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About This Quiz
Whatever your nationality, it's important to try to blend in when you enter a new culture. You probably can't absorb an entire language, thousands of years of history, or know the nuances of every cultural quirk of a place. What you can do is take a little time to learn the baseline customs that ensure you don't massively offend anyone, and build from there.ÂÂ
Of course, if you get it right, then there's no faster way to ingratiate yourself with the residents of a place. Respecting someone's customs makes them feel important and seen. It smooths over language barriers by creating its own common language of decency.ÂÂ
It's no surprise, then, that most people are pretty welcoming to visitors in their country if they see that those visitors have made at least that much effort. And of course, if you do get it wrong once or twice, you're much less likely to really upset someone when they can see that up until that moment, you gave it your best shot!
Still, there are a lot of countries, and only a truly global traveler knows all the quirks and customs of all of them. Let's see how worldly you are when it comes to manners!
Where is kimchi eaten with most meals?
Scotland
Korea
Kimchi is a dish of fermented vegetables usually of cabbage and radishes. Using spicy seasonings in it is popular.
Russia
Nepal
When women are greeted in this country, many avoid physical contact with any male who is not in their family. Identify the country.
England
Belgium
Panama
Sri Lanka
Younger people usually shake hands for greetings. People are not addressed by first name until the other party moves on to that.
Conservative hosts in this country may not entertain mixed gender groups. Can you name it?
Northern Ireland
The Bahamas
Tunisia
In some homes here, the wife of the host may not ever be introduced. A majority of Tunisia practices Islam.
Mexico
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First impressions and the practice of "bella figura" (good image) are valued by people of which country?
Germany
Portugal
Italy
The way a person dresses and presents himself matters and can project social status, family background, or education level.
Switzerland
Greeting people with a smile, handshake, and the phrase "Marhaba" is commonplace in which country?
Lebanon
For those who are close, the French greeting of three alternating kisses on the cheeks is also practiced.
Northern Ireland
Spain
Canary Islands
Where should you never give toy dogs or pigs to children?
Malaysia
Malays avoid pigs as gifts or anything related to pigskin (such as a football). Muslim religion does not allow for the consumption of pork.
The Netherlands
Herzegovina
Brazil
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Thailand uses the "wai" as a sign of respect and a greeting. What is it?
Blowing a kiss to the sky
Putting the hands together as if in prayer
The wai can be performed while sitting, standing, or even walking. One who is of junior status should offer the wai first.
Curtsying and bowing the head
Putting the left hand on the on the other person's right shoulder
What should you keep in mind when giving wine to someone in France?
It should never be a blush or rose
It should be imported
It should always be wrapped
It should be the best you can afford
The French value their wines and appreciate quality. It need not be wrapped.
Staring into another's eyes is considered rude and disrespectful in which country?
The United States
Israel
Chile
Brunei
It is especially rude to do this to someone who is older than you are.
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This country does not typically celebrate birthdays. Which is it?
Cambodia
Gifts are more commonly given at New Year's. Many older people do not even know the exact date of their birth.
Honduras
Norway
Luxembourg
Where is"dzielenie oplatkiem" practiced at Christmas time?
Turkey
Poland
This a practice where there is the breaking and sharing of a thin white wafer (oplatek) with all family members.
Spain
Paraguay
In a business meeting with a Czech, it would be wise to avoid what?
Avoid scheduling a meeting on a Friday afternoon
Czechs often leave Friday afternoon for cottages in the country after a mid-day meal. August is also a difficult time to schedule something.
Avoid shaking hands
Avoid proposing a place to eat
Avoid looking the host in the eye
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This country presents gravy on French fries and does not appreciate being confused with the U.S. Where is it?
Mexico
England
Cuba
Canada
There are some provincial differences between Quebec and other parts of Canada. Quebec often shows and expects a little more formality.
In this country, flowers should only be given in odd numbers. Where is it?
Bolivia
Portugal
Ukraine
Ukrainians also avoid giving flowers that are yellow. When invited to dinner one should bring a gift.
Jamaica
This country celebrates well into the week after Christmas with goombay music beginning on December 26th. Where does this occur?
Algeria
Iceland
The Bahamas
The music and dancing to goombay music last through to New Year's Day. Goombay is the native music derived from African slaves who handed down traditional stories through the music.
Switzerland
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In which country is cheese often served with meals and cleaning the meal plate is expected?
United States
India
Afghanistan
Switzerland
Fondue is a popular cheese serving practice. Circular cheeses are cut from the center into slices.
In Cameroon, which is NOT an expectation?
Offer to wash a guest's feet
Cameroon is in western Africa and about 40% of its population possesses indigenous beliefs; its main languages are English and French.
Greet elders first
Offer a gift with both hands
Use your right hand to eat
Folk songs are one of this country's "national treasures." Where is it?
Ghana
Honduras
Latvia
The Latvian folk song is called a "daina". Most Latvians have been involved in some kind of song group at one point in their lives.
New Guinea
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Invitations to a guest to stay at one's home must not be turned down in which country?
Iraq
A guest may stay up to three days before they may be asked how long they are staying or why they are staying.
Guatemala
Iceland
Portugal
Where should you NOT wipe your hands on a napkin at a meal?
Romania
Morocco
Eating with your hands is common. A water bowl is presented before and after the meal to clean hands off with.
Spain
Brazil
People often share food on their plate, and a toast of "stinygiasou" is made in this country at a meal.
Greece
This is a toast to your health in informal settings. It is also good practice to compliment the host's home.
France
Ecuador
Saudi Arabia
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An elegantly wrapped gift for a host is respected in which country?
The Philippines
"Hiya" is shame brought upon one or his family. Spending more than one can afford to appear a successful host is common and thwarts hiya.
Paraguay
Iceland
Ceylon
Four is an unlucky number in this country. Where is it?
China
Eight is considered the luckiest number in China. Giving eight of something brings luck to the recipient.
Cyprus
Bolivia
Mexico
If the person being addressed is older than the speaker, the person is called by his first name and a suffix that denotes the family relationship. Where is this common practice?
Bangladesh
Age is very respected here. The names to address people with are based on the hierarchical nature of Bangladeshi society.
Costa Rica
Georgia
Kazakhstan
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When invited to a dinner party in Venezuela, one might send flowers. What type is usually sent?
Red roses
Orchids
This should be done ahead of the dinner party. Handwritten notes to hosts convey that one has class.
Lilies
Carnations
Which is characteristic of the Dominican Republic?
Encouraging a song to be sung for the hostess of a dinner
Presenting a box of chocolates at a business meeting
Dismissing people from a meeting from youngest to oldest
Avoiding gifts that are black or purple
Black and purple are considered mourning colors. Chocolates and pastries are acceptable as gifts.
Burping is considered a compliment in this city.
Hong Kong
As a guest at dinner, one should try everything. You should also never eat the last piece of food from a dish.
United States
France
Finland
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It is not polite to offer a toast to someone who is older than you in which country?
Iran
United States
Canada
Sweden
The toaster should look around the room at guests from right to left and then take a sip. It is good practice to nod at the guests before setting the glass down on the table.
This country frowns on giving a wine to a host where the wine is from the native country. Which is it?
United States
Morocco
Germany
It is common to give a French or Italian wine. It is implied a good wine will not be served if you give a German wine.
Jordan
Do NOT bring chrysanthemums as a gift in this country...
Croatia
Chrysanthemums are considered flowers of death for funerals and gravestones. Other flowers are acceptable, with an odd number of stems.
United States
China
Japan
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Where is it rude to rush the greeting process?
France
Nigeria
Showing a sincere interest in a person and asking about one's health and family is something that should take time.
Yemen
United States
Do not give white flowers to a host in this country.
Lithuania
White flowers are reserved for weddings.
Andorra
Italy
Kenya
Stories and anecdotes are protocol in business meetings here.
Japan
Russia
Pakistan
Ireland
A casual style promotes the encouragement of storytelling. Shaking hands and smiling are encouraged.
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Which country practices a "powhiri"?
Wales
New Zealand
Powhiris are executed when a business meeting takes place with a tribal group. There are specific rules about how interactions will take place including where to meet, where to sit, and how to address each other.
India
Ceylon
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