Intercultural etiquette is fundamental to successful intercultural relations. Etiquette, or manners and conventions that apply to social interactions between people varies a lot between cultures and is an important part of social identities, influencing people’s perceptions and behaviour in many ways, both straightforward and more subtle.

The differences in etiquette can lead to many – minor and major – misunderstandings and communication breakdowns in cultural relations, and any effort put into learning etiquette of another culture will almost certainly repay itself manifold. People who don’t behave according to the rules of the etiquette are normally perceived as rude and impolite by definition. Some leeway is usually given to foreigners, but one shouldn’t rely on that. Learning the ways of “proper” behaviour in the host culture may not only avoid the charges of rudeness but it is an expression of respect and acknowledgement of the cultural differences. It’s particularly important for people coming from a more powerful (in economic, political or cultural terms) country and culture to acknowledge the etiquette differences and make at least some attempts at honouring them in one’s behaviour. Otherwise there is a risk of being accused of arrogance and cultural imperialism.

Rules of the etiquette reflect cultural values, but only to a certain extent. Many American women are offended by courtesies offered by men in Southern and Eastern European countries, as the perceive them as expressions of sexists attitudes. This might be the case, but it might be also nothing more than simply a social convention in action.

Communication is often affected by etiquette. Some cultures have strong prohibition on giving direct orders, even to the subordinates, which may be seen as to confrontational. If the subordinate comes from a culture where orders and requests are directly expressed, they might ignore an order couched in terms of polite question.

Criticism of seniors and elders is frowned upon in many Asian cultures, and thus for example students will not complain about their teachers but simply leave a class or course when unhappy. This is a difficult situation; for example, western teachers of English who are used to more direct feedback.

Even an ostensibly simple case of asking closed questions might cause difficulties: a direct refusal might in some cultures lead to a loss of face, and thus will be couched in more tentative terms that may suggest hope where there is none to many people coming from countries where communication is more straightforward.

Intercultural etiquette is important for cultural relations because only recognition of the differences in what is considered a proper course of social conduct, and respect for those differences, will lead to successful cultural exchanges, co-operation and understanding between people and groups belonging to diferent cultures.

Sources and further reading:

http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/cultural-services/articles-etiquette.html

http://www.ediplomat.com/np/cultural_etiquette/cultural_etiquette.htm