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Customs & Etiquette: fun facts and quiz
The essentials in 7 ideas, with fun facts, an illustrated story and a quiz to see how much you know.
The essentials
Saying Hello
Greetings vary: a bow in Japan, a handshake in much of the world, cheek kisses in France and Spain, and the hongi, pressing noses and foreheads, among the Māori.
Key fact
In France, the number of cheek kisses depends on the region.
Shoes Off
In many homes in Japan, Korea, Scandinavia and Canada, people take their shoes off at the door. Japanese homes often have a step, the genkan, for this.
Key fact
Some Japanese homes keep special slippers just for the toilet.
Tipping
In the US, restaurant tips of 15 to 20% are expected. In Japan, tipping is unusual and can even cause confusion, since good service is expected anyway.
Key fact
In many European countries, rounding up the bill is enough.
At the Table
In Japan, sticking chopsticks upright in rice is avoided because it recalls a funeral rite. In Italy, many people drink cappuccino only in the morning.
Key fact
In Japan, slurping noodles is fine; it shows you enjoy them.
Gestures
Gestures don’t travel well. A thumbs up is rude in some countries, and in Bulgaria a nod can mean “no” and a shake of the head “yes”.
Key fact
Pointing with one finger is considered rude in many cultures.
Giving Gifts
In China, clocks are avoided as gifts because the phrase sounds like attending a funeral. In Russia, happy bouquets have odd numbers; even numbers are for funerals.
Key fact
In Japan and China, gifts are often given and received with both hands.
Time & Meals
Being on time matters a lot in Germany and Switzerland. In Spain, meals run late: lunch around 2 pm and dinner often after 9 pm.
Key fact
In Brazil, arriving a little late to a party is normal.
Fun facts
In Tibet, sticking out your tongue has long been a traditional sign of respect.
Many Japanese schools have shoe lockers at the entrance, where pupils switch into indoor shoes.
The claim that “tip” stands for “to insure promptness” is a myth: the word is older than that story.
In Ethiopia, friends may lovingly feed each other a mouthful of food, a gesture called gursha.
The “OK” hand sign can be an insult in places like Brazil and Turkey.
In China, it’s polite to decline a gift once or twice before accepting it.
Spain is on Central European Time, so its clocks run about an hour ahead of the Sun.
Story: V for Victory
V for Victory
January 1941. A Belgian politician broadcasting on the BBC urges people in occupied Europe to chalk the letter V, for victory, on walls.
V signs spread everywhere. Winston Churchill takes up the two-finger salute and makes it his trademark.
At first he sometimes made it with his palm facing in, a rude insult in Britain. Aides reportedly told him, and he turned his palm outwards.
True or false?
Tap your answer to see if you got it, and why.
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Question 1 of 10
Bowing is a common greeting in Japan.
Show the answer
True. Deeper bows show more respect.
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Question 2 of 10
In many Japanese homes, shoes come off at the door.
Show the answer
True. At an entrance step, the genkan.
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Question 3 of 10
Tipping is unusual in Japan.
Show the answer
True. Good service is expected anyway.
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Question 4 of 10
Slurping noodles is acceptable in Japan.
Show the answer
True. It shows enjoyment.
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Question 5 of 10
In Bulgaria, a nod can mean “no”.
Show the answer
True. And a shake can mean “yes”.
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Question 6 of 10
In China, a clock is seen as an unlucky gift.
Show the answer
True. The phrase sounds like attending a funeral.
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Question 7 of 10
In Spain, dinner is often after 9 pm.
Show the answer
True. Lunch is late too, around 2 pm.
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Question 8 of 10
Every country greets people the same way.
Show the answer
False. Greetings vary widely.
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Question 9 of 10
Removing shoes indoors is rude everywhere.
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False. In many places it’s expected.
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Question 10 of 10
Tipping rules are the same worldwide.
Show the answer
False. They vary hugely.
Keep going in the app
KnowSoda learns what you know and brings back what you’re about to forget. Customs & Etiquette has 6 more ideas at the Advanced and Expert levels.
Sources
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — greetings, etiquette, hongi
- Japan National Tourism Organization — Etiquette
- Te Ara, the Encyclopedia of New Zealand — Hongi
- Morrison & Conaway, Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands (Adams Media, 2006)
- UNESCO — Sauna culture in Finland
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — proxemics, meishi, supra (Georgian feast)
