Comments on: 5 Ways To Avoid Embarassing Cultural Mishaps http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/09/14/5-ways-to-avoid-embarassing-cultural-mishaps/ Online travel magazine dedicated to exploring travel in the 21st century. Offering travel news, compelling interviews, online travel tools, and more. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:14:28 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Scribetrotter http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/09/14/5-ways-to-avoid-embarassing-cultural-mishaps/comment-page-1/#comment-16375 Scribetrotter Sun, 23 Sep 2007 13:10:03 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/09/14/5-ways-to-avoid-embarassing-cultural-mishaps/#comment-16375 I try to carry a small card with a few key phrases that I can either read out or show when I'm in a bind. Any one of these can help: I'm sorry, I don't speak your language (followed by broad smile). I don't understand what you are trying to say to me (sheepish grin). Could you please show me how this works? (and point) It won't work every time but it will show some goodwill and deflect attention for a few moments... I try to carry a small card with a few key phrases that I can either read out or show when I’m in a bind. Any one of these can help:

I’m sorry, I don’t speak your language (followed by broad smile).

I don’t understand what you are trying to say to me (sheepish grin).

Could you please show me how this works? (and point)

It won’t work every time but it will show some goodwill and deflect attention for a few moments…

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]]> By: Eva http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/09/14/5-ways-to-avoid-embarassing-cultural-mishaps/comment-page-1/#comment-15403 Eva Mon, 17 Sep 2007 11:29:16 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/09/14/5-ways-to-avoid-embarassing-cultural-mishaps/#comment-15403 All good points... I still find it hard to have to pay to use a bathroom though. Most uncivilized! :P All good points… I still find it hard to have to pay to use a bathroom though. Most uncivilized! :P

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]]> By: Shantanu http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/09/14/5-ways-to-avoid-embarassing-cultural-mishaps/comment-page-1/#comment-15090 Shantanu Sat, 15 Sep 2007 10:54:20 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/09/14/5-ways-to-avoid-embarassing-cultural-mishaps/#comment-15090 I do take the time to do some research of the place and people before I travel, but still discover quite a few things when I am actually there. :-) I do take the time to do some research of the place and people before I travel, but still discover quite a few things when I am actually there. :-)

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]]> By: Ian MacKenzie http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/09/14/5-ways-to-avoid-embarassing-cultural-mishaps/comment-page-1/#comment-15040 Ian MacKenzie Sat, 15 Sep 2007 00:22:38 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/09/14/5-ways-to-avoid-embarassing-cultural-mishaps/#comment-15040 good point MRB. sometimes voicing your opinion can lead to some interesting discussions. good point MRB. sometimes voicing your opinion can lead to some interesting discussions.

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]]> By: MRB http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/09/14/5-ways-to-avoid-embarassing-cultural-mishaps/comment-page-1/#comment-15009 MRB Fri, 14 Sep 2007 21:05:55 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/09/14/5-ways-to-avoid-embarassing-cultural-mishaps/#comment-15009 I don't think it's completely inappropriate to mention not liking the food or some custom. My European friends find Beef Jerky disgusting and American sexual practices needlessly timid - this doesn't make them rude guests. Although I suppose it might be a uniquely American viewpoint that we don't expect foreign visitors to attempt to 'americanize' themselves. Well, until they want to move here, that is. I don’t think it’s completely inappropriate to mention not liking the food or some custom. My European friends find Beef Jerky disgusting and American sexual practices needlessly timid – this doesn’t make them rude guests.

Although I suppose it might be a uniquely American viewpoint that we don’t expect foreign visitors to attempt to ‘americanize’ themselves.

Well, until they want to move here, that is.

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