An msn.com article titled 14 American Customs That Are Considered Rude In Other Countries1 was a bit of an eye opener. Here are just a few of the most surprising ones.
Personal space. We Americans like our personal space. There’s nothing worse than the person who wants to get right in your face to talk with you. However, in other countries, that distance is viewed as rude. You are deemed impersonal and standoffish.
Tipping. In America, we are encouraged to generously tip. We understand that this is a major part of the waiter/waitress’s income since they are paid well below minimum wage. In Japan, though, if you leave a tip, it’s considered an insult. Good service is a part of the job and tipping is an underhanded way to say that the service is less than desired.
The use of first names immediately. We have become very casual in America. Too casual. Gone are the days of respectful titles: Mr., Mrs., Miss, Dr., Pastor, Sir, or Ma’am. While we have gone loosey-goosey, other countries deem our lackadaisical attitude as rude and disrespectful. I happen to agree with that assessment. My dad would have had something to say if I had ever addressed an elder by their first name.
Thumbs up. This is a common gesture in America and it’s a good thing. Movie critics Siskel and Ebert made a living from this gesture, as well as the thumbs down. Iran and Greece see this as rude and vulgar. Remember that if you ever travel abroad.
Casual dress. America has gone excessively casual. Just consider what people wear to
church, funerals, weddings, and other professional settings. Schools will have “pajama day.” COVID let us work from home where we could stay in our PJs 24/7. Other countries such as Japan and Italy see this as a great sign of disrespect. Imagine what they must think of our hoodie and sweatpants wearing senator from Pennsylvania!
Making eye contact. In America, this is actually taught. If you are speaking to someone, look them in the eye. It shows that you are engaged with them and interested. In other countries, though, this is deemed disrespectful, especially if you are speaking to an elder.
Do any of these surprise you? Read the rest of the article to discover the other eight American customs deemed inappropriate in other places. It’s good to know these things if you intend to visit another culture.
We would have to agree that none of the actions or gestures mentioned above are sinful. There are no Bible verses that say, “Thou shalt not tip. Thou shalt not give a thumbs up, make eye contact, or invade another’s personal space.” Again, these are cultural preferences. But, as a Christian, we must be aware of these things so as not to cause an undue offense.
Paul was mindful of this as well. In 1 Corinthians 9:20-22, Paul said, “And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; (21) To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. (22) To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak…”
When Paul went to different groups, he became one of those people. He didn’t follow his own way of doing things if it would have been divisive or ostracizing. Remember, Paul did not commit sin to fit in. Instead, he curtailed his own liberty. These were all in non-essential areas of life.
Why would Paul do this? Why should we do this? The ultimate goal remains the same today. 1 Corinthians 9:19, 22b-23 says, “For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more… that I might by all means save some. (23) And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.”
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1https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/tripideas/14-american-customs-that-are-rude-in-other-countries/
