Tanzania
Great respect is given to the
person who cooks the food for a
meal. Never smell the food
because this indicates that the
food is bad and is disrespectful to
the cook.
Respect for their elders is very
important within their culture.
Tanzanians feel as if the older you
are the more knowledgeable you
are.
Public displays of affections are
frowned upon.

21. Punctuality is seen as a sign
China of respect, so make sure to
always arrive to dinner on
time. Chinese dinners are
served family style on a
glass circle that rotates in the
middle of the table.
Table mannerisms are very
specific in China. The host
always sits facing the open
door, you should wait to be
seated, and do not eat or
drink until the host has done
so themselves.
A major faux pas in China is
placing your chopsticks
straight up in your bowl, as
this symbolizes death.

22. China
Tasting all the dishes that are offered to you is considered a cultural courtesy
and will be greatly appreciated.
If you’re finished with your meal, leave a little bit of food on your plate.
Otherwise, you’re indicating you’re still hungry.
It is uncommon to leave a tip in China.

23. Thank you!
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