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Questions tagged [cultural-awareness]

Question regarding knowledge of different cultures.

Question regarding knowledge of different cultures.

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77 questions
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When someone in India asks for my "Good Name", what are they expecting?

Quite a few times now in India, from hotel staff to taxi staff to in shops, I've had someone ask me for my Good Name. A common form of this question is someone asking me What is your Good Name, Sir? Despite it happening several times, I haven't been…
Gagravarr
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What kind of things can you take from a hotel?

Hotels normally provide a big amount of sets (well, depending on the quality, but however, many!) that can help you feel more comfortable there. So for example you can get towels, slippers, candies, pens, shampoos, shaving kits, sponges, ... The…
fedorqui
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Why is this bathroom symbol in Germany "00"?

I'm sitting in the Hofbräuhaus in Munich and just noticed that the signs for the bathroom are a symbol of a man and woman with a "00". Why is this the case?
Alexa
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48
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3 answers

Travelling as unmarried couple in Dubai

I'd wish to visit Dubai with my girlfriend, but after reading this travel advice and this question on sex and couples in Dubai I started to get a little worried about it. How should I book an hotel? Must I book two singles? Could it be a problem if…
Alessandro Da Rugna
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Is it culturally acceptable for an American to visit the memorials in Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

The title says it all. Is it culturally acceptable (to the Japanese) for an American to visit the memorials to the victims of the atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki? I realize that a Japanese person probably wouldn't tell me to leave, but…
Chris Mueller
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Is it socially/culturally acceptable for Indian/Sri Lankan people to visit the Oktoberfest?

I will be in Spain by the last few days in September, and since the Munich Oktoberfest ends on October 4th, I have a few days to visit Oktoberfest. I'm a Sri Lankan citizen, and I look obvious for anyone that I'm from the Indian sub continent. I'm…
AKS
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Would it be ok to eat rice using a spoon in front of Westerners?

It seems to me that Westerners are willing to learn to use chopsticks in Asian restaurants. However, when spoons are the way the dish is normally eaten within the country of origin, Westerners prefer to use a fork. Since presumably both spoons and…
adipro
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How to deal with other tourists taking pictures of my children?

Recently, my family and I (two parents, two daughters below 3) were in Spain. We had a great time in Barcelona and then in Andalusia. However, I found myself several times annoyed by other tourists taking pictures of my children, in different…
le_daim
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"No nudity" signs in changing rooms in Doha?

The changing rooms for the gym and pool at the Doha hotel I'm currently in has a sign up saying Please respect local customs, and avoid nudity whilst using this changing room However, it's laid out local a "normal" western style changing room -…
Gagravarr
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Are non-Muslims allowed to build snowmen in Saudi Arabia and similar countries?

I recently read Saudi Arabia 'fatwa over building of snowmen'. A religious scholar issued a fatwa (which merely means legal opinion) against the building of snowmen, or snow models of animals (such as snow camels). Later in the article, it states…
Golden Cuy
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Should I give my Japanese host omiyage/gift when meeting them first or when I'm leaving?

I'll be visiting Japan soon and I'll be meeting a friend there. I was wondering if the etiquette there was to give a gift when you first arrive or when you'll be leaving. When should I give the omiyage?
Zaenille
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What headwear are women legally required to wear in Iran?

In Air France cabin crew angered by ruling to wear headscarves in Tehran, it's stated by Air France that women, even people who are presumably non-Iranian and non-Muslim, are required to wear a "veil": "Iranian law requires that a veil covering the…
Golden Cuy
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Does wearing imperial beard in the UK attract any ire of general public?

I love Imperial beard, which is also known as Friendly Mutton Chops. Take this for an example: Source: Maria Ly, via Wikimedia Commons Here is a another gentleman that more people can relate to: General Ambrose Burnside (United States) Source:…
Hanky Panky
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Is paying for portrait photos good for the people in the community you're photographing?

Scenario: You go to a remote village in 3rd world country x. You see a photogenic wizened old man, or woman in traditional dress, etc and ask if you could take a photo. They indicate yes, but also extend their hand for money? I'm not asking the…
Mark Mayo
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Is it inappropriate to record the call to prayer?

I am currently on holiday in Marrakech, Morocco, and have found that the frequent calls to prayer from mosques throughout the day are quite a core part of life here. To record some of my experience in this city I would like to take a video of, say,…
quant
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