Cultural Issues Around the World
In today’s business world it is all too often easy to take the world around you for granted. Simple customs, traits even colors are taken as they come, with little or no thought to how they might be seen in other cultures. However as many businesses have discovered consideration of cultural differences in everything from social customs to website design is of major importance.It certain countries even the color you use for your products or website can have an impact on your customers. We’ve begun a study of various countries and particular customs you should take note of in your business and personal dealings.
Our database contains countries, customs found there, the impact of breaking the custom and advice for business people. A selection of various country customs are detailed below.
If you know of a interesting problem and would like to see it included then please mail your difference to: info@localizationworks.com
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Customs and Cultural Differences
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Bulgaria
Sri-Lanka |
Shaking your head from side to side means ‘no’ in most countries, but ‘yes’ in Bulgaria and Sri Lanka. |
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Norway
Malaysia
Egypt |
In Norway or Malaysia, it is rude to leave something on your plate when eating;
However in Egypt it is rude not to leave something on your plate. |
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| Global |
In South America, southern Europe and many Arab countries, touching another person is a sign of warmth and friendship. However In the Orient, it is considered an invasion of privacy. |
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| Italy |
Door to door salesmen have a hard time in Italy. It is improper for a man to call on a woman if she is home alone. |
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| China |
You should not give clocks as gifts in China. The Chinese word for clock is very similar in sound to the word for death. It can symbolize the end of a relationship or friendship. |
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| Finland |
Never wrap a present in red paper in Finland. Red is closely associated with Russian aggression during World War II. |
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Greece
Nigeria |
A friendly wave may not be so. Palm forward waving is a nasty gesture indeed. |
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| Iran |
The traditional “Thumbs Up” (Well done) as used in the West is an insulting gesture in Iran. |
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| Brazil |
The classic thumb and finger “OK” symbol we know signifies a very rude gesture in Brazil. |
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China
Hong Kong |
Did you know the color black means ‘Death, unlucky, morbid’ in these countries. Websites designed with black backgrounds may be seen as ‘hip’ in the west, but can suffer lack of traffic from China and Hong Kong. |
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