Cultural practices, cultural differences, local manners, and mores1: traveling the globe can be a behavioral minefield, even when you have the best intentions. Everything from greeting to eating can be an opportunity to do the wrong thing, and not only embarrass yourself, but offend your host countrymen. Look out for the following cultural mistakes and try to avoid them while going abroad.
文化习惯、文化差异、当地礼仪和风俗:即使你怀着良好的意愿,这些文化陷阱也可能让你的环球旅游险象环生。从问候到饮食,稍不留神就会出差错,不仅让自己难堪,还有可能冒犯东道主。到国外时要特别留心并尽量避免误入以下几种文化陷阱。
Where It's Offensive: Korea, Thailand, China, Europe, the Middle East.
禁忌地:韩国、泰国、欧洲、中东
What's Offensive 禁忌:
Personal space varies as you travel the globe. In Mediterranean3 countries, if you refrain from touching someone's arm when talking to them or if you don't greet them with kisses or a warm embrace, you'll be considered cold. But backslap someone who isn't a family member or a good friend in Korea, and you'll make them uncomfortable. In Thailand, the head is considered sacred--never even pat a child on the head.
个人空间的概念因地而异。在地中海国家,如果你和别人交谈时没有碰对方的手臂,或见面问候时没和对方亲吻拥抱,别人会认为你不热情。但在韩国,拍别人的背会让对方感觉不安,除非此人是你的家庭成员或好友。在泰国,头是很神圣的部位——就算是小孩子的头也不要随便乱拍。
What You Should Do Instead 对策:
Observe what locals are doing and follow suit. In Eastern countries remember that touching and public displays of affection are unacceptable. In places like Qatar and Saudi Arabia, men and women are forbidden from interacting, let along touching.
观察当地人的一举一动并照着做。记住,在东方国家,身体接触或在公众场合流露感情往往不被人接受。在卡塔尔和沙特阿拉伯这样的地方,男女交往都被禁止,更不要说身体接触了。
1 mores [ˈmɔ:reɪz] 第10级 | |
n.风俗,习惯,民德,道德观念 | |
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2 touching [ˈtʌtʃɪŋ] 第7级 | |
adj.动人的,使人感伤的 | |
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3 Mediterranean [ˌmedɪtəˈreɪniən] 第7级 | |
adj.地中海的;地中海沿岸的 | |
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