50 foreign faux pas

[Virgin Bart]

Interesting compilation for your interest and discussion. Interesting not one from Oz, and one from NZ.

http://visual.ly/50-foreign-faux-pas

 

[albatross710]

Interesting compilation for your interest and discussion. Interesting not one from Oz, and one from NZ.

50 Foreign Faux Pas | Visual.ly

Nice infographic. I wonder what an Australian faux pas would be?

Not saying thank you to the bus driver as you leave public transport.

Arriving into cairns (from a European winter life) and not using suncream on your Barrier Reef cruise.

 

[Hvr]

Probably the biggest one I can immediately think of is for a man to sit alone in the back seat of the taxi.

 

[opusman]

Probably the biggest one I can immediately think of is for a man to sit alone in the back seat of the taxi.

What's wrong with that? I do that all the time...

 

[JessicaTam]

Nice infographic. I wonder what an Australian faux pas would be?

...

Maybe this: Important social rules in Australia

 

[Virgin Bart]

What's wrong with that? I do that all the time...

Nothing wrong with it, but I think the vast majority of people sit in the front.

All of these will have their naysayers.

For me I always sit in the front for three reasons:
- I like to feel like I have control of the car (I know I know)
- I don't want to feel like the driver is my slave, I prefer to be in the front with him or her
- I sometimes like to engage in conversations which is much easier from the front.

 

[opusman]

- I sometimes like to engage in conversations which is much easier from the front.

You've obviously never caught a Melbourne taxi, I can't remember the last time I had a taxi driver who could speak English well enough for any sort of conversation!

Sitting in the back seat is quite normal in most cities in the world - think NY or London for example. I don't see the need to sit in the front here out of some dubious expectation of equality or "mateship". I'm paying for them to drive me somewhere, they're not a friend doing me a favor.

 

[jetlagger]

You've obviously never caught a Melbourne taxi, I can't remember the last time I had a taxi driver who could speak English well enough for any sort of conversation!

Or even drivers of questionable calibre whom I suspect randomly bathe regularly & are adverse to applying deodorant.
If alone, preference is the back seat.

 

[Virgin Bart]

Very harsh guys! Not only do I catch Melbourne Cabs (MEL is home) but I actually catch Dandenong cabs! I find it's all about giving them a chance, yeah they may not have an awesome grasp on English but they've got some great stories.

 

[Virgin Bart]

Very harsh guys! Not only do I catch Melbourne Cabs (MEL is home) but I actually catch Dandenong cabs! I find it's all about giving them a chance, yeah they may not have an awesome grasp on English but they've got some great stories.

Further to the above, my parents are not from an English background so I suspect that makes understanding people with ESL easier.

 

[anat0l]

Probably the biggest one I can immediately think of is for a man to sit alone in the back seat of the taxi.

Probably more common in other countries with a peculiarity to try and rip you off or imprison you in the back. Makes it easier to ditch the taxi if things go pear shaped.

You've obviously never caught a Melbourne taxi, I can't remember the last time I had a taxi driver who could speak English well enough for any sort of conversation!

Very harsh guys! Not only do I catch Melbourne Cabs (MEL is home) but I actually catch Dandenong cabs! I find it's all about giving them a chance, yeah they may not have an awesome grasp on English but they've got some great stories.

I care more about their ability to get me to where I want to go effectively. Taxi service first, stories second.

Maybe I don't have a large enough sample size, but so far in Melbourne as far as knowledge of how to get to where, it has to be the worst of the taxi drivers in this country. Speaks to be more embarrassing when over 95% of them have a GPS (but surely a good taxi driver should be able to drive to at least 80% of a city without needing a GPS perhaps until they get closer to the destination).



The left hand being offensive in Muslim countries is probably one that many will stuff up, especially if you're left-handed. Pretty much gesturing with the hands, one needs to be always careful of the local custom.

"Don't speak the language if you don't know how." A bit of a blunt and unfair statement; certainly doesn't do much for encouraging people to embrace languages and lingual diversity. (Yes I realise we have a double standard application in Western countries, but that's beyond the point). I know what it really means to say is if you are going to utter a few words in another language, make sure you know how to say it properly, as saying it incorrectly may offend (even if unintentionally).

People from other cultures are often heartened to hear even a few words from foreigners of their language, even if those are the only words they can speak and you quickly go back to speaking English (fluent or pidgin). It helps break the ice.

 

[drron]

I actualy find in Japan that it is better to try and speak Japanese badly.All Japanese now learn some English but many will not speak to you in English as they think they will seem silly if they make mistakes.After I have murdered a couple of sentences in Japanese they know they will not look silly to me.

 

[JessicaTam]

I actualy find in Japan that it is better to try and speak Japanese badly.All Japanese now learn some English but many will not speak to you in English as they think they will seem silly if they make mistakes.After I have murdered a couple of sentences in Japanese they know they will not look silly to me.

I agree. I will always try to master a couple of words in the local language - it shows that you are keen to have a go. (Even if it is just for 'Vino tinto per favore).

 

[JohnK]

Interesting list.

I try to speak to Thai and I do so at every opportunity regardless of how well I speak it. Most Thai people appreciate the effort while some rudely try to correct me.

Probably the biggest one I can immediately think of is for a man to sit alone in the back seat of the taxi.

My preference is to sit in the back seat of a taxi.

 

[CaviAck]

Well I've split the bill with Frenchmen before... And bring 2 piece of chewing gum accidentally in my jacket pocket while entering Singapore through the x-ray machine too...