Dear readers,
I sometimes dare to say that I have seen it all - the good manners and the bad, the etiquette breaches and signs of deep respect.
But even after years spent in the etiquette field, there are some etiquette rules that surprise me. Often driven by cultural norms, these rules are often deeply rooted in the history of a country, and whether we agree or disagree, they might be there to stay.
Here are 2 etiquette rules that rose my eyebrows:
NO SPEAKING DURING A MEAL
In my teachings, I have mentioned the rule of not speaking with the mouth full numerous times. One should always chew and swallow first before speaking, as otherwise we run the risk of food accidentally falling out of the mouth (not to mention that others are not interested in seeing the contents of half-chewed food).
But recently, I met up with a Ukrainian friend, who told me that growing up, speaking while dining was considered rude. This did not apply to the act of chewing only, but to the whole dining experience from start to finish. According to the local customs, food is to be eaten, not conversed over. For many, it might be difficult to imagine dining in complete silence whilst in the presence of others, but there are cultures that still follow this rule.
SMILING WITHOUT A REASON
This etiquette rule hits home as it is a rule I grew up with, and if I am not mistaken, it is widely common in most Eastern European countries, not just Slovakia where I am from.
Nowadays, social media is full of advice on how to bring more optimism, joy and positive thoughts into our life. Meeting a person who smiles and appreciates life’s everyday moments is a refreshing blessing, so it might come as a surprise that such an attitude might not be welcomed with applause in Eastern Europe. All of this is due to an old proverb: ''Smiling with no reason is a sign of stupidity''. If I had a coin for every time I heard this proverb during my childhood, I would be, well, substantially wealthy now. This proverb is particularly visible when it comes to the reluctance to smile at strangers on this street.
So if you find yourself in Eastern Europe and your smile is not reciprocated, it is nothing personal, just a mere cultural norm.
Are there any etiquette rules you find shocking? Share them with me (info@katarinaetiquette.com) so we can all expand our etiquette horizons.
I wish you all a beautiful shock-less day.
Yours sincerely,
Katarina
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