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Etiquette

How does foreign etquitte like the chinese, islam, jewish and etc equitte differs from western equitte in terms of greeting,eating and etc

Etiquette

Grouptt, I assume you are asking for some difference in eastern culture vs western culture with regards to everyday ettiquette. Here are some differences that I can think of:

Western - Finish all food to show compliments to host
Eastern - Leave some food on plate to show that host given more than enough

Western - Rude to make sounds while eating
Eastern - Polite to make some sounds like slurping.

Western - Weddings are traditionally white
Eastern - Funerals are traditionally white

Western - Outward expression of emotion is accepted
Eastern - Outward expression of emotion not readily accepted

I remember these from a paper I wrote some time ago. I'll see if I can dig them up again and add some more.

Update: Western - Eye contact is readily accepted
Eastern - Eye contact is used less frequently as sign of respect.

Edited: malexander on 28th Aug, 2004 - 1:02am

Etiquette Health & Special Psychology

to add to your list there...

Western: no worries in letting your head shine to the rest of the world

Eastern: women must have head covered (well i guess this wouldn't be everywhere)

Western: considered polite to shake hands

Eastern: consider it an insult to shake hands, prefer hugs sometimes with 'kisses'

Etiquette

In many Western cultures shoes are worn practically everywhere.
In many Eastern cultures shoes are removed when indoors.

Some cultures, not sure specifically which, have unisex public restrooms.

In some cultures, Samoa comes quickly to mind, it is considered very rude for people to talk at different levels. If someone one wishes to speak with is sitting, go down to his/her eye level. If that person is standing, the other should stand as well.

This is one instance of how lack of knowing cultural differences has been an unwitting source of embarassment for U.S. presidents visiting overseas.

Edited: fugitive247 on 31st Aug, 2004 - 5:21am

Etiquette

I don't know of all of the cultures you've mentioned, but I lived in Israel, if that's considered eastern.

It is encouraged to finish all of your food in Israel, it's just that they serve so much it is impossible!

It is not polite, but certainly less rude.

Eastern - Funerals are traditionally white

no, funerals are black, and weddings are white. In Israel, that is.

In Israel, and also among palestinians, expression of emotion is accepted just as well. It is used less, maybe, but it is more true. Every time you smile, it is of true happiness, not fake.

Not that I know of. but then again, Israel is considered western by others, although it is in the middle east.

Message Edited! Persephone: When quote tags do not work it is because you have not placed them properly, take the time to fix it. In this case it has been fixed for you.

Edited: JB@Trinidad on 31st Oct, 2004 - 11:56pm

Etiquette

When I was working as a Nanny for a Jewish family, they were getting ready to go out, and were running late. The children's Grandpa was putting a shoe on the little boy, and out of instinct, I got the other shoe, and started to put it on. The Grandpa dropped the first shoe, and walked off.

It was explained later, that in Jewish custom, 2 people cannot dress a person at the same time, and that is only done when they are preparing a dead body!

I was really shocked that through not knowing, I had ended up insulting this family!