Etiquette part 1: An Intro.
Etiquette ‘ the customary code of polite behavio u r in society or among members of a particular profession or group ’ (Oxford dictionary) . It is surprising how many behavioural norms are absorbed by all of us without consciousness. What appears to be natural and logical to us has often been learned from people and culture, and does not represent one universal understanding. When moving between countries and becoming part of a different group of people, these differences become significant. What we consider to be ‘common sense’ is nothing of the sort; it is merely a process that we have turned into logic, and any deviation seems crazy. So much of cross-cultural misunderstanding is a failure to recognise the deep and important practices which feel correct to one person, but which are different or contrary to those of another. 7 months ago, I arrived in Syria with my husband, to embark upon a 12 month contract with Medair, based in Aleppo. M...