Title: Avoiding Cross-Cultural Faux Pas - Career Skills From MindTools.com
Headings: Avoiding Cross-Cultural Faux Pas
Avoiding Cross-Cultural Faux Pas
Understanding the Impact of Cross-Cultural Differences
The Importance of Cultural Awareness
Considering Cultural Differences
Tip 1:
Tip 2:
Common Cross-Cultural Mistakes
Note:
Food
Body Language and Gestures
Tip:
Clothing and Color
Personal Space
Additional Tools and Models
Key Points

Content: Muslims, Mormons, and Seventh Day Adventists avoid alcohol. Hindus, India's largest religious population, consider it unholy to eat beef. Most are also vegetarian. Muslims and Jews are forbidden to eat pork (and, in addition, Jews do not eat shellfish), and Roman Catholics may choose fish rather than red meat on Fridays. Body Language and Gestures
In India, Africa, and the Middle East, people always use their right hand for greeting, touching, and eating. They consider the left hand unclean, so you should never use it for anything publicly. Several cultures consider crossing your legs to be rude. For example, in the Middle East and South Africa, crossed legs often show the sole of the foot, a sign of an ill wish or a bad omen. In Japan, it's considered rude to cross your legs in the presence of someone older or more respected than you. Certain gestures considered acceptable in one country can be highly offensive in another.