30 CULTURAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN LATIN AMERICA AND SOME ASIAN COUNTRIES. (PART 1)

After hearing “Peculiar” expressions, cultural perceptions get evaluated according to its context: polite or unpolite, or courteous and discourteous; and life is not only in black and White in my humble opinión. There is a huge variety of nuances that nurture us. Hereto I chose to write this page, to show those “Peculiarities that make us different”, and make us so interesting. 

Enjoy Reading!

1. THE GREETING AND THE FAREWELL: Generally in Latin America, we all are very affectionate when we say hello. We tend to pat a lot (in arms and in the back), hug and kiss the other person. It is part of our daily contact. When we meet for the first time, we usually tend our right hand and we kiss goodbye on the cheek (a single Kiss, unlike in Spain and some places in Brazil, where they give two kisses) normally between women or with the opposite sex. When there has been some interaction with this person, we kiss on the cheek and hug and say goodbye in the same way. In some Asian countries, the greeting is more distant, with an inclination or reverence, sometimes shaking hands.

2. DAILY BATH: We Latin Americans bathe in the morning, basically because we like to go fresh and clean for work or for school, give a good image. In some parts of Asia, they bathe in the evening hours, because that is the time they are at home "Your holy or happy place" where you feel comfortable, it is a habit to end the day in a pleasant way.

3. SHOES: In Latin America we don´t remove our shoes to enter our houses. This isn´t a western tradition. We don´t see this necessary, because almost all our belongings are approximately 50 centimeters above ground level, although from time to time, some people do it, but it is not a usual practice. On the contrary, in some regions in Asia, it is a rule to remove your shoes to enter in our house, our friend’s, temples (Buddhists), hospital rooms and in some traditional tea houses and restaurants. In some Asian countries, shoes are filthy, they attract particles and filth from the street. There is also another reason: In olden times, your furniture was reachable from the floor (the bed, the table, the desk, etc.)

4. PUNCTUALITY: In Latin America we usually aren´t very punctual. We tend to relax with the time we were summoned at a visit. For you, we Latin Americans, go in slow motion. The waiting margin for "good manners" is from 15 to 20 minutes, but there are people who extend that time to 30 minutes or more, it also depends them. On the contrary, Asians tend to be extremely punctual. For them, time is money! (Time is valuable), therefore, everything is done fast, there are no seconds to waste.

5. ACCOMPANY ME: Latin American women like to go out in groups, not only going to the disco or the bathroom. This is very usual, running an errand its better if we go with somebody, so we have someone to chat to. This is why we go most of the time with a friend. It is not a very usual practice for some Asians, like for example: in China if a girl needs to go to the bank, she goes on herself. 

6. THE TIP: Western people like to tip service. It is approximately 10% of the total value of the bill, only if we feel well cared for. If we had a bad service we don´t or we leave a little less. There are people who do not and that is badly seen. It’s taken as a symptom of greed, stinginess or poverty. Let's say that the tip is an encouragement to be served well. In opposition to this practice in some sectors of Asia, the tip is not given because it is assumed that it is already included. Customer service is very important. 

7. THE DRINK: In Latin America we use to accompany our meals with something to drink: Fruit juice, sodas, water or other kind of drinks so we can digest food. If we don´t drink something, we feel like food is stuck in our throats. We think this drink is important for a good digestion. It is known in Asia they don´t  drink  anything  with their meals because they believe this can be bad for their digestion. With water it´s different: water is free and you may have as much as you want. 

8. PICTURES AND FOOD: It is very unusual to take pictures to the food in Latin America, unless, of course, you are a culinary reviewer, or you belong to a "Hallyu" (Neologism that refers to South Korean popularity) or "Otaku" (Subculture based on anime and some Japanese cultural practices) movement, or maybe you have  Asian friends, teachers or acquaintances  from Taiwan, Philippines and others. In these countries it´s very common to see young people making memories by taking photographs of their meals. When they shoot food is because they’re happy and pleased.  

9. AT THE TABLE: It is very common for the Latin to express loudly how great a meal is: Wonderful! Exquisite! Tasty! Delicious! etc. We don´t make noises when we chew, except for children because they are learning. We don’t speak while we chew because it’s so disgusting to see the food inside the other’s mouth and it also can make us loose our appetite. To prevent this, we swallow the food before we speak. “loose lips, sink ships”. There are some people speak with their mouths full but they are uneducated people. On the contrary, in Asia, people are used to make noises when they eat, this is a way to show appreciation to the host for the food. In some countries, speaking with the mouth full is ok, and it´s part of the rules.  

10. SHARING THE FOOD: In these countries it isn’t very usual to eat from the same plate. It is an individual perspective. Although it is not considered bad manners or impolite, it can be seen "Weird", maybe if you do, you will be the victim of some inquisitive and disapproving looks whether you are Asian or not. It's a shame because sharing, the collective look is so pleasant and it's always nice to taste the other people's dish.

11. BURPING AFTER EATING: We don´t usually eruct publicly, we prefer to do it privately or quietly. If we can´t halt it, we feel very ashamed and we excuse ourselves. Maybe elder people (60 o 70 years old) do it in their family environment, but it isn´t polite. Unlike some oriental countries, it is a costume to show to the host that the food was great, that they are at ease or comfortable and they are happy. So, what for us is bad manners, for others is a compliment to us and our hospitality. (Careful for these cultural misunderstandings, this is where many wars have begun).

12. SPITTING IN THE STREET: In Latin America it isn´t polite to spit in the streets, in fact is unpolite. We associate the act of spitting with downtown people, sickenss, drunkenness (being drunk) or paupers. It is a horrible act. But in some Asian countries it is acceptable, mostly in men. 

13. THE OPENING: When we have someone’s house, apartment (department in Mexico), or office opening, it’s traditional to bring a good wine, flowers (not chrysanthemum, lilies, gladiola because these are frequently used in funerals) or something for the home:  kitchen utensils, decorations for the living room or the dining room, something for the office. Warning: it doesn´t matter how close we are to this person, we NEVER! give toilet paper as a gift. It´s weird, unusual and can mean “you smell badly” or it’s like insinuate the owners of the property that they are filthy or lack of cleanliness. On the other hand, in some Asian countries they do. For example, in South Korea, one of the most appropriate gifts for this event is the toilet paper. This comes from the Korean term (Hangul)  “풀리다” ( Phul- li-da) and its used as an omen for “Good progress” for home or the office prosper, and long last and harmoniously. 

14. ¡HEY CHINESE! Unfortunately, Latin Americans do not differentiate if you are Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Thai or Malaysian, unless they have had any contact with people from different Asian nationalities for a long time. Although it can be annoying, people will always address you “Hey Chinese! Even if you are not. For common people in Latin America having almond shaped eyes mean “CHINESE” no matter your nationality because they are always confused between Thailand, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, etc. It’s simply because the Chinese are the most known and biggest ethnical group. In fact, at the beginnings of the XIX century a big group came to work in the train systems and they settled. I believe that this may happen to an Asian trying to distinguish a Peruvian from a Brazilian or an Argentinian from a Paraguayan, we are different. 

15. EXCUSE ME: When traveling amongst the beautiful Latin American countries, you´ll hear most of the people passing through on the subway or on public transportation always saying: "Excuse me / Pardon me! / Sorry". This is very common, it is a rule of Courtesy. In Asia, no said because there is a high demographic (too many people) and people collide with everyone and pass on. 

Adriana M. Martinez Castro . Profesional en estudios literarios. Profesora de español como lengua extranjera nivel intermedio y avanzado. Fundadora de “ESPAÑOL VIVO”.  Apasionada por la enseñanza del español. Amante de la literatura en general.  Curiosa por antonomasia. Adicta al café y al chocolate blanco.

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