China Junk Food Review

Here is another fun link to Sinosplice.

Junk Food Review

It is close to lunch time here and some of these look very appetizing! 

Are all of these really junk food?

Backwards Advertising

I stumbled across John Pasden's Sinosplice blog this morning. There are lots of insightful bits of information here about the language and life in China.

Backwards Website Promotion on a Van

This is a recent post that shows just how different thought processes can be in other cultures. There are a few languages that write from right to left, the opposite to what we do in English. I agree with John, this URL address just seems weird when written backwards and it is hard to imagine that it could be "normal" to someone else.  John is looking for other pictures of this type of "backwards" advertising.  If you have any, leave him a comment on the link above.

How To Toast In Different Countries

Here is a fun read from the LA Travel Examiner on one aspect of building multicultural relationships.

Travel 101: How do you give a good toast when dining in another country?

Some Fun Videos On Muslims & Islam

I have enjoyed watching several of the videos made by ummahfilms who is a Muslim and produces YouTube videos for Muslims every week.

http://www.youtube.com/user/ummahfilms

First I have to say, that I am not Muslim and am not interested in converting. There is a time and place for personal religious beliefs, and I do not discuss mine online.

I found these videos interesting because they have a totally different approach.  They are by a muslim who lives abroad and talks about his reality and the questions he has.  Cross-cultural marketers need to be able to see different points of view.  This is why these videos were fun to watch.

Here are the ones that I found the most thought-provoking.

Funny Things You See During Jummah

Muslim Characters at Work

Culture vs Islam

Now...

I would love to find the same style videos by people from other religions.  Please let me know if you know of any out there.

Stand By Me - Sung Around the World

An example of how some communication crosses cultural differences.

Allyson Stewart-Allen On Working The Differences Between British & Americans: Business Etiquette

Allyson is interviewed by a Brit: Short questions and clear answers.

She explains the differences between British and American in doing business.

Norine Dresser Video On Cultural Differences In Table Manners

I like this video on cultural differences in table manners by Norine Dresser, folklorist and university instructor.

The difference between a Belgian and Japanese office

OK. I'm not sure if there is a particular reason why Belgians are singled out, I've heard too many jokes with "Belgian", "Polish" and "sub whatever nationality you want to here"

Which countries do people around you make fun of most?

Unique pictures you would only find in different parts of this world

Read the comments on this YouTube video, some of the countries may not be right. But I think this is a good visual reminder that people do things others would not think of doing elsewhere.

Which one is your favorite?
I think mine are the cow in the car wash and the escalators to go to the gym club.
Do you have other examples you could add to this?

The American Handshake - Explained for non-Americans - Enlightening!

Dan Fishel from Columbia Business School explains how to identify and shake hands with an American.