Students must be aware of the local customs and traditions in their host country, as well as in other countries they plan to visit. Students should observe the way people do things where they live and should not assume behavior that was acceptable in the United States will be permissible elsewhere. Hand signals and body gestures have different connotations in various parts of the world. Time, space, rituals, economic class, and social status also have symbolic meanings that are not universal, but rather, may vary widely.
Individuals from different cultures may observe the same event but interpret its content and significance in very distinct ways. Students should try to understand the perspectives of others; avoid making assumptions based on American practices and try to “fit in” to the new culture as best as possible. Misunderstandings are bound to happen no matter how prepared one might be. Take experiences in stride and then make adjustments in future behavior. For example, when packing, keep in mind that articles of clothing with U.S. logos or emblems will make one easily identifiable as an American, which one may or may not want to advertise, depending on the situation.
A common mistake of Americans is to assume that everyone knows how to speak English and that they are comfortable doing so. In many parts of the world English is not the official language. The “Ugly American” often assumes that speaking loudly or slowly will help someone understand what is being said. American travelers are fortunate that many people are able to speak English as well as their national language. It is in a students best interest to make every effort to learn the local language. (For many, learning another language is the principal reason for going abroad.) This will be appreciated by the nationals and will also help students assimilate into the local culture.
An equally common mistake is overuse of alcohol. While alcohol consumption is part of many cultures, in very few countries is it socially acceptable to be visibly intoxicated. Alcoholic beverages are usually viewed as a pleasant accompaniment to a meal or an occasion for social rituals such as toasts. Loud, public displays of drunkenness are considered distasteful and a sign of immaturity. Women in particular should be careful about this, because a woman visibly drunk in public may be considered loose and thus fair game for unwanted familiarities.
These are only basic guidelines and suggestions for etiquette and should be viewed as a point of departure for learning about cultural differences. Students should do further research on to look at the norms, customs, and mores of specific countries. The UM International Center has a wide variety of resources on these issues.
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