Traditions and customs of the peoples of the world

Although for many years politicians and sociologists have been talking about imminent globalization and the unity of cultures and civilizations, the states of the globe still retain their vivid individuality, originality and historical flavor. The customs of the peoples of the world are an integral part of this individuality, because in every country people look at the same phenomena through the prism of their own culture. The traveler will certainly need initial knowledge about the features of life abroad.

Canada

• Canadians adhere to strict rules of formal courtesy, even when it comes to minor oversights. If you stepped on someone's foot or pushed another person, you should immediately apologize briefly. Although this behavior is expected in Russia, even the “victim” apologizes in Canada. Therefore, if you accidentally step on your foot, do not neglect the “I'm sorry” politeness formula - this will show that you are an intelligent person who does not want to cause trouble to others (for example, to stand on someone else’s path and “force” others to press you).
• Smoking is not allowed in public areas, including restaurants. You can smoke at a party only if the owner has given direct permission for this.
• Many customs of the peoples of the world dictate specific rules of conduct at a meeting. In Quebec, for example, shaking hands with a woman (even if another woman says hello) means to establish a certain detachment and show that you are in a purely formal relationship. As a sign of friendliness, one should hug each other at a meeting and easily kiss on both cheeks.
• In Canada, you need to take off your shoes when visiting someone else's house.
• If you are offered coffee at a party late at night, then the owners expect you to go home soon.

USA

• When talking with another person, it is advisable to look him in the eye - otherwise you will be considered secretive and unworthy of trust. This rule is in stark contrast to most other states, where looking in the eyes is considered a manifestation of rudeness.
• The modern customs of the peoples of the world dictate respect for staff. So, in an American restaurant you should always tip the waiter - if you do not, your guests will feel extremely uncomfortable. The salaries of waiters to a greater extent consist precisely of tips, so your guests will also feel embarrassed if you leave too little money on the table. Traditionally, visitors leave the waiters 15 percent of the order; 10 percent are considered complaints of poor service, and 20 percent are rewards for satisfactory or excellent service. Tipping over 20 percent is considered ostentatious demonstrative generosity, but the waiter will no doubt be satisfied.
• You need to leave a tip not only in restaurants - additional money is given to taxi drivers, hairdressers and stylists, couriers for the delivery of prepared meals, as well as casual laborers (even if you hired neighboring teens to mow your lawn). So, for delivery of pizza give from two to five dollars, regardless of the amount of the order.
• US national customs - countries with the greatest diversity of cultures and peoples - provide due respect to all categories of people. When meeting a new person, he should not be asked about his marital status or the presence of romantic relationships, as well as about his political views. It is impolite to ask a woman her age or weight.
• Most traditions in America are based on the principle of mutual respect. You can not violate the personal space of a person, that is, be closer to him than at arm's length. Exceptions to the rule are being in a crowd or stampede, as well as friendships.
• If you have been invited to visit, bring a bottle of wine with you. You can also buy a cake or other sweets, but in this case it is advisable to know in advance whether the owners prepared a special dessert on their own.

Italy

• If you are interested in European customs, you can consider in more detail the traditions of Italy. A curious fact: in this country it is not customary to take off a coat and other outerwear immediately upon entering the premises. You need to wait for a special invitation or ask if you can leave your coat or jacket.
• Do not put hats on the bed, as there is an ominous superstition on this subject.
• When visiting stores, you should always welcome sellers, even if you just went to look at the goods and are not going to speak with consultants.
• It is not advisable to ask for a check immediately after dinner at the restaurant. It is better to spend a couple of minutes relaxing and enjoying the atmosphere and a cup of cappuccino.
• Men should not wear white socks in public, as, according to popular belief, only "sissies" do this.
• It is not recommended to bite off your teeth with your teeth. Italians decided to tear off small pieces with their hands, put butter or paste on them, served in special segments in a separate dish, and in this form immediately send them into the mouth. Do not use a knife and other cutlery. Such specific traditions of Italy originate in the Middle Ages, when the peasants, exhausted by hunger, barely received bread from their masters for food, devoured it right on the spot, stuffing their cheeks. Noble intelligent citizens were always full, and therefore appropriate calm behavior was expected from them.

Spain

• Unlike the customs of many European countries, the traditions of Spain are mostly based on the supremacy of local culture. Disputes about whose country and which language is better should always be avoided, especially if Spanish is being compared with English. Residents of this state speak English relatively poorly and often require tourists to know their language. If you do not speak Spanish, it is better to try to explain yourself with gestures - local citizens will perceive such communication more favorably than the persistent use of English expressions.
• Some traditional topics are best avoided. These include fighting bulls (toros), religion, fascism and nationalism. Regarding the latter, even the Spaniards themselves still cannot come to an agreement.
• Always try to look calm and relaxed. You can talk loudly, emotionally gesticulate, joke with the owners and use forms of physical contact without any hesitation.
• It is customary to greet all neighbors, even if you are not familiar with them.
• When greeting men shake hands, and women wait for kisses on both cheeks.
• Many traditions of Spain are associated with active sports. So, for example, even a stranger can be invited to watch a football match together. If you have received such an invitation, in no case do not criticize the team for which the landlord is rooting.

Ireland

• Ireland is a very distinctive state, in which even Christian holidays are observed in their own way, such as, for example, Easter and Palm Sunday. The customs of this country, however, partially reflect the rules adopted in Great Britain (although Ireland is a sovereign republic). Nevertheless, it is not worthwhile to publicly attribute this state to the United Kingdom - the indigenous people will instantly be offended, since only Northern Ireland remains part of the UK . Avoid talking about topics related to the sovereignty of a country.
• In bars and pubs, do not talk to the bartender until he serves the visitor who has come to you.
• If a guest came to you, you should definitely offer him coffee or tea.
• It is not recommended to ask other people about their income and business success. Colleagues are not interested in salaries. In some companies, such issues are officially prohibited.
• If people celebrate Easter or Palm Sunday, customs and religious rituals are best seen from the side. In no case do not ask people what religion they adhere to - Catholicism or Protestantism.

Arab countries

• In the Middle East, it is customary to perform personal hygiene rituals with the left hand - therefore, it is considered dirty. Handshakes with the left hand are considered an insult. There are also taken right only.
• Do not flaunt the sole of your feet or touch someone with a shod leg.
• In Iraq, the thumb up gesture is taken as a serious insult.
• The customs of the peoples of the world living in Arab countries dictate honor and respect for elders. This means that you need to get up as soon as the elders enter the room, and greet them first if they are already in the room.
• In most Arab countries, holding hands while walking is a sign of courtesy and a symbol of friendship. Unlike Western states, here such a gesture does not carry any hints of romance.
• If a person puts all five fingers together and points with his fingertips up, this means that he needs to think for five minutes. This sign should not be confused with a fist and threatening gestures.
• Welcome rituals (ceremonies) of the peoples of Africa are always associated with a demonstration of sincerity of emotions. In Morocco, for example, after a handshake, the right hand is applied to the heart. It is impossible to shake hands (for example, if friends are separated by a highway), just put your right hand to your heart.
• Strangers you met for the first time can invite you to lunch or dinner at your home. If you are annoyed by such an invitation, do not refuse - the refusal will be considered rude. Instead, ask to postpone the visit for an indefinite moment in the near future.
• The traditions of the peoples of the Arab countries require abundant refreshments, so do not be surprised if they will offer you food endlessly, over and over again. You can constantly refuse, but most importantly - do not take the insistence of the owners for the manifestation of tactlessness. It is better to eat a little and take a little bit of the dishes offered in the first rounds, and only then refuse with a clear conscience.

China and Taiwan

• Oriental culture is very distinctive and diverse, so you should not mention in conversation with Asians that for you the Chinese, Koreans, Thais and Japanese are “all on one face”. It is just impolite.
• You only need to eat with your right hand.
• Refuse to use the American thumb up gesture - here it is considered indecent.
• If you were invited to visit, and the owners prepared lunch or dinner on their own, they will certainly inform you that something is wrong with the food - for example, that it is overcrowded. Such a comment should be answered that all dishes are excellent and not over-salted.
• Interesting traditions associated with the holidays. If you are given a gift, refuse it. It is customary for the Chinese to offer gifts several times. Do not open them in the presence of the donor.
• You can’t give hats to married men. The Chinese expression "wear a green hat" means that the wife is cheating on her husband. Such a gift will be regarded as an insult to the spouses.
• You can’t also give a watch to another person - an ancient superstition that people hold even in the modern world says: such a donor counts the moments to the death of the donee. Umbrellas (a sign of separation) and white flowers (a ritual symbol of a funeral) should not be donated either.
• The traditions of the peoples of Asia suggest that others will look after you on a visit. Therefore, you, in turn, will have to pour drinks into the glasses of your neighbors.
• Pregnant women should not attend a funeral - this is a sign promising unhappiness.

India

• Eastern culture differs from Western priority of modesty over external beauties. Both men and women in India wear closed clothing. Shorts are extremely undesirable for both sexes; women should not wear bikinis, short skirts and dresses with bare shoulders. Wearing plain white dresses and sarees should also be avoided, as this clothing is considered a symbol of widow mourning.
• Most Indian homes use footwear in the hallway. Although the hosts may favor the ignorance of foreign guests, it is better to ask in advance whether it is possible to enter the house without taking off your shoes.
• Unusual traditions of India are associated with spiritual beliefs. If you accidentally touched another person with your feet or stepped on objects of worship (coins, bills, books, paper, etc.), an apology will be expected from you. The generally accepted form of apology in this case is a touch on a person or object with his right hand, which then needs to be placed on his forehead.
• While you are visiting in an Indian house, they will offer you food several times - you can safely refuse if you are already full.

The strangest national customs

• In Greece, it is customary to throw a child’s milk tooth onto the roof - according to the common superstition, this action brings good luck.
• One of the peoples of Iran has a calendar of nineteen months, each of which has only nineteen days.
• In Sweden, gold and silver coins are put inside the bride’s elegant shoes at the wedding ceremony.
• At a traditional wedding in Norway, the bride wears a silver crown, with long amulets hanging from them, designed to drive away evil spirits.

For new year

• In Brazil, for the New Year, a bowl of lentil soup is sure to be prepared, since lentils are considered a symbol of prosperity.
• The traditional life and customs of Latvia at Christmas necessarily involve the preparation of braised brown beans with pork and cabbage sauce.
• In the Netherlands, Santa Claus has an assistant named Black Pete.
• In Austria, Krampus Night is celebrated on December 5th. This event is dedicated to Santa's evil twin brother.