Acting Like a Local
Up your success abroad by learning about the local culture before you go.
By Mary Anne Thompson, founder and president, Goinglobal, Inc.
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Studying or working abroad can be an exciting and transforming experience, opening your eyes to new languages, foods, music, art, landscapes and architecture. It also places you in daily contact with people who experience and react to life in ways different from those to which you are likely accustomed. You will be experiencing new customs in a new culture and all the wonderful and mysterious intricacies that go along with it, something that is often simultaneously thrilling and daunting.
To help you assimilate faster and easier, it helps to do some research on what life is really like in a country before moving there. It’s one thing to be a tourist, but it is something wholly different to live comfortably and successfully as a local. Wherever you are moving in the world, whether it be China or Spain or Canada, you’ll want to know how to best conduct yourself at a dinner party or what to expect at an office meeting. A little background on why people behave as they do can go a long way to helping you react appropriately in a variety of situations.
For instance, in China, it’s important to understand the influence of Confucianism in Chinese culture. Confucianism values duty, sincerity, loyalty and obedience to authorities and elders, but above all, it emphasizes the importance of maintaining harmony.
The concept of ‘face’ (Mianzi) is extremely important in China, especially in a business culture where a person’s reputation and social standing rest on the concept. ‘Saving face’ is roughly analogous to maintaining one’s reputation, honor or respect. Causing yourself embarrassment or losing your composure can be disastrous for your standing in the community. Because China is a collectivist culture, causing someone to ‘lose face’ is considered not only a personal affront, but an affront to their community or family, as well.
Spain, like China, is a collectivist culture. Spanish society deeply values group affiliation – to a family, an organization or a community. The family, both nuclear and extended, is the central social unit.
Personal relationships are very important, both socially and in business, as this helps to establish trust. Personal character, integrity and modesty are highly valued traits. Spaniards can be gregarious, and social life is very important. They are immediately friendly with new acquaintances but build relationships based on long-term loyalty and trust. Spaniards, like the Chinese, place great importance on maintaining ‘face,’ that is to say, honor and pride.
Canada is generally an individualistic society, as opposed to collectivist. Canadians value hard work and self-reliance. They also value contributions to the community.
Canadians respect modesty, thoroughness and directness, and generally are polite communicators. They are honest about their opinions while remaining respectful of authority, consensus-oriented, and non-confrontational. Making eye contact, not interrupting, and responding thoughtfully demonstrates active listening, an essential component of their communication etiquette.
How to Act Like a Local:
China
- Never use your index finger to beckon a Chinese person; rather, make a scratching motion with the palm of the hand facing down. Never point with an index figure; use an open hand instead.
- When a person is introduced to a group of Chinese, they may applaud. The person being introduced should respond with applause, and stand up, bow or wave to the crowd.
- Chopsticks should not be placed pointing into a bowl, which resembles incense offerings to the dead; rather, they should be put on the chopstick rest or next to your bowl.
Spain
- Many Spaniards enjoy a second breakfast around 11 am. In many workplaces, in fact, it is not strange to take a 20- to 30-minute break to ‘ir a desayunar’ (go get breakfast).
- It’s very untraditional to order paella in a restaurant for dinner. Although some restaurants serve this dish at dinnertime for tourists, most Spaniards would never order it for dinner as it’s considered too heavy for an evening meal.
- When people suggest meeting at dinnertime for drinks and tapas, it’s common to visit more than one bar or restaurant in the evening and to order different tapas or raciones (larger food portions) to share while standing at the bar or at a high table.
Canada
- At a pub outing, each person is typically expected to pay for a round of drinks. There are exceptions, such as friends agreeing that everyone will pay their own tab.
- Canadians lineup (queue) when waiting for services, such as at a bus stop or grocery store.
- In winter, keep a spare tire and shovel in your car. Most Canadians are not afraid to drive in snow, so many employers expect their employees to make it to work no matter the weather.
Knowing as much as you can about a country’s culture before you move there can be helpful and enhance your experience. GoinGlobal offers extensive cultural advice on more than 120 locations worldwide. The country and city career guides provide advice on networking, interviewing, general workplace conduct and so much more, including the ever-popular tips on how to act like a local.