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International Etiquette
Episode 88: Monday, July 20, 2009

Modern Manners Guy here. I was thinking that it's easy for us to get caught up in ourselves and miss the nuances of other cultures and their particular brand of manners and etiquette. Also, knowing the manners and etiquette of other cultures can come in handy and keep you out of sticky situations when traveling or doing international business. We'll take a look at manners from around the world right after this word from our sponsor.

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Manners and Etiquette in the Far East

When traveling to China, Taiwan and other parts of the Far East, be sure to observe a certain after-dinner custom. It is appropriate and even considered a compliment to belch after a meal to indicate that it was wonderful and filling. But wait, do not clean your plate! Your host would certainly consider him or herself to be quite rude if they did not maintain a healthy portion of food on your dish. Eating all of your food would continue to put your host in an awkward position-- and it might turn into an awkward position for you when you are not able to get up from the table.

Also, for those doing business in Japan, a business card is seen as an extension of the person. When receiving a business card from someone do not deface the card by writing on it, folding it in half, or shoving it in your pocket. Give and receive cards with both hands and examine the card to show respect.

Manners and Etiquette in Brazil

Brazilians expect each other to be a little late to dinner parties. Showing up exactly at the specified time will garner you a funny look. Meals in Brazil are a social event and usually take much longer than in most Western Countries; however, avoid talking with food in your mouth as it's still polite to use your table manners. And it's very important to always use utensils at meals. If eating finger food, use a napkin to pick it up. Even sandwiches, pizza, and fruit are eaten with a fork and knife.

Manners and Etiquette in Europe

In North America, we see a lot of commercials that tell us gum chewing is good for our dental hygiene. In many parts of Europe, including Luxembourg, Switzerland, and France, chewing gum in public is considered crass. Actually, in Singapore, chewing gum has been outlawed since 1992 when the residents decided they were tired of scraping already chewed gum off the streets and sidewalks.

Manners and Etiquette in the Middle East

Even with advances is public sanitation, it is still considered proper in the Middle East to reserve your left hand for bodily hygiene and offer your right hand for greetings. Also, many in the Middle East keep a very shallow area of personal space and stand very near to each other when conversing. It is considered rude to back away when someone approaches your personal space threshold.

Manners and Etiquette in The United Kingdom

We talked earlier about the loose arrival times associated with those social Brazilian meals; but in England, it is imperative to arrive on time. Also, if you bump into someone, you should say, "Excuse me." However, the person with whom you have collided will also probably say, "Excuse me." That is considered polite so you should follow suite.

Manners and Etiquette in Australia

When doing business in Australia, don't be surprised to hear a little profanity in the workplace. However, it is certainly frowned upon in Oz to not greet your co-workers with a "good morning," and talking loudly or not offering someone a beverage are also considered rude.

Wherever you travel, be sure to research the local customs and etiquette before you start your journey. You will certainly make a good impression and will endear yourself to the locals while showing respect for their local manners.

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Comments (10) for International Etiquette | Subscribe to Comment

Nicola Says:
8/20/2009 5:58:20 AM

This is just totally not true! No one in England (UK) would ever say "excuse me". That is a very American phrase. If someone bumps into you then you both say "sorry". If you bump into someone, again you say "sorry" and they will likely say "sorry" back even though you bumped into them. Never excuse me. Always sorry. Most of these "tips" are inaccurate.

Andy is dead Says:
8/13/2009 5:11:37 AM

I have to point out that chewing gum in public places in Switzerland is not considered crass, not at all. I live in Switzerland and I'm an assiduous gum chewer. I chew at the office, at the bus station, on the train, etc., and no one complaints. Of course in strictly formal situations it's better to avoid chewing - I'd never chew in a meeting with our CEO - but it's a normal habit and a lot of people chew in public. Anyway, some of your tips are great :D

Anne Says:
8/4/2009 9:56:27 PM

I'm from Singapore, and would like to add to Jonathan's comment. Chewing gum was actually banned in 1992 by the then Prime Minister under the "Regulation of Imports and Exports (Chewing Gum) Regulations." A common misconception among citizens is that personal use of chewing gum is allowed into Singapore. However, according to the set of Regulations, "importing" means to "bring or cause to be brought into Singapore by land, water or air from any place which is outside Singapore ..." any goods, even if they are not for purposes of trade. The set of Regulations also does not make any provisions for personal use of quantities to be brought into Singapore. Therefore, bringing chewing gum into Singapore, even small quantities for whatever purpose, is technically prohibited The restriction on the distribution of chewing gum was enacted in Singapore Statute Chapter 57, the Control of Manufacture Act, which also governs the restriction of alcohol and tobacco. When first introduced, the ban caused much controversy and some open defiance. Some took the trouble of traveling to neighbouring Johor Bahru, Malaysia, to purchase chewing gum. Offenders were publicly "named and shamed" by the government, to serve as a deterrent to other would-be smugglers. In the mid 1990s, Singapore’s forbidding laws began to receive intense international coverage and attention from civil rights activists. In 1999, United States President Bill Clinton and Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong agreed to initiate talks between the two countries for a bilateral free trade agreement (USS-FTA). The talks later continued under the new administration of President George W. Bush. Details of the closed-door negotiations are unknown, but it became apparent that by the final phase of the negotiation in early 2003, there remained two issues: the War in Iraq and chewing gum. The Singapore Government recognised the proven health benefits of certain gums, such as a brand of sugar-free gum that contains calcium lactate to strengthen tooth enamel. Sales of this newly categorised medicinal gum was allowed, provided it was sold by a dentist or pharmacist, who must take down the names of buyers. *However, on a recent trip to Malaysia, my kid cousin brought some chewing gum back across the border. A Customs official saw it and only reminded her that it should not be allowed. He pointed out that he was supposed to confiscate it, but let her off instead.

Trent Armstrong Says:
7/27/2009 6:01:29 PM

I dropped the ball on at least one of these and would be very excited if you guys would take the time to leave your own International Etiquette tips at my facebook group! http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=9234&uid=59323681314

Mike Nash Says:
7/26/2009 8:04:13 PM

Wonderful episode! Would love to hear more international travel tips. Thailand has many things to avoid such as pointing the bottom of the foot toward someone, saying something aginst the King will land you in jail and patting (even a child) on the head is very rude.

idv82 Says:
7/25/2009 9:10:11 AM

I have to agree with Germano's comments about Brazil. I lived in Brazil for over two years and most of what you said about Brazilian customs is simply not accurate! As far as chewing gum in Europe is concerned - when did you last live in Europe (if ever), in the 1950s? The habit of chewing gum is as ubiquitous in most of Europe as it is in the US, plenty of European commercials will tell you that chewing gum is good dental hygiene and there's certainly hardly any problem with social acceptance! As far as chewing gum in Singapore is concerned, you could simply have googled the correct information! With all due respect, how did you ever get the idea to give people tips on international etiquette when you quite obviously know so little about it?

germano Says:
7/24/2009 12:11:31 PM

Hi. Good tips, but I'm not sure where those comments from Brazil came from. I'm Brazilian and I consider (as well as many others) that coming up on time is good practice for dinner parties. I agree that pizzas are often eaten with knife and fork, but fruits and sandwiches are mostly eaten by hand. One should also be careful that we have many different "Brazils" inside Brazil. While in the south many have european background and are more formal, up north people are much more informal. While in the south one might not appretiate direct personal contact at first, it is common up north to touch people (like tapping on their backs) that you have just met.

Lucy Says:
7/24/2009 12:10:18 PM

We live about 15 miles from Mexico and we sometimes get invited to parties across the border. The first time we were invited the invitation stated 6:00 pm and at 6:00 pm we knocked only to find the host still in her robe and hair up in curlers. After that we were always invited to parties with our invitation changed by hand to “6:00 pm Mexican time - 7:00 pm American time”.

Trent Armstrong Says:
7/21/2009 10:33:41 PM

Thank you for the clarification!

Jonathan Says:
7/21/2009 2:51:33 PM

Just to clarify that chewing gum in Singapore is NOT outlawed. That chewing gum is illegal is a myth writ large. It is the sale of chewing gum that is outlawed, not the consumption. One could easily go overseas and buy some gum back for personal consumption. Further, the sale of gum to aid smokers to quit their habit is also not illegal.