10/27/2020; Differences in Manners

 

Manners. The bane of parents everywhere, but the manners parents teach to their children are different in different cultures. Something that one person believes is rude could be completely fine in another's culture. 

Take blowing your nose, for example. I was taught to be quiet in blowing my nose, and to blow my nose away from others. Some cultures, such as in Japan, would find even my discreet nose blowing rude. They would much prefer to blow their nose in a private bathroom, or an empty room away from any others. Some blow their nose openly and without any shyness. I wouldn't find this rude, but others could. 

In the classroom, especially the English Learning classroom, you will have students with different beliefs in manners. This will include everything from burping in the classroom to putting their feet up on the desk. This can cause conflict in the classroom. Showing the bottom of your feet, such as putting your feet up on the desk, is more than just rude to someone from the Middle or Far East. It is a personal insult. Something that we in America and other places view as innocent could be a real problem in the classroom. 

How can you educate your students about differences in manners to avoid conflict in the classroom?