MALTA'S TABOOS

In Malta, people value more their equals rather than time, they over put relationships and not schedules, people in Malta love to make relationships and have a pretty big list of friends, American culture tends to separate relationships from  work , here in Malta they prefer to have a big connected network of friends, it can be considered to be rude to be  bluntness, they also tend to stand closer with each other these makes them feel more comfortable, in some cultures this may be disrespectful or uncomfortable.

By: Jimena Cabrera

Based on the source:

http://academic2.american.edu/~zaharna/hondry/Malta%20Website/culturalprofile.htm

IRELAND TABOOS

If you're planning to travel to Ireland, you must know how people behave, act and the most important thing is to know about their taboos, because this is the key to have a good relation with the Irish.

Therefore you must know that they don’t talk about politics, the worst thing you can do it asking someone about who she or he voted for, which is totally not polite. Also talking about how great is living in a city to an urban person or vice versa is considerate totally impolite.  Talking about how much something cost, or how much money you earn is totally rough. Besides other aspect which is very important is not talking about religion people have different beliefs and when you talk about your religion and the one you`re talking to don’t share the same belief they tend to feel offended.

These are some taboos which may help you to succeed when meeting Irish people.

By: Paula Raigosa

Answers. Consulted on November 30^th, 2012; from:

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_some_taboos_in_Ireland

HAWAIIAN TABOOS

A taboo is a social prohibition that comes from the Polynesian and other southern pacificislands religious traditions. Now, Hawaiian taboos are called kapu, this was originated from an ancient belief, mana, that said that every person had a bit of the gods power in their souls; therefore to avoid loosing it, peoples life must be regulated with kapus.

Some of them are:

·       The food for the men and women had to be cooked in separate imu (underground ovens); also men and women had to eat separately, consequently, a wife was forbidden to enter the eating house of her husband while he was eating.

·       Women were forbidden to eat certain foods, among which were pork, banana, coconut, and certain fishes.

·       A commoner would be put to death if his shadow fell on an ali’i’s (royal class) house or anything that belonged to the ali’i.

·       When an ali’i of high standing ate, the people around him had to kneel.

·       When a tree was cut down to build a canoe, offerings of pig, coconuts and kumu (red fish) must be done to the gods.

·       In time of war, the first two men killed in battle were offered as sacrifices to the gods.

·       The opelu fishers would gather at their special heiau in the evening to spend the night together to worship their god of fishing.

·       During the summer months of Kau, the aku fish was kapu and could not be eaten.

·       Kamehameha I put a strict kapu on the cutting down of ‘iliahi trees (sandalwood), to make sure it’s supplies would not run out.

Since the arrival of the Europeans, the following of kapu was no longer regulated; yet there are some traditions that are still in vigor.

By: Ana María Acevedo

N.A. (N.D.). Kapu System. Research done on Nov. 30^th 2012 on the web: http://kaizenwong.angelfire.com/Kapu_System.pdf

N.A. (2006). Hawaiian Culture & Society. Research done on Nov. 30^th 2012 on the web:

http://mythichawaii.com/hawaiian-culture-society.htm

BAHAMAS DO'S AND TABOOS

Dear reader:

                                                                                                                                                                         November 30, FRIDAY 2012

                                                                                                                                                                  Mexico, QRO. Corregidora.

We have the tendency of criticized, maybe our own culture, but being rude with other cultures that we doesn’t know take away the possibilities of open our mind and made constructive critics.

When something is valuated, the first thing we tend to see is what that object has wrong; however we forget to go further and appreciate the real value.

Government in each country changes, they have their laws, do’s and taboos.

If you go to a church in Bahamas, you should consider the clothing you were. Bahamian people tend to dress with the best clothes they have. Is inappropriate an disrespectful to wear not elegant clothing.

In the other hand, Bahamas is a kind country. They are greeters. Say “good morning” or “good afternoon” is well received.

A characteristic of islanders education is no alcohol and no cigarettes, is tolerable but no likeable.

If you don’t like to see people to their eyes and if you go to Bahamas, try to be careful and see peoples eyes; they will consider suspicious.

The physical contact is fundamental, handshakes and big smiles are welcomed, but men that are closer to woman is not well see. Men with men. And woman with woman.

They are against racism. Call someone black in any part of the world but specifically in Bahaman is something disrespectful. We all are equal! Besides color, what make the difference between both human soul and spirit? Nothing…

Try to pay attention to your behavior, something that is well seen in your country, in other place on Earth, is wrong or not accepted by society.

P.S: If you find a conch, try to eat them with any condiment. Is their favorite dish, and is acceptable to eat it.

                                                                Thank you for your consideration. Ana Paola Martínez

N.A. (N.D.). Culture Crossing. Culture, Customes & Etiquette. Researched on nov, 30^th 2012 from the web:http://www.culturecrossing.net/basics_business_student_details.php?Id=7&CID=16

N.A. (N.D.). Fodors. Local Do's and Taboos. Researched on nov, 30^th 2012 from the web:http://www.fodors.com/world/caribbean/bahamas/feature_30013.html

SOUTH AFRICAN TABOOS

In South African culture, certain aspects about salutation, eating manners, behaviors within others  can be taken badly; therefore when greeting someone, raise your left hand to indicate friendship and peace towards others, also, give strong handshakes as a symbol of goodwill. When eating, napkins should be placed on the nap along with the knife and fork crossed on the plate to indicate that you are not done eating, and the knife and the fork together on the plate when eating has been completed. Another important aspect in this culture, is when visiting some places, you have to ask permission when taking a picture if not it can be taken as an offense. When going to restaurants, pay around the 10- 20% of the total amount of tip. The points that have already been mentioned are very important to be followed for a confortable stay in this country which is part of the African continent.

Taboo. (2007). Travel Taboo. Consulted on November 30^th, 2012; fromhttp://www.traveltaboo.com/tag/south-africa-travel-taboo/

By: Patricia Diego

MALTA'S BELIEFS

"Malta a Happy Place on Earth"

There are lots of celebrations in this nation; they do festivals in honor to the harvest, lots of carnivals with colorful costumes, spectacular decoration and fun activities.

 They also celebrate a baby´s first birthday by putting objects which represent many professions, and the first object the baby picks predicts his future. In Christmas every street is decorated with beautiful festoons and lights because 98% of the population is catholic and Saint Paul is a national figure, there is a legend where they say that one day Saint Paul was preaching and his voice was carried from Burmarrad to Gozo.

By: Jimena Cabrera

IRELAND BELIEFS

Ireland has many magical beliefs such as magical cures, holy wells, blessings and curses.

Magical cures are mostly made with potatoes, they bury the potato and say some words and that’s how you heal the sicknesses. Some people en Ireland nowadays go with healers, and ask for some traditional cures, for example saying certain prayers, taking herbs or visiting a holy-well.

 Holy wells are well know in Ireland, this traditions were from the Celtics, the believed that at spring the underworld visit or world, and that those creature through magic powers to the wells and people used to drink the water so their wishes come true, nowadays some people go and through a coin and leave their prayers.

Bullaum Stone

Blessings and curses are also popular in Ireland, these traditions were believe by the Celtics, they believed that if they touch a Bullaun stone and recite some words their wishes come true, besides this ancient stones where though to give blessings and protection from curses, however this tradition gave beautiful blessing prayers to the Christian church.

By: Paula Raigosa