Is It Bad to Say Thank You?

[mona]

Is It Bad to Say Thank You?
(And Other Cultural No-Nos)

Thank you. It’s a common way of politely expressing your appreciation to someone who did you a favor. But in some parts of the world, it’s actually considered rude.

In every culture, you’ll find people use a variety of phrases and gestures to convey different messages. More often than not, we don’t even realize it. We grow up accepting these phrases and behaviors as “normal,” so it can come as a shock to discover that a friendly gesture can actually be interpreted as offensive in other places.

As a result, it’s important to be mindful of these communication differences when traveling. While we recently looked at ways to raise your cultural awareness, here’s a closer peek at some of the specific phrases and behaviors to avoid.

Please & Thank You

According to MTM LinguaSoft, saying “please” and/or “thank you” can be seriously offensive to those in other parts of the world. While it may be an appropriate expression of gratitude in places such as the United States and Brazil, don’t expect to hear it in other countries.

In the Philippines and in India for example, friends and family are expected to do things for one another. This means there’s no reason for a special comment; it’s just assumed you’ll eventually return the favor later down the road, and that conveys “thank you” more than actually saying it. Acknowledge the favor, but there’s no need for the formality.

Likewise, if not saying please or thank you is the norm in your culture, be sure to remember to do so when interacting with others or visiting another country where such phrases are valued.

Have a Nice Day and Smiling

It’s fairly well known that Germans have a very direct, but still polite, way of communicating. But this also means that certain superfluous phrases such as “have a nice day” often come off as insincere and inappropriate. Since it’s a generic phrase that’s overused, it holds little value among Germans. This is where the old platitude “If you have nothing good to say, don’t say anything at all” comes in handy.

The same also goes for smiling. In Germany (and most of Northern and Middle Europe in general), there are certain expectations for interacting with strangers or acquaintances. While you shouldn’t be unfriendly, smiling for the sole reason of conveying a friendly disposition is perceived as strange. Unless someone tells you a joke or does something that makes you happy, it’s best to avoid smiling, or risk looking like a loon.

Anger

Americans (looking at you, New York City drivers) have a reputation of being openly aggressive. However, public displays of anger are frowned upon in many countries around the world. In fact, people from other cultures might misinterpret your anger for something else. In Kenya for example, it can be perceived as a sign of a mental illness. So keep your cool when traveling abroad!

For more information on the local customs and norms at the destination you’re traveling to, check out Culture Crossing.

Photo from Xoombi.

[Reefa]

Thank you..

[Joe13]

[mazigh]

Cultural differences is sth not new, influenced by religion, weather, old customs and some other causes that we still don't know, You can find these differences even inside the same country, You just have to notice how some Arabs (Of Gulf) salute each other or how some Indians do it to understand that What you might see weird in your country is not necessary the same in other countries.

[Joe13]

Ambrose displayed a kind of liturgical flexibility that kept in mind that liturgy was a tool to serve people in worshiping God, and ought not to become a rigid entity that is invariable from place to place.

His advice to Augustine of Hippo on this point was to follow local liturgical custom. "When I am at Rome, I fast on a Saturday; when I am at Milan, I do not. Follow the custom of the church where you are."^[25][26]

Thus Ambrose refused to be drawn into a false conflict over which particular local church had the "right" liturgical form where there was no substantial problem. His advice has remained in the English language as the saying, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambrose#Theology

[Reefa]

Ease up mate :P ..To be honest i only believe what i see..

[DrKash]

شكرا

Thank you

[dMog]

hey..i am Canadian...if we are not saying sorry we are saying THANK YOU :lol:

[mona]

Ease up mate :P ..To be honest i only believe what i see..

//www.nsaneforums.com/topic/241014-how-do-you-see-the-dress-colors/?p=903234 :lmao:

[DiamondK]

decent & civilized personalities need to learn, so sad that a few guys have zero learning abilities :P

some even barks when they can't get what they want, ROFLOL :wtf:

[Roy W]

Baie dankie!

[windowsvistas]

Danyavad

[funkyy]

decent & civilized personalities need to learn, so sad that a few guys have zero learning abilities :P

some even barks when they can't get what they want, ROFLOL :wtf:

Woof, woof!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

[funkyy]

¡Muchisimas gracias a todos!

[funkyy]

hey..i am Canadian...if we are not saying sorry we are saying THANK YOU :lol:

Hey, I'm Scottish...if we're not saying "Thank you" we're saying "hic". :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Joe13]

Gaelic

Croatia

[Fallon]

Many cultural differences still apply, although the world has become a village.
It's funny to read a travel guide with Japanese etiquette.
In American movies there is the ten minute wait before your psychopath of the day takes the stage.
European movies may send the 'spoiled' visitors home with the heavy message that life is hard.
The Arabs buy Bollywood movies and fork over money to watch figure skating. I wonder why.
Etc.

[funkyy]

Many cultural differences still apply, although the world has become a village.

It's funny to read a travel guide with Japanese etiquette.

In American movies there is the ten minute wait before your psychopath of the day takes the stage.

European movies may send the 'spoiled' visitors home with the heavy message that life is hard.

The Arabs buy Bollywood movies and fork over money to watch figure skating. I wonder why.

Etc.

Different strokes for different folks :showoff: :showoff: :showoff:

[speedy57]

[anakin206]

It is not bad but it is against forum rules //www.nsaneforums.com/topic/210600-thanks-posts/:lol: