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Being a tour guide is a very important job.

In many cases, the


tour guide is a traveller's first impression of a foreign country. In
other cases a tour guide may be responsible for teaching tourists
about the culture and sites in a city or town. In addition, many
tour guides hold the responsibility of teaching tourists about
safety. Even if you are only responsible for taking a tourist from
the airport to his or her hotel, it is your responsibility to make the
short trip interesting, informative, and safe.

Taboos in communication with international groups


There is a fine balance between being yourself and showing respect. In your country, you want to share as
much as you can about your own customs and lifestyle, you should also take active steps to learn as much
about the culture and customs of people visiting your country. This includes finding out about the taboo
topics and actions that could embarrass, confuse or upset them.
Remember, that what is considered appropriate conduct or conversational material in your country may be
considered rude, insulting or even bad luck in another. You may also find that younger generations are more
accepting of and accustomed to American or European topics and gestures, while others still consider some
things taboo.
Talking about taboos in general can also be tricky! We want to make sure not to promote generalizations or
stereotypes that could upset or insult anyone. Here are some general topics to avoid as an ESL teacher in a
multicultural class:

Religious beliefs
Political beliefs
Sexuality
Poverty
Historical Conflict

Here are some general actions and gestures to avoid:

Swearing
Touching people
Eating or chewing gum
Embarrassing people
Pointing
Holding eye contact for a long period of time
Standing very close to a person

Country

Topics and behaviour to avoid

China

France

Germany

India

They may not maintain steady


eye contact with you when you
are talking to them. Try to be
respectful of the culture by not
holding eye contact with a single
person for too long.
Punctuality is important in China.
Make sure to begin and end your
classes on time. Try to avoid
putting your hand near your
mouth or biting your fingernails.
This is considered rude.
Never wave someone over with
your finger. Wave them over with
a hand and fingers pointed down.
This is also the way to hail a taxi.

You may think that the Chinese are


unhappy or disliking you because they
don't smile as much as others.
However, Chinese people often repress
their emotions because this is part of
their culture.

Be careful not to mix up the history or


culture of Asian countries or assume
that things are the same in all of them.

Avoid discussions of jobs, and


financial success or wealth. This
is often considered the greatest
taboo in France.
Avoid talking about immigration.

Maintaining eye contact is not


customary between strangers. If you
hold eye contact with someone on the
street or in a store you are suggesting
you want a relationship with them.
Refusing eye contact, however,
suggests that you think you are of a
higher status than the other person.

French will cover their mouth with their


hands to gesture that they have made
a mistake.

If you are dining out with others, it is


considered rude to start your meal
before everyone has received theirs.

It is considered bad luck to wish a


German person a Happy Birthday
before the actual date.

Be aware that showing affection in


public is considered taboo in India.

In France it is considered taboo


for foreigners to introduce the
topic of the European Union as a
political and/or economic power.

The American sign for OK


(making a circle with finger and
thumb), means "nothing" in
France.

It is considered very rude to be


even a few minutes late.
Never chew gum in public or in
class.
The American sign for OK
(making a circle with finger and
thumb), refers to female private
body parts in Germany.

Avoid discussing how much


money people earn.

Avoid discussing the relationship


of India with Pakistan.
Avoid discussing religious beliefs.

Helpful notes for travelling teachers

Avoid discussing poverty.


It is rude to point directly at
someone.
Standing with your hands on
your hips is seen as a sign of
aggression.
Never touch people with your
shoes or feet, and apologize
immediately if it happens

accidentally.

Italy

Avoid discussing the marriage


tradition of dowries.

It is considered rude to chew


gum in public and to eat as you
walk.

In Italy, placing your hand on


your stomach (which is a sign of
hunger in many countries) means
that you dislike someone.

Do not touch people (e.g. hand


on shoulder, high five).
Take steps not to say or do
something that would cause a
single person to feel
embarrassed. Japanese people
are more likely to feel ashamed
and insulted rather than
innocently embarrassed.
The American sign for OK, means
"money" in Japan.
Be discreet about blowing your
nose.

Japan

Mexico

When first being introduced to a group


of people you should take the time to
shake everyone's hand rather than just
offering a communal wave.

It is quite normal for Italians to stand


close to one another. You may also get
bumped or pushed in line-ups or public
places.

Be careful not to mix up the history or


culture of Asian countries or assume
that things are the same in all of them.

If you are very animated when you


talk, you may want to try to tone your
hand movements down.
Many people wear surgical masks in
public if they have a cold to avoid
spreading germs.

Avoid discussing World War II.

Avoid discussing politics.

Avoid discussing personal family


matters.
Avoid discussing the relationship
between North and South Korea.
Provide criticism in private.

Avoid pointing or beckoning


someone with your finger

Be careful not to mix up the history or


culture of Asian countries or assume
that things are the same in all of them.

It is helpful to be aware of the taboo in


Mexico for young people to live alone
or with a girlfriend/boyfriend before
getting married.
Mexican people tend to stand very
close to one another when engaged in
a conversation. It is considered rude to
move further away.
Mexican people often make the sound
"pst pst" to get someone's attention.
This is not considered rude behaviour.

Korea

Be discreet about blowing your


nose.

Avoid discussing pollution.

Avoid discussing illegal


immigration.
Avoid discussing religion.
Don't make comparisons between
Mexico and the U.S.
Avoid discussing sexuality.
It is considered very rude to take
the Lord's name in vain in
Mexico. If you are the type of
person to use a form of the
phrase, "Oh my God," in your
everyday conversation, you may
want to practise eliminating it
from your vocabulary.

Place the money for payment directly


into a person's hand rather than on the
counter.

It is considered rude for men to

keep their hands in their pocket.

Taiwan

Avoid talking about politics and


the relationship between Taiwan
and Mainland China.
Western men should not extend
their hands to Taiwanese women
in a greeting. A nod of the head
is appropriate.
Taiwanese people appreciate
plenty of personal space.
Save criticism for private
occasions before or after class.

Never purposely embarrass your


students.

It is considered rude to look


directly at someone for more
than a few seconds.
Don't point your foot at someone
(especially their head!).
Don't pat other people on the
head (in Thai culture this is
where the spirits live).
Don't discuss or criticize the
monarchy.

Thailand

It is common for Taiwanese people to


expect each other to read between the
lines. You will rarely hear an actual
"no" for an answer.

Be careful not to mix up the history or


culture of Asian countries or assume
that things are the same in all of them.

Be careful not to mix up the history or


culture of Asian countries or assume
that things are the same in all of them.

Dress conservatively. This usually


involves wearing a necktie.

Avoid talking about national


security.

Tour guides teach tourists


Tour guides are people who see depth and texture and connections
where others dont. That is why the best tour guides are masters of
the obvious. They see the same things that we do, but they are aware
of so much more. And when they point it out, it changes the way we
see everything.
I love this analogy, and think this can be a powerful way to frame and
structure learning tasks for students. Dont just tell me about your
topic. Become the tour guide. Show me what I could not easily see,
identify, or discern for myself. Uncover the stories underneath the

surface, the details and connections which weave a tapestry


of greater meaning and understanding for listeners and
viewers.
1. The guide starts the tour with a clear plan.
2. They have to guide groups through a journey without losing
anyone along the way.
4

3. The individuals in the group will move at different speeds.


4. Levels of interest and motivation will also vary within the
group.
5. Some management is necessary to keep the group orderly.
6. The guide needs to speak up in order to be heard.
7. Tour guides have extensive knowledge of their subject.
8. Individuals may want to engage in activities (e.g. shopping)
other than those prescribed by the tour guide.
9. Environmental factors (e.g. climate) will impact on how
individuals feel during a tour.
10. The tour must reach its final destination by a specified time.
Various aspects of the guides behaviour have parallels in teaching.
11. Guides provide information at the outset about the length and
purpose of the tour.
12. Tour guides are keen to share their knowledge by explaining
matters at length and in detail (even if individuals would prefer a
briefer explanation).
13. Tour guides mostly ask questions they know the answer to (e.g.
how many people can this auditorium hold?)
14. Incorrect answers to their questions are met with firm explicit
correction (e.g. Guide: What is that building? Participant: The temple
of Artemis. Guide: Its the library ).
15. The guide assumes that the information they provide is clearly
understood.
16. Participants are not given opportunities to ask questions.
17. The tour guide does not receive feedback on how the group are
feeling during the tour.
18. The guide does not receive feedback on their performance after
the trip.~
19. The guide is firmly in control of the itinerary autonomy is not
encouraged.~
20. The guide allows free time for refreshments and shopping at the
end of the tour.
(many of items 11-20 might be seen as less desirable features).

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