Cultural Awareness: Is it that important?

As soon as you leave your home, you become an ambassador of where you come from. The people you meet might never have encountered anyone from your part of the world, so you instantly become a point of reference for them. Being the best version of yourself is always good advice, but it becomes especially true when traveling. Fortunately, the world is full of easily accessible information. I have enjoyed using Wikitravel or Wikivoyage to get a quick overview of a country’s history, political situation, dos and don’ts, etc. You are unlikely to offend anyone in Egypt by giving a gift with your left hand. However, in Arab culture, the left hand is considered 'dirty,' and the right hand is seen as the 'clean' hand, which should be used for receiving or handing things, for eating, for waving, pointing, and so on.

A small effort on your part can greatly enhance your travel experience, such as knowing how much of your skin can appropriately be visible in public. In Denmark, women can sunbathe topless on the beach, while in some countries, women must cover themselves completely even when swimming. Most of the world falls somewhere in between. Meeting different cultures is one of the most fascinating aspects of traveling, and differences are to be expected and respected.

I find that being polite is always a good start. Until I get to know someone relatively well, I will steer clear of talking about religion or politics.Safe topics are food, weather, music, sports, family, etc. You can politely discuss religion by asking questions out of curiosity, but not by being critical or condemning.

In some countries, there are certain words that are more polite to use when approaching someone.

• In Austria, a three-tier system of greetings exists, with 'Grüß Gott' used for initial formal encounters.
• Subsequent meetings may involve the use of 'Grüß dich' for a still formal greeting.
• Informal interactions with acquaintances often involve saying 'servus,' akin to saying 'hello.'

You are never expected to know everything when encountering a different culture, but you do earn a lot of points by showing that you are making an effort.

During the global pandemic, I ended up being stuck in Hong Kong for two years before I could continue on my way. The Asiatic culture in and around Hong Kong is vastly different from my native Denmark, while we also share many similarities. For instance, throughout much of Asia, people will wear a facemask if they are sick to protect others from germs and bacteria. In Denmark, no one wears a facemask unless it is mandated by law, and Danes may still go to work even if they have a slight fever, runny nose, or cough. I find that the attitude in Denmark is often more self-centered than in much of Asia, and the behavioral contrast is evident.

While traveling across East Asia, I noticed that business cards are exchanged with both hands, often accompanied by a gentle bow or nod. In Denmark, you might expect a business card to be almost thrown at you. Denmark generally has a very direct culture where people tend to express their feelings about a subject clearly.

In many parts of the world, emotions are suppressed, making it challenging to discern what the person in front of you is truly thinking or feeling. Ignoring these differences bluntly can harm potential relationships and cause missed opportunities.

Therefore, I always advise being kind, polite, humble, and observant of your surroundings. Additionally, as I mentioned earlier, there is usually plenty of room for error—especially if you are willing to laugh at yourself.

One thing that took me years to understand was the seemingly timid behavior of men and women in much of Southeast Asia. When I was young and made my first travels across Thailand and Cambodia, I was surprised by how locals would react to upset foreigners. Some foreigners act as if they know better and try to educate locals in, at times, aggressive language. For example, in Thailand, I remember observing how the locals would not speak back or defend themselves. Instead, they would appear timid and submissive. Years later, I would come to realize that I had misunderstood the situation. I was informed that within the local culture, growing up involves mastering one's emotions. Only children lack control over their emotions and act out. Therefore, when a Thai appears timid in front of an aggressive and dominant foreigner, what is truly happening is that the Thai is astounded that the foreigner cannot control their emotions and is behaving childishly.

It can be crucial to read what is left unsaid. Changes in facial expressions, looks in the eyes, and body language can often convey more than verbal communication. I once learned about 'duping delight,' which is the involuntary micro-expression on a person's face when they think they are deceiving successfully. It is said that the corners of the mouth briefly turn upwards in such instances. This expression is typically too fleeting for the untrained eye to catch and entirely involuntary on the part of the person exhibiting it. After learning this, I began to observe the corners of the mouth of taxi drivers when bargaining prices and would often notice this momentary smile until an agreement was reached.

Non-verbal communication is not always easy to discern. Sometimes, a deeper understanding of the culture you are in is necessary, but at other times, knowing what to observe suffices. Traveling does not have to be complicated; just strive to be the best version of yourself.