Etiquette in different countries: rules of behavior. Interesting traditions from around the world Compliments from around the world

In Iceland, I personally would have been immediately won over with just one compliment.

Japanese haiku

A compliment to a girl from a Japanese man is as unusual as everything connected with this country, which is distant to us in every sense.

Maybe a Japanese guy will compliment you in such a technologically advanced way and at the same time unexpectedly. Not just a compliment, but a haiku.

Romanian horror stories

With a touch of gore and horror, Romanians can give a compliment.

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“a resident of Romania can say to the girl he likes. Such a compliment makes your blood run cold. And it’s not clear whether they praised you at all or hinted at something?

Oriental tales

Eastern men can still beautifully say that your head will spin.

Says the Algerian in love. And you immediately directly imagine the scale of his love, considering that the Sahara is one of the largest deserts on Earth.

Practical Americans

My friend, who married an American, constantly says that these are the best men on earth. Because they are caring, attentive and specific.

And New Yorkers are generally masters at giving very practical compliments:

Some compliments are actually converted advertising slogans:

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And this compliment just immediately appeals:

Italian smell

Italians, even when giving compliments, cannot do without their favorite drink.

But how exciting it is:

Icelanders can't live without ice

Compliments in snowy Iceland are very warm. Although not without snow and ice.

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an Icelandic man might say.

And if he steps on the ice, then expect the following flirting phrase:

Denmark is amazing

The Danes compliment straight to the point and without hints:

But sometimes they are also drawn to romance:

British restraint

The British, with their characteristic humor, can give a compliment so unexpectedly that it is difficult to immediately come up with a worthy answer: “

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They can also be incredibly romantic, they can mention eyes and touch on the favorite topic of all Englishmen - the weather: “

Photos: shutterstock.

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Every language has quirky phrases that are almost impossible to translate correctly to a foreigner. These words are rarely discussed in lessons at language schools, but if you don't understand them, you can get into trouble. How can you tell the difference between a nice compliment and a warning remark? Should you be offended if you were called an old potty and your gait was compared to that of an elephant? Is it possible to be happy if a German friend called you a bird, and an Englishman said that you are dressed like a dog’s dinner?

website I have collected a couple of dozen non-standard addresses, sayings and phrases that will be useful to ardent lovers, simply sociable people and those who love to travel and study other cultures.

14. “My cabbage” (France)

French compliment mon petit (“my cabbage”) comes from the phrase chou à la crème - “small cake with cream”. It is often used in relation to cute children and pretty young ladies. There are other terms of endearment associated with food: ma mie - “my bread crumb”, mon crevette - “my shrimp” or mon saucisson - “my sausage”. How do you like “my minion” or “my dudu”?

In rare cases, you can hear a man address a woman by calling her a rat. This is part of the outdated address mon chat, mon rat - “my cat, my rat.” Once upon a time, this was the name given to theater extras who ran after the scenery like rats, rustling with pointe shoes and fluffy dresses.

13. “You are the apple of my eye” (UK)

Many compliments to women are related to something tasty: polpetto - “meatball”, cioccolatino - “chocolate”, formaggino - “cheese” and zuccherino - “sugar”. Fragile and young girls may be addressed by calling them farfallina - “little butterfly”.

Children are addressed differently: passerotto or passerotta - “sparrow”, cucciolo - “puppy”, even patatino or patatina, which means “potato”.

11. “Hug Bear” (Germany)

If we move away from literal translation, then the expression moosh bokhore torō in Persian it means “you are so cute”. But you should be careful with this phrase: this is what a granny will say when she pinches a baby’s cheek, or a man who addresses his beloved when they are alone. When declaring true love, Iranians will say: “I will eat your liver,” which implies that a person is ready to do anything for the sake of his loved one.

Do not be upset if you are called a “salty person” (bā namak). In reality, it means that you are a pleasant and interesting person.

9. “You’re just a cane!” (Spain)

In Portuguese chayote, or Mexican cucumber, is called, and this is how loved ones are affectionately called in Brazil. In slang it means “baby” or “cute.”

It sounds no less strange if they call you macaco velho, that is, an old monkey. This means that you are experienced and wise beyond your years. The expression is based on the old saying that an old smart monkey won’t put his hand in a pot. We are talking about fruits that look like pots in which an animal’s paw can get stuck, so cunning adult animals use improvised means to get to the juicy pulp, and young animals use their own paws.

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Illustration copyright Mehmet Genç

Photographer Mehmet Genç photographs women all over the world - before and immediately after a woman is given a compliment.

In January 2015, he ended up in the Mexican municipality of San Cristobal de las Casas. Trying to help his model feel more comfortable in front of the camera, he asked her to smile, and when that didn’t work, he unexpectedly called her beautiful.

“I had to break the ice somehow,” he recalls. “I had to start a conversation somehow. Say something simple that evokes [an] emotional reaction. What if not a compliment? It establishes a connection for a short time with the interlocutor and helps to relax and smile."

According to him, the photo turned out to be so sincere and sincere that he decided to take this idea as the concept of a new project.

Genç is still traveling around the world, collecting the fruits of his compliments, and plans to complete the project by October 2017.

Illustration copyright Mehmet Genç

In response to a request to pose for a photograph, Matilda, from Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, said: "I have no teeth. Please don't make me laugh."

But when she heard them call her beautiful, she forgot to think about her teeth. "We laughed a lot with her. It was a nice moment," Genc said, adding that this photo is one of his favorites.

Illustration copyright Mehmet Genç

Margarita sold fruit at a street market in the Ecuadorian city of Otavalo. Gench bought some goods from her, after which she agreed to filming.

Margarita did not respond to the request to smile, but the compliment made her break into a sincere smile.

Illustration copyright Mehmet Genç

Zarekkim is from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, a remote mountainous area in Colombia, who speaks only his native Arhuaco language.

Arriving in this village, Gench learned how to say “you are so beautiful” in Aruacan, and captured on camera the face of a woman who heard these unexpected words from him.

Illustration copyright Mehmet Genç

Genç met Juliana in a village adjacent to Cabo de la Vela, a coastal region in northern Colombia where the desert meets the Caribbean Sea.

The area is very dry, some months there is no rain at all, and Juliana was wearing a mask to protect her face from the sun's rays.

She was selling handicrafts, and Gench's compliment brought a happy smile to her face.

Illustration copyright Mehmet Genç

Meto, a member of the Marubo tribe of the Brazilian Amazon, also speaks only their native language.

The photographer learned a few words of greeting and her signature compliment, and finally she smiled into the camera.

Illustration copyright Mehmet Genç

Mimba and little Maya also belong to the Brazilian Marubo tribe. Mimba was very shy, and only the second time, when he came to her home, the photographer was able to get permission to shoot.

However, after hearing the compliment, the girl felt freer.

Illustration copyright Mehmet Genç

Altena was sitting on the front porch of her home in the Brazilian city of Atalaya do Norte when Genc asked permission to photograph her.

As he recalls, she was very friendly: he took a few pictures, then told her that she was beautiful, and she burst out laughing.

Illustration copyright Mehmet Genç

And Cosmita, another resident of Atalaya do Norte, surprised Gench with her reaction to his compliment.

“No one else was so impressed by the words ‘you’re so beautiful!’,” admits the photographer.

While traveling, you can notice not only differences in traditions and customs, but also in mentality. Therefore, it is important to know the unusual national characteristics of etiquette.

Every person, born in a certain country, remembers generally accepted rules and norms from childhood. Growing up, he feels on a subconscious level which of his actions will be assessed adequately and which with misunderstanding.

To make the difference more clear, let’s look at the interesting features of national etiquette using an example. How is it customary to visit us? Often, if pleasant gatherings are planned, they take a cake (or something else for tea) with them, but “empty-handed” is considered bad manners. For the holiday, it’s a good idea to take a bouquet of flowers with you for the hostess.

But among the Chinese people it is absolutely not customary to visit with flowers - this only offends the hostess. By bringing a beautiful bouquet, the guest seems to be hinting that the house is uncomfortable, and he decided to decorate it himself. Therefore, when you are in the Celestial Empire, do not overdo it with different gifts.

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You shouldn't be too nice in Greece either. When we get into the house of new people, we are used to praising something there. According to an unusual Greek custom, the owner will have to give the guest an item he likes.

Traditions of eating in different countries

Knowledge of the peculiarities of national etiquette provides for the rules of behavior at the table. What forks and knives to use, don’t keep your elbows on the table, don’t slurp, keep your back straight, eat slowly and carefully...

If you don't slurp at the table in China, the hosts may think that you didn't like the food and you eat it without pleasure. In a restaurant, you can easily offend the chef with this. Therefore, do not forget to slurp deliciously while eating very tasty food. Also, don't worry about accidentally staining the tablecloth. It is advisable to even put a small spot on purpose, thereby showing that you appreciated the unusual dishes and ate with appetite.

South Korea is famous all over the world for its various spicy dishes, but when visiting, it is considered bad manners to hold back tears. Trying to hide this fact will show disrespect for the hospitality of the hosts. Tears and snot are the best compliment for a cook.

The peoples of Mongolia and the Republic of Buryatia have interesting and unusual traditions, where it is not customary to hold back belching at the table. To prevent the owners from feeding her until she loses consciousness, it is recommended to release her without permission. Until this happens, the guest is considered hungry.

Customs and drinks

In Central Asian countries, do not be offended if they pour you an incomplete mug of tea. By pouring no more than half a cup, the owners show their desire to continue gatherings. Having barely finished your tea, they will immediately pour you more, showing attention. And a full mug may be perceived as “drink and leave!” This is such an interesting tradition in this part of the world.

In Georgia, your glass of wine will always be full. If you drink it, they will immediately pour you another. Therefore, if you want to sit with the people until the end of the feast, it is better to drink a little.

Traditions in relationships

In Norway, do not even think about giving up your seat on public transport. This will make people think that you are trying to show off your superiority. At school, grades cannot be announced in front of the whole class, as some students may be humiliated. There is no need to ask about the employee’s well-being after sick leave - this is considered personal life and too intimate things.

In the USA there is no custom to open the door for a woman, pay for her in a restaurant and help her carry her bags. By doing this you are showing your financial or physical superiority, which is rude.

Compliments that, as it turns out, are not welcome by all peoples of the world deserve special attention:

• Finland – compliments are not accepted in public, they can only be said one-on-one;
• Norway – you cannot get carried away by admiring a person’s merits, this is perceived as flattery;
• USA – compliments to a woman about her appearance may be considered harassment;
• Korea - don’t look for unusual beauty in a girl, rather tell her how bad she looks: it is believed that a woman should look sickly and fragile for a man to want to protect her.

How many countries are located on our planet Earth, so many different traditions exist in these countries. Although the Italians say with their proverb that “All of us are one country,” this is not at all true. Rather, each country is a special world with its own traditions and customs.

Let's consider this tradition, which is inherent in the culture of communication in different countries:

• in Russia they say: “Hello!” or “Hello!”;
• in China - “Have you eaten?”;
• in Iran - “Be cheerful!”;
• Zulus greet each other with the words: “I see you!”

Such diverse words denote a common tradition for all countries - greeting when meeting.

Different traditions in different countries

European countries

If in European countries slurping at the table is considered a sign of bad upbringing, then in China guests champ intensely, afraid by quietly eating food they will offend the hostess, who may think that the guests did not like the treats. Loud slurping while eating, a tablecloth stained with sauces are signs that the guests ate with appetite and enjoyed the treat.

China

In China, there is no tradition of presenting a bouquet of flowers to the hostess. A presented bouquet can offend the hostess, who will take it personally that the decoration of the house is not beautiful enough, which the guests want to decorate with their bouquet of flowers.

Advice

Imagine a situation where a European comes to visit without flowers for the lady of the house. At best, he will be accused of poor upbringing, at worst, of stinginess; it is worth thinking about the gift.

Compliments in Korea

The tradition of complimenting a woman differs in different countries. In Korea, a woman's beauty is judged by her fragility and paleness. Such painful beauty is appreciated by men who have a desire to take the girl under their wing. Therefore, the highest compliment Koreans can give is to tell a girl: “You look so bad!” For example, a Frenchman would try to pay such a compliment to his girlfriend!

Japan

Japan is a country of unshakable traditions that are respected and passed on from generation to generation. Something as simple as blowing your nose into a handkerchief in public is considered unacceptable by the Japanese. Another indispensable tradition: you cannot leave your workplace before your boss. Violation of this tradition can have a detrimental effect on the employee, who will be accused of dishonesty in performing his duties.

Are there traditions associated with farming?

In many countries there is a tradition according to which you cannot help the housewife wash the dishes. It is believed that by breaking this tradition, you are washing away your happiness. In Russia, on the contrary, after a feast it is considered a good tradition for women to help the hostess of the house wash all the dishes after the banquet.

USA and Russia - taxi traditions

In the USA, for taxi services, in addition to paying for the trip, there is a tradition of helping the passenger get out of the car and bring his luggage to the door. And only a compliment to a female passenger can be interpreted as sexual harassment. In Russia, a beautiful woman will receive all sorts of compliments from a taxi driver, but the taxi driver can only carry her luggage for a certain fee.

Arab countries

In countries, mainly Arab, where the tradition of hookah smoking is developed, the hookah mouthpiece is never passed from hand to hand. This action creates a feeling of being forced to smoke a hookah, which is unacceptable, so the mouthpiece is placed on the table.

Greece

In Greece, they are very sensitive to the fact that a guest praises an item of home decoration (a vase, a painting). According to existing tradition, the host must give the guest this item.

Conclusion:

When going on a tourist trip, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the traditions and customs of the country where you are going. This will help you avoid awkward situations and not offend anyone. Treat the traditions of another people with care and caution, who will be able to appreciate your delicacy and good manners, and then your journey will be pleasant and comfortable.

Cultural traditions of different countries