Etiquette in Europe
Encyclopedia
Etiquette in Europe is not uniform. Even within the regions of Europe
, etiquette may not be uniform: within a single country there may be differences in customs
, especially where there are different linguistic groups, as in Switzerland
where there are French
, German
and Italian
speakers.
Despite this heterogeneity, many points of etiquette have spread through Europe and many features are shared. The ancient Roman Empire is an historical source, and the cosmopolitan royalty and also nobility were effective in spreading etiquette throughout Europe. For example in the château
of Versailles
, where French nobility was concentrated, a complicated etiquette was developed.
For less reviewed pseudo-information on variations of stereotypes per country in Europe:
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/National_etiquette_differences_in_Europe
The way politeness is expressed varies greatly with language and region. For example, addressing a person with an honorific or title may be expected in some languages, but seen as intrusive or too formal in others.
In many parts of Europe, using someone's first name also denotes a certain level of friendship. In social interactions with strangers the last name and/or more formal mode of address is used, usually until the people involved agree to move to an informal level. But this may not apply among young people, among members of particular groups (e.g. students) or in informal settings.
In some countries, certain flowers (such as chrysanthemums) are given only at funerals.
In Finland
school leavers are often given red roses on passing their matriculation examination
(abitur
). Yellow flowers are inappropriate at weddings in Ukraine and Russia as they are viewed as a sign that the bride or groom are unfaithful to one another.
is a common custom on meeting strangers. With some exceptions, this is appropriate regardless of gender. Shaking hands while wearing glove
s is widely considered impolite; in particular, a gentleman should remove his right glove before shaking hands with a lady. When gloves are worn by a lady as part of a formal dress, such as opera-length gloves worn at a ball
, she is only expected to remove her gloves whilst dining. In Eastern Europe it is considered unlucky to shake hands while standing in a doorway.
Wearing coats, boots or other outer garments inside someone’s home is often frowned upon as well. Sitting down to eat at table wearing a hat or coat etc is even worse. Also one should remove one's hat when showing deference. Removing one's hat is also a form of greeting: the origin of this is that knights were expected to remove their helmets when meeting their king; not to do so would be a sign of mistrust and hostility.
, Bulgaria
, Poland
, Slovakia
, Czech Republic
, Estonia
, Germany
, Finland
, Sweden
, Denmark
, Hungary
, Romania
, Iceland
, Ukraine
, Norway
and Bosnia and Herzegovina
it is considered ignorant not to take your shoes off, unless you are told to keep them on.
It is usual all over the world to remove shoes when entering someone's home if they are wet or dirty.
. People will rarely say how much money they make or have in the bank nor will they request such information from someone else. It is impolite to ask colleagues about their salary and in some places of work it is forbidden. Even elsewhere, for example where government employees' salaries are publicly known, it is still considered extremely rude to ask individuals how much they earn.
All European countries except Britain, Ireland, Malta, and Cyprus drive on the right. In early times, medieval nobility kept their sword ready to draw with the right hand, so that pedestrians and equestrians would pass one another on the left. However, later, teamster
s would drive large wagons with no driver's seats. While keeping the whip on the right hand and the reins on the left, they would sit on the left horse, and drive on the right side of the road, in order to see that the wheels on the left would not collide with oncoming traffic. Nowadays cars drive on the right (with driver's seat at left), and pedestrians walk on the left if there is no footpath. This is included in road safety guidelines as it is easier for pedestrians to see oncoming traffic than traffic approaching from behind. (See Right- and left-hand traffic.)
includes generally at least the exposure of genitalia or anus. In case of women, exposing nipples is not seen as proper conduct, but this is not always considered criminal, and depends on individual countries' nudity laws. For the issue of breastfeeding babies in public, see Breastfeeding in public
. The intentional exposure of bare buttocks towards someone, mooning
, is a deliberate insult. However, public nudity
may be allowed in some circumstances, which vary by country. On nudist beaches and in the changing rooms of swimming pools in some countries, keeping one's clothes on is frowned upon. Here it is good manners to undress.
In sauna
s, the rules about nudity vary according to the country. Because one uses the sauna naked, one brings at least one towel to sit on. In most saunas one can also rent towels. Also a kind of flip-flops are worn in saunas, not directly in the sweating rooms or in the steam rooms, but outside in the area for relaxing.
There are also complicated rules and customs on how one should dress for each occasion. While wearing a bikini on the beach is acceptable, going to church requires less revealing clothing. The degree of exposure that is acceptable in public, and especially religious, buildings varies from country to country. In countries where large numbers of tourists visit churches (such as Italy) dress rules are often posted at the entrance and will be enforced by local security guards. In general, in churches and any religious building one has to be fully dressed: no bare shoulders, no showing underwear above the waistband/trouserband.
in Europe vary widely according to region and social context. Placing one's elbows on the table may be considered rude, as is speaking with one's mouth full. Generally the fork is held in the left hand, using the right to cut food into pieces.
Spitting in the street is generally frowned upon and can actually be considered a misdemeanour in Britain and the Netherlands, though such laws are rarely enforced.
Regions of Europe
Europe is often divided into regions due to geographical, cultural or historical criteria. Some common divisions are as follows.-Directional divisions:...
, etiquette may not be uniform: within a single country there may be differences in customs
Norm (sociology)
Social norms are the accepted behaviors within a society or group. This sociological and social psychological term has been defined as "the rules that a group uses for appropriate and inappropriate values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors. These rules may be explicit or implicit...
, especially where there are different linguistic groups, as in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
where there are French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
, German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
and Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
speakers.
Despite this heterogeneity, many points of etiquette have spread through Europe and many features are shared. The ancient Roman Empire is an historical source, and the cosmopolitan royalty and also nobility were effective in spreading etiquette throughout Europe. For example in the château
Château
A château is a manor house or residence of the lord of the manor or a country house of nobility or gentry, with or without fortifications, originally—and still most frequently—in French-speaking regions...
of Versailles
Versailles
Versailles , a city renowned for its château, the Palace of Versailles, was the de facto capital of the kingdom of France for over a century, from 1682 to 1789. It is now a wealthy suburb of Paris and remains an important administrative and judicial centre...
, where French nobility was concentrated, a complicated etiquette was developed.
For less reviewed pseudo-information on variations of stereotypes per country in Europe:
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/National_etiquette_differences_in_Europe
Language and forms of address
Many languages use different pronouns to denote formality or familiarity when addressing people (the T–V distinction). This also applies in common phrases such as "How are you?". The use of an inappropriately familiar form may be seen as derogatory, insulting or even aggressive. Conversely, forms that are inappropriately formal may be seen as impolitely snobbish or distant.The way politeness is expressed varies greatly with language and region. For example, addressing a person with an honorific or title may be expected in some languages, but seen as intrusive or too formal in others.
In many parts of Europe, using someone's first name also denotes a certain level of friendship. In social interactions with strangers the last name and/or more formal mode of address is used, usually until the people involved agree to move to an informal level. But this may not apply among young people, among members of particular groups (e.g. students) or in informal settings.
Flowers
In Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
school leavers are often given red roses on passing their matriculation examination
Matriculation examination
The term matriculation examination refers to educational qualifications in many countries. Usually this has to do with student's transfer from secondary to tertiary education. For more detailed information, see "Matriculation"....
(abitur
Abitur
Abitur is a designation used in Germany, Finland and Estonia for final exams that pupils take at the end of their secondary education, usually after 12 or 13 years of schooling, see also for Germany Abitur after twelve years.The Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife, often referred to as...
). Yellow flowers are inappropriate at weddings in Ukraine and Russia as they are viewed as a sign that the bride or groom are unfaithful to one another.
Handshakes
The handshakeHandshake
A handshake is a short ritual in which two people grasp one of each other's like hands, in most cases accompanied by a brief up and down movement of the grasped hands.-History:...
is a common custom on meeting strangers. With some exceptions, this is appropriate regardless of gender. Shaking hands while wearing glove
Glove
A glove is a garment covering the hand. Gloves have separate sheaths or openings for each finger and the thumb; if there is an opening but no covering sheath for each finger they are called "fingerless gloves". Fingerless gloves with one large opening rather than individual openings for each...
s is widely considered impolite; in particular, a gentleman should remove his right glove before shaking hands with a lady. When gloves are worn by a lady as part of a formal dress, such as opera-length gloves worn at a ball
Ball (dance)
A ball is a formal dance. The word 'ball' is derived from the Latin word "ballare", meaning 'to dance'; the term also derived into "bailar", which is the Spanish and Portuguese word for dance . In Catalan it is the same word, 'ball', for the dance event.Attendees wear evening attire, which is...
, she is only expected to remove her gloves whilst dining. In Eastern Europe it is considered unlucky to shake hands while standing in a doorway.
Hats and coats
Among many segments of the European population, it is considered rude for men to wear hats or other head coverings indoors, especially in churches, schools, private homes and respected public institutions.; however ladies are often exempt from these rules, and need only remove their hats whilst at home or at the theatre if their hat is obscuring the performance. This, however, does not apply to women wearing masculine hats (baseball, cowboy) to which the rules for men apply. When entering a Catholic church a woman's head is supposed to be covered, though this rule is not adhered to very strictly and usually applies only to worshippers and not to tourists.Wearing coats, boots or other outer garments inside someone’s home is often frowned upon as well. Sitting down to eat at table wearing a hat or coat etc is even worse. Also one should remove one's hat when showing deference. Removing one's hat is also a form of greeting: the origin of this is that knights were expected to remove their helmets when meeting their king; not to do so would be a sign of mistrust and hostility.
Shoes
In some European countries you have to wear your shoes indoors, but in others, such as AustriaAustria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, Slovakia
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
, Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
, Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
, Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
, Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
, Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
, Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
and Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
it is considered ignorant not to take your shoes off, unless you are told to keep them on.
It is usual all over the world to remove shoes when entering someone's home if they are wet or dirty.
Money
Talking or asking about one's personal wealth, possessions or success in business is widely viewed as vulgarVULGAR
Vulgar is the fourth studio album released by Dir En Grey on September 10, 2003 in Japan and on February 21, 2006 in Europe. A limited edition containing an additional DVD was also released. It featured the video of the song "Obscure", albeit a censored version...
. People will rarely say how much money they make or have in the bank nor will they request such information from someone else. It is impolite to ask colleagues about their salary and in some places of work it is forbidden. Even elsewhere, for example where government employees' salaries are publicly known, it is still considered extremely rude to ask individuals how much they earn.
Transport
When using escalators in the Netherlands, France and the United Kingdom people will to keep to the right when standing still, so that those on the left can keep walking. Of course this does not apply to very narrow escalators. In countries where this rule isn't widely known signs are sometimes displayed, for example, in Germany: "rechts stehen, links gehen" – "stand on the right, walk on the left".All European countries except Britain, Ireland, Malta, and Cyprus drive on the right. In early times, medieval nobility kept their sword ready to draw with the right hand, so that pedestrians and equestrians would pass one another on the left. However, later, teamster
Teamster
A teamster, in modern American English, is a truck driver. The trade union named after them is the International Brotherhood of Teamsters , one of the largest unions in the United States....
s would drive large wagons with no driver's seats. While keeping the whip on the right hand and the reins on the left, they would sit on the left horse, and drive on the right side of the road, in order to see that the wheels on the left would not collide with oncoming traffic. Nowadays cars drive on the right (with driver's seat at left), and pedestrians walk on the left if there is no footpath. This is included in road safety guidelines as it is easier for pedestrians to see oncoming traffic than traffic approaching from behind. (See Right- and left-hand traffic.)
Queuing
UK citizens queue in straight lines. It is rude to attempt to cut in line or to ask to go ahead of someone, and they may decline the request.Exposure
In Europe, what qualifies as indecent exposureIndecent exposure
Indecent exposure is the deliberate exposure in public or in view of the general public by a person of a portion or portions of his or her body, in circumstances where the exposure is contrary to local moral or other standards of appropriate behavior. Indecent exposure laws vary in different...
includes generally at least the exposure of genitalia or anus. In case of women, exposing nipples is not seen as proper conduct, but this is not always considered criminal, and depends on individual countries' nudity laws. For the issue of breastfeeding babies in public, see Breastfeeding in public
Breastfeeding in public
Breastfeeding in public deals with the social attitudes to nursing mothers breastfeeding their babies in a public or semi-public place and to laws which either deprive them of the right or which recognize their choice to do so....
. The intentional exposure of bare buttocks towards someone, mooning
Mooning
Mooning is the act of displaying one's bare buttocks by removing clothing, e.g., by lowering the backside of one's trousers and underpants, usually bending over, whether also exposing the genitals or not...
, is a deliberate insult. However, public nudity
Public nudity
Public nudity or nude in public refers to nudity not in an entirely private context. It refers to a person appearing nude in a public place or to be seen from a public place. It also includes nudity in a semi-public place, where the general public is free to enter, such as a shopping mall...
may be allowed in some circumstances, which vary by country. On nudist beaches and in the changing rooms of swimming pools in some countries, keeping one's clothes on is frowned upon. Here it is good manners to undress.
In sauna
Sauna
A sauna is a small room or house designed as a place to experience dry or wet heat sessions, or an establishment with one or more of these and auxiliary facilities....
s, the rules about nudity vary according to the country. Because one uses the sauna naked, one brings at least one towel to sit on. In most saunas one can also rent towels. Also a kind of flip-flops are worn in saunas, not directly in the sweating rooms or in the steam rooms, but outside in the area for relaxing.
There are also complicated rules and customs on how one should dress for each occasion. While wearing a bikini on the beach is acceptable, going to church requires less revealing clothing. The degree of exposure that is acceptable in public, and especially religious, buildings varies from country to country. In countries where large numbers of tourists visit churches (such as Italy) dress rules are often posted at the entrance and will be enforced by local security guards. In general, in churches and any religious building one has to be fully dressed: no bare shoulders, no showing underwear above the waistband/trouserband.
Eating
Table mannersTable manners
Table manners are the rules of etiquette used while eating, which may also include the appropriate use of utensils. Different cultures observe different rules for table manners...
in Europe vary widely according to region and social context. Placing one's elbows on the table may be considered rude, as is speaking with one's mouth full. Generally the fork is held in the left hand, using the right to cut food into pieces.
Bodily functions
Public display of bodily functions such as flatulence, burping, urinating, defecating, picking one's nose, loud snorting, belching are generally considered vulgar and/or disgusting. It is considered impolite not to cover one's mouth while yawning, sneezing or coughing, especially at the table. Opening ones mouth to talk whilst it contains food is also considered vulgar.Spitting in the street is generally frowned upon and can actually be considered a misdemeanour in Britain and the Netherlands, though such laws are rarely enforced.
See also
- Etiquette in AfricaEtiquette in AfricaAs expectations regarding good manners differ from person to person and vary according to each situation, no treatise on the rules of etiquette nor any list of faux pas can ever be complete. As the perception of behaviors and actions vary, intercultural competence is essential...
- Etiquette in AsiaEtiquette in AsiaAs expectations regarding good manners differ from person to person and vary according to each situation, no treatise on the rules of etiquette nor any list of faux pas can ever be complete. As the perception of behaviors and actions vary, intercultural competence is essential...
- Etiquette in Australia and New ZealandEtiquette in Australia and New ZealandExpectations regarding good manners differ from person to person and vary according to each situation. As the perception of behaviors and actions vary, intercultural competence is essential...
- Etiquette in Canada and the United StatesEtiquette in Canada and the United StatesEtiquette rules in the United States and Canada generally apply to all individuals, unlike cultures with more formal class structures, such as those with nobility and royalty....
- Etiquette in Japan
- Etiquette in Latin AmericaEtiquette in Latin AmericaEtiquette in Latin America varies by country and by region within a given country.-Generalizations:There are several definitions of Latin America, but all of them define a huge expansive of geography with an incalculable amount of different customs, However, some generalizations can be made:*As...
- Etiquette in the Middle EastEtiquette in the Middle EastMany matters of etiquette in the Middle East are connected to Islam as it is written in the Qur'an and how it has been traditionally understood and practiced throughout the centuries...