Cultural Differences

1. Cultural Differences

2. About Honduras • Honduras is located in the North Central part of Central America. • Guatemala is to the west • El Salvador to the south • Nicaragua to the east • Second largest country in Central America (about the size of Tennessee) • Population - 8,598,561

3. Economy • Second poorest country in Central America. • More than half of the population lives in poverty and per capita income is one of the lowest in the region. • One-third of the people are under employed. • Most Hondurans work very hard to earn, on average, $183 a month. (less than $300 a month)

4. Greeting • Kiss on the right cheek • A hug and pat on the back • Children will often say ‘hello’ with a big hug • buenosdías – good day • buenastardes - good afternoon (buenas) • buenasnoches – good evening • Adiós – good bye • ¿quetal? – hello, how are you?

5. Transportation

6. Time • Most Hondurans are relaxed on time. • The norm is being 30 minutes late. • There is no importance placed on getting to an appointment early • Individual needs are more important than schedules.

7. Gestures and Mannerisms • In Honduras • Pointing with the finger is seen as rude • Backing away when someone is standing to close is considered rude. • Refusing refreshments is considered impolite. • Hand and body language are important forms of communication.

8. Honduran Finger Flapping

9. Gestures and Mannerisms • It is inappropriate to be loud and obnoxious. • It is polite when you give a gift to one person, you give to everyone. • Because Hondurans are family oriented, conversations should began with asking about the family, rather than getting down to business. • There is a great respect for people especially the elderly.

10. Communication Styles • Eye contact depends a lot on social status.  • People will almost never say "I don't know" because they don't want to sound unfriendly/unhelpful, and often times people will tell what they think you'd most like to hear. • Most people tend to communicate in an indirect manner. 

11. Living Units • In the city, most houses are made from brick or cement, and some wealthy homes are large and impressive. • In the poorer, rural areas, houses are made with floors of packed earth, walls of adobe, and roofs of clay tiles, thatch, and some with zinc. • The kitchen is usually a special room on the outside of the house, with a wood fire built on the floor or on a raised platform. • The ideal household of a couple and their children is not always possible. When young couples cannot afford housing, they may live with their parents until they have several children of their own.

12. Dress • Men • Church services: clean pants/or nice shorts and a nice shirt • Restaurant: shorts/pants and a nice shirt (jeans okay) • Shopping: shorts or pants and a shirt • Work projects: old pants/ athletic shorts(boys only) and a shirt • Swimming: shorts, swimsuits, shirtless is acceptable • Women • Church services: clean skirt/slacks/capris and a blouse/nice top • Restaurant: skirt/clean pants/capris and a blouse/nice top • Shopping: pants or skirts and a shirt • Work Projects: old pants and a shirt • Swimming: one-piece swimsuit (must be conservative) • Not recommended: too much make-up, tight clothes, short shorts or skirts

13. Gender • Honduras has very strong gender roles, and the power and authority in most situations resides with men.  • It is generally not considered appropriate for a woman to be walking by herself in an unpopulated area, out on the streets alone at night, or to be anywhere near an establishment where alcohol is served.  • Smoking is also considered "risque" behavior by women. This tends to be the case in rural areas more than urban. • Interestingly, many women do wear flashy clothing in public (except in the rural areas) and this is considered acceptable. • Some Honduran men tend to be sexist and often make catcalls or other comments that would be seen as very rude and tasteless to a foreigner.