What are examples of things that are highly offensive/emotive in another culture that I could be ignorant about?

[bedunkalilt]

I’m sure there are plenty of things that are different between cultures when it comes to causing offence, particularly on day to day etiquette. I’m thinking of that, as well as of things like significant historical events, or very important symbols (whether they’re important because they’re considered highly special, or they’re important not to be used because of their history). Something where you could cause outrage or offence by not knowing the significance.

I was promoted by this article on the BBC about a Thai girl band member who wore a t-shirt that had a Nazi swastika. I’ve seen that type of thing come up before, where the historical significance of the Nazi swastika isn’t as well known or certainly isn’t reviled in some countries.

I imagine there may be other symbols, or historically significant events, that are highly emotive for many reasons, across the world, and I wouldn’t know (I’m British and have lived here all my life so assume most of my knowledge is of history from the British taught perspective), as well as day to day etiquette.

I was wondering if any MNers have some examples they could share so I could learn more? Like common offensive errors that people not culturally aware make in other countries, or significant historical events or symbols about which the unaware could cause offence through ignorance?

Everyone in scandanavia hates the Swedes!

Even the Swedes?

Its interesting that despite China being communist and the whole cultural revolution they still have all these things going on. I like them.

PRoseLegend

Deaf culture here has the exact same rules.

Eye contact, for some cultures it is really rude to make eye contact with a 'superior', that can make teaching interesting when the student can't make eye contact.

In some countries you make eye contact when you lie and don't when telling the truth. This is the opposite of the UK and may account for some (but not all) of racism in the police in earlier decades.

Personal space, in Europe, often depends on how far north or south you are.

There is a film on Youtube explaining to American GIs British culture which is, eye opening. A few years a go I got my dad a copy of the booklet given to USAF personnel who were being stationed in the UK in WWII, it's fascinating.

Found it, advice to US personnel

Wow sashh that film is fascinating!

There was a bit a culture war when US soldiers were here. Paid a lot more, more and better food and the whole trying to bring race segregation into our pubs caused a lot of problems. Crazy how much americans changed in 150 years of away from the mother country.

This thread is so interesting!