Breakaway Destination Guides (International)

Foreigners are not expected to know all of the taboos of the country they are visiting the minute they step off the plane and will be given great latitude, however your knowledge of what is not acceptable can make your holiady experience of the life in your chosen holiday country so much more enjoyable.

The Handshake: Common in most countries.

Kisses or embraces are common in Latin America and Southern Europe

In Paraguay the guest usually greets the host with a short, formal speech and asks permission to enter

In Germany it's more important than in any other country

In England you may be ten minutes too late but never be too early!

Only taken seriously when attending a bullfight in Spain and Peru

White lilies suggest death in Britain

Dahlias and chrysanthemums are associated with death in Spain

In Brazil send flowers the next day. Attention: Purple flowers are a sign of death

Unwrap flowers in the entrance hall, don't take 13 or an even number of flowers, no red roses in Germany

Business gifts are not common in Ireland

Don't offer gifts to government officials in Zambia

In Uruguay it's usual to send gifts before visiting

Presenting a knife to a Japanese is symbolically suggesting suicide

The following gifts and/or colors are associated with death in China and should not be given:

Be careful about admiring your host's watch..., Arab businessmen are often very magnanimous - In the Arab countries do not admire an object openly. You may be the recepient of it. Don't refuse gifts!

In Chinese cultures you have to say no without saying it bad manners for the host not to keep filling your dish and for you not to keep eating as long as your dish is full

non-win-situation

In Egypt it's impolite to eat everything on the plate

Never smoke before the Loyal Toast (toast at Her Majesty's health) at a formal dinner in Great Britain

No shoptalk over drinks and dinner (as soon as the day is done so is business) in Britain

Don‘t ask for alcoholic drinks in the Middle East (in some countries alcohol is prohibited)

The events that occurred during New Year's Day may impact your life for the rest of the year. Be careful in your actions. Certain precautions are taken to insure that the New Year will be a good one.

The entire house should be cleaned before New Year's Day. On New Year's Eve, all brooms,brushes,dusters,dustpans and other cleaning equipment are put away. Sweeping or dusting should not be done on New Year's Day for fear that good fortune will be swept away. After New Year's Day, the floors may be swept. At no time should the rubbish in the corners be trampled upon.

In sweeping,there is a superstition that if you sweep the dust and dirt out of your house by the front entrance is to sweep away the good fortune of the family, it must always be swept inwards and then carried out,then no harm will follow. All dirt and rubbish must be taken out the back door.

Shooting off firecrackers on New Year's Eve is the Chinese way of sending out the old year and welcoming in the new. On the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, every door in the house,and even windows, have to be open to allow the old year to go out.

Nothing should be lent on New Year's Day,as anyone who does so will be lending all the year. All debts have to be paid by New Year's Eve.

Everyone should refrain from using foul language and bad or unlucky words. Negative terms and the word "four", or "si*#34; in Chinese which sounds like the word for death, are not to be uttered. Death and dying are never mentioned and ghost stories are totally taboo.

Hair must be cleaned and set prior to the holiday, for to do so during the New Year season would invite financial ruin. On New Year's Day, hair should not be washed because it would mean washing away good luck for the New Year.

Care must be taken not to break any dishes or other things on the first day of the year.

The use of knives and scissors - indeed any sharp instrument - is to be avoided,for these things could augur bad luck in the coming year.

Wear brand new clothes - preferably in red. Children should wear new clothes and new shoes. Red is considered a bright, happy color,sure to bring the wearer a sunny and bright future. It is believed that appearance and attitude during New Year's sets the tone for the rest of the year.

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