Cultural Taboos

In which country should you avoid wearing white clothing to a celebration and using white paper to wrap gifts?

• Bolivia

• China

• Malawi

• Turkey

In which countries is tipping seen as offensive?

• Italy and Croatia

• Mexico and Honduras

• Qatar and Saudi Arabia

• Japan and South Korea

In which region is it derogatory to call someone over to you by curling your index finger toward you?

• Asia

• Central America

• Europe

• Middle East

In many Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist countries why should men in particular be careful when crossing their legs?

• They might be taking up too much space.

• Showing the sole of the foot is seen as disrespectful.

• Touching oneself below the knee is frowned upon.

• Men’s feet should both remain on the ground to show strength.

In which country does opening a gift in front of the person who gave it to you appear greedy?

• Australia

• India

• Namibia

• Peru

Where might you be judged for asking for a condiment or other seasoning if there is none on the table?

• China

• Czech Republic

• Italy

• Russia

In what country would it be in poor taste to refuse to eat a sheep’s eye?

• Kazakhstan

• Egypt

• Saudi Arabia

• Scotland

What is the meaning of the thumbs up gesture in West African nations?

• Good job

• A vulgar and offensive gesture

• I need a ride

• Put a curse upon your family

Why is it disrespectful to greet people using your left hand in many African and Asian countries?

• They use their left hands only for giving directions.

• They use their left hands only for devotional actions.

• They believe the left hand is inherently weaker than the right.

• They believe the left hand should only be used for unclean things.

In which country would your hosts assume that they have failed to provide you with enough food if you clean your plate when eating?

• Mexico

• Ghana

• India

• Russia