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Culture Clues – Travel & Tourism
Countries
Russia
Sweden
Czech Republic
Panama
Jamaica
Egypt
Italy
China
Greece
Colombia
Puerto Rico
Spain
Germany
Australia
Philippines
Turkey
Ireland
Scotland
Brazil
1. In this country, New Year’s Day is the most popular holiday.
2. In this country, pulling down the lower eyelid with a finger is a way of acknowledging someone’s
cleverness.
3. In this country woman do not change their surnames when they marry.
4. In this country, a man greets a woman with a handshake only if she extends her hand first.
5. This country is only slightly larger than the United States, but it has more than four times as many
inhabitants.
6. At Easter children dress up like old witches with brooms and go door-to-door to collect candy.
7. People here stand close and frequently touch one another on the arm while conversing.
8. People here prefer their drinks without ice.
9. In this country people show respect or approval for shared ideas by touching fists.
10. In this country one does not point the sole of the foot toward another person.
11. Until 1995, this country’s constitution prohibited divorce.
12. When entertaining in this country, it is custom to put more food on the table than they can eat to
indicate abundance.
13. When eating with guests here, do not hurry. A meal may last anywhere from one to four hours.
14. While eating in a home in this country, to show appreciation to the cook, one would accept a
second serving.
15. Golf was invented in this country in the 1500s.
16. Ninety percent of the world’s emeralds come form this country.
17. This country held the first Olympics in 776 B.C.
18. In this country using a finger to draw a circle in the air means one is coming right back.
19. In this country people shorten words for everyday conversations. For example, uni (university),
kindy (kindergarten), telly (television), and footy (football).
20. Families in this country who can afford to do so purchase a home for each child in the family as an
inheritance or investment.
21. In this country to show respect one addresses adults by their professional titles (engineer,
professor) and last names.
22. The “okay” sign used in the U.S, with the thumb and index finger forming a circle, is an offensive
gesture in this nation.
23. To wish luck in this country “squeeze the thumb” instead of crossing fingers. They fold the thumb
in and close the fingers on it.
24. In this country the common answer to life’s challenges is No Problem, Man.
25. In this country the hands of an older person may be kissed and touched to the greeter’s forehead to
show respect.
26. The men in this country often wear a Tartan Kilt on formal occasions. The Kilt is pleated and
accessorized with several tradition items.
27. Legend has it that St. Patrick drove all of the snakes out of this country and into the ocean. There
are still no snakes there today.
28. The most popular sport in this country is Cricket.
29. In this country guests should allow their host to take care of them. That is, guests do not help with
dishes, take offers of the best food or seat, and graciously accept any good-bye gifts.
30. Pointing a finger at someone in this country is impolite and can often indicate a threat or contempt.
31. While eating a meal in this country it is polite to keep one’s hands, but not elbows, above the table.
32. The capital of this country is located at 8,000 feet above sea level.
33. In this country it is a great honor to be invited to a home for a meal.
34. To get around in this country, many people ride a jeepney, a highly decorated minibus built on a
jeep frame.
35. Removing one shoes in the presence of others is impolite.
36. After the bride and groom have driven away, the best man scatters a bag of small change on the
pavement. Small children scramble to get as much of it as possible. This is called Scramble or PourOut.
37. This country is a commonwealth of the United States.
38. Food in this country is so expense that people must devote their time to getting food, by working
extra jobs, and or taking care of their households; therefore, having limited leisure time.
39. In this country it is expected for a young man to ask the girl’s father for permission to be her
boyfriend.
40. In this country one should not chew gum, comb one’s hair, or kiss extensively in public.
41. Going to pubs is a popular social activity for people of all ages in this country.
42. Leaving the table before everyone has finished eating is considered impolite in this country.
43. Most people in this country prefer beer, wine, or mineral water with meals and rarely drink tap
water.
44. Shouting in public in this country is rude, as is spitting, littering, and displaying intimate affection.
45. This country has the largest population in the world.
46. About 90 percent of the people of this country are Muslim.
47. The coqui, is a little frog that only grows in size from10mm to 80mm. These tiny little frogs are
located all over this country.
48. When visiting someone in this country be polite and arrive on time - not early and not late.
49. While in this country it is impolite to talk with one’s hands in pockets or folded across the chest.
50. In this country, invited guests usually bring an odd number of flowers to the hostess.
51. Waffle Day, a national holiday in this country, is exactly nine months before Christmas. People
celebrate this day by eating waffles, of course.
52. This country has nine sheep for every one person.
53. This country is made up of 7,107 islands.
54. This is the only country in South America with coasts on both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean
Sea.
55. In this country wrinkling the nose means that the person does not understand.
56. Raising the eyebrows can mean either “hello” or “yes” in this country.
57. In this country, Debs or Graduation Balls are similar to our Prom. Debs call for formal suits,
dresses, a large meal, and a dance at a local hotel.
58. In this country it is mandatory for males to enter the military service at the age of 20.
59. It is very common that events and meetings start late in this country even with the people saying
Soon Come. This phrase can mean anything from five minutes to next week.
60. Carnaval is a five day festival preceding Ash Wednesday that is marked by street parades, dancing,
parties, drinking, costumes, and music.
61. When parting ways in this country one would say “Cheers.”
62. Chopsticks are used for all meals in this country.
63. This country is the largest island in the world.
64. There are many traditions considered bad luck and should be avoided in this country. For example,
one should not shake hands through a doorway or give a birthday present before the actual birthday.
65. A traditional holiday meal in this country is boiled bacon and cabbage.
66. Vatican City, the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, is located in this country.
67. In this country it is impolite for the bottom of one’s foot to point at another person; therefore, one
does not prop the feet on a table or chair in the presence of others.
68. This country has won the World Cup more times than any other country.
69. People have lived in this country for more than 5,000 years.
70. A city in this country is the only city in the world built on two continents.
71. The world famous discount furniture chain IKEA was founded in this country.
72. In what country was Albert Einstein born?
73. There are more clothing and shoe shops located in this country than bakeries. It is a major country
for the fashion industry.
74. During the 1840s, at least one million people died in this country due to the great potato famine.
75. In this country most women cover their hair and body except for face and hands when in public.
76. People in this country are referred to as laddie for males and lassie for females.
77. Bullfighting, considered an art and a popular attraction, is the biggest and most controversial sport
in this country. There are bull rings in all major cities.
78. Leaving a tip at a restaurant in this country is considered to be an insult.
79. In this country one should never give someone a chrysanthemum, as that flower is reserved for
funeral arrangements.
80. Breakfast in this country often consists of the national dish which is Saltfish – salted, dried cod.