politeness rules and « strange » usages around the world
TRANSCRIPT
Politeness rules and « strange » usages around the world
What do you know about good manners and usages abroad ?
In which country is it very impolite to reveal the soles of your feat to other people ?
Answer : In India, several others Asian countries and many parts of the Muslim world
Why : feet are considered as an impure part of the body
In which country put hands on hips is very provocative ?
Answer : In Indonesia
In which country can you see that ?
FRANCE ???UNITED KINGDOM
In which country is it very rude to blow your nose in public ?
Answer : In Japan
In Italy do you know what people touch instead of wood for good luck ?
Answer : Metal
Why : the metal was considered as a precious material with « magical » properties
In which country this gesture is an insult ?
Answer : Greece
In which country nod from top to bottom means NO and nod from right to left means YES ?
Answer : Bulgaria
Video : What do Americans think of the British ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=D4eC0_OXOPc
• Fun witty humor
• Royal highness Queen Elisabeth the Second
• Tee
• Big teeth
• Shakespeare
• Accent
• People talking like the Queen and the King
• They have a good time
• Very charismatic
• Crumpets
• Really annoying guys who thinks that just because they have a cute accent they’re automatically out of the game
• They’re always saying « come to mine » or « come to yours », which is really annoying
• People being sort of upper class
• Have a tee, eating scones
• They’re great people
Questions for debate
• During your travels abroad have you been surprised by some customs, usages …?
• Do you think cultural differences can be a barrier to communication, for exemple in the world of business ?
• Do you think it’s easy to go against prejudicies that foreigners have about you ?
• According to you by what a stranger could be surprised or shocked in France ?