PAKISTAN

CORE CONCEPTS:

HONOUR OR IZZAT

RESPECT

DIGNITY

ADAPTABILITY

COLLECTIVISM

FAITH

GENEROSITY

Etiquette

When initially meeting someone, it is necessary to ask about a person’s well-being and that of their
family. Only move onto the matter at hand after these personal questions are asked. Forgetting to ask
about a person's family signifies a lack of sensitivity and an opportunist mindset. However, it is best only
to inquire about male family members. Conservative Pakistani men may find it particularly
dishonourable and disrespectful to inquire about their female family members, unless you know the
family or person well.

Basic Etiquette

• People tend to offer regular praise about others’ clothes, hair or personal items.

Wear clothes appropriate to specific occasions.

• Forgetting to do so is considered disrespectful.

• It is best to always dress modestly in a way that doesn't over-accentuate one’s figure.
• Laughing loudly in public is considered rude.

• Stand to greet a person when they enter a room.

• It is considered rude to sit with one’s legs outstretched.

• If a Pakistani offers to pay for your food or shopping, do not immediately accept. They tend to make
this offer out of politeness and it is expected that the other person insist on paying. Alternatively, if once
you have refused their offer, they continue to ask to pay, you may politely accept.

• It is common for people to ask personal questions to ascertain a stranger’s background and status. For
example, an individual may be asked where they live or what their parents’ occupations are.

Generally, Pakistanis are not very punctual and are commonly tardy. However, there are exceptions to
this. For example, military families tend to be very punctual.

Visiting

• Hospitality is a strong aspect of Pakistani culture. It is not uncommon to be invited to a Pakistani's

home without much prior acquaintance.

• If visiting a military family's house, arrival should be prompt. More generally, however, Pakistanis are
not particularly strict with time.

• Arriving to an event substantially later than the start time is acceptable, though this depends upon the
context of the event.With new acquaintances, it is not expected to offer to bring something for a meal.

• Hosts take pride in preparing everything themselves and may be taken aback by such a question.

• It is polite to bring a small gift, such as chocolate, sweets or flowers to express gratitude for the
invitation. Offer to remove your shoes at the entrance.

• It is important to praise the host's home. If it is a simple home, acknowledge their décor and contents.
When visiting a home with children, make an effort to engage with them no matter how young they are.
Not doing so displays disinterest in your host and is considered arrogant behaviour.

• At social events hosted by conservative families, men and women will socialise and eat separately.
Children will generally play with each other; however, some may choose to stay with their mothers.

• Food is generally served in a common area as a buffet. Men and women will serve themselves
separately – it is at the discretion of the host to dictate whether the men or women may serve
themselves first. Elders will always be offered food first within their respective genders. In more intimate
or smaller settings, the entire family will sit together with guests in the living room.
• Avoid discussing politics when initially invited into a household, unless initiated by the host.

• Household staff are an important part of middle and upper class Pakistani homes.

• When staying in someone's home, make sure to tip the staff when departing and thank them for any
food they prepared.

Gifts

• Gifts should be offered and received with two hands or the right hand alone.

• If it is a Muslim household, do not bring alcohol, and ensure that all edible products are prepared to
halalstandards.

• In more conservative settings, it is not appropriate for men to offer gifts to women. Therefore, they
must convey that the gift is being offered on behalf of a female family member. For example, “my wife
gave me this for you”.

Eating

• It’s polite to graciously accept tea and refreshments served in social situations.

• People wait for elders to sit down and begin before eating.

• Pakistanis will often use their hands to eat rather than cutlery. However, it is considered bad etiquette
to pass, serve or spoon food to one’s mouth with the left hand. It should be used to hold the plate or
assist the right hand in serving food. Pakistanis often offer their guests additional helpings of food.

• It is acceptable to refuse; however, expect the host to insist. It can be easier and also more polite to
graciously accept.If offered food you don’t like or perhaps a ‘hookah’, you may place your hand on your
heart and bow your head to decline the offer.

• If eating out, one person usually pays for everyone’s meals. Paying individually on an outing is usually
only done amongst close friends. Don't offer to pay someone back for a meal. Instead, reciprocate by
purchasing a gift or paying next time.

CHINA
Core Concepts

Modesty

Filial piety

Guanxi

Interdependence

Stoicism

Face

Unity

Etiquette

Basic Etiquette

Give and receive everything with two hands.

*Tipping is considered derogatory as it is something a superior does to an inferior.

*The correct decorum during interactions in China always entails showing deference to those who are
older. It is expected that one bows their head slightly and speaks softly when conversing with someone
elderly. The advice or opinion of the elderly should never be contested. Talking back to or refuting them
is considered very rude.

*The Chinese are often punctual and will generally arrive at the designated time, particularly when
meeting someone for the first time. For casual appointments or gatherings with friends or family,
Chinese people tend to attach less importance to punctuality.

Visiting
*Invitations are usually used in formal settings. In other instances, people will arrive unannounced.

*When invited to someone’s home, Chinese are generally punctual.

*Guests are expected to exercise restraint and refrain from loud, boisterous actions and speech.

*Friends will often bring gifts like tea, cigarettes, fruit, chocolates or cake when visiting to show their ‘xin
yi’ (‘blessings’ or ‘good intentions’) towards the host.

*Hosts usually offer refreshments like fruit or nuts. If guests decline the offer, hosts will typically insist
several times before accepting the refusal.

*Etiquette at dining tables shows deference to the social hierarchy of age.

Eating

*Food is often placed at the center of the table, and there are usually multiple dishes to be eaten with
rice.

*Place the foods that mix with rice in your rice bowl, and hold the bowl close to your mouth as you feed
yourself.

*Try and taste everything served as this is considered polite when eating as a guest in someone’s home.

*Eating a lot of rice without complementary component foods indicates that you do not like the meal.

*Do not eat the last of anything left on a serving tray.

*If you want a second serving, refuse the host’s offer once before accepting it.

*Leave a small amount of food on your plate when you have finished eating. An empty plate indicates
that the host did not provide enough food and that you need your plate to be filled again.

*Place any bones or seeds on the table beside your plate or in a provided dish. Do not put them back in
your rice bowl.

*Do not leave chopsticks in the rice bowl after using them. Place them on the table.

*Avoid sticking your chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice. This is seen to resemble the incense used during
funerals and thus implies death.
Gifts

*Pass a gift to the recipient with both hands.

*A Chinese person may decline receiving a gift two or three times out of politeness before accepting.

*Gifts are not opened immediately or in the presence of the gift-giver.

*Careful attention is paid to the wrapping of a gift, as the first impression it gives is very important. The
more elaborate the wrapping, the better. Gifts wrapped in red and gold paper denote luck, whereas
white, blue or black wrapping has sour connotations.

*Do not give expensive gifts that are difficult to reciprocate or match. Such gifts will cause the Chinese
recipient to lose {face}, resulting in a possible rejection of the gift.

*Sweets, fruits, flowers (excluding white ones) or spirits make for good gifts.

*Do not give gifts that add up to four in number. The pronunciation of the word ‘four’ sounds similar to
the Chinese word for ‘death’.

*Taboo items for gifts: sharp objects (e.g., knives, scissors), clocks, handkerchiefs, umbrellas, green hats,
mirrors, and yellow or white flowers. See ‘Other *Considerations' for more taboo items that are
inappropriate as gifts.

GREECE

Core Concepts:

Pride

Interdependence

Philotimo

Cautiousness

Leisure
Hospitality

Reason

Hospitality

Sincerity

Yung etiquette po wait po natin si @Arnie Pantaleon

GREECE

ETIQUETTE

BASIC ETIQUETTE

People may keep less personal space when queuing.

Do not cross your legs in front of those who have a higher status to you or in a formal situation.

There is a cultural expectation in Greece that one accepts the generous offers of others.

Be careful when commenting on a Greek’s possessions.

In Greek culture, ‘on time’ can mean 20, 30 or even 45 minutes late.

VISITING

Greeks generally take a lot of pride in their hosting skills.

Greeks tend to be very generous at giving invitations, even upon first meeting people.

Gift giving is not essential when visiting one’s home, but it can be a thoughtful gesture to bring a small
gift of flowers, sweets or wine.

Always make an effort to compliment your host’s hospitality.

EATING

The eldest person is usually the first to be served.

When serving yourself from shared dishes on the table, pass them onto the next person on the left.
If passing a knife, place it near the person on the table and let them pick it up from there.

It is best to eat everything on your plate to show your host provided sufficiently and you enjoyed the
food.

To indicate you are finished eating, place your napkin on the table.

The common toast in Greece is “Eis igían sas” (formal) or “Stinygiasou” (informal), both meaning “to
your health”.

Drink any alcohol served slowly at the same pace as everyone at the table.

GIFT-GIVING

Gifts are usually exchanged on birthdays, holidays and name days.

Depending on the context, it may not always be appropriate to give expensive gifts.

Avoid giving knives or scissors as gifts.

PHILIPPINES

Core Concepts

Hospitality

Hiya

Modesty

Courtesy

Warmth

Respect

Kapwa

Fatalism

Basic Etiquette

Filipinos tend to dress modestly, especially when in public.

It is expected that the elderly and those of a higher social status are treated with respect.
Given large family sizes and typically small living quarters, Filipinos are generally not demanding of
privacy. Within one family, possessions are typically thought to be communal and shared. Thus, it is
expected to be open about one’s possessions and space.

Many Filipinos avoid blasphemy and cursing as it may cause themselves to lose {face}.

Filipinos typically have a relaxed approach towards timekeeping and punctuality. It is common for
Filipinos to arrive an hour or two hours after the designated time. This is commonly referred to as
‘Filipino time’. However, Filipinos will observe punctuality in a formal context such as important business
meetings, appointments or when visiting the doctor.

Visiting

Do not refer to the woman of the house as ‘hostess’ as this has an alternative meaning in the Philippines
that is offensive.

It is common practice to remove one’s shoes before entering someone’s home. The host may offer you
slippers to wear inside the home.

Try to accept any refreshments offered. Refusing them is considered impolite.

To display their hospitality, Filipinos will often use their finest crockery and cutlery when they have a
visitor. It would be polite to comment on it out of acknowledgement for their efforts.

If there is a visitor, Filipinos are reluctant to take the last serving of any shared food served at a meal.

If someone is eating and someone walks past, many Filipinos will offer the person passing by to stop and
eat. However, this is not a literal offer but rather out of respect.

Eating

Nearly all meals are served with rice. If a meal is not served with rice, it is normally not considered a
main meal but rather a snack.

Many Filipinos eat with their hands or with a spoon and fork. However, they will often try their best to
accommodate for their guests by finding suitable cutlery for their guest.

It is considered rude to lean on one’s arms when present at the dinner table.

Filipinos may allow food to go cold before eating it as they wish to have all the dishes present on the
table before serving.

It is common to leave food at the table just in case someone else arrives or is hungry later.

Gift Giving
Presentation is important, so Filipinos will take considerable effort to make sure their gifts are well
presented and wrapped.

Filipinos will often put a lot of thought into their gifts and will give sentimental, thoughtful and/or
practical gifts.

Gifts are generally not opened when received. Often one will thank the giver and set the gift aside.

RUSSIA

Core Concepts

1. Generosity

2. Camaraderie

3. Strength

4. Cautiousness

5. Intellect

6. Protectiveness

7. Interdependence

Basic Etiquette

1. Always show heightened respect to those who are older than you.

2. Offer your seat to an elderly person, pregnant woman or woman with a small child.

3. Men are expected to open doors for women, pay for their food, help them carry items, etc.

4. People do not always wait in line.

5. Dress neatly and tidily. Footwear for sporting activities should not be worn to enter restaurants or
bars. One may be refused entry if wearing these shoes.

6. Talking to someone whilst keeping your hands in your pockets is rude.

7. Do not spread your legs wide apart when sitting.

8. It’s normal to be actively pushed when standing in crowds, lines or public transport.
9. Russians commonly take a brief pause to silently reflect and recall whether they have everything
before leaving on a trip.

10.It can be very rude to act too casual and informal towards a stranger.

11. It’s not always appreciated to assume familiarity before you are close with them.

In visiting:

1. When visiting a Russian home, bring flowers and wine or sweets as a gift for the woman of the home,
and hard liquor for the man.

2. Offer to remove your coat and shoes before entering the house. You may be provided slippers to wear
instead.

3. Expect to be offered tea or coffee along with some food.

4. You should accept all food and drink offered to you if possible.

5. Offer to help clean up after any meal or stay.

In eating:

1. Any bottles of alcohol that have been opened are usually finished before the end of a meal.

2. It is impolite to pour a bottle of wine backhanded.

3. Men pour the drinks of women seated next to them.

4. Leave a small portion of the meal on your plate when finished.

5. Russians may make toasts during meals.

In giving:

1. When offering a gift, expect a Russian to protest it initially.

2. Flowers are given regularly when visiting someone, going on a date or even for a child’s first day of
school.

3. Yellow flowers should not be given to a romantic interest.

4. Blue is a good colour for friends’ gifts.

5. Avoid gifting carnations as they are associated with funerals and Soviet holidays.

EGYPT

CORE CONCEPTS:

•Honour

•Loyalty

•Communitarian

•Education

•Modesty

•Pride

ETIQUETTE

Basic Etiquette

It is considered impolite to point the toe, heel or any part of the foot toward another person. Showing
the sole of one’s shoe is also impolite.

Modest dress and presentation is highly valued in Egyptian culture.

Greetings often occur before any form of social interaction. For example, a person joining a group is
expected to greet all those present.

Generally, the younger defer to the older through showing respect, not challenging their seniors and
using special verbal terms of address for aunts, uncles, grandparents and older non-relatives.

If your counterpart identifies as Muslim, it is forbidden to walk in front of someone who is praying or to
talk to someone who is currently in prayer.

It is expected that one show gratitude when offered a compliment. This is done by responding with an
equally respectful compliment on the same subject or, if they are Muslim, wishing Allah’s (God’s)
blessings.

Visiting
Not visiting someone for a long period of time is considered a sign of the relationship’s insignificance,
especially one’s family.

Egyptians generally have a relaxed attitude towards time and strict punctuality is not commonly
practised.

Adult children who live outside of their parents’ home often visit their parents on Fridays and holidays.

When visiting a mosque or someone’s home, one is required to remove their shoes before entering.

Egyptians tend to prepare elaborate and lavish meals when they have guests.

If invited to an Egyptian’s home, offering good quality chocolates or sweets to the hostess as a token of
gratitude is appreciated.

If the reason for being invited to an Egyptian’s home is for a dinner party, wait for the host or hostess to
indicate the seat they have reserved for you.

Guests should always wait for the host to serve them rather than serving themselves.

Eating

It is considered to be a compliment to take second helpings.

Leave a small amount of food on your plate once you have finished eating. This symbolises abundance
and serves as a compliment to the host for providing so well.

It is not common for people to salt their serving of food as it is considered to be ‘unnecessary’.

Complimenting food should be done in a statement rather than a question. For example, questioning the
method of the cooking (e.g. ‘how was this made?’) means that one is sceptical of the food.

Avoid eating communal food with your left hand, as this hand is generally reserved for personal hygiene.
Only the right hand is used when eating food with one’s hands.

Alcohol is generally not offered nor is it consumed with food. Only offer alcohol to your Egyptian
counterpart if you know that they consume it.

It is considered offensive to offer pork to Muslims as pigs and products relating to pigs (such as pork and
pig leather) are prohibited in the Islamic religion.

Gift Giving

Gifts are generally given and received with both hands or only the right hand.
A small gift to your Egyptian counterpart’s children is a welcome gesture.

Gifts tend not to be opened when received.

Avoid giving flowers as a gift. Flowers tend to be reserved for weddings, the ill or for periods of
mourning.

SPAIN

CORE CONCEPTS

Spain is a southwestern European country located between France and Portugal. Each region/state of
Spain has a unique cultural identity that residents are very proud of. One finds that many of the things
thought of as distinctively ‘Spanish’ often have a local or regional origin. Despite the diversity of Spanish
culture, the country also has a strong and unifying national identity. The culture is famous for having a
strong social dimension, with many fiestas (celebrations) punctuating the year.

Regionalism

There has been a consistent pattern of migration from rural areas to the industrial cities over the past
century. Today, only 20% of the population lives rurally.1 Some Spaniards identify a cultural difference
between rural and urban dwellers, with the former being more religious and socially conservative. Those
living in smaller towns and villages also tend to enjoy a slower pace of life. Meanwhile, the major cities
are densely populated and quite loud.

Spain is split into 17 different regions, known as autonomous communities (comunidades autonomas).
Each follows the constitutional law of Spain, but has a degree of self-governance to make regionally
specific laws. For example, the Basque Country, Catalonia and Galicia are recognised as having a “historic
nationality” that grants them special status and extensive powers.

Language
Language is deeply linked to identity in Spain as it is one of the most obvious indicators as to which
region people live in. Many Spaniards speak a local dialect at home or in daily life and business.

The majority of Spaniards speak Spanish (Castilian). Some of the most widely spoken regional languages
are Catalan (also known as Valencia or Balearic), Galician, Basque and Aranese.

Local Nationalism and Catalan Question

Local Nationalism in Catalonia is very strong. Catalonia is one of Spain’s most distinctive autonomous
communities.

Local nationalism is strong in Catalonia. Catalonian government declared independence, which was
deemed illegal by the constitutional court.

Francoist Spain

Spain was ruled by an army general, Francisco Franco, from the end of the Spanish Civil War in 1939 until
his death in 1975. His era of fascist dictatorship has come to be known as ‘Francoist Spain’. Over this
period, democratic institutions were inhibited, freedom of the press was controlled and political dissent
was suppressed. He promoted the power of the monarchy and Catholic Church, seeing these as
foundations of the country. However, his rule also suppressed cultural diversity across different regions
of Spain. Many regional customs and local languages were censored.

Organization of the Day

One of the most obvious cultural differences between Spain and the English-speaking West is the
organisation of the day. Spain has some of the longest working hours in Europe – from 9am to 8pm with
a two- or three-hour break in the afternoon (roughly 2pm to 5pm). This break is traditionally for a siesta
(nap) between jobs and has become ingrained in the culture.

Bread is usually served in a wicker basket. In the Mediterranean, olive oil may be served as an
accompanying condiment instead of butter.

People often use bread to eat any remaining sauces or leftovers on their plate after finishing their dish.
It is common to take a leisurely stroll (paseo) outdoors before or after dinner. People also sit around the
table talking for a long time after the meal concludes. This is called ‘la sobremesa’.

Gift Giving

When visiting someone’s house, bring gifts that can be shared (for example, wine, chocolates or
pastries). Be aware that flowers are not common gifts since they can’t be easily shared.

It is expected that parent’s friends give gifts to children when it is their birthday. However, gift giving on
birthdays (cumpleaños) is less common among adults. Spaniards may treat all their friends to drinks
instead of receiving gifts.

Open gifts immediately upon receiving them so you can remark on the gift and thank the giver in person.

Try and wrap gifts beautifully.

When giving flowers, the bouquet should count to an odd number. Be aware that red roses have
romantic connotations while white lilies and chrysanthemums are given at funerals.