Cultural Vocabulary
Taboo or Not Taboo?
Food & Etiquette
Words & Gestures
World Cultures
100

___________ are the learned customs, knowledge, material objects, language, religion, and behavior.

Culture

100

Is it usually polite or rude to slurp your noodles in Korea?

It's normally seen as polite. It is considered a sign of enjoying the food.

100

What do people say before eating in English?

Bon appétit! / Enjoy your meal!

100

What’s the opposite of “rude”?

Some antonyms might be: polite, respectful, appropriate, thoughtful.

100

What is the capital of Brazil and what language do people speak there?

The capital of Brazil is Brasilia and they speak Portuguese

200

What do we call the confusion you feel when you go to a very different culture?

That feeling is called a culture shock

200

In Japan, what should you do before entering a house?

You should take off your shoes

200

What do people say to make a toast before drinking?

Cheers!

200

What does it mean when someone nods and shakes their head?

If someone nods their head means: yes

If someone shakes their head means:no

200

Name country where summer is in December  

Any countries in the Southern Hemisphere (E.g. Chile, Argentina, Australia, etc.) 

300

________ is the practice or quality of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, religions etc.

Diversity

300

In what culture is it normally rude to refuse food offered by a host?

In Latin American, Asian and some Middle-eastern countries.

300

In China, is it polite to finish all the food on your plate? Why?

No. Leaving a little shows you’re full

300

What’s a “stereotype”?

A general belief about a group of people often inaccurate or imprecise and based on preconceived notions/ideas.  

300

Name one country where people drive on the right side.

England, Japan or Australia

400

What’s the word for someone who goes to another country to live there?

A person that moves to another country to live there is called an immigrant.

400

In Muslim countries, which hand should you use to eat or give things?

The right hand. Always!

400

Name one country where people use chopsticks to eat and one where people eat with their hands.

  • Chopsticks → Japan / China / Korea / Vietnam

  • Hands → India / Ethiopia / Saudi Arabia / Morocco

400

Say "thank you" in at least three different languages than English. 

  • Spanish: Gracias
  • Portuguese: Obrigado/a
  • French: Merci
  • German: Danke
  • Italian: Grazie
  • Russian: Спасибо (Spasibo)
  • Mandarin Chinese: 谢谢 (Xièxiè)
  • Japanese: ありがとう (Arigato) 
400

What country uses yen as its currency?  

Japan's currency is the yen

500

What do you think is the difference between enculturation and acculturation?

Enculturation is the lifelong, primarily unconscious, process of learning your own native culture from infancy.

Acculturation is the conscious process of adapting to a new, different culture, often involving interaction between two or more distinct cultural groups.

500

What are some cultural do's and don'ts in Colombia?

Answers may vary! 

500

Why do some cultures prefer to eat with the right hand only?

Because the left hand is considered as unclean

500

Why can direct eye contact be considered rude in some cultures?

It can seem aggressive or disrespectful

500

What’s the smallest country in the world?

Vatican City is the smallest country in the world

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