Cross-cultural Understanding by Steven Huxley Before receiving a visitor from Canada or the United States-or before traveling abroad for leisure, study, or business-it is important that you think about cultural issues. Cross-cultural understanding and sensitivity will go a long way in earning you respect and admiration from your foreign friends and will help to make your social interactions more fulfilling and enjoyable. Prior to meeting your new foreign friends, you will definitely want to find out which topics are safe for small talk and which topics are best avoided. Westerners are a private bunch, so it is probably best-at least during a first meeting-to avoid personal inquiries regarding age (we're all a little sensitive about this one), religion, marital status, income, etc. Though such topics may be perfectly acceptable in Korea, they are likely to redden a westerner's cheeks, creating a potentially uncomfortable and embarrassing situation. You will also want to do some homework on body language and eye contact. In many western cultures, including Canada and the United States, a person who does not maintain regular eye contact is often regarded as being untrustworthy, shifty, and insecure. This, of course, does not mean that your should stare down your new acquaintance-such behavior may be viewed as challenging-but good eye contact accompanied by the occasional nod of the head signals friendliness and interest. Also, be sure to use plenty of gestures and facial expressions. They will help you to convey your point, especially if your English conversation skills are not quite up to par. If you get invited to your foreign friend's home for dinner, you will need to know a little about the conventions regarding socializing. First, it is probably a good idea to arrive 10 or 15 minutes after the scheduled time, unless, of course, a particular time has been insisted upon. Play it safe and leave your shoes at the entrance. Contrary to popular Korean belief, westerners do not make a habit of traipsing through their homes with dirty shoes. They usually leave them at the front door. One of the first things you'll notice is that the western dinner table isn't as communal as the Korean. That is, friends and family customarily do not share soups or noodles from the same bowl. Dining etiquette is also slightly different. For example, it's probably not a good idea to loudly slurp your noodles or to guzzle your broth directly form the bowl or to belch too loudly; such practices are usually frowned upon. Having said that, don't be surprised if your foreign host pulls a hanky from his breast pocket and clears his nostrils just as you're about to swallow your mashed potatoes and gravy. Go figure. Westerners are also a "touchy " group, so at the end of your visit don't be surprised to receive a hearty handshake or even a bear hug and a peck on the cheek. It's their way of saying they like you. Public affection is totally acceptable. Managing cultural differences is no easy task. If you get confused, simply follow your host's lead, and things will turn out for the best.