Rapport International » cultures

Christmas

Wendy Pease — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:44:53 +0000

Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ, is celebrated by Christians all over the world on December 25th, the date of the Roman winter solstice. An older winter festival, the Yule, was originally celebrated by Germanic people during the winter solstice. Many symbols and practices associated with Christmas today are related to this winter solstice holiday. For example, decorating with holly, ivy, and mistletoe, as well as giving gifts and decorating an evergreen tree can all be connected to winter solstice traditions of Yule.

Pepsi Slogan

Wendy Pease — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 19:38:54 +0000

In Taiwan, the translation of the Pepsi slogan “Come alive with the Pepsi Generation” came out as “Pepsi will bring your ancestors back from the dead.”

Shabe-Yalda

Wendy Pease — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:39:37 +0000

Shabe-Yalda, is celebrated in Iran during the winter solstice to mark the birth and rebirth of the sun. Having originated in Zoroastrianism, the state religion which preceded Islam, it is still celebrated in Iran today. People typically gather to tell stories and read poetry all night, while eating watermelons, pomegranates, and dried fruits and nuts.

The Yam Festival

Wendy Pease — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 18:48:28 +0000

The Yam Festival, a popular harvest festival in Ghana and Nigeria, is usually held in the beginning of August to mark the end of the rainy season. Yams are the most common food in many African countries, and are the first crop to be harvested. During this festival, an offering of yams is made to the gods and their ancestors as a show of thanks, after which yams are distributed among the villagers. The festival is also characterized by several days of ceremonies which honor the gods and ancestors, and include dancing and singing. The dances typically each tell a story, and dancers wear traditional masks and clothing.

Funny Translations

Wendy Pease — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 18:47:12 +0000

In Italy, a campaign for Schweppes Tonic Water translated the name into Schweppes Toilet Water.

Global Proverbs and Idioms

Wendy Pease — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 18:45:10 +0000

Here the donkey falls

- German idiom meaning this is the important part

To count stars

-Russian for twiddling your thumbs

To lose the stirrup

-Italian, Spanish for losing your temper

Become famous, then go to sleep.

- South American proverb

Packing for Every Situation with an Eye on Etiquette – adapted from an article by Marybeth Bond

Wendy Pease — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 18:41:47 +0000

No matter how well traveled you are, it’s always a challenge to figure out how to dress in different situations. Clothing that is considered normal at home may be inappropriate elsewhere. For example, baseball caps, sweatshirts and sweatpants can identify you, in some countries, as an unsophisticated foreigner who has no sense of the local culture.

What you pack depends on where you’re traveling. For instance, many churches in Europe and South America frown upon visitors wearing shorts and/or low-cut, halter-neck or midriff-baring tops.

In many areas of the Middle East it’s not a “must” to cover up, but it is respectful to the local culture. Conservative attire that helps you blend in is always appropriate.

Festival of the Sun

Wendy Pease — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 18:40:11 +0000

Inti Raymi, the festival of the sun, was celebrated by the ancient Incas during their winter solstice (on June 24) in honor of the Inca god of the sun. Although it was banned during the period of the conquisadors, it was revived by the Peruvian Quecia Indians in 1944. Today it is a major Peruvian festival which begins in the mountain city of Cusco and proceeds to an ancient amphitheater a few miles away.

Ahimsa

Wendy Pease — Wed, 25 May 2011 18:33:50 +0000

Ahimsa is a Buddhist and Hindu term meaning to do no harm. Ahimsa means kindness and non-violence towards all living things including animals; it respects living beings as a unity, the belief that all living things are connected. Gandhi strongly believed in this principle. Avoidance of verbal and physical violence is also a part of this principle, although ahimsa recognizes self-defense when necessary, as a sign of a strong spirit. It is closely connected with the notion that all kinds of violence entail negative karmic consequences!

Navy Seals vrs. Star Trek

Wendy Pease — Wed, 18 May 2011 13:17:06 +0000

Understanding other cultures can be tricky at times, take for example the German TV newscaster using a logo created by Star Trek enthusiasts while explaining the Navy SEALs. Channel N24′s host Mick Locher explained during the segment that the Navy SEAL Six team raided Osama bin Laden’s compound in Pakistan and killed him—as the emblem made by Star Trek fans flashed on the screen behind him.

The only explanation is that Locher’s team must have searched for “Navy SEAL Six” on the Internet and stumbled upon the symbol made by a Star Trek fan group called “Maquis Forces International.”