Scott, our Asia Director, shares his insights on how to adjust to a new setting in our latest blog: Shake or Kiss? Questions to Help Understand a New Culture.

When traveling or relocating  to a new country and culture, we often can feel like a stranger in a strange land. By observing how people interact and asking questions, you will soon be able to feel less like a stranger and more at home in a new place. Here are a few questions that I often ask:

How do you greet people?  With a hand shake?  A kiss on each cheek?  Is it appropriate to hug?  Are there taboos to avoid?  In Thailand it is rude to touch the head of a child.  In many traditional cultures a man and a women would never hug and even married couples would not hold hands in public. 

How do people dress?  Are shorts worn in public?  Should you always wear a long sleeve shirt, even in hot weather?  Are blue jeans appropriate?  Does anyone wear baseball style hats?  Are athletic shoes worn to conduct business?  Very few cultures are as informal in dress as American culture.

When shopping, should you bargain?  What are the rules for bargaining?  Do you try to get the absolute lowest price or is it important for the merchant to "save face" in the transaction. When shopping regularly with the same merchant, it is often important to build a good personal relationship.

May you touch or handle merchandise for sale? Will the storekeeper think you are being inconsiderate or knowledgeable, within your rights as a customer or being rude? If you touch something are you obligated to buy?

How do people organize their day?  Is it a morning society or a late night society?  When is the customary time for visiting friends?  Is there a rest period in the early afternoon?  It is very embarrassing to visit someone and find out you woke them in the middle of their daily nap.

What time do people eat?  Do people snack between meals?  Do children eat at the same time as adults? Is it rude to eat while walking down the street?  In some countries restaurants don't begin serving dinner until 9 P.M.

When invited for dinner or other social occasions should you arrive early? On time?  Late?  If late, how late? 

On what occasions would you give (or accept) a gift? What are appropriate gifts? 

It is always helpful to remember that different isn't wrong, it is just different! There may be perfectly good reasons or traditions for cultural behavior. Being observant and tactfully asking questions of those with "inside information" often help to understand a new cultures behaviors and traditions.

What questions do you ask when experiencing a new culture?