Canada is a multicultural country, and it is hard to be fair with others as long as we don't know their cultures. Please post your views if you know about a special feature of any culture or religion.
I know it is not a universal rule what we are talking here, and does not apply to everyone, but each culture has some unique traditions that are followed by most of the people belong to that culture.
Here are a few things that I learned after moving to Canada:
1. Chinese often ask how much you make (mainly to their own people): One day I was talking to a Chinese staff member and I asked her why it is so, and she said that it is a very open in China that everyone knows how much others are making.
2. Koreans ask about the age: Koreans are very keen to know the age during communication, and the reason why they ask is, their way of dealing people changes at certain ages or put it this way, they have different level of respect at different ages.
I collected some facts for Korean communication: It is common in Korea to ask a person how old they are or whether or not they are married the first time you meet. Non-Koreans may consider these kinds of questions too personal or impolite. However, Koreans think of these kinds of questions as the first steps in getting acquainted rather than as being "nosy".Asking a person his or her age the first time you meet probably comes from the Korean custom of social ranking based on age. In Korea, checking a person's age helps you decide which speech level to use with that person in the future. For instance, if the other person is older than yourself, you will have to use honorific language with him or her even if you get to know that person well. Also, upon initially meeting someone, it is gradually acceptable to ask questions such as "Are you married?", "Where do you live?" or "What school did you graduate from?". In Korea, if someone asks you such questions, it is probable that he or she is interested in you and wants to get to know you better.
Have you eaten?: Koreans ask this question as How are you? Misunderstandings can occur in this situation because the Korean implication of this question is different from its literal meaning. Usually when Koreans ask whether or not you have eaten, they do not want to talk about food. "Have you eaten" is just a typical way of greeting people. So, even if you answer that you have not eaten, Koreans may not invite you for a meal. When asked this quesntion, it's fine to just say "yes".Another Korean greeting that may create misunderstanding is "Where are you going?" In this case too, Koreans are being friendly, but not necessarily curious about your destination. For this reason, you can answer simply by saying "yes" and you are not obligated to give a specific destination.
3. Indians' hospitality is great - they always offer something to their guests, but it is different in western culture, if you go to their homes, they will ask only one time - what you will take, and if you say no, they may ask you one more time - are you sure, and again if you say no - that's it - you have to stay without anything.
Let me share some of my experiences here in Canada - my first job in librarianship was with Kitimat Public Library as a Deputy Chief Librarian, and after one week, chief librarian (she) told me that another city Chief Librarian (he) invited us for the lunch. We drove for one hour to reach there, and after the lunch, she told me that we have to pay for our food - I know somehow he paid for us, but that was very disgusting for me. I had a long discussion after coming to Kitimat - when I asked why he invited us if ...., and she tried to convince me that it was fine.
Continue............
