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European Customs Understanding Cultural Diversity

Helpful Sources: www.kwintessential.co.uk

France http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/france-country-profile.html

Austriahttp://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/austria-country-profile.html

Italyhttp://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/italy-country-profile.html

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Stereotypes and Truth

• How do you view Americans? Why?

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• How do you view Europeans? Why?

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• How do you think the world views Americans? Why?

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What is culture? • "Culture" refers to a group or community which

shares common experiences that shape the way its members understand the world. It includes groups that we are born into, such as race, national origin, gender, class, or religion. It can also include a group we join or become part of. For example, it is possible to acquire a new culture by moving to a new country or region, by a change in our economic status, or by becoming disabled. When we think of culture this broadly we realize we all belong to many cultures at once.

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Why is culture important? • Culture is a strong part of people's lives. It

influences their views, their values, their humor, their hopes, their loyalties, and their worries and fears. If you are from New Mexico or Montana, if your parents are Cambodian, French Canadian, or Native American, if you are German Catholic or African-American, if you are Jewish or Mormon, if you are straight or Gay, if you are a mixture of cultures your culture has affected you. So when you are working with people and building relationships with them, it helps to have some perspective and understanding of their cultures.

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Cont. • But as we explore culture, it's also important to

remember how much we have in common. A person who grew up in Tibet, will probably see the world very differently than someone who grew up in Manhattan--but both people know what it is like to wake up in the morning and look forward to the adventures that of the day. We are all human beings. We all love deeply, want to learn, have hopes and dreams, and have experienced pain and fear. At the same time, we can't pretend that our cultures and differences don't matter. We can't gloss over differences and pretend they don't exist, wishing that we could be alike. And we can't pretend that people that discrimination doesn't exist.

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Cultural Diversity • You are traveling to see the world and experience

new cultures! You are lucky enough to see 3 different countries and cultures.

• Other cultures are not weird, they are just DIFFERENT. You do not act like they do, but many people do not act like RUDE AMERICANS.

• Seeing the difference and respecting it makes you a better person – a global person.

• American’s are NOT elitists.

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We Are All The Same

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France • Cuisine • Food is one of the great passions of the French

people.• French cooking is highly refined and involves

careful preparation, attention to detail, and the use of fresh ingredients.

• It varies by region and is heavily influenced by what is grown locally

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French Family Values• The family is the social adhesive of the country

and each member has certain duties and responsibilities.

• The extended family provides both emotional and financial support.

• Despite their reputation as romantics, the French have a practical approach towards marriage.

• Families have few children, but parents take their role as guardians and providers very seriously.

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French Relationship• The French are private people and have

different rules of behavior for people within their social circle and those who are not.

• Although the French are generally polite in all dealings, it is only with their close friends and family that they are free to be themselves.

• Friendship brings with it a set of roles and responsibilities, including being available should you be needed. Friendship involves frequent, if not daily, contact.

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French Meeting Etiquette• The handshake is a common form of greeting.• Friends may greet each other by lightly kissing on the

cheeks, once on the left cheek and once on the right cheek.

• First names are reserved for family and close friends. Wait until invited before using someone's first name.

• You are expected to say 'bonjour' or 'bonsoir' (good morning and good evening) with the honorific title Monsieur or Madame when entering a shop and 'au revoir' (good-bye) when leaving.

• If you live in an apartment building, it is polite to greet your neighbors with the same appellation.

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European Dining Etiquette• Arrive on time! • Table manners are Continental -- the fork is

held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.

• Do not begin eating until the hostess says 'bon appetit‘ or everyone has food.

• If you have not finished eating, cross your knife and fork on your plate with the fork over the knife.

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Dining Etiquette Cont.• Do not rest your elbows on the table, although

your hands should be visible and not in your lap.• Finish everything on your plate.• Do not cut salad with a knife and fork. Fold the

lettuce on to your fork.• Austria – cut everything up into small pieces. • Peel and slice fruit before eating it.• Leave your wine glass nearly full if you do not

want more.• When in doubt…. Observe those around you.

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Eating

• Pretend your favorite grandmother has prepared your meal. – It is seen as extremely RUDE to make faces or

outwardly express dislike for food that has been prepared for you.

– Europeans take great pride in their cooking and preparation and your disgust is extremely rude. • Ex: making a mountain out of the food your don’t like.

Spitting it out unexpectedly.

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Kiss, Bow or Shake hands?

• In Europe, it is common to experience 2 kisses – one on each cheek. You probably won’t experience this, but it is common.

• If you meet somebody in passing it’s common to: – Smile– Nod– Say “hello” in the native language

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Saying “Hello”

• French custom – it is very important that you say “Hello” in French when entering shops.

• You will receive a “bonjour” from the shop owner and it is considered very rude for you to not say “bonjour” back with a smile. – Do not perpetuate the ugly American view!

• You will get a paper on how to say “hello” in each language we meet.

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What to do if you don’t like it?

• Simply don’t eat it, and don’t play with it. – Don’t embarrass yourself!

• Bring snacks – (protein bars) in the event you don’t like parts of the meal.

• Do not openly eat a bar in replace of your dinner (keep the bar in your lap and break off pieces if you can’t wait). Just let the meal sit, and thank the waiter when they take the plate away.

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Dining in a café (lunches)• Meals are a social event in many European

countries. – You will not be bothered many times during your

meal – unlike American waiters • Bothering you is seen as rude.

– You will not receive your check. You have to grab the waiter’s attention and ask for it. • This feels rude in America, but it is the custom in

Europe.

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Clothing

• No sweatpants! – You will not see sweatpants in Europe. (or

sweatshirts)• Dressing is – modest and casual when touring• Jeans, shirts, leggings and such can be

appropriate if styled well. • Presentation and dressing well are important

to Austrians, Italians and French people.

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Clothing cont. • dress elegantly, if conservatively, at all times,

especially when in public. • French and Italian women will dress neat without

displaying logos of companies. • They are extremely fashion conscious and judge

people on their appearance.• You will be judged on your clothes, shoes,

accessories and the way you carry yourself.• “Bella figura” is respected and more than dressing

well. It extends to the aura your project too - i.e. confidence, style, demeanor, etc.

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While on the streets

• Americans are LOUD TALKERS, Europeans are not.

• Keep your volume low when walking and talking.

• Europeans do not jump around and do crazy things – they have a respect for those around them.

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Walking on the streets

• VOLUME CONTROL• Standing in a group– Americans stand in a circle to talk, and will take up

the whole sidewalk. – Europeans see this as rude and us not

RESPECTING others around us. – Europe has no “personal bubble” therefore your

bubble will be GONE and you will learn to like it.

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People movers

• Escalators – and moving walk ways. – Stand to the right and walk on the left. – If you are standing still going on the mover, you

stay to the RIGHT. Other passengers will walk the escalators and do so on the LEFT.

– Quietly remind friends of this by tapping their arm to lead them to the Right. DO NOT scream “get on the right”

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While in shops or anywhere

• VOLUME CONTROL – we are so loud!• Hallways, stairwells, airshafts, courtyards and

lobbies tend to echo and amplify sounds. • Smile and say, “hello”

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Personal Bubble

• They don’t exist in Europe. • Standing on the metro, you will be smashed

into other people. • You will have to learn to like this! You will

create an embarrassing scene if you do not accommodate to this– We will practice standing next to one another.

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Body Odor

• Stereotypes: – The French don’t shave – Europeans stink – Polish Shower– Europeans have fashion

• Body odor understanding and how to deal with it.

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European Men• Roads are small in Europe – the countries are much

OLDER than the US. • Many people ride scooters. They look cool, you’ll

see them everywhere. • Many people drive little tiny smart cars. Parking in

Europe is limited. • European men will keep their work items in a bag –

it is usually larger and leather. Call it a “man bag” if you want, but carrying items does not mean they are gay. (their bag is probably nicer than your shoes!)

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Mocking • Americans are not discrete – especially

students TODAY.• You may think you are being discrete as you

are making fun of somebody/something, but I promise you, you are NOT.

• You will respect the cultures we are going to – that is the point of traveling, seeing the world and holding these meetings.

• I guarantee if you have an open mind, you will actually be interested in what you see.

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Punctuality

• BE ON TIME• It is incredibly rude to keep people waiting in

the European cultures!

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Etiquette

• DO NOT talk when the tour guide is talking• DO NOT listen to music when tour guides are

talking • Help those quiet down around you because it

is IMPORTANT to get all information• We expect you to demonstrate appropriate

etiquette– if you can’t follow etiquette you will be attached to an adult