Intercultural Competence Questions! Trivia Quiz

In Japan, forming an "O" with the thumb and forefinger is a gesture commonly used to indicate that it is now acceptable to discuss money. This cultural gesture serves as a signal to initiate conversations about financial matters. Therefore, the statement "Forming an 'O' with the thumb and the forefinger in Japan means that we can now discuss money" is true.

Scandinavians are known for their cultural value of silence and their comfort with pauses in conversations. In Scandinavian countries, silence is often seen as a way to show respect, give others space to think, and allow for deeper reflection. This cultural norm promotes a more relaxed and less pressured atmosphere during conversations, making Scandinavians more tolerant to silent breaks. Therefore, the statement that Scandinavians are more tolerant to silent breaks in conversations is true.

In Japan, laughter can be interpreted as a sign of various emotions such as confusion, insecurity, or embarrassment. This cultural difference highlights that laughter does not always indicate happiness or amusement in Japanese society. It is important to be aware of these nuances in order to understand and communicate effectively with Japanese individuals.

(But it is not seen the same way in the U.S. Congress!)

In Russia, it is not considered polite to wear gloves when shaking hands. This is because wearing gloves can create a barrier between individuals and is seen as a sign of formality or distance. In Russian culture, shaking hands is a personal and warm gesture, and wearing gloves can be seen as a lack of trust or intimacy. Therefore, the correct answer is false.

However, this same action is considered rude in the U.S. and an insult to your hosts.

In many cultures, the higher your social status the later you are expected or allowed to arrive at a scheduled event.

How do you think an American woman would react if you commented on her weight gain, whatever compliment you were intending to pay? Would it ever be acceptable in the U.S. to discuss a woman's weight in a social or professional setting?

It means you don't know the answer to a question in Brazil. In Italy, it means f*** you.

In many cultures, looking someone directly in the eyes mean you perceive you have equal social standing. In the U.S., not looking someone directly in the eyes means you are hiding something or are being untruthful.

Keeping your hands hidden implies you are being dishonest.

In fact, you should decline three times and accept the fourth time it is offered. In the U.S., you would be offered something once, and if you decline, it would not be offered again. Could you see how this would lead to a major misunderstanding about courtesy and respect if neither party understood the social conventions of the other?

Most countries have a dinner hour later than what is common in the U.S.

Purple flowers are for funerals. In Japan, white is the color associated with death.

In Mediterranean cultures, it is widely accepted to be boisterous in the streets and public places. This suggests that people in these cultures are generally comfortable with expressing themselves loudly and energetically in public settings. This cultural norm may stem from a sense of community and a desire for social interaction and engagement. It is important to note that cultural norms can vary greatly across different regions and societies, and what may be considered acceptable behavior in one culture may not be in another.

This question has the greatest number of people who get it wrong. In many culture, the person to whom you want to show the most respect sits in the back. In just as many countries, the opposite is true. So, how do you handle this if you are traveling with your boss and you have the choice of sitting in the front or the back seat? YOU HAVE YOUR BOSS CHOOSE FIRST. Don't assume that he or she will automatically choose the one YOU think should go to the person in authority. Leave it up to the most senior person present to decide.