I fail to see the difference between this "sloppy" woman in flip flops and the other two's footwear.
Posted on 08/05/2015 9:27:56 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
There are a number of customs and gestures that Americans use without thinking twice. But when traveling abroad, they will not only out you as a tourist, but could get you in hot water in other countries.
Inspired by this Quora thread, we've rounded up some of the most common American customs that are seen as offensive elsewhere.
1. Tipping
A contentious issue even here, both over- and under-tipping can quickly make you the least popular person at the table. But in Japan and South Korea tipping is seen as an insult. In those countries, workers feel they are getting paid to do their job, and take pride in doing it well; they don't need an added incentive.
2. Sitting in the back of a cab
While it's customary for Americans to hop into the back of a cab, in Australia, New Zealand, parts of Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands, it's considered rude not to ride shotgun. Whereas cabbies in the US will sigh and reluctantly move their newspapers and lunches from the front seat, in other countries it's a matter of egality.
3. Throwing a thumbs up
In a lot of countries, especially in the Middle East, Latin America, Western Africa, Russia and Greece, a thumbs up basically has the same meaning as holding up a middle finger does for Americans.
4. Laughing with your mouth open
In Japan, laughter that exposes your pearly whites is considered horse-like and impolite — sort of like noisy, open-mouthed eating is considered rude to Americans.
5. Calling the USA "America"
In South America, claiming you're from America, rather than the United States, is seen as being politically incorrect, as it implies that only the US should be considered America, and that South America is unworthy of the title.
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
I fail to see the difference between this "sloppy" woman in flip flops and the other two's footwear.
I suppose it all depends on how you chose to read it. If you’re doing business with people of some culture not American it’s good to keep in mind the things we do that confuse/ offend them, it’s just good business to not offend the people whose money you’re trying to get. Even more so if said business brings you to them, their country their rules. Americans do have a tendency to be a bull in the China shop. Probably because we’re so big, you can spend a lot of time in America and never run into another culture. People from smaller countries tend to be a bit more aware that other places (many of which are just a couple of hours drive away) don’t do things the same way. We even have similar problems sticking to purely American sub-cultures. My BIL has spent most of his life in small towns, when he comes to the “big city” of Tucson he’s all small town chatty with clerks and they tend to get confused because here it’s strictly business. And conversely when I go to small towns the clerks tend to think I’m rude because I’m strictly business.
Whenever you go someplace that’s not “home” there will be some level of culture clash.
Sorry, haggle. Thanks for correcting me.
Is that an open invitation, bigdaddy?
Seeing your dentist isn’t on there either.
#1 Never tell an American that we are doing something wrong or how its better where they are from.
#2 never tell an American how crappy this country is (then follow it up with "could you help me immigrate here")
......
#13 is BS I think wiping their butt with their left hand is more disgusting...
Sure, let a female try to slide in beside a muslim taxi driver and see what happens.
I find “other countries” generally offensive.
Ewww...
Adding to that, if you are the first customer of the day, barter harder. You may get an even better deal, as they consider making a sale to the first customer of the day to be very lucky, and not making that sale to be very unlucky.
We have to worry about multiculturalism when dealing with foreigners here.
We have to worry about multiculturalism when dealing with foreigners there.
When do they need to start worrying about us?
Interesting source: the Collins dictionary, which first came into being in 1979.
I think the French realize they have much bigger problems than boorish Americans and that they may need our help again soon. Haha.
Having been in both big and small cities I can get annoyed when the cashier just chats and chats with the customers when I just want to pay and get out the door with my purchase.
But ultimately getting steamed only hurts me. If it’s so important, I just will shop where it’s more efficient to pay in the future.
That might as well be forever given the pace of modern society. 1979 was a downright quaint time.
But when traveling abroad, they will not only out you as a tourist …Does that mean, more than your appearance so “outs” you?
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