Soldiers in Iraq receive
Cultural Smart Cards [PDF] which, among other things, provide a series of "Do This" and "Don't Do This" behaviors designed to avoid cultural misunderstandings. Some of these are quite obvious (e.g., "Never offer a Muslim alcohol or pork," "Don't engage in religious discussions") others are less so (e.g., "Don't make the 'OK' or 'thumbs up' signs; they are considered obscene," "Don't praise an Iraqi's possessions too much. He may give them to you and expect something of value in return," "Try all food offered to you, even if in small portions").
What would a similar card look like for foreigners visiting the US? I'd think that it would include something about it being customary to tip, maybe something about personal space. What else?
[Bonus points if we can avoid turning the thread into an argument about politics or the war].
posted by i love cheese
on Jan 13, 2005 -
54 answers
