Website Lists Dos and Don'ts of Europe

By EurActiv

The website fastenseatbelts.eu appears to be becoming a new reference point for intercultural travellers, providing advice on how to avoid blunders while abroad.

Many Europeans travelling abroad may not consider communicating with the locals to be their biggest challenge. However, communication can become a problem, for example when writing in red ink in Portugal, where this is considered rude. But do not be offended if you see people in Greece spitting in the street. This may appear distasteful, but not in Greece, where mock spitting is considered good luck. 

"Some people may forget to consider the different behavioural norms they are likely to encounter and behave exactly as they do at home," explains Barbara Iweins, a director of the association '43 Films', which coordinates the project. This can be problematic as "even minor cultural differences can become major barriers to communication and cooperation". 

43 Films' Brussels-based organisers have worked with several partner organisations in different countries to bring the idea into being and are funded by the European Commission's Socrates-Lingua department and by Fortis Bank & Insurance. 

The Lingua initiative is designed to encourage linguistic diversity throughout the EU, improve the quality of language learning and promote access to lifelong learning opportunities. 

The project is published in seven EU languages and Turkish, after Turkey, a popular tourist destination, was included along with 21 EU countries.

There are also 20 audio programmes, which offer a few helpful phrases for those who truly wish to engage with people from other places. 

On the colourful website there are 35 visual clips, describing what may be considered polite in some nations and unacceptable in others. For instance, in Poland and Romania, it is courteous for a man to kiss a woman's hand upon being introduced. One example of body language likely to confuse foreigners is from Bulgaria, where moving one's head up and down means 'no', whereas shaking it left to right signifies 'yes', to the contrary of interpretations in most other states. 

The cartoons are airing at Brussels airport and onboard Thomas Cook planes. It is hoped that they will "put the idea in the minds of the passengers that it is useful and fun to learn about cultural differences". 

Parts of the advice, which seeks to "demystify" cultural differences, could certainly be described as amusing; in France and Belgium, the gesture of "twisting" one's nose indicates that another individual is drunk. 

The organisers issue a caveat to remind visitors that not all the information is serious and there is "no need to say that not all Germans will do this or all British will do that". The website has received enthusiastic feedback, with one pleased visitor writing, "I hope I can see it in all airports in Europe soon. Congratulations."