GREETINGS
• To address people formally, use Mr. or Ms. or a title plus the first name. There are several titles of respect in Vietnamese, but they aren't used in English.
• "Thua" (meaning please) is added in front of the first name to show respect.
• Women do not shake hands with each other or with men. Physical contact between grown-up relatives or friends (both males and females), or between the same or opposite sexes, is not a common sight.
• Many may greet by bowing slightly to each other, they may join hands. Usually, higher ranking people are greeted first (the family head).
LANGUAGE
Vietnamese is basically a monosyllabic language having six tones, which give the language a sing-song effect. A word can be repeated with any one of six tones to indicate six different meanings. For example, the word ma has six different meanings according to the tone which the word carries: phantom, ghost; cheek; but, which, who; tomb; horse; young rice seedling.
Vietnamese has three basic dialects, all are generally understood by most Vietnamese speakers. It is very different from English; verbs do not change forms, articles are not used, nouns do not have plural endings, there are no prefixes, no suffixes, no definitives and no distinction among pronouns. Its complex vocabulary reflects basic cultural values.
Many refugees of the first wave are bilingual. Older urban people may speak some French, and those who had government jobs in South Vietnam speak some English, or are even fluent.
GENERAL ETIQUETTE
* Note: For the Vietnamese living abroad, the traditional etiquette changes slightly adapting to the western etiquette.
• Vietnamese culture is concerned more with status (obtained with age and education) than with wealth.
• Breaking a promise can be a serious violation of social expectation. It is very difficult to re-establish a lost confidence.
• When inviting a friend on an outing, the bill is paid for by the person offering the invitation.
• Vietnamese may not take appointment times literally, and will often arrive late so as not to appear overly enthusiastic.
• Speaking in a loud tone with excessive gestures is considered rude, especially when done by women.
• Summoning a person with a hand or finger in the upright position is reserved only for animals or inferior people. Between two equal people it is a provocation. To summon a person, the entire hand with the fingers facing down is the only appropriate hand signal.
• The elderly grandparents and parents are taken care of until they die.
• Only a few urban people, influenced by Western customs, celebrate birthdays, since that occasion is not a Vietnamese customs Nor do Vietnamese send Christmas cards. Wedding and funeral ceremonies are important events and are usually performed with solemn and traditional rituals.
• Modesty and humility are emphasized in the culture of the Vietnamese and deeply ingrained into their natural behavior. Therefore, bragging is often criticized and avoided. When be- ing praised for something, a Vietnamese often declines to accept praise by humbly claiming that he does not warrant such esteem. The Vietnamese do not customarily demonstrate their knowledge, skills, or possessions without being asked to do so.
• The majority of Vietnamese women never sip alcohol and usually shy away when alcoholic beverages are offered to them. Drinking women are despised in our society. Drinking problems are rare and practically nonexistent among women.
• While smoking has gained wide acceptance among men, very few Vietnamese women smoke; those who do are generally older women. Women's smoking, in public has been traditionally considered something "unusual."
GREETINGS
• To address people formally, use Mr. or Ms. or a title plus the first name. There are several titles of respect in Vietnamese, but they aren't used in English.
• "Thua" (meaning please) is added in front of the first name to show respect.
• Women do not shake hands with each other or with men. Physical contact between grown-up relatives or friends (both males and females), or between the same or opposite sexes, is not a common sight.
• Many may greet by bowing slightly to each other, they may join hands. Usually, higher ranking people are greeted first (the family head).
LANGUAGE
Vietnamese is basically a monosyllabic language having six tones, which give the language a sing-song effect. A word can be repeated with any one of six tones to indicate six different meanings. For example, the word ma has six different meanings according to the tone which the word carries: phantom, ghost; cheek; but, which, who; tomb; horse; young rice seedling.
Vietnamese has three basic dialects, all are generally understood by most Vietnamese speakers. It is very different from English; verbs do not change forms, articles are not used, nouns do not have plural endings, there are no prefixes, no suffixes, no definitives and no distinction among pronouns. Its complex vocabulary reflects basic cultural values.
Many refugees of the first wave are bilingual. Older urban people may speak some French, and those who had government jobs in South Vietnam speak some English, or are even fluent.
GENERAL ETIQUETTE
* Note: For the Vietnamese living abroad, the traditional etiquette changes slightly adapting to the western etiquette.
• Vietnamese culture is concerned more with status (obtained with age and education) than with wealth.
• Breaking a promise can be a serious violation of social expectation. It is very difficult to re-establish a lost confidence.
• When inviting a friend on an outing, the bill is paid for by the person offering the invitation.
• Vietnamese may not take appointment times literally, and will often arrive late so as not to appear overly enthusiastic.
• Speaking in a loud tone with excessive gestures is considered rude, especially when done by women.
• Summoning a person with a hand or finger in the upright position is reserved only for animals or inferior people. Between two equal people it is a provocation. To summon a person, the entire hand with the fingers facing down is the only appropriate hand signal.
• The elderly grandparents and parents are taken care of until they die.
• Only a few urban people, influenced by Western customs, celebrate birthdays, since that occasion is not a Vietnamese customs Nor do Vietnamese send Christmas cards. Wedding and funeral ceremonies are important events and are usually performed with solemn and traditional rituals.
• Modesty and humility are emphasized in the culture of the Vietnamese and deeply ingrained into their natural behavior. Therefore, bragging is often criticized and avoided. When be- ing praised for something, a Vietnamese often declines to accept praise by humbly claiming that he does not warrant such esteem. The Vietnamese do not customarily demonstrate their knowledge, skills, or possessions without being asked to do so.
• The majority of Vietnamese women never sip alcohol and usually shy away when alcoholic beverages are offered to them. Drinking women are despised in our society. Drinking problems are rare and practically nonexistent among women.
• While smoking has gained wide acceptance among men, very few Vietnamese women smoke; those who do are generally older women. Women's smoking, in public has been traditionally considered something "unusual."