1. Is it
customary to bring your host a gift? What kind of gifts
are customary?
For instance, in Korea, when attending a housewarming party, it
is customary to bring some kind of soap or detergent. (I'm
not sure why). In Vietnam, it is customary to bring
foreign cigarettes to a male host. In China, when
returning from a trip, it is customary to bring back trinkets
for friends, coworkers, and family members.
2. What kind of
clothing is customary? Does my clothing have to be
modest? Will I look like a skank if I wear this in that
country? Along
with this goes hairstyle. In Korea, I shaved my head,
'cause frankly I didn't have much hair left. Koreans
didn't know how to "take it". My adult students
told me: "In Korea, there are only two kinds of
people that shave their heads: those who
protest... and... monks." I said,
"So, think of me as a monk." They all
laughed. In China, I was told that there was no stigma
against my chosen "head" style. I don't know if
they just told me that to be politically correct or what.
Also, along with clothing and
hair style is facial hair. I used to wear a goatee.
My adult students told me that in Korea, only
"grandfathers" wore facial hair (and it was quite
true). So, it made me appear much older than I actually
was.
3. How do people
greet in that country?
For instance, in Korea it is okay to shake hands with a man, but
NOT with a woman. Some international businesswomen may
have overcome this social taboo when dealing with
foreigners. Also, in Korea, it is expected that one would
bow to his/her superiors, or elders. In China, I was
surprised to find that this custom is no longer practiced.
It makes sense, though.
You see, although Confucianism started in China, it went out the
window with the philosophies of communism (all are equal, none
is above the rest). Ironically, the three most Confucian
countries are Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. In those
countries, bowing is still practiced.
4. What is/are the
main religion(s) of that country? What role does religion
play upon the culture of the country as a whole? Is the
country a theocratic one or a secular one? What should I
know about the religion and its place in the culture?
For example, in India, the Hindu belief in reincarnation has
played a BIG role in the custom of abstaining from eating the
flesh of any animal. This, I was told, is as much a
cultural thing as it is a religious thing. My Indian
friend told me that in India, only Muslims and foreigners eat
meat. While Indians respect the right of foreigners to eat
meat, it wouldn't hurt to show a little reverence for the
culture and eat like an Indian while living in India.
5. Who is the
leader/president of that country? What kind of political
system is in that country?
For instance, every time I tell an American that China is a
full-blown democracy, they look at me with incredulous eyes
and/or laugh out loud. But, it is true! China has
elections for city, provincial, and national leaders.
While "the party" is alive and well in China, China is
no longer a true communist country (which is an economic policy
NOT a political one). For example (case in point), China use to
be democratic
and communist at the same time (for a while there) Communism is actually what
Socialism should be. Today, in Socialist countries, only
some parts of the labor force is run by the government, whereas
in a Communist country, the whole labor force is run by the
government and wages are fixed. For example, in Vietnam, I
was told that every one earns 50 US dollars a month.
"It is the law!" I was told in 1997 when I
visited there. China is no longer a communist
country. People are now allowed to own their own
businesses and business is thriving. It would be good if
you didn't look like an ignorant fool about such things.
6. How do I say that?
I would advise you to learn to pronounce the indigenous words
& names of people and places of the country. It would
really score you some points with the locals if you could
pronounce words and names correctly.
Korean
pronunciation / Chinese
pronunciation.
7. What holidays or
festivals are celebrated in that country?
Click here:
Korean &
Chinese Holidays/Festivals
8. What are the
drinking and smoking customs of that country?
In Korea, you will NEVER see a
woman smoke on the street. It used to be forbidden even
for a woman to smoke in public, but not so any more, just so
long as it is in the pubs, taverns, and bars. And by the
way, when going to Korean "Hops" (Pubs), you have to
order side dishes. It is a requirement of the house.
Even dance clubs require you to order side dishes (which are
quite expensive). The only exception is when sitting at
the bar (if there is a bar).
In China, men smoke whenever
and wherever they dang-well please. I've never seen a
woman smoke in China. I don't know why. I never
asked. In China, you drink and eat your dinner at the same
time. Chinese like to drink hard and fast. Takes a
while to get used to it. It's hard to refuse, they'll egg
you on, but you have to be firm and set your limits.
9. Do I have enough
money? Many
people are lured to work in foreign countries and their bosses
do not pay what they said they would, when they would.
Some people end up stranded in foreign countries with no money
and no way to get home. I suggest: "Bring a 'safety cushion'
and don't leave it in your home." I brought 600 bucks to
hold me over till my first pay check, but someone robbed my home
and took all my cash. When arriving in the foreign
country, get a bank account ASAP! and deposit your money there
as emergency money, but make sure that the bank is federally
insured. In Vietnam, you don't have to worry. All
banks are owned by the government. Need more advice like
that? click
here.
10. Is the currency
of that country traded internationally?
If not, you'd better get US dollars before leaving the
country. A friend of mine decided to go for a weekend trip
from Korea to Japan. He took only Korean money.
OOPS! Korean money is worthless in any other country, for
it is not traded in other countries!