F A C T C E N T E R

PREPARE TO GET FACT IN THE FACE

Culture and Tradition Facts

Welcome to the FACT CENTER international airport information desk. So you want to travel the world? Here are some know-before-you-go facts!

  1. HEAD-TOUCHING: In Thailand and Vietnam head touching is seen as a sign of respect. Friends pat eachothers head as a greeting.
  2. HANDS: In the Middle East the right hand is considered unclean as it is the hand they do dirty things with. Make sure to eat, shake hands, and pass objects with your left hand.
  3. FEET: In India feet are considered devine and pure. Many people do feet-shakes which is like a handshake but with your feet.
  4. SILENCE: In Japan, silence is seen as being unhappy or ungrateful. Make sure you make noise to show gratitude even if you don't have anything to say.
  5. KNOBS: In Russia it is custom to clean people's doorknobs after using them.
  6. EYE CONTACT: Eye contact should not be made NO MATTER WHAT in a several African countries I cannot mention.
  7. LOCALS ONLY: If you go to Hawaii and surf and are not a local they might spit at you. Tourists must accept this.
  8. DANCING: Dancing in Croatia is equivalent to sexual foreplay.
  9. CUSTOMS: The United States Customs, to increase effeciency and reduce lines, now scan you as you walk through. When you get off the plane do not stop walking. Everything is automatic and will be taken care of via scan.
  10. GUNS: In Columbia guns are usually not loaded with ammunition and are used by many just to look cool or threatening. If one is pointed at you call their bluff to earn their respect.
  11. DEAD: In Mexico the Day of The Dead (Día de los Muertos) is when living people celebrate not being dead.
  12. LUNCHBOX: In Spain it is customary to carry a lunchbox around with you.
  13. LEPRECHAUNS: Irish people actually believe in leprechauns even though they don't exist.
  14. GREETINGS: In Germany "Bitte fick meine Frau" is a formal way of greeting someone and will probably suprise them in a good way.
  15. ROME: When in Rome you must strictly adhere to what the romans do.
  16. HOOPING: Hula hooping is a sacred tradition in Hawaii and modern recreational versions are seen as disrespectful.
  17. DOG: For the most part, Chinese people don't eat dogs. Saying that they all do is letting a few bad apples ruin the bunch.
  18. FOOD: Not eating your meal in China is seen as terribly offensive. So you should prepare to eat whatever ends up on your plate mentally.
  19. FRENCH-KISS: Kissing open eyes is reffered to as french-kissing. People in France do this in private.
  20. CULTURE FACTS: Culture and Tradition facts are a good way to become cultured.