Burping and spitting at the bride: map of the world's most bizarre customs
Before you go on vacation, make sure you are familiar with the rules of etiquette at your destination. Countries around the world have their own unique traditions, and most of them are unknown and often misunderstood by foreigners. This was reported by SSPDaily.
Remitly, a provider of digital financial services for immigrants, has created a world map, noting the quirky and interesting rules of etiquette in different territories. They described 165 countries.
Although a huge number of etiquette rules were identified, there were some that occurred regularly, such as procedures and practices related to food and dining.
Overall, the study showed that table behavior varies greatly from country to country. In the UK, it is customary to pass a decanter of port to the left. If someone takes too long to pass it, they will be asked, "Do you know the Bishop of Norwich?" This encourages the drink to be handed over as the Bishop of Norwich was known for his inability to hold alcohol and often fell asleep with a decanter in front of him.
As for the way food is consumed around the world, Mexicans believe that tacos should always be eaten with your hands, and in Norway, it is considered indecent to eat any food without cutlery.
The Chinese have another interesting gourmet tradition: they never turn fish over on a plate because it is associated with bad luck.
Although burping is considered rude in some countries, in Iceland and Senegal, it is perceived as a compliment to the chef.
The same goes for Japan, where it is seen as a means of expressing gratitude for the meal.
Punctuality and timing were also themes that kept coming up in the study. In some countries, a relaxed approach to timing is preferred, and in Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Kenya, and Uruguay, the custom of "arriving late" is common. In Poland, Singapore, and Sweden, however, the opposite is true. There, being late is considered rude, and everyone adheres to a strict time schedule.
Another popular topic was how we treat our elders. While most cultures try to show respect for the elderly, the study found that the way in which this is done varies considerably from country to country.
In Angola, Botswana, and Lebanon, it is customary to greet elders first. And in Vietnam, the eldest eats first during lunch. In Guinea, eye contact with elders is avoided, while in Nepal, elders are treated more formally than middle-aged people.
Another important topic was hand gestures and their meaning. Pointing at someone is considered rude in Ecuador, Nicaragua, Indonesia, and Malaysia. In the first two cases, it is better to pucker or pout your lips, while in the latter two, it is acceptable to point with your thumb rather than your index finger.
In Europe, the study also revealed the custom of going to the sauna naked in Finland even for business meetings. In Latvia, Lithuania, and Slovakia, there is a tradition of giving an odd number of flowers, and in Albania, it is customary to tip doctors or nurses for their services. In Greece, spitting at the bride is considered a good sign for the newlyweds.