10個不爲人知的國際習俗

Gift-giving, table manners: what’s acceptable at home doesn’t necessarily apply in other countries. Here are 10 distinctive customs to use as your passport to new experiences and friendships.
送贈禮物、餐桌禮儀：在本國可接受的習俗不代表適應於其他國家。當你帶着護照探索新體驗，拾獲新友誼的時候，就要記住以下10種與衆不同的習俗。

When traveling, it’s important to brush up on the customs and etiquette of the global village.
旅遊時，有必要重新學習關於“地球村”的習俗和禮儀。

1. Avoid giving certain flowers in Russia.
1. 在俄羅斯，不要送贈某種鮮花。

Be careful when presenting flowers to a friend or business associate in Russia. Yellow blooms signify deceit or a relationship break-up. Skip red carnations, too. Traditionally, red carnations are placed on the graves of the dead.
在俄羅斯，送贈鮮花給朋友或商業合作伙伴要謹慎。黃色的鮮花代表欺騙，或者結束一段關係。也不要送紅色康乃馨；傳統認爲，紅色康乃馨是要擺在先人墓前的。

2. Don’t expect a “Thank You” card for these gifts in China.
2. 在中國，送贈這些禮物就別指望收到感謝卡。

Clocks, straw sandals are all associated with death and funerals in China. Deemed inappropriate and morbid, you’ll risk damaging the relationship if you present these gifts—for any occasion—to someone in China.
時鐘、草鞋等在中國都是跟死亡和葬禮有關的。送贈此類禮物是不當的，讓人毛骨悚然的。無論任何時候，如果你送了這些禮物給中國朋友，你就是在冒險要破壞這段關係。

3. Skip the salt in Egypt.
3. 在埃及不要用鹽。

When tucking into a meal in Egypt, by-pass the saltshaker. It’s insulting to your host to sprinkle salt on your food. If you have to season your plate, it means that you find the meal’s taste repulsive.
在埃及吃飯，不要使用鹽瓶。因爲這是在嘲笑聚會主人在你的食物裏食鹽放少了。如果你確實要放調味料，就意味着這頓飯讓人反胃。

4. Don’t show up on time in Venezuela.
4. 在委內瑞拉，不要準時到約定地點。

Here’s one place where being early or on time is viewed as being rude. In Venezuela if you are invited over to someone’s home for a meal, it’s recommended that you arrive 10 to 15 minutes later than the requested time. Early or on time guests are viewed as being too eager, even greedy.
在這裏，早到或準時到約定地點會被視爲無禮。在委內瑞拉，如果你受邀去某人家裏聚餐，建議你比約定時間推遲十到十五分鐘到達。太早到或準時到達的客人會被視爲過於渴望聚餐或貪吃。

5. Always use a knife and fork in Norway.
5. 在挪威，記得使用刀叉。

In Norway, table manners are extremely important. Most meals, including sandwiches, are eaten using utensils.
在挪威，餐桌禮儀是極其重要的。大多數的餐宴，即便是吃三明治，也要使用器具進食。6. Be “blunt” in the Netherlands.
6. 在荷蘭要裝“鈍”。

Gift giving should be a happy, positive experience. When selecting a present for someone in the Netherlands, don’t purchase fancy kitchen knives or scissors. Giving sharp, pointy objects as gifts is considered unlucky.
收到禮物應該是開心的。在荷蘭，在選擇禮物的朋友時不要購買花式廚具和剪刀。送贈尖銳的禮物會給人帶來不幸

7. Don’t clink and drink in Hungary.
7. 在匈牙利喝酒不要碰杯。

Clinking glasses and swigging beer is a scene played out of many pubs around the world, but don’t expect to see such merriment in Hungary. This old custom dates back to the 1849 war with Austria. After defeating Hungarian forces and savagely killing thirteen of their military’s leaders, Austrian generals were celebrating by smugly clinking glasses and drinking beer. While consuming beer was never forbidden, Hungarians did pledge to refrain from clinking glasses for a period of 150 years.
碰杯痛飲是全球很多酒吧裏常見的情景，但不要期待在匈牙利也能看到。這個習俗起源於1849年與奧地利的戰爭。打敗匈牙利部隊，並且殘酷地殺害了13個軍隊領袖後，奧地利將軍們碰杯痛飲慶祝。喝酒不是禁止，但是匈牙利人還是發誓150年不會做碰杯行爲。

8. Skip the tab in Turkey.
8. 在土耳其，不要搶着付賬。

When doing business in Turkey, it’s the custom for your host to pay for your meal. Requests to split the bill will be viewed as a polite gesture, but won’t be accepted. If you would like to pay your fair share, Turks recommend inviting your host to a follow-up meal. At that time, you can reciprocate the host.
在土耳其經商時，通常是由聚餐主人付餐費的。請求分攤餐費是有禮貌的舉動，但是不被接受的。如果你想付費公平點，土耳其人會建議你邀請聚餐主人去吃後續餐。在那時，你可以酬謝他人。

9. Red equals dead in Korea.
9. 在韓國，紅色等同死亡。

Writing a lot of cards or notes while visiting South Korea? Be mindful of your pen’s ink color. Scrawling a person’s name in red ink traditionally signifies that the person is deceased–an important point to remember when giving a birthday card.
在南韓要寫很多筆記和小卡片？要注意你的字體顏色喔。用紅色墨水寫別人的名字，意味着這個人已經過世了。所以寫生日卡是千萬不要忘記這點。

10. Stick to the sauna in Finland.
10. 在芬蘭，要堅持桑拿浴。

In Finland, saunas are a preferred way to relax and socialize with family and friends. Don’t be surprised if your business meeting is followed up with an invite to let off some steam in a local sauna. If you receive such a request, rest assured that your business meeting went well.
在芬蘭，桑拿浴是人們休閒及和親朋好友相聚的好方式。當你商務會談結束後，受邀去當地桑拿店桑拿減壓，千萬不要感到驚訝。如果你收到這樣的請求，那麼你可以肯定，這次的會談十分成功。