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Student Handbook Greeting Rituals How long is an appropriate greeting? Are compliments fitting? Are different status people greeted differently? What physical behavior (e.g., handshaking—how often, other touching, if any) is expected? Learning and using the proper form of greeting goes a long way to make a positive first impression on host nationals. Time Language When is “late”? Are there cultural differences in what might be an appropriate reason to be late? If, in Britain, Ireland, South Africa or Botswana, you are kept waiting beyond your “late” time, what will your reaction be? When can a party or dinner scheduled for 8:00 pm reasonably (by local standards) be expected to begin? Dress Language An almost universal dress code has evolved among teenagers but, interestingly, there are still differences in what is considered appropriate and what is not. US-American males wandering around in shorts and t-shirts with a can of beer in the middle of the afternoon may attract very negative comments. North American woman often get unwelcome attention because of their abbreviated and casual dress, when a more conservative attire may ward this off. Most returning students, especially women, report that their usual informal dress lacked the style that was common in Europe. There will be conventional clothing rules and there will be people who deviate from them in every culture, but it is best to attend to what seems most accepted and age-appropriate, if for no other reason than to blend into the environment. Differences in appearance, personal space, and communication styles are just a few of the many things that may make your experience abroad more intense. Now that you are aware of some of the verbal and body language issues that are likely to be part of your stay, it might be helpful to look at a larger picture and consider what R. Michael Paige calls “Intensity Factors.” This is a list of contrasting cultural circumstances that have been proven to have strong psychological impacts upon individuals participating in crosscultural educational experiences. He called them “intensity factors” because they can heighten the psychological intensity of stress in the adjustment process. You should give some consideration to these factors because each one can contribute to the stress of going and being abroad.
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