Hello, I was wondering if someone could do me the lovley courtesy of answering a few questions for me. It's part of some research I'm doing. Most of it is from the point of view of someone going into a polish home where they do not know the family.
Can you tell me more about:
1: Greetings - for example how do you address guests, elders, etc
2: Customs - Is there any specific behaviors you should observe such as bringing gifts to people, dressing formally for occasions etc, anything!
3: Taboo subjects? Presumably, when you first meet someone you shouldn't discuss money and politics...is affection on the streets ok? ...etc...
4: Death - How do they deal woith death, what should you do or not do...?
5: And if there's anything else you wonderful people might think I might need to know...please let me know.
Thanks lots everybody!!!!
from my family experience, you never address someone older than you by their first name (mr/ms so-and-so or uncle ted/auntie ann not ted or ann)
proper dress for formal/famliy dinners, especially sundays.
never ask a woman her weight or age. some people don't even like to celebrate birthdays for that reason.
funarals always have a big get together surrounding food/dinner, as many cultures do.
PDA's are frowned upon in many cultures but shaking hands and a kiss on the cheek when meeting/greeting someone is usually the custom.
or maybe that's just how i was raised in my family?...
