Etiquette in Europe

Etiquette in Europe is not uniform. Even the regions of Europe do not have common manners. Even within a single country there may be different customs, especially when there are different linguistic groups, as in Switzerland where there are French, German and Italian speakers.^[1]

Age may determine the level and details of the customs which are followed. This is especially true of eastern Europe where there is a generational divide between those who grew up in the Communist era and those who did not. For example, those used to communist practises will use the egalitarian salutation for comrade while others will tend to use the older form equivalent to Sir.^[1]

Flowers

In many areas of Europe, even numbers of flowers fewer than a dozen are appropriate only for funerals. This rule does not apply to larger arrangements. Also, certain flowers (such as chrysanthemums) are given only at funerals and most florists will advise against them. As red roses typically connote romantic feeling, they are inappropriate for other circumstances.^[2] However, in Finland abiturs are often given red roses for finishing their matriculation examination. ^[3]

Handshakes

Shaking hands while wearing gloves is widely considered impolite. This does not apply to gloves for women designed to be worn indoors.^[4]

Hats and coats

Among many segments of the European population, it is considered rude for men to wear hats or other head coverings indoors, especially in regard to churches, private homes and respected public institution.^[5] Anyone wearing coats, boots and other outer garments inside someone’s home is often frowned upon as well. Sitting down at the table to eat with a hat, outerwear or other inappropriate attire is even worse.^[6]

Language

Some European languages such as French or German denote familiarity and or respect using forms such as the T-V distinction. This often applies to common phrases such as "how are you?", that are sometimes learned in isolation.^[7] Addressing people with an inappropriately familiar form may be seen as derogatory, insulting or even aggressive. Conversely, forms that are inappropriately formal may be seen as impolitely snobbish.^[8]

Luck

Some things formerly prohibited by superstitions surrounding bad luck remain as examples of bad manners. Opening an umbrella indoors and accepting a light for a cigarette after two others are two examples.^[9]

Money

Talking or asking about one's personal wealth, possessions or success in business is widely viewed as vulgar. People will rarely say how much money they make or have in the bank nor will they request such information from someone else. It is impolite to ask colleagues about their salary and in some places of work it is forbidden.^[10] Even in other places, for example where government employees' salary are publicly known, it is still considered extremely rude to ask individuals about how much they earn.

Names

In many parts of Europe, it is inappropriate to use someone's first name until a certain level of friendship is attained. Typically, this formality is maintained until one person, typically the elder of the two, says “you may call me (first name)” and the other person responds in kind. Even in areas where this guideline holds true it probably doesn’t apply among people below a certain age group nor in some very informal settings.^[11]

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