What is your Cultural IQ?
By regal_aeros
@regal_aeros (2605)
Singapore
January 10, 2009 7:37am CST
I'm taking an international unit & my lecturer gave us this little teaser which i found VERY interesting. Do attempt them, and i'd publish the answers soon.
1. The OK gesture (a circle of the index finger and the thumb) is considered OBSCENE in which countries?
2. The normal speaking distance in much of Latin America is less than one foot. (True or False)
3. In which country is it unacceptable to call our boss by his first name?
4. In Japan, tapping one's finger repeatedly on the table signifies agreement and support of the speaker's statement. (True or False)
5. An Englishman would generally point at something with his head rather than his finger. (TRUE or False)
6. Which part of the body is insulting to Islamic people?
7. Your Hindu client looks stricken when you present him with a pair of cowhide boots made specially for him. (TRUE or FALSE)
8. In Asia the recipient of a gift will place the gift aside, rather than opening it in the presence of the giver. (True or False)
9. In which country does Time = Money?
10. Chinese Names include a family name, a generational name and a given name. (TRUE or FALSE)
11. In which country is it considered offensive to put your hands in your pockets while speaking to somebody?
12. Saudi Arabians don't eat lobsters. (True Or False)
13. Dinner reservations in Spain are generally for 8pm. (True or False)
14. In which country is it considered acceptable to feed a dog from your chair in a restaurant?
PS: Well, i passed this little teaser BUT i learned alot from it. It really was an eye opener for me.
2 responses
@lvaldean (1612)
• United States
10 Jan 09
I think I know most of these:
1. The OK gesture (a circle of the index finger and the thumb) is considered OBSCENE in which countries?
Germany, Brazil, and some other Latin American countries but I can't for the life of me remember which ones.
2. The normal speaking distance in much of Latin America is less than one foot. True
3. In which country is it unacceptable to call our boss by his first name? Most of the Asian countries, but not sure which it is taboo
4. In Japan, tapping one's finger repeatedly on the table signifies agreement and support of the speaker's statement. True
5. An Englishman would generally point at something with his head rather than his finger. TRUE
6. Which part of the body is insulting to Islamic people? Foot / Feet
7. Your Hindu client looks stricken when you present him with a pair of cowhide boots made specially for him. TRUE
8. In Asia the recipient of a gift will place the gift aside, rather than opening it in the presence of the giver. True
9. In which country does Time= Money? you know I just want to say the US
10. Chinese Names include a family name, a generational name and a given name. TRUE
11. In which country is it considered offensive to put your hands in your pockets while speaking to somebody? I am not sure I remember this one, Turkey I think
12. Saudi Arabians don't eat lobsters. (True Or False)
13. Dinner reservations in Spain are generally for 8pm. True
14. In which country is it considered acceptable to feed a dog from your chair in a restaurant? stumped on this one
1 person likes this
@regal_aeros (2605)
• Singapore
10 Jan 09
1. Correct! (Countries: Brazil, Spain, Greece & Middle Eastern Countries)
2. Correct (TRUE)
3. Asian might be one them.. but there is another specific country that is really taboo.
4. CORRECT (TRUE)
5. CORRECT (TRUE)
6. CORRECT (the sole of one's foot)
7. CORRECT (TRUE)
8. CORRECT (TRUE)
9. Nah. Not the USA.
10. CORRECT (TRUE)
11. Nope. Not Turkey... But nice try
12.
13. CORRECT (TRUE)... the correct timing is 10pm
14.
you're like GOOD!!! You've scored even more than i did!!!
you're like GOOD!!! You've scored even more than i did!!!@lvaldean (1612)
• United States
10 Jan 09
It helps to have worked in a global company and been an expat as both a child and an adult.
On 3 - I wanted to say Japan, but then for the most part you use an honorific when speaking to everyone in the workplace so that didn't make sense that it would be only the boss.
I am really stumped on number 9, can't wait for the answer on that one.
The intricate naming conventions of Chinese names is interesting. Family name first, unless the person is Christian and has a Christian name. So there are all sorts of conventions to remember when living and working in Asia, especially the parts of Asia with predominantly Chinese populations. It took a long time for me to learn the conventions fully.
