GOOD MANNERS AROUND

THE WORLD

Husejnović Habiba I-4

 What are Good Manners?
• Courtesy, politeness or having good manners are all about
respecting yourself and others!
Good Manners in Bosnia and Herzegovina
 Greetings
It is important to stand up to greet someone. To greet someone whilst sitting implies disrespect and
a lack of interest…
If greeting a group people, address the oldest person first and so on. Young people may greet
elders by kissing their hand.
The common verbal greeting in Bosnia is “Zdravo” (Hello).
Muslims may greet one another by saying ‘merhaba’ (welcome, I greet you as a friend) or ‘selam-
alejkum’ (peace be with you).
Bosnians may greet one another with the question “Kako si?” (How are you?). The common
response is to say, “To thank God, very well” and return the question.
Bosnian girl kissing her father’s hand to show
respect!
 Basic Etiquette
It is expected that people act more formal and respectful around their elders. In the Bosnian language,
they are to be addressed using formal pronouns. It is common to be late or for meetings or other events
to run over time. Bosnians have quite a relaxed view of time. Be aware that a Bosnian may feel
compelled to gift their possession to you if you compliment it a lot. If someone brings good news, it is
customary to treat them with food and drinks. Walking in public barefoot can be taken as a sign of
bad taste or poverty. Don’t shake hands over the threshold of a door.
When paying a bill, it is polite to offer to pay and refuse other people’s money. However, eventually
after protest, the one whose turn it is to pay will pay.
 
 Visiting manners in Bosnian culture
• It is normal for Bosnian family members and close friends
to visit each other’s homes regularly without notice. Many
visits happen unannounced or unplanned. Friends are
expected to visit one another to congratulate significant
life events, such as the birth of a child, the arrival of a
bride, a son leaving for the army or a child graduating
school. Remove your shoes before entering someone’s
home. It’s polite to do so even if the host says that it’s not
necessary. It’s polite to always accept an offer of food and
drink by a host even if you do not actually eat/drink any of
it. Hosts may provide ‘meze’ a selection of small savoury
foods. Visits can last for very long periods of time as there
is rarely a need to rush.
 Dining Etiquette in Bosnia
Lunch is the main meal of the day in Bosnia. It is eaten at
around 2-4 pm. Dinner is served later on at around 8pm.
Pies may be eaten with hands instead of a knife and fork
during family time.
Try and keep your hands visible, above the table, and do
not rest your elbows on the table.
It is impolite to speak whilst chewing.
It is considered bad manners to eat whilst lying down or
reclining.
Bosnian friends may share or pick off each other’s plate.
 Other considerations
Not all people from Bosnia call their language “Bosnian”. People
of different ethnicities may identify as speaking Croatian,
Serbian or Serbo-Croatian even though it is essentially the same
language with differences in pronunciation and vocabulary.
It is common and acceptable to smoke cigarettes in almost all
public places in Bosnia and Herzegovina. There is a local and
religious belief in the evil eye in Bosnia. Some people may wear
talismans to ward off jealousy and misfortune.
There is a common belief in Bosnia that a slight draft, cross-
breeze or wind can carry misfortune – ‘promaja’. For example,
people may think that they can catch a bad illness from the
breeze travelling between two open windows, having wet hair in
the wind or feeling a slight draft if they have a gap between the
back of their shirt and trousers/skirt.
Good Manners in the UK
 Greetings
First names are commonly used in social introductions.
A handshake is the most common greeting, and should be firm yet not
too strong.
When greeting each other, close friends may hug or kiss one another on
the cheek, while others may simply offer a nod.
In some casual settings, your name may be announced to the group at
large. In this case, it is assumed that you will get to know others’ names
as you mingle. 
The British don’t usually ask too many questions upon meeting someone
as this can be seen as prying. That being said, it is still best to ask a
person whereabouts in the UK they are from upon meeting them. This
prevents you from mistaking them as English if they are Scottish, etc.
 Basic Etiquette
Always say “please” when asking someone for help. 
It is often considered impolite to ask a  direct question about someone’s salary, wealth, weight
or age.
Spitting in public is considered rude. If there is a line for something, always queue and wait for
your turn.
Do not wave or yell to call over a waiter or person of service. Instead, keep an eye out for them
until they make eye contact, and then nod or raise your hand. You may also gently say “excuse
me” as they pass by. It is considered rude to ask overly personal, difficult or uncomfortable
questions of someone that you do not know well. Make an effort to keep interactions polite and
friendly, evenly balanced with directness, humour and humility—even when under pressure.
Rudeness is often remembered. It is best to change the topic and talk about something less
personal, such as the weather or a sporting event.
The British like to tease, so do not take their jokes too seriously or literally.

  
 Visiting manners in the UK
Arrange a visit before going to a British person’s house. Do not arrive
unannounced or bring friends and family along unless you’ve asked them
beforehand. It is generally okay to be 10 to 15 minutes late to a small gathering of
people. However, if you are meeting at a restaurant, it is important to be punctual
as people will wait for you to order their food.
Being late is more acceptable when attending parties and large social gatherings.
If you visit a British home, you may not always receive a tour of the house, and
many of the doors might be closed out of privacy.
Recipients don’t usually expect to receive gifts of a high monetary value, but
rather that the gift will reflect their interests.
Token gifts may be given when visiting someone (e.g. wine, chocolate).
 Dining Etiquette in the UK
Place your serviette (no it’s not a napkin!), in your lap and keep it there until you leave the table, and then
place it by the left side of your plate, never on top. Never ever, tuck it into the collar of your shirt or blow
your nose on it.
When it comes to cutlery, start from the outside and work your way inward with each course. The fork is
held in the left hand and the knife in the right. The fork should have the prongs facing down, and the knife
is used to move food closer to the fork or support food so the fork can pick it up. Formally rest your knife
and fork (prongs down) on your plate during mouthfuls and whilst chit chatting.
In all instances avoid lunging across the table, it’s polite to request that something is passed to you and if
you’re doing the passing, always pass to the right.
When eating is complete, place your knife and fork side by side in the middle of your plate, fork prongs
down, knife to the right with the blade turned inward toward the fork. All spoons should be placed on the
side plate and please don’t start stacking the dishes like you work at a diner!
Finally, at the dinner table, absolutely never ever….
Smoke, rock on your chair, apply your make-up, drink from the finger bowl, be a bore, or pass out from
over consumption of wine
Good Manners in the US
 Greetings
Greetings are usually informal, with first names often used in initial
introductions. Many people hug in informal situations or to greet close friends
and family.  It is important to smile during greetings. Americans generally
smile a lot and are likely to appreciate when similar warmth is reciprocated.
• A formal introduction is not always necessary in social settings. It is
sometimes assumed that people will get to know each other as they
mingle. Many Americans greet by saying “How are you?”. This is usually a
form of greeting rather than an actual enquiry about your wellbeing. The
common response is “I’m good, thanks. How are you?”. Giving an answer
that is deeply personal or less positive can make the situation
uncomfortable if you are not very familiar with the person.
• In opening deeper conversation, Americans often ask people about their
occupation (e.g. “So, what do you do?”).
 Basic Etiquette
If someone coughs while you are smoking, it is an indication
that you should extinguish the cigarette.
It is impolite to pick your teeth without using a toothpick in
public.
It is acceptable to be a ‘picky eater’ in America and refuse some
foods without explanation.
Americans place a big importance on time, often saying, “time is
money” to be spent and saved like a commodity. Thus,
punctuality is particularly important to them. Delay is not easily
tolerated in a country where everything is tailored to
convenience as much as possible.
 Visiting manners in the US
Arrange a visit before going to an American’s house. Do not arrive unannounced or bring friends and family
with you unless you’ve asked them beforehand.
Call ahead if you will be arriving more than 10 minutes late to a small gathering of people. People are
generally expected to arrive to large parties 30 minutes to an hour late, especially if they don't know the host
well. It can be considered socially awkward to arrive on-time to a large party where many people do not know
each other. Being late is more acceptable to parties and large social gatherings.
Avoid overstaying your welcome by remaining at an American’s home longer than expected unless they urge
you to stay.
Gifts are usually only given on special occasions and are almost always accompanied by a card. For
occasions that require a gift (e.g. birthday, wedding, baby shower), a modest value of about $25 is acceptable
unless you know the recipient very well.
Gifts that are given as a personal gesture outside of special occasions are often grander or more heartfelt.
For example, to reflect deep gratitude for a favour someone has done for you,
 Dining manners in the US
• Making Restaurant Reservations:
Restaurant reservations are like any other appointment.  If you make a reservation, stick to it.  Call ahead if you are going to be more
than 15 minutes late, and cancel as far in advance as possible if your plans change so that someone else can get a table.
Some restaurants take credit card numbers to hold reservations and charge no-show fees.
• How to use napkins:
• In a restaurant:
As soon as you are seated, remove the napkin from your place setting, unfold it, and put it in your lap.  Do not shake it open.  At some
very formal restaurants, the waiter may do this for the diners, but it is not inappropriate to place your own napkin in your lap, even
when this is the case.
The napkin rests on the lap till the end of the meal.
Do not clean the cutlery or wipe your face with the napkin.  NEVER use it to wipe your nose!
• When to start eating:
• In a restaurant:  Wait until all are served at your table before beginning to eat.
• At a private dinner party:  When your host or hostess picks up their fork to eat, then you may eat.  Do not start before this unless
the host or hostess insists that you start eating.
GOOD MANNERS IN ITALY
 Greetings
Italian greetings are usually warm and rather formal.
The common greeting is a handshake with direct eye contact
and a smile. If the greeting is between a man and a woman,
the woman generally extends her hand first.
It is common to give air kisses on both cheeks (starting with
your left) when greeting those you know well. This is called the
‘il bacetto’.
Address a person by their title and last name, and continue to
do so until invited to move to a first-name basis.
Older Italians prefer to be addressed in the polite form, using
titles such as “Signore” and “Signora.“
 Basic Etiquette
• Stand up out of respect when an older person enters the
room.
• It is important to dress neatly and respectfully.
• Cover your mouth when yawning or sneezing.
• Hats should be removed indoors.
• It is impolite to remove one’s shoes in front of others .
 Visiting manners in Italy
•Elders enter a room first.
•It is common for men to stand when a woman first enters a room.
This is the same for children when an adult first enters a room.
•If you are visiting somebody’s house just before dinner time, it is
expected you will stay for the meal.
•Make sure to compliment the cleanliness and decor of someone’s
home. Italian women often take great pride in the appearance of
their houses.
 Dining manners in Italy
• Guests are invited to start eating when the host or head of the table says “Buon
appetito” (Enjoy your meal).
• It is improper to put one’s hands on one’s lap, or to stretch one’s arms while at the table.
• Resting one’s elbows on the table is also considered to be poor manners.
• Do not leave the table until everyone has finished eating.
• Drinking beverages other than water or wine with a meal is quite uncommon.
• If someone does not want more wine, the typical custom is to leave the wine glass
nearly full.
• It is generally impolite to eat whilst walking.
Good Manners in Iran
 Greetings
• At a social gathering, greet the oldest people first, as age is highly respected.
When greeting people, the universal Islamic salaam should be used. The phrase for leave-taking is khoda
hafez – “May God protect you”.
A more formal way of greeting is ‘Salaam, man [your name] hastam. Az didan-e shoma khoshbakhtam!’ This
translates to ‘Hello, I am [your name]. Nice to meet you!
The appropriate response is ‘Salamat boshin’ or you can get away with a simple ‘merci’ (a French word,
but highly used in Iran, for ‘thank you’.
In formal situations, only shake hands with people of the same gender, whereas informally Iranians kiss
three times on each cheek. After shaking hands, put your right hand on your chest to show respect.
Don’t extend a handshake to a female if you are a male or vice versa. Any physical contact with the
opposite gender is considered inappropriate
 Basic Etiquette
• The core concept in Persian culture is called Tarof (or taarof). It is based upon
acknowledgement of other people. It shows humbleness and respectfulness. For
example, it is always polite to let others through a door before you, or say “No, after
you.” The word to use in this scenario is ‘shoma befarmayeen’ (please go ahead).
• Another situation in which you can come across this phenomenon is while paying at
a restaurant. Everyone in the group will offer to pay the bill. The appropriate word
here to use is ‘nemishe’ (not possible),and of course, denying offered food and
saying, “Oh, no thank you.” (in Persian: na merci) when you really do want some is
customary. Most likely they will insist a second time and that time you should act
humbly and accept their offering.
 Visiting Etiquette in Iran
• It is customary for Iranians to bring a small gift when visiting an Iranian household or if it’s
a special occasion. Sweets and flowers are popular gift choices and always apologise for
the inadequacy of the gift (taarof). Talking up your own gift could cause it to be declined;
you must also be careful about praising any possession if you interact with an Iranian or
visit their home. If you praise something, the owner may try to offer it to you as a present.
• Another lesser known fact is that when entering a room, it is customary to clear your
throat or say any phrase to announce your arrival. This is particularly important if there
are women in the house.
• When it comes to etiquette when visiting people, it’s best to keep an eye on your host’s
actions and follow suit. For instance, if he leaves his shoes outside the door when entering
a room, remove yours at the door as well.
 Dining Etiquette
• Iranians take their dinner very seriously and have many customs to go along with
it. They take pride in their food and usually prepare much more than necessary to
help demonstrate their wealth. If you are an important guest, you are most likely
to be situated at the head of the table and served first when the food comes out.
When eating, to show respect, make sure you finish your food. It is considered
very rude to leave food on your plate in an Iranian’s home. Another way to avoid
being perceived as rude is to make sure you try a little from all the dishes served,
and try not to look at someone else’s meal.
 Some More Etiquette rules around the World

•  Never Fill Your Own Glass — Japan : Here, as in most countries, you Avoid the Salt Shaker — Egypt
The chances are, you won't find
pour your own drink when you're thirsty. In Japan, this is considered
one on your table anyway. But if
greedy, narcissistic, and even anti-social. In other words, you are being
you feel the need to ask for salt,
incredibly rude by pouring your beer, wine, or sake into your own glass.
you may want to prepare for some
Instead, it is proper to pour for other people at the table first, and they will in
mean looks coming in your
turn reciprocate the gesture. If you finish your glass before others do,
direction. Asking for salt is telling
simply top them off, and you will get the same treatment.
the chef that he or she didn't
• The "OK" Sign Is Not Okay — Germany, South America, Turkey :"How are you season the dish correctly, and you
doing?" is a question that can often be answered with the okay sign: are now going to right that wrong.
touching your forefinger and thumb together to represent the letter You may as well slap the host in
"O." However, in some countries, this gesture is the height of bad the face and say, "This tastes
manners, and could get you into a physical altercation. awful."