Mind Your Manners

Manners are a reflection of our society.  But people want to think there is some standard when visiting other countries or interacting with internationals.  It's just different, not right or wrong, good or bad.  Here's a few examples - mostly describing Asian culture, not specific to Vietnam.

Asians have a difficult time forming a single file line.  When an announcement is made about public transportation (bus, train, plane, etc.), most everyone rushes to the front.  There is some gentle pushing and shoving involved.  Cutting in line is quite common.  For Americans, this behavior is rather odd.    

Meals are very social.  Vietnamese love to talk while eating and sometimes more than one conversation is going on at the same time.  You can tell they are having a good time because of the smiles and laughter.  It can get rather loud.  Not excessive, but above the level in America.  Men often smoke at restaurants, sometimes at the same table I'm at.  There are few, if any, smoke-free restaurants in Vietnam. 

Both men and women are very observant while eating.  They ask to have your drink re-filled, or sometimes do it themselves.  They also wipe-off spoons and chopsticks for you.  There is no such thing as "your" food, it's everybody's food. Women will encourage you to eat more food if they don't think that you had enough (kind of like your grandmother).  And strangely enough, Vietnamese will often use their chopsticks to put food on your plate.  I'm not offended, its a sign of affection. It makes me feel like I am part of the family.

Lastly, about going to the bathroom. Several times I have seen women cleaning the restroom while I, and other men, are at the urinals. Oh well, go with the flow - so to speak.  But the biggest difference is public urination.  It's common to see men relieving themselves along the roadsides.