My parents are going to visit Iceland this May. That got me thinking about the protocol of that country. I did some research and found this:
In Iceland
General Protocol:
Service charges are included in restaurant bills and tipping is considered an insult.
Names and Greetings:
Icelanders use first names among themselves, but they expect foreigners to use their last name and will use last names when speaking to foreigners. In many cases they will soon go over to using first names.
Appointments and Punctuality:
Business appointments are not usually necessary, as a tradition of "dropping in" prevails. Punctuality is not a must.
Hospitality and Gift Giving:
It is common, but not compulsory, to take a small gift for the host or hostess when you are invited to a meal.
These are interestingly different behaviors than in America. Until they go and experience it first hand they will not know if it really is different feeling to them. Have you traveled somewhere and been warned about a behavior that is different in another country and it made you uneasy? Email me or leave a comment. I'd love to read what you have to share.
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