Glo'buZz - November 2007
Paguro Newsletter - To stay on top of everything expat
Issue #2 - November 2007
Paguro’s newsletter that keeps you up-to-date on worldwide events, travel advisories, news and information, etc. is brought to you by www.paguro.net In this edition we are concentrating on Hong Kong, Singapore and the newly added Copenhagen.
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WORLDWIDE TIDBITS
- Travel updates
- Health updates
- Expat survival guide
- Piazza Paguro
TRAVEL UPDATES
Singapore Airlines expects to take delivery of the first commercial new double-decker Airbus A380 superjumbo planes in November and to begin flights to Sydney in December.
Singapore airline confirmed Singapore-Sydney would be its first route when scheduled services started, probably in late December... but no sex on board please! read more
Europe has been again theatre of wild strikes last October, this time it was France.
For Christmas though it seems is moving to the UK.
British air travellers could face disruption over the Christmas period after workers across seven major airports called for a vote on whether to strike over BAA's changes to pension plans. BAA, the world's biggest airport operator, is facing a potential walk-out after closing its pension plan for new employees. read more
The US department of State announces: The Diversity Visa (DV) 2009 Lottery online entry begins at Noon EDT on October 3, 2007, and ends at Noon EST on December 2, 2007... read more
HEALTH UPDATES
Avian Influenza - On October 25th 2007 the Indonesian Ministry of Health announced new case of human infection of avian influenza when a 5 year old child died after contracting the virus. Two weeks prior to the child's death there were recorded poultry deaths in the child's neighbourhood. For more information on this and other health matters we suggest referring to the WHO website (World Health Organization).
EXPAT SURVIVAL GUIDE
Paguro Expat Know-how section contains a collection of selected expat knowledge of many people the world over on many aspects of expat living.
Are you on the move? Then before getting started read Paguro To do before departure, a wealth of tips and tricks compiled by many expatriates to ease the planning of a move.
Has your career met a brick wall when you decided to move abroad with your partner following his/her career? Check out Paguro article on Portable careers, you will find advice regarding how to rethink your career, useful links on work permits worldwide, etc.
Looking for an English school overseas? Check out Paguro's listings.
Sucht sie eine Deutsche Schule? Sie kann Paguro's auflistungen von Schulen sehen.
Cherchez-vous une école française a l'etranger?- Consultez notre liste des écoles françaises.
Cercate una scuola italiana all'estero? Consultate la nostra lista di scuole italiane!
Piazza Paguro
Come to Piazza Paguro, for, as the Scots would say, a "chin wag".
Piazza Paguro is "the" expat forum where you can chat with other expats and pick up some good information pertinent to your ex-pat life.
Bank Holidays
Hong Kong, Singapore and Copenhagen
November - February
Hong Kong
Dec 22nd -Winter Solistice Holiday
Dec 25th - Dec 27th - Christmas Holiday
Jan 1st - New Year's Day
Feb 7th - Chinese New Year
Singapore
Nov 9th - Deepavali (Hindu Festival of light)
Dec 20th - Hari Raya Haji (Feast of the Sacrifice)
Dec 25th - Christmas Day
Jan 1st - Gregorian New Years
Feb 7th - Chinese New Year
Copenhagen
Dec 24th - Dec 25th - Christmas Holidays
Jan 1st - New Year's Day
Although the above are recognised holidays it does not necessarily imply that public places are closed.
Etiquette
What may be acceptable in your home country may be totally unacceptable in your host country so we have compiled a useful list of what to do and what not to do in certain situations.
Hong Kong and Singapore
Hong Kong and Singapore share many etiquette rules.
- Shake hands with everyone you meet including children and also shake hands upon departing.
- It is impolite to refuse a drink so even if you are tee total accept any drink offered and at the very least take a small sip.
- If eating with chopsticks do not rub them together as this infers that you have been given poor quality chopsticks and will not ingratiate you with your host!!
- Do not blow your nose in public and certainly never at the table! However, belching, even at the table is quite acceptable!
- Never go to someones home without a gift and present the gift with both hands. Avoid giving White (signifies mourning) or red (signifies blood) flowers. Anything sharp should also be avoided. If you are offered a gift or even a business card receive it with both hands. Do not expect a gift to be opened immediately.
- Dress modestly.
- Never refuse a lunch or dinner invite - if you cannot make the appointed date, suggest an alternative date.
- Do not hug, kiss or pat people on the back as this is offensive.
Copenhagen
- Danes shake hands with everyone, including children upon meeting and upon leaving.
- Danish people generally do not like to be touched so do not hug or kiss unless it is a very close friend who you know will not be offended.
- In Denmark punctuality is expected even for informal social occasions
- A meal can last 4-5 hours and you would be expected to stay for at least another hour after the meal ends.
- Never dress sloppily - casual is okay provided you are not too casual.
- If invited to somone's home bring a small gift - most things are acceptable, although nothing sharp. Gifts are opened immediately upon receipt.
Of course there are probably hundreds of etiquette rules we haven't even touched upon but hopefully the few above should stop too many embarrassing moments.
If you live in or indeed are from any of this months featured cities do let us know if we have missed any important points of etiquette write us
Saving face
We sometimes find ourselves in embarrassing situations when in a new country purely because we say a word or phrase which has an entirely different meaning to what we actually meant to say. Here we give a few examples and if you know of any please write and let us know.
The Italians are fond of clinking the glasses together whilst saying cin cin (pronounced chin chin) when having a toast - however if you said this in company of Japanese people they may take offence, as in Japanese it has vulgar connotations.
Think about the word "sale" in English it is associated to savings in shopping, but in Italian means salt, while for the French means dirty...
Or the polite thanks of the German "bitte" which becomes in French slang for the private male part!
Out of hundreds examples of false friends we would like to know which one had you as a main character. If you have had an embarrassing experience that you wish to share, please write and let us know, misery likes company!
FIND, CONNECT, SHARE with PAGURO
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Tune in for then next Issue of Glo'Buzz which will feature
Munich
Kuwait City
Oslo
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Paguro’s mission is to establish a multi-lingual network of networks whose scope is to enhance the quality of life of expatriates and their families by providing relevant information, support and a collaborative space both to expatriate families and corporate.
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