You may consider yourself to be extremely culturally open-minded, but experiencing a new culture whilst on holiday or travelling can be completely different to living within one.

No matter how open to new traditions and customs you may be, there will be times when a culture clash occurs. Perhaps your own set of moral values or your beliefs are compromised, or you feel offended by a tradition you disagree with. In these instances, it is important to deal with the situation in the best way possible. After all, you now live in this new country, you’re not just visiting. Culture Smart! guides offer advice on how to approach new cultures in a positive and rewarding way.

Give it time

When something is new to you, it can seem strange and make you somewhat uncomfortable. This is especially true of new cultures. The ‘odd’ practices, views and traditions can be unsettling to a foreigner. However, this is often because early on, very little is in context. The more time you spend in the new country, the more background and insight you will gain and gradually these ‘strange’ traditions will start to make sense. It is very important to be patient when settling into a new environment.

Read up

You can give yourself a head start on understanding the new culture by reading about your new home. Guides, official websites and forums are just some of the useful resources you have at your disposal. When you arrive, don’t be afraid to ask the locals about where their traditions and cultural practices came from. Showing an interest will pay dividends not only for your own knowledge base and understanding, but for being accepted by your new community. People are generally very proud of their culture and will happily explain the intricacies of it to foreigners.

Don’t expect to accept everything about the new culture

Despite your efforts to understand the customs of your new home, there may remain some aspects of the culture that you cannot abide. Sometimes, to accept parts of unfamiliar traditions means fundamentally changing certain perspectives. This is not always possible, so in these instances relying on self-control is your best plan of action. Voicing your displeasure will not endear you to the locals, nor will it change their ways. Keep in mind that these strange or disagreeable customs are normal for them.

Experiencing a new culture when you move to a new country is a fascinating chapter of relocation, and as with all aspects of moving, must be properly prepared for. A little planning will ensure that you can enjoy the journey to your ‘strange’ new world without any unnecessary obstacles.

Family 

Typically, both the immediate and the extended family unit in Venezuela is celebrated and revered.  Their elderly are respected and mostly cared for amongst family members with the adult children often never leaving the parental home.  Special occasions such as birthdays and weddings are frequent, great social family affairs.  Despite an increase in households having to survive without a male role model due to absent fathers and an apparent increase in murder rate amongst young men, the family unit remains a conventional, social supportive institution.

In Venezuela, long-established male and female roles are still honored and upheld.  Even in a changing society where more women are attaining a tertiary education, the roles at home remains traditionally defined.  The Venezuelan man remains proudly ‘macho’ and chivalrous.

Wealth

In a country where the rich-poor divide remains vast, wealth is generally defined by your address and the car you drive.  An element of snobbery, pretentiousness and over-indulgency, started by the oil boom in the 1970s, is rife and sustained amongst wealthy Venezuelans.

Pride and Vanity

Venezuela holds the record for the most internationally recognized beauty pageants won by any country.  Venezuelan women endeavor to look as feminine and beautiful as possible, with money being the only limit to the extremes they will go to, to attain perfect beauty in a country obsessed with good looks and stunning women.  Apart from the intense pride that Venezuelans hold for their beauty queens, they are also extremely patriotic, and hold their national historical and current heroes and national geographic treasures in the highest regard.

Religion

Ninety percent of the population practice Roman Catholicism.  Although not everyone is completely devout, the Venezuelans are committed to their Catholic feasts, festivals and traditions.  Other religions such indigenous religious beliefs make up about 8% of the population.

Law

Although the Venezuelans have a healthy respect for authority and powerful figures, they tend to be very relaxed about adhering to the law in certain instances. There seems to be a general consensus that the law does not always work practically and therefore it is in order to sometimes bend the rules or even break the law in the name of self preservation and survival.

The Venezuelans are a determined, diligent nation, continually striving to improve and better themselves through education, even if that means having two jobs and studying part time.  Although their time keeping can be frustrating at times it is important to remember that they are a typical Latin American people; hot-blooded, physically expressive, social, hospitable and gregarious. You will be made to feel very well welcome in Venezuela as a visitor if you come with a spirit of community, fun, participation and spontaneity.

The male remains the primary authoritative figure in society.  Men are expected to protect and provide for their women and a Georgian male will fiercely defend the honour of his female associates. Women are expected to behave in a traditionally appropriate manner and the reputation of a family’s name rests heavily and solely upon the shoulders of the women in a family.  They endeavor to educate their children to the best of their ability and they respect their elders.  Although there is some social rank displayed and recognized by a person’s wealth, it is success rather than affluence that is admired and valued by a Georgian.

Georgians have a somewhat lackadaisical attitude towards punctuality by Western standards.  Their work ethic focuses more on an immediate, crisis management, rather than a proactive, innovative approach, a legacy from their foreign occupation days, which can be frustrating for Western business persons dealing with Georgia trade.

Despite Georgia’s unresolved alliance with the West or East, a Georgians’ character is firmly set on a solid foundation of family, religion and patriotism.  There might still be a huge gap between the average rural and urbanised Georgian with regards to lifestyle, language and adherence to tradition; but all Georgians remain united by their sense of national pride, fiercely protective over their unique ancient language and their devotion to the Georgian Orthodox Christian Church.  Because of their history and their loyalty to their country, they cherish both their political heroes and rebels and they tend to support powerful individuals rather than an organisation.

Georgians consider their wine and local food to be world class, they believe that their morals and principles are firmly embedded in a culture of hospitality and generosity towards not only family and friends but also to strangers.  Despite this culture and their interesting and turbulent past creating a nation rich in tradition, patriotism and diversity as well as religion, they remain, especially in the rural areas, a conservative nation.  A traveler to Georgia would be well advised to respect and enjoy the local traditions, values, religious beliefs and nationalism to better enjoy their experience in a country that can offer a glimpse of the best both the Asian and European worlds have to offer.

Family Life

Serbian families have a patriarchal structure and are often very large, with extended family being very much a part of everyday life. In keeping with the close-knit nature of Serbian families, children are not pushed to be independent and fly the ‘coup’ when they come of age, as they often are in the West. The value placed on this type of independence is less than is commonly found in the western world. In fact, it is frequently the case that when sons and daughters marry, parents will build a story onto their own home to provide the first marital home for their children. Unsurprisingly, children will return the favour when their parents are too old to look after themselves. Care homes are not a popular option in this country with solid family-first values.

Women in the family often take on full time work outside the home, as well as household duties, like raising the children. This cultural norm began when men were away fighting and the women needed to fend for themselves and has endured to the present day.

Social Life

Serbians are superb hosts, taking a lot of pride in providing their guests with the best of everything. Be prepared to eat, drink and be thoroughly entertained. Accordingly, the reception/entertaining area tends to be the focal point of a Serbian home.

When out at a bar or a restaurant, it is common for one member of the social group to pay for everyone. This custom is so important that it often results in sneaky tactics to be the one who picks up the bill, such as disappearing off under the pretence of visiting the washrooms to settle the bill.

Working Life

Serbians tend to have a good work-life balance, with many office hours being between 8am and 3pm. This allows for time everyday to family and social occasions. Though extremely hardworking, the efficiency that people from the western world are accustomed to, is not something commonly found in Serbian working life. Getting things done more quickly tends to depend on the connections one has, so unless this is something you can exploit, then it is a good idea to allow more time for deadlines.

Serbia is a fascinating country with much to offer visitors and expats alike. With a long and interesting history, Serbia enjoys a variety of influences, making it a pleasure for an outsider to discover. For more on this fascinating country, see the Culture Smart! Guide to Serbia.

Personal relationships are key to successful business interactions in Peru. Of course, there is always a degree of formality, but less so than most western countries.

Business Meetings

Meetings happen in person. You won’t get very far doing business with Peruvians over the phone or emails alone. Initial meetings will be the most formal you will experience in Peru, until you establish a closer, friendlier, relationship with your colleagues. After this, the meetings will become more relaxed and informal. Often, you will find that meetings don’t have official agendas or even a chairperson, but rather the attendees verbally create one at the start of the meeting.

Though Peruvians tend to employ rather rigid hierarchies within most businesses, in meetings, everyone is allowed to speak at any time. This makes meetings generally a very productive affair, with input from various levels within a company.

Negotiations in Peru can be tricky and require a direct, no-frills approach, due to the patriarchal nature of society in the country. Peru’s history of nepotism is also often a factor when negotiating. Many businesses comprise entire families, with one family member in charge who will be particularly protective over the family business, so any offers must be realistic and reasonable. Peruvian business-owners respond to an honest and frank negotiation style.

The Business of Entertainment

Peruvians pride themselves on being brilliant hosts, and there is no exception when it comes to business. Expect late nights and early starts for the duration of your stay.

Entertainment frequently involves dining out at restaurants and it will usually be assumed that you eat meat, so it is wise to make it known early on if you are a vegetarian/vegan. Lunches will be treated differently to dinner, which are a purely social occasion with minimal business chat. You will find far more business talk at lunches, which are often just a more social way of continuing business matters.

It is quite common to be invited to a business breakfast when time is short and there are few other opportunities to get through everything that needs to be covered. They are fast-paced and to the point so go prepared.

Peruvians are proud businesspeople, who have not lost that endearing personal touch when it comes to professional etiquette. A long-standing business relationship with a Peruvian is an extremely rewarding and unique experience.

Costa Ricans (‘Ticos’) by and large, are an open-minded and liberal people, willing to consider alternative views or stances, but at the same time, willing to speak out about what they believe in.

Enjoying more stability than many of the surrounding countries, this tiny Central American area (just 19,653 square miles) also boasts a 96% literacy rate, thanks to the accessibility of education.

Family

The social side of life is extremely important in Costa Rican life, and nothing is more cherished and sacred than family. It is normal to find the same groups living, working and ‘playing’ together, and this in itself promotes a culture of solidarity and unity.

Ticos like to make the most of events like baptisms, communions, weddings and funerals.  Every member of the family will attend these events, as well as a large number of family friends.

Family values are strong throughout all levels of society in Costa Rica and it is quite normal for three generations to live within one household – each with a role to play to keep that household running smoothly.

Traditionally, it is the women that run the household, though with more women having to work these days, this is not always the case. There are more single-mother households in Costa Rica then there previously were, as well as more women who want to have a career before they have kids – another example of the liberal stance of Ticos today.

Elders have traditionally been looked after by their families, but this is another area of family life that is changing for Costa Rica. It is now becoming more acceptable for elderly relatives to go to homes or to live alone. No matter what the situation, elders are given the utmost respect and their wisdom is highly valued. Similar to countries like the UK, when elders turn 65, they are given a ‘gold card’ by the government, which entitles them to things like discounts and reduced entry prices.

Costa Rica is a fascinating country, continually adapting to the changes of the modern world, and adapting well. The older people of the country maintain the best of the old values while the younger generations add diversity in beginning new ones.

One of the aspects of Indian life that many foreigners find hard to get used to is the prevalence of hierarchy that affects every part of life in this intriguing country. Of course, India is not unique in using hierarchy to assign values and order, but for an outsider, the way it is done can result in a real culture shock. For Indians, it is the norm, and they will happily explain it, but to express any criticism is considered disrespectful. Therefore, it is well worth gaining some prior insight into class, caste and hierarchy in India.

Hierarchy in families

The hierarchical structure is first learned within the family unit. Men will ‘rank’ higher than women of similar ages, older relatives hold a higher position than younger members of the family, younger siblings hold a lower position than older ones and daughters-in-law come below the husband, senior in-laws and non in-law daughters.

The respect that a family member shows a higher-standing relative is characterised by language, specifically, the way family members are addressed. Members of the family are often not addressed by name, but by certain terms. For example, a wife may refer to her husband as ‘daddy’ or a similar term and a child will frequently address an elder as uncle or aunty even when they are not related.

Caste

When talking about hierarchy in India, one must include the social grouping referred to as ‘caste’.

Initially a Hindu creation, castes (or varnas) concerned groups who were given a ranking according to their social standing and occupation.

Originally, there were four Castes – Brahmins/priests, Kshatriyas/rulers, Vaishyas/merchants or farmers, and Shudras/artisans or servants.

Though originally a Hindu concept, the caste system was adopted across all of India and thousands more caste and sub-caste groups were established. The criteria for belonging to a particular caste group became diverse and could concern anything from name to skin colour.

The Abolition of the Caste System

Officially, the caste system was abolished in 1947, when India gained independence, but the reality is that the ideals and perceptions remain prevalent in Indian life today. The degree of prevalence tends to be dependent on the region of India. However, though the caste system is still very much alive, there have been vast improvements for the lower caste groups, who were previously at a significant disadvantage when it came to education and vocation. This is an especially welcome development for those who found themselves at the very bottom of the caste system – the Dalits.

Dalits were associated with ‘impure’ occupations, such as butchering or cleaning sewers. As such, they were considered to be ‘polluted’ and for anyone outside of Dalit status to interact with them was considered to be polluting to that individual. Accordingly, Dalits were extremely segregated, not being allowed into villages, temples or schools.

In modern India, thanks to the implementation of many laws and initiatives, the socio-economic status of much of its Dalit population has improved, though more so in urbanised areas. In 1997, India even elected its first Dalit president, K. R. Narayanan – a massive step forward for the Dalit population.

Class

Predictably, class in India is predicated upon caste. There are three main classes – forward, backward and Dalit. Accordingly, the higher classes correspond with the higher castes and generally have access to better and more numerous options than the other classes.

India’s class divide has long been characterised by a huge wealth divide between the upper and lower, with little in-between. However, the economic landscape is changing for India, and more and more people are beginning to occupy the ‘middle’. Great news for both the class and caste system, and indeed, India.

Business

Business relationships are also created and maintained with long-established hierarchies.

Indians assign a lot of value to pleasing their superiors within the work environment. Those in positions of authority are shown the utmost respect, never challenged (even if wrong) and are always obeyed. Treating everyone as an equal, as is common in the West, is not the norm in India.

Business culture in India is often said to be a ‘shame-based’ one. In the West, if an employee makes a mistake, it may well be talked about, explained and even learned from. In India, this is not the case. Mistakes are not to be made at any time and if one does occur, it is not to have any attention drawn to it, but rather it is to be downplayed and covered up as quickly as possible.

To those not accustomed to it, the hierarchical culture of India can present a view of the country that is old-fashioned and based almost solely on inequalities. However, it can be said that hierarchy is that which creates and maintains order in Indian society. Spending time in India, one begins to see where the hierarchy works well, such as within family units, and where it needs to be improved or altered, such as the rural Dalits and their status in society.

The English sense of humour

The English, and indeed, British, have a well-known aptitude for caustic satire and sharp and smart put-downs, but perhaps one of the better-known qualities of the English sense of humour is their sense of irony. For those who are not accustomed to such a common use of irony in normal conversation, the English sense of humour can often cause misunderstandings. A degree of ‘reading between the lines’ comes in very useful!

The stiff upper lip

The English have a well-earned reputation for being a stoic people, who prefer to get on with things despite obstacles that may appear along the way. It can be said that this no-nonsense attitude is mainly down to the working classes but the sentiment is carried across all levels and areas of society in England today. It is an attitude that has become especially necessary to have in present-day England and the recession that has plagued it for the past few years.

In the same vein, the English also have a tendency to towards order in life. The unparalleled and much-famed tolerance for queuing is just one of the attributes that demonstrates this penchant for order in everyday life for the English people.

Sense of duty

With over 185,000 charitable organisations registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales, examples of the English sense of duty to others are not hard to find.  Events, such as Red Nose Day, are often celebrated by offices all over the country, with people doing their part to raise money to contribute whether it’s selling baked goods, or wearing outrageous costumes.

As well as a sense of duty, the English also have a sense of occasion and never shy away from going that extra mile, especially where Royalty is concerned. The recent Queen’s Jubilee and before that, the marriage of William and Catherine made for fantastic parties and celebrations across the country. Plenty more celebrations can be expected with the imminent Olympics that has London carefully transforming itself as the proud host city.

England is such a rich and diverse place that it is impossible to give a concise, short answer for the question ‘What makes the English, English’. However, by delving into the character of the English people and their outlook on life, one can start to get a better picture of what makes the English people the people they are today.

Friends

In the Ukraine, the title of ‘friend’ is not one to be taken lightly. A friend, to a Ukrainian is someone who is considered as part of the family, so to be invited to a social event is quite the honour, especially for a foreigner.

Hospitality

Ukrainians are incredibly hospitable people and enjoy long and meaningful talks whilst consuming vast amounts of food. Be prepared for any ‘quick’ catch-ups to be anything but! In a world that seems to run on status updates, ‘likes’ and tweets, it is a wonderful attribute of the Ukrainian social life that so much time is taken to get to know a person properly.

The dinner party

Ukrainians socialise with a variety of events, from barbecues to buffet parties, but perhaps one of the most favoured social events is the dinner party. This is often an experience that someone unfamiliar with Ukrainian customs needs most preparation for. Ukrainians are no strangers to superstition and there are gestures and actions that one would ordinarily take to be polite that would not go over well at a Ukrainian house, such as giving a gift of an even number of flowers.

Greeting your host

Another example of a Ukrainian superstition would be the greeting when arriving at the host’s home. In the West, a handshake and a hello before you’ve set foot inside the home is perfectly acceptable. In the Ukrainian home, however, a handshake across the threshold is forbidden. It is also a good idea to follow your host’s lead, as a handshake may not even be appropriate.

When greeting a woman on your arrival, it is not customary to kiss her unless you know her very well. If she is a good friend then it is normal to give her three kisses on your arrival and the same on your departure.

Giving gifts

If you wish to provide gifts for your host then wine or whiskey is perfectly acceptable. Make note, that as a foreigner, you will be expected to bring something a bit ‘different’ for your host as a gift of Ukrainian wine or liquor will likely be frowned upon. The normal gift for the children of the host is sweets.

Dining

Once the greetings and gift-givings are done, you will be presented with a table full of appetisers. You will be expected to help yourself and you do not need to be shy about how much you eat. The more you eat, the happier your hosts will be. In fact, eating until you are uncomfortable is the norm at Ukrainian occasions such as these.

Finally, along with the dessert comes the toasting. In the Ukraine, toasting is an integral part of a dinner party and has strict rules that must be adhered to.

The first toast is given by the host and is usually to health. The second toast, also given by the host, will usually be to the guests, and then the guests will give the third toast.

The Ukrainian social life is a wonderfully active one and must be fully embraced to enjoy it as it should be enjoyed. While much can be picked up as you go, there are some aspects, such as superstitions, that it would be wise to make note of before embarking on any social occasion.

The non-verbal elements of the Japanese language can provide both obstacles and gifts as far as communication goes. On one hand, it can be a very strange thing to rely so heavily on things like body language to convey a message, especially in a professional setting. On the other hand, it can be a blessing not to have to rely on learning as much of the spoken language as one ordinarily would have.

Communicating in Business

English is the lingua franca of the business world in Japan and you will often find that those present in meetings have been specially selected for their knowledge of dealing with foreigners and their command of English. However, those higher up in seniority may still wish to speak via a translator, regardless of the fact that they may understand English well.

The translation of what you say in a meeting may seem lengthy as often the interpreter includes contextual conversation. This can make a non-Japanese speaker feel somewhat distanced from the conversation. It is important in this situation to demonstrate your continued attention and focus on the conversation by other means, such as body language and eye contact.

Non-verbal communication, like body language, holds a lot of weight in Japanese culture both inside and outside of a professional context. It is important to be aware of how your actions and movements may be perceived.

Declining in Japan

It is considered normal and polite for conversations in Japan not to be too confrontational or heated. Therefore, any refusals that may be required during the course of a discussion must be done in an indirect manner. Saying no outright, or raising your voice in any way will be seen as rude.

This is an area that many westerners tend to struggle with as they are more accustomed to open and direct declining when appropriate. In fact, in Japan, the word ‘no’ is used very infrequently.

There are a few ways in which the Japanese will decline or refuse. One of the more common ways is to use a pause, or even, when dealing with written correspondence, to not reply.

Silence, in general, is used in Japanese communication far more than in the West. While most westerners often see silences in conversation as a sign that the discussion is faltering and therefore find them uncomfortable, the Japanese perceive them in a totally different way. Lengthy pauses in conversation are frequently used to reflect on what has been said so far and to allow time for a meaningful next comment. Though the temptation can be to fill the silence, perhaps with a witty comment, this will not go over well and it is a much better idea to just accept the silence and use it in the way the Japanese do.

In the same way that ‘no’ is used in a different way in Japanese communication, so too is ‘yes’. The Japanese word for ‘yes’ is ‘hai’ and is used primarily as a supportive utterance. It will only rarely be used to agree or confirm something. Agreement or confirmation tends to be more emphatically and specifically conveyed.

Discussions in Japan can take significantly longer than they normally would in a Western setting. Don’t be tempted to hurry things along, but adapt instead to the often slower pace of conversation so common in Japanese communication.