How to avoid cultural blunders?

How to avoid cultural blunders?

world cultureTravel abroad sometimes leads to misunderstandings that can be stressful. Due to differences in culture, a harmless gesture, a gift given in good faith or the way of dressing can be considered an offense that can lead to conflicts or legal problems. It is therefore important to always pay attention to his behavior to avoid cultural blunders as much as possible.

Ask about

In order to avoid a cultural gaffe that could be difficult to repair, it is best to find out beforehand about the culture of your destination country. Thus, you will know what is considered sacred in the host country and will be able to adapt more easily to this new culture. It is possible to learn about the good manners of a country through the blogs of expatriates, articles on the internet, the most famous paper guides such as Le Guide du routard, Lonely Planet, Le Petit Futé or the Michelin guides. , without forgetting local institutions and contacts. There are also applications such as the “Dos & Don’ts” which brings together a lot of information on the habits and customs of foreign countries as well as the gestures to avoid.

Prepare to make mistakes

To err being human, there is always a risk that you will make a cultural error during your stays abroad, despite all your precautions.

If you encounter a problem because of a misunderstanding or misunderstanding, the good reflex is to smile, even laugh. If you arrive in China, for example, and you are about to kiss the person who welcomes you, they may surprise you by distancing themselves. Do not feel embarrassed because this gesture is part of his culture. In any case, the ideal is not to dramatize things and to remain calm and positive.

If the problem you are facing is more serious as in the case of a scam, a money problem, an offense against religion or an action considered on the spot as a lack of respect, it is imperative to keep your cool. Try to calmly explain the situation and politely apologize if you are at fault.

For the very big cultural blunders

It can happen that a simple error escalates and ends up being settled at the police station. If such a situation arises, you must at all costs avoid being aggressive, uttering insults, even in French, and rebelling against the police. It is essential to remain calm, to contact your relatives and, as quickly as possible, the local French authorities who will help you to resolve the dispute. It is also advisable to contact your travel insurance because the legal assistance of the contract allows you to benefit from support for legal costs such as the fees of a lawyer.

Some examples

The habits and customs of foreign countries can sometimes be very confusing. In Switzerland, for example, punctuality is essential. It is of course impolite to arrive late but it is also the case if you are early. This is why many people prefer to wait outside in their cars so as not to arrive too early for an appointment. In Thailand, you owe total respect to the royal family, a contradiction to this rule is punishable by imprisonment.

Each country has its traditions, a gesture can be considered as a mark of respect somewhere and be interpreted as an insult elsewhere. It is therefore essential to be well informed about good manners before traveling in order to avoid cultural blunders. Discover on the ACS blog the best advice that will prepare you for your future trip, or your expatriation, abroad.