Manners

• In Vietnam, point with your whole hand, not just one finger.

• In South Korea, stay quiet on public transportation. Noisiness is considered very rude.

• In India, you are expected to refuse your host’s first offer of a drink or snack. You will be asked again!

• In Afghanistan and throughout the Muslim world, eat your food with your right hand, not your left. The left hand is reserved for bathroom hygiene so using it for eating is considered unclean.

• In Indonesia, while eating, keep both hands on the table at all times.

• As a dinner guest in Kenya or Germany, finish everything on your plate, or the host will be offended and think you didn’t like the food.

• In China, if you clean your plate, the host will be offended because it is a sign that you didn’t get enough food. Likewise, in Afghanistan and India, leave a little food on your plate when you are full because an empty plate will be filled again!

• If you are invited to a Danish home, be punctual!

• In Kazakhstan, you will be served tea, but only half of a cup. A full cup is a sign that the host wants you to leave! Later in the meal, when you have had enough tea, turn your cup over to show that you are finished.

• In Kuwait, when the host stands, the meal is over.

• In Brazil, avoid purple lipstick as it is associated with funerals. Purple is fine for clothing and accessories, though.

1. Why is it important for you to understand the cultural differences and manners?

2. What special/unique manners do you know?

3. What manners do you avoid/follow personally?

Conversation Starters  1. What are some examples of good manners?

2. What are some examples of bad manners?

3. What are good table manners in your country?

Discussion Questions  4. In your opinion, do people have better manners now than they did 50 years ago? What about 100 or 200 years ago?

5. How can we successfully teach good manners to our children?

6. What advice about manners would you give to a foreigner visiting your country?