The Congested Nose Saga Continues…

What’s considered bad manners in one place is expected in another.

When I shared my nose-blowing revelation with Pratha Shetty, she laughed and told me her own story, one from the other side of the cultural spectrum. While in Europe, she once chose to not blow her nose during a meeting, instead opting to keep sniffing. Twice, her colleagues subtly offered her a tissue. The third time, someone politely said, "Would you like to blow your nose?" That’s when she got the message.

It’s fascinating how the same act, blowing your nose, has opposite interpretations. In India, it’s discreetly avoided in public. In Europe, not doing it is considered disruptive.

The best way to navigate these moments? A bit of humor. A simple, "Oh, in my country, we do this differently!" can ease the situation, spark curiosity, and make cultural differences something to laugh about rather than stress over.

At StrengthMiner® Consulting LLP, we provide intercultural mobility training, where our learning guides help prepare you for social and professional etiquette differences. To learn more, you can message me, Jill Sheldekar, or Pratha Shetty on LinkedIn.