Differences in traditions of hospitality and politeness

between cultures and countries

Comparing traditions of hospitality and politeness between cultures and countries is extremely difficult. Countries and cultures have different etiquettes and you may consider some as more polite or hospitable than others. You can either be wrong because you don’t understand the real meaning of their traditions and have only a limited knowledge of their etiquettes.

• There are even differences in one country and some may consider certain regions more hospitable and polite; it is often just a matter of understanding their traditions. 

For example, friends can give three kisses in certain countries if they meet each other; others will give one, two and there are even consider kissing between friends as insulted. There is no difference between the hospitality and politeness between these countries; they have just different etiquettes.

How people greet in different countries is already a big difference and you may like some of other countries or cultures more than these of your hometown. It is either just different and people have different opinions which kind of greeting can be considered as the most polite way of greeting

• Most everyone knows the traditional Thai Greeting (the Wang). Thai people put both hands in a prayer position and bow their head a little bit to their hands. They always smile and only use this “Way greeting” to foreigners or elderly persons. This kind of greeting is also used in some other countries in Asia, for example India, the Philippines, Myanmar, China and many others.

• Kissing and shaking hands are the most common greeting gestures between different countries and cultures. Shaking hands is a traditional way of greeting when American people meet someone for the first time.

• American people are friendly people and say “hi” to everyone they meet, even if they don’t know them. It is more a form of politeness and they expect you return the same greeting. No return of greeting is considered to be a form of rudeness. It is unusual to kiss foreigners and even friends. Cheek kissing is acceptable but unusual in Northern America.

Cheek kissing is more common in Europe and Latin America. There are either differences between the countries in these

continents.•  For example in France, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Belgium they

usually give one on each cheek

• there are either parts of Belgium, France and Switzerland where they gave three or even four kisses.

•  Cheek kissing is uncommon in Asia, they greet mostly with a bow or they shake hands. Shaking hands is also the most common form of greeting in Africa.

• There are either more differences in traditions of hospitality and politeness between cultures and countries. Greeting is an important aspect but you may expect other forms of hospitality which makes you feel home in another country. Hospitality is present on any place on earth but you will notice differences between countries and different cultures.

• People in Turkey are talkative and welcome almost all visitors of their country. They invite you at home for a drink or to spend some time with the family. People of this country are proud of their country and want to show all the beauties to every tourist.

• You will notice a same trend in many countries in Asia. They may be not so talkative and even shy but they are always helpful. They try always to help you and hope you feel home in their country.

• Life in Asia is not easy and they treat every tourist with respect. It is a part of their culture. You may find some countries impolite at first sight because you don’t know the meaning of their traditions.

• For example; Chinese people are noisy when they eat and they

even slurp when they eat noodles.

• People of Europe, America and many other countries of the world may consider this as impolite but according theChinese culture, it is a sign they enjoyed the meal. There is no reason to consider their behavior as less polite than western culture; it

is just different.

• Every country and culture has other norms and values of hospitality and politeness. There is no country or even culture which can considered as the most hospitable and polite; we are all different and have also other opinions about hospitability and politeness of different countries and cultures.

• It is more a matter of accepting these differences and you will find hospitable and polite people in every country and culture of the world. Discovering the differences in traditions between countries and cultures is really a wonderful experience and

may help you to see the positive things in every culture.