Your Christmas Dinner in numbers
Tis the season to eat a lot of yummy food, so Wise has teamed up with the food-and-culture expert and Chef, Mallika Basu as part of our Christmas Without...
Even in your own culture, it can be difficult to navigate unspoken social rules. To tip or not to tip? Do I shake their hand or go for a hug? Will they look at me like I’m a sadist if I answer honestly when asked “how are you?”
Now add in the expat layer. If you’ve relocated and are calling a new country home, there’s a lot to do. Learn the language, find a job, make sure you can pay and get paid like a local (did you like my Wise plug?), and readjust to the culture.
I’ve lived abroad a couple of times and made a fool out of myself on multiple occasions. I’d like to save you from doing the same. So here are a few unspoken cultural rules to pop in your mental bank.
Show your new friends you’re cool, get a Wise card
In Estonia it’s customary that you bring in your own cake to work/school/wherever. I lived in Germany and the same applies there. To be honest, I expect to be showered with love, attention and gifts on my Birthday so not a fan of this one.
In Japan you don’t tip. If you want to, they’ll probably reject it. Nobody likes rejection. Also, while we’re taking a look at Japan, take your shoes off when you enter somebody's house and NEVER yawn in public.
In the Netherlands it’s normal to say hello, and goodbye, with three kisses on the cheek. So please invest in lip balm.
In Germany, we love to stare. It just isn’t considered rude or creepy. It’s curiosity. Also, expect eye contact, and lot’s of it.
In Lebanon it’s bad luck to spill salt and do nothing about it. Chuck it over your left and right shoulder, and for goodness sake, never pass the salt at a table.
In England, you either respect the queue or get tutted into oblivion. There is no excuse for jumping the queue. About to miss your flight and need to hop through security? Nobody cares.
In Finland, it's perfectly normal to have a business meeting in a sauna. So schedule your next feedback session in a sweat box.
In Korea, you have to pour drinks for the elders at the table. So no downing Jägermeister before Granny’s had hers.
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