Travel Stack Exchange
Travel Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [culture]

Relating to the music, art or social behaviour of a society

Questions about differences or expectations in culture of a destination. This can include but is not limited to:

  • the musical style or performances of that place / society
  • the art - both current or historical of the land
  • behavioural norms or idiosyncrasies of the society
159 questions
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How do you know if Americans genuinely/literally mean what they say?

I have come across a few situations when an American will say something like "We should have lunch some time" or "Let's have lunch some time." Or "you should come down to visit me in D.C. (or Miami or wherever"); we have great museums (or Cuban food…
user8803
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10 answers

How to avoid drinking vodka?

This summer, I spent some time in Moscow and St. Petersburg; I also visited a friend and his family. Their custom was to drink a lot of vodka during the meal. We, the guests, also had to drink some vodka; but obviously we'd had enough before our…
RoflcoptrException
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How to successfully haggle / bargain in markets

While I've done quite a bit of travel now and back myself to handle situations when it comes to border guards, sorting accommodation and / or transportation, one thing I still struggle to come to terms with is haggling in the markets, be it for…
Mark Mayo
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I have a tattoo. Can I visit a public swimming pool in Japan?

A friend of mine is currently traveling in Japan. She has a small tattoo on her neck. Now she wanted to visit a public swimming pool but was denied entry. It was difficult to understand the reason but it seems that tattoos "look too dangerous". Can…
RoflcoptrException
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Handshake while holding own right elbow

I have recently had contact with an acquaintance from Eastern Africa (I think from Ethiopia or Somalia). When the person greeted me, she shook my hand while holding her elbow of the right arm with the left hand (see image). After this happened a few…
Lukas_Skywalker
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What is way to eat rice with hands in front of westerners such that it doesn't appear to be yucky?

In India, we eat rice using our fingers. Generally in the West, a fork or spoon is used. I have tried eating rice with spoon but I don't feel satisfied with it. We eat dry rice but we mix curry and vegetables with it and then eat it with our…
Aquarius_Girl
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Are Indians as pushy to one another as they appear to be to Westerners?

So I'm in India right now and and idk... it feels like I can't walk more than a few yards without being accosted by someone trying to get me to ride their auto rickshaw or buy whatever it is that they're selling or whatever. I say "i'm just taking…
neubert
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Why does there seem to be an extreme lack of public trashcans in Taiwan?

After visiting Taiwan a fair amount of times, this is something that has struck me as quite odd. I've never seen a country quite like Taiwan where there is a very obvious lack of public trashcans. It seems no matter the city, not just the capital,…
yuritsuki
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Do Russians smile at each other?

I'm planning to go to Russia. In my culture, smiling is really common even to strangers. I've heard that Russians don't smile or laugh unless it's something funny or something that makes them happy. Will it be strange or will I insult anybody in…
toy
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How do you know if a Japanese person means no when they say yes?

I have come across a few situations when a Japanese person will extend themselves beyond what they probably should to help people. I am often worried when asking them to do something that they will not refuse for whatever reason. I am wondering if…
Michael Lai
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How to politely ask people from East Asia to give way?

I've arrived in Australia 9 months ago and I've noticed that often when asking people from East Asia to "give way" they will simply ignore me or even answer a "yes" but not move at all. This is a situation that at least my wife, friends and work…
VulfCompressor
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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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Are there any cultures in which the "thumbs up" hand gesture is offensive?

In the USA it's common to give a thumbs up to say "Yes, this is good" or "Thanks" or convey another appropriate positive meaning. Are there cultures in which the "thumbs up" gesture a) would not be understood, or b) would be offensive to the local…
Kevin Burke
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Is it ok to take a break near the cycle path, on the grass, in Netherlands?

Today was the first time I cycled in Netherlands. I really enjoyed it. I cycled from Amsterdam to the North Sea and back to Amsterdam. When I was cycling on the cycle path I became thirsty and tired and I stopped on the right side, on the grass,…
Ionică Bizău
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