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Presents and time off from school or work can often become our main focus when holidays roll around. Though I was raised Jewish, the Christmas celebrations always took center stage in my family this time of year. Long-lasting traditions in…
Before you pull up a seat at the holiday table, study the rules of etiquette so you can avoid a faux pas (yes, that’s French for lack of tact, or rude foreigner, depending on who you ask). While taking cues from your host or hostess is never a bad idea, it’ll also impress them if you come equipped not just with a symbolic gift but with the kind of consideration for their cultural values that money can’t buy.
Before you get out there and start mingling merrily, it pays to know a little cultural etiquette. Our international guide to party protocol will help you raise a glass in the most common languages and understand how to rub elbows without committing a faux pas.
When you’re popping into a holiday party, it’s considerate to bring a gift for the host or hostess. Many people choose flowers since they’re a beautiful and gracious way to extend thanks, but different flowers can have different meanings across cultures. In South Africa for instance, it’s customary to give flowers during the holidays, but in Egypt, they are only appropriate as gifts when attending a funeral.
Thoughtfulness and a little cultural sensitivity translate well in any language.We may have different names for Santa Claus or Father Christmas, but the reason for our joy across the world remains the same. During the holiday season, we unite in…
Conquer your fear of language learning.
You’ve probably heard this already––that after puberty, learning a language just isn’t worth it. Reality: it’s all a myth. The origins of this tale come from a body of research that highlights children’s natural inclination to acquire language. A young…
If you’ve come expecting a definitive answer on which language is easiest to learn, you might be disappointed. Because the truth is that language learning is challenging and the language that you find the most approachable can be influenced by…
Tokyo is quite likely the world’s ultimate dining destination. Tourists flood in from every which direction, often expecting something refined, elevated, if not Michelin-starred. Sure, those options are here (230 of them, in fact) and not hard to find. But…
Politeness is an essential part of Japanese culture. You’ll see reflected in every facet of life, including the Japanese language. The use of Japanese honorifics reflects respect and certain suffixes are used in formal situations, while others are more appropriate…
The process of learning a second language, sometimes referred to as second language acquisition or SLA, can be a challenging one. You’ll often hear that children are best suited to take on learning a second language because their brains are…
We’ve entered the age of the podcast and as this method of media has risen in popularity, so has the use of podcasts as a way to learn a language. From Spanish to Russian to Chinese, there is a plethora…
