With vaccinations on the rise, it’s just about time to get out of the house and really go somewhere—as in, leave the country for a while. As you pack your bags and shop for that pocket dictionary, you should prepare for something equally as important: potentially offending strangers on complete accident. There are many little things you might do while traveling that could irritate those around you and make you stick out like a sore thumb as a tourist. Taking a more multicultural approach to life can also benefit you when you get back to work, so why not learn more about avoiding cultural faux pas in the office and abroad?
Fashion Faux Pas
What you wear can definitely set you apart from the crowd overseas. Clothing is a massive part of our cultural identities, so it makes sense that certain outfits will send different messages depending on the country you’re in. In many countries, such as Sweden and the Netherlands, dressing down is better than dressing up. Subtle jewelry and casual clothing give a better impression than formal wear, which is better suited for Italy and Argentina. Some fashion can even be illegal in countries such as Barbados, so be careful what you pack!
Knowledge of Gestures
The rudest gesture in the US is hard to do on accident, but in other countries, the same message is sent very differently. The last thing you want is to accidentally tell everyone around you where to stick it when you’re just pointing, so it’s good to find out whether the place you’re visiting has any infamous hand gestures. Some of these gestures are so commonly offensive that Disneyland employees have found workarounds to avoid them. As a rule, try not to point with a single finger, avoid giving a thumbs-up, and definitely don’t throw around a “hang loose” gesture in Italy.
The Not-So-Little Things
Little details could offend the people around you, and you—as a foreigner—might be completely unaware. But the onus is on you to learn about these little details, especially if your coworkers are from other cultures. In the same way that a lack of personal space or someone asking about our salary might bother us, some seemingly small mistakes can really bother people from other cultures. For example, writing a name in red pen is associated with the deceased in South Korea, so writing the name of the living with red ink can be incredibly rude. Similarly, in Japan, sticking chopsticks straight up in rice is reserved for funerals, so doing so elsewhere is considered taboo.
For the most part, avoiding cultural faux pas in the office and abroad is about making a good impression. Even when you’re traveling, most mistakes can usually be forgiven with a little explanation. An added bonus is that avoiding taboos can make it less obvious you’re a tourist, making you less of a target for pickpockets. Either way, it’s always best to be confident that what you’re doing isn’t irritating your hosts, your team members, or any strangers around you.
